Disclaimer same as always.
Writers Notes: As always thanks to everyone following allow with this story, and thanks to WizardSmurf of your review.
Once class was over and the students made their way out, Severus entered Lupin's office wondering what that bloody wolf wants. It better have nothing to do with the Boggart lesson, Severus had enough with people like Dumbledore wanting to talk about his feelings, he doesn't need a wolf as his bloody psychologist. Severus sat down in a chair and waited for Lupin to arrive. In a few moments the door opened and Lupin entered his office.
"What is it you want to discuss... Professor?" Severus asked flatly as Lupin just smiled back and took his seat behind his desk.
"There's no need to call me that in private, Severus," Lupin smiled, leading on that he did in fact know the truth.
"So you know don't you?" Severus asked.
"Yes."
"And who slipped that little secret?" Severus glared at the man.
"No one," Lupin said smiling. "My curse has granted me heightened senses, you give off the same musk as Severus Snape. It's unmistakable." "
"Smelling students? How very inappropriate of you," Severus said, but Lupin ignored his remark.
"Also given that you are helping me with my... little problem, too many signs point to it." Lupin got up to make some tea.
"We're alone, you can say it, we both know what you are. It's not a secret," Severus hissed. "Don't tell me that you bought me here just to talk about old memories now?" Lupin returned to his desk looking quite guilty as he offered Severus a cup of tea, which Severus took.
"You trust me?" Lupin asked, shocked that Severus took the cup without a second thought.
"No, I don't," Severus took a sip and glance at Lupin. "But I am your white mage and you don't fuck with your white mage." Lupin took a deep breath and rested his hand on his forehead as he looked down at his feet. He said something under his breath so low that Severus couldn't hear. "Did you say something? Speak up!"
"I'm sorry," Lupin said again very low and not even looking at Severus at all.
"What? I still can't hear, stop mumbling," Severus said getting annoyed. "Just say what you have to say, so I can leave." Lupin looked up at Severus.
"I'm sorry," Lupin said sadly.
"About what? Please be more specific," Severus said taking another sip.
"You know."
"If you can't say what exactly you're sorry for, then you're obviously not sorry," Severus said as he took another sip of his coffe. "I don't care if you're sorry or not sorry. Now if we're quite done here, may I go?"
"Severus, please," Lupin pleaded.
"Why does it matter to you anyway? It happened, its done. Sorry doesn't change anything, so why do you care?" Severus asked.
"Severus please I feel bad about everything that happened," Lupin said.
"Why can't you say exactly what you're sorry for?" Severus asked. "It's over! If you're sorry then okay if you're not then okay, it doesn't matter to me. You were alone, so your choice was use your power as a prefect to help me and lose your friends or let me get tormented everyday for seven bloody years straight. But yeh it's okay because at least I'll have friends. Right?"
"Look I'm just simply saying let's just start over," Lupin suggested.
"Why does it matter to you anyway, it didn't bother you when your friends tormented me. It didn't bother you when a Professor showed up and you put all the blame on me?" Severus said.
"Please, Severus," Lupin said sounding truly genuine.
"Human beings, we all have our dark sides; we have dark issues in our lives. To progress anywhere in life, we all have to face our demons. Unless we learn to face our own shadows, we will continue to see them in others, because the world outside of us is the only reflection of the world inside us."
"Severus, whether you believe me or not, I am truly sorry," Lupin said.
"Like I said it doesn't matter to me whether you are or not," Severus said as he dug through his pocket and set a wolfsbane potion on Lupin's desk. Lupin carefully picks up the potion. "Lupin, remember one thing, be very responsible. I didn't make this potion so we can become friends, I did it whether you believe it or not because I care about the safety of each student here. Don't put student's lives in danger."
"Thanks, Severus. Really thank you," Lupin said with a small smile. "I won't put any student's lives in danger."
"I will say this, you are better than everyone else that taught this subject so far," Severus said.
"You know its hard to tell whether you're lying or telling the truth," Lupin said with a smile.
"But, as I said, the bar of Dark Arts Professor is low. So it's not saying much that you're the best ... so far."
"Severus one more thing, about your Boggart?" Lupin asked
"There's nothing to talk about," Severus glared at Lupin which told him to stay quiet.
"Severus what do you hope for?" Lupin asked.
"I pray that one day I can escape my perpetual torment and retire in peace and comfort a million miles away from anyone l've every know," Severus said before leaving the office.
"It was great to see you again, Severus. Maybe we can put everything behind us."
"Maybe, " Severus said as he left Lupin's office and travelled down to the Great Hall for lunch, where he was greeted by Harry and Hermione.
"What did Professor Lupin want?" Harry asked.
"Nothing really, he knew my dad, and he just wanted to know how he is," Severus said.
"Speaking about your father," Hermione said. "Was that Boggart your dad? What did 'this is all you are, and all you will be' mean? What's all your fault? What did he mean people are dead because of you?"
"Nothing that concerns you, we all have secrets and private lives and I wish that it stays that way," Severus said.
"But, Severus. If something is bothering you we can help," Harry said.
"Yes, exactly! That's what friends do," Hermione said.
"I said DROP it! There are things I wish not to discuss!"