- Chapter 17 -

Discussions and Truces

Willow felt the arm encircle her waist as she moved to rise from the bed.

"And just where do you think you're going, Miss. Rosenberg?" The sexy silken voice purred into her ear, as she was drawn back against the hard chest of the man behind her.

She twisted around to face Severus and gave him a peck on the lips before answering.

"I thought it would be best if we were dressed before we started our little discussion. You know, less distractions. No getting sidetracked." She grinned saucily at him. "We're never gonna get anywhere if you keep seducing me."

A hint of a smile quirked his lips. "Me? I was under the impression that it was you who were the one doing the seducing."

Willow shook her head. "Oh no, not me. Who was the one to start with the smoochies, huh? Those alone are deadly weapons. Then coupled with that voice and those touchy feely hands of your, make for a very dangerous combo, mister."

"Perhaps the first time, but definitely not the second." A smirk found its way onto his lips as he added. "Nor the third or fourth, I might add."

"Oh yeah? Well... well... well okay, it's true. But that's not the point. The point is that we can't talk about anything if we don't get dressed. So I suggest we get dressed, that way we won't be distracted." Willow stated as she once again attempted to rise from the bed.

This time she succeeded began sifting through their scattered clothes, tossing Severus his whenever she came upon them. Reluctantly rising from the bed, the potions master began getting dressed as well. Before long, they were both fully dressed and sitting side by side on the bed once more.

Sighing deeply, Willow turned to Severus, resolve face in place. "Okay, so... I need to talk to you."

"I don't suppose I can stop you...?"

"Nope." Willow shook her head emphatically.

Rolling his eyes, Snape continued. "Well if you must. What do you need to talk to me about?"

"You and Remus."

"And why, pray tell, do we need to have that particular discussion...?" He said with a look of total disgust at the prospect of such a discussion.

"Because, if we don't have this discussion, then you're never gonna sort out your differences? And if you don't sort out your differences, then how are you gonna resolve them? And if you don't resolve your differences, then you're never gonna trust one another? And if you never trust one another, then how are you gonna expect us to work as a team when this whole prophecy thingy goes down? Huh, Mr. Smarty Pants?"

Severus was comfortable with the status quo; he really didn't want to have the differences resolved...and he certainly never thought he'd ever be able to trust Remus (nor did he think the werewolf would ever trust him...with good reason). However, with her third statement, about the prophecy, Snape had to admit defeat--grudgingly--and sighed, indicating to Willow that he would hear her out.

Willow smiled thankfully at him. In her mind, she went back over what the prophecy had said.

"After the rise of the darkness, a lamb shall step forward. But the howl of the wolf, and the roar of the lion shall bear great power in deterring the darkness.

Through bonds of love and frienship, the lamb shall tame the wolf. For the wolf shall lead the lion, and the lion shall lead the lamb. And the one with the mark of darkness shall lead them all to the light."

Looking Severus in the eye, Willow began to explain her theory. "Okay, you see it's like this. The prophecy says that we will all lead each other though it. Remus will lead Harry, and Harry will lead me. And you're supposed to lead us all back to the light, whatever the frilly heck that's supposed to mean. But still, how do you plan on leading Remus anywhere if you have a big ol' chip on your shoulder?"

Severus knew where he wanted to lead Remus, and started to say so...however, the determined look on Willow's face stopped him. Knowing it was for the best of all, he settled for a slight growl of protest, before asking, "Have you spoken to Lupin about this yet?"

Willow blushed. "Well... no. I sort of got distracted with all the arguing with Draco and being kidnapped and stuff. Besides, I wanted to talk to you about it first."

"Oh, that...", Snape mumbled. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to take the plunge. "Well, I suppose...if he's open to a truce ...I...could...be persuaded...", he continued to mumble, while simultaneously doing something else he seldom did.

Blushing furiously.

Recovering quickly, he added, "I will, of course, expect payment in full for this... this... service...." He now had a devilish gleam in his eyes.

A wicked smile splayed across Willow's face when she saw the gleam, and leaning forward she nipped lightly at Severus' ear as she whispered, "Oh, I think that can be arranged."

Conveniently forgetting about the seriousness at hand, Severus began chuckling deeply, as he moved toward Willow again.

Willow quickly moved off of the bed and out of reach of Severus' reach. "Nu-uh. I thought we agreed, no more snugglies."

A look of defeat came over Severus, and he gave in grumpily. "Oh, all right", he conceded, moving toward the doorway. "Let's get it over with."

Willow gave a squeal as she rushed to attach herself to Severus' arm. Together, they exited her room and started toward the DADA classroom.

When Remus Lupin saw the pair in his doorway, a feeling of foreboding came over him. The feeling grew when Severus Snape, his boyhood nemesis, said, in a deceptively calm voice, "Lupin, may we see you? Miss Rosenberg has some...things to discuss with us."

Remus nodded, then turned back to his class. "Alright everyone, I want you all to read the next two chapters, and be ready for a test next week."

That said, he turned and joined the pair who had moved to stand in the corridor. Once there, he directed a look at Willow. "Now Willow, what's this all about?" Remus asked, noticing the deadly look Snape was shooting him for addressing Willow by her first name. He had to smother a chuckle.

Still glaring, Snape suggested smoothly, "Perhaps we'd best find an empty classroom." As humiliating as the truce was going to be, the thought of having a public "hatchet-burying" mortified Snape. "I believe that the potion's classroom is free this hour. How about we go there?" Snape continued.

Remus and Willow agreed and they started down the corridor to the stairs leading to the dungeons. Remus couldn't help but smile at the way Willow still clung to Snape's arm. He didn't comment though, simply shaking his head and chuckled under his breath. Once inside his domain, Severus closed the door. Remus couldn't help but notice that Snape's normal dour expression had been replaced by a definite look of discomfort. "Miss Rosenberg has some news...and, I believe, a request...." The last word held a frightening mixture of sarcasm and contempt, which was lost on no one. Severus motioned for Willow to continue.

Clearing her throat, Willow turned so she could face both of the men she was about to address. "Okay, here's the deal Remus. We're in the middle of a prophecy here, right?"

Remus nodded in agreement.

"And me, you and Severus, not to mention Harry, are all involved, right?"

Once again Remus nodded.

"Good. Okay, so you'll understand what I mean when I say that because of the prophecy, we can't let any animosities between any of us get the better of us during whatever might happen during said prophecy, right?" She gave him a pointed look.

Suddenly, it began to dawn on Remus just what Willow was getting at. She wanted him to make up with Snape. Remus Lupin now also understood what was eating at Severus Snape. Willow had already gone over, with the Potions Master, the same points she'd just covered with him. He went pale with the thought of having to work with Snape, instead of against him...and he somehow knew that once Harry Potter--or worse, Headmaster Albus Dumbledre--got wind of this, neither wizard would ever hear the end of it! A moan of humiliation and frustration escaped Lupin. Snape found himself almost enjoying this...almost.

Willow looked from one man to another and couldn't help but give a little huff. Honestly, you would think it would kill them to have to be civil and work together just for the sake of getting through a little bitty prophecy. But noo, leave it to the men to want to be childish about it. Finally, Willow just shrugged her shoulders and smiled at the two visibly uncomfortable men.

"Okay, now that that's all cleared up, how about we get something to eat. After this morning, I find I'm quite hungry."

"Oh, no, you don't!" Snape snapped at her. "That's not why I brought us here!" His eyes conveyed a warning, If you want this truce, it will be on my terms...End of discussion!

Willow flinched a bit at his tone of voice but recovered quickly and said, "Alright then, get it over with. Go on, kiss and make up."

That comment made Snape glare at her all the harder. Both men eyed each other warily for a few moments, and just when Willow thought she was going to have to do something drastic to get them to approach one another, they both took a hesitant step forward. Willow sighed contentedly when Snape's hand snaked out and caught Remus' in a brief handshake before releasing it quickly, as though he had been burned. The two men muttered what Willow assumed to be apologies to one another, although as far as she knew it could have been death threats.

"Okay you big babies, it's din-din time. Come on." Willow squealed and sped up when she saw Snape lunge for her, but she managed to make it up the stairs and into the main corridor before he could catch her.

~*~

TBC...