Legacy of the Marauders

Chapter Fifteen Devious Draught

Snape was in his dorm brewing a potion. A potion high above the N.E.W.T. level. A potion that had taken him months to make. A potion that had been banned a century ago by the Ministry of Magic.

He dealt with being the victim of the Marauders' pranks for years and he eagerly retaliated because he was so vindictive, but now they'd hurt Lucetta. They had gone too far.

Surveying the potion, Snape smiled mirthlessly. "Perfect." He transferred the liquid, which was as clear and tasteless as innocent water, from the cauldron into a black canister without spilling a drop and clamped on the lid tightly. He ambled through the dungeon common room and empty corridors until he arrived at a portrait of a fruit basket. He tickled the pear and smirked as it swung open to reveal an opening. The Marauders may know all of Hogwarts' secrets, but they aren't the only ones that know them, he thought smugly.

It was not near mealtime; therefore the house-elves had retired from the kitchen. Snape unscrewed the cap and carefully poured equal amounts of the draught into the four goblets that he knew Potter, Black, Lupin, and Pettigrew would be drinking from since they invariably seated themselves in the same place at Gryffindor table.

Satisfied, he returned to the dungeon to wait for Lucetta. Soon the portrait hole opened and the Slytherins entered with scowls on their faces and Snape could easily discern that they had not won the final Quidditch match of the season. He was disappointed; not because he cared about Quidditch, but because it would put his rivals in a good mood.

Conversely, Lucetta was smiling. "Severus!" She ran over to him. "Mother and father owled me the best gift for my birthday!"

"So?" said Snape coldly. He did not like her parents because he was aware of the fact that they ordered her around almost as much as they did their house-elf since she was not as gifted with magic as Lucius. Lucetta was brilliant; she could break any code in seconds and read whole sets of encyclopedias in a matter of hours, but when she had a wand in her hand she was a disaster waiting to happen.

"Don't you even want to know what it is?"

"Fine."

"A paper clip!"

He blinked his fathomless black eyes. "Are you really excited over a paper clip?"

She answered quietly, "Well, yeah. I mean, nobody else, not even Lucius, remembered that today was birthday."

Snape was slightly hurt that Lucetta speculated that he had forgotten, yet he was even more perplexed at how Lucius could have forgotten since they were twins. He probably just couldn't be bothered to get her anything, he realised in disgust. Snape wasn't fond of Lucius either, however, Lucius was not as annoying as the other selfish cowardly Slytherins, the Dark Lord favoured him, and he was Lucetta's brother, which were reasons to spend time with him.

As usual, Snape showed none of his emotions as he wordlessly removed a parcel from his pocket and handed it to her.

After she tore off the wrapping she saw a small book about the alphabet. She threw her arms around him in gratitude. "Thank you, Severus."

Trying not to flush at her enthusiastic embrace, he responded monotonously, "Whatever. You're welcome."

When it was time for dinner Snape went to the Great Hall with the rest of the school, acting indifferent as always so as not to arouse suspicion. Only once did he glance at his adversaries, and he felt grim satisfaction when he noted that they had drained their goblets. His potion would begin to take effect the moment that they fell asleep.

Upon their return to Gryffindor Tower, James asked, "Shall we throw a party in the common room to celebrate how I managed to win the Quidditch Cup?"

Remus shook his head. "We have a Transfiguration test tomorrow, so we should get some rest."

Sirius snorted. "Do you think we're gonna listen to that logic?"

"I have an idea!" declared Peter.

"That's a first," quipped James.

Peter blushed and immediately shut his mouth.

"Wormtail, don't listen to him. Tell us your idea," said Remus kindly.

"We won't have a party if you tell us a story," he suggested as a comprimise.

James and Sirius grinned while Remus groaned. Whenever Remus attempted to tell his fellow Marauders a tale they would incessantly interrupt him with irrelevant questions.

"Okay," Remus reluctantly agreed at last because he understood that if he refused they would deliberately have a celebration that was unreasonably loud to prevent him from getting the sleep that he desperately wanted.

It took ten minutes for them to get through the common room as a result of everyone complimenting James on his exceptional performance during the game, even though it had been months ago, and he was sorely tempted to stay and bask in their admiration, though the temptation to help Sirius and Peter agitate Remus was stronger.

Finally, they reached the dorm, or the "Marauding Lair" as they were wont to call it on occasion. Each of the foursome sat at the foot of their own four-poster with their legs dangling over the edge.

"What sort of story do you want me to tell you?" He added swiftly, "And I don't know any about sexy girls that worship people named Sirius and James."

"Dammit," sighed James.

"How about something that has to do with a bunny since it's almost Easter?" recommended Peter. Did I just say something practical?

Did he just say something practical? wondered Remus.

James and Sirius thought the same thing. "Did you just say something practical?" they questioned Peter in unison. They never kept a thought to themselves and had very little, if any, tact.

"I-I think so," Peter murmured in astonishment.

Remus stated, "We should have a moment of respectful silence for this miracle."

For the first and only time in history the Marauders were quiet or a solid minute.

"Now tell us a story about a bunny," instructed Sirius comically.

Closing his eyes, Remus searched his mind for any story that related to a rabbit. I imagine he looked very handsome sitting at the end of his bed with his eyelids gently shut in concentration. *sighs dreamily* Wait! This has nothing to do with the plot of my fan fiction!

"I guess I could tell you The Velveteen Rabbit," Remus eventually commented.

"Okey-dokey," they replied.