Title: Bridges
House: Hufflepuff
Position: Player (First Year)
Category: Pre-Round Challenge
Prompt: Verity – (Ship) – Severus Snape/Remus Lupin (friendship)
Word Count: 452
Beta: Gwen
Warnings: Mild mentions of bereavement
Bridges
It had been three terrible weeks for Remus Lupin. The British wizards could still be seen celebrating but with the loss of three of his best friends, Remus couldn't bring himself to join them. Lily, James and Peter were gone. Sirius was in Azkaban, and little Harry was whisked off for his own protection. He wanted to reach out to the only other people who could possibly understand what he was going through. Surprisingly enough, Severus Snape was at the top of his list.
That was why he was walking down a street towards Spinner's End. Remus knew now was the time to be a good friend. Whether or not Severus would agree with that sentiment remained to be seen. Finally, he stood on a doorstep and hesitated. Calling upon his Gryffindor courage, he knocked.
It took a few moment for the dour man to appear. Remus could see the effects on Lily's death on the man. His eyes were dark, indicating his lack of sleep. His hair hung limp, and his robes fell strangely on his tall frame.
"What do you want?" the man demanded. Remus shifted a little on his feet.
"I wanted to see how you've been doing—"
"Come to gloat, have you?" he snarled. Remus held his hands up as a sign of surrender.
"Of course not! I came to give you something I think may be able to help." Without any more words, Remus offered the stern Potions Master a brown paper bag. The man in question weighed his options and decided opening the bag would make the Marauder leave sooner. He pulled out an old leather notebook and a thicker album. As he was about to hurl a caustic insult at the werewolf, the album fell open to a page revealing a photo of Lily.
She was smiling as she twirled in the falling snow at Hogwarts. Severus stared stunned at Remus. He was too overcome with emotion to form the appropriate words so Remus spoke instead.
"She left these behind one night and I was cleaning. I couldn't think of anyone better to have them. The notebook is her Potions research. I think she wanted to do a second Mastery, but never got around to it." Severus shot him a questioning glance so Remus elaborated. "She would want you to have this and put it to good use."
Severus nodded and extended his hand out to Remus. As they shook hands, Severus looked him in the eye.
"Thank You." he paused before lifting his eyes to meet Lupin's. "This doesn't make us friends."
"No, but it's a step in the right direction." Remus nodded before he Dissapparated and never saw the smile on Severus's face.
