…2nd Approach…

On guilty pleasures

The door slammed shut with a heavy bang as Severus entered his rooms, starting at once to pace in front of his fireplace.

Lupin was avoiding him.

He was sure of it, now.

Oh, he was confident the werewolf had no memories of 'That Night'. Nothing telling had happened the next day or the following. And he had watched the tawny-haired man closely at the next Order meeting, noticing nothing out of the ordinary: no glare, no embarrassment, no pointed looks at the Potions master. In fact, Lupin was as calm and accommodating of Severus' presence as he had always been.

He greeted him as usual with a reserved smile and a slight nod, then went back to talking with the other Order members. Throughout the meetings Lupin would interact normally with everyone, keeping mostly to himself but not shying away from others either, contributing his insight in his usual unobtrusive way.

Still, after some time Severus felt there was something off in the man's usual behaviour concerning the Potions master…

So, over the next weeks he tried to pinpoint the difference, and felt irritation when discovering that, indeed, Lupin had become somewhat evasive of him.

Severus had never been one to seek out the other's company, had even found the werewolf's friendliness and familiarity grating. So, that's why he had never realized how Lupin had been one of the very few people who had bothered to try engaging him in group activities anyway. Whenever the Potions master had paid a visit, the man had offered him beverages and, every time when members of the Order had stayed behind after a meeting for some shared dinner or drink, Lupin would have made sure to ask the Potions master to join them, even though Severus had always declined with a brisk rebuff.

But as of late Lupin had stopped those attempts.

It's not that he made Severus feel unwelcome, and he still talked to him on Order business, but he had ceased to actively seek out any contact with the dark-haired man.

He wasn't just ignoring the Potions master, though.

The last weeks, Lupin had also grown unaccustomedly 'sociable' with everyone else of the Order. He was seldom found alone nowadays! Even if he sat by himself, reading something or working on a report, there was always someone else in the room with him, as if the werewolf had suddenly become afraid of seclusion, whereas before That Night Severus had often found Lupin retreating to a secluded part of the Blacks' estate. And if the Potions master had happened to invade that solitude he would have always been greeted with a hospitable smile.

Now, whenever Lupin saw Severus approach, there was this quick glancing around as if to make sure there would be backup in case of...

In case of what?

Did the werewolf suspect something?

.

Severus just had to know. So, when Albus mentioned an errand trip to Grimmauld Place that morning, the Potions professor had surprised his mentor by offering his services.

And he got lucky.

He found Lupin in the Blacks' library, for once without any company. Evidently he was browsing through the books in search for reference material.

When the Lycanthrope became aware of his presence, though, he nearly stumbled back into the shelves as he swivelled around, instantly growing tense when he realized who he was with and that they were alone.

Scowling Severus confronted him then.

"Are you avoiding me, Lupin?"

But the man looked genuinely puzzled when he replied: "What? What are you talking about, Severus?"

Of course, that's when Sirius bloody Black had to saunter into the room in all his dour glory.

"What are you doing here, Snivellus? Looking for a new lair, now that Umbridge has taken over your old hunting grounds?"

And while Lupin had the decency to glare at his friend, he also instantly became more relaxed about the situation. He even laughed when the Potions master's retort managed to insult Black and the newest DADA menace of Hogwarts in one sentence. By the time they were finished with their little quarrel, he had nearly forgotten about Lupin's strange behaviour.

That is, until the mongrel announced his departure to feed that hazardous feathered pet of his and Lupin hurriedly offered the man his assistance, passing Severus swiftly with a merely cursory goodbye as he took the lead to the rooftop.

As Black had thrown a truly befuddled glance at Lupin and Snape, before following his friend with a frown, Severus knew he wasn't the only one who had noticed the subtle change in the tawny-haired man's manners.

Hoping to gain some knowledge, Severus secretly followed them, eavesdropping on them from outside the top floor's door, and was rewarded.

"What was all that about, Moony?"

"What do you mean?"

"What do I mean? You never venture up here on your own accord!" The Hippogriff gave an affirmative screech. "And, you know, I'm happy you finally decided to follow common sense with that slimy git, but.. this newfound mistrust of yours…? What did that traitorous bastard do? I'll wring his neck, if.."

"Sirius!" A sigh. "When will you stop that childish hatred and start giving him a chance?"

"Hey, I'm not the one running in horror when seeing him", Black reasoned.

"I'm not running from him!" Lupin protested in indignation, before bumbling: "I.. it's just…"

The werewolf sighed.

"There's this feeling lately.. a niggling, whenever he looks at me.. I don't know… I suddenly get nervous at the prospect of being alone with him. It's ridiculous, really… It's nothing to be concerned about…"

.

But Severus was concerned.

Because every time he saw the damned man, he noticed the slight changes - a lapse in his smile, the sudden tension in his shoulders - and couldn't help but remember That Night; he would remember Lupin bound to that chair in his study, panting and moaning from Severus' administrations.

And every time the Potions master would return to his quarters shamefully aroused.

Consequentially he had revisited the memory many times by now.

At first it had simply been as a means for release. It really made for a nice visual, and using the Pensieve enabled him to even try new angles, to concentrate on things he hadn't noticed before. But what was supposed to be an occasional distraction had soon gotten out of proportions. Whenever he tried to envision his prior fantasies his treacherous mind would unerringly return to the Lupin-motif. He had even started to build upon details from the original and fantasize about other settings!

However, his guilty pleasure left him unsatisfied as of late.

Oh, the orgasms where still quite astounding.

But in all his scenarios Lupin would always look pained afterwards, surprised and properly debauched maybe, but never happy.

It was like a bitter aftertaste to the magnificent experience.

And the harder Severus tried to change it, the more he got frustrated with his failure. This whole thing was starting to drive him insane. And it was all Lupin's fault. The werewolf just wouldn't leave him be, tormenting his thoughts nearly 24/7.

It was just unacceptable.

Lupin's guarded attitude towards him had to change!... back…

An appalling idea settling in his mind Severus sat down at last, taking parchment and quill at hand.

I can't believe I'm doing this…

.

Lupin,

I won't be able to deliver this month's batch of Wolfsbane potion due to the supervision of another delicate potion.

Since I'm not partial to a repetition of any tardiness on your part, I will expect your explicit presence at my quarters at five o'clock tomorrow afternoon to personally receive your first dose.

Needless to say, I'd advise you to avoid detection at the current circumstances.

S. S.

.

As predicted there was a gentle knock at his doors punctual to the minute and to Snapes pleasure, Lupin's solitary figure greeted him when he opened his door.

There was a brief hesitance on Lupin's side as the Potions master beckoned him inside, but with one anxious glance back at the dungeons' dark corridors Lupin quickly slipped inside. Naturally the werewolf wouldn't risk being caught by Umbridge inside of Hogwarts.

Seeing as this was the first time the tawny-haired man stepped into his personal rooms, he was sufficiently distracted as Severus raised the wards to insure their privacy, curiously examining the furniture of the Potions master's lodging. The small smile seemed to be approving if anything, but, still, Lupin was fidgety, standing awkwardly as he addressed his host.

"Good evening, Severus. As always I'm sorry for the inconvenience… I bet you have your hands full enough as it is."

The Lycanthrope had always expressed his utmost gratitude for the Wolfsbane Potion, but, without his perfectly calm mask for once, Severus recognized the sincerity behind his words for the first time, which made him feel a little strange.

It was not at all what he summoned Lupin here for.

"Believe me, Lupin, brewing the Wolfsbane Potion is one of the less onerous tasks of mine these days. But don't just stand there like a dunderheaded first year. Sit. It seems the Potion isn't ready for some time, yet."

This is not good, Severus thought as they sat down in front of his fireplace. Lupin's shoulders were still taut and the Potions master had joined the man in uncomfortable silence.

Severus was growing nervous himself. Setting up a chance to spending some time alone with the man so as to show him that he needn't be afraid of him, he had just assumed Lupin would instigate a conversation, since he had always been appallingly chatty before. But as it seemed, that also had changed as of late.

Clearing his throat the dark-haired potions brewer cursed the man's sudden and untimely reserve.

"I was about to call for a cup of tea, may I get you something, also?"

Well, at least that got Lupin out of brooding into the flames.

"Oh, yes, a cup of tea would be lovely, thank you…"

Uneasy surprise... There was progress, at least.

Feeling encouraged, Severus waited until the werewolf had taken a cautious sip of his tea, before trying to draw Lupin out a little more.

"I take it everything is working fine at headquarters? No more residual dark magic?"

Lupin actually snorted at that.

"I'm beginning to think its very foundation is made of dark magic. There have been some close calls at the start, but nothing I couldn't handle."

One of Severus' eyebrows were raised in interest, but already fearing the former DADA professor would leave it at that, he was pleasantly surprised when, after some contemplation, Lupin leant forward secretively.

"Actually, three days ago I found this secret compartment in the master bedroom, just big enough to fit two bodies in there. It's crackling with dark spells intricately woven into the walls. I shudder to think of what it was used for, but I'm currently investigating some theories to the spells…"

Fascinating.

It was like a switch had been flipped as Lupin started to avidly talk about his findings.

As Severus listened to Lupin's hypothesis he found himself more and more intrigued, even asking questions regarding the pattern of the enchantments. He was so caught up in the ensuing discussion and the unguarded zeal that had miraculously come over Lupin that he actually felt bludgered when the man suddenly interrupted.

"Oh, my god. The Potion!"

"What Potion?" Severus asked dumbly, before he remembered.

Lupin had already jumped up in agitation.

"The Wolfsbane! It's probably ruined by now! Shit! I'm so sorry, it's my fault for babbling on like that…"

"Calm down, Lupin!" Severus finally called out in order to stop the man from walking a furrow into his carpet. "Nothing will happen to the potion at the final stage. It just has to boil for a certain time and after that it has to be kept warm anyway."(And actually that time had already been over when Lupin came by.)

The werewolf was palpably relieved by that.

As they went to look at the potion for reassurance, it really was doing fine, but Lupin quickly downed the horrid draught that was handed to him, more compliant about it than ever.

The werewolf was then pleasantly surprised when Severus handed him some water to rinse out the taste.

In the end, it seemed the evening had been brought to a full success as the tawny-haired man showed no signs of any trepidation left when he once again thanked the Potions master for his efforts, his smile open and warm instead of forced. Actually, Severus couldn't recall a time he had ever seen it directed at himself, before.

"Come by tomorrow, the same time, Lupin", he instructed the Lycanthrope as he saw him out.

"Oh? Still working on that potion you mentioned in the letter?"

Though there had been no potion to begin with, it presented Severus with an effective cause to set another date to see for certain that Lupin didn't have a setback after this meeting.

"After tomorrow it will be stable enough to be left alone... Maybe we could discuss those spells some more, if you want."

"I'd like that very much, Severus. I have to say, I really enjoyed this evening… –Don't take that as a reason to withdraw your invitation, though, please?"

The Potions master had to snort at the slight joking.

"I concede, this hasn't been as abysmal as I thought, Lupin. Then again, my definition of 'abysmal' has reached new depths since the beginning of this school year."

At the sour face of the Potions master the werewolf couldn't repress his laughter.

"I'll gladly take that as a compliment, Severus; and the rest for consolation. I bid thee a good evening, Professor Snape."

With a wink and a showy bow, Lupin was out of the door and gone into the shadows.

.

Feeling very accomplished Severus had retreated for a nice and long bath, the new formula for his conditioner actually working wonders for his hair; and he was in so high spirits, he even helped himself to a second very satisfying hand-job before he mellowed into sleep that night.

So, what if it had been the image of Lupin that had brought about the bliss. In his mind the man sure as hell had enjoyed himself as well.

Severus had hoped, though, thoughts of the amber-eyed man would cease after that.

But instead, now that his fantasy Lupin had become more willing, he only seemed to have become more persistent, mischievously entering even into his dreamscape.

As a result, the Potions master had difficulties in concentrating on his lessons all that day, mental pictures of a very unbecoming nature entering his thoughts at the most impropriate times as even something as innocuous as a spoon could act as a trigger now, apparently.

When Minerva started to look strangely at him, nose slightly twitching, he was quick to retreat to his dungeons, grateful his duties for the day were over and intend on staying in his quarters for the rest of the day… trying to get rid of these urges, preferably.

Surely his body wouldn't keep up with it for much longer…

.

By their appointed time Severus was positive he had regained his control, grinning smugly as he poured himself a drink. An hour had past by now, in which the Potions master had successfully forgotten about the werewolf.

In fact, he already looked forward to returning to read the book he had left draped open over his armchair.

He just had to exchange some niceties, give Lupin his potions and the werewolf could be sent back on his way. And Severus would be back to enjoying his solitude.

When the expected knock came at point five o'clock the contented man confidently and determinedly strode towards the door…

…and had his heart leap at the sight of a beaming Lupin bounding inside with a chipper "Hullo, Severus". Luckily for the Potions master he was oblivious to the inner relapse; and hopefully unable to sense the rising heat that had abruptly been rekindled throughout his body, as the werewolf just went on: "Peeves nearly got me this time. It's really too bad you aren't allowed to Floo over freely anymore. How was your day?"

A total waste of time, as it seems, Severus thought miserably, concentrating to keep his expression unreadable, as he said aloud: "Actually I'm quite busy, Lupin, so I'd prefer to keep this meeting as short as possible…"

Lupin looked momentarily crestfallen, his radiant smile dimming down to the reserved version Severus was used to see from former encounters. It made Severus' heart leap again, but this time it left a lump in his throat.

"Oh." Lupin seemed a little sad and confused, but was quickly back to his cheerful mood, although the warmth of his smile never reached the radiance from before. "Well, I hope this other potion is going well?" and he waited patiently for Severus to ladle out some of the steaming Wolfsbane potion for him.

Lupin was about to raise his walls again, Severus noticed with worry, so he jumped at the chance to at least excuse himself.

"It's very volatile at the moment, demanding my attention at the most unsuitable times. Also, as it is a personal project and still in the experimental phase, I can't have it supervised by anyone else."

"Oh, I suppose, I can't be of any help…" Lupin murmured with a rueful smile, grimacing when chucking down the Wolfsbane. The werewolf's abysmal attempts at potions had earned him some noteworthy stories, after all.

He sighed a little, before straightening up and shoving his hands into his pockets. He still looked slightly dejected, when he said: "Well, I'll best be going then… I'll see you tomorrow, Severus."

As the Potions master watched the retreating figure with a slightly unsettled feeling, a thought popped into his mind.

/"Did it ever occur to you that I might have freely helped…?"/

"Actually, there is something you could help me with, Lupin", Severus suddenly found himself calling after the tawny-haired man, and was immediately embarrassed by this impulse.

Still, as the werewolf already had turned around expectantly, he braved on, daring Lupin to counteract his words from that time.

"There, um, is this ingredient I could use for the potion, but it's difficult to come by…"

Lupin looked confused.

"How could I be of help?"

Severus cleared his throat.

"Your.. condition makes you an ideal provider…"

"My cond-… Oh, you mean me being a werewolf?"

Severus could tell he was feeling discomfited by the subject, ashamed even.

But then he seemed to gather his confidence to meet Severus' eyes, and ask: "What exactly do you need?"

This is the call, Severus thought then, sharp black eyes boring into Lupin's. "Werewolf semen", he dead-panned and sneered when he watched the other's face flushing brightly, amber eyes widening.

Well, it was worth that look, Severus snorted, soaking up the sight of that lovely shade of red he fondly remembered in association with helpless gasps and horrified arousal, before giving the man reprieve.

"But I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable, Lupin. I will get by, somehow. I wouldn't have asked of something that personal, if you hadn't offered, and it's perfectly natural to decline."

"O-Okay."

Lupin being so embarrassed he couldn't look into his eyes truly was a delectable sight.

"How, uh, how much do you need?"

Huh? What?

"Would.. until tomorrow suffice? Because I don't know, if-…" The werewolf was making feeble gestures while waiting for Severus to respond. Which took a moment as the Potions master's shell-shocked brain was slow to catch up with the unexpected concept of Lupin actually following through with his proposal.

"No, no", he eventually assured hastily as Lupin was getting worried at his silence. "Tomorrow would be perfectly fine."

Still shocked he grabbed the next best empty vial he found and handed it to Lupin, prising himself for all the time keeping his unflappable exterior while he found his inner calm again; unlike Lupin, who was still blushing like a virgin as he hid the stoppered object in his hands.

"Well, I'll be on my way then", he told Severus' boots. "As always, thanks for the potion, and.. I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

The werewolf couldn't be fast enough in his retreat from the man's rooms.

Severus didn't even get a chance to reply.

Which he was glad for, since he had none, other than: Did this really just happen?

to be continued…

AN: Thanks for staying with me and for the lovely reviews! (Severus would like you to mind your own business, naturally, but Remus openly appreciated your compassion.. though he is confused as to how he merited it;p)

This is a little chapter I think of as 'An Unusual Date' in my Unusual Approach series. And in that sense it's quite harmless to read in comparison to the last one… or the next one!

So, for all of you, who want the drama und smexyness back, stay tuned for the next chapter:

Where Severus completely loses control, and Lupin is the one who gets to pay.. again.