author notes sorry it took so long for this chapter. i didn't have the inspiration. *pout* Anywho, this is mostly from Snapes side! Which, for me, is hard to write! i dont' know why, but I can't seem to geet Snape's character right. Oh well.

Chasing the Moon
A Snape Perspective

Severus Snape strode across the front lawn of Hogwarts, heading in the direction of the lake. The comming of winter was in the air on this Saturday afternoon. Severus quickly pulled his robes tighter around him, careful not to drop his large book. The lake was peaceful, barely a ripple in it. A few students lounged around it, but it was mostly vacant. Severus quickly found a tree that was farthest from any activity, and sat down for a long read.

It wasn't long before Severus' mind started to drift. Looking over the top of his book, he scanned the area. Groaning to himself, he spotted Lucius Malfoy in yet another make-out session. Lucius, though he did talk to him some times, was not what Severus would call a friend. In fact, he was more of a nuisance. Moving his eyes downcast, Severus let a thought drift into his mind. I have no friends.

Throughout his Hogwarts career, Severus had basically learned to enjoy being lonely. Not that it was an easy task. From day one, he had been seen as a weakling and something that could be tortured. Mainly by one particular group of people. Severus narrowed his eyes at the thought of them. He spotted the four figures walking past the lake, not far from him. Sirius was tossing stones into the lake, James seemed to be scratching his head, Peter was running to catch up, and then there was Remus...

Severus didn't know why, but he liked Remus. He couldn't put his finger on it, and he tried to convince him he hated the boy just as much as he hated his friends. But the difference between Remus and his friends was that Remus didn't tease him. He usually just pulled out a book and patiently read until James and Sirius was done. That's, in fact, what he was doing now, reading. Severus continued to watch the boy over the top of his book.

"Well, if it isn't little Snivellus!" Sirius called out, recieving a laugh from James on the 'cool new name'. The Maurader's walked over, Remus in the back. Severus tried to ignore them, he really wasn't in the mood for such nonsense. "What's the matter? Nobody want to hang out your smelly ass?"

"Leave. Me. Alone." Severus replied through gritted teeth, prepared at any moment to reach for his wand. They all smirked. All but Remus. He kept his eyes glued to the pages of his book, but Severus could tell he wasn't reading. James pulled out his wand and twirled it liesurely in his hand.

"That's not a nice way to talk, Snivellus." James told him, breaking into a grin. Severus slowly stood, keeping his back against the trunk of the tree. Severus had just dove into his pocket to grab his wand when something odd happened. Remus closed his book and grabbed James' wand.

"Just leave him alone." Remus said. Severus could hear the nervousness in his voice, and he couldn't blame him. This seemed to be the first time he stood up to his friends. Sirius and James' jaw dropped and Peter took a wary step back.

"I don't need your help." Severus demanded. Remus turned to him, and Severus suddenly felt himself becomming speachless. The look in Remus' was something he couldn't identify, it just left him with no words. There was a pause of silence. The other Gryffindor's still had not got over their shock, and Remus just conitnued to look at Severus. Severus thought this as very unnerving. Finally, he shoved past the group of friends and went on his way.

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Christmas break was finally there, much to Severus' happiness. He would finally have the Slytherin common room to himself, along with most of the dungeons, as long as he avoided Professor Marx. He awoke late, but not particularily in a good mood. His dream the night before had plaqued him. It had centered around Remus, them together. Though Severus could not remember the events of the dream, he always awoke content, and then aggitated once he realized who it was about.

But Severus put it behind him. It was Christmas afterall, and most likely the object of his dreams and his friends were gone. This brought Severus' mood up about two octaves. There was even a little skip in his step as he walked down to lunch, having missed breakfast due to the dreadful dream (not that this was a good excuse, but he felt the need to blame the dream for something). He entered the Great Hall and groaned as he saw Dumble dore had removed the house tables, leaving one small table towards the front. He let out an even deeper groan as he saw that the only seat available was next to someone he wasn't interested in talking to at the moment: Remus Lupin.

Remus looked up at him as he sat down. He quickly put food on his plate and opened his book, to avoid any conversation. Severus, out of cruiosity, finally stole a glance at the other boy. Remus, too, was absorbed in a book, his fork held up with food that probably would never reach his mouth. Severus mentally cursed himself for even looking over and returned to his book. Once the hall started clearing out, Severus heard a soft voice speak to him.

"What are you reading?"

Merlin, his voice is beautiful. Severus found himself thinking. He slowly looked over at Remus, who looked back at him. Severus cleared his throat. "Encyclopedia of Potions, Volume Eight."

"How boring." Remus said, laughing lightly. Severus frowned, and Remus quickly stopped laughing. "Sorry."

"Not everyone has a taste for the fine art of potion making." Severus found himself saying. (a/n: Hey, sound familiar? *giggle* I'm so clever.) Remus nodded, agreeing entirely. A pause filled the air. Severus, to much to his suprise, was the one to break the silence. "What about you?"

"Uh.. AnIntensiveGuidetoWerewolves." Remus said quickly, before taking a drink of pumpkin juice. Severus raised an eyebrow. Remus fidgeted under his look, before finally repeating his words, but still hastely. "An Intensive Guide To Werewolves."

"Why would you be reading a book on that?" Severus asked, a little startled at his sudden want to talk to the Gryffindor.

"Uh, no reason..." Remus faded off. "So... Why didn't you go home for Christmas?"

"Father decided to go on a vacation, just him and Mother." Severus replied, leaning back in his chair.

"I'm always here for Christmas." Remus said. "Sometimes the Potters invite me to their house, but not this year. James and I aren't getting along too well."

"Oh." What else could he say to that? Severus watched him a bit. He noticed Remus was so easy to talk to when he wasn't there with his friends.

The two continued their conversation, finally leaving the Great Hall and walking around the school. They talked on basically anything and everything, enjoying each other's conversation. When it got time to seperate, Severus got the sudden feeling that this wasn't going to be the last time they spent time together. And to his suprise, that didn't at all bother him.

end notes it took me a week to write this. how pathetic! lol. i hope this was a good chapter. let me know whether you like it more from Snape's side, or Remus'. I can't decide!