Chapter 3


"Ah, Harry, thank you so much for coming up on such short notice. I know how precious weekends are at your age," Dumbledore finished jovially.

"It's alright, professor. My weekends are pretty much non-existent right now with the piles of homework we're constantly getting," joked Harry as he stood in Dumbledore's office.

"Please, sit my boy," Dumbledore gestured to the cushy chair. Harry sat, just as Snape walked in.

Dumbledore beamed at Snape. "Professor, so glad I could steal you for a moment."

Snape glared and sat on the chair next to Harry, ignoring him completely. Dumbledore scooted behind his large desk and looked across at his two companions.

"Harry, let me begin by telling you that when term ends, you will be inducted into the Order of the Phoenix."

Harry's jaw dropped slightly and his eyes lit up. About to speak, Dumbledore stalled him with a quick hand gesture.

"I know you have questions, but first I must say my part."

Harry nodded patiently, looking entranced. Snape merely rolled his eyes.

"Though you are of age, I cannot stress enough how important you are to this whole endeavor. You have known what is at stake for quite some time now. I don't mean to make you sound like an object, but you are valuable to the Order and perhaps to the survival of the entire wizarding world."

Harry swallowed, letting it sink in, though he had heard the same speech before, at other times. This just seemed all too final.

"Therefore," continued the headmaster, "it is our responsibility-our duty to protect you at all costs. Hogwarts cannot confine you forever, as much as it pains me to admit." He sighed, and removed his spectacles, placing them on the table.

"I have asked Severus to personally watch over you, should you ever need him."

"What?" blurted Harry. He cast a horrified sideways glance at the silent potions master.

"Harry, lest I remind you, you are of age and should put past… differences, behind you. You will be working for the same cause now, the same goal. You must accept that with maturity and graciousness."

"And Snape agreed to this?" Harry asked incredulous.

Snape indeed had agreed to watch over the Chosen One-after Albus pleaded non-stop for weeks. Somehow, he had always known that he would be cursed to look over James Potter's only son.

"Professor Snape's time is valuable, and he has consented to do this for me."

"Why can't Remus do it? I'm not saying I'm not grateful or anything, but surely Remus is a far better fit for me."

Snape glared hard at the teen sitting next to him, like he had any right to be there.

"Harry, we did not make this decision lightly. I did discuss it with Remus, and he agreed that Severus was the best choice for this task."

That surprised Snape though he didn't show it. He felt very stifled suddenly and wanted nothing more than to leave.

Harry looked slightly dejected but nodded nonetheless.

"Fine, sir. Can I go now?"

Dumbledore stared a moment before slowly nodding in resolve. After he left, Snape turned his full attention to the headmaster.

"Why would Remus declare such a thing? He'd never turn Potter away," he said resolutely.

"Remus is no fool, Severus. He knows he cannot contend with Voldemort purely based on skill. Plus with his condition…" he trailed off, as if that were enough.

Snape contemplated this silently.

"I assume you will be moving back to Headquarters after term ends?" Dumbledore asked.

Snape frowned, then smoothed his features to indifference.

"Why would you assume that, Albus?"

Dumbledore stared at his potions master silently a moment before replying.

"I merely thought you would enjoy each other's company," he said cryptically.

Snape got to his feet and glared down at Dumbledore.

"Well you thought wrong, Albus."


Snape sat by the fire, contemplating his bleak existence. His elbow rested on the arm of the leather chair while he subconsciously grazed his ink-stained fingers across his bottom lip. Deep in thought, he barely heard the soft knock on his door.

He certainly didn't want to deal with Dumbledore at the moment, he miserably thought as he answered the door. But it wasn't the Headmaster that stood at the threshold.

Severus's mouth went dry as he saw Remus standing there, looking very uncertain.

"Evening, Severus. Sorry to disturb you, but may I come in?"

He should have slammed the door in his face, but instead Severus stepped back, allowing entrance. He closed the door slowly, silently pausing before turning towards the waiting werewolf.

Remus had both hands in his pocket and his stance was uncertain and hesitant. Snape noticed all of this warily.

"I do not have all night, Lupin," Snape declared after an uncomfortable moment of silence.

Remus nodded apologetically. "I just came to say goodbye," he whispered uncertainly.

Snape's heartbeat increased dramatically and he couldn't stop the frown from forming.

"Where are you going?" he managed.

"Dumbledore asked me to return to Greyback. To his pack. We badly need information-"

"So he sends you? Severus Snape is rendered useless for information, so let's try another route?" Snape bit out angrily.

"It's not like that, Severus. This could prove invaluable to the Order."

"Not if you are dead." Snape finished coldly.

"I can handle Greyback."

"But not the Dark Lord."

Remus took offense at that. "I'm no coward, Severus. Nor am I a fool. Dumbledore supplied me with a Portkey-"

"Remus if the Dark Lord takes one look into your mind we are both finished," Snape finished, near hysteria.

"The Portkey will be activated before I get near him, Severus. Don't worry, I'm perfectly aware how valuable you are to the cause," Remus finished bitterly.

"Don't do this, Remus. It isn't necessary."

"What do you care, Severus? When have you ever cared about anything but yourself?"

Snape wanted to tell him to go to hell, but for once he couldn't bring himself to lie, so he stayed silent. Remus shook his head and made to leave.

Snape grabbed his arm, not even knowing why he did it. Remus too seemed surprised.

"I'm asking you not to go."

"Don't start, Severus. You don't get to control me like you do your students."

Severus tightened his grip. "You left me, remember?" he said was a cold glare.

"And you just couldn't bear it, could you? Tell me Severus-why does it feel like I just wasted a year of my life?"

Severus knew he had never heard Remus this cruel or bitter before. Not even when Black died. He knew he deserved it but it hurt nonetheless.

"I'm sorry you feel that way," Snape could only reply, releasing his hold of the werewolf's arm. His cold demeanor was back in force. He hated feeling like this; not even the Dark Lord could jar his emotions so.

"Do give my regards to Greyback." And with that, Snape withdrew to his lab, leaving Remus at the door.


Remus could barely breathe as he finally left Hogwarts. He tried not to read too much into Severus' words, but they haunted him regardless.

He knew Severus was stubborn and scornful, and he kept telling himself this was the right course of action. He had more important matters to attend to, but deep down he knew his heart wasn't in it.

He apparated to the seediest bar he'd ever been to, which just happened to be a hot spot for werewolves. He had been there before, gathering whatever information he could find.

He knew this was the best place to start tracking down Greyback. The most notorious werewolf surely had followers all about, and that was what Remus had to find out. He really wished he had a clarifying potion on hand, for he had no clue how he would be able to concentrate on the task at hand.

He sighed heavily as he entered the bar and prayed for a quick visit.


Chapter 4 coming soon!