InsaneJournal

FIC: HP - Twist Of Fate (2/?)
Title: Twist of Fate (2/?)
Rating: PG at the moment
Pairings: None yet but they're coming - probably some canon, some not, slash is likely in future chapters
Summary: What if instead of solidifying the enmity between the Maruaders and Snape, the incident in Sixth Year created something of an epiphany in James? What if he saw how dangerous their pranks were becoming, how Sirius had nearly killed Snape and how utterly unfair Dumbledore had been? What if he decided it was time things changed?
Disclaimer: Unfortunately Harry and his friends and teachers are not mine. I wish they were though.

Chapter 1


Chapter 2

“James, what the hell are we doing here?” Sirius asked, sounding bored and irritated.

James turned around from where he’d been staring out over the ocean. They were standing on a cliff overlooking the ocean not far from Dover.

He rolled his eyes at his friend. “I told you, we’re meeting Severus. He sent me an owl two days ago.”

Sirius grumbled under his breath and threw himself to the ground, lounging on the grass next to Remus. Only Peter was missing from the full set of the Marauders. His mother had insisted that he go shopping with her.

James turned back to look at the ocean again. The rest of Sixth Year had been odd to say the least. The truce with Severus had turned into a strange friendship, one that Severus refused to make public. He’d insisted that their behaviour had to remain what it had been before. He’d refused to explain why, only saying that he’d tell them at a better time.

Sirius had been the last to accept this strange friendship, holding onto his grudge to an almost ridiculous extent, citing the way Severus rarely told them anything about himself or what was going on in his life. James had finally become exasperated and yelled at Sirius, resulting in the two of them acting very coolly to each other for a couple of weeks before Remus had gotten sick of it all and locked them in the dorm. That had apparently been Severus’ idea as he’d viewed the behaviour of the two of them with cool amusement.

But the friendship had been rewarding in its own way, James had to admit that. Once they got past Severus’ walls... at least as far past them as he would allow... they found that the Slytherin had a considerable intelligence and an even more considerable repertoire of pranks that could be played. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs hadn’t known what to think to find themselves the targets of so many pranks.

“Did Severus give you any indication of why he wanted to meet?” Remus asked, breaking into James’ thoughts.

“No,” James replied. “Just that we should be here at this time and he’d meet us. The letter was terse even by his standards.”

Remus nodded then rolled his head around to look at Sirius. “Has your mother done anything other than send you howlers?”

Sirius scowled and ripped some grass up, tossing it in the air. “No,” he said grimly. “She’s even stopped that. I think she’s well shot of me. She can really put Regulus up on that pedestal now.” He snorted. “I got a letter from Uncle Alphard though. He congratulated me on getting myself out of there with my brains and cods intact and informed me, rather grandly too I might add, that he’d named me the sole beneficiary of his will since I’d proven myself to be the only one of his relatives with any brains.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Remus asked with amusement.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Sirius replied. “Uncle Alphard’s loaded. Of course, he’s also a little barmy so there’s a good chance he might give all the money away to save the gerbils before he dies.”

James snorted with laughter but before he could reply there was a cracking sound and Severus Snape appeared not to far away. The three Gryffindors looked over at him and both Remus and Sirius scrambled to their feet at the expression on the Slytherin’s face.

“What the hell happened?” James asked, striding over to Severus.

Severus was silent for a moment and when he spoke, his voice was hoarse. “My parents are dead. I... don’t think it was an accident.”

“Merlin, Severus, I’m sorry,” James said then he frowned slightly. “What do you mean you don’t think it was an accident?”

As they watched Severus drew a lightly trembling hand down his face. “I’ve had Lucius and Rodolphus at me most of the holidays. About my plans for after school, about my opinions on all sorts of things, asking me to meet them in various places.”

“Fuck, they really are trying to recruit you,” Sirius said grimly. “Why though? You’re not rich, you’re not planning on going into the Ministry or anything, you’re just... you.”

Severus scowled. “Yes, thank you for that frank assessment, Black. I am aware of my limitations. It is my skills in potion making they’re interested in, I believe.”

“You mean He’s interested in them,” James said grimly. “But why? Surely there are other people he could be going after?” He shook his head then returned to the original topic. “You think they had your parents killed?”

Severus hesitated for a moment then nodded. His face had gone utterly blank and the three Gryffindors exchanged worried looks. Over the last several months they had learned that seeing that particular expression... or lack of expression... on Severus’ face did not bode well.

“I believe it was meant to... please me,” Severus said quietly.

“Why?” Remus asked softly.

“They knew that I... disliked my father intensely,” Severus said, refusing to meet the eyes of any of the three boys. “And that I had little liking or respect for my mother.”

James exchanged uncomfortable looks with Sirius and Remus. None of them had ever bothered to find out what Severus’ family was like. They all assumed that they were a typical wizarding family, albeit one that had embraced the Dark. It wasn’t until this moment that they remembered Severus mentioning his father was a Muggle. They each had the same thought about what had caused Severus to hate his parents so much but none of them were game to ask.

“Bloody hell,” James muttered, running his hand through his hair. “Have they contacted you again?”

Severus nodded, his face set and grim. “Lucius did. He seemed to be expecting congratulations.”

“What did you do?” Remus asked quietly.

“Gave it to him,” Severus snapped. “I’m not a fool, Lupin. They’ve come this far, they will not be letting me go now. I have only two choices – become a Death Eater or die.”

“Maybe... maybe there’s a third,” James said slowly into the ringing silence that followed Severus’ comments.

“What are you talking about?” Severus said sharply.

“I... I’m not entirely sure,” James said, running a hand through his hair and frowning in thought. “It just came to me so it’s not very well thought out.” He shot a quick, slightly amused glare in Severus’ direction when the Slytherin snorted. “It’s just... no one knows what this group is really all about, right? Except it’s all pureblood supremacy and anti-Muggle stuff. Imagine if we had an insider?”

“That’s awfully dangerous,” Remus objected. “You-Know-Who is extraordinarily ruthless.”

“He is also a Legilimens,” Severus said grimly. “Lucius and Rodolphus have dropped enough hints on that score for me to make that extrapolation.”

“Dammit,” James said then he gave Severus a long look. “Do you think you could learn Occlumency? My Dad’s a good Occlumens. He could teach you.”

“I think so,” Severus replied.

“You’re not seriously considering this, are you?” Remus objected, looking concerned and a little distressed. “It’s bloody dangerous. If you make one mistake then you’re dead. You have to know that.”

“What choice do I have?” Severus said irritably. “I can join them or I can die. At least this way, my joining them will have some purpose.”

“It’s not going to be a doddle,” Sirius said with unwonted soberness. “They’re going to want you to do some horrible stuff. If even half of what my dear old mother had to say was true...” He shook his head. “Are you sure?”

Severus looked rather sardonically amused. “Your concern is touching, Black.”

“Fuck that!” Sirius said angrily. “I’m not joking around, Snape. They’ll want you to use the Cruciatus or maybe even kill people. Brew poisons. Merlin only knows what else.”

“I am aware of that,” Severus said dismissively. “What other option do I have?”

Sirius grumbled under his breath. “None, I suppose.”

“Shouldn’t we talk to someone about this?” Remus asked tentatively. “Isn’t it a bit too much for a handful of students?”

“We are going to talk to someone,” James said firmly. “My Dad. He’s an Auror and he’s pretty canny. He’ll know the best way to go about doing this.” He looked over at Severus. “Are you sure you want to do this? The Aurors could probably arrange to protect you if you didn’t want to.”

Severus snorted and sneered. “You are, of course, assuming that he does not have the Aurors infiltrated.”

James looked startled at that idea. “Does he?”

“Possibly,” Severus replied. “Lucius and Rodolphus have certainly implied that he has many other areas of the Ministry infiltrated. I hardly think they would have ignored the Aurors.”

“Dad’s not going to like hearing that,” James said with an unhappy look on his face.

“He may already suspect,” Sirius said suddenly. “He’s been looking pretty concerned about something all summer.”

“Yeah, true,” James said, his thoughts clearly a million miles away. He gave himself a sudden shake and looked over at Severus. “Can you come back to my place now? Or is anyone expecting you somewhere?”

Severus snorted but simply answered James’ question. “I have arranged to meet with Avery and Mulciber in three days but until then I have nothing planned other than some experimentation.”

“You’ve got somewhere to stay, right?” James asked.

Severus looked amused again. “I inherited everything, Potter. I am hardly destitute. I am also seventeen. I can do what I wish.”

“Right,” James said dryly then he stepped forward. “I’d better use Side-Along with you unless you know where my family’s home is?”

Severus shook his head and James grabbed hold of his arm. He apparated the two of them to the path leading up to the front door, Remus and Sirius arriving a moment later. James led the way up to the front door and ushered them all inside.

“Mum! When’s Dad getting home?” he yelled as they walked into the house.

A slender brunette poked her head out of the living room with a look of exasperation on her face. “Goodness, James. Don’t bellow. Your father will be home in an hour or two.” She caught sight of Severus then gave her son an arch look. “James, mind your manners.”

James rolled his eyes and grinned. “Yes, Mum,” he said cheekily. “This is a... friend, Severus Snape. Severus, this is my Mum, Amanda Potter.”

Mrs Potter gave her son a sharp look but then smiled at Severus. “Hello, Severus. Make yourself at home.”

“Thank you, Mrs Potter,” Severus said rather awkwardly.

“Can you tell Dad I need to speak to him when he gets home?” James asked as he dragged his friends down the corridor and past his mother.

“Of course, dear,” Mrs Potter said as she disappeared back into the living room.

“Come on, let’s go out the back,” James said quietly.

They followed James out of the back door and into the garden. He led them to a secluded little area tucked behind a series of bushes. The three Gryffindors immediately sprawled on the grass. Severus hesitated for a moment then sat cross-legged near them.

“Merlin, Severus, you are allowed to relax, you know,” James said with amusement. “We’re not going to spring a prank on you.”

Severus scowled at him. “There is very little in my life right now that is conducive to relaxing.”

“Well, right now none of those things are here,” Remus said dryly.

“It’s habit,” Severus said archly, though he did seem to relax just a little more.

James snickered and kept the conversation on lighter subjects, mostly ranging around the upcoming school year, until he heard the sound of his father’s voice coming from the house. He stood up and waved the man over then sat down again.

Charles Potter rounded the bank of shrubs they were sitting behind and raised an eyebrow as he sat down. “Well, I’m quite used to seeing four boys here plotting away but this isn’t the usual collection. Who’s this and what’s going on?”

“This is Severus Snape,” James said, ignoring his father’s quirked eyebrow at the name. He hadn’t exactly had time to tell his parents that things had changed between the Slytherin and he and his friends and all his parents knew of Severus was what he’d said in various diatribes over the years. “He’s got a slight problem.”

“I see. Well, I’m Charles Potter,” Charles said slowly, looking over at Severus. “And what problem would this be?”

Severus hesitated and James gave him an encouraging look. He then scowled and sighed. “Voldemort has been trying to recruit me through Lucius Malfoy and the Lestrange brothers.”

Mr Potter’s face hardened. “This have anything to do with your parents’ deaths?”

Severus’ scowl deepened and he nodded. “I cannot prove it but I believe they killed them.”

“Why?” Charles asked.

Severus hesitated. “To... please me. Lucius and the Lestranges knew that my... relationship with my parents was... not good.”

“Did you give them reason to believe that you’d be happy if your parents were dead?” Charles asked, a frown on his face.

“I don’t know,” Severus said angrily. “My father and I have never really gotten along and the only reason it hasn’t gone any further than words is because he’s afraid I’ll use magic on him. My mother is... my mother does nothing to stop him and I don’t think she cares anymore.”

The three Gryffindors all winced at that blunt assessment by Severus of his family life. None of them had suspected that was what Severus had to put up with.

“I may have mentioned that I disliked them,” Severus continued reluctantly. “If they chose to read more into that than I meant, that is not my problem.”

“Except now it is,” Charles pointed out. “But I do see your point. How long have they been trying to recruit you?”

“Most of Sixth Year,” Severus replied. “Lucius has offered to fund my Potions apprenticeship.”

“Dammit, they’re not likely to let you go now,” Charles muttered.

“I had already come to that conclusion,” Severus said sourly.

“And I had an idea,” James said nervously. “I haven’t really thought it out and both Remus and Sirius have pointed out it’s really dangerous but, short of having Severus hide for the rest of his life, I think it could work.”

Charles gave his son a slightly dubious look. “Why is it those words fill me with trepidation and foreboding? Well, go on, what’s this idea of yours?”

James gave a quick flash of a grin then sobered. “I overheard you talking with Frank Longbottom a couple of weeks ago when you were talking about how no one seemed to know anything about the Death Eaters and... well... if Severus joins, wouldn’t that solve your problem?”

Charles went very still for a moment and his expression became very grim. “That is a very dangerous idea, James. Admittedly the Auror in me likes it and desperately wants a way to get more information but the father in me is appalled at the idea.”

“What choice do I have?” Severus said flatly. “I have no great desire to die and that only leaves joining the Death Eaters. I understand the risks, perhaps more than most. I am also of age so this decision is mine and mine alone to make. I will however need to learn Occlumency. If I have correctly read between the lines of what Lucius and Rodolphus have said to me, Voldemort is a powerful Legilimens.”

Charles stared at Severus long and hard. “I don’t like it. I know you’re right about your lack of choices but that doesn’t mean I have to like watching a young man do something so terribly dangerous.”

“You were a Gryffindor then, I presume,” Severus said dryly.

The three boys burst out laughing and Remus poked James in the chest.

“You get it honestly then?” he said merrily.

James smacked at Remus’ hand. “You bet I do.”

Charles watched these antics with amusement then turned back to Severus. “I was indeed. Are we that predictable?”

Severus arched an eyebrow. “In the eyes of a Slytherin, yes.”

Charles chuckled. “I’ll remember that.” He sobered once again. “Are you sure you want to do this? The Aurors could place you into protective custody.”

“You are assuming that would be any safer than joining the Death Eaters,” Severus said archly.

Charles went very still then nodded wearily. “He has us infiltrated then.”

“I don’t know,” Severus replied. “But both Lucius and Rodolphus have intimated that the Ministry has been substantially infiltrated and I could hardly imagine that they would ignore the Aurors Department.”

Charles swiped a hand down his suddenly tired face. “No, they wouldn’t. No wonder we haven’t been having much success unless we don’t play by the rules and ‘forget’ to log our plans.”

James exchanged sober looks with Sirius and Remus. “It’s that bad?”

Charles smiled wryly and nodded. “Pretty much.” He gave Severus another long look. “If you do decide to do this, I think it might be best to keep the identity of my source to me... and perhaps Alastor. In fact...” He paused and leaned back, turning his head towards the house. “Love! Can you floo-call Alastor for me and ask him to come around?” he yelled towards the house.

A muffled reply came from the house and a few minutes later they heard thumping steps approaching before Alastor Moody rounded the bank of bushes and gave the groups sitting there a swift, assessing look. The boys were startled at the sight of the grizzled Auror. He had a new livid scar running down his face and one eye was simply gone.

Alastor caught their shocked looks as he lowered himself gingerly to the ground. “Caught a couple of bad hexes,” he said in a growling voice. “Lost the eye and was damn lucky not to lose my arm and leg. Got some friends working on a replacement eye. Should be better than the original if it all works like it’s supposed to.”

“How’s desk duty treating you?” Charles asked.

“Better hope I get recertified for active duty quickly,” Alastor grumbled. “Or there might not be a secretary left in the damned place.” He gave a small smile as Charles laughed then his one-eyed gaze swept over the boys, lingering for a moment on Severus. “Now what was so damn important?”

“We have something of a problem and something of an opportunity,” Charles said then he swiftly laid out what he’d been told by Severus and the other boys, including Severus’ suspicions that the Aurors Department had been infiltrated.

Alastor was silent for a few minutes after Charles finished talking and his gaze rested on Severus during this time. The Slytherin boy shifted uncomfortably under that regard but refuse to drop his eyes. This seemed to please Alastor and he gave Severus a nod of approval before turning his attention back to his colleague.

“I’m not going to bother asking whether this has been thought through,” he said gruffly. “I’m going to assume that Snape is well aware of the dangers and knows what he’s doing.”

“He does,” Charles replied. “Though I’ll admit the father in me isn’t entirely comfortable with this. But... he’s of age and can make his own decisions.”

Moody nodded and shifted slightly. “We’ll have to keep this between you, me and these boys.” He turned his glare on the four boys. “This doesn’t get told to anyone else. You hear me? No one other than the six of us knows about this.”

“What about Peter?” James asked.

Moody shook his head. “No one, boy. If he’s not here then he doesn’t find out.”

The three Marauders exchanged unhappy glances but finally nodded when Alastor’s glare intensified.

“Good,” Alastor said before turning that intense look on Severus. “You will only report to me or to Charles. No one else. No one else will know about this so if anyone says something along those lines, they’re lying and you should treat them accordingly. Meetings can be arranged through owl but no information should be sent by that method. Owls are too easily intercepted. If you think you’re in danger of being discovered, you get out of there as quickly as you can and come straight to me or to Charles. No hesitations. You know where this place is and I’ll make sure you can get access to me if you need it. A spy is of no use to us dead.”

“He’ll need training in Occlumency,” Charles broke in. “I’m good but you’re better and I think you’ll be the better teacher.” He smiled wryly. “I’d be too inclined to go easy on him and if he’s going to be protecting himself against Voldemort, he doesn’t need that.”

Alastor’s eyes narrowed. “So... Voldemort is a Legilimens.”

“I believe so,” Severus replied. He looked grim and even paler than usual after Moody's brusque speech. “Certainly what Lucius and Rodolphus have said seems to indicate that.”

Moody nodded. “It’s not unexpected. We’ve had our suspicions for a while. Alright, Occlumency training before you go and jump into the snake pit.” Moody clambered to his feet and raised the eyebrow over his empty eye socket, creating a bizarre and ghastly look. “Well, boy, come on. Sooner we get started, the sooner you’ll be protected.”

Severus hurriedly got to his feet, looking awkward and defensive. Alastor saw this and rolled his eye.

“I don’t bite, Snape... not unless you deserve it,” he said gruffly but somewhat kindly. “I will teach you how to protect your mind and yourself. I look after my contacts.”

Severus gave the grizzled Auror a long assessing look then nodded. He turned back to the three Marauders.

“I will contact you as and when I can but this year at school...” He broke off, unsure how they were going to maintain this odd friendship.

“We’ll come up with something,” James said confidently. “We’re damn well not going to abandon you now.”

“We can use the Room of Requirement,” Remus said quietly.

“Good idea, Moony,” James said with a quick grin for his friend then he turned back to Severus and his expression became worried and sober. “Be careful.”

Severus gave a short, curt nod then followed Moody back into the house. Charles watched them go then looked over at his son.

“Good thinking, James,” he said quietly. “I hate putting anyone, especially a boy in that much danger but at least you three didn’t try and do this yourselves. Just... watch over him as much as you can.” He paused and gave the three boys and interested look. “Though one of these days you’re going to have to explain how you went from hating that boy to being friends with him.”

James smiled wryly. “Well, it’s a long story but the short version is I think I grew up.”

Charles laughed. “Well, it was bound to happen one of these days.”



Chapter 3