Remember Me Tomorrow

Disclaimer: Standard.

Summary: The Wizarding World is finally rid of the evil that has been plaguing it, but not everyone has something to celebrate. As the survivors try to rebuild their lives, a devastating discovery presents more challenges then Voldemort ever could. AU, HP/DM, RL/SS, HG/RW, others

Hello to everyone and Happy 2016!

I am so pleased to see how many of you have favoured not just A New Life but many of my older fics as well … thank you tons for that! I'm happy that you all are enjoying what I write, it's a writer's worst fear that no one will like what's being put to page, so it's a great honour to see my words aren't just being shoved to the wayside.

Just a word of caution on my older stuff for those just joining me … I am aware of the fact that they contain some spelling/grammar issues, for that I truly apologise. Much as I would love to go back and re-edit them, I'm afraid it's just not feasible. I just don't have the time, energy, or patience to re-vamp hundreds of thousands of words, so please forgive me for letting them stay as they are. I am a MUCH better author/editor today then I was back then, so unless anyone finds something truly disastrous in my old fics that really must be fixed, for now I'm going to move forwards rather than return to the past.

By now you may be wondering why I'm putting out a new fic instead of releasing a new chapter to 'A New Life' … don't worry folks, I haven't given up on it, it's just that I'm a little stuck with it at the moment. Re-reading the chapters I had already written so long ago (10 yrs ago to be precise whew!) … well suffice to say that even though it is a 'parallel AU' of the books, there is enough things in the original plot that were so far off canon that even I had to stop and re-think my strategies. Now that we know far more about the backgrounds, family histories, etc of most of the HP characters, there's a lot of the fic I need to re-work in order to accommodate that info. So for now I've decided that I'm going to spend more time re-learning the Potterverse that I've been away from before going any further.

Until I'm caught back up (and it hopefully won't take me too long to do that), I've been re-reading my old unfinished fics (there are plenty of 'em to go around at that) to find one that I can continue without the fear of straying too far off … and this is the one I settled on (for now anyway). This fic I started back in 2005 in response to a 'challenge' that was posted over in Fiction Alley by someone who wanted to see a Potterverse fic in the theme of the film '50 First Dates,' a challenge that even today I still find interesting to see how it could be written.

If you haven't seen the film then I won't give away any spoilers, and if you have then you'll know somewhat where this fic is heading (and I say 'somewhat' because if you know me at all then you already know I'm going to put my own twists to the film plot of course!). Keep in mind that the fic IS AU, which means that things like Severus and Remus being alive still at the end of Bk 7 WILL be happening, though other 'canon' events may remain the same. If this bothers anyone then as usual the back-button is at your disposal.

One last note (the most IMPORTANT one far as I'm concerned!) … I have had several people come to me the last couple of years telling me that they've seen my fics uploaded to AO3 and a few other places, and worse is that other people are taking the credit for writing them – even going so far as to change the fic name(s) in order to not get caught. Though I am honoured that anyone would want to re-post my fics in such a manner, I have to say it also makes me pretty upset as I've worked hard to write these for you guys. So I beg of you … if anyone spots my fics on any site other than FFN and FFA (I used to post under Piri Malfoy over there), PLEASE tell me right away so I can deal with it.

Alternatively, if anyone wants to post my fics on another site … as long as you ask for my permission, tell me where I can find them, and give me full credit ... I have no issues with that. I love to see my work being enjoyed, the more folks reading the merrier I say! I will help you out in any way I can (even doing some re-vamping as needed), just please ask me first OK? And with that … time to turn this over to our lovely HP guys and gals.

Oh yes … I normally don't try to use page breaks but FFN was being stubborn about pasting asterisk marks for some reason, hence why you'll see the lines instead to separate where in the chapter conversations switch situations. And bear with me as the first chapter doesn't have much H/D, but don't fret there will be plenty of them to go round. I needed to set the tone of the fic first, and as I adore tormenting Remy and Sev they're the ones I chose to fulfil the challenge … but you'll see what I mean soon enough ... :)

Chapter One: The Day of Reckoning

It had been a gruelling many years for everyone on the side of Light, but then war is never an easy thing on any front. The casualties the Light had endured had been heavy, many good Witches and Wizards lost their lives fighting the ultimate evil that was threatening Wizarding and Muggle Worlds alike. Tonight, however, was the final show-down, the culmination of good vs evil. It had been a long road to get here, but the side of Light was ready. They had to be, for to lose would be the end of all they held dear, and that was a price no one was willing to pay.

Hogwarts, the school that had been a second home to many on both sides of the Great War, became the unwilling epic battlefield. The battle began at sundown, the night sky had blazed for hours with the many colours of the flying hexes and curses that were being flung out by both sides. It wasn't until a throaty cry of victory filtered through the battered crowd that those in the back of the battlefield even knew the war was finally over.

Voldemort was once and for all defeated by Harry as the Prophecy had so long predicted. With his demise the side of Light began to pick themselves up and search for those missing or dead. They were wary though, reports were saying that there were still unaccounted Death Eater's around so they still kept on their guard.

Severus Snape wasn't thinking along the lines of celebrating just yet. He knew it had been pure dumb luck that he was standing here now. By rights he shouldn't have been, the devastating attacks he had suffered from Voldemort and Nagini should have killed him. If Harry hadn't witnessed everything, he had no doubts he'd have died a traitor, but by good fortune the boy had been there and had become his salvation.

As Severus lay dying in the Shrieking Shack only a few short hours ago he was finally able to show the boy everything he had kept hidden from him for so long. He didn't know if he'd be believed, but he felt he would at least try to die with a clean slate. Through Occlumency he projected to Harry how he had once been friends with Lily, and how she had turned away from him when he joined Voldemort. How he had never stopped hoping to win her friendship back, and how in the end he had turned back to the side of Light and had vowed to protect her son at all costs. To his relief Harry believed the memories, and in turn saved his life so he could take part in the final battle.

None of that mattered to Severus at the moment, however. He barely noticed the bloodied, battered bodies being taken away around him, he had a far more important task yet to do. His mind was solely focused on the person lying unconscious within the jagged circle of burnt earth before him. Whispering a spell that would allow him to pass through the invisible barrier that surrounded the circle, his heart nearly stopped when he saw that there was a second person lying on the ground, someone that should not have been there. His breathing became course and his heart raced as he knelt down to inspect the person's body.

'Don't you dare be dead … ' Severus whispered in a pained voice.

'Over here! He's over here!' a voice rang out.

Before Severus could do anything else he heard the same words he'd uttered moments ago to allow passage into the circle, then he was nearly knocked over by a bloodied, grime-encrusted boy who was now kneeling at the body next to the one Severus was kneeling at.

'Potter? Potter you stupid, thoughtless git! You better be alive or —' the boy began, but before he could finish two more people entered the circle, one of them with his wand drawn on the silvery-haired boy.

'Don't you dare touch him, Malfoy, I'm warning you!' Ron said angrily, his breathing heavy from running.

'And what will you do if I do touch him, Weasley? Hex me? Curse me? Just you try it!' Draco countered as he levelled his own wand at the red-head.

'You … you should have been arrested with the other Death Eater scum!' Ron spat.

'Ron Weasley, that's enough!' a third voice cut in as the two boys glared at each other. 'He isn't going to hurt Harry, so let him alone!'

'Hermione, you can't be serious! Malfoy is —'

'Silence!' Severus bellowed. He pulled himself together and stood up, staring coldly at the people arguing. 'Enough of this squabbling; we need to get back to the school, it is not safe yet to be out here for long. Now … Malfoy, you will take Potter —'

'What? No way! He's not —'

'Do not interrupt me, Weasley!' Severus barked. 'Now as I was saying, Malfoy – you will take Potter to where the temporary infirmary is set up. Weasley – you will follow behind them and do nothing … do I make myself clear? And Granger,' he said eyeing the wearied girl, 'you will supervise and make sure you all get back to the school … without killing each other.'

'Yes, Professor Snape,' Hermione said, her expression business-like as she looked from Draco to Ron. 'But, who will bring back Professor Lupin?' she asked as she gazed down at the prone grey-haired man.

'I will see to Lupin,' Severus snapped. 'Now get going. If you see anything out of the ordinary …'

'We'll run like hell, and no, we won't leave anyone behind … even though we may want to,' Draco smirked and looked pointedly at Ron.

'Don't tempt me, Malfoy,' Ron grumbled.

'You two need to grow up,' Hermione muttered. She used her wand to summon two floating stretchers then uttered another spell to lift Harry and Remus' bodies onto them. She looked very worried; Harry seemed too near death for her liking. 'Harry will be all right, won't he, Professor?' she asked hesitantly.

'Only if you get him back to the school, Ms Granger,' Severus said, his eyes scanning the forest for possible threats. 'Remember, once you leave the circle you will no longer have the protection it provides, so move to the school quickly.'

'I wonder what Remus was doing here anyway?' Ron said as they all headed out of the circle. 'He wasn't supposed to be here was he, Hermione?'

'No he wasn't,' Hermione said shaking her head. 'I don't know what he was thinking, he could have been badly hurt … or worse, killed!' she said as they left the circle and quickly headed for the school.

Severus looked after them, a pensive expression on his face. 'I want to know the answer to that question as well, Mr Weasley,' he said as he looked down at the stretcher where Remus was lying. Waving his wand he cancelled the protection of the circle and with the stretcher floating next to him he made his way back to Hogwarts with the intention of finding out just what the man next to him was doing in a place he shouldn't have been.

'Ah, Severus, there you are. Wonderful party don't you agree?' Minerva asked.

'No, I do not,' Severus scowled. 'This is not the time for this, not when there is still wounded to tend and dead to mourn. It has only been a day since Potter defeated the Dark Lord, not to mention there are still Death Eaters out there. Who's brilliant idea was this farce anyway?'

'Everyone's if you must know,' Minerva said and patted Severus on the shoulder. 'I know there is still much to be resolved, but everyone felt that we needed to appreciate what we accomplished. We will mourn our losses, Severus, but let us enjoy this moment of peace whilst we can. We've earned it.'

'And what about those who are not here to enjoy this "peace," hmm?' Severus retorted.

'Sorry to interrupt, but I need a word with you, Minerva,' Poppy said nervously.

'Not a problem, Poppy, what is it?' Minerva asked and smiled at the Medi-witch.

'It's about … well … it's about Remus,' Poppy said.

'What about him?' Minerva asked.

'Well … it's just that I've been trying to convince him to join the festivities, but he just won't talk to me,' Poppy sighed.

'Lupin is awake?' Severus asked abruptly. 'And you didn't bother to inform anyone?'

'He's been awake for hours actually, I just haven't had a chance to say anything until now,' Poppy said, slightly taken aback at Severus' unexpected behaviour.

'Now, now, Severus. Poppy is doing her best under the circumstances,' Minerva admonished. 'How is he?'

'He had a few cuts on his arms and face, but other than that I didn't find a single thing wrong with him surprisingly. I don't know why he won't talk to me though, and frankly, I'm a bit worried. He's normally not that outgoing a person, but to miss the victory celebration … it just doesn't make sense,' she said shaking her head.

'I agree, that's not like Remus at all,' Minerva said thoughtfully then turned her gaze on Severus. 'Perhaps you could go talk to him and see what the problem is?'

'Me?' Severus asked in surprise. 'Why on earth would you think Lupin would talk to me if he won't talk to Poppy? He detests me in case you have forgotten.'

'Which is exactly why you should be the one to talk to him. After all, he would hardly want to miss something that you are enjoying, now would he,' Minerva grinned.

'You're daft. He could care less what I do or do not enjoy, and as I am not enjoying this … celebration,' Severus said casting a dark glare at the people in the room. 'I dare say I can do little to convince him of participating.'

'Be that as it may, you will go talk to him,' Minerva said in a tone that meant she wasn't going to be talked out of her request.

'Very well, Headmistress,' Severus muttered and turning on his heel he left the Great Hall and made his way to the infirmary.

Now that things had settled down Poppy had moved most of the injured students and staff back up to the school's infirmary. It didn't take him long to find the silent wizard, but to his surprise, the man was not in his bed as Severus would have thought. Instead, he was sitting on the windowsill, staring out at the stars.

'Planning on throwing yourself out the window, Lupin?' Severus asked mildly.

Remus didn't turn round; he merely shook his head. 'Haven't there been enough deaths for your palette, Severus?' he said in a pained voice.

Severus instantly felt guilty at his words and with a heavy sigh sat down on the windowsill next to Remus. 'Yes, more than enough,' he agreed. 'Poppy says you won't talk to her.'

'Poppy worries too much,' Remus said, finally turning round to look at his old school mate. 'You're hurt,' he said in surprise and brushed his fingers over a bandage that was still on Severus' cheek.

Severus stiffened at the touch then quickly pulled away. 'It's nothing, a wayward slicing hex is all, easily fixable,' he muttered crossly and removed the offending plaster. 'I'm alive, that is enough for me.'

'Yes, I suppose we are the lucky ones,' he nodded. 'Have you seen Minerva? Is she … is she all right?' he asked worriedly.

'She is quite fine,' Severus said. 'In point of fact, she and I were talking in the Great Hall when Poppy gave word of your … reluctance … to speak. She's the one who sent me to talk to you. It seems you are being summoned to attend the celebrations.'

'Ah, well I'm sorry to have made you waste your time then, Severus. I was looking forwards to the party this morning, but I'm not feeling very much like attending any more I'm afraid,' Remus said.

'That makes two of us then,' Severus said gruffly, causing Remus to stare at him a moment then chuckle. 'What is so funny, Lupin?'

'I'm surprised you showed up at all to be honest,' Remus said with a slight grin.

'Not by choice I assure you,' Severus huffed. 'I would have preferred …' he trailed off and looked away from the questioning gaze of the Gryffindor.

'Preferred what?' Remus asked.

'If you must know, I would have preferred to be in my quarters having a decent drink … or five … so I can forget this blasted year ever happened,' Severus said and stood back up. 'Look, I did not come here for idle chit-chat. Since you're speaking again you have no need for me to be here, so I'll be on my way.'

'Severus, wait,' Remus said putting his hand out to stop Severus from leaving.

Severus shivered slightly at the touch of Remus' hand, though he did stop and turn back. 'Why?' he asked.

'I don't want to be alone,' Remus replied.

'I am hardly the one you should be asking to stay and nursemaid you, Lupin. Go find Potter, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to keep you company,' Severus sneered.

'No, he needs to be with his friends and Draco right now, not an old, battle-weary man such as me,' Remus said with a shake of his head.

'Malfoy?' Severus asked curiously. 'Other than the boy changed sides recently, what does he have to do with Potter?'

'You don't know?' Remus asked in surprise.

'If I knew would I be asking?' Severus said.

'No, I reckon not. Well, the truth is that they've been dating for six months now. Why else do you think Draco would have turned to our side?' Remus said.

Severus blinked in shock. 'I … I honestly did not know why he had changed allegiances,' he said after a moment. 'I assumed Lucius had done something horrid to the boy … but I never thought … so that's it,' he said quietly.

'War changes people, Severus, you of all people know that,' Remus said quietly.

'How on earth did two people like Potter and Malfoy get together though? They hated each other,' Severus mused. 'And how did I miss such a thing?'

'No one knew except me, I don't think even Ron and Hermione do yet, so don't feel bad that you missed it. Harry and Draco are both incredibly good at keeping people in the dark about things, and they had good reason to keep their relationship secret. As to how they got together, on that I really don't know myself. The only reason I found out about the two of them is because I caught them in bed at Si-err … at Headquarters … when they thought no one would be back so soon,' Remus said, an obvious hitch in his voice.

'You still miss him,' Severus said without thinking.

Remus sighed deeply. 'I will always miss him, Severus. He was a big part of my life, I owed him so much.'

'One does tend to owe their lover much now and again,' Severus said dryly.

'Lovers?' Remus said sharply. 'What gives you the idea we were lovers?'

'Oh come now, Lupin, of course you had to be. The way you two acted … as if you were a couple of hormonal teenagers. Take that day that day in the shack; you were hugging each other as if you were an old married couple.'

'Oh honestly, that was four years ago! It was a brotherly-type hug, Severus, not the embrace of two lovers,' Remus said heatedly.

'He was sent to live with you … then when you lost your flat you moved into his house … you were always together … you can't deny that,' Severus said testily, not at all liking the way the conversation was going.

'Oh for Merlin's sake, that's what led you to the conclusion he and I were together?' Remus said astounded.

'He was always touching you, what else would I-err-anyone think!' Severus snapped.

'Sirius was deprived of the most basic human contact for thirteen years. He touched me … and everyone else if you had bothered to notice … because he needed to know he wasn't still in Azkaban, you can't blame him for that. Yes, I loved Sirius, but never as more than a friend. How could I when all I ever wanted was you, you stupid dolt!' Remus retorted.

Severus was about to respond with a rather unkind remark when Remus' words sunk in. He stared at the man in complete and utter shock, not knowing what to make of what he'd just heard.

'You … you …' he stammered, but the words he wanted to say just wouldn't come out of his mouth.

'Yes, Severus,' Remus nodded, a sad smile now on his face. 'I have loved you for a long, long time. Since we were teenagers in fact.'

'You couldn't have. You tried to kill me!' Severus argued.

'I never wanted all that to happen, when will you realise I'm innocent?' Remus snapped. 'Sirius wanted to hurt you, I never would have.'

'Then why did you —'

'Severus, I had nothing to do with it!' Remus said cutting him off. 'I swear I had no idea what Sirius planned that night. Though I admit … it was my fault,' he sighed.

'Aha! I knew you had something to do with it!' Severus said coolly. 'Finally the truth emerges.'

'Not in the way you think,' Remus said and gazed back out the window in contemplation. 'You see, I had a journal, silly I know, but true. It was hard having to keep my secrets, so my mother thought the journal would be a good way for me to express myself and have something to look back on in the future when things might look bleak. And the future was bleak, Severus, so very much, not that it matters now,' Remus sighed. 'At any rate, Sirius found my journal and managed to figure out the spell I'd used to keep it locked. I was always horrid at locking spells, should have used runes I wager, he was horrid at runes,' he said wryly. 'Anyway, he read it cover to cover … that was the day before the … the incident …' he trailed off and cleared his throat before continuing.

'It wasn't because you followed us round that he sent you out there, it was because he found out I loved you. He wanted to hurt you … to make sure you would stay away from me by revealing my secret to you, and it worked … you hated me after that night. The worst of it is that he wasn't even thinking about the fact that if I bit you … or killed you … I would have been sent to Azkaban … or even executed,' Remus said in a pained voice. 'I am sorry for what happened back then, Severus; believe me you have no idea how sorry I am.'

Severus wanted to respond with something cruel, he wanted to keep hating Remus for all the agony the Gryffindor had put him through, but he couldn't bring himself to say the words he'd waited so long to say. Mainly because he knew that he didn't hate Remus, he never really had. Too much time had passed though, he wasn't a needy, love-struck teenager any longer.

'It's too late for apologies, Lupin,' Severus said sadly. 'Far too late.'

'Is it?' Remus asked, putting his hand on Severus' arm. 'It doesn't have to be … the war is over, we won. James and Sirius are dead; they can't hurt you any more —'

'Gods, Lupin, it was never about them!' Severus said shaking off Remus' hand and stepping away from him, his normal reactive anger kicking in at the mention of the past. 'Even if Black wasn't your physical lover, he was in every other way. You took him back … lived with him … let him provide for you … yet you sit there and say you loved me? How, by taking Black back into your life only a day after he tried to kill me? You say such things, but you obviously didn't care enough to even apologise to me. No, you ran straight back to your friends … no doubt having a good laugh at my expense as usual!'

'Apologise? Severus I tried to apologise to you … several times … you wouldn't even let me get close enough to get the word "sorry" out of my mouth! James, Peter, and Sirius were my only friends … you didn't want me, at least they did!' Remus retorted.

'I did want you, you spineless, idiotic Gryffindor!' Severus shouted then recoiled at his words.

Now it was Remus' turn to blink in surprise. 'You … you what?' he asked in a strangled voice.

'I. Wanted. You. There, I finally said it. Twenty some years and I finally said it, happy now? I wasn't trailing after the four of you because I wanted to steal Potter, Pettigrew, and Black's lamentable skills. I would have thought you would have given me more credit then that,' Severus muttered. 'What more did I have to do back then to get your attention … wear a bloody sign on my forehead? Wasn't it obvious that it was you I was trying to get close to all those times, not those sorry excuses for a Gryffindor?'

'I … we … we thought it was because … well, you know, to get us in trouble,' Remus said weakly.

'No you dunderhead, your so-called friends were capable of doing that just fine on their own,' Severus snorted. 'It was always you, Lupin, always. I tried to catch you alone many times, but Black … always the valiant protector; he rarely let you out of his sight for long.'

'He had good reason to protect me, Severus, I am a "monster" as you have so often reminded me,' Remus said in rebuke, though his voice was more weary than angry.

Severus stared at Remus a moment, a million thoughts running through his mind, but it was a single thought that finally emerged. 'Yes, you are,' he said silkily, edging himself closer to the man. 'An infuriatingly annoying, pain in the arse monster that ends up in places they shouldn't be,' he said and now grabbed Remus by the shoulders, lifting him off the ledge to his feet. 'What the hell were you thinking by being in the circle? You could have been killed!'

'You really would have cared if I had died?' Remus asked looking the dark-haired man in the eyes.

'I … that is …' Severus began, but the look on Remus' face melted the careful reserves he had held onto since childhood.

Instead of saying anything more he pulled Remus to him and kissed him. When he realised that Remus wasn't pushing him away, he deepened the kiss, moaning slightly as his tongue came in contact with Remus', the only person he had dreamt about since childhood … the man he thought he was going to lose on the battlefield. How long they stood there Severus didn't know; his normally perfect internal clock seemed to stop working as their kisses became more intense. It wasn't until Remus pulled back that time started again and looking down at the shorter man, for once in his life Severus felt as if he belonged somewhere.

'Lupin … Remus … I —'

'Severus? Severus where — oh, err … sorry to ahh … bother you …'

Severus growled at the intrusion, and though he was reluctant to let Remus go he did, then turned round to face the person who'd interrupted them. 'What do you want, Minerva?' he growled.

'Ah, well …,' Minerva said, fidgeting slightly. 'I apologise, but there are intruders at the far edge of the forest.'

'How do you know?' Remus asked in concern.

'How do you know?' Severus asked at the exact same time.

Minerva grinned. 'It is good to have you two talking … and obviously catching up on lost time.'

'This is not the time to play matchmaker woman,' Severus grumbled. 'Answer the blasted question.'

'Of course,' Minerva nodded, her expression now turning to concern. 'Hagrid was doing a sweep of the forest when he noticed a section of the wards had been breeched. He was about to leave when he saw a faint blood trail and followed it around the lake where it seems a small group of Death Eaters are camped.'

'How many is a "small group"?' Remus asked.

'Four of them,' Minerva replied. 'Hagrid couldn't see who they are, but they're the last I suspect. According to Arthur, everyone else that fled has been captured.'

'The wards weren't breeched, it was a ploy. I'm sure of it,' Severus said. 'They must have never left the forest.'

'That is what I reasoned as well,' Minerva nodded.

'Have you informed Kingsley and the others of Hagrid's findings?' Remus asked.

'Yes, but unfortunately, Harry overheard and —' Minerva began, though Remus cut her off quickly.

'Don't tell me Harry's gone to find them?' Remus said in alarm. 'He has to be stopped!'

'I know which is why I need your help. No, not you, Remus,' Minerva said when Remus made a move to grab some clothes. 'Severus, I want only your help on this.'

'What? No! You can't make me stay here when Harry's in trouble, I won't have it!' Remus said angrily.

'I can and I will,' Minerva said firmly. 'You are staying put, Remus, end of discussion. Severus and I will handle going after them.'

'But —' Remus began, though the look on Severus' face stopped him in his tracks.

'No "buts", you will do as she says,' Severus said firmly as he walked to the door.

'Severus, wait!' Remus called out.

'What is it?' Severus said turning back impatiently. 'I have to once again rescue Potter and — oofff!' he mumbled as a surprisingly strong pair of arms wrapped round him and a set of warm lips was now kissing him nearly senseless.

'You best come back alive,' Remus said breathlessly when he finally let Severus go.

'I promise,' Severus nodded. 'Now, get some rest, I'll see you in the morning,' he said and squeezed Remus' hand tightly. Turning back towards the door he nodded at Minerva, and together they went in search of Harry and the escaped Death Eaters.

'Lupin … Remus … wake up …' Severus said, lightly shaking the sleeping man. It had been a long night, but at sun-up they had finally succeeded in their task.

Remus sleepily opened his eyes, stretched for a moment then looked up curiously. 'Severus? What's wrong?'

'Everything's fine. We got them. Potter is alive, a bit worse for the wear, but he'll be fine. The others are awaiting trial, though I dare say it will only be a formality,' Severus said.

'What are you talking about? Of course Harry is alive, he's looking forwards to the celebration party tonight,' Remus said. 'What's this about a trial though? Who's on trial, and for what?'

Severus looked at Remus in confusion. 'Lupin … the celebration was last night … don't you remember?'

Remus chuckled. 'I'm not that old yet that I've lost my memory. Last night was the final battle. Oh, I know I shouldn't have entered the circle … but I couldn't help it. I knew you and Draco were close by, but I saw someone … or I thought I did … casting something towards Harry, so I felt I had to shield him from … from,' he began to say then furrowed his brow in concentration. 'Hmm, that's odd … I don't remember now what spell it was that I was shielding him from. Eh, perhaps I am getting old after all,' he grinned.

Severus was stunned into silence. 'Lupin,' he said carefully, his gaze never leaving the man's face, 'tell me exactly what you remember about last night …'

'Severus, I just told you, why do you want me to repeat myself? Why are you here anyway? Aren't you on search patrol this morning?' Remus asked curiously.

'Search patrol …?' Severus said, stepping away from Remus. He had been on search patrol … yesterday morning. There was no need for anymore patrols now that they'd captured the last of the Death Eaters. Something didn't fit, why would Remus be asking him about the patrol when he had just been told about last night's capture? Severus had to talk to Poppy, and quickly at that. 'Err … yes, well; I should be going then … on … patrol … yes … patrol.'

'All right, good luck, hopefully we catch those missing Death Eaters. It worries me that they're still running round out there,' Remus said with a slight shiver then got out of bed, once more yawning. 'Never was a morning person,' he said with a hesitant smile. 'Oh, and if you see Harry, will you tell him I want to talk to him before the party? I hope he's not upset with me for jumping in the way I did,' Remus said frowning then he shrugged it off, grabbed a towel, and with a nod at Severus disappeared behind a door that Severus knew led towards the loo.

Severus leant back against the wall, completely out of sorts with what had just taken place. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he was going to find out. Not more than a few minutes later he nearly knocked Poppy down as he barged into her office.

'Severus Snape, what on earth is the matter with you?' Poppy asked irritably.

'It's Lupin,' he said, trying to collect his thoughts. How could it be possible that Remus remembered nothing about last night, especially when they had finally realised how much time had been wasted in avoiding each other when all they ever wanted was to be together? Not to mention the incredible, if far too short, kisses they had exchanged? None of it made sense!

'What about him?' Poppy asked confused.

'Something is wrong with him, Poppy, something is very, very wrong … '