Circumstances

By Khavi and Lynn

Somebody get me out of here

I'm tearing at myself

Nobody gives a damn about me

Or anybody else.

(Garbage- Medication)

Severus Snape held the small vial carefully between his thin fingers as Remus measured 100 milliliters of their potion into the beaker. His eyes were focused, brow furrowed in concentration. A small bead of sweat trickled down his face and hung on his jaw for a moment before falling. Remus' hands were trembling slightly, and Severus wondered if he should have been the one of them to do the pouring. It didn't matter now. Whatever happened was in the wolf's hands.

"There, that ought to do it. Now all we have to do is get this to the professor without somehow shattering the glass and infecting the class with giggling warts," Remus said, smiling idiotically. Severus briefly wondered if it was because this was some great accomplishment for Remus. Perhaps it was his first successful potion. Smirking at that thought, Severus quickly pulled the vial out of Remus' reach.

"Then I suppose I should deliver it, as I fear your hand-eye co-ordination is non existent," Severus said coldly, quickly placing the lid firmly over the beaker and brushing past his obviously flustered partner. Remus stared at him, mouth open in a sputter of indignation.

Professor Falkenstien praised their work, congratulating them for being the only team to produce a finished potion that did what it was supposed to. The mice they'd been testing on had developed several unusual conditions. (Such conditions included hiccupping small worm-filled bubbles, snorting purple fire, and growing long silky wings on the back of their paws.) Severus was impressed as well. Impressed that he hadn't killed Lupin by now.

After two days of working with that creature, Severus had come to realize two things. First, the wolf was a lot smarter than he would have initially given him credit for, considering the company he kept. Second, that he hated him more than he ever had the other two. Well, three, if one counted that little weasel Peter. At least they were open in showing that they abhorred him.

But Lupin... All the time they had worked together, he had been civil. Kind, even. He'd smile stupidly and talk to Severus about global issues, Muggle and wizarding. Of course, Muggle issues Severus had no interest in, but the debate about the rising Dark Arts and Illegal Magic Work interested him. He once found himself so engrossed in a heated debate with Lupin that he'd almost forgotten to add the second skin shaving of harpy to their potion. The fact that he was more interested in talking to Lupin than doing his his potion properly bothered him. It made Severus want to curse Lupin so that his grandchildren's children felt it. He couldn't stand the way he pretended as though he wanted to get along with him.

Severus returned to his seat still seething, not even glancing in Remus's direction. Class was almost over and he just wanted to get out of there. He put his head tiredly on his stack of books and closed his eyes.

"Severus?"

He started at the sound of the blonde's voice. Severus shot a look over at Remus, who had planted himself next to him, then went promptly back to ignoring the other.

"Um...Severus? I was wondering...If you wanted to, uh, study together? This evening, perhaps?" Remus asked timidly.

Severus raised his head, surprised at the question. Study together? With a creature like him? He'd rather eat a Hobgoblin liver, thank you very much.

"No thank you, Lupin, but I'm rather busy this evening," he said, trying to keep the annoyance he felt out of his voice. To his dismay, Remus didn't appear deterred. If anything, he looked encouraged.

"Well, maybe later then? I hear you're rather good at Protection and Summoning Charms. Perhaps you could help me with mine? I need to tweak them up a bit," The blonde said hopefully. He tilted his head and waited for an answer.

Severus was annoyed. What was this? A trick? An attempt to play some highly amusing joke on him? Why else would Remus even want to pretend to be interested in studying with him?

"Actually, I prefer to work alone," he snapped, looking back at his books. A feeling of agitation was beginning to gnaw at him.

"Ok, but-"

"Lupin, what part of 'no' is too complex for you? Is your skull so thick that you can't comprehend the meaning of the word? Or is your blood so dirty that you've become too stupid to understand common English? Bugger off and leave me be!" His voice was low with anger as he spoke. Why wouldn't Remus just leave him alone?

The taller boy seemed taken aback. His eyes lowered; he looked like he'd been slapped.

"I'm sorry, Severus. It was a stupid suggestion." The strain in his voice made it clear that he'd finally gotten the meaning of Severus's cold demeanor. He began picking up his books and parchment. "My apologies," he said again, turning away.

Well, good. Go back to your friends and tell them all about the torture that is working with Severus Snape, he thought bitterly.

Severus returned to looking at his hands, which were folded neatly upon the table. His nails were getting long, he noted. Father wouldn't be pleased that his son was looking so feminine. He'd have to cut them before his next visit. He was fully concentrating on the state of his nail when he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. Remus was still there.

"What now?" he snarled, twisting his head to look at the Gryffindor that stood next to him.

"Look, Severus," Remus began, putting his books back on the table. "I know you don't like me, but we are partners after all. It wouldn't hurt us to be acquaintances. Possibly even on speaking terms in the halls. I need you to talk to me to pass this class. And I don't plan on failing, on either counts," he said, determination etching his voice. His handsome features were even more prominent, his eyes blazing with the frustration of having been told off so many times.

Severus studied him as the bell sounded, alerting him class was released. What had that last remark about failing meant? He decided he didn't care. After all, what was one statement made by a monster to him? Nothing.

He gathered his things, stood, and brushed Remus aside.

"How sad for you. I, however, have mastered Potions for the past five years without exchanging one word with you. I'm confident I can do it again," he informed him coolly, heading for Defense Against the Dark Arts.

All through class, though, he found himself unable to get Lupin out of his thoughts. The way he persisted in bothering him into studying together. What would the point be? To lure him to a place where his friends could attack him unawares? No. That wasn't his style. He didn't seem to be as spineless as that. That Peter boy, on the other hand, that was more his thing. And it didn't stand to reason that Remus would try something like that, anyway; Lupin himself had admitted he needed Severus to pass Potions, and Professor Falkenstein had made it quite clear that Remus would not be allowed to work with Potter and Black Severus didn't understand Lupin's motive, and that enraged him. He glared at his quill, fuming.

Severus jumped when the professor snapped his wand against the desk, making a loud crack.

"Snape, class has ended. Leave," he hissed, eyes narrowed.

Severus looked around and saw that is was true. The last straggling student was just leaving when he'd been awakened from his thoughts. "Yes, sir," he murmured, gathering his books. Class was over? How long had he been daydreaming? It was a good thing he had a study period next.

The halls were too bright, and the library was a welcome relief from class and other students. The walk to get there had been a long one, and his back ached from the books he carried. He chose a desk in the darkened corner next to "Most Dangerous Dragons" and "Powerfully Poisonous Plants."

After settling in, he took out a book and began to read, trying to make up for the notes he had missed. He quite enjoyed Defense Against the Dark Arts, and as he skimmed the chapters he felt his anger fade. He relaxed as he took in the lesson occasionally pausing to write something down on a scrape piece of parchment. He had gotten his mind completely off of his werewolf partner when he saw a movement in the corner of his eye. He paid it no mind; he was far too engrossed in a chapter about Dementors and wondering if he'd be able to summon a Patronus if the time came.

The scratching of chair legs being pulled across the stone floor roused him from his thoughts. He looked up, agitation rising inside him. He couldn't believe it.

Remus Lupin had just plopped himself down across the table from Severus and begun taking out his parchments and quills. He paid no heed to Severus, but started to tap his quill lightly on the table. Severus narrowed his eyes as he watched the blonde open a textbook and begin skimming it.

Finally he found his voice "What," he began through gritted teeth, "are you doing here?"

Lupin looked up as though he'd just noticed the other boy at the table. "Me? Well, I thought it was quite apparent what I was doing. Perhaps I over estimated you... I'm studying. "

Severus clenched his fists, trying to keep his voice down and tone civil. It wouldn't do to be thrown out of the library, especially not because of Lupin. "Yes, but why?"

"Because I'd like to get an 'Outstanding' this semester in Divination," Lupin replied, eyes drifting back down to the text in front of him. "And Madame Piffler didn't need me right this moment," he finished, turning a page in a very well worn book.

"Madame Piffler?" Severus asked, recalling the name of their librarian. She was a small older woman with a kind disposition, but Merlin help the student who damaged one of her books.

"Yeah, I'm a library aid, you know," Remus confirmed, jotting down something he'd just read. A lock of hair fell into his face and he brushed it back slowly. It just fell back to where it was. This time he didn't bother to put it back behind his ear. Severus watched him cautiously, but didn't relax.

Well, the wolf didn't appear to be trying to start anything... Severus looked over his shoulder once to make sure James and Sirius weren't lurking about somewhere, just waiting for his guard to be down. After concluding that they were, in fact, not in the library, he settled back into his chair to continue his notes.