A/N: For those wondering … although Chap 1 and 2 are more focused on Severus and Remus, have no fear as Harry and Draco will be making more and more appearances as the fic develops, that much I can promise! As if I would leave out my 2nd favourite HP pairing … not likely!

And cheers to my readers of course! I should be able to update fairly quickly as I had quite a lot already written up back in the day. I just hope that you guys are enjoying this fic so far? And for the person who emailed me curious as to what that play is about don't worry, all is revealed soon!

Chapter Two: The Subtle Art of Potion Making

Severus had been so caught up in making the Wolfsbane Potion that he failed to realise time had slipped away. Ever since the moment he had left the Headmaster's office plans of all sorts had filtered through his mind, though it had taken him far longer than he expected to finally settle on what he hoped would be the solution to his myriad of problems.

'So, it's to be checkmate is it?' a soft voice asked, breaking into the Potion's Master's thoughts.

Severus looked up startled, he hadn't heard anyone enter the room but then it was no surprise, the other person always had been a quiet sort. What surprised him the most was what he was seeing, and what he was seeing he did not like in the least.

'By the Gods, what has Black done to you?' Severus asked in shock.

Remus sighed and waved his hand in dismissal. 'Sirius has done nothing to me,' he said quietly.

'I do not believe that. Look at you; you look like hell froze over. It has to be Black's doing. He should be taking better care of you!' Severus argued.

'He is taking care of me, I just don't take very good care of myself is all. May I sit?' Remus asked. Severus nodded and indicated a chair. 'I assure you, it's not his fault. I'm getting old that's all.'

'You think yourself old?' Severus snorted. 'Nonsense! You are a wizard, even as a half-blood you will live longer than any Muggle.'

Remus shook his head sadly. 'I'm a werewolf before I am a wizard, and it's to that blood more than anything else I am beholden. Some days I feel more Albus's age than my 37 years,' he said and shivered slightly. 'Why did you want me to come here, Severus?'

'I ... I wanted to see you again,' Severus said before he could stop himself, and then paled at the sharp gaze Remus gave him. 'I want some advice from you,' he said quickly hoping to cover up his mistaken words.

'Advice? What sort of advice?' Remus asked.

'You are too thin,' Severus said.

'I'm not concerned with my eating habits, or rather the lack of them,' Remus said warily.

'Well you damn well should be! Black obviously -'

'Sirius is not at fault for what's happening to me, I'm not going to say it again!' Remus snapped.

'Well it is painfully obviously he must not be giving you many incentives to take better care of yourself. Your kind can live to at least a hundred if they take care of themselves.'

'Those are the ones that have reasons to live,' Remus replied angrily. 'Besides, what do you care if I am miserable and lonely? It's no concern of yours.'

'Seeing you reduced to a state like this, how could anyone not be concerned? How can you possibly be unhappy when you have Black keeping you company day and night,'' Severus asked.

'There are all types of misery and loneliness out there, you know that know that as well as I do,' Remus replied then looked away with a sigh. 'Look, I don't want to discuss this any longer,' he said and got up from the chair, 'please, just let me have my potion. I want to rest … I'm tired.'

'You don't have to be,' Severus said then went over to the bubbling cauldron and poured out a goblet of the potion.

'I know I don't have to be, Severus, but I am. Having to travel here via the Floo Network only made things worse,' Remus said wearily. 'Right now I just want to take my potion then go back to my room and rest for a while.'

'Your room?' Severus asked in surprise and held out the goblet. 'Are you not sharing a guest room with Black?'

Remus shook his head. 'No, Sirius decided to stay in the dorms to catch up with Harry,' he said taking the offered goblet and downing the potion with a few gulps. He shivered slightly from the awful taste before placing the cup down on Severus's desk. 'Not that I mind, I could use some peace and quiet for a change. Living with Sirius can be … let's just say it can be problematic at times.'

'I do not think I care to imagine how problematic it could be,' Severus replied coolly. 'However, you being alone will make things more convenient.'

'More convenient? For what?' Remus asked curiously.

'For the reason I wanted you to come to the school,' Severus replied.

'And what reason would that be?' Remus asked.

'Advice, as I have already said.'

'Yes, you did, but you've yet to tell me what it is you want advice on,' Remus said.

'Have you not figured it out yet?' Severus asked.

Remus thought about what they had spoken on, though it didn't take long for him to realise what Severus meant. 'But why, Severus?'

'These are dark and foreboding times, Lupin,' Severus began hesitantly. 'After the last attempt on Potter's life a few months ago the students and staff have been walking on eggshells, and frankly it's become bloody annoying - even to me. You will soon see how far morale has fallen, but … with the right plans … I believe there may be a way to bring everyone some much needed positivity.'

'All right, I get what you mean, but what does the theatre have to do with it?' Remus asked puzzled. 'Are you thinking about a taking everyone at the school on a trip to London or New York?'

'Absolutely not,' Severus said petulantly. 'I cannot even imagine what half the sheltered Wizarding World students would do out in the Muggle world. That would become a disastrous nightmare, not a boost of morale.'

Remus chuckled. 'I agree with you on that. So what is it you have in mind?'

'A play … rather, to put on a stage production here, at the school,' Severus replied.

Remus looked at Severus in shock. 'Are you joking? Produce a play? Here? Have you lost it?'

Severus scowled. 'No, Lupin, I have not "lost it" as you so eloquently put it. Black said you are an admirer of the theatre and that you have an affinity for acting. Do you not see that this would give the students and staff something to take their minds off their troubles?'

'I haven't acted in a while now, I've been … busy,' Remus said cautiously. 'I do miss it though ... the stage lights, the smell of the paint and fresh sawdust, the applause of the audience. You know, you may be right; this may be just the thing that could break everyone out of their shell. What play were you thinking of doing?'

'Haven't you already guessed?' Severus asked.

Remus thought about it for a moment then his eyes lit up in recognition. 'Which version?'

'A combination of both British and American versions I think, though I am not quite sure yet. There are aspects of both I enjoy,' Severus said.

'You've seen them both?' Remus asked in surprise.

Severus nodded. 'I have, and have printed copies of the scripts and lyrics of both versions.'

'You are just full of surprises today aren't you,' Remus grinned. 'I never would have guessed you to be such an ardent admirer of the Muggle stage.'

'There's a lot about me you don't know,' Severus replied.

'That's because you never allowed me to. Believe me, it wasn't for lack of trying,' Remus said, though now wasn't the time to think further about such things. 'I suppose the question is will Albus allow you do to this, and what of the rest of the school?'

'I dare say Albus will be agreeable to anything that can boost morale, even he has expressed concerns on what is happening here,' Severus said. 'If anyone has an issue with this I am sure our esteemed Headmaster will find a way to placate them.'

Remus chuckled. 'Do you always get your way, Severus?'

'When I want something badly enough, then yes, I will do whatever it takes,' Severus said and turned to look Remus in the eyes, disheartened by what he saw reflected in them. 'Go rest, Lupin. I'll make sure one of the house-elves sends your supper to your room.' Walking over to his private storeroom he pulled a small phial of a reddish liquid out of one of the cabinets, then went back to Remus and held it out to him. 'I want you to take this tonight.'

Remus looked at the phial uncertainly before taking it from Severus's hand. 'What is it?'

'Something of my own design,' Severus said. 'Let me know if it works.'

'But … if I don't know what it is, how will I know if it works or not?' Remus asked.

Severus grinned. 'You'll know if it does, believe me. Now go, we'll talk more about the play tomorrow, after you have eaten and rested.'

Remus nodded and stood up to go. 'Good night, Severus ... and thank you,' he said softly.

Severus nodded. 'Oh, and Lupin?'

'Yes, Severus?'

'If you would not tell anyone about this yet, especially Black, I would appreciate it. I would prefer to keep things quiet until we have discussed this further, all right?' Severus asked.

Remus nodded and smiled. 'Of course,' he said then slipped out the door and headed back to his quarters.

As Severus watched the werewolf go he felt as if a weight had suddenly landed square on his shoulders. He couldn't believe the changes that had come over the other man in the few years since they had last seen each other. Lupin had always been lean and wiry, but now he was far too thin, his bones were sticking out as if he'd been forced into starvation. His once short salt and peppered hair was now long and shaggy, as well as it had much more grey in it. The hardest part was seeing the light that had sparkled so brightly in the man's eyes so long ago was now little more than a dim fading glow.

*Damn you Black, once more you have proven how incompetent you are! How could you allow this to happen? I may be a cold-hearted bastard, but even I would not have let him suffer to this extent!* Severus's mind screamed out in injustice. Payback would be his though and he grinned at the thoughts of what his mind was already beginning to come up with.

XXXXXXXXX

A full week later, after plans had been discussed, argued over, and finally approved of, the students and staff of Hogwarts saw a notice go up outside the doors of the Great Hall.

'This has to be a joke! Tell me this isn't true?' Ron groaned.

'What's a joke, Ron?' Hermione asked curiously.

'This!' Ron said and pointed to the notice he had been reading. 'He can't be serious about this!'

'On the contrary, I am perfectly serious about this, Mr Weasley. The participation of my students in this endeavour is essential,' Severus said as he quietly snuck up behind the two Gryffindors. 'Is there a problem with the roles in which you both have been cast?'

Ron and Hermione turned and looked at their Potion Professor with a mixture of shock, disbelief and scepticism. 'Oh … no … it's not that, Professor Snape,' Hermione said quickly. 'I think what you're doing is grand, but … well … do you really mean for us to do this … here at school?'

Severus nodded. 'Yes, Ms Granger, I do. I am sure you realise it would be unwise to drag you all out of school; even you, Weasley, cannot fail to see how poorly that would end up. I believe it was the Headmaster himself who said "music is a magic beyond all we do here." You more than anyone should know exactly how much it is we indeed do here, especially as you are so fond of putting your nose where it doesn't always belong,' he sneered.

'Um ... I hate to ask this, Professor, but ...' a new voice began to say effectively cutting off whatever it was Hermione was going to reply, 'how are you going to do this exactly? We don't have a theatre at the school far as I remember.'

Severus turned to gaze intensely at the boy who'd spoken, noting the fact that as he spoke the boy's friends suddenly tensed up. 'It seems you have forgotten that this is a school built with magic, Potter,' he replied. 'Accommodations can always be provided for when they are needed.'

Harry sighed. 'Right, this is Hogwarts after all. Anything can happen here, even things you don't want to happen,' he said dully.

Severus looked at the boy sharply as he heard the tone in his voice. It was clear that the Gryffindor was acting decidedly stranger than normal, and the reaction of his friends wasn't customary either. Making a split second decision he decided to do something drastic, something that would hopefully get the questions he now had answered.

'Mr Potter, you - and only you - will report to my classroom before supper tonight,' he said and glared at Potter's friends. 'That means no tag-alongs, including either of you.'

'Don't worry, I doubt they would come with me anyway,' Harry said bitterly as he glanced at his friends, a strange look in his eyes.

'As if we'd want to,' Ron said, and without another word took Hermione's hand. Hermione glanced at Harry sadly, though she said nothing as she let Ron drag her into the Great Hall.

Severus watched the two of them leave, leaving yet more questions to filter through his already question-filled mind. He wasn't really sure what to say about what he had witnessed, and luckily he didn't have to as more students began to fill up the corridor. Knowing that there was little he could say openly without raising Potter's or anyone else's suspicions, he opted to simply nod at the boy and walk away. He subconsciously headed towards the guest rooms instead of his quarters as he had originally intended. Stopping at one of the doors he knocked and waited, hoping that the person he wished to see was available.

'It's open!'

Severus opened the door and peeked round the corner. 'Are you alone?'

'Yes. Come in won't you?'

Severus walked inside the room and shut the door, placing a locking and silencing charm on it. 'We need to talk, Lupin.'

'Of course, my door is always open to you,' Remus said from the chair near the fireplace he was sitting on. 'Please, sit down.' Severus nodded and sat down, his gaze wandering towards the fire, his thoughts suddenly became jumbled and unfocused. 'Is everything all right, Severus? You seem awfully distracted today.'

'Yes ... and no,' Severus said after a moment. 'It's Potter.'

'Is something wrong with Harry?' Remus asked in concern.

'Have you seen him yet today? Or spoken to him?' Severus asked.

Remus shook his head and sighed. 'No, I haven't. In fact, I haven't really seen or spoken to him since I arrived. Besides, the full moon was last night, remember? I haven't left my room since early yesterday afternoon in fact.'

'You have been making sure the house-elves send you meals?' Severus asked sharply.

Remus nodded and waved his hand towards a small table that had some dishes on it. 'Yes, Father, I've been eating,' he chuckled.

'It is not a joke, Lupin,' Severus scowled. 'You need to take better care of yourself, if not for yourself then at least for the sake of Black and Potter.'

'I see what you're trying to do, Severus, but save your speeches for someone who cares. Now what is this about Harry that has you so preoccupied today?'

Severus decided not to press his luck further by rising to the comment made. He knew if he did Lupin would only get angry, and the last thing Severus wanted was an angry werewolf on his hands the morning after a full moon when they still retained most of their wolf-like abilities.

'To be honest, I am not quite sure what it is about the boy that bothers me,' he said thinking back on what had happened. 'From the looks of things, however, I would hazard a guess that not all is well in Potter's little world.'

'What gives you that idea?' Remus asked curiously.

Severus proceeded to tell Lupin what had taken place in front of the Great Hall. 'So now you see why I am concerned. His eyes spoke more than his mouth, which is even more unusual as the boy tends to have rather much to say,' he said dryly.

Remus grinned. 'Harry is very like James in that respect I suppose. But your right, none of this makes sense, Harry loves the school and being with his friends,' Remus said.

'Exactly,' Severus agreed, 'which is why I am determined we must move along on our plans. The faster we can bring some life back into this school, hopefully the better things will be.'

'I hope so too. Have you any idea who you are going to pick for which roles?' Remus asked.

Severus nodded. 'Yes, in fact I posted the cast list this morning,' he said. He pulled out a sheet of paper from his robes and handed it over to the other man.

Remus scanned it over then all out stared at the list as the information on it sunk in. 'Are ... is this what you really want, Severus?' he asked.

'Is there a problem with the people I've chosen?' Severus asked and turned to look at Remus carefully.

'No … but … he actually agreed to do this?' Remus asked in surprise.

'Believe it or not, he not only agreed to it, he was the only adult that showed up at the auditions,' Severus scowled. 'Frankly I would have preferred someone else, however, it was not to be. There was also the fact he said, and I quote, "I'm always up for a good challenge, especially if I can show you up at something."'

Remus laughed. 'A challenge he knew you wouldn't be able to refuse, that is so like him. Does he even know what the play is about?' Remus asked amused by the strange turn of events.

Severus grinned. 'I did not feel the need to explain things yet. He'll figure it out soon enough.'

'You're incorrigible. He's going to kill himself once he realises what he's got himself into,' Remus chuckled then looked back down at the cast list. 'Good choices on the rest of the cast from what I can see ... however ... there's still one part missing.'

'Oh? And what part would that be?' Severus asked.

'Florence Vassy, the American champion's second. Who will play her? She has a very vital role in this as you know,' Remus said.

'I am aware of that, and in fact, I have already chosen someone to fill the part,' Severus replied.

'I see. And who did you decide on?' Remus asked apprehensively.

'Actually ... I've chosen you,' Severus said.

Remus blinked a few times then looked at Severus in surprise. 'M-Me? But … Severus ... Florence Vassy is a woman ... I am not.'

*Thank the Gods for that* Severus thought to himself. Out loud he said, 'I'm going to alter the part to fit the situation naturally.'

'Oh,' Remus said quietly. 'Why me though? Surely you could have found a female to play her?'

'I made the casting calls as I saw fit, Lupin. Everyone was chosen because I felt they would do justice to their roles ... even you,' Severus said firmly. 'Besides, since none of the staff were willing to audition there was no way I was willing to place a female student in that particular role. The only decent female singer in the whole bloody school is Granger anyway, and I've already cast her for the other female in the production. One that thankfully has limited interactions with the Russian champion or I would not have even considered her for it.'

'Ah yes, Svetlana, I am sure Hermione will do her justice' Remus nodded. 'This should all prove rather interesting once we begin rehearsals. Are you sure about my role in this? Sirius will not be too happy once he finds out the truth.'

'I could care less if Black is happy or not,' Severus scowled. 'The only thing left to decide is whether or not you are willing to take on the role. If you truly do not want to ... well I suppose I shall have to consider an alternative, though Merlin knows who,' Severus said.

Remus focused his gaze on the fire for a few moments then turned back to look at Severus. 'Do you really think you can work it all out if I were to agree to this?' he asked.

Severus nodded. 'As I've already said, it would be a simple change over of some of the spoken parts and lyrics, but yes, I do think it will work.'

Remus smiled. 'Very well then, I accept your offer. After all it's not as if the play is reflecting anything in our real lives so there should be no harm done.'

'Of course not, it's only acting after all. Well then, I best be off. I have a lot to do, and time is of the essence,' he said standing up. 'Oh, and if possible, if you could make your way to my classroom before supper tonight I would appreciate it.'

'Tonight? I haven't anything going on I suppose, so yes, I'll be there,' Remus said.

Severus nodded. 'Tonight then,' he said and undid the charms he'd placed as he made his way towards the door. He was about to leave when he was called back. 'Yes, Lupin?'

'Umm ... is there any chance ... do you possibly ... have any more of that ... potion ... you gave me when I first arrived?' Remus asked hesitantly.

'Why do you ask? I assumed it hadn't worked since you never mentioned anything to me.'

Remus lowered his gaze. 'Oh it worked … very well at that … which is why I didn't want to tell you anything.'

'Oh? Exactly what did it do for you hmm?' Severus asked.

Remus blushed. 'You … do you really need to know that information?' he asked quietly.

'If you want more of the potion, then yes, I need to know,' Severus nodded. 'How well did it work?'

'Err ... that is to say ... what I mean is ...'

'Stop stalling and just say it, Lupin.'

'Fine, fine, I'll tell you. Truth is I haven't experienced such a ... vivid … night-time reaction ... as I did that night. Not for a very long time anyway.'

'I don't follow. What type of reaction do you mean?' Severus asked innocently.

'You really mean for me to spell this out for you, don't you,' Remus grumbled.

'Do you want the potion or not?' Severus asked.

'Oh for Merlin's sake! Yes, all right … I want the blasted potion!' Remus said in aggravation. 'And if you really must know ... let's just say I had to change my sheets by morning. Does that answer your question? Now, will you give it to me again or not?'

Severus looked at Remus strangely. 'I see. So you are asking me to give you more of my personal stores so you can dream like that again ... about Black no doubt ... well, it's hardly incentive to give you more of the potion, now is it,' Severus said then turned once more to go.

'I didn't dream about Sirius.'

Severus stopped short. 'You're lying. Of course you would have dreamt about him, especially as he is not sharing your bed right now as he has been doing for all these years,' he said crossly.

'I'm not lying, Severus, I have no reason to lie about this,' Remus said softly. 'Please ... let me have another phial. I won't ask you again, I swear it ... but please ... let me have one last chance to feel like I did that first night …'

Severus didn't turn around, he couldn't bear to see what he knew would be in the other man's eyes. His mind was already trying to imagine enough things in view of what had been said and that was bad enough. 'Consider it an incentive to show up before supper then,' he said after a moment, and before Lupin could respond he opened the door and left, closing the door firmly behind him.

He realised he'd left the casting list behind but he wasn't about to go back for it. Instead he made his way to his quarters and wrote out a revised list, then headed back to the Great Hall to post it up. He didn't realise, however, that he was being watched, and as he walked away someone came out of the shadows and looked at the new list, a pensive look on his face.

'So that's how you intend to play the game, eh Professor?' the person said softly as his eyes fell on a certain name. *You're not the only one that plans to gain something from this, I do too. I know the play as well as you do, and if it means I have to use every cheat ever devised to get what I want, then so be it. Unlike you I won't have to wait until opening night to make my move … thanks to you my game can begin now …*