Written for THC, round 5, Slytherin, Divination, Drabble. Prompt: [Location] Greenhouse.
Written for Hogwarts, Assignment 7, Slytherin, Task 4: Ropes (Incarcerous): Write about kidnapping/holding someone hostage

Word count: 798

Betas: CoppersMama, GreenGecko

Notes: Warning: bullying behaviour.

"Don't you think this is a little bit excessive?" Peter asked nervously. His hands shaking as he held onto the ropes wrapped around an unconscious Severus Snape, who was sprawled on a chair.

His eyes darted around the greenhouse, the plants providing little cover from prying eyes. They were definitely going to get caught.

"It's the perfect plan, Pete!" Sirius stated confidently, slinging an arm around Peter's shoulders. "This way, they'll never suspect we were duelling."

"But… but… surely faking holding him hostage is worse?"

James laughed loudly–which also didn't help in their efforts not to get caught–and turned towards them. "Oh no, we're not faking it! We have taken him hostage! We need to make sure that he doesn't utter a word of this to anyone! Especially Lily."

Peter started to run his hand down his face but stopped because the sweat made it sticky. He didn't like this–he didn't like it one bit!

Once James and Lily started dating, all of the Marauders calmed down and settled. Remus and Peter were thrilled. They enjoyed messing around, sneaking around, and having a laugh but were getting a bit tired of how far it went sometimes. This… however, was definitely too far!

Peter had tagged along earlier this evening when he heard that Severus and James were duelling–it was forbidden outside of the Duelling Club for safety reasons. Probably reasons like this!

He looked over at the Slytherin and frowned. He was one of the best duellers in the school; everybody knew that, but Sirius attacking him from behind while he and James were duelling was completely uncalled for.

The Reducto had sent Severus flying and into a wall.

"We should send for Remus… or Professor McGonagall," Peter uttered, his voice so quiet he hoped they hadn't heard; he didn't want them to think he was weak.

"What was that?" James asked.

Sirius gave him a squeeze. "It's okay, Pete, really! Trust me, we'll be fine."

Peter nodded solemnly and slumped against an oversized plant. It was difficult always to see his friends as the good guys when they pulled shit like this, but he did trust them.

Without warning, water spluttered from James' wand into Severus' face, waking him up instantly and making Peter jump, knocking the plant to the floor with a loud crash.

Sirius pulled him away from it and closer to their prisoner.

"See, I told you we didn't kill him," James retorted, referring to Peter's original panic. "But the night is still early."

"You cheated!" Severus spat.

Sirius leant forward. "It's not my fault you don't have any buddies to watch your back!"

"Let me go!"

"Not until you vow to tell nobody of tonight. We know what you're like… spreading rumours and trying to get us into trouble."

Severus sneered. "This wouldn't be a rumour. It would be like you to now actually know the definition of rumour."

James grabbed a handful of soil from one of the plants and threw it at Severus. "Vow to keep your mouth shut, Snivullus!"

"Or what? You'll throw more mud at me?"

Peter stepped forward, more for the sake of the plants than anything. "I think we all need to take a second."

"Or a stint in Azkaban," Sirius muttered to Severus, picking up a set of gardening shears threatening. "Did you need that much greasy hair?"

Severus stopped talking. "Look, idiots, why would I tell anyone about us duelling? I'd get in trouble, too."

James scoffed. "Hasn't stopped you before! Running off and telling your little friends or Lily."

Severus saddened. "I don't tell Lily anything anymore."

"Good. Keep it that way!"

James strode off, with Sirius following closely, handing the shears to Peter. They disappeared so suddenly that Peter knew they were using the invisibility cloak.

"Aren't you going too?"

Peter didn't want to admit that this wasn't the first time he had been forgotten by them, especially to the Slytherin. "Somebody needs to untie you–don't want them to think you were kidnapped or anything."

"You're not going to use them, are you?"

Peter looked down at the shears, which were tightly in his hands, and put them down. It was no use using the muggle method when he had a wand. Waving his wand, Severus' restraints loosened.

"Can't believe you hang out with scrum like that!"

"They can be good."

Severus side-eyed him as he stood up. "Can they? I've never seen that."

Peter watched as he was left behind by yet another person and sighed. There was no point in rushing back to the Gryffindor Common Room; it's not like they'd care after the victory they had if he was there or not. Besides, somebody needed to clean up the mess they had made in the greenhouse to avoid being caught.