The two days before the full moon was set to rise went by very quickly for Remus. He was full of nerves and panic as the time drew thin. Severus had remained mostly out of sight of both he and Sirius.

The potions master never seemed to come down for meals and they never caught the man cooking. One of two signs he was even there were the dirtied dishes that were found in the sink periodically. The only other sign were the line of cauldrons along the countertop.

Each puffed off different smells ranging from moderately pleasant to vile. Neither of them knew what was brewing in any of them, even though Sirius made a point to bitch about the stench whenever he passed the kitchen. Remus hated to agree with him, but the commingled smells made it hard to enjoy any meals and they had to make do in the den.

By early evening as the sun was just starting to sink on the horizon, Severus made his appearance. Remus and Sirius were playing Exploding Snap at the kitchen table when Snape appeared. Sirius sat staring past Remus' shoulder when Snape came in, too preoccupied with his gawking to remember the card game. The pile of cards let out a harsh bang and scorched the animagus' eyebrows.

"Earth to Sirius," Remus waved a hand in front of his friend's face, turning about to see what the man was staring at.

Severus was at the counter grating some root into one of the cauldrons. The potions master wore not a stitch of black clothing and his lank hair was pulled away from his face, tied at the nape of his neck in a length of sable cloth.

"Severus," Remus breathed, blinking in confusion. It was rare to see Snape without his robe's on, let alone in anything with a semblance of color: mahogany slacks, white button-down shirt and a stained off-white apron.

"Not now, Lupin, I need to concentrate," Snape bit out, trying to carefully level out exactly three teaspoons of ground Dog Fennel petals. He shook the powder evenly across the surface of one of the cauldrons, stirring quickly three times clockwise before jumping back and throwing his right arm over his face. The pot let out an ear-splitting bang and evergreen fumes smoked the kitchen.

"What the hell was that?" Sirius shouted over the ringing in his ears.

The other two wizards didn't hear him even though he stood a few feet away. Snape withdrew his wand and soon had the smoke cleared out of the room and turned quickly back to the cauldrons on the counter.

After a number of minutes, the ringing died down to a buzz and Sirius demanded an answer to his question.

"It was a reaction, Black," Severus spoke a little too loudly, not bothering to glare at the animagus since he was too busy with his potions. "Fennel does not mix well with a Muscatine juice base."

"Then why and the hell did you do it?" Sirius growled, surveying the vibrant stain that had spread up the wall from the cauldron.

"Because it is what the recipe calls for. You may think you know everything, Black, but the undertones of potion making goes beyond your aptitude of knowledge. Much like everything else." Severus turned about-face in time to catch Sirius by the wrist as the animagus swung his fist.

"Don't fuck with these," Snape hissed in a low menacing tone, "or your friend may find himself in an agonizing predicament in only a few hours."

Sirius stiffened at the threat, "Why? What have you done?" The animagus jerked on his arm, trying to free himself but Snape was steadfast.

"Nothing!" A quick flash of some unmasked emotion crossed Snape's eyes and Sirius relaxed. The potions master actually looked hurt at what he had said.

Snape let him free when the death-threat glare left Sirius' face. He turned back to his brews and stirred them all with separate utensils. "It doesn't matter if you trust me, Black," Snape said coldly. He looked over his shoulder at Remus as he plucked up a vial from the counter.

"I do trust you, Severus. You've never given me reason to distrust you," Lupin said carefully, believing that was what Snape wanted to hear. The potions master had been brewing concoctions for his consumption for better than a year, and with each month that passed the potion grew more productive. He had no reason to be leery of what Severus made.

Snape gave him a level look for a moment and held the vial out. Remus reached out to take it, but Severus withdrew it enough so it was not within his reach. "Just look at it."

Both Remus and Sirius looked at the corked vial. Remus was the first to recognize what it contained and he flinched backward, knocking into the table. Sirius caught hold of him and snatched the bottle from Snape's hand. He held it up to the light and snarled.

"What is this for?" He demanded with a howl.

"It is for this potion," Snape jabbed a finger at the last pot, stretching into his toes to snatch back the little vial.

"You want Remus to take a potion with silver in it?!" Sirius grabbed Severus by the neck and hauled him around, slamming his back against the table.

Snape grunted and hooked his heel around Sirius' knee, jerking forward and collapsing the animagus. Sirius fell on top of him and slammed his head against the hard tabletop. Blinking away the stars, Snape drove his elbow into Sirius' stomach and caught the vial as it fell from Sirius' fingers.

Shoving the wheezing animagus off of him, Severus pressed his free hand to the swollen welt across his lower back and hobbled back to the sideboard. "It will not kill you, Lupin," he promised, stepping toward the werewolf. Remus tried not to shy away but still flinched when Snape drew close.

Severus sneered, turning violently back to his pots. He unstoppered the vial of liquid silver and tipped seven drops into the bubbling fluid. As each touched the searing potion, they hissed and let off a tiny puff of steam.

He closed the vial and slipped it into his pocket. With a wary look at Sirius, Snape set up a complicated ward that would keep the other two from tampering with his potions. Sirius had finally regained his breath but was uncharacteristically standing back and watching.

Snape turned his onyx gaze to Lupin and frowned. "You said you trusted me, Lupin, now is time to see if your faith has weight." With a spin on his heel, Severus stalked from the kitchen.

Remus and Sirius stared at the open doorway where the potions master had disappeared. Lupin flinched when the door upstairs slammed shut.

"You aren't going to take that," Sirius said quietly into the silence. Remus looked over at his friend, seeing the strong resolve in his face. "I don't care what he claims it will do, Remy. There's no way I'm letting him give that to you."

Remus nodded numbly. He wanted to trust Severus about this, but it was hard to believe the last potion could possibly be good for him.

...oOo...

Severus remained elusive as night fell. Sirius and Remus tried to put the bubbling potions out of their minds but it still hung somewhere in the back like a festering boil.

Sirius had been keeping himself busy in the basement to keep Remus from worrying needlessly about his upcoming change. The animagus had cleared out the section of the basement that would have been a wine cellar except it was void of alcohol. It was a perfect little room for their purpose. Not too small for claustrophobia, but not too large.

Sirius had found that Remus did well with a certain amount of space. An intimate size that wasn't crowding or cavernous.

As the moon threatened to rise, Remus went into the basement with a promise from Sirius that he retrieve Snape from his room. No matter what they were leery of, Severus still knew more about what may or may not be happening within him. Personally, Remus was hoping to prove Severus wrong.

"You can just leave those up here," Remus heard Sirius yell from the stairs. Severus' stalking gait could be heard on the stones and Lupin shivered. He knew that Sirius was talking about the potions from the counter.

"Forget it, Black! I'll have them if I need them."

Remus was sitting naked, only housed in a terry cloth bathrobe when Severus came into view. He gave him a weak smile and unconsciously tugged his robe ends tighter. Snape paused in the small entryway, gazing about himself at the rather confining space.

"Come on in," Lupin joked lamely.

Severus sat down in the far corner diagonally across from Remus. The werewolf knew that Snape had done so--whether unconsciously or not--so that he had the most space between them. The potions master was still wearing the odd clothing only this time without the apron.

Shivering, Remus rubbed at his arms and sighed heavily.

"Do you usually force yourself into the coldest places you can find?"

Lupin smiled a little, "Most secure places don't have central heating."

The potions master frowned, "The Wolfsbane does not give you enough control?"

"Yes," Remus nodded, smiling up at Sirius as the man entered and pulled the door shut behind him. "But I feel more comfortable when I know I can't escape, just in case. And with tonight's possible problems, I don't want to be able to get out."

Snape paled at the last sentence, but nodded his understanding.

"Soon now, Remy," Sirius muttered, easing himself down beside his friend. "I've got the basement stairs sealed."

"Thanks, Padfoot."

The trio sat in silence as the moon began to rise. Severus had balled himself up tight into the corner, watching Remus unwaveringly with hooded eyes. Remus tried not to stare back at him, but the attention was raising the hairs on the back of his neck. Slowly, his senses began to heighten as the moon broke from the horizon and began to peak.

The reek of fear filled the room to excess. The entirety wafted from Severus and Remus felt a hollow, raw hole in his stomach at the realization. He wanted to apologize, but there was no reason to, it wasn't his fault he was a beast.

A slow prickling started up Lupin's spine. He hissed as the prickle turned into a slow burn. Severus was on his feet before Remus could fall onto his side. Sirius stood in Snape's way, pushing the potions master into the corner.

"Easy Moony," Sirius soothed, dropping to his friend's side.

Remus hiccupped in air and pushed himself upright against the wall again. The muscles in his chest twisted violently. Sirius dropped down beside him, gathering him up tightly into his arms and holding him against his chest. Remus gasped, staring at his hands. The fingers of his hands spasmed and the tendons felt like snapping.

Severus stood with his back pressed against the wall, drawing hard ragged breaths. Remus was spasming against Sirius' hold, his eyes were wide and watering as he stared down at his hands. Snape watched, biting his tongue as his stomach roiled. The fingers began to shrink and curl into claws.

"Severus..." Remus chuffed, eyes wide and panicky. Severus snapped out of his horror as his name was spoken. The werewolf wasn't looking up at him, and Snape stood still. "...so sorry..." he growled, bending back hard into Sirius.

The animagus let out a hard huff of breath as it was squeezed from his lungs. His blue eyes were vibrant and dilated as he looked up at Snape over Remus' head.

The snapping of cartilage was wet and harsh, Remus fell to his side--dragging Sirius with him--as his spine realigned and his bones twisted into shape. The werewolf lay fully formed on the floor of the wine cellar, panting hard into the stones.

Severus was still against the wall, heart pounding hard enough in his chest to break free. The wolf raised its head, turning glowing, lupine eyes to him and Snape's knees buckled. Before Severus' behind hit the floor, the wolf was up and stepping toward him.

"No," Sirius said sternly, rising from his spot on the floor. He tugged none too gently on Lupin's ear until the wolf turned his head. "No, Moony," the animagus said again more gently.

The wolf sat down on its haunches, turning glowing eyes back to Snape. The potions master was quivering, nearing a panic attack.

Sirius opened the door of the wine cellar with his wand. "Come on, Moony," he called, walking slowly out of the room. The wolf cast a last look over at Snape and walked into the main basement.

Severus stayed slumped against the wall hugging his knees to his chest. His dark eyes were wide and he stared unblinkingly at the doorway waiting for the large beast to bound back in and attack him.

He started as a shadow moved in the entry, but it was only Sirius as he came back in to stand in front of Snape. The animagus looked down at him with an unreadable expression--which was much better than the sneer or ridicule, or even pity, that Snape was expecting.

"Are you alright?"

Severus scowled, "Perfectly fine."

Sirius snorted and rolled his eyes to heaven as though seeking strength.

"Is it always like that?" Severus asked, trying to stop the agony by getting his mind on track.

"Yea, pretty much," Sirius nodded, eyes hooded as he carefully watched Severus.

Snape nodded, thinking about the ingredients of the potions in his pocket to keep from panicking. He cleared his throat as the transformation kept impeding his thoughts. The piece that stuck out the most was Remus in pain whispering his name. "Do you know what he wanted?"

"Hmm?" Sirius blinked, drawn back to their conversation. "What who wanted?"

"Lupin, you idiot. He spoke my name... do you know what he wanted?"

"Oh that," Sirius let out a deep sigh. "I don't know. He does that every time."

Severus narrowed his eyes, sure that Sirius was having him on. "Every time, what?"

"Every time he transforms," Sirius exclaimed as though he were speaking to a slow person. The animagus sat down beside him and stretched his long legs out. "Honestly," Sirius looked over at Snape, ignoring the startled look on the potions master's face at his proximity. "I'm not entirely sure why. He started doing it years ago. I was rather surprised to see he still did when I returned."

Severus nodded, accepting the information and storing it away for future analyzation. "Why are you being remotely agreeable?"

Sirius smirked, "Remus made me promise." He scratched pensively at his neck and turned back to Snape. "Now, I want a question answered."

"Very well," Severus stiffened, leery of where the animagus would take the tentative peace.

"What's with the silver?"

The potions master rolled his eyes and traced the swirling patterns on the far wall with his gaze. "It is a part of the potion I created. I am hoping I don't have to use it, but I would rather be prepared than not."

Sirius didn't look impressed with his answer. "What does it do?"

"In case there are complications with the transformation or the reversion. The allergic reaction to the silver in this should force the lycanthropy to grow stagnant so that Lupin might revert properly. The amount of silver is not lethal for Lupin, contrary to what you believe I am not here to kill him." Severus sneered.

"I thought any amount of silver was lethal for werewolves," Sirius pried. He sat forward when he heard a crash and a yip, but sat back with a grin. "He found out why that old bed frame is down here."

Severus snorted and resettled his nerves. "It is a misconception that all silver will kill a werewolf. There are different amounts of silver in different items. It is common practice for older packs to keep silver bladed knives for frequent use."

"For what? Rituals or something?"

"Sometimes," Snape drew his knees to his chest and ignored the fact that he was having his first normal conversation with Sirius Black. "Wolves have a faster regeneration rate and most times do not scar badly. Pack fights, sometimes even getting clipped by a hunter, often leave thick scars or pieces of claw or metal in the body. With a silver blade, they are able to recut the scars to retrieve the foreign body or allow the scars to knit cleanly."

"You're kidding," Sirius was impressed.

"I'll show you the book if you'd like," Severus said carefully.

With a carefully muted look of appreciation, Sirius nodded. "Thanks." Severus grunted. Sirius stood, brushing dirt from the back of his pants and disappeared into the basement proper. Severus expected to be left alone for the remainder of moonrise, but Sirius reappeared a moment later.

"He's already asleep," the animagus explained. Severus raised an eyebrow as Sirius resettled next to him again. "What? He'll sleep most of the night."

"And you believe I'd want your company?" Sirius' eyes clouded over and Severus fought his responding irritation and snorted. "It's called sarcasm, Black."

"You could teach a class," Sirius huffed.

...oOo...

It was oddly amicable silence that reigned over them for the most of moonrise. Sirius had fallen asleep against the wall some time around midnight. Severus couldn't relax enough to sleep, especially after Sirius had.

Snape was sitting upright in the corner, dark eyes trained cruelly into the darkness, staring hard enough for them to throb. He heard Remus breathe deeply in sleep and as long as the rhythm remained, he was sure he would be able to handle it.

The soft snoring of the beast stopped quickly around two and Severus was on his feet before he even registered the fact. Sirius was still blissfully oblivious on the floor and Snape was only too happy to remedy it.

"Black," His hissed in a whisper. The animagus barely stirred and Snape crouched and shook him. "Sirius Black wake up!"

"Wha-? Snape?" Sirius blinked his sleep fogged eyes and tried to extract himself from the other man's clutch. "Ow, leggo!"

Severus released him as he stepped back and smoothed his shirt. Sirius grumbled as he stood and Snape shushed him, even going to far as to clap one long-fingered hand over his mouth. Startled, Sirius didn't remove it and only glanced over--finally--at Snape. The potions master's eyes were wide and his skin was far more pale than usual.

Sirius took hold of his wrist and pulled the hand away from his mouth. "What is it?"

"He's not sleeping," Severus whispered coarsely.

The animagus shuffled quickly into the basement, not bothering to ask why Severus was so damned concerned. There were no strange noises, no growls or screams, and Snape eased a little.

"Snape! Get in here!" Sirius called across the basement.

Severus had to bite his lip and yell at himself for being so damned frazzled as he stalked from the alcove. He found Sirius bent over the creature against a far wall. Lupin had curled up on the mattress of the broken bed frame.

Sirius' blue eyes were wide in panic and he reached out and grabbed hold of Snape when he came into reach, hauling the darker wizard onto the bed beside him. "Something's wrong."

Severus was too busy trying to remember to breathe to know what Sirius was talking about.

"Snape!" Sirius barked, shaking him as the man had done earlier. The animagus was close to striking Snape across the face, but instead he gripped his shoulder tightly. "Severus, please," he said softly.

The potions master's eyes cleared instantly and he finally looked down at the werewolf. "Sweet Merlin," Severus gasped. He grabbed hold of Remus roughly by his furred shoulders and tried to roll the beast onto its side. Sirius quickly helped him without question.

Sirius didn't say a word about Severus' actions. He was actively touching and moving the werewolf about as though he did so every day. It was hard to believe that the man was ready to pass out in panic only moments ago.

Remus was awake, but choking slowly on his tongue. The beast's normally vibrant amber eyes were clouded. Sirius was afraid that his friend was going to choke to death.

"Come on, Lupin," Severus grunted, hair sticking to his face. The man's hands were gripping Remus about the muzzle, trying to pry his jaws apart. "Help me," he snapped at Sirius.

The animagus wasn't entirely sure of what to do, but knew as a dog about the sensitive tendon near the jaw joint that made any dog's mouth open. He dug his fingers into it and helped pry with Snape when Lupin's jaw opened marginally.

Severus dug about in his pocket, cursing the dull light and finally pulling the stopper open on the correct vial. Without a thought of it, Snape grasped hold of the wolf's tongue and pulled it roughly from the way. He poured the potion down Lupin's throat and withdrew quickly as the beast's mouth worked to swallow. He cried out in pain and drew his hand to his chest, staring down in horror at the gash along his palm.

The potions master fell to his bottom beside the bed, holding his shaking hand before his face. After a moment, Remus took a deep breath and hacked as the potion took effect.

Sirius bound off the bed with peals of relieved laughter. He clapped Snape on the shoulder, "Wonderful! I didn't think you had it in you, Snape. Snape?"

Severus was mute, all higher brain function had ceased to work and all he could do was watch the blood trail down his arm. He had cut himself on one of Lupin's jagged teeth... a werewolf's jagged teeth... he had been technically bitten by a werewolf.

"Sirius, I... help," Severus mumbled, blindly reaching out for a hand hold. Startled at the use of his given name, Sirius pulled the man to his feet and watched in confusion as Snape stumbled off to a corner and vomited.

Sirius shook his hand as something warm and sticky clung to it. "Snape are you alri--" he stopped as he finally looked at his palm. It was coated in blood. He turned wide eyes back to the potions master and saw in horror that the hand Snape was using to hold himself up against the wall was streaking the stones in blood.

Remus was forgotten as Sirius stumbled over and turned the wizard about. He clutched Snape's injured hand in one of his and tried to deny what he saw. "Jesus! It doesn't mean you'll be-- I mean, it could be nothing!" Sirius was stammering.

"We shall see," Severus croaked. His entire body shook and he felt like vomiting again.

On the bed, Lupin shifted and stood. He sniffed delicately at the air and whined softly as the smell of blood wafted around him. Sirius spun away from Snape and took hold of Remus by the neck, tugging uselessly to move him back. Lupin sat on his haunches and turned his glowing eyes between both men.

Severus slowly sank to the floor, barely avoiding his puddle of sick. He removed his shirt shakily and tore a long strip from the end. He tightly bound his hand as he tried to stave of the blood flow.

"Moony," Sirius whispered into his friend's ear, "something bad's happened..."

Lupin nuzzled under Sirius' chin and fought a mournful howl in his throat. He could taste the blood on his tongue, and he could guess what bad had happened.

---

The moon began to set and Remus felt his skin itch as the fur began to recede. Reversion always seemed to go faster than the transformation. His spine popped and cracked as it realigned. Slowly, his body started to return to normal.

Fierce pain ripped from the top of his head to the base of his spine. Remus fell onto his side and curled in on himself. He could vaguely hear Sirius calling for help to Severus. The hands on his body were hot and in alarm, Remus realized that his body was trying to turn to wolf again.

"Fight it!" Someone yelled harshly into his ear. Remus didn't know how, but tried his best. The bones stopped shifting and for a sickeningly agonizing moment, his body simply stopped changing entirely. He hung in limbo between wolf and man.

He cracked open an eye to see Severus kneeling by his head. A flood of gratefulness and remorse ripped through him so harshly that he actually felt it in his bones. The reversion started again more slowly and after ten minutes of pain-filled struggling, Remus finally lay naked and shivering on the concrete.

"Oh, Moony," Sirius whispered in a litany as he stroked across Lupin's hair.

The terry cloth bathrobe was draped across him, and Remus struggled up enough to tug it on. His left hand tangled in it and with a grunt of frustration, he shoved his fist through the sleeve and gaped as the sleeve tore to ribbons.

"Lupin," Severus' uneasy voice broke through his haze of fatigue. Remus turned his eyes up and saw Snape flinch. "There have been complications."

His heart clenched painfully in his chest. Slowly Lupin raised his hand to his eyes and bit out a strangled cry. His hand was curled into cruel, long fingers; knuckles knotted and thick cracked nails. It was not a usual paw, but literal clawed, hooked fingers. The muscles shifted subtly back and forth in his skin and Remus knew without testing that he could crush a man's skull in his hand.

"Come on, Remy," Sirius said softly, "let's get you up in a proper bed."

The animagus practically carried his friend up the basement stairs and then to the second floor. Severus had followed silently, standing in the entryway, shirtless and streaked in dried blood.

"Is there nothing you can do?" Sirius asked him quietly as he leveraged Remus into the bed.

"Not tonight," Snape shook his head, eyes never leaving Lupin's face. "He is too weak for treatment. Perhaps in a couple of days."

Remus felt like sobbing, curling his overlarge hand into a fist and shoving it beneath his pillow so he didn't have to look at it. Severus turned in the doorway, a dark bruising along his lower back caught Remus' eye as he disappeared toward his room.

"Wha' hap'n'--" Remus stopped, stretching his jaw and frowning. He brought his right hand to his mouth and touched gingerly. The lower canines in his bottom jaw were still large and pointed, filling his mouth. He looked mournfully at Sirius and his friend nodded that it was indeed true. Lupin clenched his eyes shut and sighed heavily through his nose. "Wha' hap'n Se'rus?"

Sirius concentrated on what Remus said and then appeared in thought. "You mean his hand or his back?"

Remus shrugged, too mortified to speak again.

"I'm pretty sure the back bruise was from this afternoon," Sirius sighed, sitting down on the bed as though Remus was not a disfigured creature of the night. "Remember when I threw him into the table..." Remus nodded. "His hand was cut when he stopped you from swallowing your tongue."

Lupin's eyes clenched shut as he fought what that could mean for Severus in a month's time.

"We're not going to worry about it now," Sirius spoke in a stern tone. "You're going to sleep. The sooner you get stronger, the sooner Snape might be able to fix this."

Remus closed his eyes and rolled onto his side. He heard Sirius get up and leave, shutting the door softly behind him. As soon as Sirius had gone off, Remus opened his eyes to stare out the window. A single, hot tear fell from his eye and soaked into his pillow.

…oOo…

Sirius paused outside of Severus' room on his way to bed. The light shone underneath the crack in the door and Sirius paused. Severus had gone through a lot over the last few hours, including facing his largest fear and getting injured badly... twice.

The animagus steeled himself for a fist to the face and knocked. "Snape?"

"Come in, Black," a broken voice called from the inside.

Sirius entered cautiously, unsure if Snape hadn't previously booby-trapped his doorway. Nothing ill befell him, and the room that stretched in front was empty. The door to the adjoined bathroom was open and Sirius could just see Snape's reflection.

"You alright in there?"

Severus glared at him with his mirror image. "Save the false sympathies."

"I'm actually trying here and you're getting lippy," Sirius huffed stalking across the room to lean against the bathroom doorjamb with his arms crossed over his chest.

Snape gave him a calculating stare and finally snorted. "Very well."

The animagus watched as Severus carefully unwrapped his hand while holding it over the sink. As the bandages pulled away, flakes of blood and the smallest of drops hit the porcelain. A candle was burning on the flat sideboard with a large, smokeless flame. Beside it lay a blunt metal punch.

"How bad is it?" Sirius tried to see but Severus kept moving it about and he couldn't get a fix.

"Bad enough," Severus sighed heavily and hissed as the last bit of bandage caught before

breaking free.

With his good, right hand, Snape took up the punch and ran it through the flickering flame. After the end began to smoke, Severus took a deep breath and drove the hot end into the hole in the palm of his hand.

Acrid smoke and the stench of burnt flesh filled the small bathroom. Sirius didn't ask why he did it, but winced and couldn't help watching in sick fascination. Severus hadn't uttered a sound.

The metal was pulled away and dropped into the curved basin. The darker wizard turned on the tap and ran cool water across it. It hissed and sizzled as it rushed across the metal.

Still without a single grunt, Severus took a small tub of salve from within the cabinet above the sink. He silently offered it to Sirius who opened it and passed it quietly back. Snape pulled a glob of pale green gel and smeared it around his palm.

Next, the potions master took a fresh length of wrap and tried valiantly to rewrap the wound. Between the fresh burn and tear, he couldn't flex his hand enough to hold the start of the wrap in place. After watching Snape try three times, Sirius took it and gingerly did it for him.

"Why not just take a healing potion?" Sirius glanced up from his work to see Severus still holding

his breath.

The other wizard let it out in a whoosh. "I'm attempting to stop what may not even be happening."

"The curse."

Snape nodded once. "The punch is sterling silver, the highest it can contain and still have structural integrity." His voice was gravely and laced in pain.

Once his hand was completely bound, he turned the light off and returned to the main room. Sirius winced as he saw the nasty black bruising in actual light. "How are you going to heal that?"

Snape shot him an irritated look that Sirius understood as Snape not understanding his question. "Your back," he clarified.

Severus' eyes shuttered and he turned a bit to try and hide it. "It will heal. I refuse to take the healing potion until I know for sure about this," he held up his hand.

"There must be something else, then," Sirius pressed, a little flicker of guilt in his stomach.

"Not that I have with me," Snape growled, snatching up his house coat to hide the topic of their conversation.

Sirius snapped his fingers with a look of triumph. He left the room at a light jog and returned before Snape could shut the door. "Off with that then," Sirius demanded, tugging at the sleeve of the bed robe.

"Black, I am hardly your new conquest," Severus snapped.

Sirius looked affronted and held up his hand to show the small tube in it. "It's a crème for mild bruising... I figure it's better than nothing."

One of Snape's eyebrows rose slowly. "Why do you have that?"

A cool mask settled over Sirius' face and his usually mischief-sparkling eyes went dull. "My family has always had a good stock of this on hand."

Snape's eyes narrowed but he didn't ask the question that was on his mind. It was none of his business, and they all had their own demons from their past. Severus held his hand out for it but Sirius shook his head.

"You'll never get it on by yourself." Snape stiffened and stepped backward before he could stop himself. Sirius followed him, "Come on, the quicker we do this, the quicker its over and we won't mention it again."

The darker wizard didn't help Sirius tug off the jacket, but he didn't stop him either. Sirius slung the garment across the foot of Snape's bed and squeezed a generous amount of crème into his palm. He smoothed it around in his hands to warm it before tentatively spreading it across Snape's lower back.

The potions master was barely breathing, and stiff as a board. Sirius frowned as his fingers caught and counted numerous overlapping scars. Snape's skin was so very pale that he could not see them at his arms-reach distance, but there were far too many scars under his fingers than any mortal man should have.

A set of scars caught his particular tactile attention and Sirius unconsciously kept running the pads of his fingers across it trying to recognize the shape. He knew he had lingered there too long when Severus shivered bodily and stepped out of his reach.

"Yes, well, fine," the man rambled, looking at the wall past Sirius' shoulder.

"I know it isn't my business, Snape... but you've got an awful lot of--"

"Scars? Yes." Snape mumbled, eyes blank.

Sirius consciously cleared his throat and wiped his palms onto his pants. "I, uh, that bit on that side... it was... Never mind. You can't possibly have gotten all of those from spying."

Severus snorted softly, "Yes," he whispered distantly, fingers reached awkwardly back to touch the spot of scar tissue Sirius was talking about. "A belt buckle." A sick smile cruelly twisted Snape's face. The man blinked and cleared his own throat as he came back to himself. "Many are from spying," he admitted, "but Death Eaters are usually not very physical when it comes to torture."

Sirius nodded absently, sidestepping to the door at a loss for words after the cryptic answer. He nodded goodnight and pulled Snape's door shut. It wasn't until he was finally wiggling into his bed sheets that he realized what Severus had meant. Death Eaters used magic to hurt people, therefore the belt buckle scar had come from somewhere else. Some time else.

The animagus felt a surge of irrational anger as his mind flashed with images of a child-age Snape being beaten by his father. A moment later, the image was gone and Black tried to push the

thought away. It seemed he and Severus had more in common than he wanted to admit.