Disclaimer: Harry Potter universe belongs to J. K. Rowling. No money is being made via this fanfiction and no infringement intended.
OBSESSION
Chapter 1
He had heard much about Remus John Lupin from Severus. Now Severus wasn't his friend. Indeed, he would never call anyone so poor his friend. But Severus was a determined, selfish and cunning boy and he liked him for it. His only drawbacks were his looks and his monetary condition.

Severus had never had even a single syllable of good for Sirius Black. He hated him with all his soul. The younger boy, Regulus, he held in great contempt. They never discussed Regulus. He wasn't important enough. He was just someone like… Pettigrew, it could be said, only less of a rat and more of a fox.

Now he knew that Sirius wasn't like that. Lucius couldn't say much about his acquaintances in England because he had been studying in Durmstrang. He had even spent a good part of his vacations there. The only thing his father ever wrote in his letters was about the Dark Lord who was gaining power and his followers, the Death-Eaters.

It was a very strange name "Death-Eaters" – not to mention very disgusting. The first image that had come to his mind when read those words was some hooded people eating dead bodies.

It really wasn't very nice.

But he had been merely thirteen then. Now he was a learned aristocrat – a perfect pureblood – handsome, young, and intelligent, with a great interest in politics and business. Undoubtedly, he was the best suitor in the whole of Britain.

He was ambitious, too. He wanted to earn fame – fame as Lucius Malfoy and not merely as Malfoy.

However, his father decided that there were more important things than fame.

Like an heir.

For Merlin's sake, thought Lucius, how old am I? Sixty? Eighty? Quite a few people of even that age do not bother about heirs nowadays. And I – not being even twenty – must bother about one?

He decided that it was not only unfair, but also very idiotic.

He declared that he would not marry till at least he was forty.

However, Ancus Malfoy was far more determined than his son and on Lucius' return to England, for good, many parties were arranged for the sole reason of Lucius choosing a 'bride'. The young man was pretty disgusted with the whole façade.

Of course, one knew better than him how important façades could be. But witch-hunting was something that rather appalled him. A flurry of pink and yellow and orange dress-robes, suffocating obnoxious perfume, strange assortments of jewellery and what-not! Lucius had never missed his days of solitude more than he did now.

It was really by chance that he had met Severus Snape. The boy had been introduced to him as Master Gaius Jordan's apprentice – specifically, as a learner under the hardest taskmaster known. Lucius had been very impressed by his intelligence, albeit he had refrained from mentioning it. Severus was still in school then – in his sixth-year.

They often met after that. Mostly at Jordan's house, who happened to be a Death-Eater and did not question Lucius' presence on his grounds for Ancus had hinted that his son, now a Death-Eater himself, was on the look-out for recruits. Severus showed… potential.

Severus had told him all about the famed 'Marauders', of course. He hated them too much to abstain from talking about them.

So when, in a Christmas Eve 'gathering' that winter, Lucius Ancus Malfoy was introduced to Sirius Tarquinius Black, Lucius was forearmed with the questions to start off a conversation.

However, his plan hadn't gone well. Sirius seemed least interested in anything that he had to say. Moreover, he had the most obnoxious habit of checking his watch every few minutes.

It wasn't very hard to deduce that Sirius had an appointment later in the evening. Lucius couldn't help but be interested.

He hadn't counted on being led straight to the secret hide-out of the 'Marauders'. Of course, Sirius couldn't have known that he was being followed, but still, one would think that he would be more cautious. The boy's arrogance would bring him some major misfortunes, predicted Lucius.

There was even a small open window, albeit curtained. But curtains weren't as big a hindrance as a closed window. Either these boys had no brains or deliberately refrained from using them.

A small flick of his wand and he could hear and see everything that was going on inside. It is a pity that Hogwarts did not teach its students Dark Arts.

As soon as the small room was open to his scrutiny, his eyes fell on him. Although he had never seen him, he knew at that moment that this thin, brown-haired, sad-eyed boy was Remus John Lupin.

Ever since he had heard his name, he had been curious about him. There was nothing particularly curious about his name. But Lucius had always wanted to see the boy called 'Remus John Lupin'. It was a morbid desire he had tried to suppress – chiefly because his position did not allow him to have morbid desires. He could not explain why it had struck him so. It had. There was nothing more or less to it.

He felt strangely fulfilled as he saw the boy for the first time… as if he couldn't have been complete without knowing him.

He really paid no attention to what was going on but kept gazing intently at Remus. The latter had looked about a few times, somewhat disconcerted. But finding no reason for feeling uneasy, he had turned back to the matter at hand.

Remus pulled his cloak closer about himself. How he wished he was seventeen soon! Then he would be able to cast a Warming Charm around himself and not bother with tattered cloaks and sweaters with holes.

He stopped and leaned against a wall as a fit of coughing seized him. Damned full moon!

As soon as he had regained his breath, he continued on his way.

He had not gone far when he heard footsteps behind him. He stopped dead in his tracks. Who could be out at this time of night… and in this part of Diagon Alley?

He turned to see a tall man walking towards him. His hand automatically reached for the wand in his pocket. These were dark times…

It wasn't there! Where was his wand?

"You dropped something."

To Remus' surprise, the hooded figure extended his wand towards him.

"T-Thanks," he gasped out, his voice hoarse.

The person lowered his hood and looking at him with expressionless silver eyes, smiled. "Be more careful."

Remus didn't reply. He was staring wide-eyed at the man. Merlin! This had to be the most beautiful man on earth! He had never seen such pure alabaster skin… such perfect platinum-blonde hair… the stunning silver eyes. The only thing lacking was two white wings and he would truly be an angel from heaven.

"Where do you live?"

The cool voice snapped him back to reality.

"Just two blocks down left… my home is above my father's shop," replied Remus, somehow disarmed of all initial suspicion.

"It's pretty cold. Care for a drink?" the man motioned towards the restaurant on the opposite side.

Remus, although mesmerized by the man's beauty, decided that something wasn't quite right.

"Ummm… no… I am pretty late as it is. Thanks, again."

"Wait."

Remus' breath caught in his throat as the gloved hands clasped his shoulder.

"Yes?"

"What's your name?"

"Remus… Remus Lupin."

And with that, he stepped away from him and hurried back to his house.

Remus lay in his bed, staring blankly at the dark ceiling. The plain pattern of the ceiling could be discerned in the faint blue light emanating from the magical nightlight opposite the bed. While he found it comforting, he still did not like sleeping in complete darkness.

His mind was still on the man he had met not long ago. The mere thought of his narrow silver eyes welled up feelings in him – feelings he couldn't identify… had never felt before.

He wondered what it would be like to kiss his pale pink lips… to have the slim white hand explore his body… to…

"Dear Merlin!"

Remus sat up, his head in his hands. Why was he thinking this way? He hardly knew the man. He would probably never meet him again. And he was fantasizing about him. That was so wrong! Moreover, he was currently in a relationship with Sirius… How could he even think of betraying his best friend and lover like that?

Although, he hadn't actually betrayed him…

Somehow, he won't really mind it…

"Get out! Get out of my head!"

Torn between opposing emotions, Remus couldn't sleep at all that night.

Christmas Day brought bittersweet joy for Remus – and not just because of the man who had kept him awake the previous night.

This year, the whole family would be coming down to their house for the traditional 'Christmas Lunch'.

He had convinced his parents into sparing him the inevitable torture that would come with it. Most of the family knew that he was a werewolf – and hated him for it. His parents didn't want to see him suffer.

So the Christmas afternoon found him moving up and down the Diagon Alley, pretty lonely and idle. He just had enough money to buy himself some lunch. Festive season held no great attractions for him. It meant spending money and being lonely – it had been so ever since he had become a werewolf.

As he stood checking out the latest broomsticks, he felt a hand on his shoulder. A smile broke out on his face as he saw the person's reflection in the window.

"Remus Lupin, if I remember correctly."

Remus turned and nodded. "Merry Christmas…"

"Léon Arrigo."

"…Léon."

"Thank-you – and Joyous Yule to you, too."

"Joyous Yule?" Remus ventured a small grin.

Léon shrugged. "Happy Christmas is so worn out."

It made him laugh. Léon merely smiled.

"Nice broom," said Remus, indicating the Furious Star.

"You play Quidditch?"

"I am not very good at it. Or maybe I just prefer my feet firmly on ground," said Remus, smiling sheepishly. He was considerably more at ease.

"Would you lunch with me today? I am pretty lonely – I would prefer a friend to loneliness."

Remus' light mood waned as he fingered the few sickles he had in his pocket.

"Well, I would have but…"

"Please?" insisted Léon, looking into his eyes.

Remus just couldn't deny then.

"Ummm… okay."

Remus felt extremely uncomfortable as Léon stopped in front of 'Restaurant Night Shadow' – one of the most expensive ones in the city.

Léon turned to him with a smile. "Thanks for coming, Remus. Lunch is my treat."

Remus felt embarrassed. Maybe Léon just knew about his condition. His clothes weren't really the sort for dining in such an expensive establishment. However, before he could even think of anything to say, much to his chagrin, Léon slipped an arm around his waist and steered him inside the restaurant.

For a wild moment, Remus thought that Léon owned the restaurant. The guard at the door had bowed to him and the manager had personally come down to receive him and led them to a private recess.

Even if he didn't own the place, Remus surmised that he had to be very rich. It was strange though, he had never heard the name Arrigo anywhere.

As his unseeing eyes fell on the menu written and designed in gold, he thought with a shudder, what in the fucking hell am I doing here?

I don't even know him! Why has he brought me here? Why did I agree? What is going on? I am stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid…

"Remus?"

He looked up to see Léon and the manager waiting for his order.

Not wanting to make a scene in front of the manager, he murmured, "You can order for me." The last thing he felt capable of doing was ordering a multiple course meal.

Léon complied without question.

Once the manager left, Remus stood up.

"Who are you?" he said sharply, his wand ready in his hand.

"Remus?"

"And why have you brought me here?"

Léon stood up, too. "Remus, please sit down. I…"

"Answer me first, Léon. Why have you brought me here? What do you want?"

Léon closed his eyes for a moment. Then in a barely audible voice said, "You."

"What?"

"You, Remus – I want you."

The younger man's eyes widened – he felt wary and unexplainably pleased at the same time.

Léon came around to where he stood and cupped his face gently. "Ever since I saw you yesterday, Remus… I… I… couldn't help wanting you."

Remus swallowed hard. "But why?"

Léon sighed and bent down his head. "I don't know… it is just one of the many things that can't be described but I want you, Remus… It's crazy…"

And with that, he captured his pale red lips with his own.

It was crazy.

Remus felt himself grow weak and clutched Léon's waist. His wand fell to the ground but he paid it no heed. He wasn't very experienced, but he knew that this would be the best kiss of his life. It was slow… so agonizingly slow… and yet it aroused him to the point of frantic desire. He opened his mouth for Léon, pushing closer against him… wanting him to ravish his very soul… Merlin! It hurt him… the way his tongue leisurely played with his own, and then evaded tantalizingly. The way his lips closed over his… moved slowly, slowly… He just couldn't get enough of it.

Léon broke away, but kept his arms around him.

"You are driving me mad, Remus," he whispered against his hair.

"As if you are doing anything less to me," replied Remus, laying his head in the curve of Léon's neck.

Léon bit lightly on his earlobe, then drew away, smiling.

"Lunch?"