The Snake Within

Chapter Five: Keeping Secrets

In the days to come I found it exceptionally simple to steer clear of the Four, as they evidently had the same plan to evade me. Every time I laid eyes on that despondent facade of Lupins', he seemed to be imploring me to keep my peace about their secrets. He didn't even know if I had gone to the Headmaster already or not, it was that self-satisfying everlasting confidence in me that made me feel shameful. I didn't need this kind of distress on my shoulders. Was it enough to ask for a sensibly decent non-existence in this world exclusive of having to stride into people's dilemmas with both feet?

Pettigrew tried the hardest to keep away from me, he bought into the rumors of my hex and cursing ability, and I also admit, I played into them on his behalf. Every time we would meet up around a corner by misfortune, he would begin to quiver and stammer. I would knit my brows together when looking at him, as if examining an appealing new specimen for a new potion. Of course he had that obstinate Gryffindor audacity, and he refused to move from my sight for those elongated moments, until I would open my mouth to ask him to move. He'd flitter away before I strung two words together. Lucius found this especially amusing and naturally the story would develop in the Slytherin locker room into immense duels between Pettigrew and me. This was not a huge deed, but the result of Pettigrew having sprouted mouse ears and a tail were the highlights. I still became despondent when lunch breaks would come and I'd have to glide past the Gryffindor table.

These were the only times when the Four would assemble together, each giving me a solitary gaze. Pettigrew: One of absolute fright, Black: One of absolute and unreserved loathing, Potter: One of varied sentiment, disgrace and resentment (that one I could never figure out), and Lupin: One of reliance. I detested them all for their stares! I began to abhor them all disjointedly for virtually ending my life that night. And thus, began my campaign to be rid of them all without more ado. I made a full circle when I reached the Slytherin table and headed back out the doors of the dinning hall and up the flight of stairs towards were I had heard the Headmasters office was.

After asking a prefect, that was guarding the Professors' break room a little too intently, he pointed me towards the accurate gargoyle. Unfortunately in his over eagerness he failed to give me the proper password. I dug deep in my memory to remember what it was the previous occasion I was here. I mumbled lowly, "Tutti Frutti". The gargoyle seemed pleased to leap aside with that appalling phrase.

I made my way up the staircase with great displeasure. On one hand I felt safe with the Headmaster, free to say whatever I liked. On the other hand, I was soon to become a servant of the Headmasters greatest foe, and I couldn't divulge much of my life to him, safely. He looked up at me, no hint of surprise, and offered me a seat.

"I see you find it necessary to come at last, Severus."

A quizzical look passed over my face, I'd heard that the Headmaster seemed almost omnipotent, but this was too much. I shook it out of my head as mere coincidence and sighed into my hands.

"Headmaster. I have to tell you that I broke curfew two nights ago. I went to the Whomping Willow under the urging of Sirius Black. Inside a passage under the willow, I met up with James Potter, and a--a--werewolf."

The Headmaster looked at me, no visible emotion on his face, and motioned for me to continue. I breathed in quickly.

"The werewolf was rabid in the moonlight, and lunged at me, nearly taking my life. Potter stunned the werewolf, and told me to run. After I was physically pushed out of the corridor, and the opening closed. I heard....fighting with the werewolf. I believe that Black and Potter are trying to break the rules, and keep a werewolf as a pet of some kind."

A fabrication of sorts, but even the smallest lie is full of something true.