Author's Notes: Hey-yo! This is yet another request from gaia by nekohimebyha. She wanted a fluff, funny Remus/Severus story which I - well, failed at XD It lightens up in the second chapter, I promise. It'll be two chapters, the second updated sometime in the near future.

Watching the two of them was a torture beyond the idiot 'Marauder's' hexes.

Summery: Severus can see that he'll never be more than friends with Lily and swears off love. Unfortunately not everyone is willing to leave him to his own devices. This takes places after the incident with the Whomping Willow and without the Mudblood incident.

Warnings: Angst, swearing, male relations.

Disclaimer: Not. Mine.

Even so, Severus found his gaze shifting to the Gryffindor table from his place on the other side of the Great Hall. While Lilly was still happy enough to talk with him (as long as Lucius and the other Pureblood riff-raff weren't hovering and sneering nearby) she had obviously gotten a soft spot for that Potter boy. Even from his position he could see the softness of her smile as she plucked something from Potter's hair, the black haired git grinning and looping his ridiculous gold and red scarf around her neck. The idiot Black was on the other side of her, tugging at the end that had whacked him on the side of the head and engaging Potter in a tug-o-war with Lilly in the middle, laughing even as she shoved at them both.

It was clear. Severus...had lost.

Forcing his gaze back to the bangers and mash whipped into a pile so fluffy it was like eating clouds Severus hacked at the meat, expression set. So he had lost his childhood friend and the love of his life to his worst enemy. So he was surrounded by idiots who thought that following some rambling madman was their ticket to power and control. So his professors were fumbling buffoons, especially Slughorn, who only confirmed Severus's brilliance at potions and defense. None of that mattered.

I don't need anyone, he thought crossly, ignoring the snide comments from Lucius and the snickering from George Goyle and Vernate Crabbe. People are false and cruel. Give me my books; I'll pass the NEWTs with high enough marks to start my own business. I'll go into ward-building, or become a private defense trainer, or Dark Arts detector. Perhaps supply potions on the side.The thoughts were tinged with bitterness. Love is out of my reach so money is the next-best thing.

Plotting out his future Severus refused to look up at the happy couple and their goon companions. He didn't want to see how happy Lilly was without him, or the gloating look that Potter would send his way if he caught Severus watching. He didn't notice the quiet, contemplative look from the least destructive of their group, mild green eyes studying him from across the room.

~.~.~.~.~

Sitting in one of his favorite places on campus Severus held his tome of Advanced Potions on his lap, a lazy breeze coming off of the lake. The tree he sat under was far enough away from the lake that the giant squid tended to leave him alone, so long as his bag, books or limbs weren't beyond the shade of the tree and the side he rested at made him unseen from the castle. The book he had was reading from had more than a little wear and tear, as did the rest of the ones he owned; they were hand-me-downs from the school and were treated to the oh-so careful Potter group on occasion. It was only due to the coolness of the day that Severus was risking studying outside. He often had to rotate his study spots to keep his would-be harassers somewhat at bay.

"Severus. Can we talk?"

The subdue voice made Severus stiffen, head snapping up and looking around in reflex. Remus Lupin was standing before him, his school bag slung over a shoulder. His robes and dusty brown hair hair were in disarray as usual and the empathetic green eyes were fixed on Severus, which only made the Slytherin more suspicious of a trap.

"I've no time for your games today, Lupin," he hissed, half-hiding his book in dark robes. If Potter, Black or Pettigrew were hiding behind the tree to grab for his things Severus would save at least the most valuable of his worn books.

Lupin shook his head, moving as if to take a step forward but halting when Severus curled his legs underneath him, lips drawing back in a silent snarl. "No games. No tricks. I couldn't," the brunet said, pointing to his Prefect badge. "Not that I've ever wanted to torment you the way they do."

"Nor did you do anything to prevent it," Severus snapped. Whatever it was the ragged werewolf wanted, he didn't want to hear it. Snatching up his bag Severus shoved his book into it, looking around again to check for Potter and the other two fools. "I don't know what you want and frankly I don't care. Just stay out of-"

"I'd like to be friends."

Severus felt his jaw drop. Even after it took a few moments before he could pick it up off of the ground and just stare incredulously at Lupin. "You - what?"

Obviously the depths of his shock went over the ragged teen's head because he smiled, nodding. "Yes. I've asked Prongs and the others to leave you be and hope - well, hope that it's a start in mending smoldering bridges."

Severus stared. He was set to stand and fix Lupin with a Look long enough that the male would figure out on his own that his suggestion was outrageously foolish. Unfortunately Lupin was either brain-dead or terrible at reading expressions because he just stood there, that quiet smile still in place. "You nearly killed me," Severus said slowly, as if talking to an invalid. Perhaps Lupin's book smarts and affliction made common sense impossible for him. "You and your friends have tormented me ever since you've set foot on Hogwarts' grounds. You've embarrassed and harassed me and have stolen my things, even-" Severus bit his tongue, keeping the words burning in his throat at bay long enough to swallow them back. "Never mind. Just stay away from me."

Turning Severus marched away from the doe-eyed teen who didn't follow or call after him. Good, the Slytherin thought fiercely. [i]Let him go back to his friends and tell them how their plot has failed. I'm no such idiot to believe such drivel in our last year.[/i] He refused to look back and see if Lupin lingered, those downward-turned eyes watching his retreat.

~.~.~.~.~

Severus was in the library the second time Lupin approached him. While he enjoyed the cool, quiet atmosphere of the dungeons one got tired of the same stone walls, swimming fish and occasional merpeople peering in through the glass 'windows.' He had claimed a table far from the doors, just past the Restricted Section, Severus's head bowed over his Transfiguration notes. As much as he'd like to immerse himself in Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions if he wanted to get full marks for his NEWTs it meant putting more effort into the subjects he was less skilled in.

"Mind if I sit here?"

Grinding his teeth together Severus looked up between dark, wavy strands. "Yes," he ground out, making Lupin pause in the middle of drawing back the chair directly across from where Severus sat. "Now go away."

The ragged werewolf sighed, hitching his bag higher up onto his shoulder. "What can I do to convince you of my intentions, Severus?"

"Don't call me that."

Lupin drew back and Severus felt a grim satisfaction at the shock he saw there. The expression faded soon enough, features falling back into their usual tired neutrality. "I don't want to offend you," he said quietly. "I just want to get to know you."

"Oh, is that all?" Severus was already shoving his books back into his bag. Obviously Lupin was planning on bothering him no matter what. It looked as if Severus would have to hole himself up in the dungeons, after all. "Just become my friend, earn my trust and pry into every dirty little secret I may have so you can report back to the rest of your idiot troupe? No thank you." Flipping his bag shut Severus rose, moving smoothly around the table and towards the front doors of the library. He was walking past Lupin when a hand dropped onto his shoulder, not firmly enough to hold him in place but making him freeze all the same.

"Severus, please. I'm being nothing but forthright to you."

Severus jerked away from the grasp, spinning to glare at Lupin. "Then prove it!" He was rushing past Irma Pince, assistant librarian, who looked cross enough to hex him. He didn't care. Severus had lost yet another sanctuary thanks to the stubbornness of the ragged werewolf.

~.~.~.~.~

Walking from Medi-Level Healing Severus nearly bounded into a small form that darted in front of him as he exited the classroom. As it was he came close to smacking right into the boy, only a swift side-stepping that made him stumble keeping him from doing so. "Watch where you're going-" Pale lips pulled into a sneer when he saw who it was. "Oh. You. Get out of my way."

Pettigrew was no where near as impressive as the friends he hung out around. He was a small, round boy, with brown hair neater than Lupin's only because it was so thin and a pointed nose. He was squinting as he usually did, looking more like a twitching rat than a teenage boy, hands raised before his chest as if he was ready to protect his head and face should he need to. How did a sniveling fool like this even get into Gryffindor, let alone Potter's crew?

"S-sorry."

Brows rising in surprise Severus stared. "What?"

"For everything," the boy continued, wringing his hands together much like the house-elves at the Manor. "Iwon'tbotheryouagain. Bye!" With the words out Pettigrew scurried away, disappearing around a bend in the hall opposite of where he'd come from.

Severus watched him go, mind reeling. That had be the most random and unexpected thing to happen to him. The only thing more shocking would have been Black springing out from behind a suit of armor and declaring his undying love for Severus with Potter playing the harp in white robes and angel's wings.

Slowly, Severus shook his head and turned away, walking quickly to his next class. So he made the rat apologize, he thought, slipping past a group of Ravenclaws who had apparently nothing better to do but block passage through the halls. Or Potter did, to make their plot more convincing. It's not going to keep me from my studies. It was easy to ignore the quiet, nagging voice in the back of his mind that was less certain of Lupin's insistence on him being an elaborate plot to ensnare him into an unflattering situation. That voice could just shut it[.

~.~.~.~.~

"Yo, Snape. We need to talk."

The voice was one that haunted his nightmares and was especially unwelcome from the doorway of the privy, where Severus had just relieved himself. Potter had stepped in and let the door swing shut behind him though Severus doubted that he was alone.

"Out of my way, Potter," he snarled though for all the effect it had he might as well have been a mewling kitten. "This is not the time nor the place for your idiocy."

Potter, curse his stupid spiky head, held his ground. He didn't even have his wand drawn, an advantage that Severus itched to take - but he owed Potter a Life-Debt. Attacking him would only provoke the debt into action and making its claim on half of Severus's magic, as he hadn't made any effort to try and pay the debt off.

"This won't take long." Potter's hazel eyes were blazing - bright and defiant and cocky in a way that Lupin's were not - hair in its usual disarray and a complete contrast to his painfully pressed robes and bone-straight tie. "I'm claiming the Debt."

Severus felt as if the air had been sucked out of the room. His hands grew slick, the hair at the nape of his neck feeling unbearable itchy and robes suffocating. He knew that it was possible for Potter to grow impatient, though he hadn't seemed as if he would make a claim on the Life-Debt before now. Whisking away the love of Severus's life seemed to be enough. "Fine," Severus ground out, back ridged. He would face his executioner with dignity. "What do you want?"

Potter didn't respond right away, instead studying Severus with what looked like a critical eye. If the boy could hear Severus's teeth grinding then he made a good show of ignoring it, nodding to himself. "First, you're going to have a shower every morning. Then you're going to give Moony the chance he's been asking for and hang out with him for the rest of the school year."

For what felt like the hundredth time in a month Severus's felt a shock run through his entire body. The indignation came after. "You mean to dictate my life by-"

"The shower isn't important," Potter said, speaking over him and waving a hand. "So long as you wash your hair everyday. Really, you're a fire hazard with how greasy you let it get."

Severus bristled. "My hygiene and habits are of none of your-"

"It is if you're going to be hanging with Moony-"

"I don't bloody well WANT to-"

"Well you have no choice!" Potter still hadn't drawn his wand but he was near enough to punch Severus if he wanted. When he looked the Slytherin saw that while Potter's hands were curled into fists they relaxed soon enough. fingers curling lightly. "Look, I'm claiming it as part of the Debt so you have to do it, and be nice to him and not the bloody arse that you've insisted on being. That or lose your magic. The choice is yours."

Potter turned and left then, his words clanging and banging against the inside of Severus's skull as he fumed.

~.~.~.~.~

Though he was loathed to do anything Potter had suggested Severus was petrified of the idea of losing his magic because of some stupid Debt. So the next morning Severus showered and washed his hair - grumbling all the while about how doing so more often would dry out his scalp and the fact that he'd need to add something new to his routine to keep it from flaking - picked out the neatest of his two school robes and went up to face the music. Sitting at the Slytherin table and shoveling breakfast Severus found his eyes going not to the deliciously happy couple but to Lupin, who had very little on his palate and ate as if he had room for only a few cracker-sized spot, slowly bringing a small portion of eggs to his mouth to chew. There was a full moon some days ago, Severus thought as he took in the werewolf's appearance. He looked even more ragged and run-down than usual. Perhaps he's still full from mauling unicorns and pygmy puffs in the forest.

The thought was shaken away a moment later. He knew that Lupin wouldn't have been allowed to roam the forest. Potter and his rag-tag band would have hauled him off to the Shrieking Shack to wait out his transformation and stay with him through the night, though how they did so was still a mystery to Severus.

As breakfast ended and bodies begun to clear from the hall Severus rose, slowly. Potter and his crew were gathering their things though Lupin was a few paces behind. Glancing around to make sure there weren't too many witnesses - at least Lucius and those thunderheads he hung around with had already gone - the dark-haired male made his way to the Gryffindor table, ignoring the suspicious and curious looks from the lingering students. "Lupin."

The werewolf looked up, surprise crossing his features before the same small smile that had pulled at his lips several weeks back touched his face. "Sev- Snape," he corrected, nodding. "How may I help you?"

Severus was ridiculously aware of Potter and Black hovering nearby though he set on ignoring them in favor of getting his Debt paid off. "You wanted to be friends," he sated, lips working around the words. "How?"

The silence that followed his question was immediately unbearable and it was on the tip of Severus's tongue to take it back, to march on out of the Great Hall and deal with his life as a Squib. He was opening his mouth do say so-

And then Lupin smiled.

It wasn't the subdued, quiet smiles that Severus had seen before or the shy half-smiles that he tended to share with Potter. Those green doe eyes lit up and his entire face changed, making Lupin actually look like the teenage boy he was rather than the beaten-down man he tended to look like. Then he was rising to his feet and taking up his bag. "I have a free period just before lunch," he said while Severus stared, stunned in the aftermath of such brilliance. "Meet me in the library?"

"I- have class," Severus warned, to which Lupin just nodded.

"That's alright. I'll wait for you."

The werewolf waved and walked off then, Potter looping an arm around his neck and leaning close as if conspiring (No, Potter wouldn't waste his claim on the Debt to- well, actually, he might.). It took longer than normal for him to realize Black still lingered, his eyes clouded and hostile as ever. Severus glared and a vein in Black's jaw jumped but all he did with give a short, stiff nod that should have broken his neck and turn away, jogging to catch up with his friends. Severus lingered, watching the trio leave the Great Hall. Perhaps there isn't more to this than I initially thought.

~.~.~.~.~

Just as he promised, Lupin was waiting in the library when Severus entered. He found the brown-haired teen at the same table Severus himself had been sitting in when Lupin approached him two weeks ago. As he came up Lupin lifted his head from the book he had been going over, a quiet smile touching his lips. "I'm glad you could make it."

Not that I had a choice. Instead of voicing his thoughts Severus set his bag on the table, pulling out a couple of wrapped sandwiches and dropping them in front of the other teen. "If you've been here since your free break you wouldn't have eaten," he said, drawing out the two he had wrapped for himself before sitting down. "Eat."

Severus wasn't looking at the other but he heard the low chuckle, followed by the sound of napkins ruffling as he unwrapped the sandwiches. Severus had no idea what Lupin favored but went heavy on the meat, one a stuffed chicken sandwich with mayo on heavy rye with lettuce and tomato and the other a roast beef sandwich on Hungarian toast with thick gravy. His own was a simple BLT with extra tomato and he took a bite, careful to do so over the napkin as to keep any spillage to a minimum.

They sat in silence for some time, Severus waiting for it to grow irritating or uncomfortable. The most uncomfortable part was the hard back of the chair he sat on. Lupin ate much like he had that morning, taking small bites and chewing each as if having to think about every motion. By the time Severus was nearly finished his second Lupin was barely finished his first, taking the last bite and starting to push the other aside. "Do you not like roast beef?"

Lupin looked up, meeting Severus's gaze before shaking his head. "No, it isn't that. I just find I have less of an appetite after - certain events."

Severus knew what 'certain events' the teen meant but didn't say it aloud. He had been sworn by Dumbledore that he wouldn't tell anyone of Lupin's affliction and he wouldn't risk breaking it because he was careless and some passer-by overheard. "How did it happen?" Though Severus had wanted to be disgusted by it he found himself curious and intrigued. It was more the reaction from the Pureblood Slytherins that made being a werewolf seem like a fate worse than death.

Lupin licked his lips, eyes flickering aside and Severus's curiosity perked even more. "That may be a story for another day," the brunet said and before Severus could argue was moving on. "We'll start with something simpler. Would you mind helping me study for DADA? You're much better at it than I am."

Surprised (and more than a little pleased) Severus agreed, pulling out his own books to find where Lupin was stuck to help. It wasn't a normal start to a friendship by far but it was start. He's actually more tolerable than I thought without the others around him, Severus thought as he explained the Blood-Boiling Curse, heart feeling lighter than he had for years.

~.~.~.~.~

With the excuse of end of term tests coming up Severus found himself meeting Lupin in the library during much of his free time. They would go over studies but the subject matter would also drift, from Lupin's eccentric parents to Severus's dislike of oranges to Quidditch to muggle music. Eventually they begun to meet in other places - spots like the one Severus favored near the lake or that Lupin would settle in the gardens - and got to know one another better without the protection of books, studies and nearby professors. Severus found himself telling the brunet of his broken mother and muggle father, who no one but Lilly knew of.

Lupin listened in silence and even after the words were out Severus didn't feel the all-consuming dread that he thought he would have just a few months ago. He knew some secrets of Lupin's (like how Potter and the others were able to be with him for his transformation) and didn't feel that Lupin would betray him even if they didn't stay on speaking terms once the school year was out.

And then Lupin told him of his Sire.

"He was someone who I trusted dearly," the brunet started, the tone more than the words themselves capturing Severus's attention. "I looked up to him. Over the summer I made a habit of going to see him on the property he owned and sometimes stayed the night. One night I got into a row with my parents." He shook his head, green eyes so sad that Severus's heart clenched. "It was stupid, really. They were worried about me and I thought that I was old enough to do whatever I wished with whoever I wished to do it. I ran away, to his property. It was a full moon." Lupin took a deep breath. "I didn't know he was Bitten."

A chill ran down Severus's spine and it took some working of his jaw to get words to come forth. When they did they were quiet and horse, part of him afraid to hear the answer but needed to know. "How old were you?"

"I hadn't reached my 13th year."

Severus's breath caught but he forced out the next question. "And how did you..."

"Survive?" Lupin looked over at him, a smile that was broken and fleeting flickering to his lips before his eyes went back to the hibernating flower bushes. "Part of me isn't even sure. Rather than maul me he dragged me into the woods between his jaws." There was some shifting and then Lupin lifted his layers, exposing what looked to be the bite from an impossibly wide jaw curving around his chest and ribcage. "I had managed to get hold of my wand and do you know what saved me? [i]Wingardium leviosa.[/i] Lupin gave a humorless laugh. "It was only strong enough to lift his back legs for a few minutes but it was enough to startle him into dropping me. I manged to climb a tree - they can't climb," the brunet added as a side-note, glancing to Severus before turning his attention back to the bare branches. "Claw and bite and howl, yes. Climb? Not at all. So I climbed the nearest tree I could find and clung to a branch with him pacing around it, snarling and howling. My parents had a Child Tracker registered to me but even so the Aurors wait at least 12 hours before activating them on runaway cases for the age I was then. That's been changed since."

Severus sat, eyes narrowed, trying to imagine it. A small, frightened Lupin, bleeding and likely with some broken bones, clinging to a tree and crying for help while someone he trusted wanted nothing more than to rip out his throat.

"What happened to - your friend?"Severus wasn't sure what else to call the man who had changed Lupin's life.

"By the time the Aurors arrived it was well past daylight." The voice that spoke was so flat and dead that Severus winced. "I saw him change before my very eyes. When he realized what he had done, he fled. The property was abandoned." Movement from the corner of his eye alerted Severus to Lupin's shaking head. "Apparently he was unregistered at the Ministry and knew that he would be facing a lifetime in Azkaban and a broken wand and avoiding that fate was more important than making sure I lived."

Severus had nothing to say to that. There was nothing he could say. He couldn't change what had happened nor could he make Lupin's affliction go away with some potion. The bite of a werewolf changed one's DNA and while there were potions that could change one's hair, skin or appearance entirely there was nothing that could permanently alter the human body the way and werewolf or vampire bite could. It was part of what made them so terrifying in the first place to witches and wizards alike.

"Lupin?"

"It's Remus, Severus. That or Moony."

Severus would eat his own tongue before he'd call Lupin - Remus - by such a horrid nickname but didn't say that. "Remus," he started again. "Who was he to you?"

Lupin- Remus was quiet for a moment, just a handful of heartbeats, before he answered. "I was in love with him." The words wee simply stated, much like the way he insisted on Severus calling him by his first name. "I think that he knew it and he never tried anything with me, mind. He was my first love."

Severus looked over at Remus, who looked up with doe-like green eyes and met his own mildly. Severus knew that he could walk away and Remus wouldn't hold it against him. He also knew that doing so might shatter any hope of him achieving true friendships outside of Potter and the others.

Severus huffed. "What a berk. You're better off with him gone."

Remus blinked, his lips pulling into a soft smile that reminded Severus of a rabbit sunbathing on a grassy field. "Yes, I am."

The pair sat together in silence for a while, each considering the words of their companion.

~.~.~.~.~

"Professor Slughorn? May I have a word?"

The man in question looked surprised but replied easily enough. "Of course, my dear boy! What would you like?"

Severus, having waited for the class to empty before approaching his Head of House, schooled his expression into something bright and eager. "Well you see, I think I know what potion I want to present for my finals but I want to have quite a lot of practice..."

~.~.~.~.~

"Here."

Much as he had for the past week Remus took the container handed to him, opening the cap to the potion. "Thank you, Severus." At the impatient motion of his hand Remus laughed, waiting until it had calmed before taking a swallow of the bitter liquid. Severus had shoved it at him 6 days prior, insisting that it would ease his transformation. In truth Lupin [i]did[/i] feel better than he ever had with the full moon on its way and so continued to drink from the metal container, knowing that Severus wouldn't be pleased until it was entirely gone.

With the potion drained Remus handed the container back, which Severus shook before capping. "How do you feel?"

"Well," Remus said. "Usually I spend the week eating nothing but near-raw meat and feeling edgy. I don't feel too different from normal."

Severus nodded, rising to his feet. Remus rose too, lips pulling into a frown. "Leaving already?"

"I just remembered that there's someone I need to talk with," Severus said, giving a half-wave. "I'll see you later."

Remus waved in turn, watching as the Slytherin turned away from the lake to head up to the castle. He couldn't shake the feeling that Severus was avoiding him - but this didn't start until after they'd had their last heartfelt 'talk,' and Severus was helping him by giving him that (disgusting) potion he had been making.

Worrying at his lower lip Remus headed for the castle as well. He would find Prongs and the others and talk to them about Severus's recent behavior; perhaps they would know what to do.

~.~.~.~.~

He didn't find any of his friends before the rest of classes, nor were they at the table for dinner. Sitting next to Molly Prewett he looked over and found no head of dark, silken hair over at the Slytherin table, either. The sign was enough to make him want to rush from the Great Hall to look for his friends but as Prefect he had to tend after the Gryffindor table with his partner.

He also had to trust his friends not to hex one another when he wasn't looking.

By the time dinner was over Remus all but ran to Gryffindor tower, startled when he saw James, Peter and Sirius playing a game of Exploding Snap. "Yo, Moony," Sirius called, waving a hand. "Come join us."

Hesitating at the portrait entrance he was forced to move when a pair of 3rd years came through, taking a seat with his closest friends. Now that they were together his earlier fears seemed silly, though he wouldn't know how Severus was until morning.

With the sun sinking Remus made his way out for 'rounds' as was his job as Prefect. He knew that his friends would follow him to the Whomping Willow some time after he'd gone so as not to raise suspicion under the Invisibility Cloak to spend another night of horrors with him.

As Remus rounded towards the tree he paused, spying the figure of a student standing with his back to him. The robes were black as all of Hogwarts robes were but it was the stance and tumbling thick, dark hair that Remus recognized, followed by the scent of potions clinging to the teen's skin. "Severus? Here to see me off?"

Severus turned, dark eyes appearing to pierce through to Remus's soul. "No," he stated, craning his neck as if to check and see if the Willow was making any moves for them. "I'm here to spend the night with you."

Remus's breath caught. His heart felt as if he tried to leap out of his mouth then go stuck in his throat and he had to swallow - hard - shaking his head all the while. "No, Severus. I won't risk you like that."

Severus smirked, an expression that Remus couldn't recall ever seeing on his face. "And you think that I would risk myself? That potion I've been having you drink was Wolfsbane." At the questioning look Remus sent him the Slytherin continued. "It is a potion made to quell the effects of lycanthropy. You've noticed that your anxiety, hunger, blood lust and- other things have been different from other months?"

Remus nodded, knowing what Severus meant by 'other things.' The onset of the moon made the most primal of emotions run rampant and by this time Remus would have wanked himself raw.

"Then it is working correctly. When the change occurs you will be nor more than a wolf with the mind of a man, not the uncontrollable beast that you would become without the potion."

Remus, stunned, still shook his head. "Padfoot and Prongs and Wormtail will be down. They'll never agree-"

"They won't, and they have." Severus bent then, picking up a rather long branch. "I explained everything to them at the start of your dosage but we had another discussion today. It will be just the two of us tonight." Severus did something that Remus would never have expected; he held out his free hand towards him, fingers extended. "You trusted me to feed you a potion that had every potential of being poisonous. Will you trust me to keep myself safe enough to stay with you?"

The last of the sun's rays were shining across the horizon, setting the grass ablaze in burning orange. Severus had his dark gaze fixed on Remus's own, hand out and steady and looking as if he could hold it that way all night. They didn't have all night, though; Remus had perhaps two hours before the moon climbed high in the sky.

With a trembling heart, unsteady hand and wavering smile Remus closed the distance between them, resting his right hand into Severus's extended left. "Alright," he whispered, terrified and elated. "Let's go."

Severus's smile, when it came, was much like the moon breaking free of dark clouds, pale and bright with darkness at the edges. With a final piercing look Severus turned, edging forward and using the fallen stick to press the knot that would freeze the Whomping Willow and lead the way to the secret passage, darkness before him and darkness pressing in from behind.