Disclaimer: The people, place and situations surrounding the story are not mine.

Summary: "...we now have to dance around a deranged werewolf who might off himself at any moment...", Remus isn't dealing well with the aftermath of OotP, Severus doesn't deal well with life. RL/SS.

Warning: OotP spoilers and some suicide themes. This is a slash fic, meaning m/m relationships, don't like it, don't read it. I put this as PG- 13, but there is swearing, so it might even be R, dunno.

A/N: Hello, long time no write. For which I apologize. I've had a bit of a falling out with writing, it happens. Not too impressed with this chapter, but bare with me they will get better. I have yet to read HBP because I wished to finish off this story first so please if you review refrain from referencing it. As always enjoy and constructive criticism is appreciated.

Chapter 6: Frustration

"Harry how could you?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

Harry shrugged and hung his head looking guiltily at the floor. "I wasn't thinking." He mumbled to his best friend who had her arms firmly crossed and wore a face of strong disapproval.

"That's right Harry." She chided. Harry wouldn't meet her eye. Hermione sighed and uncrossed her arms, "Sorry Harry, I know you've been under a lot of stress with recent events and the prophecy."

Harry finally looked up and gave her a half smile.

"But it still wasn't a very nice thing to say." Hermione finished, and Harry grimaced.

"I know Hermione, but he just didn't seem like he cared for Sirius at all. He was trying to comfort me but he didn't seem to have any feelings towards Sirius. I thought they were best friends. And then he defended Snape and I lost it." Harry clenched his fists.

Hermione put a comforting arm around the famous boy, "I know Harry. But I think Hagrid was right. Maybe Professor Lupin was trying not to show his hurt and just because Sirius…passed away doesn't mean you can hate the world."

Harry rudely shook her arm off, "You just don't understand. You think I'm over reacting too. See what you feel like when your parents die and the only hope you had for a family died as well."

Hermione's mouth moved silently in shock. Harry turned on his heel, and took off towards the common room. Hermione regained herself and rushed to catch up with him.

"Harry James Potter, don't be so goddamn selfish. How dare you claim that I don't understand? I've lost people too, maybe not to the degree you have but I lost people I loved. Everyone is trying so hard to make you feel better and all you do is blow up at them. Did you even stop to think that maybe Professor Lupin only came here to help you, and maybe he's just as angry and sad as you but he's putting it aside to make you feel better? We're only trying to help."

Harry glared at his brown-haired companion, "Well if this is your idea of help, then I don't want it."

Hermione gave up and turned away as tears formed under her eyes.

Remus Lupin sat alone under one of the many trees at the side of the Lake outside of the ever famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He slowly sipped his chilled Pumpkin Juice and stared at the Squid and its antics.

It was the afternoon after his fight with Severus in the hallway and he had been avoiding the ill-tempered man ever since. Not that he was being childish or that he was afraid of the man, he merely did not wish for further confrontations.

Yesterday was probably one of the most miserable days of his life that wasn't part of the war or death. First he woke up in the arms of one Severus Snape and all the loveliness that had followed from that encounter. In the evening he'd had tea with the Trio and Hagrid and the day had just gotten worse. Harry had blown up at him while he was trying to make the boy feel better. He had promised himself he would be strong and supportive but Harry didn't seem to find him so. Remus shook his head, on top of all his horrible social dilemmas he hadn't wanted to bother the headmaster so he'd spent the night on one of those horrible hospital beds having complained about headaches. Which was not far from the truth, he still felt unwell.

The responsible thing for him to do would be to tell the mediwitch and have her check him out. But in all honesty he was afraid of what she'd find. He was pretty sure he was dying. Werewolves don't usually live as long as other wizards. If they take the potion for most of their transformations then the life expectancy is about the same, but he was pretty sure he'd gone too many moons without the potion to reverse the effects.

Remus stood and sighed; he no longer wished to think such dreary thoughts and made his way back towards the castle. He wasn't sure how he felt about his own death but he was surprisingly content that he'd talked some things over with Severus, even if it was under much influence of alcohol, nothing had changed. But maybe it would.

Severus stood in on of the many towers of the castle staring at the all too familiar figure making his way towards the front entrance.

The Headmaster came up behind him. "Severus I'm surprised to find you this far your dungeon. About yesterday…"

Severus didn't take his eyes of the retreating figure, "I apologize again for the intruding.

"Don't worry about it my boy, but was there something you wished to discuss with me?"

"It was nothing of importance." Severus replied curtly and he turned around smoothly, nodded to Dumbledore and left the tower sanctuary.

Dumbledore stood in front of the Great Hall smiling at the many students and teachers of Hogwarts.

"I'd like to make an announcement before we start our evening meal."

Heads swiveled towards him and he was given full attention.

"As many of you have noted, Hogwarts has had a certain problem, shall we say, with filling the DADA's teaching position. I am pleased to announce that it will no longer be necessary for me to cover the classes. If you will direct your attention to the man on my right, I would like to introduce to you, your new DADA's teacher Sturgis Podmore, please give him a round of applause." Dumbledore sat and called with the rest.

Sturgis stood up, hands sweating, "He-lloo. I'm your new teacher. I hop-e we have a goo-d year together." He smiled and sat down. He was an information gatherer for the Order of the Phoenix and had many years of training but he had never been a teacher, it was an entirely new situation to him. But Dumbledore had wanted the extra defense around Harry Potter and the castle.

Sturgis scanned the faces of the other members of the staff and smiled wider when he stopped on Remus Lupin at the end of the table. He has always harbored a liking towards the werewolf back in his school days. That hadn't changed in time. Remus gave him an encouraging smile. Sturgis felt his cheeks heat slightly, he was a grown man and still acted like a teenager. He averted his eyes.

Throughout the meal it became distinctly noticeably that there was animosity within the Dream Trio. Hermione and Ron sat on one side of the table, in deep conversation and the Great Harry Potter sat mumbling to his food and glaring towards anyone who was so unfortunate enough to catch his eye.

Harry was feeling even more horrible than earlier he'd been yelled at by his two best friends and made an enemy of his favorite teacher. To make matters worse he had a potions assignment which still needed hours of work. It always seemed like school work loved to add to the misery of his inner turmoil.

One thing was looking up for him, thought, since DADA now had a permanent teacher he could return to his favorite subject in full form, as well he had met Podmore on several occasions and found him to be a good sort and secretly hoped it would at least give him some higher standings within the staff.

He knew he'd eventually have to make up with everyone but for now he was content to drown in his own misery, there at least nothing else could go wrong.

Severus Snape was not a coward. He had been called many things within his time, but coward was not one of them. But it was not without surprise that was given to being cowardly on several occasions; especially when it concerned relationships and mainly a 'relationship' with a certain werewolf. He knew he really needed to deal with the fact that well, werewolves mated for life, it was rather important that the whole 'guidelines' of the principle where explained to both parties involved. After many tries and pieces of parchment he'd finally decided on a curt invite to tea that would hopefully clear up the matter and maybe then he'd be free of the werewolf. He sent the note and made the time for 8 o'clock that evening, he ignored the questioning looks for Mr. Lupin throughout the long supper.

Remus knocked hesitantly on the door to Severus' rooms, when there was no immediate response he turned to leave, suddenly not so sure of himself. He made this way up to one of the towers. He caught sight of Dumbledore, who beckoned to him. Remus sighed, it seemed there was something more important then his feelings at the moment.

"Hermione…HERMIONE...WAKE UP" Ginny whispered urgently.

"What?" Came the very tired and annoyed voice of the intelligent Gryffindor.

"I need to talk to you." Hermione released herself from the piles of bedding and swung her legs over the bed, glaring at the fully clothed red head.

"Why aren't you in your own room and in bed, like any sane teenager?" Hermione grumbled as she felt around for her slippers.

"I couldn't sleep, you know with Harry being so mad at us and stuff. So I went for a walk and I remembered and well….I just needed to tell someone. It's kind of weird and I wanted to ask your advice."

Hermione sighed and guided that girl down to the empty common room, sending a distinct look towards the grand father clock that read a little after 2.

When they were finally both settled before the cold fireplace, Hermione turned towards the younger girl, "Okay, I'm up and I'm listening, what was so important that it couldn't wait till morning."

Ginny blushed, suddenly unsure of herself

"Well…I was walking around the halls…and don't give me that look Hermione, you do it to, and I had Harry's cloak from the last time we went for a midnight hot chocolate…"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "And..?"

"And I remembered something important that happened yesterday, you know how I missed supper?"

Hermione nodded.

"Well…you won't believe it but…Snape and Remus are…well were, well I don't know exactly but they…"

"Spit it out GINNY" Hermione yelled in frustration.

"They're shaggin'" Ginny finished off.

Hermione stared in disbelief, "They're what?"

"Oh come on Hermione you're not that much of a stickler, you know they're having se…"

"I know what Shagging means Ginny!"

Ginny blushed. "Of course you do. Anyway they had some sort of fight yesterday and they're both really upset, so I'm hoping maybe…it's kind of cute. Even if Severus is a greasy git…maybe we could…help?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, Ginny was always so interested in setting people up, "Fine, but I still don't believe this, how could Remus ever go for a greasy git like Snape, I mean it's a little gross."

"You're right. They'd never get together if Snape continues to be such a bastard." Ginny sounded disappointed.

"Sorry Gin, I just don't see how…unless." Hermione went silent.

Ginny brightened, "Unless WE show Remus the "good side" of Snape…I'm sure he must have one. And then they can be together, and it'll be cute."

"Oh Ginny, you were always a fan of the yaoi weren't you?"

A/N: So there you have it. I would like to add an extra thanks to all of you who still read my stories and say such nice things about them.