Bad Moon Rising

The night of the full moon is here, consequences are revealed, and a friendship is evolving...

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The morning of the full moon came too quick it seemed. Remus woke up from his deep slumber and laid in bed remembering the vivid dream.

He was in what appeared to be a study or an office and Snape was standing before him with a stern expression on his face while holding the cane with both hands, bending the flexible instrument. He had no control over the situation and every time he attempted to rebel, he was immediately cut off by Severus. He had no choice and was bent over the large desk, holding on tight, awaiting for the cane to bite into his tender, exposed flesh. The dream seemed so real to him and he felt his heart racing as he remembered.

He tried to shake it off and busy himself to get prepared for the day. He knew he would be detained in the basement with Severus' supervision over the event to make sure he would not escape. The location of the cottage was remote from the townspeople but he still didn't want to take any chances.

After breakfast, he showered and wore simple clothes that he did not mind destroying. He was donned in old black dress pants and a loose fitting grey t-shirt. He chose not to wear shoes because he was down to his last good pair and was trying to save all the money he was able. He hated when these nights were on coming. He absolutely dreaded transformations.

Making his way down to the basement, he looked over the chains and manacles. He took out an old cloth as well as the cleaning solutions and began cleaning his restraints. He was not looking forward to being chained but it was for the best. After all, the entire situation could have been avoided but he made yet another horrible choice and it was his burden that this was needed in the first place. If he had just went to Severus to get the potion, he could spend the evening doing something else like working on his reference's parchment to seek employment. He mentally kicked himself for not doing the right thing. Hopefully, he would change all that before long and learn to accept the help. Severus wasn't a complete villain. He had questionable characteristics about him but he did seem as though he honestly wanted to lend a hand and, as it happens, Remus knew that he needed that help.

The basement had very little light with the exclusion of a small barred up window. Remus carefully cleaned the equipment and uncontaminated it so that if it happened they cut into him, he would not have to deal with having an infection. He turned his mind to the chore at hand and busied himself to get the past days' events shoved to the back of his worried mind.

He began to attach the chains to the wall which would hold him. He had been chained to this very wall for more than two decades, it was nothing new to him. He began to lead the chains across the floor and ensured that the heavy metal door's locks were in prime working order. As he his mind was into the job, he didn't hear Severus enter the room behind him.

"Good afternoon, Lupin. I see that you have been quite busy this morning."

Turning around, he stood up straight and smiles shyly, "Yes. I wanted to get an early start to make sure everything was taken care of to-to hold me tonight."

Severus walked across to stand in front of the werewolf and inspected the equipment, "You have done a wonderful job cleaning the chains and manacles. Are they strong enough to hold you?"

"Yes. They have held me time and again over the years. You should have no trouble from me tonight. I thank you for being in the cottage."

"Yes, well. I have come prepared and will be able to fend off anything that would happen to go wrong. Is the door going to hold you in case you break the door down?"

Remus nodded as he walked over to the giant metal door, "I am strong in my Werewolf state but this door is more than enough to hold me. The room is very well reinforced with strong brick. The only thing that you will hear tonight is-I am not really for certain, but possibly a lot of snarling and howling."

"Good. Is there anything else you need?"

"I usually like to have straw or hay lining the floor that is fresh. It will help me keep warm as the stony floor can get rather cold."

Nodding, Severus took out his wand and cast a spell which covered the floor with warm hay. "There, that should do it."

"Thank you. I reckon the only left to do now is to wait for dusk to come."

The two men started to walk upstairs to the main floor of the cottage and sat in front of the fireplace. Remus kept recollecting the dream he had and averted his eyes each time he look at Severus for a bit too long. Severus wanted to question about what Dumbledore said but didn't know how to start that conversation.

Remus leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, warming his hands at the fireplace. Severus watched quietly. The silence was very unsettling and Severus breathed in, "Have-Have you thought about the proposal I made yesterday morning, Lupin?"

Remus casually nodded, not taking his eyes on the dancing flames.

"I went to see Dumbledore after you left. He instructed me on how to use the cane. Of course, he is a very adept teacher."

"Oh, I imagine he is, Severus. He always has been well suited to educate people of various lessons."

Snape arched a brow at the statement, "Oh?"

"Well, he has been Headmaster for a very long time and has been our teacher when he had to fill in for some of the Professors."

"True," Severus wanted to ask more questions but he was nervous. He attempted to cover this by continually showing his normal face.

Remus could sense that Severus' pulse was quickening. The werewolf senses were normally a bit heightened around the time of his transformation. He gazed at Severus and smiled crookedly, finding Severus uneasiness a slight bit entertaining. Rubbing his hands together, he leaned back and crossed his legs.

"Severus. I still have not made a decision on the caning. I just need more time-"

"I understand."

"Please, let me finish," Severus was taken aback by Remus' interrupting but allowed him to continue. "I have been caned before and the memory of how vulnerable I was, I just am unsure, you see."

Nodding, "Yes, Dumbledore was-"

"Please, tell me he didn't tell you."

"Well, he kind of told me-"

"He either told you or he didn't tell you," he was finding it more than bizarre exactly why Dumbledore was interfering to this extent: telling Severus where he was, suggesting that he cane him, and going as far as this-he would have to find out the whys soon.

"I mean, he told me that you were caned by him when you were in school but he told me nothing of the reason why you were punished."

"He didn't?"

"No, he told me that you would have to be the one to divulge that information."

"How kind of him."

"Remus, don't be upset."

"I'm not upset but I am extremely confused."

"Would you like to tell me about it?"

"You are already learning more about me every day. What's one more thing going to hurt?"

Severus nodded and leaned back in his chair to listen.

"The day that you were-tormented in school, the day James and the others had you in the air, I honestly didn't care for that at all. I didn't do anything to stop them, as you know, but it didn't mean that it did not trouble me. When we were back in the Gryffindor tower that evening, I was not feeling well to begin with and the sounds of them were bothering me. They were bragging and carrying on about what they did to you. I decided to sneak out in the middle of the night while they were all asleep to go to the lake by myself, just to have a few moments alone. Filch caught me-"

"Filch? He must have terrified you."

"Yes, he startled me and grabbed me up to lead me to the Headmaster's office by the ear. It was the third time that I had been caught and he had no choice but to cane me. Unfortunate even more so, Filch had to be the witness in the entire matter. I only was given four strokes but they were still enough to leave an impression-in every sense of the word."

"I can only imagine. I didn't know that Headmaster caned when we were in school."

"He normally didn't. Usually, it was just detention but I can be hard headed."

Severus scoffed, "You're telling me."

Lupin looked at the Potion's Master and smirked.

"I can be difficult but the mischief I got into was usually for mere pranks or wanting to steal a moment or two alone. I didn't get caught much after that. I just got better."

"How so?"

Lupin looked at the clock on the wall and smiled, "That is a discussion for another time."

"Well. I am disappointed that you didn't stop them but I suppose I am grateful that you didn't take joy in my misery."

"Why would I? You never really did any harm to me. I am sorry I never had the bravery of a Gryffindor to step in."

Severus didn't know what to say. He was beginning to push aside his loathing of Lupin and he wasn't sure how to react.

"The sun is starting to go down, Severus. We should start making the preparations for me downstairs."

"Yes, better to go ahead and get you situated."

As they walked their way to the basement, Severus noticed that Remus didn't have on any shoes, "Why are you barefoot, Lupin?"

"I don't see any sense in destroying my last pair. These clothes will be ravaged in the morning. I don't see the point."

Severus nodded and allowed the other man to enter the room before himself. He noticed the sun quickly growing lower out of the small window and stood in front of the chains. Severus picked up one of the manacles gingerly and Lupin held out his slender wrist. He winced as the cold metal touched his flesh and fastened around him. Severus picked up the other and clasped it to his other hand. Remus said nothing as he was being restrained and Severus fell to his knees to retrieve the ones for his ankles. He looked up to Remus sympathetically as he pushed up the legs of his pants to expose his ankles. The cold metal sent chills across Remus' flesh as he was now completely secure for the night.

Standing up to his full height in front of Lupin, he tested out the strength of his bonds. Judging that he was secure, "I believe you will be fine for the evening. The chains look to be long enough to give you room to move around. I am going to get some water for you."

Severus turn to go back up the stairs and Remus sat on the floor with his back to the wall . He shook his hands and the sounds of chains echoing bounced off the stone. He looked up to the ceiling with a frustrated sigh. He would go to Dumbledore's as soon as this was over and his strength returned. He had to find out what he was planning. He acknowledged Severus as he came back down with the water he promised with a appreciative smile.

"The sun is almost down and the moon will rise soon. Is there anything else I should know before I leave you here?"

Remus thought quizzically, "You should know that I am glad that you are here. I know we have our differences, but I am very thankful."

Severus smiled inwardly but kept his stoic expression, "I am merely doing what is right, Lupin. All will be out of harm's way tonight while you're chained up."

Lupin could tell that Severus was having just as much difficulty trusting as he was and nodded, "Yes. I will see you when this is over?"

"I will stay the night and will make sure you are unchained in the morning."

Snape turned heel and felt a small smile creep upon his lips. He shut the metal door with a resounding BANG and turned the key, locking the metal door completely.

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That evening...

The bright, full moon hung in the sky and Severus kept his eyes trained on the cause for the noise he was hearing below him. Every time the werewolf would howl, he jumped and tried to ignore the sounds.

Downstairs, Lupin watched as the moon started to become more in view. He gulped and felt his face contorting, hearing his clothes rip, and his bones crunching as he turned into the werewolf. The last thing he remembered was arching his back and let out a blood curdling howl through the night. The wolf pulled at the manacles and tried to free himself. He craved to roam the night and fought the heavy chains but to no avail. After hours of fighting his restraints, the Wolf had finally tired himself out and laid on the floor exhausted.

When the sounds stopped, Severus made his way downstairs and looked through the small rectangle to see the fully grown werewolf laying on the floor sleeping. He entertained the idea of entering but quickly dismissed the idea. He had already been face to face with the monster twice in his life and did not want to relive the experience. He turned away after sliding the window on the door shut and went upstairs to Remus' room. He let his body drop in Remus' bed to attempt sleep for a few hours.

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The sunlight's rays emitted into the small basement, hitting Remus' eyes and awakened him from his slumber. He moved and heard the chains rustling with his movements. Remembering where he was, he bit his lower lip to hold back the pain and sat up straight while resting his back on the wall. He felt weak and cold. He no longer wore his shirt and saw it across the floor ripped to shreds and his pants were no longer pants, but remnants of cloth. He held out his arms with palms up and looked at the scars and blood covering them. Undoubtedly, he scratched himself at some point during the night. He saw that his wrist were rubbed raw from the heavy shackles covering them. His feet were in the same condition and every muscle in his body screamed in agony. He thought, "I did this to myself."

Closing his eyes, he tried to prepare himself to deal with the pain. He meditated on hopefully getting Snape to come and release him so he could take a long, hot bath that his muscles screamed out for. With a groan, he fell over to the side and laid on the hay. It helped with the chill to his body. The basement, despite it being summer, still felt cold to him.

Severus looked at the clock and noticed it was after noon and shot out of bed. He normally didn't sleep in so late but he was kept up last night. He jolted down to the basement, walking quickly, and went to the metal door. Unlocking it, he stepped inside to see the man in a bloody heap on the floor. He grimaced and approached him cautiously. Resting a gentle hand on Remus' bare shoulder, "Can you hear me, Lupin?"

Remus' eyes opened groggily as he looked up to Severus, "Yes." He whispered faintly.

Severus took the key from his robes and began to unlock the heavy cuffs, removing them from Lupin's wrist. He saw the skin rubbed raw on his skin and the scratches covering his body. He tried as easily as he could to remove them from the other man.

"Can you walk?"

"I can try," Remus replied as he stood up, using the wall to support himself. Knees shaking, he attempted to make a step forward but his body was too weakened and he stumbled foward. Severus caught him under his arms and sighed. Not saying a word, he picked up Lupin and cradled him in his arms. As Remus rested his head on Severus' chest, Snape turned to walk out of the cold, damp room and walked slowly back up the stairs to Remus' bedroom. He laid him on the warm sheets carefully and went to the bathroom to get a bowl of hot water with soap and a washcloth. He moved a chair closer to the bed when he returned and sat beside the injured man.

Wringing out the washcloth, he put it to Remus' scars and abrasions gently but the action still resulted in a hiss of discontent from Lupin. Severus smiled down gently and took his time as he cleaned the blood from him. He shook his head as he thought, "You did this to yourself, you silly werewolf."

Severus picked up the dry towel and started to remove the water from Remus' skin. He carefully took the antibiotic ointment and spread it over the cuts to ensure that he wouldn't suffer an infection. He saw Remus' eyes looking up at him and cleared his throat, "I know you're thinking I could simply use magic to heal you. I won't, though."

Remus looked up at the man confused.

"While I am here to help you, I find that it is better to let them heal on their own. You should feel better in the next few days because I will give you treatment in this manner for your cuts. I once took away the scars and offered for this to never happen again. Unfortunately, you didn't take action so you will let these wounds heal naturally in order to learn."

"I understand. Thank you for cleaning these for me."

"I will give you this potion, however to ease some of the pain. It won't heal you completely but you should be able to sleep with it."

Remus took the potion and nodded his gratitude. He vowed that next month he would definitely take the Wolfsbane Potion from Severus. In the meantime, he would sleep with the aid of this potion and when his strength returned, he had a visit to his old Headmaster and employer to make.

TBC~

A/N: Thank you to my new followers and to my readers. I really am hoping you are enjoying the story and are doing well. Comments? Suggestions? Critics? You know where to leave them. Might post another chapter tonight after I feast on tacos. *nomnomnom* :D