IN THE NAME OF LOVE
by The Goblet

Chapter 8

"B-b-but I mauled him!" Remus insisted, after both Albus and Kingsley had assured him that Severus was alive.

"Yes you did. But you didn't kill him. See for yourself," Albus said, gesturing towards the man on the bed.

Lupin leaned in for a good look. He saw a small rise in the Slytherin's chest. It was lethargic, and didn't repeat for several long minutes. He took a hold of Severus wrist, Albus moving his hand so that he could feel for a pulse. There was one. It was very faint, and very slow. But it was there.

"I thought he was dead," he murmured, gently touching the other man's face. "I thought I'd killed him."

"You very nearly did," Kingsley said. "He'd lost a lot of blood by the time we got there."

"But he'll be alright, won't he?" asked Remus looking at both men.

Albus and Kingsley looked at each other. Neither daring to tell the other man why Severus was still alive.

"Oh Merlin, he's going to die!" Remus cried.

"I doubt it," Albus replied, patting Remus on the back. "He's just taking his time recovering from the ordeal."

"But he won't be alright?" asked Remus, confused.

"He has sustained a permanent injury after your night together. Once he recovers from his superficial wounds, he will need to learn to live with his new disability."

"Will it stop him being… Severus?" asked Remus, terrified now that he knew he had permanently disfigured the Slytherin.

Kingsley chuckled. "Nothing would stop Severus being Severus."

Remus smiled and looked back at Severus. Albus was still sitting in the chair; still holding Severus' hand.

"Has he woken up at all?" he asked.

"Once," Albus replied. "He was happy to have survived. Poppy put him into a healing coma. His injuries were severe."

"To tell you the truth, I can't understand how he survived," Remus said quietly.

"How do most people survive a werewolf attack?" asked Kingsley.

Remus shrugged. "They don't. They die, or they're turned."

Both men simply looked at him.

It took him several minutes to understand what Albus and Kingsley were trying to tell him. …He will need to learn to live with his new disability… They die, or they're turned…

"No!" Remus cried out.

"I'm afraid so," Albus confirmed Remus' conclusion. "Severus now lives with your curse."

tbc...

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