Chapter 6

Short, I know. The next chapter is much longer. Reviews are appreciated!

The end of the school year was bittersweet for Severus. Finally rid of Harry Potter from his classroom forever, he was mentally reminding himself that he would still have to put up with him, being a full-fledged Order member and all.

It was with an annoyed, heavy mind that he, along with most of the noted members, received Potter as one of their own, and Molly of course had to throw a party.

Severus dreaded attending, but knew he had no choice, being Potter's protector. He shuddered at the thought as he entered Grimmauld Place, discreetly carrying his travel trunk.

He managed to run up to Remus's room, unobserved, un-shrink his belongings and hurry back downstairs before anyone even noticed he was there in the first place.

He found Remus surrounded by Potter and his annoying friends. Dumbledore was chatting with McGonagall and a few others so he poured himself some wine and strived to look as bored as possible.

Nobody attempted to talk to him, which was perfectly fine, thought Severus, taking sip after sip.

Finally, Remus disengaged himself from the pack and casually walked over to Severus, grabbing a glass of wine for himself along the way.

"Good evening, Severus," he said congenially.

"Lupin."

Remus hid a smile behind his glass as he took a long swig.

"Glad to be done with classes?"

"You've no idea…"

Remus smiled again, then turned serious. Quietly, he said, "I'm really glad you agreed to be Harry's protector. He may not think so now, but one day he will be glad of it."

"Not like I had any real choice in the matter," Snape replied, throwing a glare at Dumbledore.

"Still, it eases my mind."

"I'm so glad," replied Severus sarcastically.

Minerva came up to them then with a smirk on her face.

"Severus Snape…actually socializing with human beings?"

He glared at her as she giggled in that annoying way of hers and went to get another drink.

He was barely inside the kitchen when he was assaulted from behind.

Remus pounced on him, grabbing him roughly and pushing him against the nearest wall. Heat flared within Snape as Remus pressed his body flush against him, his mouth an inch from his ear.

"I can't wait until all these people leave," he whispered in a voice that nearly undid Severus right then and there. He felt Lupin's hands snake down his body, grazing over the front of his suddenly tight trousers.

"Are you insane? Do you want someone to walk in?" Snape replied in a harsh whisper that didn't fool Remus in the least. The werewolf took a step back, his feral eyes mentally undressing Severus.

He grabbed the fronts of Severus's jacket and pulled him forward, lips against lips. The kiss lasted all of two seconds before he pushed the other man back against the wall.

Still eyeing Snape, Remus licked his lips in an obscene way and calmly left the room, leaving Snape ragged and horny as hell.

Severus swallowed hard and stood in the empty kitchen for a minute, willing his erection away. He straightened his clothing and tried to fix his hair before returning to the party in a dour mood. He knew the next few hours would be torture…

The humid air seemed to permeate the bedroom as Remus and Severus lay in bed, moist from head to toe.

Nearly two in the morning and not a wink of sleep. That's what you get for getting involved with a werewolf, thought Severus as he lay entangled with said creature.

By the time the party ended and everyone left, they barely even made it into the bedroom before their clothing was left in many different heaps on the floor.

Snape was feeling like sleep would be possible when Remus decided to speak.

"Severus?"

"Mmm."

"I have to go away for a bit again."

The way he said 'again' made Snape mentally frown. He twisted from his comfortable position to look at Remus.

"Should I even bother to guess where?" he asked with a hint of severity.

Remus sighed in answer.

"Leave it alone, Remus," Severus said in a surprisingly gentle tone.

"It's for the Order, Severus, you know this," replied Remus with some annoyance.

"It's not necessary. You put yourself in harm's way for nothing."

"As do you."

Severus frowned and sat up. "It isn't the same. I sealed my fate long ago. You may think I have a choice, but I don't. I risk my life each and every time and I'm prepared for it. What you are doing is just senseless."

"If I can help in some way, I will," Remus finished resolutely.

Severus didn't wish to make Remus sound useless but deep down he knew the man was on a foolish undertaking-one that didn't make much sense. He really didn't know what Remus was trying to prove.

"Don't go."

Remus looked at Severus for a long moment, then said, "If I asked the same of you, would you do it, for me?"

Severus looked away, and Remus got his answer.