Thank you very much to those of you that reviewed. I am glad that you not only liked this story, but cared enough to review it! I wasn't planning to update so soon, simply to get on with the two other important stories I'm attempting to finish, but you've all been so nice to me in your reviews that I've decided to give it a shot. I hope you like it as much as you liked the first chapter.











Chapter Two: Descending





When Remus Lupin woke up, it was still dark. It wasn't too cold, to his relief, so he decided not to lie in and just have a quick shower. Maybe he could get away with having breakfast in the kitchens this time, he wasn't feeling like any publicity.

The shower was a strange relief after the night's slumber. He wouldn't say that he had slept badly, but there had been something decidedly disconcerting by the continual flickering images he received in his subconcious state: images he could just about call up with a leadening weight on his heart and feel dispirited and lonely. Those emotions had supposed to have been banished from his heart. Now they were back and for no suitable reason.

I do remember, he thought to himself, rubbing the back of his neck with a towel. It was Snape... it was something about him that had hapened last night.

When mostly dry, Remus began to dress himself, mind only half aware of what his body was doing.

Snape had *flinched* when Dumbledore had touched his shoulder. No one else had noticed - but then again, there were only four of them present - but he, and maybe Dumbledore. With the memory fresh in his mind, Remus set off downstairs to the kitchens.

He passed the numerous paintings, some of which had never forgotten him from his school days and the rest could only half recall.

Several staircases swung round in the early morning silence that greets all dawns, grinding as they wrenched themselves away from landings. Remus could smell the age of it all, of Hogwarts and was filled with the customary awe for it. He hurried downstairs to the kitchens, although the eerie calm was more comforting than threatening.

When outside the kitchens, he tickled the pear. It giggled, making the werewolf grin slightly.

He stepped inside, at first not noticing the seated figure on one of the long tables. He only saw a few house elves, stocking up the fires that were used for Hogwarts ancient 'central heating' system and carrying sheets and brooms and pillows, running around helter skelter, despite the fact that it was only early dawn.

A house elf noticed him, eyes widening. It hurried forwards towards the man and squeaked, "anything for you, sir?"

"Ermmm... I'm only here for breakfast," Remus smiled in return. The house elf bowed, arms still laden with fire wood, and hurried away. To his right, Remus heard a sudden shifting of fabric.

He turned and saw the formerly seated person hastily rise and gesture as if to leave quickly.

"I'm sorry," Remus called, walking quickly after the person. "I didn't intend to disturb any - " He stopped as the figure turned round.

It was Snape.

He raised an eyebrow. "Thank you for expressing your concern, Lupin," he replied. "However, it is a waste of your breath; my breakfasting is over. I am finished here."

"You didn't get up until I spoke to that house elf," Remus said, smiling slightly.

Snape's reaction would have been funny if it wasn't so usual.

He didn't react at all to the smile. His face remained pale, cold and hard, no hint of movement in the muscles beneath the sallow skin. His eyes stayed dull and empty. Or maybe filled with hate, you couldn't tell.

"And so?"

"That was a pathetic excuse, what you said before. You can stay -"

"I don't need your permission, Lupin. I am going, comprende? As in, leaving: Je part, oui?" Snape - if anything - was beginning to look not only annoyed, but suspicious.

"I thought you were going because someone else had arrived, interrupting your sanctuary." The werewolf said softly. "I was simply trying to reassure you that I wouldn't intrude on you or anything. I hadn't planned to bother you..."

"Of course. You never do."

"Wha-?" Remus was about to respond heatedly, but decided against it.

"Yes?" Snape said, tersely. It wasn't a question so much as it was a command. "What do you want to say now?"

"I was wondering if everything was alright with you." Lupin's fingers were crossed. He had almost added, 'and Dumbledore.'

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"That's not an answer, Lupin..."

Remus successfully toned down his grin. "I know, but why don't you stay?"

"Because I don't want to."

"Because I'm here?"

Snape seemed to be trying to control his temper: his breathing became much slower and regulated, as if he was counting. Then, when he felt himself calm enough to reply, his mouth set into the usual, thin line.

"It's nothing to do with that, Lupin. I simply wanted to leave."

Remus let a long silence come up. It was obvious that Snape was searching his countencance for any sign of either trouble or emotion. He wouldn't get very far, the werewolf was sure of that: he had since become an expert on concealing troublesome emotions.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"I never said I was in the first place."

"So you're not?"

A house elf came running up to him and tugged on his robes. "We is got your brikfist, sir!" It handed the werewolf a tray with a bowl of porridge, some well-buttered hot cross buns and tea. Then it scurried away to work.

"I never said that either." Snape seemed to be gritting his teeth. "I can't understand why you're asking me that question and why you're still here, not eating your breakfast. May I leave now?"



* * *

Did everyone know?

Were they all watching him? Did they know about why Dumbledore would send a teacher to call him to his office? Did they ... did they... did they...?

He swore there was something different about him. Something that made him so obviously different. Was it the way he walked? How he spoke? The way he wore his robes? The way he ate? What was it? Everyone seemed to be whispering his name in the shadows... the portraits seemed to stare at him, the suits of armour to creak mockingly whenever he walked past them.

They couldn't all know, could they?

"What's up with you, Severus?" Lucius murmured. "Don't tell me you're not hungry... all that studying you're doing with Dumbledore..."

Did they really believe that? Or were they all smirking behind his back?

"You must want something to eat..." the older boy went on. "Bacon?"

"N-no. Thank you, but ... no."

He shievered at the thought of Lucius' body so close to his. Why was it that he always felt so cold?

"Are you sure you're alright?" Other Slytherin fifth years were gazing his way, some looking concerned, others merely inquisitive. Snape nodded. "You look really -"

"I'm fine, Lucius." Snape answered at last, still not daring to look up around the table.

**See... they're all staring at you... they know you're a queer... they think you're sick... 'cos of that stuff with *him*, remember? You liked it, they know it and they *HATE* you for it....**

* * *

Remus wondered if Snape was telling the truth. He looked no different.

"Would you like me to help you with the potions?" Remus asked. "I could at least carry them around..."

Snape obviously disagreed, but he didn't say anything. He remained silent and sullen, constantly preoccupied with something.

"Severus?"

"Lupin... I can do just as well as before, thank you. Now, then. I must leave... I have lessons to prepare." With that, the dark robed man got up and left the kitchen as quickly - or so it looked to Remus - as possible.

*

There you go. Hope you liked that!