Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and make no monetary gain.
A/N: Here's chapter 14...When I went to write this chapter, I had a different perspective in mind, but this chapter practically wrote itself. Enjoy.
Onyx Feloric
Harry woke filled with warmth, a slight weight resting on his head. With careful hands, he patted the top of his head and smiled when he felt the round form of his Patrolu. He gently picked the little thing off his head and held it in front of him, letting out a short laugh as the creature tried to burrow out of his hands halfheartedly. Suddenly, the little light squirmed harder and flew from between his fingers and beyond the curtain. Harry sat up and pulled the drape aside, only to freeze when he saw who sat just outside his bed.
The Potions Master slept deeply in his chair. One of his long arms dangled to the floor, fingers just barely clutching the edges of a worn-looking book. His head lolled to the side, chest moving in the deep rhythm of sleep. The fireplace still crackled and made the room comfortably warm, but a blanket lay over the man's legs.
It was his face, however, that drew in attention the most.
Normally, Severus Snape's face was an emotionless mask, tension settling at the corner of his eyes and mouth. He had seen that mask break and fly into a wild rage, eyes blazing with hot anger. He had seen the heavy weight of exhaustion on his frame and exasperation when he pinched the crooked bridge of his nose. Now, though, his face was smooth and peaceful. There wasn't a pinched line of tension to be found. Such a look took years off the man's face. Realistically, Harry knew that the Potions Master was the same age as his parents, but the stress made him seem older.
Unknowingly, Harry began leaning closer until a flash of glowing gold caught his eye.
Harry stood ramrod straight, then almost choked. With wide eyes, he watched as his Patrolu began to flutter around the man's face, darting in close. "No, no, no, no, no," Harry whispered almost hysterically. He tried to make a grab for the little creature. The golden ball of light zipped away from his hands and hovered relentlessly around the sleeping man's head. "Come here, you little-"
Harry made to grab the creature…and tripped, right off the corner of the man's chair.
Eyes wide, he tried to right himself, flailing his arms. For just a moment, he felt his balance settle when something nudged him hard in the back of the head. Grunting, he simply closed his eyes and prayed for forgiveness.
Severus' eyes shot open when he felt something heavy land on him, knocking both him and his chair backwards on to the floor. He grunted as something smacked into his stomach. All too soon, he became aware of the sound of heavy breathing and froze. Gathering as much dignity as he could muster, he spoke with his usual drawl. "Is there a reason for our current predicament, Mr. Potter?"
The heavy body on top of his was frozen and answered tentatively, but calmly. "Would you believe me if I said that it wasn't my fault?" It was a miracle he didn't stutter that out.
"That depends on to whom you place your blame, because, I assure you, it was not I."
Harry sighed lightly. "It was my Patrolu, Professor." He pushed himself up to his feet only to grunt as another hard hit to the back of his head sent him careening back onto the irate Potions Master. He put his hands out, one landing on the floor and the other on the professor's chest. It was hard to ignore the firm muscle beneath.
A throat cleared.
Both men froze.
"Harry? Severus?" Minerva McGonagall's voice was wholly unwelcome at that particular moment.
Harry and Severus turned their heads. Oh, this was unfortunate.
Remus, despite the oddity of the situation, was trying his hardest to keep the amusement of his face. Minerva had her hands on her hips and her lips firmly pursed together.
It was definitely a sight to see.
Severus lay flat on his back, one knee bent over the seat of the chair and the other flat against the floor. Harry had one hand flat on the man's chest, the other holding him up near the older man's head. With no shirt on, the flushed teen's appearance, and the general positioning, Remus couldn't help but let the smile free on his face. "Good morning, Severus. Harry."
"Uh, morning, Professor Lupin," Harry answered tentatively.
"Mr. Potter. If you would?" Severus spoke through clenched teeth.
"Oh, uh, yeah." Harry pushed his arms out to the side, using his muscles to push him back up, desperately ignoring the position he found himself in. The Potions Master's legs were spread to either side and Harry fit comfortably between them. Ignoring the certain dusting of red on his features, he got up as quickly as he could, minimizing any contact with the irate man. With a hesitant motion, Harry held out his hand.
Severus looked at that hand for just a moment before sighing and grabbing hold. He grimaced as the young man pulled him to his feet, feeling a bruise settling into the skin of his back. The fall had been hard and Harry's heavy body had only made things worse. Before he could even get used to the pain, the feel of Harry's magic touched his skin and the pain disappeared. Severus straightened and nodded at the young Gryffindor. "Thank you, Mr. Potter."
Harry quickly grabbed the grey t-shirt that appeared in front of him, mumbling out a 'you're welcome' through the fabric. As soon as his head popped through the opening, the little gold ball immediately began nestling in his tousled black locks. The Gryffindor chuckled and reached up to grab the creature.
Severus scowled when the Patrolu slipped through Harry's fingers and zoomed around his own head. Despite not knowing exactly what had happened to cause the mornings embarrassing situation, he had a feeling the little ball of light had something to do with it. "What exactly is this particular creature?" The man held up a hand, letting the Patrolu come to rest on his palm for a moment, before it fluttered over to zip around the two other professor's in the room.
"I call it the Patrolu." Harry held out his hand, something unheard, causing the creature to come zooming back to flutter into his palm, wings flapping gently as it rested on his hand. "It's a combination between the Lumos and Patronus charms, or at least that is what it resembles." He gave it a boost in the air, guiding it towards the professors.
Remus stood still as the creature settled into his graying brown locks. He gasped. Peace and warmth trickled down from the top of his head, the sensation sinking into his body.
"Remus?"
Harry stood in front of him, a worried expression on his face.
"Are you alright?"
Remus nodded and tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come out. He blinked. The creature's gently flapping wings created a slow breeze around his face, drawing attention to the thin tear tracks running down his cheeks. Remus lifted up a hand, touching the wet trails. "I-I…I apologize."
Harry's magic swirled heavily in the room, small slivers of pale light flashing lazily around them. Worried green eyes looked over him. "What's wrong?"
Remus shook his head. "I'm okay." He reached a hand up to pull the small spell creature off his head to rest on his palm. "I've…I've never felt such a wonderful sensation." The werewolf smiled.
Harry let out a relieved sigh and gave a sheepish laugh. "Thank goodness…"
A/N: Hopefully, you enjoyed this chapter. We'll definitely see more of Remus in the future. P.S. I think everyone should have their very own Patrolu!