Follow-on snippet.
Creaking bedsprings. Snort.
"What's wrong, Severus?"
"Mph. This confounded knee! I can't manoeuvre!"
"You're doing fine. Look, if you roll over this way…ow!"
"What did I do? Oh, your silver burn. I am sorry."
"It's OK."
Snort. "Oh honestly. The state we are in! A couple of old men."
Giggle. "Severus, relax, we just need to find the right position."
"Ow, your elbow is on my hair."
"Sorry, Severus."
Grumble. "I used to be good at this."
Gasp. "Oh! You still are! Mmmm."
"Does that suit you, Remus?"
"Oh Merlin, yes! Yesss!"
"A little louder, Lupin. I believe two of the inhabitants of Penzance did not hear."
"…"
"Tsk. Such language. You deserve some form of punishment."
"Oh yes! Yes I do! Mmmm, Severus, I'm a very bad wolf!"
Cackle.
…….
Flashback snippets.
"Has he woken yet?"
"No, Headmistress, but the signs are good. He's making excellent progress."
"And his throat, goodness, it looks dreadful! Will he make a full recovery?"
"It's too early to say. The swelling is acute at the moment, but it should begin subsiding soon. We have created an artificial airway and all nutrition is being administered intravenously so nothing can aggravate the damage. Unfortunately, lycanthropes require different potion solutions from regular humans. There is someone at the Institute of Master Potioners making adjustments to an experimental poultice, it should be ready in a few days. Not many healers or potion masters take an interest in werewolf biology, and this country's major wolfsbane expert is…well…"
"I know, Healer Indictor. I've already been up to see him."
Pause. "We tend not to discuss patients details. I understand he was under Cruciatus for a very long time?"
Sharp intake of breath. "We believe so. Harry is currently incapable of telling us what happened, poor wee mite."
"So we still don't know exactly what You-Know-Who did to them?"
"Voldemort, Healer Indictor. Or Tom Riddle, if you cannot manage that. No need to let his legend live on."
"Er, yes, Headmistress. Vvvoldemort."
"Good. I greatly fear for Severus. He does not respond to any stimuli."
Pause. "I'm sorry. About Professor Dumbledore, too. The war has taken its toll."
"But it's over now."
"For most people, yes."
…….
"Sir…" long pause. "It's weird, professor. It's like no words in this language can accurately describe what happened. They're all very nice. They come, and they don't bombard me with questions or anything, but I'm at a loss. They ask if I want some juice and I can't even say 'yes', I just have to nod. Hah. They'd be shocked to hear me rabbiting away to you like this, when I can't even say hello to Hermione, and I can't bear to be in the same room as Remus. But you were there. You know." Pause.
"If you were awake, you'd tell me to buck up and stop being so melodramatic. I'm trying, really. I think I'm doing fine until someone tries to make me speak, then all of a sudden I'm gaping stupidly at them." Pause.
"You were so brave. Everything he did to you, you just took it as calmly as you could. You were bloody amazing, sir. I suppose you've been told about your Order of Merlin? I've got one too. It's nice I suppose, but somehow it's just a chunk of metal, given by some ignorant politicians who've spent the whole war sitting behind a desk, so I can't get very excited about it." Pause.
"Your physical injuries are healing nicely, they told me. Well, except for the knee. I don't know if you remember what Riddle did to it, but it was…" shudder, "…really, really horrible. Made me throw up. But you're not the kind of person to let something like that slow you down. I wish you could see all the cards and gifts on your bedside table. There's a huge thing here signed by hundreds of people at IMP, it's amazing. And the bouquet of sunflowers, just signed from 'D'. I reckon I know who that's from. Skipped the country apparently, with his mum." Pause.
"I can't believe Professor Dumbledore's dead. He seemed so powerful, then to just see him lying there on the floor, mown down by only two curses, it was really shocking. Sorry if I'm boring you. I hope you can hear me. I know it must hurt, and probably the memories are so horrible that you want your brain to switch off for ever so you don't have to keep going through it, but please don't give up. Don't let him win. He's done so much damage already, you're much more to this world than just another statistic. I haven't phrased that very well, I hope you know what I mean. It's all so confusing. I'm going now. Take care, Professor."
Door clicks shut.
…….
Go away go away go away don't touch me I hate you I hate this I hate everything it hurts so much go away I can't stand it don't touch me get away from me get away from me why won't it stop? Why won't it STOP!
"Kerry, hold him, he's getting frantic again."
"Professor? Can you hear me?"
"His heart rate's too high."
"Fever's back too."
"It's OK Professor, take it easy. You're safe now."
"Pin his arms down before he hurts himself again."
Let go let go let go go away please go away I hate you why can't you just leave me alone why do you keep hurting me just leave me I don't want this just let me die so it can stop. Want it all to stop.
…….
"What will you do now, Harry?"
"I want to do some more research about being an auror. I don't know if that's right for me just yet though. I think I've had enough of dark wizards and danger for now. Perhaps I'll help Fred and George with the joke shop."
"Those are two very different options!"
"I know. Remus, it's all so confusing. Ron and Neville were thinking of saving up and going travelling. I've never been out of this country, ridiculous isn't it? A murderer, a saviour, a decorated hero – all these huge events and I've never even been for a day trip to Paris."
"That sounds like a good idea. Where will you go?"
"Dean wants to go to Thailand. Ron's dead set on Australia. I don't see why we can't do both. Go to a beach!"
"You've never even been to the seaside?"
"Once. Mrs Figg was ill so the Dursleys had to take me with them to Brighton. It was so cool!"
"She said she was ill, did she?"
"Yes…oh! Hah hah! Fab, I must thank Arabella for that. The sea was freezing but it still felt good. Yes, I think some time away from everything will do me good."
"I think so, too. I haven't seen you laugh like that for ages. Oh, I forgot to tell you! Minerva was talking to Severus this morning, holding his hand and just chatting about nothing in particular, when he looked at her!"
"He responded!"
"Well, he just turned his head slightly and focussed his eyes on her face. I don't know if he understood what she said, but that's the first time he's reacted to anything."
"That's brilliant!"
"We shouldn't get too excited, Harry."
"I know. I've met Neville's parents."
Pause.
"But
it's still a good thing? Isn't it, Remus?"
…….
"May I see Severus?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, he's only allowed one visitor at a time. His nephew is with him at the moment."
"Nephew?"
"Yes. Er, David, I think he said. Handsome young man with black hair and a sharp suit. One of those Italian designer jobs, I should think."
Door clicks open. The hair is dyed, but the grey eyes are unmistakable.
"Hello, David. How are you?"
"Hello. Well, thank you. You look terrible, sir."
"Getting better, bit by bit. Come to visit your uncle?"
"Yes." Quietly; "He's in a bad way, isn't he?"
"I haven't seen him yet. I hear he's much improved."
"Potter's owl found them?"
"Yes. Ridiculous isn't it?"
"Potter really killed the Dark Lord?"
"Yes. I didn't see it though."
"Oh."
Pause.
"You know why I can't stay, Professor Lupin?"
"Yes. I'll make sure he knows you were here."
"Thank you."
"Take care, D…David."
"I will. I hope the, er…"
"Burned throat."
"Right. I hope it gets better soon."
"Thank you."
…….
Follow-on snippets.
The rain was still pattering onto the windowpane, the dullness of the day making it hard for Remus to guess at the time. But the time wasn't important. Remus felt as though he had all the time in the world as he lay in Severus' bed, listening to the gentle snores of the man beside him as they drifted in and out of sleep together, both content, but neither accustomed to the presence of someone else. Severus' black and white streaked hair spilled over the pillow, dramatically framing his strong features and emphasising the long inky lashes lying against the pale cheeks.
Beautiful, thought Remus, why did I never notice before? Severus made a small sound in his sleep and snuggled slightly against his chest, making Remus smile and hold him closer, relishing the feeling of togetherness.
"Mine," he murmured quietly to himself, kissing Severus' forehead.
…….
Several hours later, Remus was watching Severus sip his tea, sitting up with his back against the headboard and a lovely debauched grace in his every movement.
"What?"
"What do you mean, 'what'?"
"Why are you looking at me in that way."
"Because you're amazing. And I think I love you."
"You are an idiot, Lupin."
"I know. But I'm your idiot. If you'll have me."
"In case it escaped your attention, I have already had you."
Snigger. "Ah yes. I wondered what you were doing."
Snort. "Fool."
"Yup."
"Do you intend to drink your tea?"
"No, I prefer watching you drink yours."
Snort. "Enough with the puppy dog eyes."
"What, these eyes?" blink blink.
"Yes, those. If you used that slimy greyish object between your ears, you would realise that 'come to bed' eyes are redundant in this instance."
"You're right. Well, what about 'come over here and fuck me' eyes?"
"I am drinking my tea, idiot cub."
"You are nearly finished."
"Perhaps I would care for another cup. And do not think your use of profanity slipped my notice just now."
Glinting amber eyes. "You're going to punish me again?"
"Naturally."
Severus suddenly found his cup and saucer had vanished, replaced with an armful of naked werewolf, kissing and nipping at his chest and stomach. Grasping Remus' chin with thumb and forefinger, he drew him upwards so their faces were level.
"Did you mean that?"
"What?"
"Do you love me?"
"Yes." Not a flicker of hesitation.
Severus' face softened, and he gently pushed Remus away, never breaking eye contact. He had to struggle to recall even one other occasion when he had heard those words, and the enormity of the moment made him feel slightly unwell. Worried, Remus opened his mouth to speak but slender fingers touched his lips, gently hushing him, and he was pulled back down into a fierce hug. Snape's heart was racing as various emotions battled to escape him, through his mouth, his eyes, showing on his face, and in desperation all he could do was cling to Lupin, his childhood tormentor, the one who had almost killed him, the epitome of Griffindor goodness, who now professed to love him. Love him! Him! This was too much to assimilate. He didn't notice the tears until he felt them being wiped away.
"I'm
sorry, Severus. I didn't mean to upset you." Snape wanted to
answer but found he could not speak. Remus looked upset as he
stammered out, "You don't have to… I don't expect…"
"Ssh,"
he managed. Still clasped firmly in each other's arms, they drifted
back to sleep.
…….
It was Monday morning, and the sun had come out. Seagulls were shrieking through the air outside and Remus and Severus were lying on their sides facing inwards, fingers entwined and completely at peace with each other. Really, though Severus, I could stay like this forever. Lupin was always so kind and full of joy.
"Remus," he breathed. The werewolf smiled at him, eyes golden yellow in a shaft of morning sunlight, looking at him with what could only be described as adoration.
"Yes, my love?" His love, oh my. He was somebody's 'love'.
"Last night. When you said…" Severus was irritated by his own embarrassment, which seemed to amuse Remus.
"Yes?" he leaned forward and kissed him encouragingly.
"I… well, I became rather emotional. But…"
Suddenly he sat upright. Noises downstairs. Voices. No one came to the Gatehouse, except Remus. How very odd. With a small pop, Josty appeared in the room, wringing her hands and trembling with terror.
"Master Severus! Oh, sir! There is aurors downstairs. They is wanting to take you away!" Before either man could react, the bedroom door opened quickly but without banging, and in strode two calm aurors.
"Professor Snape?" asked the woman in her thirties. Neither Severus nor Remus recognised her from the war. Severus was pulled the sheet tight around himself, feeling vulnerable and embarrassed to have strangers see him in such a position.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Can you speak up, please, sir? Are you Professor Snape?"
Remus was angry now.
"Who are you?" he demanded. Both aurors showed their credentials. "Well, Auror Chiswick, Auror Phelps, as you would know had you undertaken the slightest amount of research, Severus lost his voice when he was tortured by Voldemort during the war."
"I see. And you are?" She was polite, but firm.
"Remus Lupin." The younger, male auror supplied, a strange expression on his face. Phelps? William Phelps from Ravenclaw, a bright DADA student whom he had taught at Hogwarts. The seventh year had nursed a thumping great crush on him – poetry, Valentine cards, the lot. "A werewolf," he added, with a hint of spite. Aha, so the young man was feeling betrayed by his former favourite teacher. Was he still upset about finding out Lupin's deadly secret from Slytherin gossip, or from just finding him in bed with the school's most hated member of staff?
Chiswick dismissed her junior's grudges as unimportant with a wave of her hand. But her next words turned Remus' blood to ice.
"Professor Snape, would you please dress and accompany us to the Ministry? We would like to ask you some questions regarding the death of Lucius Malfoy."
…….
