Title: The Teacher

Disclaimer: Everything that's part of the Harry Potter world belongs to J. K. Rowling.

Pairing: SS/RL

Author Notes: There is one situation from the book that might not be obvious. It is the night when Harry sees Sirius in dog form on the grounds. Just that this time it is Remus who sees him.

Wrong

Remus's birthday was spent quietly and pleasantly after waking up next to each other. All students were studying and nowhere to be seen and despite Severus's aversion to being seen together they took a rather long walk over the grounds and even ended up in McGonagall's office after she had spotted them walking up to Remus's rooms together. She poured Severus a glass of Scotch and Remus who had proved rather less fond of her strong alcohol received a bottle of Butterbeer. Minerva had not asked why they had been walking through the corridor together but she had shot Severus a skeptical glance which he had countered with a challenging glare and Remus had laughed the matter off, saying that he had forced himself on "poor Severus" once again.

The witch gave Remus a box of her newest chocolate chip shortbread which he accepted with a boyish delight that made it difficult for Severus to hide his own pleasure about it. After a while they were joined by Albus and Flitwick and by the time Hagrid arrived in the Deputy Headmistress's office they were all sitting rather close together; that gave Remus an excuse to touch his knee to Severus's and press his shoulder to the Slytherin's with quite satisfied a smile. Severus on the other hand had a hard time scowling into the round, knee to knee with the warm werewolf.

McGonagall congratulated him on having lured Severus out of his dungeon for once and Remus's sincere laugh was almost too much for Severus to maintain his cold and indifferent expression. The roasted almonds, dipped in chocolate, that arrived by owl had no addressee and sent everyone guessing wildly at whom they might be from, a secret admirer most probably – and, oh, how wrong they all were. Only Remus and Severus knew the truth and a sweet smile of that exquisite quality was all Remus needed to give as a thanks. Severus feared that he had spent too long a time with a hopeless romantic and Gryffindor after all.

In the evening Remus insisted that Severus stay with him and after a half-hearted attempt at resistance Severus gave in. It was an unusual feeling to sleep in another bed but in the end it was irrelevant whose bed it was as long as the person beside him was Remus. As long as the waist his arm was wrapped around was Remus's. As long as the melodic breathing in his ears was Remus's. Severus had never spent so little time in the dungeons as during the following days.

Remus, Severus had noticed, avoided the topic of the Gryffindor-Slytherin Quidditch match very carefully over the holidays. It was like a taboo topic that would only lead to quarrels and whenever Remus noticed that a conversation was going that way he quickly changed the subject. Severus smirked every time and shot him a knowingly raised eyebrow but let himself be distracted without objection.

The students were not that consequent, quite the contrary: by the end of the holidays, fights had started breaking loose and more than once Severus had to separate his Slytherins from the Gryffindors with a deathly glare and an almost drawn wand. At least they were so scared of him that they didn't risk him really using his wand. In only a few days Gryffindor had lost at least eighty points which Remus was determined to refill, scolding Severus for his harsh punishment of the Gryffindors and for his slack handling of the Slytherins.

"Do you think that favouring your students makes you a good Head of House? Because I think there's more to it than that," said he and Severus couldn't restrain himself from snapping at him.

"I've been in this position for quite a while longer than you have been in yours and I know very well what there is to it!" Out of everyone he knew Remus was the last person whom Severus wanted to complain about him. Because it mattered, and because Severus wanted him to see that he was doing a good job. Because he was, wasn't he? "So, if you have any complaints about how I'm doing my job then you should ask Albus why I still have it."

Of course Remus fell silent and didn't press the matter further, though his lips became rather thin and Severus could see that he was upset. He probably thought that his words didn't matter, but they did, greatly so. That was the problem. Because his indifferent, fearless self-confidence and his whole magnificent person let Severus lose his steadfast dignity in front of himself. And in front of others. It made him defiant as usual. Remus thought he knew what he was capable of, therefore he showed that he was equal to all the other teachers, but he was wrong. He knew only half of what he was capable of, he underestimated himself terribly.

Once Remus incidentally walked along a corridor where Severus was taking points from a Gryffindor boy for having called one of his Slytherin team-members a very foul word, and he tapped his shoulder with one of his mild smiles.

"Lupin?" Severus said in a threatening tone but as usual Remus didn't see any reason to fear him. And why should he, really, Severus thought. The group of Gryffindors who had gathered round their punished house member put on relieved looks and Severus had the impression that some were even cheering their DADA Professor on. How very annoying.

"There, there, Severus. Let's not forget Mr Bole, here," said he pleasantly and nodded toward the Beater. "After all, it was him who started the argument, so let's stay fair. What did you make it, Severus? Twenty points? Then it's twenty points off Bole, too, I think. And now run along."

The children walked away into different directions and Severus was fuming when he turned toward Remus who just shrugged and gave him one of those "you had it coming" looks.

"Don't you dare sabotage my authority!" Severus hissed and yet again it had no effect.

"I'm a master of this school, too, Severus."

Severus huffed and turned to walk away into the direction of the dungeons, furious about their situation of continuous quarrels and irritations. Severus's anger at Remus for having interfered didn't last long, though. With the start of the summer term everything had become busy again and throughout the first week of school he had to give Careers Advice every day. On Monday afternoon the first fifth-year shuffled into his office far more at ease than any student of the other houses would ever have entered it, and sat down opposite Severus, taking a curious look at all the slimy objects in jars that he kept on his shelves.

Severus had spread out all the brochures he had been provided with on his desk and studied the list of marks from the other subjects before addressing the boy, cool and a little helpless as every year, keeping a finger on Remus's notes; or rather his hieroglyphs. To his utter surprise the boy was interested in exactly those professions that Remus had suggested for him and Severus stared at him for a moment or two before he carried on with the interview in a far more reassured manner.

Remus's suggestions proved to be correct in every single case and all students left Severus's office rather surprised at having been so excellently counseled. Severus wore a very smug smirk whenever he was being praised by the other house teachers and Albus, whose usual twinkle looked very knowing, indeed. Severus knew of course whose achievement it really was. He gave Remus a curt nod of acknowledgement in the staffroom and enjoyed the werewolf's happiness about his perfect evaluations in his rooms over a cup of white tea.

"Maybe one day I will be Head of House, too, what do you think?" Remus grinned with a tinge of genuine hope in his voice.

Severus just looked back at him and took a sip of tea before answering. "I must admit you do have rather a talent for it… but let's not get your hopes up too high… McGonagall will last another half century, I'm sure. She will not give the post up easily, you'll have to fight her to prove who's the better Gryffindor and I cannot see your victory there."

Remus laughed at that. "Coming from you, I take that as a compliment," said he. "Still, I'd love to be Head of House. Even though I know that it's not possible. Voldemort's curse has yet to strike me." He chuckled but Severus didn't find it very funny.

"Don't take that so lightly!" he snapped.

Remus looked at him calmly, though unsmiling. Then he took Severus's hand into both of his and sighed. "Tell me, Severus… when he comes back, will you be forced to join him again? With his Mark on you…"

Severus cleared his throat, not meeting Remus's eye. "It is more likely that he will kill me for having deserted him. But if I can be helpful as a spy in his rows, then I will certainly do my duty," said he firmly, though inside he didn't feel very confident. Being as good an Occlumens as he was would probably be his only chance to survive the Dark Lord's return. But who was he to refuse to help as much as he could.

"You're very courageous, Severus. I wish everybody could see that," Remus whispered but Severus shook his head.

"I don't care about everybody, let them believe what they like. It is easier that way," said he with indifference. At the same time he tried to ignore the surge of pleasure that went through his body at Remus's praise. For once he was regarded a hero, and even though the desire to be one was much too Gryffindor for him, he couldn't help liking the experience.

"You fill the role perfectly," said Remus quietly.

"Excuse me?"

"The role of the background hero. Always behind the scenes. Why do you want to stay in the shadow?"

Severus snorted. He didn't know, really. Maybe because he didn't deserve the praise. "As long as you know…" he said.

Remus frowned. "You know… when the time comes and you need someone… I'll be there for you… no matter what happens between us, I will always listen to whatever you need to tell. I want you to know that you're not alone with your task. I want you to know that you can rely on me –" He didn't get any further for Severus smiled at him rather sadly which silenced him.

"Really? Not even Albus listened last time. You know the details are vile… and hard to bear. That isn't for you."

Remus frowned. "You think me that delicate? I've listened before… no matter how hard it will be I will definitely listen. If no one listens to you and shares it with you how can you cope with it?"

Severus felt a piercing pain when Remus smiled reassuringly at him. "But," Severus said and gave a mirthless laugh, "I don't want you to see me as a monster."

Remus stared at him. "Oh," he breathed, "oh, Severus." He shook his head and looked at Severus with a heartbreaking expression. He seemed to be at a loss. Severus looked away and rubbed his neck helplessly. He was very good at upsetting the other, that was certain. "Severus, don't say such things," said Remus finally. "That is nonsense. Some things must be done and sometimes the difference between duty and monstrosity is the purpose and repentance."

This time it was Severus's turn to shake his head. "Don't," he replied and Remus fell silent, his eyes to the floor. "Let's… let's not talk about it."

"But I want you to know that there is someone who is there when you need him!" Remus said firmly. "I want you to know that there is someone who cares!"

There was a short silence between them in which Remus got up and walked to the window and Severus considered him curiously. It was unlike the werewolf to bring a distance between them in such a situation. But probably it had been Severus who had created the distance.

"I appreciate that," said he quietly. "And if it becomes necessary, I might take you up on your offer." Remus nodded at the window and Severus could see his reflection's troubled face. "It is my burden. I wouldn't want to heave it onto your shoulders."

Remus shook his head once again, heaving a sigh and passing a hand over his face. "I want to make it easier for you if I can. That's what you do when you love someone." He shrugged and the golden eyes of his reflection darted into Severus's direction. "If you don't accept it… well. I just hope that when the time comes and you feel terrible that you'll remember this conversation and instead of suffering silently and lonely you will come to me. Even you have limits, Severus, and I don't want you to break only because you help us without us even noticing it. It isn't shameful to seek help nor to be weak once in a while. Especially when one is strong all the time, like yourself. And no matter what happens between us, like I said, I will be there anyway because I will always care about you."

Severus swallowed and folded his hands in his lap. When the time came… when it came he would… he didn't know what he would do. He had not had such an offer at his disposal during the last war even though he had spied for Dumbledore. To the old man he had at first been a despicable being and later he had just been the Slytherin who gave him information. What he was to him now… he didn't know. But hadn't he wanted to tell someone about all the terrible things he had had to do? And it had felt relieving to tell Remus all those weeks before. No one wanted to listen to the crimes he would have to commit. The monstrosities. And yet Remus volunteered. No matter what happened between them. Really?

"I understand," said Severus, though he didn't. "Yet some things are unspeakable."

"You can leave yourself time. The words will come. And you'll see that you'll feel better. And I will be glad that I could help. I will be glad to see your eyes soften," replied Remus.

"But it will weigh heavy on you, won't it?" Severus asked. "All those filthy, murderous truths."

Remus's reflection's eyes darted into his direction once more and Severus saw a soft yet sad smile in them. "What could possibly weigh heavier than –" he said but stopped suddenly, his eyes fixed on something outside. Severus got up when he saw Remus tense and his eyes widen in something like shock.

"What is it?" Severus asked, suddenly alert. "What do you see?"

Remus started and his eyes shot towards Severus and back to the window. "Nothing!" he said too quickly. "There isn't anything."

Severus strode forward to take a look for himself. "Don't be ridiculous! Tell me what it is! What gave you that expression?"

Remus put his hands against Severus's chest and shook his head, preventing him from looking out. "There's nothing, Severus!" he cried but the Slytherin knew a look of shock when he saw one in Remus's eyes and he certainly knew when he was being kept away from something he shouldn't see, so he grasped him by the wrists and forced his way past him to the window to look out, ignoring Remus's "There really is nothing, Severus!", peering through the darkness over the lawn and into the direction of the Forbidden Forest. And indeed there was…

"Nothing," he murmured and turned to Remus, shaking his head. "What did you make such a fuss for, you dunderhead?"

The werewolf stared, first at him then out of the window, as if utterly surprised by the fact that Severus hadn't seen anything. After a moment or two he seemed to have collected himself and nodded somewhat distantly. "I… I thought that," said he thoughtfully and then added quickly, "I thought that I had told you so. You didn't believe me."

How very curious. Severus raised a suspicious eyebrow at him and gave him a look but Remus just stared back at him quite innocently. "Having hallucinations, are we, Professor Lupin?" he said mockingly and Remus grinned and shrugged.

"I told you, I didn't see anything," replied he and Severus nodded.

"Indeed, you did…"

Remus frowned but in the end ignored the obvious suggestion of him having lied. "I guess I'm just tired. It is very late, after all. I think I'll go to bed now."

Severus accepted his kiss but he held him by the arm when he pulled back to leave. "You… could sleep here," he offered and waved his hand into the direction of his bedroom. It was strange to offer that.

Remus smiled but shook his head. "You have to be fit for your match tomorrow."

"You realise I'm not playing?"

Remus laughed and pressed up against Severus with a mischievous grin which was very worthy of a Marauder. "Of course I do and I'm sure your team appreciates that fact," said he and winked at Severus who glowered back. "But I would hate you to oversleep and miss Gryffindor's victory."

Severus glared at him and he chuckled, stepping back from the Potions master. "As you wish, Remus. Although I do not understand where you got the idea that your sleeping next to me would exhaust me in any way," Severus said, though he knew that it would indeed excite him. Remus seemed speechless for a second, then he laughed again and covered his blushing face with his hands.

"You do have a point, Severus, I'm terribly sorry for my utterly indecent thoughts," he laughed and Severus smirked. "Of course that changes everything, though I'm sure that you've already changed your mind."

Severus turned away and walked into the direction of his bedroom to open the door and step aside. Remus's face lit up and he entered, followed by Severus who smirked in a self-satisfied fashion. Remus smiled and shrugged. "I believed you didn't think much of sharing a bed."

"Then you were wrong, obviously," replied Severus. "As you are about the match."

Remus undid his cravat, a different one from the cravat that he usually wore. "Since when do you like Quidditch, anyway?"

"Since Slytherin is the best at it."

"So, you'll hate it again tomorrow?"

"You are in a provocative mood, aren't you?"

Remus chuckled and apologised, settling down under the covers.

Severus was woken by a soft kiss, yet before he could open his eyes he heard the door fall shut behind the man who had given it to him, and the flare of the flames which undoubtedly brought him to his own rooms. He sat up groggily and smirked after Remus, running a hand over the ruffled sheets that he had slept between. He got out of bed and put on his set of green robes for the match. At breakfast Severus received a few challenging looks from McGonagall which he just warded off with the usual self-confidence that he felt before all Quidditch matches. After all it did look better for Slytherin. Though he wouldn't put it past Potter to steal the Cup today just because it was Potter.

As usual the teachers strolled down to the pitch in groups and McGonagall wished Severus good luck, shaking hands with him rather stiffly. Severus nodded and when the witch ascended the stairs to the commentators box, Remus stopped beside him, pretending to be waiting in the queue in front of the stands.

"So… I wish you good luck, Severus. But I hope that you won't be upset that I have your consolation prize ready," he said pleasantly, letting a group of Ravenclaws pass him, and received a rather curious glare.

"Consolation prize?" Severus asked, moving towards his team who were standing on the pitch.

Remus winked at him and his boyish grin couldn't have been wider. Severus shook his head when Remus reached out a hand to shake his but he took it and came closer for an instant to whisper into his ear.

"If you think that you can tempt me with that…"

"Oh, no, I'd never. I'm not taking sides after all. I was just thinking that you will need some cheering up later," replied Remus. "Oh, and by the way… green suits you extraordinarily well."

"Careful, Professor," growled Severus when Remus let himself be swept off by the crowd but when he turned he couldn't keep the smile from his face, though it was rather grim. He was in a conflict now. Losing wasn't that much of a disaster and winning bore victory but no… consolation – whatever that would be. When he reached the team he laid his hand on Draco's shoulder – the boy had looked rather pale all morning – and wished them good luck.

"Do your best!" said he and his team nodded determinedly, though Draco gripped his broom rather hard. When Severus sat down in the front row of the stands behind the Slytherin goalposts his smile just became grimmer; he could make out Remus just opposite him and he was sure he could see the light in his eyes which was his Gryffindor spirit and of course the spirit for Potter. How brightly would he shine if Gryffindor won? Severus wanted to see it and yet… ah, it was a conflict indeed.

That changed a few minutes into the game when suddenly his team started cheating and fouling violently to try and keep control over the match. Severus could see Remus shake his head disappointedly and rise from his seat in angry agitation, throwing a blaming arm into the air towards Severus. Severus rubbed his forehead and looked away, hoping dearly for a Gryffindor victory just so he wouldn't need to endure the reproaches and the anger of not only one of his colleagues. It was Slytherin from their worst side, certainly, but then again, those youths were forced into the cliché, weren't they? Why else would three-quarters of the school wear scarlet?

Remus was right, after all. The houses in the way they were divided into groups of character traits were not only positive, like that they only deepened what they already had instead of learning from one another. Though he was proud to be a Slytherin. Like Remus was proud to be a Gryffindor. Or was he? When Draco pulled on Potter's broom to prevent him from catching the Snitch and Hooch almost lost her temper about it he wasn't so sure anymore. Probably he shouldn't have said "do your best", obviously his team had misinterpreted it. And then, suddenly, his heart sank and pounded faster at the same time: Draco was diving for the Snitch and Potter was far away. But that blasted broom of his, of course, let him catch up quickly and soon he was beside Draco, stretching out his hand, and…

A deafening roar went through the scarlet crowd and Severus buried his face in his hands for a moment, not sure whether he was disappointed or relieved. He got up immediately and left the stand, falling back behind the many people storming in on the Gryffindor team. It was odd to see someone else win the Cup. It was a strange feeling of loss. He leant against one of the wooden pillars in the shadows under the stands and watched the scarlet cheering, the hoisting up on shoulders and the receiving of what had used to be his. McGonagall sobbed. He just felt nothing right now. Like he had felt nothing two years before when Dumbledore had just given the House Cup to Gryffindor without warning. That Potter really took everything he could, didn't he? The golden era of Slytherin seemed to be over.

There was a rustling beside Severus and he turned his head to find Remus leaning against the neighbouring pillar, a faint smile on his lips. Unlike everyone else, he wasn't wearing even one red garment or accessory but the shining that Severus had been anticipating was right there; a brightly glowing aura of exhilaration. Handsome indeed, at least he hadn't been disappointed there.

"I'm sorry you lost, Severus," said Remus quietly and Severus huffed. "How are you feeling?"

"I," Severus muttered with a glance at the scarlet blur at the other side of the pitch, "don't know."

Remus nodded slowly and let his head fall back against the pillar, putting his hands into his pockets. "You cannot always win."

"I know," replied Severus.

"And you brought Slytherin many successful years as their Head of House."

"I know."

"I know you're disappointed now but there will be more successful years again in the future."

"I know!" snapped Severus and Remus lapsed into startled silence. Suddenly he started laughing quietly and Severus rolled his eyes, raising his eyebrows at him.

"I'm sorry… I just wanted to cheer you up… you looked somewhat lost. I understand that the Cup has been standing in your office since Charlie Weasley left the school?" said Remus with a little smile.

Severus nodded. The scarlet blur didn't seem to ever dissolve. "We had a run. But the Potters are always sure to beat Slytherin, aren't they? We lost the House Cup to them, as well."

Remus pushed himself off the pillar and turned away from the scarlet crowd, starting to walk over to the castle. "Oh… your disappointment… since it was Gryffindor that did this to you, I guess one Gryffindor will need to make up for it."

Severus looked after him, his lithe figure heading up the hill towards the gates of the Entrance Hall behind the green crowd of gloomy Slytherins, and smirked, walking over towards the weeping Head of Gryffindor House to congratulate her. He would need to look a little graver for that, though.

Severus had no time at all to dwell on the loss of the Cup since when he got back to his office he found Remus with his back against the cupboard in which he had kept it, the usual mild smile on his lips. "Tell me, Severus… what did you say to your team before the match? Did you want them to cheat because I challenged you? Because I've never seen such a dirty match…" said he.

"I didn't. I told them to do their best… not their worst," replied Severus irritably. "I'll need to talk to them."

"I see… ah, well, I guess it isn't easy to have six hundred people against you, but today they didn't deserve to win," muttered Remus and chuckled. "By the way, what about that grim smile of yours? I can't even imitate it, it's impossible. But then again… it's you," he smiled and Severus scowled at him.

"That was your influence…" Severus said and again Remus chuckled.

"I see… well," he smiled and stepped closer, "about that consolation prize…"

Severus snorted and crossed his arms. "If you think that you are a consolation prize… I should be glad I lost… what would you have offered to Minerva, I wonder?"

"Oh… no, no, no… this sort of thing is just for you."

"Then I wonder," Severus said when Remus pressed up against him, "what I would have been offered if I had won."

The werewolf laughed and shook his head. "To be honest… I find your proud dignity in the face of defeat rather appealing."

Severus smirked self-satisfactory and inclined his head but just when their lips touched there was a very hesitant knock on the door and they started, stepping back from each other. Remus smiled sheepishly and retreated into the Potions classroom with a wave of his hand, leaving the door slightly ajar. When the knock was repeated even more hesitantly, Severus cleared his throat.

"Enter," he said and the door opened to reveal one of his first years, face tear-streaked. He beckoned her closer and she closed the door behind her, stepping towards him, eyes to the floor. "What is it? Did anything happen?"

The girl sobbed and Severus showed her to a chair, sitting down on his desk in front of her. "They – they don't want me here," she wept. "They said I don't belong into Slytherin because I'm Mu-Muggle-born!"

Severus's face darkened. There were currently three Muggle-born Slytherins at Hogwarts, one of them was sitting in front of him. They usually had a hard time especially in first year and every time Severus had to tell the older students and the children of former Slytherins off because of their taunting and bullying. Yet again a reason why the houses were not only positive.

"And they've just found out today that you're Muggle-born?" he asked and the girl shook her head.

"N-no, they found out a few weeks ago, b-but they don't stop and it's g-getting worse. I don't know if I want t-to stay."

Severus shook his head and laid his hand on her shoulder in what he hoped to be a reassuring gesture. He knew how she felt. How it felt to be bullied. "Don't give in to their bullying, true Slytherins are proud and staunch. And if you weren't one of us the Hat wouldn't have put you with us, your ancestry is unimportant. They're the ones with limited minds. If you can give me their names, I will show them their place and decent behaviour. I won't tolerate it." The girl looked up at him with big teary eyes and a quivering smile and nodded. "Fine. Don't worry, they will not do it again, I'll see to that," he added and there could be no doubting his words. He was rather… intimidating after all. He showed the girl out after having written down the bullies' names, conjuring a handkerchief for her, and closed the door with a heavy sigh.

The worst thing was that most of those particular Slytherins believed him to be on their side, since they believed him to be a pure-blood. Of course he never told anyone the truth. It would cost him his good standing with the pure-blood parents and those dark people whom he would probably need to be trusted by in the future. In the end it was all pretence.

Behind him the lab door creaked and when he turned he was face to face with Remus who smiled at him, looking rather moved. Severus raised an eyebrow at him. "I was wrong, Severus…" said Remus quietly. "You are the right one to be Head of House."

To Severus that sentence was far more than merely a consolation prize. And he found that the aftertaste of it was sweet on Remus's tongue.