Hello again! Thank you Gypsyrose98 for your amazing feedback, I really enjoy hearing from you!

Back with chapter 10, it is the longest one so far, and I rewrote some parts a few times, but now it is done and ready! Currently working on chapter 12 of this story, nearing the end…

WARNING: CP!

He was running out of time.

The encounter with that ridiculous owl had affected him more than he would like to admit- the fact that someone had been near his horcrux, his soul, had been a devastating experience.

And now he was obsessed with the idea that his horcrux wasn't safe up on the Astronomy Tower anymore, so he had decided to hide it somewhere else.

The Chamber of Secrets.

Dumbledore had always avoided the Chamber- he had known about it, of course he had, as the headmaster and proud represent of Hogwarts he knew every little corner and way of his school. He did not speak Parseltongue, but he had been able to enter the Chamber through a secret hallway, and now his horcrux was down there, along with the corpse of the Basilisk- which thankfully didn't even smell anymore.

He had put a magical lock by the front door- not that he ever expected anyone to come down there, but it was better to be safe than sorry. He had put quite a lot of his White Magic into the lock, and therefore, had been exhausted for the last few days.

And his Polyjuice was almost gone, and the person he had transformed was still walking around looking like his murdered victim, and he was running out of time.

He had to kill the person he had transformed, and he had to do it quick- a few more days was all he had left now, and only because he had only been giving the potion to his victim for hours a day.

He just had to wait for the perfect opportunity.

Salazar looked outside the huge windowfront in the entry hall of Gryffindor Manor and shook his head, "is it ever going to stop snowing?"

"Not until tomorrow", Godric replied, walking closer to him and pulling his partner in a quick hug, "the Ministry was a mess today. Fudge is determined to get the trials done and over with before Christmas, and he seemed personally insulted when I told him that I have no idea where Pettigrew is."

"How would we? He'd stay far away from us if he has any brain cells left", Salazar answered, his tone harsher than intended, "and we have enough trouble with destroying that horcrux, and the boys…"

"They are still licking their wounds, last I heard from Aurelius", Godric sounded amused, "and they are both determined to ignore each other from now on- we'll see how long that will last."

"Maybe we were naïve in hoping they'd become friends."

Godric just smiled, "maybe."

Salazar was about to respond, but the sound of footsteps behind them made him turn around.

"Severus."

The Potion Master quickly bowed his head, "good afternoon. I…have some bad news, I am afraid."

The Founders both sighed at the same time, "of course- good news seem to be a rarity around here now", Godric headed for the door to the living room, "I take bad news better with a glass of whiskey."

Salazar laughed, and they went over to the comfortable living room which they held most of their meetings in, and minutes later, they were sitting on the couches, each of them a drink in hand.

"Dumbledore's horcrux is no longer up on the Tower", Snape began without an introduction, "there has been a magical alarm yesterday so I went up there to see, knowing now what it looks like, and I thought the horcrux was still there- but today, it was gone."

"This was to be expected, unfortunately", Godric took another sip, "the encounter with the owl up there must have triggered his paranoia even more."

"You are…taking this quite well, Gryffindor", Snape had to admit, and the Founder chuckled, "well- as I said, I expected this to happen, so I made a replica of the horcrux. We have the original horcrux here in Gryffindor Manor."

"You have the horcrux?"

Salazar nodded, "it's safe down in the dungeons, protected by spells. We had a feeling Dumbledore would move his horcrux soon- and he did. Unfortunately, the replica spell does not last very long. We have a few days, maybe a week."

"And then…"

"And then the replica will simply disappear", Godric went on, "and Dumbledore will know that someone has taken his horcrux."

Snape paled, understanding the danger of that, "which means there are only a few days left to destroy it."

"Which is our problem- we need Basilisk poison for that, and Dumbledore has somehow locked the Chamber of Secrets, our only way to get to that poison."

"How did he get down there? I thought Parsel is needed to open the entrance."

"He must have found another way", Salazar replied, "which means, there is a second entrance to the Chamber."

"I can…try to find Basilisk poison", Snape said slowly, "but since it is incredibly rare and dangerous, it will take me time."

"And time we do not have", Godric rubbed his eyes, suddenly looking tired, "how are the boys doing?"

"As usual- Black is a buffoon in class, Thomas the opposite. The Gryffindors are starting to get tired of both of them, though."

Gryffindor frowned, "how come?"

"Well- they are not taking very kindly to Thomas' arrogance", Snape answered carefully, "and the fact that he lets everyone know that he is the smartest student around, but refuses to do any teamwork. He will blow his cover quicker than Black if he keeps antagonizing everyone."

"I cannot say I am surprised…", Godric took another sip, "even though I had hoped it'd be different, and that the other boys would influence him in a positive way. I took Tom to Diagon Alley two days ago to get another owl, but he refused to really tell me anything that was going on. He's a stubborn one."

"That he is", Salazar affirmed, "Sirius is as well. They have a lot more in common that they care to admit."

"Indeed…", Godric sighed, watching the snow whirl around outside, "do you have any ideas how we can get into the Chamber, Severus? It's literally the only part of Hogwarts we cannot apparate into."

"I shouldn't have put that restriction on there back in the day when I built it", Salazar apologized, but Godric was already smiling again, "do not worry about it- we'll find a way."

"I could ask Lupin", Snape couldn't believe he suggested this, "he's been quite supportive so far, and Dumbledore trusts him. He might be able to get the information out of him, somehow."

"Cannot hurt to try it- we do not have that many options right now, really."

Snape nodded, getting up, "I'll ask him tonight- seeing that we do not have time to waste."

"Thank you, Severus. Keep us informed, as always."

"I will."

And then he was gone- and the Founders could only hope that he would be successful.

It was weird. All of this was weird.

She's just not the same. She's not Snowy.

Tom frowned and hesitantly fed his new owl- who looked exactly like Snowy- another owl treat. For everyone else, this was Snowy- but he secretly called the owl Copy, since that was all she was, really.

And Copy wasn't as smart as Snowy, and her hooting didn't sound as happy, and she didn't even brush her feathers that often- and really, Snowy had just been amazing.

Somewhat frustrated, Tom left the Owlery minutes later, barely bothering to say goodbye to his new owl.

He went straight to the Common Room, intending to finish an extra assignment for Flitwick. Classes were so sooo easy- but he enjoyed being on top. It was the one thing he had control over, and he loved how his magic was getting stronger every day.

Soon, I'll be just as strong as I was before. Soon…

There seemed to be some kind of meeting in the Common Room, and of course Aurelius was in charge of it, a sixth-grade girl next to him- and then there was Cormac McLaggen, another fifth grader, and one Tom personally could not stand- he found him bossy and entitled.

He went over to his classmates, not daring to just walk out of a meeting that Aurelius was leading, and sat down next to Angus on one of the couches. Sirius was there as well, looking bored, refusing to even acknowledge him when he sat down.

"We are going to begin with rehearsals this week", Cormac now said in his rather haughty voice, "and I hope everyone understands the significance of this matter."

Tom could see Sirius roll his eyes, and he was dying to know what this was about now- and maybe Angus saw it on his face because he began to whisper an explanation in his ear, "we are doing the annual play for Christmas this year, and Cormac is going to be directing it. I am definitely going to sign up!"

Tom almost snorted. He had always ignored the annual Christmas play when he had been a student, finding the tradition a complete waste of time. The houses took turns, which means that each house got to host it every four years, and they would perform it at the holiday party before winter break. Hogwarts cared a great deal about this- since the tradition of it went back to the sixteenth century.

Well, I'm definitely not signing up.

"There will be roles for everyone", Aurelius now went on, "and we hope that most of you will want to participate. If you are part of the Quidditch team however, you should not sign up, as to make sure the other students get a chance first and because I'd rather have you focus on the tournaments."

There was no arguing that- most students thought that was rather fair. Sirius looked utmost relieved, and Tom thought that he probably had been worried to be forced to participate in something else by Aurelius' orders.

The sixth-grade girl whose name was Pauline Yarrow would be the co-director and in charge of costumes and scenery. She held a short speech about the importance of those things, reminded everyone that their play four years ago had been quite the success, and told them that fourth graders always got first choice, since they were the only grade that could only ever participate in one Christmas play.

Never been more grateful to be a third grader.

Harry Potter and his friends seemed thrilled by that though, and there he'd find another reason to stay far, far away from that nonsense.

A list was going around now, and most Gryffindors who were not part of the Quidditch team happily scribbled their names down, and he quickly handed it over to Angus when it came his way.

Finally, the meeting was over, and he headed for the dorms. He wanted some peace and quiet, and he wanted to get his satchel to get the assignment for Flitwick out. He was quite proud for how it was coming along.

The dorms were empty. Tom went over to his bed, grabbed his satchel from the nightstand, opened it and…

"Damnit!", he pulled his hand back quickly, but it was too late- his whole hand was already covered in ink.

What the hell?

His whole satchel had been filled with ink, which meant that all his papers, his assignments were ruined.

He was trembling with rage when he marched over to the bathroom to clean his inky hand, already having an idea who was responsible for this.

This has Black's dirty handprints all over it. That idiot, I guess he still hasn't learned!

Tom went back to the dorms to figure out how to clean his satchel, and just as he leaned down to inspect the damage, the door opened and in came- Sirius.

He looked like the picture of innocence as he walked over to his bed now, ignoring Tom as always, but he was not going to be fooled.

"You think you are being funny, ruining my work like this, Black?", he used his real name on purpose, walking over to the other boy, "I can't hand anything in for homework now!"

"How tragic", Sirius seemed completely unbothered, putting on his Quidditch uniform, "how's that my problem, again?"

"You put ink in my satchel, that is how!", Tom hissed, quickly losing his patience, "everything's completely ruined!"

Sirius had to laugh, attempting to grab his broom, "hate to disappoint you, Riddle- but that wasn't me."

"Don't you dare to fucking call me that!"

"Don't you dare to blame me for your own stupidity then!", Sirius shot back, turning around, "you spill ink over your work, just do it again- the world won't stop if you fail one test!"

"And you would know all about failure, wouldn't you?", Tom's voice was menacing now, "you might just be the dumbest student Hogwarts ever had- congratulations."

"Still better than being the most unpopular one", Sirius gave him an ugly smile, "they are all sick and tired of your arrogant behavior- and Colin told me that you couldn't even be bothered to explain the homework to him the other day. Such a good friend."

"I'm not here to make friends."

"Clearly", Sirius smile turned condescending, "I bet you never had a friend your entire life."

Tom didn't want to admit that there was more than a bit of truth to that- but why was everyone so obsessed about having friends? They were a burden, nothing more.

"You better explain to my professors tomorrow why I cannot hand in any work", Tom now said sharply, not wanting to discuss the friends part any longer, "and I'll pay you back for this, you'll see."

"Should I be scared now?", Sirius was clearly mocking him, "is the big bad Voldemort going to come after me? Don't let Gryffindor know that- he might put you in the corner again."

That was it.

He got the first punch in before Sirius was able to react- and seconds later, both boys were rolling around on the floor again, kicking and punching and cursing at each other, not even realizing that the door opened a few minutes later, showing Colin and Angus.

Colin stood frozen in the doorway at the sight of them, not really knowing what to do, while Angus stormed off right away to get Aurelius.

"Are you gonna cry again? Are you?", Sirius hissed while kicking his legs at Tom, and the other boy yelped, kicking him back, "as if you didn't cry! I heard you!"

"I heard you, too- and you cried way more than me!"

"I sure as hell did not!", Tom got another punch in, "you're not only a liar, you're also weak as hell!"

"Says the one who cried over a silly owl", Sirius cruelly taunted him, and the mention of Snowy did it for Tom- he punched Sirius again, right in the face, and the other boy howled, blood gushing from his lip, "you bastard!"

"Serves you right!", Tom spat at him, "Snowy is dead because of you!"

"I didn't kill her! Unlike you, you actually did kill James and Lily!"

Colin, who was still standing frozen in the doorway, let out a shocked gasp, but neither Tom nor Sirius actually realized they had a spectator, "I didn't want to kill them! I just wanted Potter! And it's not like I haven't been punished for that!"

"You being a kid for a few weeks is hardly a punishment! You should be in Azkaban!", Sirius touched his lip, smearing blood all across his face by doing so, "but you get another damn owl instead!"

"Why don't you go ahead and give that one to Dumbledore, too!", Tom kicked him in the sides, "you're just jealous because Gryffindor is not getting you shit!"

"I don't fucking care!", that was a lie, but he certainly wasn't going to tell Tom of all people that it had hurt when Gryffindor had casually told him he wasn't going to get a pet, "he's just using you to get information about Dumbledore, that's all!"

"So what? I don't give a damn about Gryffindor! Or Aurelius!"

"Good to know, Thomas."

Both boys went still immediately, and now they saw the open door, and a very pale Colin, Angus behind him, looking shocked as well.

But the worst part was the look on Aurelius' face- it wasn't even anger this time. It was disappointment.

He didn't have to tell them to get up this time, they both did immediately- knowing now that they were in deep, deep trouble. Not only had they fought again, but they had blurted out all of their secrets to Colin and Angus- including their real names.

Tom and Sirius said nothing while Aurelius spoke a quick Obliviate on their classmates, effectively taking their memory of what had happened.

And they had no idea that someone else had been lingering by the open door, hearing every word- quickly disappearing when Aurelius had come closer, their memory very much intact…

"I need a moment to speak with Thomas and Orion, please", Aurelius now said to Colin and Angus who both blinked, coming out of the daze caused by the Obliviate spell.

"Yes…of course", Colin easily agreed, "I was just…going to grab my jacket."

"Yes, me too- we are going to go on a…walk?", it sounded like a question coming from Angus, and Aurelius smiled, nodding, "that's what you just told me. Enjoy your walk- now that it finally stopped snowing."

Angus thanked him, and then they both grabbed their jackets, leaving the dorms. Aurelius closed the door behind them, and then he mumbled another quick spell- some kind of silencing spell, since he did not need to hear anyone what he was about to discuss with the boys.

Both of them looked rough- Sirius' face was smeared with blood, his uniform rumpled and torn, and Tom didn't look much better. Aurelius gestured to the nearest bed, which happened to be Colin's, "have a seat."

They sat down on different ends, putting as much space as possible in between each other.

For a moment, Aurelius said nothing- he just looked at them silently, and neither Tom nor Sirius could stand that for very long, so they both lowered their eyes, defeat on their faces.

"Looks like my father did not leave a lasting impression on either one of you", he eventually began, his voice cold, "a few days- that is seriously all it took?"

Tom bit his lips, looking down, and Sirius had to swallow. He really hadn't put any ink in Thomas' satchel- but no one was going to believe him, he knew that.

"If Black would just leave me the hell alone with his stupid…"

"Watch your language when you address me, Thomas", Aurelius' voice was cutting now, "and I do not remember asking your opinion on this, did I now?"

"No", Tom sounded sullen, not liking to be reprimanded in front of Sirius, "but if you want to know what happened, he…"

"I saw what happened- and that was both of you making a spectacle of yourself again, and basically exposing your cover", Aurelius interrupted him, his eyes glaring with fury, "I cannot keep using the Obliviate on your classmates, you do realize that, right?"

Tom didn't respond.

"I asked you a question, Thomas- and you better answer me!"

"Or what? Stop acting like you are Gryffindor and that you can boss me around how you like as well! Black stole Snowy and got her killed, and now he ruined all of my homework, he's the one who you should…", he didn't get to finish his sentence because Aurelius had wordlessly grabbed him, pulled him off the bed, turned him around and then delivered two hard smacks to his backside.

Smack.

Smack.

"I did warn you, Thomas", he let go off him, gesturing him to sit back down on the bed, "and I've had enough of your disrespect. There is absolutely no excuse for your behavior- not after you have just gotten disciplined for it as well."

Tom sat back down, refusing to look up. He felt humiliated, angry, and ashamed.

Aurelius has no right to hit me like this!

"Now, Sirius- would you like to explain your role in this scene?", Aurelius' voice had not gotten any friendlier, "I'm sure you have a very good explanation for me."

"I…didn't do anything", Sirius didn't dare to look up, either, "Thomas said I ruined his work, which I didn't, and then…he punched me. We started fighting, and then…"

"And then I came in and spoiled your fun?", Aurelius' tone was dripping with sarcasm, "and here I thought getting the belt next time would prevent you from any more ridiculous behavior, Sirius. I guess I was wrong."

Tom could sense Sirius next to him wincing at the word belt, and he had to suppress a shudder. Getting spanked with Gryffindor's hand had been awful enough, but an actual belt?

That's going to hurt like hell.

"I really didn't put any ink in his satchel, I swear!", Sirius sounded downright desperate now, "it could have been anyone, but of course I'm getting the blame for it!"

"Colin or Angus or even Luke would never do something so despicable", Tom said, an edge in his voice, "they know how much I care about my work!"

"Sirius…", Aurelius' voice was calm, very calm, "you know what happens when you lie to me, don't you?"

The soap.

He was fighting back tears now, "but it really wasn't me! I can't admit to something I didn't even do!"

"Look at me."

Sirius looked up, straight into Aurelius' eyes- and he could feel the older student getting into his head, searching his mind. It was uncomfortable, and he tried to push Aurelius out, but his magical abilities were nothing compared to a Founder's son.

"Hmm…looks like you are telling the truth, wild boy."

Tom immediately jumped off the bed, his hands balled into fists, "he's tricking you then! It has to be him! You have to get some real evidence!"

"You doubt my mental abilities, Thomas?", his voice was mild, "I'm certainly not going to give him Veritaserum if that is what you are referring to."

"Why not?"

"Because I already searched his mind, Thomas- he didn't do anything to your satchel", Aurelius sighed, "and I've heard that the others are getting upset with you for constantly showing off in class- is that true?"

"Hardly my fault that I'm smarter than the whole bunch of them."

"There are ways to be smart and still be kind and helpful to others, Thomas."

"Spare me the lecture- you are really starting to sound like Gryffindor now", Tom was still irritated, he was certain that Sirius Black had ruined his satchel- and now it looked like he was getting off without a punishment, and who the hell did Aurelius think he was anyways, talking to him like this?

The fifth grader could read all this easily from Tom's very unguarded mind, the strong emotions making it quite simple for him to access it actually, and he sighed again. He had to blame himself for this as well- if he had made it clear who was in charge from the beginning, had he been disciplining the boy like he had Sirius, Tom would have never dared to use this kind of tone with him.

Time to face the music now, fierce boy…

"You might want to think about who else is holding a grudge against you, Thomas", Aurelius decided to ignore Tom's rude comment for right now, he'd get back to it later, "and it won't get you out of punishment regardless."

"You can't punish me."

Aurelius just smiled, he had expected Tom to say something like that, "I believe my father has given me all the rights to discipline both of you as I see fit- which you seem to clearly need, given your earlier disgraceful behavior."

"Gryffindor doesn't have any ri…"

"Careful, Thomas", and now Aurelius wasn't smiling anymore, "I'd be very careful if I were you to finish that sentence."

Tom bit his lips, he knew he was on thin ice right now. Aurelius could easily just call Gryffindor over, and he didn't doubt the Founder would put him over his knee again- not if Aurelius told him he had blown his cover.

"You both seem to have a problem with thinking before you speak- and besides, the amount of cursing and swearing I've been hearing from you is quite appalling as well", Aurelius' voice had gotten icy again, "if you two cannot get along- your choice. If you two decide to roll around on the floor like untrained puppies fighting- your choice. And if you two blurt out everything we need to keep this mission a secret from Dumbledore- your choice as well. But just know it will be my choice to punish you for all that."

Silence. Both Tom and Sirius were looking down now, dreading what was about to happen.

"Follow me."

Sirius stood up first from the bed, and Tom could see that he was slightly trembling, "to…to your quarters again?", he asked, his voice almost a whisper.

"To the bathroom here", Aurelius corrected him, not surprised when Sirius instantly paled, "but…I didn't lie, I…"

"Oh, this will help with thinking before you speak and cursing as well", Aurelius smiled, looking over to Tom who was clearly confused, "let's go, both of you."

He normally would not punish the boys in front of each other or at the same time, but they both needed to understand how risky and foolish they had been acting, not for the first, but the second time. This would help them realize that their punishments would get severely worse each time they decided to act like this ever again.

The bathroom, which was only used by the third grade Gryffindor boys was empty when they walked in, and Tom blinked when he saw Aurelius go straight to the sinks, grabbing two bars of soap.

"What's this supposed to mean?", he finally asked, not understanding why Aurelius was holding soap now, and why Black looked like he was about to faint.

"You'll never had your mouth with soap washed out before either, hmm?", Aurelius raised an eyebrow, "that surely explains quite a bit."

"You…what? You want me to eat this?", Tom eyed the soap- it was lavender- with suspicion, "isn't that poisonous?"

"It's not- but it's nasty", Sirius replied before Aurelius could, "and I didn't start the fight, and I didn't lie, and…", his heart sank when Aurelius slightly shook his head, "we're done discussing this, Sirius. You know what you did was wrong- and you have to realize that there will be consequences now when you act out. Sit", he pointed at the floor by the wall, "and I better not see you getting up before I tell you."

He knew from the look on Aurelius' face that it was pointless to argue further- so he sat on the cold stone floor in the bathroom opposite the sinks, and then he opened his mouth in defeat when Aurelius held up the soap, and let him place it inside his mouth.

"Five minutes, wild boy."

Five? Five minutes?!

His eyes started to water almost immediately, and he hated that Tom got to watch his humiliation- knowing that Aurelius punished them together on purpose.

"There you go…", Aurelius got back up, looking at him in approval, "time will be over before you know it", he looked over to Tom who was staring at Sirius wide-eyed, and he had a feeling the boy would not make this as easy as Sirius had.

"Sit down, Thomas", he pointed at the floor next to Sirius, not surprised when Tom wildly shook his head, stepping back, "no, I don't want this, and you…you have no right, and I know Black ruined my homework because he fails all of his work and…"

Sirius mumbled something behind the bar of soap, foam bubbles forming at his mouth.

"Sit. Down", Aurelius repeated, and then he saw the boy look for the door- and he knew he had to act quickly.

"No! NO! Let me go, let go off me!", Tom fought him with all his might, his attempt to run away over before it had begun, and then Aurelius sat down on the floor with him, holding the squirming boy in his lap with one hand, and gently pushing the soap into his mouth with the other.

"Noooo! Nnoonnhmmpfff! Hmphhh!", Tom was struggling wildly, but he was no match for the older and stronger Aurelius- who kept holding him in his lap, the soap firmly placed in his mouth.

"Five minutes, fierce boy."

"HMMMPPHH!"

"Shhh…I know. Try not to swallow it…and breathe…breathe…", Aurelius kept the boy in a firm grip, Tom needed to learn that there were consequences- just like Sirius did.

"Four more minutes, Sirius", he announced to the boy next to him, Tom still thrashing in his lap, and Sirius nodded through the tears- his whole face was damp and wet, his mouth covered in foam bubbles.

"You're doing quite well, wild boy", he told him, ignoring Tom's frustrated kicks at him, "no more cursing, understood?"

Sirius nodded, staring at him in despair, and Aurelius knew that he was barely holding it together.

"You'll remember this next time you want to talk before you think, hmm?", and then he put his attention back to Tom who was still fighting him, not able to get an inch away, "keep it up and I'll spank you, right here and right now", he said in Tom's ear, quietly enough for only him to hear, "your little temper tantrum does not impress me, and I daresay it won't impress Sirius, either."

I don't care!

"Oh, I think you do", he chuckled when Tom shot him an ugly look, and then he carefully readjusted the soap, causing the boy in his lap to groan helplessly.

"You remember this when you think you can talk to me in a disrespectful tone", he was still saying all this in Tom's ear, not wanting Sirius to hear all this, "and next time, I will spank you, boy."

He could hear Tom sob, and Sirius next to him was sobbing as well, both of them looking truly miserable now, being forced to hold the soap into place.

"Three more minutes, Sirius- and four more minutes for you, Thomas."

And that was when Tom started to cry.

He hadn't meant to, of course not- but the soap was utterly nasty, and Aurelius' grip was merciless, and he felt so small, so helpless, and so completely lost right now that he couldn't help it any longer.

And Aurelius carefully turned him around, pulling him close, holding him, and he kept crying, his tears mixing with the dampness and the foam of the soap.

I want to be done! I hate…this!

"I know…I know this is hard for you", Aurelius' voice was quiet, "and you're doing so well, Tom, so very well…", and he said more things, all of them so very comforting, and he couldn't even see anything anymore, his eyes blurry with tears, but at some point, Aurelius must have eventually removed the soap- because there was suddenly water, lots of it, and it felt so amazingly great…

"All done, and all forgiven", he could hear Aurelius say, and the forgiven part made him tear up again for some reason, and then Aurelius pulled him close- not only him, Sirius Black was there now, too.

Tom blinked at the other boy through his tears, still feeling the reminders of the soap on his tongue, and Sirius looked like he had been crying as well. They both quickly looked to the side after realizing they had been seeing each other cry, feeling utterly embarrassed.

"I think you boys learned your lesson, hmm?", Aurelius' tone was slightly amused now, "no more fighting, understand?"

"Understand", Tom could hear Sirius next to him say quietly, and he just nodded, not protesting when Aurelius made him lean his head into his chest- he was too drained to even care anymore.

And then Aurelius pulled both of them close, not surprised that neither Tom nor Sirius made any kind of protest- he knew that they were exhausted, and that they needed his comfort and praise at the moment.

Therefore, he kept praising them in a low voice, telling them how good they had been and how proud he was of them, and he had to smile when he eventually looked down on them, realizing they had fallen asleep on him.

Sweet, sweet boys…

"I need your help."

Remus raised an eyebrow, "do you now?", he stepped to the side to let Snape enter his quarters, "let me guess- this has to do with our headmaster."

Snape nodded, following the Lupin into his cozy living room. They sat down, and he explained what he had been told by the Founders- about the horcrux, the Chamber, and the lock. And Remus Lupin listened carefully, understanding right away what the problem was- and how to solve it.

"I am glad you came to me- because I do believe I can help you, Severus", he had to laugh at the look on Snape's face, "but, first- let me show you something", he got up and went to the office, removing an object from a hidden drawer in his desk. Harry had come to him with it at the beginning of the schoolyear- asking him to keep it safe for him until he needed it again.

"How exactly is this old parchment going to help us, Lupin?"

"This old parchment as you call it is a map", he carefully opened it under Snape's critical watch, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

And within seconds, Hogwarts became alive on the Marauder's map- each hallway, each room, each passage was clearly shown, along with every single person at the school who was walking them.

"Now, this doesn't show the Chamber- but I believe it can show us a passage to the Chamber", Remus explained, and Snape had found his words again by now, "where did you get this from, Lupin? This can be explosive in the wrong hands, are you aware of that?"

Remus had to smile, "I do, trust me. And…it's a bit of a longer story. I'll tell you another time", they both looked at the map now, and Snape had to admit it was rather fascinating- they could see Dumbledore in his office, Filch in the hallway by the entrance door, and there was Harry, walking across the Common Room with Ron and Neville, and then there was…

"It looks like your map might be rather faulty, Lupin", Snape said smoothly, pointing at a name in the hallway leading to the library, "or how do you explain this?"

Remus instantly paled, "but…this is impossible."

"Well, I appreciate you trying to help me and…"

"No, you don't understand", Remus interrupted him, his voice urgent, "the map is never wrong, never. He…he's here. He's at Hogwarts."

Snape frowned, a bit taken aback by the urgency in Lupin's voice, "he would be seen, he…"

"Not in his Animagus form", Remus replied hoarsely, "he's been hiding here under our eyes the entire time", and then they both looked at the name again, at the footsteps now entering the library.

Peter Pettigrew.

Yep…bit of a cliffhanger here! There will be some more action in the next chap, and the secret about Pettigrew will be revealed (at least some of it XD)

I'd appreciate some feedback, as always!

Have a great week, everyone!

xoxo, Antonie :)