Late Sunday afternoon, Remus Lupin found himself standing outside Snape's quarters. No one had laid eyes on Snape since dinner on Friday, which he'd left so abruptly. Knowing how depressed he'd been, Lupin felt he needed to check on him, even though it would probably mean getting yelled at. Actually, he hoped he did get yelled at. At least that would be a normal Snape response to interference. Well, here goes nothing. Lupin found himself wondering why the chore of checking on the prickly Snape always seemed to fall to him. Next time, he swore it would be Minerva's turn no matter what excuse she came up with.
Once he'd gathered his courage, he raised his hand and knocked on the door. No response. He knocked again. Louder.
"Who is it?" Snarled Snape's voice through the door.
Well, that certainly sounded normal. "It's Remus, Severus. Can I speak to you for a minute?" There was a pause and what sounded like murmured conversation took place beyond the door. Before Lupin could do more than lean closer and wonder at the sounds, the door opened abruptly to reveal a slightly disheveled Snape wearing a black silk bathrobe and a scowl.
"What is it Lupin, that can't wait until tomorrow?" He growled ominously.
Lupin jumped back slightly at Snape's sudden appearance then just looked at him patiently. "Do you really want to discuss it out here in the hallway or may I come in?"
Snape scowled harder and hesitated as he thought it over, but just then some students could be heard heading in their direction. So reluctantly Snape opened the door a bit wider and impatiently ushered Lupin inside, closing the door after him.
Turning away from the door, he frowned in annoyance at Lupin and crossed his arms over his chest. "What do you want, Lupin? Isn't your life full enough without bothering me?"
Lupin sighed. "Oh, I've got plenty to keep me busy, but I was the lucky one who drew the short straw. No one's laid eyes on you since Friday evening, Severus. We all know how much you've been missing Evangeline. We just wanted to be sure that you were okay."
Snape rolled his eyes at the ceiling. "Oh, for the days when no one questioned my comings and goings. Whatever makes you think that my affairs are any of your business? I'm not one of your helpless students you know, I'm fully capable of taking care of myself without your assistance." He glared at Lupin in annoyance and then gave an exaggerated sigh as the glare didn't seem to be having the desired effect. "Oh, very well, if it'll put your busy little mind at rest, as you can see, I'm perfectly fine. As for Evangeline…"
Before he could go any farther, soft hands reached around to cover Lupin's eyes, and a voice whispered happily in his ear. "Surprise, Remus!"
The startled werewolf whirled around to find Evangeline standing there wearing a green silk bathrobe and a smile. Happy to see her, he smiled back, and they embraced quickly.
"Evangeline! It's so good to see you. How are you? Everyone has missed you around here."
Releasing Lupin, she walked over and slipped her arm around Snape. "I'm fine, Remus. It's good to see you, too. I just popped in for a weekend visit. Very hush hush." She winked at him.
He grinned at the two of them. "I see that we were concerned for nothing. I'm sorry to have intruded."
Lupin could see that Snape was all for ushering him out as quickly as possible, but Evangeline didn't seem to be in such a hurry, so he added, "I'm glad you've come for a visit. What took you so long? Severus, here, has been climbing the walls since you've been gone."
Snape snorted and looked offended. "That's blatantly untrue, Lupin."
Evangeline smiled. "I'm sorry that I took so long to come for a visit. I had some personal things I needed to take care of. They took longer than I thought they would. I'll be able to return more frequently from now on."
Lupin smiled, happy to hear that they'd be seeing more of her again. "Well, I won't intrude any longer on your privacy, but do bear in mind, Angel, that the rest of us would like to visit with you, too. Minerva's been missing you especially strongly."
Evangeline glanced up at Snape, and then turned back to Lupin. "Please tell Albus and Minerva that I say hello, and that I'm doing well. I promise that I'll come for a visit with all of you soon. This time I really needed to see Severus alone. I hope you can understand."
Lupin nodded, looking at the two of them standing there with their arms around each other, and felt a slight pang of envy. "Yes, I certainly can. Well, I guess I'll be going now. I'm glad to see you looking so well, Evangeline. I hope you'll be able to make a slightly more public visit soon."
She nodded happily at him and stepped back out of sight as Snape opened the door to let him out. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Severus."
Snape nodded curtly and stated firmly. "Good night, Lupin."
As the door closed swiftly behind him, Lupin found himself out in the corridor alone. He grinned wistfully to himself. "Well, I guess none of us needs to worry about Severus any more. I wish I were half so lucky." With a slightly envious glance back at Snape's door, he headed up the corridor to report his findings to the appropriately interested parties.
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Early the next morning, Evangeline and Severus stood in front of his concert painting. She buttoned the top two buttons of his robe and gave him a pat on the chest as she grinned teasingly at him. "There, all set to face the day. Go out there and chew up the scenery, Professor Snape!"
Chuckling lightly, he encircled her with his arms. "I have been off my game this last month or so. The little miscreants are in for a bit of a shock today."
They shared a laugh that turned into a longing look and a lingering kiss. Sobering he smoothed her hair back from her forehead with gentle fingers. "It seems like I just stood in this very spot and said good bye to you, and here I am doing it again."
She placed her hands on either side of his face. "It won't be for as long this time. I promise. I'll be back soon."
He nodded. "You'd better be, or I'll make Albus tell me where you are, and I'll go get you myself."
Their lips met for one final good-bye kiss, and then reluctantly she touched the painting and vanished.
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Severus Snape entered the dining hall in full professorial mode, head up, sneer in place, quick step, confident manner. Those at the head table noticed the change immediately. Most were mystified about what had caused it, and were perhaps a bit sorry to see the quieter, less difficult, Snape go. Those who knew what had happened to effect this change were pleased to see the old Snape return, knowing that it meant that things were right with the world once more.
Snape took his seat next to Lupin with a brief nod. "Good morning, Lupin. How are you today?"
Lupin smiled. "I'm fine, Severus. It's quite obvious that you're feeling much better this morning. Did your guest leave?"
Snape nodded. "Yes, hopefully it won't be as long between visits this time."
Lupin shook his head. "No, I certainly hope not."
The next two months passed more pleasantly for everyone except Professor Snape's students, who were all a little dismayed to find their teacher back to his sneering, demerit tossing, detention giving self. Everything had returned to normal, although Draco Malfoy still did not seem to have recovered his former favor, to his great confusion and dismay.