The air was warm and still, the only sound coming from a few cicadas dotted around the gardens. The hushed atmosphere felt very odd, compared with the two previous occasions when Severus had visited and the sound of laughter had chimed like the clinking of glasses across the hillside, the Count's seven children, five grandchildren, innumerable friends and new wife filling the picturesque district with light and life. Tonight's silence felt respectful, and Severus was glad of it.
He was sitting on a low stone wall, staring down the slope towards the lights of the great city rumbling below them. To his left, Draco had not stirred for half an hour. They had said all there was to say over the last 24 hours. There had been anger, regrets, relief, grief, sadness, accusations and questions, questions, questions. Schooldays, Death Eater days, the day of Draco's birth, the last visit to the prison. A turbulent sea of emotions had borne them both along for a sleepless night and a slow-motion day, now leaving them shipwrecked into exhausted silence.
Lucius was really gone, he could accept it now. On his visit to the grimy prison cell, Lucius had received him with the dignity of a king granting an audience, five years of suffering and deprivation unable to tarnish the silver-blond hair, to dull the sharpness of the blue eyes. After he dismissed Snape from their final interview, the corridors had seemed narrower, the doors thicker and the dementors nearer than they had been on the way in. Overwhelmed by panic and horror he had thrown himself towards Remus Lupin, using his comforting presence like a Patronus to stave off the darkness. Weeping like a child whilst sprawled pathetically on the floor, he had felt more content during those minutes in Lupin's arms than ever before.
So, that was it, he had finally learned to rely on other people. After a life of solitude and independence, Severus had awoken one day in St. Mungo's to find his voice lost, his body incapacitated and both his former mentors – the dark and the light – dead. Recovery had used a positive army of good people, giving their time and energy in order to help him. They had ignored the foulest disfigurement in the wizarding world branded indelibly into his left arm, and treated him, fed him, talked to him, soothed him, even helped him to perform basic bodily functions, just because they cared about an injured fellow human being. Not because they wanted anything from him. And he had learned to accept their assistance, and even to ask for it when necessary. Now as that blasted werewolf seemed so keen on invading his life, it was within his human rights to request a little comfort.
He was pleased to realise that he had been able to give comfort too, that day on the clifftop, when Lupin had fretted over the disfigurement of the silver burn. It had been strangely satisfying when he had transformed the miserable demeanour into a radiant smile, simply by giving him a kiss. Who could have imagined? Being kissed by the ugly and unreservedly nasty Severus Snape could lift a person's blues and make them glow? Severus decided he like seeing the blasted werewolf glowing. It made him glow too. Just a little bit.
Footsteps crunched on the immaculately raked gravel behind them, reminding Snape where he was. He turned to see the concerned face of the Count's niece Luisa, hovering as though unsure whether to approach. He beckoned her forward. She smiled gratefully, helping him to his feet and taking his place on the wall next to Draco. After a few steps, he looked back to see a blond head resting on her shapely shoulder. He readjusted his hold on his cane, and made his way out into the Milanese night.
…….
"Lupin?"
"Oh! Severus. Come through."
He was rather pleased to note that Lupin had moved close to the fireplace this time, catching him just as he started to fall. The feeling faded slightly as he saw they were not alone.
"Hello Professor! How nice to see you! This is my boyfriend, Matthew."
A tall, bespectacled youth was shaking his hand firmly, and the bushy-haired know-it-all who boasted Hogwarts' highest NEWT grades since his own was leading him to the sofa.
"An honour to meet you, Sir. Hermione speaks very highly of you and your work."
Fighting his first instinct of hexing them both into next week for simply existing, he managed to whisper "how do you do", as Lupin fetched another teacup from the kitchen.
"I'm studying potions at the IMP this year as part of my healer training, Sir, you're quite the legend around there!"
Lupin had obviously noticed the scowl on his face and thrown a look to Granger, who suddenly stood and tugged on so-called Matthew's arm. They took their leave politely, and with a final,
"Take care, Professor," from the bright young witch, he was sitting in a restful silence with the blasted werewolf.
Well, Snape was finding the silence restful, Lupin seemed a little agitated. He fidgeted for five minutes before managing to say quietly;
"I read the paper. I'm sorry about Malfoy." Snape nodded.
"I was with Draco when we received the news."
"Oh!" Lupin was definitely jumpy. Snape wondered why. They had both witnessed so much death and destruction, why should this be bothering him?
"However, as sorry as I am, I cannot pretend that death is a worse fate than receiving the Kiss." Somehow that had been the wrong thing to say, Lupin spilled his tea onto his lap and leaped out of his seat, muttering about getting a cloth. Griffindors, Severus rolled his eyes, does no one bother teaching them cleaning spells? Evidently not, judging by the state of most of them.
Lupin had returned, apologising again. Worry was wrinkling his brow, and the amber gaze was assessing Snape, searching his face for something. Severus was a little confused, but was too exhausted to make sense of it now. Thinking of the way he had managed to calm Lupin before, he leaned over and kissed his lips.
"Is something the matter, Lupin?" he asked softly. The werewolf's eyes widened and he froze for a second, but to Snape's intense relief the glow returned, and he smiled shyly.
"No, Severus. Well, nothing important, anyway."
They kissed some more. Gentle, comforting kisses, which sent tingles through them both. Snape found he was barely able to keep his eyes open, slumping backwards on the sofa with an apologetic sigh.
"I suppose you didn't get much sleep last night, talking to the Malfoys."
"Absolutely none, I am afraid. My apologies. I would hate you to think I was bored by your kisses." Lupin blushed charmingly and blurted out;
"Why don't you stay here tonight?"
Snape raised a brow.
"I mean, just to sleep, you know. Um." It sounded like an excellent suggestion, and Snape found himself being carefully hovered up the stairs.
"I'm afraid the spare room is full of clutter. Though I could clear it if you like."
"I am sure your room will be fine," he reassured, watching carefully for Lupin's reaction. He was delighted to see the glow return, and remain as they settled down in Remus' double bed, a good foot of empty space between them. Remus closed the gap for a moment to give him one last feathery kiss.
"Good night, Severus."
"Good night, Remus."
As he had hoped, the unexpected use of his first name made Lupin blush again. Severus stared for a moment, memorising the lovely sight of the werewolf glowing and blushing because of him, imprinting it in his mind before he removed his glasses and muttered a quiet 'nox.'
…….
Remus lay on his back in the darkness, listening to the breathing of the amazing wizard lying next to him in his bed. Had he murdered Malfoy or not? Right at that moment, he found that he did not care. What difference did it make, really? Why was he worrying about the past, when the future was looking so promising? He smiled to himself. If only he could control that damn blushing…
…….
A/N: Did he or didn't he? Mwhahahaha.
I know I say this every time, but thank you to my reviewers, it really makes a difference when I hear what you think and I get all inspired to write more! (Gratuitous plug: If anyone's miffed that I killed off Lucius I apologise, and direct you towards my SS/LM slashfest "Study Sessions" which is a bit juicier than this one, teenage boys being naturally more sexual than middle-aged war veterans ;-)
Thanks Kat for the birthday greetings, thanks again to my lovely regulars x
