Disclaimer, I own nothing.
Before we begin, I'd like to let you all know, #1, this is not a slash. I have nothing against couplings of any kind, I just don't see Severus as Remus' type. #2 This will probably only be about ten chapters or so. and #3, If you get confused, you should be. Everything will be explained within the next chapters. have no fear.
oh, and please review.
Snape's heart, it seemed, was now held together solely by his pride, and no longer by love or hope, or a light of any kind. His back was straight; He defended the honor he had earned so recently. For, now, he stood within a room lit only by hearth fire, surrounded by the shadows of men in black hooded cloaks. He was an equal, of sorts. He had done nothing to earn a title of worth with the Dark Lord, but he had pledged his loyalty to the man who promised him greatness if he should be sufficient. This had been done just a week prior. Now he stood in a hall where every man was steady. Every man had taken the pledge as he had. Every man cast eyes upon a figure who looked deep into his inglenook flames, until within inferno he seemed to find what he wished to know. The figure turned, his scarlet eyes sweeping the room without a moments hesitation. Severus Snape stood before the Dark Lord.
"The Minister," The man said, ice seeping from his evil smile. "Does not believe I pose a threat."
Laughter filled the room, shouts and jeers echoing across the cold stone. Even Voldemort spread his smile across his gaunt face, though perhaps it was for ambition, rather than merriment. A loud banging silenced the crowd, and all eyes turned again to the man before the fire.
"I would like to reward the Minister for his aid. Dolhov," A man stepped forward, the mask beneath his hood suddenly illuminated in the light of the hearth. "See to it that the Minister's wife receives a certain lovely opal necklace from Borgin and Burkes for his service to us."
Dolhov bowed, leaving the others to wonder what such an artifact would do. They were not given long to wonder, as Voldemort continued through his business.
"As the Ministry continues its reign of inanity, it has also left us with powerful allies, of which many of you have taken note. The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures has been more than willing to provide a list of potentials. Greyback, report."
Fenrir Greyback, the werewolf Snape had only known through fable, stepped forward. He wore only hooded robes: Snape guessed that the anonymity of a mask was a right exclusive to humans. Greybacks shoulders bulged through his clothing with every small movement. His stance was bestial and strong.
"My Lord," He growled, forcing himself into his own rendition of a bow. It looked more like a crouch and a bend of the head, but Voldemort accepted it as a sign of respect. Greyback continued. "The werewolf colonies of Scotland've joined us, with good bit of persuasion. Got ourselves a right lot of brutes, who nearly ripped Lupin to shreds, but with that pretty little tongue of his he got them well off and ashamed...but they like what you're saying. They said send Lupin, when you want them. They'll be waiting for your word."
"Glad to hear our investment is living up to his abilities! Lupin!" Snape's eyes snapped to a figure as it stepped swiftly forward. Though the fire cast light onto his unmasked face, the shadows of his hood left Lupin undistinguishable. Perhaps there was another werewolf Lupin in the wizarding community. Snape looked harder, watching as the figure bowed low to the floor with a grace Greyback struggled to manage.
"Yes, my Lord." The figure muttered, though his voice was sharp and confident, not meek as Remus Lupin's voice was.
"You have done well." Voldemort said casually. Several prominent followers were suddenly consumed in obvious jealous rage. It was rare for anyone to receive a compliment from the one they served. That a werewolf received praise was practically a slap in the face, and a new recruit, at that. They were silenced when Voldemort balefully added," I expect only better in the future. You know the consequences."
"Yes, My Lord. Thank you. I will do better." The man bowed again, this time less extravagantly, but with equal dignity and respect.
"Good." Voldemort nodded, leading attention to further topics of discussions. Snape had to keep a level head to prevent himself from starring at the werewolf Lupin as his Lord spoke. In the presence of Voldemort time was difficult to measure, but soon enough the meeting was dismissed, and all but Voldemort's inner circle was permitted to remain in the room with the glowing fire. Snape made his way outside, searching through the monotonous group of hoods for one with no mask beneath. A moment later he had found two men applying to such a description; both were pulled aside, having what did not look like a friendly conversation. Though they were obviously fighting, Snape could not hear their words.
Fenrir, easily discerned from his puny counterpart, was on the offense, hissing something at his partner as he forced him towards a corner. He grabbed a fistful of Lupin's robes, but Lupin ripped them away. Even under his hood Snape saw gold eyes blazing with fire.
"If it wasn't for me, you would be in severe disfavor, Fenrir. I suggest you not forget that."
The words flowed with ice and venom across the stone corridor, and were met with a wicked response.
"You best not forget how you were brought here in the first place. How is dear old Mum? Rolling in her grave yet?"
The temperature of the corridor plummeted in an instant. Snape could see his breath clouding before him. He watched in fascination as Lupin stood, still as stone, glaring into the face of his antagonist. In another instant, everything was right as rain, and Lupin was speeding around the corner and out of sight.
"Coward." He heard Fenrir mutter. The werewolf finally noticed Snape's presence several meters away. He scoffed. "Not like a wolf to back away from a fight. More like a kicked puppy."
Severus nodded, not trusting his words to the wolf's temper. Fenrir, thankfully, took his cue to exit through the corridor opposite Lupin's escape.
Which left Snape alone and out of place in a mysterious stone hallway, just feet away from the room where a top secret meeting of dangerous men was being held. Not wanting to provoke any attacks on himself, he sped down the route of the enigmatic Lupin. The passage led to a narrow wooden stairwell, through an empty cellar, and into an overgrown courtyard, where Snape, unaware of his surroundings collided with the subject of his curiosity with a resounding thud. The two men fell back. Severus crashing into the stone doorway, while Lupin caught himself in a fighting stance, wand raised. Severus struggled to his feet to mirror him.
"Lupin!" Snape shouted, suddenly grateful for the mask covering his surprised visage. He watched as the wolf cocked his head to one side. Even beneath his hood Snape saw the calculating, cold gaze. Lupin took a step back. The cellar door swung shut.
"I thought it was you." Lupin sighed. With a quick sweep of the courtyard, he lowered his hood. Snape starred. A familiar face looked back at him. "I wouldn't have believed it, Severus. A full death eater? You? It doesn't seem to be your style."
Lupin rose from his stance into a more professional posture, brushing himself off as he went.
"Who are you, and what have you done with Remus Lupin?" Snape removed his mask, and with it, his hood fell. Remus smirked.
"Since when have you been cliché?" Remus stuffed his wand back up his sleeve, inviting Snape to do the same. He didn't.
"So this is how it is? Dumbledore plucks you from the depths of hell, treats you like a protégé and says you won't hurt a fly, and you go behind his back to build an army for his enemy. You slimy little mutt!"
Remus ignored his jeer for a moment in favor of fixing his cuff. When it was crisp and even, he responded with sarcasm dripping from his lips.
"Well, Thank you. I appreciate your support. You've done the very same, if I recall correctly, Half-Blood."
"...I didn't think you had it in you." Snape stepped past him to stand near the edge of a dry fountain. Remus followed. Snape watched him with subtle interest. "You look like a different person. I wasn't sure if it was you, even when the Dark Lord..."
"Yes, well, a little nothing boy with good grades and a sick mother, as you knew, isn't much of an asset to a rising power." he said with an edge of bitterness. Severus raised an eyebrow.
"What is, then? A werewolf boy with pretty words and good posture?"
"No, an educated werewolf with a supple tongue, and an unexpected disposition." He said with feigned dignity, then added with a scowl. "An outcast from the light and the beasts makes an asset for dark, I suppose."
Severus eyed him with discontent, but kept his mouth shut. Remus explained.
"Other werewolves don't know what to make of me. I walk like a wizard. I talk like a wizard. I've got a hand of magic, yet I'm an Omega if they've ever seen one."
"Is that why the Dark Lord's got you? You deal with the wolves in a way Greyback can't?"
"Well, I like to think he keeps me around for my good looks, actually." He laughed, a dull, cold laugh. "Yes, Greyback, the alpha that he is, becomes a threat of power to other alphas in a werewolf pack, which only causes fighting, killing, maiming..."
"So since you're so weak and disgusting to begin with, they listen to you when you say smart things."
"Yeah."
Snape sneered. "Don't pride yourself on it. You're expendable. You'll be a dog curled at the Dark Lord's feet within a month, whining to be let out and fed, getting nothing but a bone after doing his bidding. You're nothing to begin with. You're nothing, even with his favor."
"You're right." Remus said, sighing. "But, I'll do what I can."
"Why?" Severus asked. "I thought you were Dumbledore's."
Remus looked away. "He can't offer me anything outside of school."
"Can the Dark Lord?" Severus tested. Remus didn't respond. He sneered. "So you're worthless, either way. And you're turning your backs on the only people who will ever fend for you. pathetic."
"You did the same."
"No I didn't. I have allies here."
"Sure you do." Remus glanced around, and proceeded with vigor. "You're the same as me. The Dark Lord will use you, then throw you a bone, but never set you free. He won't give you what you want. You've already lost her, you'e made sure of that. Lily knows what you are, and-"
WHAM!
Remus, hadn't seen the punch coming until it was too late. He stumbled back, clutching his nose, his vision clouded in shock. A massive pulse seemed to force its way through his skull. He struggled to his feet.
"At least I care enough to distance myself from Lily when I betray her, werewolf." Severus pocketed his wand, checked his watch, and made to leave. "Glad we had this chat. See you at Hogwarts."
And Snape was gone.
(A/N) So, in case you're wondering, yes, Remus really is the regular Remus. He's not imperiused or anything, he's not a polyjuice version of himself. How he got to be in this position will be explained later.
Severus hates Remus, following the incident in which Snape was almost bitten several months before. Severus is merely shocked to find a Gryffendor classmate among death eaters. And yes, that means they are still in school. It's currently summer break.
If you have any questions, review to ask them, or just wait for the next chapter. I prefer the first option!
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