MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
by The Goblet
Chapter 7
Severus walked, subdued, back to his quarters to prepare for the ball. It was astonishing: twenty-four hours ago, he had been looking forward to the masquerade dance, but now with the festivities starting in less than half an hour, he was dreading it.
As he showered, he fingered the bruise on his shoulder. Who knew Remus would have left a bite mark through three layers of clothing? Severus sunk to the floor of the shower, hugging his knees under the stream of water as tears began to spill down his face.
Why doesn't Remus love me? Why doesn't he care? He hasn't so much as glanced in my direction all day; he's so caught up with seeing Pettigrew again, and their Marauder reunion.
It hurt. Severus sniffled.
Of course he would choose his friends over me. It was only sex for him. Was I only a convenient hole, somewhere to stick his cock?
It hurt. Merlin, it hurt.
Severus stood up as the water began to run cold. Quickly washing his hair, he turned off the taps, and wrapped himself in a large, fluffy towel.
He still loved Remus. In spite of everything he still loved him. The werewolf's betrayal had done nothing to quell that feeling. He still loved the way his mouth crinkled as he ate. He still loved the way he stroked his shadowy beard when he was thinking. He still loved the way he laughed. He still loved how he would go out of his way to help his friends. He still loved the way he played with the children from the village. He still loved his bravery, his courage, his compassion. He loved Remus John Lupin.
The potions student dashed into his bedchamber, the icy stone floor cold on his bare feet. Slowly, he began to dress, still grieving over his failed relationship.
Was it too much to ask that someone love him? For someone to care about him? For someone to want to be with him? Why had he even thought that Lupin would return his feelings?
Severus knew that the werewolf would influence who Lupin loved. But was friendship too much to ask? A simple hello when he saw him in the street? Snape threw his towel across the room in a fit of anger. It just wasn't fair!
Severus struggled as he donned a white flowing tunic. He really was going to have to have a word with Lily about his costume. Honestly, an angel, complete with white, feathery wings? What had she been thinking? There would be no way he could hide in a corner now. Everyone would see him. Including Black.
According to Minerva, Black was planning to seduce him. Why? He certainly didn't believe Arabella's story that Black was in love with him. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he believed that it was all some horrible practical joke. Maybe Lupin had finally confessed to bedding him now that he had called off their arrangement, and Black thought him an easy target. But Severus very much doubted that, Remus would never tell. He had never wanted to tell his friends that they had been dating, and he certainly wouldn't do so now.
Black must want to humiliate him. Undoubtedly Potter and Pettigrew would be nearby with a camera waiting to catch his misery on film. Did Lupin know about that? Severus didn't think he would be able to cope if Remus was party to the scheme.
Adjusting his wings once more, Severus picked up the towel from where it had landed under his wardrobe. He hung it up on the towel rack in the bathroom before slipping on a white, Venetian mask.
With the mask covering his entire face, his customary black robes exchanged for a dazzling white tunic, and two abundantly full wings attached to his shoulder blades, Severus pulled himself together and set off to the ball.
tbc...
Feedback very welcome!
