Disclaimer: All characters belong solely to JK Rowling. If you recognize a scene or a name, it is hers.
Chapter thirteen:
A month later, and Hogsmeade weekend was approaching. Remus hadn't spoken to Sirius that entire time, and Sirius was desperate to get back on his best friend's good side. He had tried everything, but the werewolf wouldn't budge. Sirius still hated 'Snivellus' and refused to budge on that subject. James had tried for a week to get the two speaking again, but to no avail.
The potions project was coming to a close, and Remus was slightly worried: would their relationship continue when there was not a need to be civil with one another? They had gotten closer than he had ever anticipated, but this was not necessarily saying that they would stay together.
Entering Potions class, Remus headed directly to his… Potions partner? Friend? Boyfriend? He didn't even know where they stood now. They had been friends for a little over a month. They sometimes held hands, but did that really make them more than friends? His Gryffindor courage died upon looking into Severus' dark eyes, and he never asked the boy to be with him. Everything between them just… happened. Nothing official.
He sat down beside the Slytherin, turning his head to meet the other boy's eyes. Severus was already stirring the potion gently: three clockwise, two counterclockwise, three clockwise…
The potion was golden now. It was complete.
Severus raised his hand, and Professor Slughorn practically ran to the pair. He tested it, and said loudly, "Perfect! Absolutely perfect! Mr. Lupin and Mr. Snape, as the first done, you will each receive a small vial of this potion. Enough to last an hour. Use it well, boys."
Remus grinned at Severus as Slughorn handed them the vials. He was unable to believe their luck. An hour of nothing able to go wrong? The infinite amount of possibility this created… It was amazing.
They left class together that day, headed to the Great Hall for lunch. Sirius and Peter were slightly ahead of them, Sirius occasionally turning to glare at the pair, and James was still in the classroom.
There was a bang and a shout behind Remus, and he spun around just in time to see James sprinting toward them.
"Hey! HEY! You've got to see this! Come on, it's bloody brilliant! Siri, Rem, Pete, come back to the Potions room NOW!"
Remus sighed, but followed the others toward the potions room. Severus followed as well, determined to not allow the antics of James Potter to yet again come between himself and Remus.
As they entered the potions room, everyone except James froze in the doorway. The remaining students, mostly Slytherins, and Slughorn were coated in what appeared to be bright red paint. It was all over the students, the walls, the desks.
Sirius and Peter immediately dissolved into fits of laughter. Sirius was leaning heavily on the wall, and Peter had already collapsed to the floor and was having trouble breathing past his laughter. Severus glared alternately at the pair.
Remus stared at the scene for nearly a minute before his laughter overtook him. For the Severus' sake, he avoided it, but it was impossible. The sight before him was so James, it was unreal. Snape glared at him now, and Remus tried to stem the laughter seeping out of him. After a moment, he managed to only maintain a weak smile at the spectacle before him, but it was not good enough.
Severus was angry. He always assumed that Remus was different, that he didn't enjoy the humiliation of others. But his boyfriend's mirth at the sight before him spoke another tale.
"Severus, we can get out of here if you want," Remus asked him quietly, the smile barely hidden behind his concern.
"Whatever. Stay, enjoy the hilarious show. I'm sick of this." The Slytherin turned to leave.
"Wait! Sev, wait up," Remus called after him. He caught up to him and took his hand from behind. "What's going on? It was a laugh, that's all. Just a laugh."
"And I'm sure that everyone in that classroom finds this hilarious."
"Maybe not, but in a few days they will. It's a prank, nothing more. You know Jamie."
"Unfortunately, I do know Potter. And I know that this 'prank' will lead to more and more. I'm not just going to watch, okay. You may enjoy watching him humiliate people, but I do not. Good bye, Remus." And with that, he turned and started down the hall way once more.
"Sev, please. Sev!" Remus called out to him, but Severus just continued walking. A moment later, he was gone around a corner, and all Remus could do was stare at the spot that his love had disappeared.
I'm so sorry everyone! I couldn't figure out where I wanted to take this, but I've got ideas now. Special thanks to Laura Denvir, your idea was excellent, and I might do just that. Thanks!
I know that this chapter is not as good as the last few. My muse was a little bit rusty after taking so long between chapters, so it was a little hard to write. Not to mention that I just broke up the couple. Don't hate me! I have a plan, I swear.
Ask me no questions about my plans, and I'll tell you no lies. haha!
Hope you enjoyed, and any ideas are welcome. Please review!