Snape found himself waking with a start by a disturbance at the door. He had no idea how long he had been sleeping, apparently dropping off sometime after his midnight toast. Grabbing his wand, he moved towards the door, careful to remain in the shadows so as not to be seen.

The door opened, and a tall, dark haired figure moved in, kicking the door closed behind him as he carried something that looked remarkably like a person in his arms. Waiting until the stranger dropped his load on the couch which Snape only moments before vacated, Snape crept up behind him, placing the tip of his wand against the back of the stranger's neck. "Don't move a muscle." Feeling the man tense, obviously surprised at finding someone at the cottage, Snape smirked.

"Now, who are you and what are you doing here?" He hadn't yet noticed the identity of the person lying on the couch, his attention fixed firmly on the intruder.

The man rounded, stiff and wary, worry and impatience evident. "I could ask the same of you."

For a moment Snape thought that he had seen a ghost, the stranger in front of him posing a strong resemblance to Sirius Black, a man he knew to be long since dead. His appearance helping none in suppressing Snape's hostility, in fact serving only to increase it more, Snape raised his wand once again, aiming it at the intruder's chest. "You would be unwise to trifle with me. Now, I shall ask you again; who are you and what are you doing here?"

Through clenched teeth the man yielded. "I am Jack Callaghan, and friend to Remus Lupin, whose home you are in. Perhaps now you that you know my name, now you will tell me who you are and why you are here?"

For the first time since the man had dropped what he was carrying on the couch, Snape's eyes travelled towards the figure that lay stretched upon it. It was a man, and one whom he slowly realised with horror, was only too well known to him. "Lupin…" he breathed, almost in a state of disbelief. Rounding back on Jack, Snape's face darkened with malice as his voice became an angry growl. "What have you done to him?"

Moving to stand between the two men, Jack fought to keep his voice level. "I saved his life is all. Now, I ask you again stranger. Who are you?"

Pushing the man aside, Snape rushed to kneel beside where Lupin lay, motionless and cold. His breathing was faint, but a wave of relief spread over Snape as he realised that now that he was under his care Lupin would make a full and speedy recovery, if only this Jack person would leave.

Standing, Snape's eyes rounded on Jack, as a sudden realisation hit him. This was the friend Lupin had planned to spend the holidays with; this was the person whom he had believed to be his lover. Swallowing the rising hatred that was growing from the depths of his soul, Snape spoke clearly in his most authoritative voice.

"I am Severus Snape. Colleague and friend of Remus Lupin, who was so kind as to allow me usage of his home over the holidays." He smirked. "You, on the other hand, are leaving. Now."

Jack's tension eased away some at Snape's words, and he turned again and kneeled at Remus' side. "Your name is known to me. Remus speaks kindly of you, so perhaps my entrance startled you into harshness. For that, I beg your apology, and do let me assure you I have no plans of leaving Remus alone during Christmas and while injured." His hands moved out of familiarity along Remus' face, brushing his hair out of his eyes while he spoke to Snape.

Snape fought to resist the urge to curse the man who was touching Lupin in the way he had yearned to so many times. Considering himself particularly lucky to be so skilled in concealing his emotions, grateful that his grief was not visible on his features or in his voice, Snape raised his wand to Jack once again. Lupin had given Snape permission to use this cottage, and Jack, Lupin's lover or not, was leaving.

"On the contrary, you are leaving. Lupin will not be alone for I shall be here to take care of him, and I can do a much better job of it than you can. Now, you can either chose to leave under your own will, or I can make you. Personally, I find the prospect of forcibly removing you quite pleasant, so feel free to indulge me."

Jack stood slowly, a thoughtful, almost sad expression on his face. "Remus had said… I see. No, I have no desire to be sent home in pieces, I imagine my nieces would be quite distressed, nor is Remus getting any better with us fighting about it. I will leave him to your care for now, and will be back later today with his bags and to check on him." Jack bent over and kissed Remus on the forehead, whispered something, and ignored Snape until he reached the door. "You make damn sure you take care of him, Sir. I'd hate to have to kill you." And with that, he closed the door quietly behind him.

Letting out a deep breath, Snape stood still for several moments, trying to erase the image of Jack's lips brushing Lupin's forehead with a tenderness that Snape found almost sickening. Perhaps he would never be anything more than a friend to Lupin, but he wasn't about to stand back and watch while the man he desired was being caressed and fondled by another. It wasn't in Snape's nature to be understanding, or particularly forgiving and should Lupin's lover give him any further cause to harm him, Snape knew he would feel no remorse in doing so.

Anger abated for the time being, Snape rushed to the kitchen, arriving at Lupin's side a few moments later with a collection of ointments and potions that he had taken with him, others that he had made, planning to leave them there for Lupin should he find himself in need of them at some time.

In the hours that followed, Snape only left Lupin's side to fetch more potions, trying whatever he could get his hands on to revive him, but in failing that, doing what he could to make him comfortable. He looked peaceful, almost as though he were merely sleeping. Reaching out his hand, intending to touch him, only for a moment; only giving his cheeks the lightest of brushes with this fingertips, he stopped as Lupin's still closed eyes began to flicker gently.

As soon as Remus' eyes opened, he knew right away where he was and who he was with… just not how he had come to be there. He took a deep breath. "Severus?" he asked, brow furrowed.

Smiling gently, Snape nodded. "Don't try to talk too much, you still need your rest."

Ignoring the logic in Severus' words, Remus sat up some, wincing as his muscles disagreed with his decision. "How did I get here?"

"Your friend brought you." Snape's voice had become a touch icier than he would have liked at the memory of Jack. Lupin needed rest, and he certainly didn't need to deal with his jealousy, not when he was still recovering, not even once he got well. Smiling by way of an attempt to lessen the hostility that had crept its way into his words, Snape pressed on Lupin's shoulders, gently urging him to lay back down.

But Remus still wasn't listening to logic, nor was he paying attention to Snape's urging. "'Do àm cha bhi dràsd,'" he repeated to himself, mind racing as he mentally replayed the last few minutes he remembered before being where he was now.

Snape frowned. "Lupin?"

Absently Remus glanced up at Snape. "Yes, Severus?"

"What are you thinking about?" Snape could see that Lupin was distracted he had the same distant look in his eyes that he had seen many times before.

"Mostly thinking that I am an idiot."

Confused, Snape urged Lupin to continue. "I am not sure I understand."

Remus sighed. "The letter that I showed you last week? It came with a key, a key to a hotel room. That is where I have been the past two days, waiting. Last night, I became… bored of waiting and went for a walk; too preoccupied with my thoughts to hear someone walk up behind me." Mentally Remus wondered if he could have stated that anymore childishly, but Severus… well, he just had that sort of effect on Remus.

Snape could feel his face tightening, his disapproval becoming horribly apparent. He was in no doubt that Lupin realised he would have attempted to talk him out of going there at all let alone by himself, also knowing that this was probably the reason why he had failed to tell him about the key. The trap had been so obvious, and Snape had to bite back his words of chastisement, knowing that Lupin had suffered enough for his mistake.

"I assume this person was the one who attacked you," he finally managed to reply, his voice stiff even as he struggled to relax his features.

Remus winced slightly at Snape's expression before snorting slightly at himself for doing so. "Yes, I would think so."

Busying himself tidying up the empty potion bottles that lay littered round him, being too pre-occupied before to worry much about housekeeping, Snape tried to keep his tone light. "I don't suppose you recognized them?"

"No, I didn't."

"And those words you spoke a few moments ago, they said that to you I take it."

"Those among other things, yes."

His patience beginning to wear thin, Snape stood and moved into the kitchen, noisily cleaning the bottles and returning them to their homes before returning and standing at the doorway. "Well?" he asked expectantly, "Are you going to tell me or not?"

"Which would you like me to tell you first? I imagine you expect I have a great deal to explain, and you are quite correct." Not quite sure where to begin, Remus ran a hand through his hair, and pulled out several leaves as he did so. Irrationally disgruntled, he scowled and tossed them to the floor. "I realise the stupidity of my actions, and I realised it before I mentioned the letter to you. I realise too you are probably quite angry with me for not telling you, and I cannot fault you that, I only hope you can understand my reasoning. I knew bloody well that the entire thing reeked of a trap and knowing that, there is no way I would drag someone else into this, and certainly not you. Do you happen to have a potion for this bloody headache that won't stop pounding?"

Snape disappeared back into the kitchen, and on emerging moments later, walked back towards the couch. Handing a small tub of thick, sticky mixture to Lupin, he placed his hands on the back of the couch and looked down at him. "Apply that to your forehead and the pain will ease," he replied gently, idly removing the remaining leaves that were tangled in Lupin's hair as he did so.

Feeling a chill that started from his neck to his feet, Remus held his breath as Snape removed the debris from his hair. Snape had never touched him like this before, never anything more than a passing contact. Moving slowly, Remus leaned back into Snape's hand just a little before continuing. "They said three things I heard. Tha me duilich first, do àm cha bhi dràsd and then the last thing I heard, ath-uair. Respectively they mean 'I am sorry', 'now not shall be your time', and 'next time.'"

Disappointed to find that he had successfully managed to remove the last of the leaves, Snape reluctantly moved his hand from Lupin's hair. Despite the events of the previous evening, it had remained soft and silky smooth as his fingers moved easily through it. Sighing, he took a step back and moved to stand in front of the fire, gazing into the glowing embers.

"From now on, I think it unwise for you to go anywhere alone."

Remus was upset Snape had moved his hand, and he frowned in reaction. He occupied himself instead with applying the ointment to his temples, sighing in relief as the pain eased. "You might just be the most wonderful man in the world, Severus. I do believe I can see again."

Snape felt his body tingle in the effect of Lupin's words, unable to control the warmth from flooding over him in torrents. It was foolishness, he knew, to allow himself to be thus affected, knowing as he did that Lupin wanted another, but his senses had all but taken leave from him as he turned and smiled. "I took the liberty of creating a few ointments and potions for your medicine cupboard, should you ever require them. There should be something there to relieve most common ailments, and a few not so common things."

"My most sincere thanks," Remus replied with a smile. "Does that mean you've been enjoying yourself here?"

Loneliness aside, Snape was surprised to find that he had. Nodding, he moved towards an empty chair and sat. "Yes, I have, thank you."

"Tell me what all you have done."

And so Snape did. Recounting his days of peaceful reading and potion brewing with the occasional walk along the beach when the whether permitted it. He did not mention, of course, the hours he spent looking through Lupin's things, delving into the history of the man who had so quickly become dear to him.

Once he was done, he went to brew some tea, returning a few minutes later, handing Lupin a steaming mug. "It really has been most idyllic, and I am grateful that you managed to convince me to come."

"Thank you." He accepted the tea gratefully. "I suppose saying 'I told you so' would get me cursed, or at the very least, glared at?" Remus grinned over the rim of his mug.

Laughing softly, Snape retook his seat, sipping his tea. "I do believe we have only just got you well. I have no desire to set back our progress."

"Very well then. Did I, or did I not, tell you so?" Remus teased.

"I do believe you did, Lupin. I am glad to see that you are being so gracious in triumph." Snape's thoughts wandered back to how Lupin had made him promise not to gloat should the Gryffindors been responsible for them being locked in the staff room, and he smirked slightly at the memory.

"The outcome was happy, so I see no reason not to gloat a little. I am sorry I've ruined your peacefulness though." Remus frowned now, genuinely upset he had bothered Snape, and due to his own stupidity no less.

It hadn't even occurred to Snape that Lupin would feel badly about being there, his surprise evident on his face. "Not at all, this is after all your home."

"And a home I offered to you in peace and solitude, which I've now bungled with my foolishness. If it's not a problem, I'll shower and then take leave back to Hogwarts."

"It is very much a problem." Shaking his head, Snape was surprised by this sudden turn of events, not least by Lupin's plans to return to the school rather than Jack's house where he had originally planned to spend the holidays.

"Peace and solitude I have had Lupin, however I am still not satisfied that you are well enough to travel. I think it would be more wise for you to remain here where I can keep an eye on you."

"I am fine now, thanks to you," Remus said, smiling warmly. "Feeling stupid and foolish to be caught off guard, but alive nonetheless." He paused for a moment. "I had actually been planning on owling to ask about coming by for a day."

Snape was loath to mention Jack's name, much preferring not to think of him, however he knew that it was only fair that Lupin know that he wasn't entirely responsible for his being well. "Actually, your friend had a great deal to do with it. Had he not brought you here I would never have been able to treat you." Staring into his cup, trying to sound as unaffected as possible, he continued. "He said he would stop by later to check on you."

"I see," Remus said softly. "Yes, I had figured as much. My gratitude remains the same, Severus. Thank you for your care, and thank you for not telling me 'I told you so.'"

Snape merely nodded his acknowledgment. Truth be told, he saw little point in telling Remus how foolish he had been, the man knew that already and had suffered enough. His gratitude, Snape found, was all the reward he needed.

They sat in silence for long minutes, broken by Remus. "Merry Christmas, Severus."

With the events of the morning, Snape had completely forgotten about it being Christmas. It was a holiday that he had never particularly celebrated, tending to avoid the rest of the school by hiding in his chambers, sneaking off to the kitchens when the main feast was over. Truth be told, he had always despised the holiday, it stirring painful memories of past Christmases where he had been left to fend for himself while has parents ate, drank and celebrated at any one of their friends houses, leaving him at home alone with the elves. Once he was old enough to go to Hogwarts, he took to spending them alone, locked up in either the common room or in one of the various empty rooms in the castle. This Christmas was different, however. He had someone to share it with, someone he wanted to share it with. Smiling into his tea, he spoke softly. "Merry Christmas, Remus."

"I have something for you, but I'm afraid it's with my stuff at the hotel. I'm sorry," Remus said, tone apologetic.

Snape looked up, surprised. He couldn't recall the last time anyone had brought him a gift, for any reason. "Thank you," being the only words he seemed to be able to muster he suddenly began to feel quite guilty. Flushing slightly, he continued, "I am afraid I have nothing for you…"

Remus grinned in reply. "I wouldn't say that."

"Oh?" Raising a brow, Snape regarded the man in front of him, noting with some pleasure the colour that had begun to return to his cheeks.

"Indeed. We can discuss it and other things later, perhaps? First, I'd prefer to shower and remove the rest of the forest from my body," he snorted before continuing, "but if you are indeed amenable with my staying for now, you can make us breakfast, and in exchange I'll make supper?"

Snape tried to fight the images of Lupin showering as they crept their way stealthily into his mind. In no way was he thinking of the way the water would fall over his naked body, plastering his soft hair to his scalp as he would then brush it out of his eyes with his hands, droplets of water clinging on his eyelashes as he did so.

He paid no heed to the slow, lathering motion of the soap as Lupin ran his hands up and down his skin, scrubbing and cleansing before finally standing under the steaming jet, face upwards, allowing the water to cascade over him.

Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, despite these thoughts and the reaction that Snape found himself a little embarrassed to be experiencing, he still believed it unwise for Lupin to be alone. He had not yet even attempted to stand; there was simply no way of knowing if he would be safe. Shaking his head, he tried to keep his voice as steady as possible. "I do not know Lupin. I don't think you being alone for any length of time at this stage is a particularly good idea."

"Are you inviting yourself to join me?" Remus asked with a teasing grin. "That might be a good idea…" A very good idea, Remus thought, not even surprised at himself for finding it to be very, very true.

There was no disguising the shock this time: Lupin's question taking Snape completely by surprise. He was correct though, it would be a good idea, and as Snape tried to remind himself, they were both mature adults, and now was hardly the time to start acting like an infantile schoolchild. Besides, the shower had a curtain, Snape would merely need to be present in the room to ensure that Lupin was safe and well, he need not see a thing. "Very well, I shall wait until you are in before entering, and I'll leave before you finish. You may not be strong enough to be alone as yet, but that is no reason for you not to retain your privacy."

It is Christmas, Remus thought. The season for family, friends, happiness… and putting yourself out there to be a fool.

He stood on shaky legs and walked toward the other man, stopping at Snape's feet. "That's a very noble offer, Severus, but not exactly what I had in mind." He held his breath, waiting for Snape's realisation to what he was saying. He raised his brow, and stared pointedly at the other man. "I doubt my meaning can go undetected Severus, but to make sure it does not: I am extremely attracted to you and would very much like to kiss you. Right now, and quite possibly a whole lot in the foreseeable future." He crossed his arms and waited for the temper he knew he would inevitably see.

Snape instinctively sunk backwards into his seat, his surprise etched over his harsh features. Was this not what he wanted? Was it not what he had dreamt about so many times, what he had imagined, and craved for? Rising slowly to his feet, he gazed into Lupin's eyes. Tilting his head, his eyes narrowed as his mouth curled into a sneer. So this is what the whole display of friendship had been about. Lupin had a lover; one whom Snape believed Lupin thought him oblivious to, so there was no reason for his advance to be genuine, at least not for any reason other than to humiliate him.

"Well done Lupin." He spoke slowly and carefully, trying to hide the stab of pain that pierced his heart. "You nearly succeeded in completely sucking me into this juvenile little trap of yours. Fortunately for me, however, you played your trump card far too soon. I suppose some people really do never change. I should have known better than to think that I could trust you; to believe that your offer of friendship was anything other than another means to play a prank at my expense." Snorting, he leant his head closer towards Lupin so that their faces were inches apart. "I wouldn't be surprised if you had orchestrated that whole prank on the staff room as the opening act."

Taking a few steps, desperate to put some distance between himself and Lupin, he turned, snarling at the man whom moments before had been the one solely responsible for making Snape the happiest he had ever been in his life. "At least now I know the truth; what you are really like." Turning he made his way towards the stairs. "I wouldn't stay another moment in the same house as you, let alone allow you to touch me."

--------

A/N: This was not the original end to the chapter, but as it was starting to get long, it did seem like a logical place to stop. Well and I am Slytherin, you know.

Again, I want to note that eldnia has been writing this with me, and she does write Snape oh-so-wonderfully, ne? J

Thank you so much to everyone that has reviewed – it means the world to me. :D The next chapter should be out tomorrow or Thursday. 3