A/N: I won't be updating much for the whole of Nov. I'm afraid. I'm starting a novel for Nation Novel Writing Month tomorrow and have to finish it by the end of the month...

For info on updates on my other stories and just me in personal check out my journal:

http:wwwdot)livejournal(dot)com/users/job(underscore)12(underscore)3/

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Betrayed With a Kiss

Chapter Two: New Beginnings and Old Hatreds

"Actions have been justified,

All is compromised,

Looking for approval there

In someone else's eyes,

Oh dodging all that you really are

Becomes your greatest task.

Acting out your lonely part,

You hide behind your mask."

-Michael W. Smith "Goin' Through the Motions"

-.-

It was strange being within the walls of Hogwarts without Sirius. He had arrived less than an hour ago, and yet he wished to leave already. Each portrait, classroom and familiar face only served to remind Remus of better days.

He was the only Marauder left now. Two dead, one a traitor, it seemed the future had become much darker than what the four boys had ever imagined, spending their days on pranks and girls. He would trade those days for these in a heartbeat, but that never had been the way that things turned out. He was older now, and with that age came the inevitable wisdom of experience. Sadly wisdom never had been worth the pain which came with it, at least not for Remus. It ripped away much of the security in faith, and stripped the world bare until it was far uglier than the beauty a child could see.

But for the next several months this would be his home. As he unpacked his few well-worn possessions he resigned himself to the reality of this situation. It was far better than being cooped up in Sirius's old house at any rate.

-.-

Dinner that night started out as a fairly relaxing affair. The other teachers were tremendously glad to see him as the new Defense teacher, especially considering the previous year's.

He sat between Hagrid and Minerva, entertaining the mindless chatter which the former provided him. After listening for minutes, however, Remus found his attention wavering. He glanced across the staff table to see Snape and the Headmaster deep in discussion. That wasn't all too strange though, but upon looking closer he noticed the anger gracing each man's face. So they were fighting.

It wasn't all too uncommon to see Snape fighting with someone, but he always had been more respectful towards the Headmaster. The old man and potions master had been rather close since Snape turned spy, Remus knew.

So what was their cause to fight now? Somehow Remus had the sneaking suspicion it involved Snape's report a few days before. He wasn't allowed to wonder long though, as Hagrid had chosen that exact moment to ask him a question, "Yeh gunna teach 'em third years theh Grindylow again?"

"Er, yes." Remus tore his gaze from Snape and Dumbledore. "I was thinking on expanding a bit more and teaching them of dementors this year. All theory of course."

Hagrid smiled wryly. "'O course."

-.-

It wasn't until several days after arriving at the school that Remus actually had the chance to speak with Snape and ask the question that had been burning in his mind.

Another full moon had arrived, and with it the lycanthrope's monthly potion. Hurriedly finishing lessons plans so as to be done before the start of school, he had almost forgotten of it until the sharp knock resounded on his office door. "Come in," he called out distractedly. He glanced up to see Snape sweep into the room with the steaming goblet held lightly in his hand.

"Ah thank you, Severus," he said with a smile retrieving the goblet.

The other man simply nodded curtly and turned to leave, only to be stopped when Remus called him back. "Severus?"

"Yes?" the man in question turned to face him, looking as if just being there tried his patience.

"When Albus offered me the Defense post, you bid me accept it. Why?"

Remus noticed the tightening in the other man's jaw and wondered briefly if he would even receive an answer. After a long moment though, Snape did reply. "What does it matter should I want you here or not? None of you care to listen to my opinion," he snapped. "I told you to take it because it was much easier than fighting for it. Either way I would not obtain the post."

"That's not true!" Remus said defensively.

"Is it not?"

Silence stretched between them as the words hung in the air between them. Then Snape spoke again, "You are just as blind and prejudiced as the wizards you are fighting. Who do you think created men like me?" With that the potions master whirled around and stalked out of the office.

He was right, Remus knew. Oh how he was right. He drank the potion quickly, the rank taste lingering in his mouth. He set down his quill and let to retire to his rooms, too tired to think on the implications of what had passed between himself and the other wizard.

-.-

The remainder of summer holidays passed rather uneventful for Remus, as he'd spent much of his time preparing for school to start again. This year he was determined to catch up the students from their past professors' failures to teach them much of anything. It was more important now than ever, when the war had already begun. The students needed to learn to fight, and he would teach them too. He had no other choice if he hoped to see them through the war. As he watched the older students seat themselves in the Great Hall, he knew that he had his job cut out for him. It would not be easy keeping them all safe. If he truly admitted it to himself he would know that it was impossible.

The hall watched silently as the first years lined up for the Sorting Hat, and again while the hat sang it's song.

"Though you enter this first together,

With me you shall divide,

Into the house these next years

Where you will reside.

--

Should it be Slytherin,

The cunning and the sure

Or perhaps to Gryffindor

With strength and valor.

Maybe to Ravenclaw you will go,

With intelligence and pride

Or it could be Hufflepuff,

The loyal and the tried.

--

Yet this year I know the price,

Of separating you now,

It's in this war where you'll need

To stay together somehow.

--

It is with my deepest sorrow,

To take you thus apart,

For it is here in this hall

Where the rivalry starts.

--

And though you may not heed

The warnings I supply,

It is with these

That you have hope to survive.

--

So put me on, I'll decide your fate,

Where you'll be forevermore.

Though I know that it's better should you,

Be one instead of four."

The rip in the Sorting hat closed, and several of the younger students trembled at the warning. The older students hardly breathed a word during the sorting, with clapping much subdued. They had already seen the price of house division, but still seemed unwilling to do anything about it.

And it was this unwillingness to act that would be their downfall. The hat was right. But how could one destroy a rivalry that has lasted for several hundred years already?

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TBC...

A/N: Do I need to ask you to review? Please Review! :) I'm afraid I don't have enough time tonight to reply to all my reviewers individually, but I will when I do get the time!! For now thank you all soooooooooo much!!! I really do love you guys and was rushing to get this one out for you. I think I may have rushed few a couple of scenes, but am overall satisfied (at least for now) with this chapter. I didn't even do too horribly with the song!