Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
(Saturday, September 10, 1977)
"Alright, Potter, I've gotten everyone's course schedule, let's get to work on this thrice damned patrol schedule. Professor McGonagall said we need to have the Prefects patrolling by next week," Lily said, walking into the Marauders' dorm, focused on the parchment she had in hand.
Peter and Sirius both shrieked at her sudden appearance in their dorm, startling James badly enough that he fell out of his bed, a mess of flailing arms and legs, making what sounded oddly like distressed deer noises as he went.
Lily looked up, blinking owlishly at the boys. Sirius was shirtless and covering his nipples – Like he has anything to hide – Peter was staring at her warily from underneath a bed, James had yet to make a reappearance from the other side of his bed where he fell, and Remus was sitting calmly on his bed, reading a book.
"What the hell, Evans? Don't you know how to knock?" Sirius shouted. "Some of us are indecent, you know!"
"Sirius, I've seen you shirtless before, you aren't indecent," Lily said, rolling her eyes. "James, get your arse out of the floor, we need to work on this schedule."
He jumped up, making Lily blink in shock. His glasses were on crooked and his hair was wilder than usual. "I'll be down in a minute," he said, giving her a flighty kind of smile. She looked at all of them again before shaking her head and leaving the room to wait for James in the Common Room.
As soon as the door shut, he turned to Sirius and Peter. "Never scream like that again, I was this close to turning into Prongs." He held up his forefinger and thumb to demonstrate how close he came.
"Is that why you sounded like a screaming deer?" Remus asked, turning a page in his book.
"Yes! Merlin, it was like my last birthday all over again! You guys know not to scare me like that!" The other three boys snorted, remembering that night vividly.
Sirius always did something outlandish for their birthdays, and for James's he thought it would be a brilliant idea to pounce on him in his sleep as Padfoot when the clock stuck midnight to get him mad enough to chase him down to the kitchens where he had asked the elves to have a small feast ready and waiting.
Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on which of the four you asked, when Padfoot pounced on James's bed, it startled him so badly, he popped into Prongs, which is what Remus and Peter woke to. A large stag freaking the fuck out in James's bed and a big black dog caught in the middle of it.
Sirius never did try to do that again.
"How were we supposed to know Evans was going to waltz in unannounced?" Peter asked, crawling out from under his bed.
James threw his arms in the air. "I don't know! Set up proximity wards? I've got to go work on this schedule."
He found her sitting at one of the round tables in the Common Room there for groups of students to work at. There were also individual desks lined up along the wall that had silencing wards carved into them with runes which one had to tap with their wands to activate if they wanted to study in silence but didn't want to make the trek to the Library.
She looked at him with narrowed eyes when he flopped down into the chair next to her. "Alright Potter?"
He gave another flighty smile and nodded. "Alright, Evans," he confirmed. "D'you think Professor McGonagall would let us have the official schedule of classes for the Prefect Years? We could make a master table for each of them with that as a starting point."
She gave him another look, but let his strange behavior go. "Already got it. Each Year has a different free period, which makes this easier for us. Here's the schedules for their extracurricular activities, you get started on tables for each one's free time based off what they're involved in, and I'll do the same for their classes."
James nodded, seeing no reason to argue with the task she gave him. He set about making one large table for each year, placing the Prefects' initials in the time boxes for when they had a club meeting or practice. It was a tedious process, but it went by quick enough for both of them. When they finished, the compared their tables and were able to make a fair patrolling schedule, careful to not overburden any of the Prefects, mindful of their course loads.
"I'll submit these to McGonagall and she'll owl them out to the Prefects if she approves of them," Lily said. She rolled up the tables they had made for each Prefect while James gathered up the rest of the parchments they had worked on, planning on keeping them in his trunk should they need them in the future.
He nodded in agreement and smiled. "I'll see you at tryouts, then. Hopefully we'll have a good turnout. We need decent replacements for Longbottom and McGonagall if we're going to stand a chance at not finishing last again this year. We really haven't been the same since they graduated."
"Hopefully," she agreed. The Gryffindor team had been left in shambles after Frank Longbottom and Micah McGonagall had graduated two years ago. "As much as I hate to admit it, McLaggen would make a decent Chaser, but he's too intent on taking my spot to even consider playing another position."
James made a face. "I know. I think Sirius and I'll have a… talk with him about that. He's got to get over his bruised ego and just accept the spot he's offered."
"I'd like to be there when you do," Lily said somewhat viciously. James looked at her in surprise. "What? I've had enough of his bullshit. I'd like to take him down a peg or two, y'know?"
"Sounds like you want to play a prank on him." He grinned mischievously. "Messrs Moony, Longtooth*, Padfoot and I would be delighted to aid you in your foray into the world of pranks."
She smiled impishly at him, making him melt at the sight. "Who says I haven't played a prank before?"
"Ethical Evans played a prank? I don't believe it," he said.
"You had better," she said back. "Remember in Fifth Year at the Leaving Feast, how all of the Slytherins sounded like chickens?"
He gasped, and then began laughing. "That was you?!" She nodded smugly, making him laugh harder. "Oh Merlin, wait till I tell Sirius. He went mad trying to figure out who did that!" He ran off, still laughing, no doubt to tell his friends. She smiled and shook her head almost fondly, gathering up the parchments he left in addition to the schedules they had made and left for Professor McGonagall's office before she could be bombarded by the Marauders.
{Furius Draconis}
(Saturday, September 10, 1977)
Severus stood a respectable distance from the Slytherin Quidditch team, having learned rather quickly they wouldn't allow him to stand any closer to them, especially not on tryout day. Yaxley, their captain, stood in front of them, giving those who came to try out for the team his nastiest glare he could muster, Severus was sure.
There was only one open spot on the team this year, but there was also the well-established rule that if a Mudblood held a position on the team, they could be challenged for their spot as well. Him being the only "Mudblood" on the team had been the only one to be challenged, by what seemed like half of the house. Most notable was Jugson, a Slytherin of his year that he took the spot from. The freckled teen had literally been spitting mad when he didn't oust Severus from the team.
"Listen up you lot!" Yaxley roared over the din of the small group amassed before him. "We've only one spot open this year, that of a Beater." He paused and briefly glanced over his shoulder at Severus. "There'll be no challenges allowed this year – shut it! – they're a bloody waste of my time. Snape is unbeatable, get the hell over it."
Severus blinked. That was a pleasant surprise. One he could likely manipulate in his favor. Yaxley was looking back at him again, Severus was quick to dip his head gratefully towards him, and the Quidditch Captain accepted it with the slightest jerk of his head.
"Are you fucking crazy?! I can't agree to that!" Jugson screamed, face red with anger. He shoved his way to the front of the group. "Have you gone soft, Yaxley? It is my right to-"
"Shut up, Jugson," Severus said. All eyes were instantly on him, an uneasy thrum in the atmosphere. He never spoke unless they forced him, and he never told them to do anything, certainly not to shut up. But what better time to start challenging the status quo in Slytherin?
After all, if he couldn't dominate his peers, how would he be able to do so to the Knights of Walpurgis?
Yaxley's lip twitched as if he were about to smile, but his face settled into its usual glower. "What was that, Snape?"
"I told him to shut up, Captain," Severus answered, louder this time. "His voice gives me a headache."
The team continued to stare at him in disbelief, the quiet spell momentarily broken by Regulus Black trying to pass off his laughter as a coughing fit. They all spoke to Jugson like that, but they were undeniably above him, as Purebloods and members of the Quidditch team. For Severus, a half-blood – a Mudblood – who they all picked on, to do so was a devastating blow to what was left of Jugson's standing in Slytherin.
"You have to let me challenge him now, Yaxley. You have to. He needs to be reminded of his place." Jugson said, practically frothing at the mouth.
Everyone, Severus included, was watching Yaxley intently now. How the Captain reacted now could either help or hurt Severus, and they all knew it.
The strawberry blonde Slytherin glanced at his Keeper again before he spoke. "I don't have to do anything, Jugson, especially not for a disgraced idiot like you. This is my team, and right now, my pitch. Besides, you're giving me a headache too." He turned to the hopeful Beaters, who had been watching the powerplay with wide and hungry eyes. "All of you, on your brooms and in the air! Now!"
They all broke from their trance and scrambled to comply, except for Jugson, who was left on the ground. His eyes were wide with disbelief and his nostrils flaring as he panted like a thoroughbred at the starting gate. His frenzied gaze turned to Severus, who could only imagine how difficult Jugson would try to make this year if he didn't have the chance to challenge him this last time.
Or if Severus didn't attack his status more viciously.
Stifling a smirk, Severus walked over to Yaxley, standing a meter behind him and off to his right to wait to be acknowledged. This wasn't a Slytherin he wanted to challenge, not yet at least. He'd have to do some more work elsewhere before he could safely.
"What is it, Snape?" Yaxley asked without taking his eyes off of the Slytherins in the air.
"I believe Jugson may become more… persistent if he is not allowed to challenge me."
"You're right." Yaxley agreed. "Still a bloody waste of my time."
Yaxley was apparently done helping Severus today. Still, he needed to try. "Could do a speed trial," he ventured. "Number of Quaffles saved and Bludgers dodge in, say, 10 minutes."
Yaxley gave him a look, letting him know he was entering dangerous waters. "Could do," he allowed.
Severus knew better than to press the Captain now. He knew he only tolerated him because of how well he played as Keeper and would drop him should Jugson suddenly become a better player than him. Severus wasn't nervous about that, but he was wary about trying the Captain's patience. He needed his spot on the team, and if he annoyed the Captain overly much, he could find himself being kicked off, even though he had been the cause of every Slytherin win since he had joined.
Yaxley looked back at him again and tilted his head in invitation for Severus to come stand next to him. "I'll allow the challenge, Snape, only because I know who's behind the Lestranges' frail threat to leave you alone," he said bluntly.
I guess the Dark Lord's threat to the Lestrange family was passed along to the rest of Slytherin House.
"Heir Malfoy told me, to make sure I wouldn't challenge it and risk my future position by our lord's side. If he hadn't, I would've mopped the floor with you on sheer principle."
Severus had to stifle a smirk. "Did he now?" he mused, more to himself than to Yaxley who nodded anyways, his eyes back on the Slytherins in the sky. That certainly changed things.
He hadn't thought that he'd have an opening to make a power move on the Captain this soon, but he'd take it. It would be much easier to deal with the rest of Slytherin if he had control of the Quidditch team. Besides, now that the Dark Lord had been brought into the picture, it wasn't like Severus could keep to his usual role of unobtrusive Slytherin. It might even be more damaging if he did nothing.
He pulled himself out of the slouch he used when playing the part of subservient Mudblood, after all, what cowed Mudblood would walk around proudly? On a whim, he began to let a little of his magic loose too, curious to see how the other would react to it. It had bloody terrified him when the Dark Lord did it.
"In that case, I feel it prudent to let you in on a little secret, Yaxley," Severus said, his voice low and smooth. The Captain looked over at him, his bemused smirk fell from his face when he the growing warmth he felt became blistering, and he realized that it was the crackling heat of Severus's magic.
"I held my own in a duel with our lord for twenty minutes, ending when he called halt – ask Heir Malfoy if you do not believe me. We shook the very foundations of Malfoy Manor with our duel after all." Severus gave a sharp and unfriendly grin, thrilled at the reaction he was seeing. "Now, do you really think you can 'mop the floor' with me? Or is that just what I've been letting you think all these years?"
He let his captain sweat from the blistering heat of his magic a moment longer before he drew it back in and fell into his usual slouch.
"If it's alright with you, Captain, I'll go and inform Jugson that you consented to a speed trial." Severus said, giving a command more than asking for permission, testing to see if he held the upper hand now.
"Yeah, alright Snape," Yaxley said, eyeing his Keeper warily, like one would an untamed hippogriff.
Severus smiled knowingly and dipped his head respectfully towards the other Seventh Year before walking over to where Jugson stood sullenly. Who knew it was that much fun messing with people? Severus could grow to like playing with the power in Slytherin.
"The fuck do you want, Mudblood?" Jugson spat.
"Only to let you know that Yaxley consented to letting you challenge me after all. A speed trial, lasting 10 minutes. Whoever saves the most Quaffles and dodges the most Bludgers has the spot." Severus looked him up and down before saying with no real enthusiasm: "Good luck."
Jugson let out a wordless snarl before roughly pushing past Severus and marching up to Yaxley, likely to demand a different challenge. It didn't matter if he did, Severus was at an advantage no matter what they ended up doing; Jugson was just plain awful at stopping the Quaffle from sailing through the hoops.
It wasn't long before Yaxley decided on a new Beater, choosing Orsino Parkinson, a Sixth Year, so whoever was Captain next would have one less spot to fill next year when the majority of the team would be gone.
"Alright, rest of you fuck off and try again next year," Yaxley shouted, and soon the Pitch was clear of the hopefuls, leaving just the seven members and Jugson.
Severus was back to standing a respectful distance from the team as he waited to see what Yaxley would do. The Captain eyed him over the heads of the rest of the team and Severus chanced a light Legilimency probe. He was met with ghosts of uncertainty and fear accompanied by the feeling of a blazing heat that Severus was intimately familiar with. With a sharp smile he withdrew from Yaxley's mind, knowing he definitely held the upper hand over the other Slytherin, at least for now.
Visibly unsettled now, at least to Severus, Yaxley addressed the team. "Jugson here kicked up enough of a fuss over not being able to challenge our Snape to actually give me a headache, so we're going to let him make a fool of himself trying."
Severus saw how Yaxley's statement affected the team; they traded glances and shifted uneasily but didn't challenge what he said. The meaningful look that passed between the Lestrange Twins didn't go unnoticed by him either. They'd likely report this shift in power back to their father who would relay it to the Dark Lord and Severus could only hope that this would help his position.
"They're going to have 10 minutes each to deflect as many Quaffles as possible and to dodge as many Bludgers. For every save missed, they'll gain a point in the Bludgers area, and vice versa. Him with the lowest overall score wins.
"Snape, you're first. Parkinson, grab a bat; Avery, you're grounded for now. Lestranges, up in the air and don't hold back. Black, you're playing Quaffle retrieval for them. It'll be easier to catch than the Snitch, but it's good reflex practice for you. I'll keep watch down here. Get your equipment and be in the air and ready to go in two minutes."
They were all already in uniform, so Severus mounted his broom and shot up to the goal posts and hovered before them, slipping into the same trance he used to brew potions, allowing his magic to nudge him in the right direction whenever necessary. He barely even heard Yaxley bellow "Begin!" from below, as he was utterly focused on his task now.
Quaffle after Quaffle hurtled towards the goals, and he blocked each and every one, guarding the goal posts as ferociously as a mother dragon did her eggs. Parkinson had a keen aim, but he lacked the strength that Avery had and therefore couldn't impart the same speed into the Bludgers as his counterpart on the team, making it easy enough for Severus to dodge the Bludgers.
It took him a moment to realize that the Lestranges were no longer throwing Quaffles at him, and that Avery was wrestling one of the Bludgers down on the ground. He snapped out of his trance and landed with a small grunt.
"Bloody brilliant, Snape, bloody brilliant. A perfect score of zero. Wouldn't expect any different of you, would we lads?" Yaxley aimed his last statement at the rest of the team, a few of which hesitantly nodded, Regulus Black included Severus was intrigued to note.
Yaxley turned a predatory grin on Jugson. "Let's see if you can match Snape's performance, eh? Parkinson, you're grounded this time and Avery you're up. On you get, I want this over with."
Jugson took off, seething, with the rest of the team minus Parkinson following soon after. But Severus could not care less about how he performed. This was more about humiliating the stubborn Slytherin than anything. "A rather good idea to have the seasoned veteran Beater go up with Jugson to harass him."
Yaxley hummed in the back of his throat. "You're the better Keeper, Snape. Jugson needs to learn his place; this'll help."
Severus let the matter drop and turned his gaze skyward before it was jerked down to the entrance to the Pitch, out of which came the Gryffindor team and their hopefuls trailing behind. "Yaxley, Gryffindors," he grunted, pulling his Captain's attention away from the sky and towards the entrance.
The beefy Chaser grew rigid with anger. "The Pitch is still ours, Potter! Booked it until noon!"
"I know, I know!" Potter called back, smiling. "Saw your hopefuls trudging back up to the castle and figured you were done early!"
"That's manticore shit and you know it!" Yaxley snapped.
An idea sparked in Severus's mind. "It's not like we're practicing any of our drills, Captain," he said smoothly, his voice carrying over to the Gryffindors who were now barely two meters away. Potter and Black seemed to be glaring at him more than usual, and Evans seemed more subdued. She's told them something she shouldn't have, he thought, narrowing his eyes at her, making her pale further. Definitely told them something.
He looked away from her and back to Yaxley. "We only gained one new player and he's down here next to us. What's the harm in letting them watch the rest of Jugson's challenge?"
Yaxley whirled around and was about to snarl at Severus, but he seemed to rethink it.
"Suppose you're right, Snape," he said grudgingly. He turned back to Potter with a vicious gleam in his eyes. "We'll clear out once Jugson's done." He then looked up at his team up in the air who were all watching what was happening on the ground with some interest and bellowed up at them, "Begin!"
Severus barely managed to contain his laughter when Jugson was pegged with the Quaffle and the Bludger in rapid succession and was knocked from his broom as a result. Yaxley had his wand out and slowed the Slytherin's fall and cushioned his landing with a few flicks and some muttered words.
"Snape's the clear winner!" Yaxley announced, not even bothering to let Jugson to try to finish the 10 minutes. "To the showers lads! The elves'll handle Jugson." They brushed past the stunned Gryffindors, who would have never suspected that Slytherins would be so brutal to one of their own.
Severus rushed his shower out of habit and necessity. The Gryffindor's early arrival provided him with an opportunity to give Evans the instructions for brewing her Veiling Drops. He doubted he'd have another chance to do so when there was a guarantee of no Slytherins being around to see him talking to her again.
He was out of the locker room and nearly across the Pitch before any of his teammates were out of other own showers. Evans saw him walking towards her and her violent flinch did not go unnoticed by him.
She sang like the little snitch she is, and I'll find out what song it was.
"Here, brewing instructions. I can't do it anymore, I've an apprenticeship." He said gruffly, shoving the roll of parchment into her hands. And then he brushed past her and picked up his Keeper gloves he had left out on the pitch purposefully in case one of his teammates saw him and he needed to explain why he was on the Pitch with the Gryffindors.
Done with that now, he set off towards the castle, barely noticing the weight of two different gazes resting on his back; Evans's confused stare and Potter's suspicious one.
{Furius Draconis}
(Monday, September 12, 1997)
A few days after the Quidditch tryouts, James came trudging in from the grounds. Hagrid had owled him to ask for some help with the hippogriff herd since he had plenty of experience with large magical beasts from handling his family's griffins. It was now nearing curfew, but he had been happy to help the half-giant with the creatures.
The sound of a second pair of footsteps let him know he wasn't as alone as he thought he was. Looking up, he saw a familiar hunched figure with greasy black hair. There was too much that was different with the Slytherin and none of it sat right with James. Especially not Lily's reactions towards him, the boy she once defended so vehemently. Making a decision he called out: "Snape! I need a word with you."
The Slytherin stopped and turned to glare at him. "What do you want, Potter?"
"I know about the potion you've been making for Lily, you – oomph!" Snape had slapped his hand over James's mouth and grabbed a fistful of his robes with the other and shoved him roughly into a nearby classroom. "What the fuck, Snape?!"
Snape turned and locked the door and raised malicious anti-eavesdropping wards before he spoke. "Watch what you fucking say, Potter."
"Why the hell should I?" James demanded. "What does it matter if people know you're brewing for Evans?"
"I have my reasons." Snape glared at him. "I could make life uncomfortable for you and your little gang if you don't keep that to yourself."
"Yeah? And how are you going to do that?"
Snape smiled patronizingly. "I know your secrets, Potter."
"You can't tell them to anyone, you swore you wouldn't," James scoffed.
"I made no binding vow in regard to your animagus forms." Snape corrected smugly.
James narrowed his eyes at him and decided that it was safer to assume that Snape was being utterly serious about it. "Alright," he said slowly. "I won't go spreading that around. But that doesn't much matter, because I want you to stop brewing it for her. I don't trust you one bit."
"Done." Snape said too easily.
"Just like that?"
"Just like that," Snape said. He smirked viciously and added slyly, "You're lucky I already gave the brewing instructions to her, Potter, or she would've been up shit creek without a paddle. I had no intention of continuing to brew that for her this year, I've too much else to do to tend to her anymore. If you had gotten to me before I handed it over, I would've burned it in front of her just to spite you."
James saw red. "You're a right smarmy bastard, you know that?" he exploded. "She can't have stayed in the Wizarding World without that!"
"Really? I had no idea that potion was that important to her, Potter," Snape said.
James pulled his wand at that, but Snape was faster, impossibly faster. He had his wand out and pointed at James's head in the blink of an eye. "Ah, ah, ah," he said condescendingly. "Let's not test who's the better dueler, Potter, I don't think you would like the outcome."
"Fuck you, Snape." James spat, glaring hatefully at the Slytherin even though his heart was pounding wildly in his chest.
"Such foul language coming from our esteemed Head Boy," Snape taunted, a malicious gleam in his eyes. He made a show of putting his wand away, as if he thought James was no threat to him which made his blood boil.
"It really is touching to see how much you care for Evans, running around after dark, threatening evil Slytherins to stay away from her. Very knight in shining armor, Potter, and I know that's a look you Gryffindors are always going for.
"However, this little… conversation has made me curious. Curious about how you even found out that I was the one supplying Evans with her potion. I only ever told Madam Pomfrey and Professor Slughorn, as they were the ones to verify that my creation would not harm Evans. Of course, there's Evans herself. I suppose she could have told you. Even she isn't stupid enough to fail to figure out that I was behind the potion appearing amongst her belongings, but I would have thought that she'd be too embarrassed to tell anyone. Using a potion brewed by a slimy snake who insulted her so grievously. So how did you come to know that I brewed the Veiling Drops for her? Hmm?"
James didn't like the way Snape was looking at him, not at all. And he liked the way Snape spoke to him even less. It was too… smooth, calculated. He wasn't used to dealing with a rational Snape.
Snape smirked at him, his eyes burning knowingly, as if James's silence answered his question. "No matter. I'll find out one way or another. I always do." James was reminded of Lily's words from the weekend, about how Snape would find out if she told anyone and felt cold dread. He had practically told the Slytherin that she had spoken about what happened.
"A word of advice, Potter," Snape whispered now. "Before you and your little band of misfits inevitably try to 'prank' me this year, I encourage you to stop and think, and remember the knowledge I hold about you four. How my oath to not reveal what Lupin is ends once we graduate."
James paled. Snape had never been this calm when they exchanged barbed words in previous years, and his threats were never more articulate than 'You'll pay for this!'
In the past they had accused him of being in league with the Knights of Walpurgis, more to upset him and ruin his reputation than as a truthful statement, but now James wasn't so sure. Snape was too different, too malicious, to not be in contact with them.
Snape grinned sharply at his continued lack of response before letting his wards drop and sweeping from the classroom, leaving James to stand there in silent unease and fury.
{Furius Draconis}
(Tuesday, September 13, 1997)
"Siri-Sirius," Peter gasped out in his laughter. "Do it, do it again."
Sirius grinned and complied, pushing replicas of James's glasses up his nose. "Oh Lily, my Lily, did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night**. To look upon your visage… er, Moony, what rhymes with visage?"
"Several words, but knowing you how I do, you're likely looking for a dirty word," Remus said with some amusement. "And I'm way too scared of Lily to help you with that."
Peter gasped, his eyes lighting up in discovery. He whispered in Sirius's ear, causing the other boy to cackle with glee.
He cleared his throat and pushed the replica glasses up his nose again. "To look upon your visage is only a challenge when in sight is your equally lovely cleavage."
Peter spluttered in laughter, while Sirius beamed, overly proud with himself.
"You're lucky neither Lily or James are down here," Remus said idly.
"Why's that, Moony old chap?" James asked, sitting down next to him.
Sirius grinned impishly. "We were just composing a poem for your ever-lovely Head Girl counterpart." Peter snorted at that.
"Uh-huh," James said slowly. He took in the looks on Peter and Sirius's face, not missing that Sirius was wearing a conjured replica of his own glasses. "Why do I feel like you're fibbing?"
"Me?! Fib?! To you?!" Sirius asked. He seemed to think about it for a moment before he shrugged. "Yeah, alright, I can see where you'd think that. But in my defense, we did compose a poem about one Lily C. Evans."
Peter nodded earnestly next to him. "We even wrote it down and sent it to her on your behalf."
Both Remus and James looked up at them in horror, and then at each other. "James – go, run." Remus said, pushing the Head Boy off the bench and looking worriedly at the entrance. "I'll distract her when she comes in."
Breaking out of his stupor, James almost tripped over himself before he sprinted out of the Great Hall as if the hounds of Hades were nipping at his heels.
The three remaining Marauders shared a look before grinning at each other and laughing uproariously. Lily walked in and gave them a weird look before continuing down the table to sit with Storgarth and MacDonald which only made them laugh harder.
"Did you – did you see the look on his face?" Sirius asked, trying to breathe through his laughter.
Remus could only nod, laughing too hard to do anything else, and Peter was almost falling off the bench.
It took them a moment longer to calm down enough to talk. "Moony mine, how'd you know we didn't send our lovely lovely poem to Lily?"
"Because you two aren't that suicidal, especially not you Sirius. You've seen her knock players off their brooms with a well-aimed Bludger."
"When do you think James'll catch on?" Peter asked, wiping his laughter-induced tears.
"Probably by the end of their first class together, when he realizes she's not shooting 'You're dead meat, Potter' looks at him." Sirius said.
"He's gonna kill us, you know," Remus said.
"I regret nothing," Sirius said back. The usual swarm of owls swooped into the hall, one landing in front of Peter.
Neither Remus or Sirius failed to notice how their friend's face fell at the sight of it. He took the letter from the owl with shaking hands and just stared at it, their earlier laughter forgotten.
Sirius nudged him. "Go on and open it Pete," he said gently. "We're here for you."
Peter looked up at them and gave a jerky nod before unrolling it and reading it quickly, thankful that Sirius wasn't trying to read over his shoulder.
Peter,
I can't believe you continue to disobey the rules I have set for you. But what else can I expect from a bloody Gryffindor? You and that Black boy really are quite the pair – I know Walburga was heartbroken when he was sorted there, just as I was when you were.
If you know what's good for you, you'll wash your hands of those boys you call friends. You won't be able to remain friends once you graduate anyways. I've already spoken to an interested party on your behalf. He was most impressed when I told him that you're an unregistered animagus and have been since you were fifteen; I've ensured you have a guaranteed place with him.
Your loving mother,
Delilah Pettigrew
Peter quickly crumbled the letter and stuffed it deep into his pocket, wiping at his nose and refusing to let his tears fall.
Remus and Sirius exchanged looks. "Mate, is your mum alright?"
"Fine," Peter said stiffly. "She's fine. Her usual self."
"Uh-huh," Remus said. "Can we do anything for you?"
Peter smiled wanly at his friends – his wonderful friends. "You already are, just by being here."
{Furius Draconis}
(Thursday, September 15, 1997)
Remus couldn't believe his rotten luck. He had every class with Slytherus Snape, and in the classes that the Professor was assigning partners, they put him with Snape.
Fate hated him, it really did.
They were only in their second week of term and he honestly didn't think that they'd be able to make it through the whole year as class partners. Of course, Sirius kindly told him that as soon as he told his friends of his classes. James, oddly, didn't offer to prank him until he learned some manners.
"Are you even paying attention, wolf? I'm not going to pull your weight for you through these classes." Snape hissed.
Remus twitched. Snape refused to call him anything other than 'wolf' and it was really starting to grate on his nerves. "Of course I am, snake. I don't want you anywhere near my weight, anyways. I'm perfectly capable on my own."
"Sure you are. That's why our professors matched you with me – the top student – in all of our classes."
"Shut up," Remus growled, his ears growing hot in embarrassment. It wasn't his bloody fault that he fell behind in classes because of his lycanthropy.
"Eloquent as ever, wolf. Now, pay attention to Slughorn, you need to hear his lecture more than I do."
Remus glared at him, and Snape glared back every bit as ferociously before smirking at him, making Remus blink in confusion. He shook his head and returned his attention to the lesson and was dismayed to see that he had missed at least three steps in the brewing process for the potion they'd be working on today.
"Coc y gath," he said under his breath. He really would need Snape's help now. The smug bastard.
"I have the prepared lacewing flies here on my desk, one phial per brewing group. You have an hour and forty minutes to complete the first step in brewing Polyjuice Potion – plenty of time with your copper cauldrons – get to it!"
"Well? You heard him, wolf. Get to it."
Remus didn't bother to retort, he just glared at the Slytherin and made his way to the supply cupboard for the ingredients they'd need.
He came back with the Fluxweed, Knotgrass, and leeches in his arms and dumped them on to the table.
"Idiot," Snape hissed, coming back from Slughorn's desk with the lacewing flies. "What if you mixed the Fluxweed and Knotgrass?"
"I imagine even you would be able to tell them apart, Snape. They are pretty different looking."
Snape rolled his eyes. "Knotgrass has magical properties, as you should know by this point in your magical education. Therefore, it has magic in it, wolf, and if it is introduced to Fluxweed at the wrong time, it could turn this potion into disaster sludge, earning us a zero for today."
"Professor Slughorn never told us that," Remus said.
"Because he expects you to know it already. Do you not pay attention in Herbology? Do you not read your textbooks?" At his blank look, Snape scoffed. "Professors Slughorn and Sprout collaborate on their course curriculum so we are introduced to the ingredients and their properties before we work with them here. We covered Fluxweed and Knotgrass yesterday, wolf, or have you already forgotten?"
Remus glared at him, but put more distance between all of the ingredients anyways. "I don't imagine you'll let me do much of anything today, will you?"
"I already told you I'm not going to pull your weight through these classes. Measure out sixteen scruples of Fluxweed and use my scales, yours are dirty and damaged. Obviously, you've never bothered to clean or mend them."
Still glaring at him, Remus got Snape's scales out of the leather satchel he carried them around in and slammed it down on the table, breaking one of its arms off with a loud clatter. He stared at it incredulously and then at Snape, who looked fit to kill him.
He could practically see the vitriol boiling in the Slytherin and knew he'd call him everything but a child of God. "You childish moron," Snape snarled. "That wasn't cheap."
Remus narrowed his eyes at the insult. "Just throw a Reparo at it and it'll be good as new. Surely you know the Reparo charm, Snape."
"I keep thinking that I know the bounds of your stupidity, but you continue to surprise me with everything that you say. You can't use spells on your brewing equipment, wolf, or you'll contaminate your ingredients and potions. How do you not know this?"
"Severus! Why haven't you and Mr. Lupin not started your brew? Even with your skills, you'll be hard pressed for time to finish now." Professor Slughorn said, coming over to their table.
"I was just about to call you over, Professor. We've had some minor disagreements which resulted in my scales being broken. Lupin left his in his dorm, and I see that Miss Black and Evans are using yours, so I don't think we'll be able to brew today. Could we perhaps come back this evening to complete the assignment?"
Remus was mildly stunned by the shift in the Slytherin's demeanor when his Head of House walked up, but not enough to forget the insults.
"Of course, of course! You two may as well go since you are unable to brew. I will have the classroom unlocked after dinner until curfew and set a password – do you remember the one we used last year, Severus?"
"Yes sir."
"Good! I look forward to seeing what you and Mr. Lupin are capable of!" Slughorn said and continued making his rounds throughout the classroom.
Snape looked at him now. "Would you care to join me, Lupin? I believe we have things to talk about." He said tightly.
"I believe you're right," Remus said just as tightly. "Lead the way, Snape."
Goin back on hiatus now because I have to focus on school. All of my energy goes into practice and my homework and trying to not crack under all this pressure :') so I unfortunately don't have time to write, and likely won't until maybe June of this year. I am sorry about that, but c'est la vie.
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*Longtooth is Peter's Marauder nickname in this story/universe because tbh if my friends gave me a nickname like Wormtail we wouldn't stay friends for long. Rats' teeth never stop growing, so they have to chew on stuff to keep them worn down, so Longtooth. If the Marauders were as close as brothers, and the already short and chubby one ended up with a rat as an animagus, I'd imagine that the other three would make sure that they came up with a really cool sounding nickname for him. My James, Sirius, and Remus would spend all their time in the library researching rats to try to come up with a cool nickname for their friend. But that's just me.
I'm not too great at coming up with nicknames, I would've done Sharpear because rats have really good hearing, but I, personally, would read that as Sharp-pear and that's not what I'm going for lol. Or Shortear. Or Whiskers. Or Strongjaw, since rats have crazy strong jaws with a bite force of 12 tons per square inch (great white sharks bite is 20 tons per square inch). But Longtooth sounded most like cryptic marauder bs to me.
**From Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
