Sirius Black was acting even more unhinged than usual. Something had happened over the summer, though Severus wasn't sure exactly what, and it had left the eldest of the black brothers a bit of a mess. He had large bags under his eyes, and a paranoid manor about him that was deeply off putting. Their whole group seemed tired and stressed, to be honest.
Severus tried to take pleasure in their suffering, it was always a good sign when Potter looked miserable, but the summer had not been kind to him. Without Lily, spending three months holed up in his family's small home- visiting his mother in the hospital and avoiding his drunken father- was nearly unbearable. He'd spent most of it reading, revising potions, and theorizing about a potential cutting spell. None of it was worthwhile without the redhead, though.
Well, there had been one thing worthwhile even without Lily, and that was his suspicions about Lupin. The Gryffindor prefect was not normal, of that Severus was sure. No one ever seemed to question the long gashes covering his face and hands- or his disappearances from classes around the full moon. His classmates had just accepted his excuse in first year that he often got sick, and had a poor immune system. Yet Lupin was perhaps one of the strongest students in their year when pushed- Severus had seen him lift a whole table once while trying to help a second year. It made no sense at all, and Severus was itching to expose whatever secrets the Marauders had. It was deserved, after how they had humiliated him and torn Lily out of his reach. He’d had plenty of time to consider all the ways in which he'd make them suffer, and Lupin was first.
Remus was the easiest to go after, seeing as he was the only Marauder not from a pure blooded family, and after watching him for a few months it all began to click. His need to prove himself academically, the way he withdrew from crowds, his aching joints and common headaches. There were many wizarding diseases related to the moon, but Severus had suspicions it was something much worse.
Eager to learn more about dark creatures, Severus had taken to the restricted section of the library after curfew. Sneaking out was hardly a challenge, though he didn't doubt any of the prefects- even Regulus Black- would have given him a detention for it. The bloody house traitor.
What he had very much not suspected, or even considered a possibility, was a disheveled looking Sirius following him into the restricted section after curfew. He’d been too busy stalking through the dark halls as quietly as possible to notice the sound of footsteps behind him until it was much too late. Sirius looked feral, his form tense with unshed anger, every part of him seemed eager for a fight- something Severus would surely lose without his groups’ help.
“What are you doing here, you slimy git?”
Severus frowned, looking Sirius over with a mask of mild disdain.
“That does not concern you, Black.” Severus spit the name out, and Sirius twitched involuntarily- as though stung by the sound of it.
“It does actually. No doubt you're up to no good.” The taller boy's eyes narrowed, his knotted hair falling slightly into his face.
The shorter boy smirked cruelly, an idea forming in his mind. If Sirius got what he wanted- a fight no doubt- Severus would lose. But what kind of Slytherin would he be if he didnt take advantage of such an emotional state?
“If you must know, I was just researching about your twat of a friend- bit odd how often he gets sick, isn't it?”
Sirius tensed all over at this, his hands clenched into fists at his side. God he was so easy to provoke.
“If you're talking about Moony, I'd advise you to shut the hell up.” Sirius hissed
“Moony is such a fitting name isn't it? Always disappearing on the full moon. Reminds me of something..” Severus trailed off, pretending to look over the books on the shelf. Across from him, Sirius looked about ready to sock him in the stomach.
“You don't know what you're messing with, Snivellus.”
Severus ignored the nickname, too close to getting what he wanted. “I certainly hope I don't, for the safety of all of Hogwarts.”
Sirius growled, stepping forward slightly as if about to lunge at Snape, before taking a step back.
“Why don't you see for yourself then?”
Severus turned fully to him, raising an eyebrow. This, he hadn't expected.
“If you're so tough, come to the Whomping Willow this Friday night.”
Friday was the full moon, Severus had been tracking it along with Remus’s absences. Still, he wasn't that stupid.
“I don't intend to spend Friday night getting attacked by a tree, Black.”
Sirius grinned, as though he had caught Severus in a trap. “There's a knot at the base of the tree, press it and you'll be able to climb under it- if you can manage.”
Now this, this was good. Severus looked Sirius up and down for any signs he was lying, but he seemed too smug, too out of it to put together such a nonsensical lie. Maybe he was hoping Severus would just get hurt trying to get to the base of the Whomping Willow- but surely by now the Marauder knew he was good with potions. He could get past it if he really wanted to.
“I see.” was all he bothered to reply, as if this information was of little interest to him. He turned back to the books closest to him, though he watched Sirius out of the corner of his eye.
Sirius grin turned feral again, eyes glimmering with a joke only he was in on. It reminded Severus a bit of a snarling dog. “You will.”
At that Sirius turned, grabbing a random book for the hell of it and stuffing it under his arm. His boots thumped loudly as he walked, no care in the world about being caught for disobeying curfew. Severus watched after him with narrowed eyes.
Sirius Black had definitely gone off the rails.
__________________________________________
The more Severus thought about it, which he had an awful lot, the more it made sense. The Whomping Willow had no reason to be at Hogwarts- he’d even heard it had nearly taken a first year's eye out- truly it was only a hazard.
Then again, so was the giant squid, but Dumbledore had never been a very reasonable wizard. Still, the Whomping Willow was much more trouble than it was worth and yet it stayed. In fact, Severus was pretty sure it hadn't been at Hogwarts when his mother had attended, she had certainly never mentioned it. No one started writing about it until the year before Snape had come to Hogwarts- the year before a certain Gryffindor arrived, too.
The hours spent reading through old books on the school and its many odd quirks had paid off, and Snape was now sure the tree was being used to hide Remus’s secret. But he couldn't quite rejoice at the idea, too preoccupied with the nagging questions in his head.
Why had Sirius told him?
The Marauders went to great lengths to lie for and protect Remus after full moons. It was the only time he'd ever seen Potter taking notes or paying attention in class. And yet Sirius had let it slip so easily. Was he genuinely that unhinged? Or perhaps crueler than Severus had given him credit for? Whatever the reason, the Slytherin was determined not to fall for any schemes the elder Black may have come up with. He would prove to the whole school, to Lily, how rotten the Marauders really were.
First, though, he needed to see Lupin for himself. Then he could use his memories to out the werewolf, and Dumbledore along with him if need be. Getting close enough to the tree's base was still an issue, but a small one.
There were many shrinking potions, but most of them would take a month to brew properly, and he didn't have that kind of time.
Why Hogwarts didn't teach any level of basic physics was beyond Severus, and he began to spend most of his time researching it. Making yourself faster often included making yourself lighter, and thus a bit weaker. It was important that once the potion wore off, Severus went back to normal bone and muscle density.
He had more access to the potions classroom and ingredients then most students, due to Slughorn's love of him- or his talents, really. Severus had single handedly made most of the common healing potions in Madam Pomfrey's stock in exchange for extra credit, and the hope of a shining recommendation when he graduated Hogwarts.
There was, however, one ingredient not within Slughorn's supply and that was Cannabis, of all things. Severus was sure Avery or Wilkes would have some, but it was imperative no one found out what he was planning- least of all his..closer acquaintances. No doubt they'd insist on coming along, only to attempt to kill the werewolf before he could be exposed. Severus didn't have the kind of money needed to cover up a murder, even if it was of a hideous creature.
There was..someone else, though, who Severus suspected might have some of the plant.
__________________________________________
Bartemius Crouch Jr. was not the kind of person Severus liked to interact with. There were actually very few people he enjoyed the company of, but Crouch was certainly not one of them. Severus supposed he had a sort of charm to him- all of the girls in their year certainly thought so- but between his large off putting smiles and tendency to set things on fire during class, the appeal was lost to Severus.
Finding the boy alone was a challenge in of itself. Crouch was constantly around his friends, always draped over Rosiers arm or complaining loudly in the common room about his father while the smaller Black ignored him for a book. Even when the two were gone for quidditch practice, Crouch could be found braiding Meadows' hair or letting Lovegood- who spent a weird amount of time in the Slytherin dorms for a Ravenclaw- read his future with her tarot cards.
Unfortunately, Severus didn't have the time to spend weeks memorizing the boy’s schedule until he could get him alone. This left one, horrible option.
Severus knocked on the room's door so softly, it was a wonder anyone heard it at all. The idea of Wilkes- or god forbid Avery- finding out he was here asking for weed was the kind of nightmare only a Bogart could create. But the only other person Severus knew for sure had what he needed was Remus Lupin himself, and that was out of the picture.
The door opened easily, leaving Severus standing face to face with Meadows, who frowned down at him in confusion.
“Can I..help you?”
Behind her, Severus could just make out Barty and Evan cuddling on one of the beds- but Meadows quickly stepped in to block him from seeing the interior of the room.
“You are aware this is the boys' dorm?” He muttered, trying to maintain composure.
Severus heard a scoff from behind the door. Meadows narrowed her eyes.
“What do you want, Snape?”
He swallowed, standing to his full height and still not matching Dorcas’s completely.
“I need to speak to Crouch.”
“He’s busy!” Someone- Crouch himself, Severus suspected,- shouted from behind the door.
Meadows rolled her eyes, though they sparkled with humor now. She stepped out of the way so that Severus could enter into the room- which was met with loud groans from everyone inside.
Ignoring the less than ideal circumstances, Severus stepped forward and surveyed his surroundings. Unlike his own dorm, the place seemed..well loved. One side of the room was distinctly messier than the other- covered in discarded clothes and books- while the opposite remained pristine. A string of enchanted lanterns hung over one wall, which changed colors every few minutes. For a boys dorm, Severus was surprised to find it smelled of lavender- something he suspected had been done magically.
Laying on the messiestest of the beds was Crouch, who was looking at him with a mix of curiosity and deep annoyance. Severus was appalled to find that his peer was only wearing boxers and a band tee- which was far too small for him.
“If you’re here to confess your love, I'm not interested.” Barty rolled over, nearly falling off of the bed in his attempt to sit up. He hardly seemed bothered.
Rosier snorted from the other side of the mattress, though he kept his eyes on Severus- as if expecting an attack.
“Be nice! You're breaking his wee heart.”
Severus turned, surprised to find two more sets of eyes on him. The younger of the black brothers was watching him from one of the two desks pushed against the far wall with suspicion, which was to be expected- but the other caught him off guard
Dirk Cresswell grinned at him from the floor, his back leaning against the fourth and farthest most bed. Severus had heard about a few people switching dorms due to ‘improper conduct’. Which usually meant bullying or sex.
One look at the purple bruise around Cresswells’ left eye gave him a good idea of which.
Opting to ignore the boy's comment, Severus turned back to Crouch- who was now leaning against his bedpost and sucking on some sort of candy. He did his best not to show his disgust.
“I'd like to buy something from you.”
Barty smirked at that, clearly amused.
“Oh?”
“For..smoking.” Severus sounded much less confident than he'd have liked, but he stood tall and refused to let the blush rise to his cheeks. Cresswell snorted and he was pretty sure he heard Meadows giggle, though she did her best to cover it with a cough.
Barty didn't cover his cackle at all, grinning madly.
“Want to get high, do you?”
“It's for a potion.”
“Sure it is.”
Crouch was still grinning like a mad man, but he began looking through his trunk for something. Much to Severus's relief, he soon held out a small clear pouch filled with the plant.
“Twenty shillings.”
Severus frowned, Barty hardly needed the money- the Crouches were well off, but he'd known he'd be highballed.
“That's hardly reasonable. Ten.”
Crouch raised a brow, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
“You wouldn't be here if you weren't out of options. Twenty.”
Really, Severus only had twenty shillings to last him through the fall. He'd have to hope he didn't break any quills.
“Fifteen and I'll do your potions essay for you.”
Barty sighed, looking bored and ready for the conversation to be over.
“Fine- don't make it too good though, Slughorn will notice.”
The bag nearly hit him in the face when it was tossed to him- something he was fairly sure was done on purpose- but it didn't matter. Severus was delighted.
__________________________________________
Down to only five shillings until Christmas break, Snape was determined to make this worth it, and by Friday he was done. Remus looked exhausted as he stumbled into class, James trying to subtly hold him up until he could slump into his seat. Sirius wasn't in class at all- skipping as had become his new habit- and leaving Remus without a potions partner. He seemed too worn out to care.
Severus watched Remus the entire class, a mix of excitement and rageful vengeance coursing through him every time he laid eyes on the Gryffindor. A monster like that shouldn't be allowed anywhere- let alone Hogwarts. Remus was the dirt under everybodies shoe. Severus would help the wizarding world cleanse itself of him.
Severus stirred his own cauldron- an entirely different color then what the class was supposed to be making- but Slughorn paid him no mind. It was common for the Slytherin to alter and improve potions, and had become an expectation within the class. Nobody even seemed to notice when he dipped a vile into the liquid, capped it, and tucked it into his robes.
Regulus Black did narrow his eyes at him as he passed, obviously realizing the potion Severus was making could not be an enhanced version of the healing balm they were meant to be working on, but he said nothing. Instead turning back to Rosier and muttering something Severus didn't care to listen in on. No one was going to stop him, but certainly not a puny Sirius replica.
When class ended, Severus was the last one out the door. He was careful to dump out all of the remaining potion- trying not to mourn for the loss of his shillings too hard- and cast his strongest cleansing spell. Before Slughorn could inspect any further, Severus quickly explained that he had messed up the potion, but that he was more than willing to make it up by continuing to brew healing droughts for Madam Pomfrey in exchange for extra credit.
Severus wasn't sure exactly what time to show up at the tree- technically a moon was only actually full for a moment, so that was when Remus’s transformation would start. But if Snape ran into Madam Pomphrey or McGonagall- the two most likely teachers to be escorting Remus past the tree- his plan would be ruined. He had to be there during the transformation to prove it was Lupin, but not a moment before.
In the end the moon was going to be perfectly full at exactly midnight- a bit of a cliche really, in Severus's opinion. The evening seemed to drag on forever as he waited, listening to Wilkes bang on about some professor he despised. Really, the amount of slurs his roommates could fit into a few sentences was impressive, but Severus was too nervous to be amused by it. The feeling of the little vial within his pocket was the only thing that kept him going, until finally the clock struck eleven.
Avery sat in the window, blowing the smoke from his cigarette out of it boredly. Mulciber and Wilkes sat on their own beds, one reading while the other balanced an inkpot on his knee and scribbled out an overdue essay-thankfully distracted from his earlier complaining. None of them paid any mind to Snape as he prepared to leave the dorm, Avery didn't even look away from the window when he spoke.
“Off to the library again?”
Severus nodded hastily, tying his shoes. He wore his old muggle sneakers, covered in mud and holes. He didn't want to ruin his nice school shoes with werewolf slobber- something he'd only considered when he'd gotten to the door.
Avery turned to face him at his lack of response, and scrunched his nose.
“You're wearing those disgusting old things? I thought you said you threw them away.”
Severus had, in fact, said that. His roommates had not shut up about how disgusting they were when he boarded the train that year. The Slytherin could never change out of muggle clothes before he boarded- his father hated the sight of anything magic. He’d ignored them, but had sworn he intended to throw them out at the first chance he got. Really, they’d remained tucked under his bed, he would need them that summer after all.
Snape made no response as he stood, patting his pocket to make sure the potion was still safely inside.
“Must have forgotten.” he muttered out, moving his hair out of his face and heading to the door. Avery was too moody to continue the conversation, instead turning back to the window. Severus was sure he'd hear plenty more about it tomorrow, when his roommate was in better spirits. He made a mental note to skip breakfast the next day.
__________________________________________
The walk to the tree took a bit longer than usual, as Severus made sure to look around every dark corner of the castle before he turned. It was half past eleven now, meaning the prefect rounds were done, but he wasn't willing to risk it. He had mapped his path out mentally the entire week, taking care to avoid the moving staircases that Filches stupid cat liked to frequent.
When he finally reached the tree he was running low on time, but thankfully no professors were around. With shaking hands he pulled out his potion, which was still bubbling within the small vile, and uncapped it. It smelt of nothing, and before he could chicken out, Severus tilted his head back and swallowed in one gulp. It tasted of sour apples and something rotted- but it worked. Severus began to feel light, if a bit weak, and each step he took pushed him farther forward than before.
The Whomping Willows sways turned into swings, the tree lashing out the closer Severus got, but he was too quick- if only barley. Severus cursed as a branch snagged on his robes, ripping the collar slightly. The force pushed him forward, causing him to slam into the trunk. The tree creaked in a way reminiscent of a growl- but it was too late. Severus' foot found the knot at the base of it, and he kicked it with as much force as he could manage.
The willow calmed at that, going back to its usual swaying, and for a moment it seemed as though nothing would happen. Then the ground beneath it began to recede in the most unnatural way- and all of a sudden Severus was looking down at mud stairs that led into a tunnel.
A small laugh bubbled out of him at that. This was all borderline insane- it reminded him of Alice in wonderland- a book he'd never admit aloud to anyone but Lily that he had enjoyed. With thoughts of Lily, Severus made his way down the stairs on weak legs, the mud holding strong under his shoes.
The path was long, but Snape was quick- his steps light and airy as he moved like a ghost towards..a dead end. He nearly slammed into the wall with how fast he was going, barely catching himself in time. For a moment, he worried he'd somehow pressed the wrong knot, until creaking from above caught his attention.
It took a moment for Severus to actually look up, where he found an old wooden trap door. The thing seemed hardly stable- but maybe werewolves were too dumb to open locks. The Slytherin reached up, and with a quick wandless spell the hinges creaked and slid open.
Severus lifted himself up with some trouble- his arms weaker than before- and climbed his way through the small opening. His stomach scraped painfully against the wood, but he made it with little noise. On his feet, Severus was struck by how dark it was- only a sliver of moonlight filtered in through a crack in one of the wooden walls. For one dreadful, horrible moment, Snape considered that there might be no one here- and that the Marauder's plan was to lock him inside all night- but he heard voices from upstairs. One voice, unmistakably Lupins.
Walking quietly up the creaking stairs was harder than he expected- the first sign of his potion wearing off- and the voices died down at the sound of his arrival.
“James?”
Severus placed the voice as Pettigrews, and smiled wickedly. He made his way up the last step, entering the quiet room. It was less dark up here- thanks to a boarded up window and a lumos cast by Peter, but nonetheless depressing. There was a mattress in the corner covered in a few tattered blankets- and large scratches along all of the four walls- no doubt enchanted not to break under a werewolves strength. It was..quite sad actually.
Remus and Peter were staring at him with utter horror- as if he were the disgusting creature- and it took Severus a moment to realize that Remus was naked, covered only by a quilt he had wrapped around himself. Severus' face scrunched up in disgust.
“You can't be here.” Peter squeaked out, as Remus starred in shock. He looked about to puke all over the dusty floor.
“Oh but you’re perfectly safe?” Snape snapped back- unsure why Peter was actually there at all. Was he also a werewolf?
Two loud sets of footsteps approached from behind, followed by the sound of the trap door slamming open. Severus heard someone trip up the stairs and turned only in time to see a glimpse of Potter before he was nearly tackled to the floor.
“You can't be here.” Potter was panting, his eyes wide with horrified panic behind crooked glasses. He gripped Severuses shoulders hard enough to bruise, but the Slytherin was not deterred. Behind him, Sirius made it into the room- pulling at his hair in stress.
“Why, so you can protect a bloody monster?”
“Get him OUT.”
Remus seemed to have finally found his voice, gripping at his shoulders in a desperate attempt to stay calm. Severus watched in horrified fascination as the sound of bones cracking filled the room. Remus’s hands seemed to become a little larger- and then his nose a little longer. Potter struggled to pull Severus towards the door- but he grabbed the bedpost and kept his eyes on the abomination. The chaser would win in a fight of strength eventually, but Severus had to see this.
“Peter- get McGonagall!” Potter screamed, but it was of no use.
Remus hissed as his spine pushed against his own skin- his limbs audibly popping out of their sockets and moving into new positions. He did his best to scramble into a corner of the room, tripping over his swollen feet. In seconds fur was growing out of every pore, thick and gray. For a moment, everything about him was horribly disproportionate. His legs were too long, his skin was too thin, his face horribly contorted in pain. The thing shook, its gums bleeding from new protruding teeth. Remus, always so reserved, held a distended hand over his mouth to choke back the noises. What started as quiet groans quickly escalated into muffled shrieks of pain, as the Gryfindor thrashed around, seemingly trying to rip off his own skin.
Sirius joined in the attempt to pull Severus away- but it was too late. Within only a minute, a monster had formed before them. The thing was so large its head brushed against the ceiling, its teeth were as long as a human finger. Its eyes were yellow and full of horrible rage.
“Shit!” Severus wasn't sure who yelled it- but all of a sudden the beast was stumbling towards them- him. Severus let go of the bedpost, the force of both Potter and Sirius's strength sending them tripping down the stairs. They toppled over one another, Severus’s ankle twisting painfully, but he couldn't have cared less. Something growled from behind them, and within a flash of an eye the boy in front of him became a stag. Unlike with Remus, it was less of a transformation than a change in the blink of an eye. Still, The stag pulled him by his shirt with its teeth- a large black dog attempting to stand between them and what used to be Remus.
Even shaking with fear, being yanked towards the door, Severus could not turn his mind off. This was how they survived, they were fucking Animungus. Of course the Marauders had managed one of the most respected and difficult feats of magic by their sixth year. Of course they did it all for a sodding werewolf.
And now Severus was going to die because of them.
He skidded against the floor hard, his ankle twisted at a nauseating angle. Severus wheezed- his potion had definitely worn off by now. The black dog whimpered as it was shoved down the stairs by the monster- who came crashing down with a sick snarl on its face. The stag yanked Severus up- pulling him towards the trap door desperately- but neither of them would have had time to make it through the tunnel. It was just too fast.
The beast snarled at the black dog, now limping, but still standing between Severus and the monster. The thing knocked it down like it was a toy- slamming it into the wall with a sickening thump. Its tail tucked between its legs, and Severus was suddenly sure he smelled blood.
The stag let out some sort of terrified squeal and turned, seeming ready to kick its hindlegs into the wolf's face, but it didn't have the time. Before it could, the beast's eyes had locked in on Severus. Too fast to be stopped- it had moved from the base of the stairs to leering above him- its drool dripping down onto his shirt. Severus wheezed, too scared to make a noise, to move at all. The stag slammed into the wolf's side, trying to shove it, but it was too strong. Too focused on Severus to care.
Distantly he heard more footsteps. McGonagall was coming, she would help. She had to help. His string of thoughts, panicked and scattered as they were, were very suddenly cut off by what could only be described as deep dread.
He barely had time to see the beast's eyes narrow in on his neck- Its eyes bulging as it lunged. He scrambled to get out of its way, blocking his neck and face with his hands. The beast didn't hesitate, its teeth instead sinking into his shoulder with a loud crack.
Severus' scream was blood curdling.
Distantly the dog barked, the stag squealed, but it was of no use- long teeth tore through tendons, blood pooled on the floor around him. Someone shot through the trapdoor- another person apparated inside- distantly Severus was aware of the wolf above him going slack- but it did not matter. Nothing could lessen the pain.
There was fire everywhere. The feeling was too great to even have a description except for all encompassing. He screamed- begged in broken words for it to stop- for someone to kill him. The wolf was pulled away- teeth pried out of his muscle with a horrible squelch, barely audible over his own sobs. Someone was whispering kind words in his ear, a hand cradling the back of his head, but his vision was too fuzzy to make anything out. Severus screamed, the hand holding his head jerked away, and then something- a needle maybe- was stabbed into his neck, and it all disappeared into blissful unconsciousness.