TITLE: Second Chances -Because of Need

AUTHOR: Alia

STATUS/PART: 1?

SEQUEL: Raven's Gift

EMAIL:

RATING: PG-13…maybe R

PAIRING: Severus Snape/ Harry Potter

DISCLAIMER: I do not in anyway or fashion own HP or anything else. I'm making no money from this.

SUMMARY: The characters of HP and Raven's Gift learn that some things won't stay buried.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Yeah! I've finally started on the sequel to Raven's Gift. Well actually this is the second sequel. The first was going sour really fast but with some help and suggestions (thanks to our good friends Trax Knight and FantasyAfterdark) this sequel will be better. Since it's holidays at the moment I have time to do a few things. So here it is.

Now the story starts out around a year after Severus and Julian disappear to their new home and life in Raven's Gift. I plan on redeeming both Harry and Albus. I'll also try to fill in any holes I left in the story. If I miss anything let me know. blushes Thanks to everyone who responded on Raven's Gift. I didn't think it would do so well. So thank you all very much both on my Yahoo! group and Again thanks to Trax Knight and FantasyAfterdark. You two were a big help. You too Aikidobrat! I couldn't have done this without you!

I usually don't do this but... / is for thoughts. " " is for words.

Second Chances - Because of Need

"AHHHHH!" A voice screamed and roared in horrendous pain as its owner writhed on the floor of bedroom.

/Oh GOD! What's happening to ME! It's never hurt like this before! NO NO NONONONONONONON-/

Screaming and sobbing slowly turned into loud yet eerily weak howls from the werewolf that now lay on the floor of his room. The creature lay upon the floor weakly, whimpering as the pain continued to wrack its frail body.

Remus closed his eyes and didn't bother moving. Even moving his eyes hurt.

/Merlin! What's is going on? My transformation are just getting worse and worse. Is my body starting to reject the Wolfsbane potion? This can't be/

Remus sighed. He was too mentally, and certainly physically, exhausted to think clearly about anything right now. Maybe if he just slept.

Harry entered the room quietly not wanting do disturb Remus's sleep. Like always, the older man would be terribly exhausted after suffering another moon. Lately, however, Remus was barely able to move afterward, so Harry found himself coming to check up on his friend each morning.

"Remus?" he called out softly. He didn't spare a glance to the living area and headed straight for Remus's bedroom. He opened the door slowly and went inside. "Remus?" he called. Nothing.

Harry's eyebrow knitted together in confusion. Usually Remus was in his room during the transformation as he had no worries about the werewolf taking over and tearing the place apart.

"Maybe he stayed in infirmary this time. He was really out of it last month." Preparing to leave Harry almost missed the soft, almost silent moan originating from the corner of Remus's living area.

Harry turned and carefully pulled out his wand. He headed toward the fireplace, cautious because the couch blocked the floor. When he finally could see, however, he was shocked. "Remus!"

The man lay on the rug before the fireplace naked, unconscious, but obviously in pain. The twitching of limbs, as well as the blood flow from shallow cuts, coming from the figure stated Remus's condition easily.

"Oh Merlin...what happened?" The transformation had never done anything like this before...at least to his knowledge, Remus always healed afterward. He shook his head snapping himself out of shock. Fiercely removing his robe, Harry covered Remus then picked up the werewolf.

Grimacing at not only the blood but the groan of pain that emitted from the unconscious man, Harry managed to grab a hand of floo powder. "The Infirmary!"

Madam Pompfrey jumped back from her potions cupboard startled. "What in Merlin's name!" she cried as she turned abruptly. Her eyes widened when she saw Harry Potter holding an unconscious Remus Lupin in his arms! She blinked and immediately pointed at one of the beds. "Put him down Harry and tell me what happened!"

Harry quickly gave Madam Pompfrey the story from his point of view. "I don't really know what else to say. Is he going to be alright?"

Poppy was scanning Remus from anymore injuries other than the obvious. "Strange. Some of his bones haven't gone back just right. They're still broken. Some of the skin still hasn't healed either. How did this happen?"

"His transformations have been getting worse as of late. We just thought it was because of how long Remus has been going through it."

Poppy nodded. "I thought so too. But something is terribly wrong." She ordered Harry to gather a few potions from the cabinet.

With Harry holding Remus up slightly, Poppy gave him a slight healing potion. The sigh from Harry indicated that Remus's body had relaxed some and the mediwitch smiled. "Good. Now we can give him something for his bones to heal."

Neither Poppy or Harry were prepared for what happened.

Remus began having seizures.

Madam Pompfrey kept a sharp eye on the figure lying in the bed. Harry and Albus had just left, having to return to their work so the infirmary was quiet again. She moved to sit on the chair beside Remus's bed and pulling back the covers, checked his wounds.

Lately Remus's transformations had been taking a much harder toll on his body than they ever had before. There had been questions of whether or not something was wrong with the Wolfsbane he got from his local apothecary, but the owner had assured them that it was exactly the same as before so it was thought to just be age though Remus was still quite young in wizarding years.

However, no matter what was causing it, Remus was in danger. This was the fourth day that the man was in the infirmary. He was in and out of consciousness for most of the day and with the injuries of his last transformation as well as the seizures caused from his reaction to the healing potions, she was far from surprised.

Usually Remus's injuries resulted from the conflict between him and the wolf which would heal quickly afterwards but now...

There were broken bones in Lupin's face, hands, legs, a few around his chest area and his arms. Fractures that had not healed from the transformation had been found and had worsen from the seizure. Stretched skin had been broken and had been left unhealed as well.

Remus's heart, lungs, and throat had taken a bit of a beating as well. His heart had been beating too fast and the transformation definitely wore on it, leaving the poor wizard in a real delicate state. He'd screamed his throat bloody, damaging his vocal cords, and strangely enough caused a few problems with his breathing.

All of this, unfortunately became even worse. The reaction to the potion she'd given his had just aggravated those injuries as well. His abrupt movement as well as the strain the seizure put on his heart just made everything much worse. Pompfrey had yet to find a solution to what was happening but she did find out what would happen if it continued.

Shaking her head, Pompfrey checked the slowly healing bones of Remus's hands. It had been just this morning that she'd given him the adequate healing potions for his recovery. Thankfully he no longer had such terrible reactions.

She continued her work, not noticing the fact that Remus was awake. "Poor boy. You've suffered so from the lycanthropy. Dear Remus," she whispered unconsciously, "Still so young but this thing is killing you."

"What?" came the almost nonexistent yet painfully hoarse whisper.

Poppy jumped, startled out of her litany. "Remus, you're awake!"

"And about to die apparently." He grimaced at the pain and dryness in his throat but he didn't dare swallow. It hurt already but swallowing always made things worse. "What's going on?"

Poppy bit her lip. She really didn't want to tell Remus but it was his life and he needed to know. She took the glass of water she'd sat by the bed earlier and placed a careful cooling charm on it. She let Remus have a few sips before bringing it back. She stood and began to wring her hands. "Perhaps I should get Harry and Albus back first Remus. They been waiting to see you for a while now and I'm quite sure that-,"

"Poppy," he growled then grimaced at the pain that blossomed in his throat. He looked at her. "Whatever it is has to do with me and me alone," he whispered softly. "What is happening?"

She dropped her eyes before sitting and placing a hand over his bandaged one. "Remus...the last few transformation have taken a much harder toll on your body than before. The Wolfsbane isn't causing the problem or helping it." She took a deep breath and forced herself to be a complete professional mediwitch, even if she could only hold it for the moment.

"Remus, your body can't handle the stress anymore. No amount of healing potions will help you next time. There is a very good chance that you won't live through the next transformation."

Remus stared at her silently before closing his eyes and willing himself back to sleep.

Remus looked around Diagon Alley as he slowly made his way toward his apothecary. It was very early in the morning, almost seven o'clock but already people could be seen hurrying toward shops and they weren't the owners. It was still rather quiet and peaceful, the snow was fluttering toward the ground lazily making the scene look rather lovely as he continued down the Alley.

It was an ideal place to be at the moment, especially with Remus's mind being quite the opposite of Diagon Alley. The werewolf's thoughts were positively chaotic.

He'd been forced to stay in the infirmary for almost two weeks, then was restricted to bed rest under Madam Pompfrey's orders. Harry had taken care of him for the next week, even taking time to check on him between classes.

During this time, Remus researched on the Wolfsbane potion. What he'd found was exactly what he'd known before. What he could not find was the answer to his problems. Could it be that it wasn't the good quality that he'd had before?

After Snape had died in the war, he'd had to get used to getting the Wolfsbane potion from an apothecary. It hadn't been the same although the taste was just as horrible. Could the difference in expertise be the result of his problems now? If not what was going on? Remus was understandably afraid of the next moon, which was little more than a week away. For a brief moment, he wished Severus Snape were still around Hogwarts.

Remus tripped for a moment and cursed as he just managed to catch his balance. One woman in a rather old cloak paused to look at him before continuing on her way. Remus shook his head, growled, then began walking again. /What a thought to have! Wishing that Severus Snape was still at Hogwarts, especially after the last two years./ Remus was quite happy that the man wasn't around especially after what had been done to Harry.

His young friend was still mourning the loss of a son he barely knew and to a man he'd always hated. When Remus had found out about Harry having a child with a man named Raven Esan, he'd been shocked to say the least, especially when given the details of how it had happened. He'd seen the restrained fear on the younger man's face, the disbelief, and shock when Harry told Remus what had gone on in Dumbledore's office. Remus had also faced Harry's sadness that his own son probably hated him.

Lupin sighed. /Was that not horrible/ He kicked up some of the snow. Things had turned for the best though. With his father's encouragement, young Julian had become friends with Harry. The two of them had gotten along well for a while. At least until Julian's father became frightened and ran, taking his child in the process.

Harry had been furious when he had first found out, then he suddenly became despondent and absolutely refused to speak about Julian or his father again. Remus had gone to Albus about his concerns but the older man had merely shook his head and said that it was not his secret to tell. /I hate it when he gets all cryptic./

Harry continued to keep his own counsel about the situation except for one thing. That Severus Snape was in reality Raven Esan.

That had left Remus utterly speechless. There had been nothing to say. After a moment, Remus still could not speak because he had no idea just which question to ask there were so many. He'd settled for asking how could that happen.

Harry told him what he knew. That Snape had gone to Dionysia, a rather wild club in Knockturn Alley, under a glamour. Harry hadn't known it was Snape and had slept with the man. Snape had gotten pregnant, and had raised Julian under the name of Raven Esan. When Remus tried to ask more, the younger wizard brushed him off rather violently. Remus had never brought up the subject again.

Entering the apothecary, and thankful that it was indeed open this time of morning, Remus was surprised to see the owner speaking to another man who looked as old as Albus.

"I tell you, Andrew, I don't know why I married her!" He threw his long arms around frantically after mussing his peppered hair.

Andrew, owner of the small but well to do apothecary, laughed at his friend as his brown eyes wide with mirth. "You've been together for over 63 years, Zeus, you should know by now. Besides, at least you aren't having the problems of your namesake."

"I thank you very much, my friend, but I love my wife. And I would truly enjoy avoiding castration." Both men began laughing.

Remus got a good look at both of them. Both men were dark haired, although Zeus's had strands of white going through. The older wizard had olive colored eyes compared to Andrew's brown. Buried within their mirth, neither man looked that old.

Thinking that this would be a good time to interrupt, Remus cleared his throat, gaining the attention of both men. Andrew, the owner smiled broadly. "Professor Lupin! This is a surprise. What are you doing here so early in the morning?"

Remus smiled nervously. "I came to see you about my potion." He glanced at Zeus then back at Andrew, indicating that he would like privacy.

Andrew chuckled. "Don't worry about old Zeus! He's my cousin and has his own apothecary."

Remus thought that it would probably be good for him to stay, as he would need the most knowledge as possible. Clearing his throat and fidgeting slightly, he spoke to both men. "Something seems to be going wrong with the Wolfsbane." He watched Zeus's reaction to him being a werewolf although after the war it was very well known.

"Wrong?" Andrew's eyebrows furrowed together. "What do you mean, sir? I haven't changed the recipe and I've made very sure to do it correctly."

"I'm sure of that but that's not what I meant." He took a few steps closer to the two older wizards. "This last moon, something rather strange happened. Well, lately the pain in my transformations have been getting worse. I didn't really understand what it was and I honestly thought it was being caused by stress or just age but it's not that this time." He told both men of the painful transformation of his last moon, of his injuries and how the treatment the school mediwitch had tried to give him failed, and about his own fruitless research.

Andrew frowned shaking his head negatively. "I have absolutely no clue my boy. I do apologize."

"How about me?" Zeus said with a slight smile. "I believe that I have an idea. This is something an acquaintance of mine told me about the Wolfsbane potion. Sooner or later, a werewolf's body will build up immunity to it. This will also build a slight immunity to silver, but it will not help with the transformations but in fact start making things worse because of the wolfsbane. He says it depends on how long the potion has been taken but it can happen."

Remus looked ill. /Oh no…there must be something…/ "Is there nothing that I can do?"

Zeus concentrated for a moment. "Actually, I think that acquaintance of mine was doing something about the immunity problem. Before he left for else where he'd actually figured it out. I believe he may publish it sooner or later."

Remus felt a flicker of hope. "Do you think that he can do anything about it now? Is he able to help me? I may only have till this full moon." Seeing the slight pity in Zeus's eyes annoyed him but Remus kept quiet.

The man nodded. "Indeed. I may not be able to contact him directly but I know someone who can. Come back in a few days and I'll see what I can do," said Zeus.

"In the meantime," called Andrew as he walked back toward them. He'd left for one of his storerooms to get Remus's potion. "Continue taking the Wolfsbane potion that we have on hand now."

Remus nodded. "I'll be back on Tuesday," he said nervously as the full moon was only five days after that.

The two apothecary owners watched him leave. Andrew turned to Zeus. "Who is this friend of yours anyway?"

"Raven Esan. Very good potions master. He owns Zelda's remember?"

Andrew nodded. "Yes, yes, I remember him now! Do you think he can help that poor man?"

"If anyone can do it, Esan can."

TBC

Alia: This is to make up for Remus being near nonexistent on Raven's Gift. If you have anything to say, please do so! Questions and comments are definitely appreciated.