Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. I know that may come as a surprise, but they belong to the wonderful J.K. Rowling.
There was a knock on the door. "Lupin?"
"Ah, Severus. Come in." The door opened, and Snape entered with a steaming goblet.
"Full moon again…I'd forgotten." For a moment, a strange look crossed Lupin's face, but it passed. "Thank you Severus." He accepted the goblet from his childhood nemesis.
"Drink it before it gets cold." Snape advised.
"Was that concern in your voice?" Lupin raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching.
Snape glanced at his colleague, noticing how tired and pale he looked. He felt a twinge of sympathy for the werewolf, but quickly forced it out of his mind.
"Never." He replied smoothly.
"Ah." Remus smiled slightly. "Of course not. Good evening, Severus."
"Good evening." The potions master replied coldly. He turned to leave, then hesitated.
"Do you regret it?" He asked before he could stop himself.
Lupin glanced up from his goblet, surprised. "Regret what?"
"Befriending Black. Trusting him."
Lupin regarded the man before him carefully. He never would have imagined himself having a serious conversation about Sirius with Severus Snape. Then he thought about the question. For a moment he stood, staring off into space, into his memory.
"Hey! Lupin!" A young boy shot across the grounds. "Lupin! Guess what?"
"Chant agreed to go to Hogsmeade with you?"
Sirius looked momentarily taken aback. "How did you know?"
Sirius, you're beaming like a five year old. What else could it be about?"
Sirius shoved him, grinning. "Oh, lay off."
"We know you're a werewolf Lupin." Remus's head shot up in surprise. "We've figured it out."
"You—" Remus buried his head in his hands. "I guess you had to find out eventually."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Sirius demanded.
Suddenly his reasoning seemed so foolish. "I thought you'd hate me." He muttered.
His friends looked aghast. "Leave you?" James repeated indigently. "Lupin, we're your friends."
"You know us better then that, mate." Sirius glared at his friend angrily.
"You mean—you don't care?" Peter looked terrified, but nodded none the less.
"Better then that, mate." Sirius grinned. "We found a way to help you."
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Sirius tapped the map while Remus and Peter looked over his shoulder. "There they are—astronomy tower." He laughed.
"How romantic." Remus grinned.
"Let's go!" Peter was uncharacteristically eager for their latest escapade.
The three boys donned their friend's invisibility cloak and headed up to the tower.
Lily sighed happily. "Oh, James…" They kissed.
Sirius let out a triumphant whoop and Remus tore the cloak off to slap James on the back, smirking in delight. The couple glared at them. "Black! Lupin!" The culprits ran, laughing.
"Dead?" Remus sank onto the bed, staring at Dumbledore in disbelief. "Lily and James? But then…that means…"
The headmaster nodded gravely.
"Sirius betrayed them."
Lupin met Snape's waiting gaze. "No." He answered finally. "No, Severus, I don't believe I do."
