"I found this." Snape tossed the Invisibility Cloak aside and pointed his wand straight at Lupin's chest. "I really must thank you, Potter."
"Revenge tastes so sweet," Snape whispered to Black, his eyes gleaming with long-awaited anticipation. "I've waited for this moment—to send you to Azkaban myself."
"Lupin, I warned Dumbledore repeatedly that you were helping your old friend Black sneak into the Castle. He wouldn't believe me. Now we have proof. I thought you'd be more careful, but you still chose this old place as your hiding spot."
"Severus, you're wrong," Lupin said urgently. "You haven't heard the whole truth. Sirius didn't come here to kill Harry."
"Tonight, Azkaban will gain two more prisoners." Snape ignored Lupin, his voice cold and his eyes alight with fervor.
"You're a fool," Lupin replied calmly. "Do you really think a schoolboy grudge justifies sending an innocent man to Azkaban?"
With a loud crack, snakelike ropes shot from the tip of Snape's wand and wound around Lupin's mouth, wrists, and ankles. Lupin lost his balance and fell, unable to move.
Sirius roared and lunged at Snape, but Snape raised his wand and aimed it between Black's eyes.
Hermione took a cautious step forward. "Professor Snape," she said, her voice trembling, "couldn't we hear what they have to say?"
Snape glared at Hermione. "Miss Granger, you'd best stay out of this. You're on the verge of expulsion. And Jerry Green, don't get too pleased with yourself. Dumbledore's protection doesn't mean you can do whatever you like!" He turned back to Hermione, a sneer entering his voice. "I always thought you were clever enough to see through Lupin. But now... didn't Jerry Green, standing right beside you, warn you to stay away from dangerous people?"
Hermione bit her lip and gathered her courage. "I... I