The Truth About Remus

Chapter Eighteen

It was the morning of the first day of the last six months of the school year. The new schedules for the sixth years were being passed out during breakfast. Instead of being separated by houses, we were being separated by the classes we were requited to take for our professions.

"Anistasia Lupin," Remus said grinning as he handed me my schedule, "Auror."

"Mmmm, this looks absolutely yummy. The classes are longer – two and a half hours each – though we do have fewer a day. Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration and Potions I have everyday."

"Well you are going to be an Auror," James told me.

 "I think it has something to do with my 'Outstanding' scores. Professor McGonagall told me that since I had done so well, she wants to make me as knowledgeable and prepared for what is going to come up in the real Auror training," I replied.

"It's the Ministry of Magic for me," Sirius exclaimed, "or I could start my own branch of the black market ---"

"Stop right there, Mr. Black," Lily warned.

"Yeah, we've already got a black market," James exclaimed, "Marauders only, but it is a black market nonetheless."

"James stop," Lily exclaimed, "Someone may hear you and take you seriously!"

"What's not to be taken seriously?"

"What is up with Sirius," Remus asked, sitting down from his rounds.

"Nothing, Moony," Sirius said, "We were just talking about our schedules."

Remus looked at his and sighed, "What's there to talk about? I am not taking any N.E.W.T. classes except for Defense Against the Dark Arts. My illness keeps me out of class too much. I would easily fall behind if I were taking anything else."

"What illness," Bill asked, "You look healthy to me."

"Nothing, Stryker."

I sighed as the bell rang, "Good luck with your classes, guys. See you at lunch!"

They nodded and I headed down into the dungeons for N.E.W.T. Potions. I walked into the familiar classroom and noticed that only five other people were there, including Snape. I sat in my regular seat and waited for class to begin.

Professor Victor grinned as he looked upon the six of us, "I am glad to see that none of you are partnered up. In this class, it is every witch and wizard for themselves. You all know why you are here – you scored an 'Outstanding' on your O.W.L's. In here, if you cant live up to outstanding at all times, you will be dropped from the class, and for those of you studying to be Aurors," he looked to me and then to Snape, "that you cannot afford. Do all of you understand?"

"Yes, sir," I replied.

He looked at me and smiled pleasantly, "I see that Mrs. Lupin is off on an outstanding foot."

I felt Snape's eyes on me, and I looked back at him. He turned his head away quickly, but not before I caught a look of question on his face.

"Today, we will go through basic rules and procedures on what is going to go on in this classroom from now to the end of your Hogwarts' career. Tomorrow, you will step knee deep in danger. In this class, you will be making the most lethal of poisons and their antidotes – if an antidote is available. There will be no fooling around in this class. I have had students accidentally poisoned, and the first time any of you goof off will be the last time you are in this classroom. I believe that my warnings are crystal clear, and these will be the only ones that you receive."

Professor Victor had us take vicious notes throughout the entire two and a half hours. The bell rang not a moment too soon. I packed my things and began flexing my right hand.

"I have to get myself one of those self-writing quills," I mumbled to myself.

"I wouldn't do that, Mrs. Lupin," Professor Victor informed me, obviously because he overheard my comment, "I did not allow you to be in this class to slack off."

I nodded to him, "Yes, sir."

I left and headed to my second class – N.E.W.T. Defense Against the Dark Arts. This class was a bit fuller than the last – about eighteen people were in attendance. Again, Severus was there, sitting alone in the back. I took a seat near the front. Professor Reed emerged from his office and tapped his wand on the board. Here emerged several lines of notes. As we copied them down, the professor explained them and asked us to get out our N.E.W.T. books.

"Please get with a partner and discuss and outline the first three chapters," he said.

I looked around and noticed that everyone was partnered up…everyone except for Severus. I sighed, picked up my books and walked over to him.

"Would you like to be my partner," I asked.

Severus sat, staring at the chapter he was reading, "No."

"Everyone else is already partnered up."

"So work by yourself. It can't be that hard…I mean, look at me."

"Professor Reed said to partner up."

"…and…?"

"And that is exactly what I am trying to do," I replied.

"Excuse me, is there a problem here," our professor asked, walking over.

For the first time, Severus looked up, "No, sir. I was just inviting her to take a seat."

"Well then," Professor Reed exclaimed, raising his eyebrows, "Mrs. Lupin, take a seat and get to work!"

I smiled sweetly and innocently, but threw my books down beside Severus with a bang.

"Thanks a lot," I told him.

"For what?"

"For making yourself look so innocent."

"That was no problem," he scuffed.

"Why do you bother," I asked.

"Again, you have lost me."

"Why do you bother trying to look so good in front of the professors when everyone knows that you are just a lonely, cold-hearted bastard?"

He shrugged, "If that is what you really think of me, then why did you ask me to be your partner?"

"You know – I really don't know."

"Good, then lets get to work."

I gaped at him as he opened up to the first chapter. I sighed and followed his lead. We began discussing the first chapter ("An Introduction to the Darkest Curses and their Counterparts") and talked about what important parts should go into the outline.

"You are trying to make this way too thorough," he told me after ten minutes, "This is just a study guide for the test on Friday."

"No, Snape, this is a study guide for next year's N.E.W.T.'s as well.

He closed his eyes and leaned back, "Please, call me Severus. 'Snape'…its as though you are screaming at me, even though you could only be whispering it…"

I looked at him, bewildered, "I am sorry, Severus."

He nodded and leaned over his notes, "You are right, Anistasia, this will be a study guide for next year's N.E.W.T.'s. Let's keep working your way."

We worked together in harmony until the end of class, but we hadn't finished our outlines, which meant that we had to finish them for homework. Severus and I began walking to lunch together discussing when we should get together to finish.

"When do you have study hall," I asked.

"After lunch today. How about you?"

"First period tomorrow."

"That bites," he replied, "Are you doing anything after dinner?"

"No. Would you like to meet in the library?"

"Yeah," he said as we walked into the Great Hall, "Does seven o'clock sound good?"

I nodded, "Sounds great. See you then."

"Bye."

I walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat beside Remus. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and James gave me a look of disgust.

"Moony, why are you kissing her," he asked.

"Because she is my wife," Remus replied as though it was the most obvious answer in the world, "Did you just suddenly forget what happened a little over a week ago?"

"No, I didn't, but did you see who she walked into the Great Hall with?"

"No – who?"

"Snivellus Snape," James spat.

"Ani," Remus asked in disbelief, "tell me that James has been mistaken."

"Mistaken," James asked, "Oh no, I cannot be mistaken by the way I saw Thumper smiling at him as she bid him farewell."

"If you are insinuating that I was flirting with Severus, then you are completely mistaken," I exclaimed in my defense, "We happen to have the first two classes together and I was partnered up with him for an assignment in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Traitor," James hissed at me, "You are pulling a Pettigrew."

"She is not," Sirius exclaimed to his friend, "You are overreacting, Prongs, just settle down. I know that she, of all people, wouldn't do that to us."

James opened his mouth to speak, but Lily stopped him, "Sirius is right. She would never betray a friend's confidence. Drop it, James."

He sighed and nodded as Remus turned to me, "Would you like to take a walk around the lake with me after the sun goes down – about seven-ish?"

I nearly dropped my fork, "I – I cant, I'm sorry."

"Why? What's going on?"

"I have to finish an assignment tonight."

"That's great, because I do, too," he exclaimed, "We can do our homework together in the common room ---"

"No," I said, cutting him off, "No, we cant. I have to…to meet Severus in the library. We have to finish what we started in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Oh," Remus replied sounding extremely hurt, "Well, I guess I will see you at dinner tonight, then."

I nodded and he left. I looked around at my friends; James shot me another look of disgust, Lily gave me a look of sympathy and Sirius didn't look at me at all.

"I wouldn't betray you guys," I said to them quietly, "You all are my family – always have been. Please tell me that you trust me."

"We trust you," Lily told me, but no one else.

I sighed, not at all reassured, and left.

I entered the library after dinner that night, and my mood had not improved in the least. Almost immediately, I spotted the table at which Severus was sitting, and joined him.

"Lets just hurry up and get this over with," I said in an aspirated voice, "I need to go to bed as early as possible."

"Tired, huh," he asked in a suggestive manner.

"No, it's just that the Marauders think that I am betraying them and it doesn't put me in a good mood. I can't believe them! They are acting so childish!"

"Its my fault, isn't it? Just because you had an assignment to do with me."

"Its not really your fault," I told him, "Its just that they cannot see this in an adult manner. They know that I think of them as my family, but that doesn't matter to them right now."

"You are lucky to have friends that you can call your family…or a real family at that."

I could see that this subject was treading on uncomfortable territory, so I opened my book my book, "How about we just get to work?"

Severus nodded and we attacked the second half of chapter two. At one point, we were discussing the wand movement for the counter curse for the Firesnap curse, when Severus took a particular interest in my left hand.

"That is a nice ring," he said, interrupting my wand movement explanation, "May I take a closer look?"

"Certainly."

I put down my wand and Severus took my hand, examining the ring.

"Twenty carat diamond – wow," he said under his breath, "Remus must really love you."

"He does…and I love him."

"Anistasia, I have to confess something to you – I was intrigued by you from the moment I saw you, but James and Sirius were quick to make an enemy of me. Remus went along with them, you went with Remus and I was alone. I am happy that you and Remus fell in love, but I regret that I never raked up enough courage to try and call a truce so I could become a friend to you – or more."

I smiled and shook me head, "I can call a truce, I can be your friend, but I can give you no more than that."

"I understand, and your friendship is all that I ask for."

For the first time, I watched a smile spread across his lonely face. We finished the assignment sooner than I expected when this wall had been blasted away, and he walked me to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"'Till morrow, M'lady," he said, bowing.

"I shall see you in Potions, Severus."

He left and I walked into the portrait hole. When I reached the common room, I saw that Remus was sitting on the couch, staring off into space. He looked at me as I walked in and stood. I opened my mouth to speak, but Remus held up his hand.

"Before you say anything, allow me to apologize," he said, "I should have known better than to overreact today at lunch – everyone should have, though, it was like dija vous all over again."

I nodded, "Severus is lonely. He only fights us because we picked a fight with him first. All he wants is friendship, and I am going to give that to him. You guys don't have to, but I will. I have called a truce with him, and I wish for it to stand."

"We will have to call a Marauder meeting. I just want you to know, if no one else tells you this, I know you won't sell us out to Snape. I completely trust you."

"Thank you."

Remus put on his best puppy face and held out his arms, "May I have a hug?"

I walked to him, grinning, "Remus, you may have much more than a hug if that is what you so desire."

"Room of Requirement?"

"Get the cloak and the Map and meet me back here in ten."

"I love you, baby."

Remus kissed me hard on the lips and ran off to his room. I looked after him and smiled.