The Marauder's Map Saga

James and Sirius lay awake in their dormitory, wands at their sides, waiting for Severus to return. Peter had already returned from his detention with Professor Kettleburn and was snoring in his bed.

“Severus will make trouble for us with this,” James worried aloud. “He’s been looking for some way to get us expelled for a long time.”

“He’ll have to admit he was out-of-bounds in order to explain what happened,” sneered Sirius smugly. “I think we’re safe enough. And he won’t be able to hex us until tomorrow. That was brilliant, leaving his wand in the library. He won’t be able to get it back until morning.”

“I wonder what’s keeping him.” James flipped over and reached for the Map, which was hidden under Remus’ mattress. “Lumos.” James activated the Map and squinted at it, searching for Severus. His eyes widened in horror as he saw a small dot labeled Severus Snape sitting motionless in Professor McGonagall’s office, and another dot labeled Minerva McGonagall hurrying toward Gryffindor Tower. “We’re done for!” James exclaimed. “Snape’s told McGonagall. We’d best go downstairs so she doesn’t wake the whole house.”

Grabbing their bathrobes, James and Sirius hurried down the spiral staircase. They had just reached the common room when Professor McGonagall strode purposefully through the portrait hole, a stern look on her face.

“Potter, Black, you jeopardized the safety of one of your own classmates!” she said in a harsh whisper. “I am ashamed of your behavior. This matter must be brought to Professor Dumbledore. Come with me, immediately!” With that, she turned and went back through the portrait hole, waiting in the corridor outside for James and Sirius to follow her.

They hurried through the corridors, not speaking. James’ heart was pounding. He caught Sirius’ eye and Sirius grinned in return. He still didn’t seem to realise the seriousness of the situation.

McGonagall stopped in front of a statue of a gargoyle in a corridor on the second floor. “Sherbet lemon,” she said. A door opened behind the statue and James could see a spiral staircase ascending upwards. “Professor Dumbledore is expecting you,” said McGonagall shortly. “I will be along with your classmate, Mr. Snape, in a moment.” McGonagall swept down the corridor.

Sirius patted the gargoyle on the head and headed up the spiral stairs. James followed, his heart racing.

Professor Dumbledore did not look at them when they entered his office. Sirius stood, looking around at the portraits of previous headmasters. He winked at the portrait of a dark haired witch pretending to dose in her frame. She peeked out from behind her hand and gave up any pretense of sleeping. James looked at Dumbledore but the Headmaster still did not meet his eye.

“Your dorm mate, Severus Snape, has told us a fantastic story,” said Professor Dumbledore quietly. He looked up and finally met their eyes. “Please explain what happened tonight.”

Sirius glanced at James. James knew he was wondering what Snape had said and calculating what they should say, in case Snape hadn’t told everything. Before Sirius could make things worse, James blurted out, “Sn – Severus found out how to get into the tunnel under the Whomping Willow, and he tried to follow Remus. He didn’t know Remus is a, well, about Remus. I followed him into the tunnel but I had to use magic to stop him because he wouldn’t listen. He was in danger so I immobilized him and brought him back out of the tunnel. But he was still very angry with me, so I took his wand with me so he couldn’t, erm, do something he’d regret. I intended to give his wand back in the morning, when he’d calmed down.” James stopped speaking and looked down, making sure to avoid Sirius’ gaze.

“How did he know how to get into the tunnel?” Dumbledore asked, with a piercing look.

James glanced at Sirius. Sirius shrugged, but didn’t speak. “Erm, we told him,” said James.

Dumbledore gave Sirius a piercing look, and then turned to James. “And where is Severus’ wand now?”

“It’s in the library,” said James. “We figured that way Severus would be forced to cool down before he could get it back.”

Before Dumbledore could reply, there was a knock at the door. Severus lurched into the room, coming to an awkward stop in front of Dumbledore’s desk. He completely ignored James and Sirius.

“I demand to be transferred to Slytherin!” Severus’ voice was deadly calm. His fists were clenched at his side. “If you don’t transfer me immediately, tonight, I shall tell the entire school that one of our members is a werewolf.”

Professor Dumbledore didn’t look at Severus. He didn’t glance at James or Sirius either. James almost wished he would. Dumbledore had every right to be angry. James glanced at Sirius, but Sirius was looking at his feet, and James couldn’t tell whether Sirius had finally realized the gravity of the situation. They all waited for Dumbledore to speak.

“Severus, I’m not sure you realize what it means to Remus to be able to attend Hogwarts,” said Dumbledore in a soft voice.

“Putting us all at risk of being bitten while we sleep – ” Severus retorted angrily.

“I take the safety of every student very seriously,” said Dumbledore firmly. “Precautions were taken every month to ensure the safety of the other students. The Whomping Willow was planted on the grounds to keep curious students such as yourself from entering the tunnel and endangering themselves.”

James saw Dumbledore’s eyes meet those of Severus. Severus looked down.

“I haven’t felt comfortable in Gryffindor for some time.” Severus was almost weeping. “But now, I wouldn’t even feel safe there. Please let me be in Slytherin.”

“If you will give me your word you will not tell anyone about Remus’ condition,” Dumbledore relented, “I will see to it that you are moved to Slytherin. But not tonight. It would disrupt and disturb too many students. You may sleep in the Hospital Wing tonight, and the move can be made tomorrow, unless you change your mind before then.”