AN: I had some new interest in this story and it made me realize how much help the original version needed so, here it goes.
Remus ran. He had to make it in time. He had to clear the forest line before the moon made it over the horizon. The closeness of the moon shine made him stronger so, he put all of it into running. Leaping over anything in his way, he made it past the tree line. He did not stop however, just kept running. He had to get as far away from the school as possible. Severus was not there in time for his Wolfsbane and he had none saved for this. There was no room that could hold him and the Shrieking Shack was too dangerous now with Voldemort on the rampage.
He cursed himself a twice damned fool for continuing to wait for Severus. He knew he should have been out here before now but, he thought Severus would just appear in time. Albus was worried about Severus as he had been gone a few days now and now that Severus did not arrange his Wolfsbane, Remus was concerned. It was so unlike Severus.
It must have been Remus's thoughts that kept him so unaware of his surroundings. It couldn't have been his heighted sense of smell that led him to this meeting. Later he would convince himself that it hadn't been him just a fluke that saved Severus's life. Just a fluke. But until that moment his still running frame knocked into Severus's he was not paying attention. Until he realized that the reason he kept running was lying underneath him groaning from the impact, he was stuck in his worry for Severus.
"Severus? What are you doing in the middle of the woods? Wolfsbane!" Remus jumped to his feet and anxiously glanced at the tree line. It was coming too fast. There was nothing to be done for it. "Get out of here Snape! Get up that tree! Do something!"Remus's voice was desperate and he used the last bit of his strength as a human to pull Severus to his feet. Then, as he stood there locking eyes with glossy black eyes, the change took him.
-Severus-
Severus stared at Remus. So, this was his fate. It could have been worse he surmised. Actually, as Remus's voice shifted through the fog his mind was locked in, it could have been much worse. He tried to smile, one side of his mouth lifted upwards but, it became too much of an effort so, he sank to the ground. He managed to shift until his back was against a tree and waited. He felt bad sitting down after Remus lifted him but, he was just so tired. Whatever Voldemort gave him was sapping his magic down to nothing. He could barely think much less remain standing.
He continued watching as Remus's shape changed. He never thought about how painful this must be for him. Never considered this was Remus's curse rather than a pox on everyone else. The noises coming from Remus only continued to seal the new found knowledge that this was excruciating. Severus's thoughts continued to circle around each other until a werewolf once Remus stood in front of him.
The wolf was different then he remembered. From his nightmares, he mind added unhelpfully. He thought Remus was bigger, with more fangs and savageness. He remembered a rather large wolf creature that ran on four legs and could stand on two, using his front two to maim and destroy. The creature in front of him, while dangerous, looked so much less than his nightmares told him. Lupin was a little larger than his normal stature and was hunched in on himself as if standing was difficult. His pelt was shaggy but graying and seemed to be thinning as well. Severus could see the creature's rib cage easily. Lupin obviously still wasn't eating enough. Which means the wolf is hungry, the darkest part of his mind supplied. He saw a quick mental image of the wolf in front of him tearing into his skin and watch his blood drain out as fierce claws ripped into his chest. He shook his head clearing the image and Lupin stared at him. Snape laughed at the look. Lupin looked sad. Nothing like the fearsome beast who tormented his nightmares for years.
-Remus-
Human. His mind gave him the term for the smell when the change finished with him. Dangerous human his mind added when the smell of magic came faintly. Sick human was the final thought before noise prompted him to action. The human made strange choking noises and startled the wolf into action. He moved carefully closer, preparing to run at any sign of the stick with fire. Was this easy prey waiting? What was this? Nothing he'd seen before in his time. Humans screamed and ran. Humans hurt and chased not this.
He crept closer waiting for something. Then, a movement. The wolf shied back still curious when nothing happened. The man lifted his hand and was just holding it. There was no pain. What was this? Curiosity quickly won out over fear. He walked slowly towards the hand and smelled it. The human was very familiar smelling. He didn't originally recognize the faint sickly smell but, being closer, he put an image with the smell. Dark man with dark eyes with the Albus. The wolf knew The Albus because his magic kept them safe for so long in the Shack. The hand moved again and rested on the wolf's neck. Growling low and deep in his throat, the wolf prepared for whatever might be next. When the hand gently stroked the fur there, the wolf was shocked. Why was this human not afraid? No fear/hate/angry scents. Nothing to raise the predator instinct. This human smelt like nothing.
He lay down next to the human. He was tired and hungry but, there was nothing in these woods. The unicorns would kill him if he touched any animal in these woods so, he just stayed there.
-Severus-
Severus was surprised with the Lupin's decision. Having the wolf next to him was very comforting however, and he was not ready to die yet in all honesty. He shifted down the tree and curled against the warmth of the wolf's body. He was so tired and ill. The poison would kill him yet. He was not ready to die for this war. He had so much he wanted to do. This war had already taken so much from him, why his life as well? Albus had told him time and time again, "When this is over." He worked so hard for that day but, it seems, the day came before he was ready.
"When this is over" shouldn't have meant his life! He wanted to be free with no one having him at his beck and call! He wanted to go to Italy and explore. He wanted to take the glamour off and just live as himself for a change. His life had always been someone else's. "When this is over" was meant to be his time to decide. Not his father's, or Voldemort, or even Dumbledore. His. And then this. Voldemort's poison and his death. "This is how we deal with traitors, Severus." He snorted. Traitor to his own hopes and dreams maybe.
He settled next to the warmth and enjoyed the feeling of someone breathing in front of him. He slept in exhaustion.
-Remus-
Remus's first thought when he awoke was the most important spell he ever learned. One that enlarged the set of clothes he kept on him at all times. The second was the spell that put those clothes on him so he didn't have to move. He was actually pretty comfortable on the ground. This was very unusual. His still heighted senses picked up a familiar smell and he jerked up, remembering Severus. The man was sleeping on the ground and from his position, that was the comfortable warmth he woke up with.
"Severus?" Severus blinked rapidly then looked at Remus. His eyes were cloudy and Remus shivered. Why did it smell like death?
"Remus. I wanted you to know I had nightmares about you for years but, it was nothing like I imagined. You were so much smaller and I could see your ribs. You obviously haven't been eating properly."
"While I appreciate the concern, what the hell were you doing out here? You could have died!" Remus was almost shouting by the end of it. He would never have been able to live with himself if he had hurt another human being.
"Dying of course. Where else would a body be dumped?" Remus stared for a moment until the smell clicked. Severus was the sickly, death smell. Severus didn't smell magical at all. Remus jumped into action. There had to be something he could do.
He snatched Severus up as gently as time allowed and cradled him in his arms. He ran as if the moon itself was chasing him. The excitement was too much for Severus's tired frame. Remus felt it go limp as soon as he grabbed Severus from the ground. Failure wasn't an option so, Remus pushed his body as hard as he could and ran as hard as he could towards the castle.
The woods seemed to understand his desperation and they shifted out of his way. His body was exhausted but, he ran still. There was nothing more important than this moment. Severus's weight felt almost insubstantial as he ran. His muscles moved with the grace he felt as the wolf. He had to make it. The woods thinned and he saw the castle. He ran faster as Severus's breath slowed. He couldn't lose this man!
-Severus-
Severus awoke to clean white walls and a soft bed. His magic felt weak but was definitely growing stronger. His body was sore but, he was glad to be alive. He looked to his left and to his horror, a very pale Remus Lupin occupied the bed. He remembered Lupin gathering him into his arms and cringed. After all the pain he went through, he managed to carry Severus here and save his life? What could ever be done to repay this debt?
"Severus! I'm glad to see you awake. Pomfery didn't think you'd be awake just quite yet but, I thought otherwise." Albus and Madam Pomfery's faces came into his line of sight.
"Is he going to be alright?" Severus's voice was softer than normal and Pomfery's face fell at his question.
"We don't know. He almost killed himself to bring you here. He collapsed as soon as Hagrid took you from him. Remus ran through the woods and made to the doors when Hagrid saw him and reacted. He hasn't woken up yet." Pomfery looked at Remus and Severus chose not to notice the finality of her voice or the tears in her eyes.
He forced his body up ignoring their words of protest and rose to his feet. He shakily walked to his bedside and sank into the chair Albus pushed behind him.
"He saved my life." Severus's voice was tight with emotion and he was so focused on Remus he didn't hear Potter's entrance.
"He wouldn't have had it any other way." Harry's voice startled Severus into attention. Severus glanced back at Harry and the gauntness in his face frightened Harry. Snape was always a constant in his life and seeing this hollow man was unsettling.
"Why?" There were so many questions in that one word and it caused even Albus to pause. Severus wasn't able to keep talking. Albus held his breath when Harry started talking. He hoped Harry knew how delicate Severus was.
"Well, Professor Snape, he loves you. That's enough of a reason for him. Is it for you?" Harry turned to leave the shaken man and Albus smiled his thanks at the understanding the young man who had all of their lives on his shoulders showed.
"Can you give me some time?" Albus nodded and shooed the crying Pomfery out of the room.
"Remus, you've got to come back to me. I love you. You are supposed to be here with me. I need you. I love you." Severus bowed his head. "Please Remus. Please."