title: Summer Lessons
chapter 2: Museums
author: Raven Dancer

disclaimer: All characters property of JK Rowlings with the exceptions of the Drs. Barnes. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.




Snape apparated into the hotel room. He was happy, a very rare occurrence if one listened to his students. He'd spent the night with Dumbledore and ate a wonderful breakfast of the Headmaster's own secret combination of grains, nuts and fruit covered with fresh milk and sugar. A respite from vacation food and his travel companions.

The travel companions were lounging in the shared sitting area reading papers and sipping coffee. Both looked mostly rested if a little hung-over. Feeling magnanimous Snape tossed Lupin a small glass bottle from his pocket. With a smile of thanks Lupin tipped a few drops in his mug then in Black's.

Keep it, Snape told Lupin as he moved to hand it back.

Don't argue with the man Remus! Black hastened to encourage his friend to accept the useful potion. Lupin smirked at his companion.

Who says I'll share? he teased, putting the container in his inner pocket with a pat. Black briefly glared at him before taking another bracing sip of caffeine. The glare softened as the potion worked its magic and eased the pounding headache too much champagne had caused. Snape watched them with some amusement; he thought them great fools for poisoning their bodies with too much alcohol but there was no way to reason with them. Especially with Black. The potion at least allowed the animagus to be more civil around him.

Lupin was actually pleased Black was getting along, for the most part, with the Potions Master. Given their less than favorable history either had reasons to dislike and torment the other. Snape had tempered his own hatred. At first because Dumbledore had asked him to, later because the wizard had come to realize that although Black had done horrible things to him and he'd given back as good as he got. Childhood was over; Voldemort was on the rise; Black was on the side of the Light.

Of course, when Snape was working with Jeffrey Barnes on unrelated matters some of the issues surrounding Black had come up in counseling. Snape did work through many past hurts and although he had quite a ways to go to really let go of his pain Barnes had been pleased with his progress. The trip abroad would be good for Snape; he could be around Black with a safety net in Remus Lupin.

Lupin had agreed privately to watch the two men's interactions and felt he was doing an admirable job. Although he wanted to whomp Black upside the head more often than not. The animagus was working to put aside past hatreds, but that didn't change his sometimes abrasive nature. Lupin decided that the two would never be good friends. Ok. They could never be friends. But they were traveling together and sharing rooms with less animosity than he expected.

The werewolf was much more pleased with Snape. The evil git' as Black still slipped and called him enjoyed the art museums so much he was willing to work with or around most of Black's more glaring faults. Hence the two bedrooms at the least to accommodate the animagus' guests. Heck, the Potions Master even provided Black with a hangover potion most of the time. (All the time for Lupin.)

He wasn't so forgiving about Black trying to force him to drink or to carouse. Oh, Snape would sip a drink. One drink. He'd chat with different people they met in the cafes or the bars. He would not seek nor accept any form of flirting or sexual advances from anyone. The two huge fights had been triggered by Black deciding Snape needed to be loosened up, spiking his drink one night, purchasing him companionship' on another.

When it was clear Lupin was on the Potions Master's side, Snape calmed down considerably. Black did not. It had taken all of Lupin's patience and persuasiveness to placate his angry friend. Now in Paris with a firm promise not to torment Snape the vacation had smoothed out.

Are you joining us today Black? Snape asked solicitously. Black eyed him with thinly veiled suspicion.

Yes, Remus thought I might like some of stuff today. Just
don't expect me to hang about staring at those details' you
two go on about, he explained shortly. Snape bit back his retort, although both his companions could see it in his dark eyes.

We wouldn't expect you to, Sirius, Remus said brightly, smoothing out the conversation. Severus and I are planning to
go back tomorrow to take a closer look at some of the
pieces.

If you're both ready? Snape nodded toward the door. Papers were set aside and coffee was slurped up. Somewhat together the three wizards headed out the door to catch a bus to the Louvre.

Lupin became more and more excited as they neared the museum. He chatted happily with his friends explaining how his mother brought him several times before he came to Hogwarts. Snape had leaned towards the cheerful wizard listening to his experiences while Black finally closed his eyes and rested against the seat.

For Snape it was fascinating to listen to a person who not only loved art as much as he did, but also had a parent who brought him to many of the more famous and popular museums in Europe. Dumbledore had brought him to many collections in Edinburgh and London, including a few in between, over their years of friendship. But he'd never gone abroad.

When the bus stopped near the Louvre Lupin dragged a snoozing Black off. Snape waited patiently on the sidewalk.

You'll love it, Severus! When we walk into the courtyard there's this huge... Lupin began excitedly.

Pyramid. Yeah. Honestly Moony, you've explained it a
dozen times since we got to Paris. It's not even a real
pyramid, Black groused getting somewhat bored already. He never cared for museums and art. He preferred nightclubs and some live theatre. Movement and noise, not the quiet reflections of the museums Snape and Lupin had been wandering through.

Remus is excited. To be honest, Black, I'm rather excited,
too. I am enjoying his monologue and I want to share
vicariously his excitement and pleasure, Snape admitted. Lupin looked at him in surprise.

Severus! That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Lupin stopped to stare at the normally silent, moody wizard. Raising an eyebrow Snape cocked his head and looked at the slightly stunned wizard.

It was pointed out to me by this old wizard I should try
to widen my horizons. Make friends. Put aside my old
hatreds. Rather ridiculous, don't you think? Snape responded with an evil sneer. Lupin smiled delightedly.

Old wizard? I love that old wizard for encouraging you,
you snarky man! Lupin responded. Black grimaced.

I am going to suffer from sugar-rot the way you two are
going. Should I get a private room? Black teased. Both his companions stared at him.

You do have a private room! Lupin pointed out. Snape's sneer broke into a small smile.

Gentlemen? The pyramid is waiting, Snape bowed slightly and the three walked to the entrance of the museum.


It was everything Snape had ever thought a grand museum of art should be. Large windows let light spill in. It was so bright and airy he wondered how he'd managed to live in the dungeons for so many years.

Through soft whispers Lupin and Black agreed to adjust their pace to Snape's, allowing him to drift from room to room, floor to floor. Lupin had bought a guide to the museum and marked areas he wanted to visit again the next day.

You've marked enough for a week there, Moony, Black commented as they guided a silent Potions Master to a cluster of tables out doors. There was a small commissary offering sandwiches, cheeses, fruit and wine. Tucking the marked magazine in Snape's hands Lupin went to buy lunch.

Black watched his silent companion leafing through the museum magazine, stopping occasionally to read a caption or one of Lupin's annotations. Maybe Snape wasn't really such a bastard after all. Maybe. Moony seemed to get along with him.

Lupin returned with a carafe of chardonnay and a plate heaped with cheeses and cut fruit. A loaf of bread had been tucked under one arm. One plate.

*gah!* Black thought, *share one plate with the Snape!* The idea that the Potions Master might be ok had been easily tossed aside given the current revelation.

What, no glasses Lupin? Snape grumbled, although his eyes twinkled much like Dumbledore's could.

I thought we could just pass the carafe, the werewolf deadpanned, earning a chuckle from Snape and a horrified look from Black. Setting the food down he rolled his eyes at his best friend.

Lupin chided the animagus. He fished glasses out of various pockets and handed each in turn to Severus.

Not that I would share with you; dog drool... Snape muttered without much venom. He poured wine into the glasses and passed one to Remus.

It amused Lupin to no end how uncomfortable Black was with the sharing of lunch. For his part Snape was totally oblivious, tearing the bread into a half dozen pieces before sampling cheese.

The conversation returned to the museum touching on various pieces and memories. Snape encouraged Lupin to talk about his recollections and knowledge. Black listened impatiently.

You both realize we leave for England in two days, he remarked shortly. Both his companions turned to look at him with strange expressions.

Lupin said carefully. Quite aware.

You've only mentioned it a half dozen times today, Snape added sardonically.

You've got enough marked in that book alone to last a
month, Black ground out. Lupin snorted.

There are a lot of important pieces in this one museum
alone Sirius. Sev and I will come back tomorrow and leave
you to enjoy your last day in Paris as you see fit, the werewolf explained patiently.

Then we'll spend the evening clubbing, eh? You, me and the
girls? Black asked with his most suggestive smile.

Of course! Lupin assured him.

Leaving me to finish up on my post cards I suppose, Snape said dryly.

Whatever floats your boat Sevvie, Black smirked. The malevolent glance from Snape caused Lupin to refill the Potions Master's glass.

Albus loves those muggle cards, he said lightly. Snape turned his eyes to Lupin and calmed down. Yes. Albus did enjoy the cards. Black was not going to ruin his vacation! He silently concentrated on the splashing fountain just beyond his friend until he felt the tension ease.

As he watched the water more closely he remembered Jeffrey Barnes teaching him to relax. *Pesky Healer* he thought with great fondness.

The rest of the afternoon went quietly. Lupin and Snape walked side by side, shoulders touching at times, as they took in all the beauties of the Louvre. Black followed feeling somewhat left out and very bored. Sure, seeing the Mona Lisa was fun but to listen to those two it was positively orgasmic.

Black resigned himself to the prattling chatter of the two art connoisseurs.