A/N: Hey! So I know, the grammar and writing is poor, I have written the 5th year, three years ago in Word Pad, and have been completing the book's last few chapters now and editing them. I know, I should edit the starting chapters but I am a bit lazy and more excited to finish the book first and my head is completely into the last chapters, the characters there have grown up and the theme has gone a bit dark due to war. So, I promise once I am done there I will improve these chapters. I thought of publishing it here only after finishing it completely but you know it takes time to edit, so I decided to upload it here.
So, what do you all say? Should I continue posting the chapters here or should I improve the grammar and writing and edit it then publish? Please tell me whether you're interested in this book or not.
The Marauders bar Remus were sitting in the common room waiting for night time to go and meet Remus the werewolf. To pass the time they decided to complete their notes and homeworld so that Remus can cover the portion that he missed today and probably will be missing tomorrow too.
"I think Poppy would have left Moony, I will go check on him before we all go there." Sirius informed the other two.
"Take some chocolates with you too, he will like to have some before the transformation begins," Peter told Sirius who grinned.
"Sure, I will just go to dorm, he must be having some in his table." Sirius said and rushed to their dorm before going out.
Sirius saw that moon wasn't full yet, they have some time, he moved out of the castle and saw a figure looking at the whooping willow, Sirius froze at the spot, this cant be good, the person must have seen Poppy take Remus in their. He saw the figure and return towards the castle, towards him but his face seemed to be towards the whooping willow. Sirius began to move towards the figure too, with panick, but when he saw who the person was his panic turned into anger alone.
Snape stopped when he saw Sirius in front of him.
"What are you doing here Snivellus? Didn't you got the message in Potions class not to poke your nose in other people's business ?" hissed Sirius.
"What is Lupin doing inside that Whomping Willow? I will tell everyone that your Lupin goes into that Willow every time he disappears." said Snape his lips twisting up when he saw Sirius' face going white.
A fear ran in Sirius, if Snape will tell everyone about Remus going into willow than many will try to find about Remus' disappearance. This thought made Sirius more anger.
"You will do no such thing or I will hex you so badly that no one will hear you, no one will want to come near you. You speak one word about it and you will pay for it." said Sirius each words coming out as venom.
"What will you do? You are alone, you think that Potter will be there for you? No. You have no one now. You are a worthless piece of shit whose Mother kicked him out."
"Dont talk about that woman, she is no more my mother and I left them. And James will be always by my side."
"You are a Black, you are a disgrace to your family and to the whole wizarding community. I heard from your little brother that you were crying, he got upset but he is not foolish like you he knows what is right, he will be soon a death eater. "
Sirius grabbed Snape by the collar "Dont talk about my brother, he knows what is right."
"Oh does he now? I heard that he will meet the Dark Lord soon and join him. Whereas you will rot when everyone will left you behind. Soon the Potters will realize their mistake and kick you out and then you will be on your knees licking everyone's shoes for mercy." snapped Snape.
Sirius' anger has reached beyond the peak, he was now shaking with anger, then an idea stuck his brain as he saw moonlight spreading around him. "You know what Snivellus ,I will tell you how to get beyond the Whomping Willow then you will find all your answers." He dropped Snape's collar.
Snape looked at him curiously.
Sirius smiled at the look on Snape's face "You have to prod the knot on the tree trunk with a long stick and the tree will freeze, then you can find your answers inside it." and with that he tuned on his knees and began walking towards the castle.
"Why I should believe you?" asked Snape from behind.
"You wanted your answers I told you the way to get them, now its up to you to believe me and get your answers or just keep wondering what's inside the willow." and with that Sirius increased his pace leaving behind a bewildered Snape.
Snape considered what Sirius has just said. He can take Sirius' advice on how to stop the Whomping Willow and get inside the tree to get his answers, but this was Sirius Black his enemy why should he follow his advice. But then he only told him how to get past the Willow and Snape thought that he could handle whatever inside it was, whatever Remus was doing. It will help Snape to expose the Marauders in front of everyone, and Sirius was worried at first that he has found about the Willow. Snape thought about the arrogant Potter and the way he looked at his Lily, maybe today he can get rid of that arrogant git.
Curiosity overtook Snape's logical sense and he turned to move toward the willow.
Sirius saw Snape slowly moving towards the willow and turned to return to the Gryffindor common room.
"Padfoot you returned earlier than we expected, so did you give Moony the chocolates, or the transformation has started to begin?" asked James once Sirius returned. Sirius didn't speak anything.
"Did you meet Moony or got caught by some prefects as the curfew has started ?" asked James again louder than before to get Sirius' attention.
"I ran into Snivellus that nosy prat, he saw Moony enter the Willow and said about telling everyone and then started asking about it and talked rubbish about me, you, Regulus and other things, so I decided to play a prank on that greasy git, I told him he will get all his answers when he will enter that tree by prodding the knot, he was proceeding towards the Willow, once he will saw whats in there he will never put his greasy nose around us." Sirius said angrily.
It felt as though the world collapsed around James.
"YOU FUCKING MORON" shouted James and stormed out of the dorm as fast as he could.
Lily was patrolling the corridors when she heard someone running toward her. She took out her wand just in case.
Then she saw James Potter running towards her his expression terrified .
"Potter stop running. What happened?" she shouted but he didn't stop "Stop or I will hex you" then he stopped and looked at her still terrified.
"Run to Dumbledore, tell him Snape is going inside Shrieking Shack Remus is in werewolf form, I am going to stop him but you run and bring Dumcledore." he said as fast and clearly as he could and was quite relieved when Lily nodded and ran towards Dumbledore's office. He then began running as fast as he could as though his life depend upon it.
Lily didn't asked James any question, she knew what might have happened, she followed James' order without any question although she had a lot. Fear was rising in her at the thought of what can happen to Severus. She didn't know how was James going to save Severus, but the look in James' eyes has told her that he will save Severus.
"Chocolate cluster" she said to the Gorgoyle which opened at once, she has never been this grateful for being a prefect before, as Dumbledore's office password is given to prefects in case of emergency and this was emergency.
She knocked on the door hard "Pro...fessor... Dumbledore" she shouted while panting from all that running. The door opened and sitting behind the table was the man himself. He noticed the look on her face and stood at once.
"What happened Ms Evans?" he asked worriedly.
Lily was till panting "Severus ... going... Whomping Willow . ...inside ...Remus ...werewolf ...James ...has gone to save him... please come ." she finished.
Dumbledore began moving faster for a man of his age towards the whomping willow, Lily beside him, shaking with fear, what if James is late and Sev has already been attacked, what if James himself gets injured, now it came to her James has just put his life in danger to save Snape, his enemy who has foolishly gone behind Remus. Oh Sev what have you done. What if both of them died ? She cant face that Sev was his oldest friend and James, they have started becoming friends this year and James has got a spot in her heart, which now became clear to her.
James saw that the willow was already still meant Snape was inside. He began running through the narrow passage, he could hear some howlings, oh god, he hoped that he was not late, he ran and saw Snape moving up the stairs towards the room where Remus was in his werewolf form.
"STOP" he shouted but too late Snape was about to open the door, Snape opened the door slightly and shrieked.
James pulled Snape back who moved few steps down the stair and was frozen to the spot with shock.
The werewolf made to attack towards the door on hearing the noices, James lunched forward to close the door, the werewolf collided with door but it's hand was struck in the door, it scratched James's chest with his nails. James held the door close by pressing his body against it while the werewolf continued to force open it, James head hit the door as the werewolf overpowered him for a few second but James regained the control back and pushed the werewolf back with the door, the werewolf's hand got stuck in the opening and he howled in pain. James took the opportunity to slightly loosen the door and the werewolf withdraw his hand still howling in pain and James closed the door shut, took out his wand, and cast a spell at the door to make sure it remains closed. This all happened within a minute but felt like eternity to both James and Snape.
He turned to Snape who was still frigid with shock and looking at the door where Werewolf's hand was a moment ago, the howling could still be heard from behind the door. "What were you thinking, while coming here? Now let's get out." he gripped Snape by his hand and pushed him out of the narrow passage back to the ground.
Snape was still trying to absorb what has happened inside there and how close he was to death. As James pushed him out of the passage he recalled everything and came back to his senses.
Once out of the willow Snape found his voice.
"LUPIN IS A WEREWOLF. YOU and BLACK tried to kill me." said an angry Snape.
"I just saved your life you fucking prat." said James running his hands continuously through his hairs, he was nervous and afraid ,what if Snape tell everyone in the school, it will destroy Remus' life and Snape's next sentenced confirmed his fear.
Dumbledore and Lily saw two people standing near the willow, there voices were carrying over to where Dumbledore and Lily were moving towards the two figures. Lily felt relief when she recognized the voices.
"Lily you stay near this tree, it might be dangerous for you to go there." commanded Dumbledore , as they approached close to the two figures , he pointed towards a big tree.
"Yes Professor" Lily choked and moved in the shadows of the tree, leaning against it. She focused on the two people who were visible under the moonlight, there voices clearly audible.
"I WILL TELL EVERYONE ABOUT IT, YOU ALL WILL BE EXPELLED, THAT LUPIN IS A DARK DISGUSTING CREATURE, HE SHOULD NOT BE HERE, YOU ALL WILL BE SENT TO AZKABAN, I WILL TELL EVERYONE." Snape's shout reached Lily and she felt for the first time anger and hatred towards Snape, he has called Remus a dark disgusting creature, she knew that James will hit Snape for all this but she was shocked when she saw James falling on knees and holding Snape's robes.
"Please Severus, don't tell anyone about Remus he is innocent his life will be destroyed, you hate me Severus I will do anything for you but please don't tell anyone about Remus he will die with all the pain, please Severus please don't tell anyone please." cried James, Lily saw that he was begging as though he was begging for his life not his friends.
"WHY I SHOULD LISTEN TO YOU WHEN YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS TRIED TO KILL ME, THAT CREATURE TRIED TO KILL ME IT SHOULD BE EXECUTED." Snape said.
"Please Severus , Remus was out of control leave him out of it please I will take all the blame about tonight's event on myself, I will go to Azkaban but please leave Remus out of it." cried James.
"There will be no need for that James" said Dumbledore as he reached the two boys.
"Professor that Lupin is a werewolf, he attacked me , Black and Potter were also involved in it, they all tried to kill me professor. You can find the creature in this Willow." said Snape instantly to the headmaster.
"Professor , Remus' is innocent he did nothing it was all me professor please don't do anything to Remus, he is innocent he will be devasted. His entire life will be wasted." James begged the professor.
"I know Remus has no hand in it, I know he is innocent, James." assured the professor.
"HOW COULD YOU LEAVE HIM HE IS A WEREWOLF, HE TRIED TO KILL ME JUST NOW AND YOU ARE SAYING HE IS INNOCENT" shouted Snape.
"Quiet Severus, now please tell me about the entire event from start." asked the Professor.
"I knew something was wrong with that Lupin, I saw him go inside the Whomping Willow, then Sirius Black told me how to get in the willow and said I will find my answers inside it so I went in there and I saw the werewolf, he tried to kill me and..." Snape trailed off as the memory replayed in his mind and fear overtook him.
"And then Professor I found out what Sirius has done and ran here to stop Snape but he already saw Remus in his werewolf form, I pulled him back and closed the door." said James.
"Are the injuries from that incident" asked Dumbledore pointing at James' chest where his shirt was torn and covered in blood.
"Yes Professor," replied James.
"Okay, Mr. Snape I see you are not injured so I request you to go and wait for me in my office you will not talk to anyone about this until I talk to you, am I clear?" Dumbledore's voice sounded fearful and Snape gave in to it.
"Yes professor" he replied.
"Very well now go and don't speak to anyone else" Dumbledore said and Snape left.
Lily saw Severus leaving but was sure he didn't saw her as he was looking straight only and Lily was under the tree's shadow.
"Professor what will happen now ?" Lily heard James' voice.
"What happened today was a tragic incident, I will give my decision only after talking to Mr. Black and Mr. Lupin... don't worry Mr. Remus is not in any trouble though the same cant be said for Mr. Black...Though James I am very grateful to you" said Dumbledore.
" Grateful to me ? I don't understand sir." asked James.
"Yes James I am very grateful to you, you not only saved life of Mr. Snape but you also saved the lives of Mr. Lupin and Mr. Black , and you did this by putting your life in death's hand, you knew you could have been bitten or worse died, but you put your life aside to save the life of others. I will say again I am very grateful to you." said Dumbledore.
"Will Snape tell everyone sir ?" asked James.
"Dont worry I will make sure he doesn't tell anyone about it, you know he owes his life to you James" said Dumbledore.
"I don't need anything from him in return as long as he doesn't tell anyone about Remus." said James
"OH we never know when these things come in work but now is not the time to talk about it. Miss Evans if you will please come here?" said the headmaster.
Lily reached them and gasped as she saw James' blood-soaked chest and injured head.
"I assume Mr. Snape didn't saw you?" asked Dumbledore
"No sir"
"Very well can I trust you not to tell anyone about tonight's events?"
"Yes sir I will not tell anyone."
"Good, now please take Mr. Potter to Hospital wing, I will send her the message before you reach her" he casted a Patronus of Phoenix form which sped towards Hospital wing. " Can you walk Mr. Potter?"
"Yes sir"
"Very well, go to hospital wing, you both will have a day off tomorrow seeing tonight's events, and I will go talk to Mr. Snape." said Dumbledore and left.
James moved a few steps than clutched his chest as pain began to rise, Lily saw him and took his one hand and put it around her shoulder to support him.
"Thanks" said James.
"Thanks to you James for everything you did today, it was very brave of you. Severus doesn't understands people and emotions very much so I thank you on his behalf for saving his life, even though you both are enemies" said Lily.
"I cant let my any enemies die like this, it would be horrible, and I know Remus he already worries of injuring others and if he found out that he has bitten or killed anyone than he will beat himself to death and I can't let that happen ... Maybe I will let Voldemort die like this." said James , Lily chuckled and relaxed that at least he was joking means the injury was nit that deep.
They were silently and slowly moving toward the hospital wing.
"I cant believe Sirius could do anything like this" James said through gritted teeth breaking the silence, Lily didn't know how to respond to this so she remained silent, soon she found that tears were falling from James' eyes. She has never seen him crying before.
"James are you okay?" she asked slowly, he nodded "Then please don't cry, everything is okay now." Lily assured him.
"Its just I cant get past the fact that Sirius will be this stupid to put Snape's life in danger, whatever Snape said or did, doesn't mean he deserved that, Snape could have been bitten or killed. How could Sirius ignore this fact and make this grave mistake?" James voice was broken
"Its okay James, nothing worse happened, please calm down."soothed Lily. James nodded.
"Merlin's pants at least its not that worse than I suspected it to be." said the nurse after examining James' chest.
"Will he be okay?" asked Lily.
"Yes, he will be okay as it was just a scratch on his skin otherwise Werewolf's injury are very dangerous but Potter here is lucky that its just a scratch. Though the marks will remain for a long time, these take time to disappear. He can leave in morning ."
"Thank you Madam Pomfrey." said Lily looking at James who was now asleep.
"No worries dear, but what happened today could have had very dangerous results, we should thanks Potter for preventing it from happen" said Poppy.
"Yeah we should" said Lily "Madam Pomfrey can I stay here? I promise I will not disturb anyone its just that James here had a difficult night and I am grateful to him, I think he might be in emotional pain as well."
"Sure stay just don't make any noises, you can have one of the bed next to him, if you want."
"Thanks" said Lily.
Lily slept for few hours and then woke up when she heard noises. It was still dark outside.
She saw Remus being brought in by Poppy who was supporting him by magic, he looked very pale, his eyes were only half opened, she put him on a bed in far corner of the hospital wing.
"Did I attacked anyone? Is everyone okay?" Lily heard Remus asking the nurse.
"Everything is alright Remus, nothing bad happened" said Poppy.
"But I remember mys senses going high, I slightly remember attacking anyone." he said to Poppy.
"No one is hurt Remus, please drink this you will feel better, it will help you sleep."
Madam Pomfrey went back in after putting Remus to sleep. Lily tried to sleep again but felt awake so she just remained in her bed looking at James.
She considered her opinion of James Potter, she has always thought of him as a care free, irresponsible, bully , egoistic and an arrogant boy. But the recent months has changed her opinion about him, he was very caring and responsible person, he put aside his ego ashe begged to his enemy on his knees for his friend. Then she thought if how sev has reacted to all this, though he has just faced death.
Lily remembered Marlene's words that people have more than one side and Lily has started seeing the different side of James Potter. And overall she has started liking his this side not to mention his appearance which is just awesome.
Lily sighed at this new feeling, she was still unsure about many things regarding James Potter but last night's event, when she thought James may die has made her mind clear that even though she might not be ready for any relationship with James even though she slightly fancied him, but she became sure that she definitely wanted to be close friend with him.
Lily smiled as she saw the peaceful face of James without his glasses.
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