Howl
An eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth). - Book of Exodus 21:23–27
Sunday the 15th of February 1976
The air was cool, with snow sticking to the ground below, glittering under the rising moon, contrasting rather nicely with the tense atmosphere that existed between Hermione and Marlene at this moment, Lily watching on in amusement, her eyes flickering to the grounds to watch for the boys.
“Because I am not saying anything.”
“I thought I was your best friend.”
“Yes, but that does not mean I have to tell you everything – especially about what happened between Zach and I.” Hermione snapped, leaning over the edge of the tower to watch as Remus was brought to the Whomping Willow by Madam Pomfrey.
“Judging by your hair and his stupid grin, I know what happened.” Hermione turned to glare at Marlene who grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. It had been none stop all day, and Hermione was about as done with this conversation as she was five hours ago.
“Then why are you trying to make me talk about it?”
“I want to know how it was – then we can compare!” Marlene cried as Lily grimaced and shook her head while Hermione actually was a second away from pushing her friend over the edge.
“Ew – no – I am not comparing anything, especially when it could involve my brother.” Marlene blinked and cringed, shaking off and sending an apologetic look to Hermione. “Just leave it alone, Mar.” She added, leaning back slightly.
“Just answer me this – was the sex good?” Marlene whispered as Hermione fought control to jinx the girl quiet, tensing her lips as she turned to face her best friend, and offering her the one thing that would shut her up just enough to make the rest of the night peaceful.
“We didn’t have sex.”
“But – oh God, what the hell did you do then?” Lily cried suddenly, Hermione and Marlene turning to look at her in shock, slight smiles appearing on their faces as the girl looked between them bemused.
“What?”
“You were a mess all evening, if you didn’t have sex then what the hell happened?” Lily asked, Marlene chortled behind her hand as Hermione turned back to face the sky, no point hiding her smile as Lily tried to innocently figure out what had happened.
“Do we have to get the biology books out, Lil’?” Marlene asked, wrapping an arm around the girls shoulder and grinning wolfishly. “There’s other things a person can use to make a woman crazy – they are called fingers and if you’re brave, a tongue.” Marlene was practically vibrating with amusement as Lily blushed redder than her hair.
“I know that but – well it can’t be that good.”
“Depends on the guy, some can’t seem to find the magic spot and some – well they can make it better than sex – and judging by Hermione’s blushing face, it seems Zach is one of the latter.” Hermione bit back a smile as Marlene nudged her arm and gave her a pointed look. She wasn’t going to say anything out loud but she could admit that Zach knew what he was doing.
Lily’s frown turned deeper, and her head tilted to the side as her tongue ran over her lips. “Does it not scare either of you to have a guy around there?” She gestured to below her belly as Hermione let out a small laugh.
“If he’s just fumbling around then sure but it’s kind of hard to care when it’s good – the sensible part of your brain forgets to be embarrassed because the randy part has taken over.” Marlene explained with a small wink before she sighed. “Maybe a bit after the first couple of times, when everything comes back.” She admitted with a small smile.
Hermione kept her mouth shut, her head bowed and her thoughts to herself. It had almost felt natural to her and Zach, and yes maybe a part of her had done this before, but Hermione Potter hadn’t. Yet, he had made her feel everything and not left room for her to be embarrassed afterwards. And she had waited for it to come, for her cheeks to turn red and her hands to cover her most private areas but it didn’t.
Instead she had smiled, joked with him and pulled on her clothes, and hoped in the back of her mind that they could continue like this – perhaps she could convince him to blow her mind with sex first.
Would he mind if she sneaked up to his dorm tonight and tried something? Merlin, it was like he had flipped a switch in her mind and now her whole body was craving more of an intimate touch, wondering when she could get her next fix.
“...considered becoming an Animagus?” Hermione blinked out of her lust induced thoughts to turn and see Lily frowning down at the grounds.
“Once or twice, but not at school – I wouldn’t want to take that away from them.” Hermione answered back, a soft smile on her face. James and Sirius had done this for Remus, and they could keep it – she had another plan in mind to help their friend. “Also...you’re not supposed to know -”
Hermione stopped speaking as Lily placed a finger against her lips to quiet her down, leaning as far over the railing as she could without falling over, her eyes narrowed as she focused on the figure now running towards the Whomping Willow.
You were supposed to stop this. A voice whispered in her head as her heart jumped to her throat, the moon reflecting off of the greasy haired git now running to his own ruin. And she was too far away to stop him.
“Fuck.”
Then her legs were moving as fast as they could, consequences of being spotted by any teacher or Prefect could be damned, so long as she got there to stop Snape before he got himself killed or injured. But every step seemed to last an hour.
Why the fuck was the Astronomy tower so high up and far away? And is this what Sirius had been saying yesterday? Had he once again lured Snape out to the grounds? It was too much to think about and it made her stomach twist uncomfortably and her brain throb in time with the sounds of her feet against the stone.
She didn’t want to believe he would have done this, that he was still so immature and petty that he would risk someone’s life and his friends secret. She was so close to finding out now, the cool air slapping her face and the frosty grass crunching below her feet.
Yet Snape wasn’t there, nothing around but the slightly frozen Willow, the tunnel to shrieking shack open below. Had he gone through?
Fuck. You shouldn’t be out here. The voice whispered again, like a gentle caress against her brain. You’ve led your friends right to the monsters door – do you think he won’t know that you are here?
A growl sounded down the tunnel, far enough away that it only seemed to be a warning, enough time to leave if they did it now. “We need to go now!” Hermione hissed to her friends, moving forward to hopefully lead them away. “Lily come on -”
“What about Severus?” Wide and fierce emerald eyes glinted in the night, but Hermione couldn’t focus on that because she was sure she just heard another growl, much closer than the last.
“You do realise we are literally steps away from where Remus becomes a hairy monster with no control, right?” Marlene snapped, gesturing to the tree, eyes wide with fear, a snap of a branch causing them all to grip their wands tightly and look around.
“I am not leaving my friend.”
There were times Hermione admired her friends loyalty, but tonight was not one of those nights. It was stupid to be out here, for the three of them to run onto the grounds without stopping to think about what would become of them if Remus found them. Anyone else would have ran to a teacher, waited until the morning and hoped everything was fine.
But no, they had to be pure Gryffindor and try to save someone who spent his days insulting and belittling them. Stupid.
Hermione opened her mouth to say that, to scold her friends and to scold herself, when a branch snapped behind her, followed by a snarl and heavy footsteps.
Most creatures wouldn’t give themselves away, would sneak and attack before they could even realise they were face to face with a yellow eyed, drooling creature. But Remus didn’t seem to care for that, he gave himself away because he knew they couldn’t do anything – that they were slower and weaker, that one snap under his strong jaw and sharp teeth would put them down.
He stalked towards them, preparing to prance and Hermione let out a breath.
When they say everything slows down with adrenaline, they're lying. In reality everything seems to speed up like pressing a fast-forward button on a VHS player.
A blast of light shot from her wand, sending the werewolf backwards with a whine, shocked for a second, and giving the girls just enough time to start putting some space between them as a large black dog dived onto Remus.
“Move. Now!” Hermione shouted, pushing her friends away as the dog did it’s best to try and stop the werewolf from following, a small yelp leavings it’s mouth and twisting Hermione’s stomach.
She wanted to turn back, defend Sirius from the fight that was happening, to make sure he was safe and out of harm but her legs refused to stop her moving, her eyes focused on the Qudditch Pitch ahead of them and making sure her friends were out of harms way, and that if the werewolf followed then he would be away from the school.
Another yelp echoed around them and tears sprang to her eyes but she didn’t stop, not even as a howl was heard followed by the stomping of feet and something hard clashing behind them.
Her lungs burned beneath her skin, aching with the lack of oxygen, and her legs almost buckled from the weight and speed that she was making them use. A crack of thunder echoed above them, dark clouds rolling in as the first drops of rain splashed. Perfectly echoing the distressed mood the three girls now possessed.
A small pant left her mouth as she came to a stop before the changing room, pushing the girls inside and locking the door behind her as silently as she could, while her body shook from the sudden onslaught of cold that the rain had brought.
There was a thudding outside, a slight whine and a snarl. Hermione didn’t dare to open the door, turning to the girls and letting out a breath of a whisper. “Hide where ever you can, and don’t hesitate if he comes in.” She moved herself, as quietly as possible to duck near a table as more thudding was heard outside.
It seemed to last for both hours and minutes until it finally stopped, whatever was outside was gone with a final howl and a growl, fed up it seemed and leaving them alone but Hermione still didn’t dare open the door, but turned to look at Lily, the girl had silent tears running down her face while Marlene had turned incredibly pale.
"Now what do we do?" Marlene whispered, her voice breaking, she pushed her hair from her face, leaving a slight muddy trail from her hand. She was covered in dirt and a few scratches, soaked to the bone, Hermione almost felt guilty for not even noticing if the girl had fallen over, but it was better than the alternative.
"We wait." Hermione whispered back, pulling her knees to her chest and gripping her wand. If she closed her eyes she could imagine, if only for a moment, she was back with Ron and Harry when they were on the run. But this wasn't Deatheaters or Voldemort, they couldn't hex there way out of this, it was crazy that she almost missed that.
"We can't leave?" Lily asked, Hermione opened her eyes and turned to the other girl. Words on the tip of her tongue that died with the fear in Lily’s eyes.
“Not unless you fancy joining Remus every month!” Marlene snapped, shaking slightly and throwing her wet robe into the corner of the room with a glare.
“But he’s gone!”
“Or he’s waiting for us to come out, don’t be so stupid Lily!” The blonde added, sneering her upper lip and sitting on one of the benches with a sigh as Lily shut her mouth, cheeks bright pink and eyes full of unshed tears.
Look at what you’ve done.
…
They waited hours, though it was still dark outside by the time the howls finally stopped. They hadn't moved, didn't want to risk making any noise and they all looked tired. Hermione was the first to move as she heard footsteps walking closer, a hand knocking on the door had her hand gripping her wand tight as she signalled to stay silent.
She moved cautiously towards the door, carefully unlocking it, letting out a sigh of relief when James and Sirius entered. They looked even more worn down than the girls and they were head to toe covered in mud.
"What in Merlins saggy left ball were you three fucking thinking?" James snapped as he slammed the door shut behind them, his eyes burning into them. He'd never been so angry before, at least not with them.
"What were we thinking?" Lily hissed back as she moved from behind the table, her hair seeming to crackle with anger. "What was Severus even doing down here?" She asked, James let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes behind his glasses.
"It doesn't matter any more, he got away." Hermione stared at her brother, while Lily scoffed and moved closer, eyes burning like the fire from a floo and aimed directly at James.
"Of course it fucking matters, you almost got him killed and Remus, what the fuck is he gonna think about this, how could you be so stupid." Lily’s voice was raising more and more as she got into James' face, her lip curling into her sneer and a finger pressed against his chest.
“You think you are one to talk about this when all three of you ran down here in the dead of night, knowing what was waiting and knowing what could happen.” James snapped back as Lily’s face fell in shock. “You all could have been killed because of your stupidity!” Never in her life did she think she would witness a time when James would shout back at Lily.
“I was trying to save my friend.”
“Well you didn’t I did, he’s fine and up in the castle without a scratch on him.”
“What was he even doing down here?” Lily fired back, her chin tilting upwards and a nasty smile making it’s way across her face. “Was the heroic James Potter just looking for an excuse, send him down here and save his life so he owes you...is that it?” James flinched and his jaw tightened. “God you are so pathetic and to think I thought you were growing up -”
“Stop talking, Evans.”
“Don’t tell me -”
“If you want to stand here and insult me over something you have no fucking clue what you are talking about then go on, but I don’t have to fucking listen to this!” James hissed out, leaning slightly over the smaller girl, his hands clenched by his sides.
“Someone nearly died because of your stupidity -”
“Snape wasn’t down here because of him.” She had wanted so hard not to believe it, to think yesterday and today had been some sort of fluke, that this was something that was meant to happen regardless of what she did. And not because of Sirius. “He was here because of me.”
James hung his head and Marlene let out a gasping hiss, as Hermione rubbed her face, fingers pulling on the curls that had stuck to her head. She had failed, hadn’t paid enough attention to what was happening and now things were falling apart before her.
Lily frowned, letting out a sigh as she turned to look at Sirius with disgust on her face. “What is wrong with you?”
“It was just meant to be a joke – I didn’t think he would actually go through with it!” Sirius exclaimed, his hands held before him and his silver eyes hard in the darkened changing room, wincing slightly as he clutched his side.
“Great defence.” Marlene snorted as she stood up from her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. “What did you expect for him to do?” An eyebrow raised as Sirius stared at her with an open mouth and no doubt excuses rolling through his mind.
“Why didn’t you stop this?” Hermione would have stopped it if she could, would have told Lily to stop if her mouth would just work but it was too late and those green eyes, Harry’s eyes, were being turned onto her brother, accusing and hurt.
“You are unbelievable – you stand there and insult me, learn it wasn’t me and yet somehow still turn it back on me when I haven’t done a fucking thing!” James snapped out, taking a step backwards from the girl and shaking his head, something dangerous flashing behind his eyes.
“Sirius is your friend – you should have stopped him before he did this – what happened tonight is on you too.” Lily hissed, pushing her hand against his chest and letting out another sneer that would make Snape proud. “You’re all cruel petty little boys.”
“No it isn’t – I don’t control Sirius, as you can see, he did this and he’ll pay the consequences of his own fucking actions.” Sirius hung his head but James didn’t look back. “But I’m glad to know that you think so little of me, maybe you can tell everyone else because I’m done with all of this bullshit.”
James had always been dramatic, he lived his life doing the extreme and relishing in it. He never cared if people rolled his eyes, or called him out, most of the time he would grin and shrug his shoulders, make a joke and accept how people thought of him but tonight was different…
She never expected him to walk out of the door, to give Lily one last hurt look and turn away from them all, throwing open the doors and letting them close behind him with a bang that made them all flinch and Lily look as though she wanted to punch something or chase after him.
For all Lily had called him in the past, she seemed to be regretting the emotional things that had spilt out of her mouth and no doubt hurt the friendship that had been building between the two.
“Lily -”
Emerald eyes burnt with tears and then she was gone, in a flash of soaking robes and red hair, Marlene trailing behind her, but not before sending a look to Hermione.
“Mi… Hermione.” They’d left her, like they always did, to clean up the mess Sirius had made, to tell him off because no one else seemed able to. “I didn’t – I didn’t want him dead – I just thought – and after what he did to yo– I’m not – I’m sorry.” And yet she couldn’t believe him, couldn’t turn to look at him and see the truth behind those beautiful eyes.
“Any apology owed is to Snape and Remus, not me.” Hermione whispered to the ground, taking in a shaking breath. “I just can’t believe you would think this could go any other way – you almost got someone killed!” House flags hung over the door, dusty and old, and far more interesting than looking at him.
“I wasn’t thinking!”
“You never think – Merlin – you’ve...you stopped thinking a while ago and you’ve just been making a mess of things ever since and leaving us to pick up the pieces.” Finally she turned, anger burning through her veins as she stared at his pale and lost face, the face of a boy who thought himself above everyone else.
“That’s not -”
“What do you think James is doing now?” She asked lowly, moving forward. “I imagine he has gone to Dumbledore, explaining the situation – probably where you should be too.” She added nastily as Sirius gulped.
“Hermione -”
“Just go, Sirius – I’m going to check on Remus, makes sure when he turns back he knows he didn’t hurt anyone...that he still has friends he can trust.” It was low, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care how he flinched or the pain in his expression. She didn’t care if he was hurt or if he regretted it. She just couldn’t fucking care.
...
Monday the 16th of February 1976
Madam Pomfrey had only cast her a small glance when she entered the Hospital Wing, a sigh leaving the matrons mouth as she took in the damp and dirty girl making her way towards Remus’ corner, no doubt it came from having to clean up the mess Hermione was leaving behind.
Maybe she would apologise once she was done checking on her friend, her friend who was sleeping peacefully without any knowledge of the prior night. Looking sick and younger than ever, and urging her forward to sit by his side and run a finger down the scars on his face, the faint skin tougher under her skin.
“I’m sorry.” Hermione whispered, leaning forward slightly to touch his hair and offer a smile that he couldn’t see, even as he frowned. “I should have seen it coming...or stopped it – after all, that’s why I’m here, right?”
Remus shifted, his leg nudging into her hip but his eyes remained closed and his breathing was still deep. She stared for a second, a part of her wishing that she could have chosen him instead, that maybe her life would have been easier if she had gotten a crush on a different friend instead of the one that had drama spinning around him.
“I keep making mistakes, forgetting that just because he won’t allow me what I’m supposed to do, that doesn’t mean I can’t fix other things – and so I’m sorry because you don’t deserve this.” A tear slipped from her eye as she leaned down to place a small peck on his cheek and run her fingers through his hair again.
“Mi’?” Panic flooded through her as unfocused green eyes met her own, a fake easy smile making it’s way onto her lips.
“Hey...how you feeling?”
“Like I just got hit by a car – why are you here?” Remus asked, his throat dry and a wince flashing onto his face as he looked around before settling on Hermione’s appearance. “What happened?”
“Don’t worry about it for the moment – I...or Dumbledore, will explain everything when you’re properly rested and feeling better.” She should have known he would panic if she brought the headmasters name into it, even as her hands moved to try and offer some comfort.
“What? What do you mean explain what happened?”
“Don’t worry about it -”
“No, I am – you sit here looking like you’ve been dragged through a muddy pond and expect me to lay back down and pretend that something is going on?” Remus hissed out, sounding more and more panicked with every word. “Did I bite someone?” He gasped out, turning quickly from pale to green.
“What! No, of course not.” Hermione answered with a shake of her head, as Remus let out a small sigh.
“Then what happened?” She wanted to turn away from those eyes, ones that she knew would grow hardened and full of wisdom, that would offer both questions and answers. That would make Hermione Granger feel as though she could be trusted and could trust.
There was never a man like Remus Lupin, so kind and brave...and loyal. That would walk away from his family because he was scared of what he might have done, that would trust an old friend, that would protect Harry as best as he could. And that would love with all of his heart even if it hurt him – even if it meant he had to put himself last.
He deserved better than what he got and she promised to herself that she would make him see his worth, but that meant being honest.
“Hermione?”
“Sirius thought it would be a good idea to tell Snape about the Whomping Willow, I don’t know why – I didn’t care to hear his excuses, but Snape got it in his head that last night would be a good idea to try go inside – James saved him before you could do anything.” Hermione explained softly as Remus’ face fell even further, eyes twinkling with unshed tears.
“I didn’t hurt him?” Remus asked unsure, like he thought she might be lying to him about what had happened, doing her best to protect him from his more dangerous side.
“No – no, he’s fine – probably a bit shaken up but no one was hurt.”
“You were there?”
“Lily, Marlene and myself saw the beginning from the Astronomy Tower...we stupidly thought we could help – it wasn’t our smartest choice, I’ll say that – but we’re ok.” Hermione muttered with a small smile but Remus couldn’t see the humour in her words, instead he stared sternly at the curtain that separated him from the rest of the ward.
“I could have killed you.” He whispered and Hermione let a harsh breath leave her mouth. She could see him there, yellow eyed and sharp fangs, her death a moment away.
“Yes, you could have.” Hermione whispered back as Remus turned to her with sad eyes. “But that would have been our own fault – we know what you are and we shouldn’t have even tried to go down there in the first place, regardless of our intentions.” His mouth opened, furrowed eyebrows and eyes hardened.
“For once, Miss Potter, we agree.” The pair turned to see Dumbledore stood in the small opening, James and Sirius behind him, both of them looking thoroughly scolded.
“Glad to hear it, Sir.” Hermione muttered back, sitting herself straight and narrowing her eyes as the old man entered and sent her a quick look.
“I have never been as disappointed as I was early this morning.” He spoke, taking turns to stare at the black haired children around him, bright eyes staring over his spectacles. “The three of you have caused more trouble in the past few hours than you have in your five years at this school and frankly, I am at a loss as to what to do with all of you.” James rolled his eyes and Hermione let her mouth quirk to the side as Sirius bowed his head.
“I’m sorry, Sir, I’ll - “
“Mr Lupin, despite your direct involvement, you had nothing to do with any of this – thus you are free from any punishment and can be rest assured that Mr Snape will not be spilling your secret to anyone.” Remus stared back in shock but nodded his head, relief lowering his shoulders as Hermione gave him a small smile.
“As for the rest of you.” He continued as Hermione stood up from the bed, and crossed her arms. “I have looked over your need to break the rules, and stood with admiration at how you have protected your friend – but I can not look over what happened last night.”
“Are we suspended, Sir?” James asked, foot tapping against the floor as Hermione bit her bottom lip – she couldn’t leave the school.
“No, it was considered, and your parents have been informed to a certain extent of your rule breaking, I expect punishments will be delivered but as for here there will be a months worth of detentions, and a warning that if anything like this happens again, all three of you will be expelled – you can also pass the message along to Miss McKinnon and Miss Lily and I will send notice of your detentions later today.” Dumbledore turned to look at her, almost as though he expected her to fight back but she simply nodded her head.
There was nothing she could say or do to make this situation better, regardless of whose fault it was that they were down there didn’t matter, they had all been stupid to think they wouldn’t be caught.
A small smile made it’s way onto the old mans face as he turned to leave, sweeping cloaks and buckled shoes caressing the floor as Hermione glared after him. Her parents were going to kill her, that much was certain.
“I better go tell Lily and Marlene, leave you three alone to talk.” Hermione muttered, turning back to face her brother as he frowned at her.
“We have nothing to talk about – maybe Sirius should go and tell them that his stupidity will be the reason they’ll be forced into detention for the rest of the month.” James snapped, looking more like an angry dog than normal, furious eyes turning to glare at his supposed best friend.
“James – we need to talk.”
Hazel eyes spun around to face Remus, who looked a second away from throwing up and passing out, far too tired and injured to have to deal with this so early in the morning.
“Sure – I get that – but I’m not doing it now.” James hissed out, not even turning to look at Sirius who had all but shrunk into himself, not that Hermione could bring herself to offer comfort. “Snape was one thing, a stupid thing that not only him in danger but you too – and to make matters worse, it almost got my sister killed!” His voice was raising now, and Hermione felt her heart clench...her dear sweet brother angry for her.
“Which Remus and I have already spoken about, and it was my error for going down there in the first place.” Hermione muttered, sending a quick look to her brother before she reached over to place a kiss on Remus’ cheek. “Now don’t fret over it, nothing has changed – just...get some rest and I’ll come up and see you during dinner.” She turned to leave, stopping when Remus gripped her hand and pulled her back to whisper in her ear.
“Don’t leave him all alone – he does stupid things when he’s alone and at least one of us has to forgive him.”
“Then why doesn’t that person be you?” It was childish to turn the question back on him, he had a lot more to forgive than her. His secret had been exposed to yet another person and he'd almost killed some of his best friends but as he shrugged his shoulders and smiled slightly, she couldn't help but think that he was always a better person than herself. “He has to learn that his stupidity will kill someone one day, and personally I’m tired of always feeling like we have to pick up the pieces.”
…
It was unfair and possibly cruel to leave the boys as she had, Hermione kept thinking on her way from the Hospital Wing, but she couldn’t sort this out for them.
Her whole body seemed to ache with tiredness but the thought of going up to bed was appealing, she wanted fresh air and a break from talking or wondering what might happen to their little group after the previous evening.
A sigh left her mouth as the courtyard came into view, her feet trailing along the ground in eagerness to get outside, stopping when red hair whipped in the wind, as Lily turned to face Snape – the pair obviously arguing over something.
Her mother would kill her if she knew she had been eaves dropping but Hermione couldn’t help but duck behind the stone wall, moving until she was close enough to hear what they were talking about.
“...thought we were supposed to be friends?” Snape asked harshly, black eyes glaring at Lily with an anger that was normally reserved for the Potter siblings or Sirius. “Even after the whole ball scenario...we were meant to be friends. Best friends.” He added as Lily flinched away.
“We are – or we were – it doesn’t matter...I’m not talking about this, Sev.” Lily whispered back, her eyes scanning everywhere. “I can’t talk about this with you – not when you’re like this – not when you are hanging round Avery and Mulciber.” Her voice rose slightly and her eyes became wider. “I can’t trust them or you...not after what happened with Mary McDonald.”
Hermione flinched, back pressed against the stone as she tried not to remember how the girl had been after what had happened – very few knew – but most knew it had been bad. Bad enough for the girl to leave school for a month to stay at home.
“That was nothing.” Snape defended, a small laugh leaving his throat. “It was a laugh, that’s all…”
“A laugh? You think using Dark Magic is funny…”
“As funny as what Potter and his friends get up to – you know, the boy you claim to hate but can’t seem to stop hanging around.” His words are bitter, jealousy slapping Hermione in the face and she can almost imagine Lily rolling her eyes.
“I’m not getting into this with you.”
“You know don’t you, about Lupin.”
“Sev, stop.” Lily’s voice cuts through her friend like ice and Hermione gulps. “I know your theory and I’m not admitting to anything except that I know what will happen to you if you keep trying to find some loop hole.” A small sigh leaves Lily’s mouth as she all but admits that she knows.
“Then you should admit it – it’s not safe with him here.”
“He’s not different than us.” Lily defends quickly, voice like ice. “Why are you so obsessed with them anyway? They’re not out there using Dark Magic – in fact if anything you owe a thank you to James – he saved your arse last night.” Hermione blinks in surprise, she hadn’t expected Lily to admit that after what went down the night before but it’s warming to hear.
But Snape doesn’t hear that way, detest leaving his mouth in a rush of words. “Saved? Saved? You think he was playing the hero? They were the reason I was down there! He was his neck and his friends’ too!” His voice turns sharp and Hermione closes her eyes. “You’re not going to – I won’t let you -”
“Let me? Let me what?” Lily asks back, just as sharply.
“I didn’t mean – I just don’t want to see you made a fool of.” Snape backtracks, voice shaking slightly but the damage is done. “He fancied you.” Hermione can almost picture Lily rolling her eyes again. “And he’s not...everyone thinks he’s some big Quidditch hero and you -”
“James Potter is an arrogant toerag, I don’t need you to tell me that.” Lily says but there’s something else in her voice...something that sounds like doubt. “But he’s not cruel – he’s not Avery or Mulciber who are just evil, Sev.” Their voices drift back softly and Hermione sinks further into the wall as they walk past her, barely speaking and seeming more awkward than ever.