A/N: Oh, look! Two chapters in one day! Boom! I'm on a roll! LOL XD Anyway, this is a set up for the drama I promised in the last chapter. Read on and review, my dears!

"Where is the log for August 23rd? I need last Wednesday's log!"

Remus scrambled, flipping through the pages of the book in his hand frantically until he found the entry Slughorn was seeking. He shoved the opened book into the older wizard's hand and held his breath as Slughorn scanned the text wildly.

"Here! Yes, that it!" he cried, slamming the book in front of Severus and pointing to a bit of writing.

"Yes… if we only add one pint of Fireball blood before the willow bark and then another pint after… yes, that would be much more effective!" Severus declared, looking in astonishment between his lover and his mentor.

"What-what does that mean, Severus? What does it mean?" Remus asked breathlessly.

"At the moment nothing. But, if we test our theory and it proves effective… we will be able to fix Newberry's potion and… and-"

"-Cure Lycanthropy?" Remus offered.

"No. It's not the cure I was looking for, but it's something. Newberry was aware that a great many Lycanthropes, especially those born with the disease, do not wish to lose that side of themselves. The wolf represents an essential part of their lives and psyche. Some believe to remove the wolf within would have an adverse effect on long-term sufferers; Newberry was one of them. His goal was to find a median: a way to make the transformation safer, to allow the Lycanthrope to retain their mind while in their wolf form."

"And… if this works… they would- I would- be…"

"You and all other werewolves would be in full control at all times." Severus answered his throat suddenly thick as he watched tears fill Remus' eyes. The auburn-haired man couldn't contain himself; he kissed Severus soundly, not caring about their audience. Severus kissed him back, running his hand into Remus' hair. Slughorn cleared his throat.

"Now, now, you two; we're getting ahead of ourselves. There's still testing that needs to be done. That is unless you two need a moment." he said, a glint in his eye and a smirk on his face.

Remus blushed as he pulled away from his lover, absently tucking a stray hair behind Severus' ear. "That won't be necessary, Horace."

Slughorn quirked an eyebrow at Remus' use of his given name but didn't comment.

"What do we do now?" Remus asked, leaning against the parchment and book covered table.

"We collect cell and tissue samples and test our theory." Slughorn answered matter-of-factly.

"Oh… right, of course. H-how will you know if it's effective?"

"The Lycanthropic disease attaches itself to the DNA of its host. Because of that, it is highly dangerous to attempt to destroy the disease, as it could potentially cause the destruction of the DNA itself. Should this work, the disease would become dormant yet remain intact. The werewolf in question would still go through the transformation, but by forcing the disease into dormancy the patient would be able to retain their conscience while in wolf form."

"That's… incredible…" Remus whispered, awestruck.

"The problem is any experimentation using lycanthropic cells must be performed during the full moon- to ensure proper results."

"You want me here on The Full? Forget it, Remus-"

"I'll be fine, don't worry. Lily won't mind if I steal James for the evening, promise." Remus interjected with a gentle smile.

"No, Remus, I said-"

"Severus, this is more important than just me. I won't be responsible for holding you back from something… as phenomenal as what's in front of you."

Severus couldn't respond. He didn't know whether he should be grateful to have a lover that was so understanding of his dedication to his craft or guilty for having to ask Remus to sacrifice so much for him.

"Remus…"

The werewolf smiled at him and pecked him on the lips.

"There's still two weeks before the full moon this month. We should harvest the cells two days beforehand, so sooner. For the remaining time between then and now I believe we should begin your introduction into the workings of a potions class. You can sit in on my 2:00 class tomorrow afternoon- 5th year advanced potions Ravenclaws. Better to start with our brightest students than, say, double potions with 1st year Slytherins and Gryffindors."

"Much appreciated. But there's still-"

"The rest of the day?" Slughorn finished for Severus, "Do with it what you will. It's obvious you two love birds need the time to yourselves."

Slughorn smirked, pretending not to notice the faint blush coloring Severus' cheeks as he exited the room. Silence followed the soft click of the door as Remus moved to stand behind his seated lover. He ran his hands lovingly through Severus' hair, massaging his scalp. The former Slytherin closed his eyes, leaned into those talented hands, and moaned.

"You really should stop worrying about me. I am capable of taking care of myself, you know." Remus said softly, his hands now kneading Severus' neck.

"Can't help it, love." Severus answered with a groan as Remus worked a knot at the nape of his neck.

Remus chuckled and kissed the crown of Severus' head, stilling his hands much to Severus' protest.

"Who would have known the 'great, greasy git' was loving and nurturing and so unbelievably sweet?" he purred into Severus' ear with a mischievous smile.

"Surely you won't tell anyone. I couldn't bare it if my reputation was damaged." Severus answered, pulling Remus around him to sit in his lap. Remus kissed him, still smiling, his eyes full of adoration and trust. That smile always left him mesmerized, as if he truly was still that little boy, constantly teased and confused as to how he deserved to hold someone so beautiful in his arms.

"I wish I hadn't been such a coward back then…"

It took a moment for Severus to realize the words hadn't been spoken in his voice. He looked back into Remus' eyes, spotting the self-resentment instantly.

"Remus-"

"I-we-could have been happy all this time… We could've avoided so much."

"But we're here now, aren't we? We're together; we're happy, in love now, right?"

Remus nuzzled Severus' neck; a habit he believed was a side-effect of his lycanthropy.

"Of course we are, love. I just… I wish we could've gotten here without…"

Severus pulled his lover closer, running his fingers through Remus' soft tresses.

"Things were not ideal, I know. If I could turn back time and prevent all the pain you suffered, I would in a heartbeat. You have to know that, don't you?" Remus nodded against Severus' chest, "Good. Now, what would you like to do with the rest of our day?"

~~

"That was delicious, Severus, thank you. Where did you learn about a place like Maddy's Café?"

Severus squeezed the hand entwined with his own, watching Remus as they strolled down the street. Despite having just asked Severus a question, the younger wizard's attention was rapt by the window displays of the shops they passed.

"The proprietor is Madeline Prince." He answered simply, regaining Remus' undivided attention.

"Your… aunt?"

Severus nodded, "My mother's sister-in-law. I'm… not particularly close to that side of my family, but I've always been fond of her. I think it's because my grandmother never liked her much, either. She cooked our meal personally, you know."

"Well, whatever she does in that kitchen, I can see why they were so busy."

Severus smiled at the comment and they continued walking through the town square in silence. A stiff wind picked up, sweeping the knitted cap from Remus' head and causing his hair to flutter. Remus squawked, flailing a bit in his attempt to catch the cap but the cap swept halfway down the sidewalk before settling at someone's feet. The man stooped down to pick up the hat and Remus jogged back to retrieve it.

"Thank you, sir- Malfoy?"

The blonde man before him smirked, looking over Remus' shoulder to watch Severus approach the two.

"Ah, I see. So it is true, then. You've shacked up with the wolf-boy. I knew you fancied men, but I never thought your tastes were so… exotic, shall we say?" a wicked smirk crawled across Lucius' face, "Tell me, Severus. How is your little pet in bed? I was curious when he was with that poor excuse for a Black, but perhaps I can get an answer from you: If you fuck him hard enough, will he howl?"

The smug look on Lucius' face quickly morphed into surprise as there was suddenly a wand thrust in his face. He never got the opportunity to object, as Severus sent him flying backward with a powerful Stupify, causing him to drop the hat in the process. Severus snatched the hat from the ground, pulled Remus' motionless form against his body, and promptly Apparated away.

They landed with a pop in the living room of their home and Remus pulled away from Severus immediately, slumping down on the couch. His good mood was ruined, lying in tatters on the cool concrete where Lucius Malfoy probably still lay unconscious. Severus hesitated in approaching his lover, unaware of what he should say.

"Remus, Lucius is-"

"Vile; disgusting; haughty and arrogant," Remus answered for him, his blank expression morphing into one of anger.

"Well, yes. So don't let his words get to you."

"Says the one who hexed him at point-blank range," Remus scoffed with a small smile, studying his hands.

"Just because you shouldn't take his words to heart doesn't mean he was going to get away with them." Severus replied, sitting next to his lover.

"It's not the first time I've heard those things… but still, it bothers me. I'm not some exotic fuck toy. I'm a man, a wizard, just as he is. So why…" Remus trailed off for a moment and Severus waited for him to continue, "I'm not a lesser being…"

"No, you're not. Lucius Malfoy will never be the man you are. No one who could think less of you for a condition you cannot control is worth your time or energy. So erase the entire thing from your mind and let's enjoy the rest of our evening."

Remus nodded, laying his head on Severus' shoulder, "What do you think we should do?"

"We can see what's on that muggle box you love so much." Severus suggested, entwining their fingers again, "I've been meaning to move it into the living room or our bedroom."

"Alright, we can do that." Remus answered, gazing at their linked fingers.

The couple rose from the couch and crossed the room toward the stairs when there was a rap at the window. Severus turned and spotted a familiar snowy owl. Perplexed, he turned away from Remus and let the owl in. It didn't come in, however, instead landing on the windowsill and extending its leg. The message attached was addressed directly to him in Lily's neat, wispy handwriting. His heart gave an ominous shutter as he opened the note. He wasn't sure what he was expecting the note to say, but it hadn't been this. There were only five words written on the small bit of parchment, but it tore through his mind and heart like a perfectly aimed lightning bolt.

Sirius has returned to London.

"Severus, what's the matter?" Remus asked, rushing to his side as he sagged against the windowsill.

Bewildered eyes turned to Remus and Severus snatched the paper out of his reach.

"Severus?" Remus whispered, confused and slightly wounded at Severus' sudden change in attitude. The potions master could see it in his eyes, but he simply could not allow Remus to see those damned words written on that paper.

"Severus, what's wrong? Is it that note? What does it say?" Remus asked, feeding off of Severus' anguish. He'd never seen Severus so upset, his chest was heaving and his eyes wide and panicked.

"Please… Please, Remus, don't…"

"Don't what?" Remus asked softly, taking Severus' hand, the one clutching the note. The second Remus' fingers touched the parchment Severus crumbled, sobbing openly as he sagged against his lover.

"Don't…! Don't read it… don't…" he cried, even as Remus slipped the paper from his hands.

Remus stroked Severus' hair, whispering to him soothingly even as he opened the note. Severus could feel the moment Remus read those words, those cursed, damnable words. His body went rigid and he began to tremble. He could no longer support his own weight, let alone that of Severus, sending them crashing into the ground. Remus' mind was numb, but he was aware of a familiar sensation creeping through his chest, making it hard to breathe. He was barely aware of the sound of his own ragged breathing, his lungs struggling to expand and contract in their panic-ridden state. Severus called his name, staring down at him, his mask crumbled away, and yet Remus could do nothing to respond. The edges of his vision blurred and just before he lost consciousness he managed one word.

"Sirius…"

A/N: Ooooooh, and the plot thickens! I'm so excited about what comes next! Oh, that sounds terrible. I'm sorry, Remus, I don't mean to be so cruel! Anyway! Reviews my lovies! We're coming close to the end, my dears! Oh! And I've already got another multi-chapter fic planned and in wait. Until next time! Mwahh!