A/N:

So! Chapter Two! Exciting stuff! Enough '!''s now. Anyway, this chapter begins our tale of time related torment, and gives us an insight into Snape's persona. When I say "us", I really mean you, seeing as I already have my version of Snape within my mind. I'll try to not describe him too much because I know how annoying that can be sometimes! You can all use your own versions of ickle Snapey

SS/LP

He awoke to the warm sensation of sunlight caressing his skin as it shone through the low windows of his rooms beneath the lake of Hogwarts. It never ceased to amaze him how the Sun's rays could penetrate through the water of the lake, which looked so murky and black from above the ground. As Severus Snape slowly opened his eyes, allowing them to adjust to the brilliant, slightly green light which seeped across the room, he thought back on the dream he had just surfaced from. It was one which frequently haunted him, yet never woke him; the afternoon he had insulted Lily. It seemed that the dream could last five minutes or five hours, the few silences of the event prolonged for excruciating amounts of time.

For the past three months, the silences had been longer; and in these cases the dream had begun as soon as his head hit the pillow. Severus would not have minded the way sleep now found him, if it wasn't for the dream. He had a suspicion that the dreams were more frequent because of a certain person who Albus Dumbledore had elected to add to the staff; Remus Lupin was now the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Yet again Dumbledore had denied Severus the job, but he found he had few qualms with Lupin being the one to fill the position. Of the four Marauders, Snape had retained respect and a level of civility towards Lupin, who had always seemed to be apologetic of his friends. Whilst he never really said anything, Severus understood that Lupin, an outsider, needed to keep his friends close. Snape knew the feeling all too well. He had actually had some correspondence with Lupin over the years; the odd letter, the sending of Christmas and birthday cards, and Lupin had in fact expressed his apologies for not standing up for Snape on various occasions. In public, however, they still acted like rivals, and had never really had a conversation. Remus Lupin was a figure from the past, and for Snape, the past was mostly unwelcome.

Snape looked towards the muggle clock he had placed on his bedside table and groaned inwardly as he realised he had ten minutes until he was expected to show up for breakfast in the Great Hall. He threw on his teaching robes, and pulled a small ornate comb through his silky, ebony locks. He glimpsed into the small mirror in his bathroom, judging himself presentable, and stalked from the dungeons to the Great Hall, scattering a few students and taking away five points from Hufflepuff. He liked to start his mornings like this.

As he made his way up to the Head table, he saw the "Golden Trio" sitting together at the Gryffindor table, with Potter chatting animatedly with the Weasley boy. The "know-it-all" girl, Granger, was chewing on a slice of toast, with a heavy tome spread out next to her, already absorbed in the text. He secretly admired the girl, as she reminded him so much of himself at that age. Of course, he would never let her know that. Upon reaching the table, he seated himself in his usual place, next to Minerva McGonagall who was engaged in conversation with Dumbledore. They were talking about muggle sweets again, and McGonagall was again voicing her disapproval at the chemicals muggles used in their confectionary. Remus Lupin entered the room shortly after Severus was seated, and took the only seat now left at the table, the one next to Snape. They briefly nodded to each other and began to eat.

As most of the teachers rose to leave, Severus leaned in towards Lupin.

"Bearable night?" he whispered towards Remus.

"As bearable as can be expected. Thank you again for the potion; it helps a lot." Lupin replied softly as he also stood.

"I would rather I made it than you had to buy it from the sellers in Knockturn Alley, I'm sure you know how many of them are poorly made."

"Yes, I have had some pretty bad experiences with the black market. Goes with the name I suppose." He laughed gently.

"I can only imagine." Snape rolled his eyes. "Have an… enjoyable day." The sarcasm of Snape's usual tone already returning.

"You too… Snivellus." Lupin walked out of the door, leaving a slightly bemused Snape standing in the entrance.

"Excuse me sir, but you're blocking the doorway." Severus looked down at the slight form of Hermione Granger, who already looked as if she'd lived the whole day. She was carrying a whole stack of books, and her bag looked fit to burst.

Snape stepped out of her way, and as she walked past she gave him a slight nod before making her way down the corridor. As he blinked, Severus swore he saw her disappear into thin air. He shook his head slightly, and flew down to the dungeons, taking more house points and mentally preparing himself for his first class of the day.

A/N: So that was basically just to show the relationship between Lupin and Severus. If you didn't get it, Snape tolerates Lupin because of his reaction after the Lily "incident". If you did, have a cookie. The Hermione references? Well, I'll leave you to guess at those. :P Anyone who can guess can have a random character named after them. Also, please review! Tell me what you want more of, or what you want generally. Next chapter will have more like this, and then I'll move on with the plot. .