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Slughorn’s Warning


Peter hadn’t been able to sleep since being home. He was so exhausted he could barely think, only managing to get his eyes closed for maybe ten to twenty minutes at a time before the nightmares started. In his dreams, Peter’s mum was always in a giant brass birdcage, crying out, calling his name, and the sound of Voldemort’s laughter echoed all around him from walls made of mirrors. He would run, scurrying, really, having turned into a rat, and the floor would seem to spin, like he was caught on one of those bloody hamster wheels and he’d wake up as the floor completely dissolved and his mum’s screams filled his ears.

Mrs. Pettigrew’s attackers had left nothing of her, so absolutely had her obliteration been. All that had remained was the mark on the pavement in the alley, and the memories locked deep in Maggie’s shut-down mind. She still had not spoken, her eyes always on the verge of tears, and although the aurors asked her everyday if she could identify the witch or wizard that had done the murderin’, Maggie wouldn’t even nod or acknowledge their presence much at all. So when they held the funeral for Mrs. Pettigrew, all they had to bury was her favorite sweater and her prized wooden spoon. Peter stood to one side of the place where they were laying her memory to rest, clutching a spellbook she’d left on her bedside table, a book of simple home spells, like knitting and cleaning and the like. She’d written notes all about it, on almost every page, and he liked reading them. He felt closer when he did. So he’d taken to carrying it nearly everywhere.

The burial was something that Peter had been dreading. Not only was it a horrible experience, to stand and say goodbye to your loved one, but also it meant the end of the time he’d be spending at home. He’d be going back to Hogwarts the next day, via the floo network to McGonagall’s office, and he was dreading it. He’d received a letter from Remus, clutched in the beak of Bubo, saying that all three of the lads missed him and wished him well and were thinking of him… but he wasn’t certain if James or Sirius would even notice he was gone. And he certainly wasn’t looking forward to answering all the questions that were sure to be asked by, not just them, but everyone in the school. The last thing he wanted to do was answer questions.

He sighed and hugged the book even closer to his chest.

That night, his last at home, Peter sat in the living room late into the night, looking through his mum’s book, running his fingers over a page where she’d written out a shopping list for the market - it was labeled For Peter’s Return and contained all his favorite snacks. He felt a tear roll over his cheek.

There was a stirring in the hall then and he looked up to see Maggie come in, walking slow like a wraith, her eyes slightly unfocused as she sat down. He stole glances at her, but neither one said anything, and she never once looked his direction, just staring blankly at the squat coffee table’s top.

Peter closed the book and laid it across his lap. “I’m going back to school tomorrow,” he said. No response. “I’ll miss you. We didn’t get to talk much. Or at all, really, since you’re not talking…” he paused. “Would you write me?” he asked.

Maggie shrugged.

Peter frowned. “Well… I hope you do…” He stood up. “It gets mighty lonely about Hogwarts sometimes.”

Maggie didn’t reply.

He sighed, “Are you staying up? I reckon I’m going to go to bed now. It’s been a long day…”

Maggie didn’t react.

“Alright then. Goodnight.”

Peter started for the stairs that led to the hall upstairs. He was on the first step, even, when he heard Maggie’s voice… softly whispering… “Mopsus sees all.”




The sun rose on March 10 the same as it would have any other day, but Sirius Black was up the moment the first gold ray creaked through the window of the third year dormitories. He snuck across the room, climbing up to stand on Remus’s trunk, and then grabbed onto the posts at the end of the bed, standing up on the foot and teetering dangerously. Sirius grinned… and dove forward as though he were jumping into a swimming pool. “HAPPY BIRRRRRTHDAAAAYYY!” he shouted as he landed on top of Remus.

Remus shouted and flipped out of the bed as the mattress sprang back from Sirius’s attack. James sat up and grabbed his glasses from the nightstand, panicking, “What’s that? What’s happening?”

“IT’S MOONY DAY!” yelled Sirius and he leaned over the edge of the bed, grabbing Remus and tugging him back up to the bed. “HAPPY HAPPY MOONY DAY TOOO YOOOOU… HAPPY HAPPY MOONY DAY TOOOOO YOOOOU! Happy MOOOOOOOOOOOOOONY DAY DEAR MOOOOOOOOOOONY….. HAPPY HAPPY MOONY DAY TO YOUUUUUUU!”

Remus was rubbing his elbow, which he’d landed on when he fell. “While I appreciate your enthusiasm, I can’t help but question your methods,” he said.

Sirius grinned.

James blinked about, eyes still adjusting to the light, “Happy Birthday, mate,” he said much calmer than Sirius had done.

“Thanks,” Remus replied, climbing back onto his bed. He looked warily at Sirius, “And thanks, even though you almost killed me for it.”

Sirius slung his arm ‘round Remus’s neck, pulling his head in against his chest, “Of course, Moony!” he gave him a great noogie, raking his knuckles over Remus’s head, “It isn’t everyday a bloke turns fourteen, after all.”

“Fourteen, wow,” mumbled Remus, “I’m getting along in my age, ‘ey?”

“You’re practically geriatric, mate!”

Remus laughed.

Suddenly the dormitory door opened and there was Peter, carrying a book and looking a bit thinner than he’d done before he left. Sirius released Remus out from under his arm’s grasp as Peter came in and put the book down on his bed, carefully avoiding their eyes for several moments. He stood there by the head of his bed and he cleared his throat, all three of the others staring at him. “I don’t wanna talk about it,” he said, “So… so whatever it is you lot were talking about before I got here, let’s… let’s go on with that discussion.”

Sirius glanced at James, then to Remus, the back to Peter. “Well we were just saying how it’s not everyday that a bloke turns fourteen. It’s Remus’s birthday, see!”

“Happy Birthday, Rey,” Peter replied.

“Thanks, Peter,” Remus answered, smiling gently. He ran a hand over the back of his neck. He knew he was the only one that had any idea what it was Peter was going through. It wasn’t fair - being their age and losing one of the most important people in the world. Mums and Dads ought not be allowed to die before they were old. Remus wish he knew words that would make Peter feel better, like sage words of wisdom from the One Who Had Been Through it, but he knew that it was easier when nothing was said, just as Peter was requesting. Too many people didn’t respect the request already without Rey adding to it.

They all paused rather awkwardly, none of them really sure what to say next, silence heavy in the air. Finally, Sirius announced, “So fourteen’s spiffing, I think you’ll enjoy it - I have so far, you know. Oi, actually you know, it’s tradition the birthday boy gets a spanking…” and he grabbed Remus ‘round the head once more as Rey yelped and tried to dodge away.




The Marauders made sure that everyone in the castle was aware that one of them was celebrating the day. “MAKE WAY FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY, MAKE WAY!” Sirius shouted, marching ahead of Remus, whom they’d conjured a large party hat of silver and gold. It was strapped to his head, a giant glittery cone, and had a big number 14 on the front of it. Remus laughed, his face red, hating all of the attention - yet also loving it a bit as well - as Sirius made reference after reference to the fact that it was Remus’s birthday.

By the time they’d finished breakfast, it seemed every person in the whole castle must’ve heard by then. Remus had never felt so important as when all the Gryffindors shouted happy birthday to him from their spots at the table, and some of them gave him presents of chocolate bars from Honeydukes - all of which, he assured them, would be well taken care of.

“You’d think,” said James as they arrived outside the Potions classroom after breakfast, “That they’d give a lad and his mates some time off from classes to celebrate!”

“If only birthdays worked that way!” Sirius exclaimed.

“I’d find a friend for everyday of the year,” announced Peter, “Then we could always skive off classes every single day!”

They all laughed at this logic and went into claim their seats about the room. Sirius immediately tilted his chair back and threw his legs up on the table.

Horace Slughorn taught the lot of third year Gryffindors and Slytherins a couple of useful potions, including an antidote to hiccoughs and a shrinking potion that was quite useful on making things like spiders in the kitchen a more manageable size. “Bet it wouldn’t do the trick on that Argog bugger,” Peter whispered, glancing back at James.

“Mate I reckon even the avada kedavra wouldn't work on that bugger,” James answered, making a face.

When the class was over, the students quickly started to pack up. Severus slung his bag over his shoulder and hurried to Lily Evan’s desk. “Lunch?” he asked eagerly, looking at her with an adoration.

Lily smiled and was just about to answer him, when Slughorn walked up behind and rested his palm onto Severus Snape’s shoulder heavily. “Severus, my boy, I should like to speak to you alone about -- about our next great potions lesson.”

Severus looked up at the Potion’s Master. Couldn’t the old man see he was busy? Sluggy of all people knew about Severus’s struggle with trying to get Lily Evans to fall for him. Why did the old man need to interrupt him now, when he was talking to her? Their next so-called lesson was scheduled for the next day - if he was cancelling he could’ve just said it, and if it was something else it could bloody wait, Severus thought. He gave Slughorn a challenging sort of look that basically said just that.

“I’m afraid it’s very important,” Slughorn said solemnly.

Severus sighed, “Alright.”

Lily squeezed Severus’s hand affectionately. “But I’ll see you after, right?” she pleaded.

“Yes,” Severus said firmly. “I’ll come and get you.”

“Okay.” Lily leaned in and she kissed his cheek and smiled at him bashfully, then she rushed out of the Potions room.

Most everyone had gone but, seeing Slughorn was about to talk to Snape, James had lingered a bit, He was pretending to take an exceptional amount of time at washing his knife and spoon and had just returned to carefully tuck the tools into the crushed velvet-lined pockets of his potions kit.

“Move along, Mr. Potter,” Slughorn commanded.

“Yes, Potter, do move along,” Snape echoed.

James smirked. “Seems the only one of us doing any moving on will be you soon, Severus,” he said slowly, and he latched the potions kit shut, jammed it into his book bag, winked at Severus for good measure, and left.

Severus Snape turned to Slughorn the moment the door was closed.

Horace Slughorn walked over and with a sigh he lowered himself into the chair behind his desk and removed his spectacle so he could rub his eyes. “My boy, it’s come to my attention that… something’s been going on… very serious…” Slughorn looked very uncomfortable. He fidgeted in his seat and stared up at Severus, almost pleadingly.

Severus felt very nervous suddenly. “Yes, professor?”

“I - I’ve noticed that you and - and Miss. Evans have been getting on quite smashingly lately,” Slughorn murmured slowly, and he cleared his throat and shifted in his seat so that he could rub the side of his face with his palm, making his fleshy earlobe wobble. “How is this, Mr. Snape?” he asked, “And… bear in mind that I already know the answer. But I wish to hear the truth from you.”

Severus paled. Slughorn knew he’d said the right words for the color change in Severus’s face. The boy was always pale, of course, but this was white as a ghost. He shook his head and his hair, which had been caught behind his ears before, fell forward now like two great black curtains that shuttered the sides of his face and he took a step back from Slughorn, as though he’d been threatened. He stared at the Professor. “Please, Professor,” he said, “I love her.”

Slughorn took a deep breath, “I understand, Severus, that the temptation is great, when we have a talent, to use it in wys that… that better things for us… but there’s a right and a wrong way to use the gift, my boy, and giving that girl amortentia is the wrong way.”

Severus felt tears stinging his eyes, “But she loves me back with it.”

“She doesn’t love you back,” Slughorn said thickly, “Amortentia does not create love. No magic can create love. Love is a form of magic, more powerful than any that we could ever learn from a textbook and nothing we can do can create it, my boy. What you create with the amortentia is a very strong, very powerful obsession, an infatuation, if you will. It is not love.”

Severus’s face had melted from one of pleading to one of loathing, “You’re wrong!” he snapped, “You’re wrong! It works differently for Lily and I. We’re in love and we’re going to end up together. It’s destiny that we end up together, written in the stones of time.”

Slughorn took a deep breath, “My boy…” he said gently, “I’m very sorry. But you cannot go on giving Lily Evans amortentia for the rest of her life. That is not how it works…”

“I won’t give it to her the rest of her life. Eventually, she’ll love me even when the potion wears off and that’s when I can stop feeding it to her!” Severus said heatedly.

Slughorn shook his head, “I must insist you stop now.”

Severus looked positively enraged. “NO!” he shouted.

“Severus.”

“NO! You’re taking away the ONLY THING I HAVE!” Severus shouted, “You make me stop and I’ll have nothing! NOTHING, YOU OLD MAN! Don’t you understand that? She’ll go back to hanging about with James Potter and those idiots and she’ll hate me and she’ll never come back to me! I’ll be alone again!”

“You’ll have your friends!” Slughorn said, thinking Severus Snape to be acting quite unruly and overdramatic.

“My… my friends?” Severus laughed and shook his head, “You’re naive if you think any of the Slytherins are truly my friend - or truly friends of each other, for that matter.”

“Why of course they are your friend!” Slughorn said, “When I was in Slytherin house, when I was your age, we all were very best mates.

“Yours was a different time in Slytherin,” Severus replied. “Different politics…” he stared down at the desk where Lily Evans had sat and he felt sick. He looked back at Slughorn. “Please. Don’t take her away from me.”

“I am not taking her away from you,” Slughorn said. Then he leaned forward and said lowly, “Severus, it’s illegal, what you’re doing. Men have been put in Azkaban for using amortentia to get things that they want from a woman. Your intentions for it are far more pure than those men, of course, but… but it is no less illegal.”

Severus balled his fists as tears stained his cheeks.

“I’m afraid if I hear or see of you using the amortentia on Miss Evans, or anyone else for that matter, that I’ll be forced to… to bring the matter to Albus Dumbledore.” Slughorn looked quite as nervous about saying it as he was intending to make Severus feel. But Severus looked far more angry than afraid. “It could mean expulsion if it comes to it, Severus.”

Severus looked away.

“Do you understand?”

“Yes.” His voice was sour, short, laced with loathing.

Slughorn took a deep breath, “I’m very sorry, my boy. I completely understand how it is you’re feeling right now and --”

Severus shook his head. “No, you don’t. You can’t. You don’t know anything about me, really. You think you do but you’re wrong. You’re very wrong. Lily Evans is the only thing in my world that isn’t dark… and you’ll be responsible for the results.” He stared up at Slughorn’s eyes very pointedly. “You old fool. You’ve no idea what you’ve done.” And he quickly swept from the room, his jaw set, and slammed the door shut behind him.

Slughorn reached into a pocket and withdrew a handkerchief, dabbing the cloth over his face to relieve himself the sweat that had begun to pour from his forehead.