A/n: I'd just like to take a moment and thank the people who have reviewed so far. I really appreciate it. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get another chapter out, but I really only write when the inspiration hits, and this chapter was particularly difficult. Anyway, I'll try to do better. On with the story! (Oh.. and I've just realized that I've not put a disclaimer in, so… here you are! Don't sue!)
Disclaimer: If you recognize anything in this ficlet, it does not belong to me! In fact, the only thing that does belong to me is the flimsy plot. Everything else belongs to the lovely J.K. Rowling.
Remus Lupin awoke early and quickly showered. He dressed himself in his best robes and set out for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with purpose. Today was the day that he would see his husband Severus Snape for the first time in ten years. After the death of his best friends, Remus had left Severus, blaming him for what had happened. However, Remus had realized how wrong he had been. This year, he would be filling the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts and he knew he would have to speak to Severus before the start of term. He was extremely nervous about meeting his husband again, but he felt that the two of them needed to come to an understanding.
He arrived at Hogsmeade Village and from there walked to the gates of Hogwarts. He took his time, thinking over in his mind what he would say to Severus when he encountered him. Arriving at the entrance to the castle, he pushed open the massive oak doors and had to pause a moment to clear his mind of the many memories that arose. He had not been to Hogwarts in years, but of course the castle had not changed a bit. Shaking his head, his strode towards the dungeons with purpose, knowing that Severus kept quarters there. When he reached the door to Severus' office, he hesitated. Are you sure about this, Remus? He asked himself. Of course I am. He knocked twice on the door and was greeted with a rather sour "Enter!" That is certainly Severus, Remus thought, but he sounds so different. He pushed open the door to the Potion's Master's office and entered.
"Hello, Severus." Remus said softly, when the other man did not look up.
"You!" Severus spat when he realized who was standing before his desk. "What are you doing here, Lupin?"
Remus could not help the wince at hearing the malice in his husband's tone, and yet, he could not fault the other man either. "I felt we needed to talk, Severus. Do you mind if I sit?" He asked, his hand already on the back of the straight-backed wooden chair.
"If I say yes, will it stop you?" Severus scowled. When Remus shook his head, he waved his arm in a dismissive manner. "Sit, then. By all means." His tone was no less acidic than it had been before. "What do you want, Lupin?" Although his tone betrayed none of it, Severus himself was very upset to see his husband. It hurt his very heart to sit here in front of the man and not reach out to him. But Severus had long before made his decision, as had Remus. There was no going back from it now.
"I'm sure Albus has informed you by now that I will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this term." Remus began. "Severus, despite our past, we will have to work together. You know this. I'd like to try…"
"You'd like to try? Now you'd like to try?" Severus snarled. "Had a change of heart have you?"
"Severus, please! Listen to me for half a moment!" Remus pleaded.
"You want me to listen now, do you? You did not want to hear anything I had to say then, Lupin, and I am not interested in listening to you now."
"I want to apologize, Severus. I should have listened to you. I was so grief-stricken… I had just my best friends, three dead, betrayed by the fourth. I didn't know what to think! I realized my mistake later, but you were already gone!" Remus hated the desperation in his voice, hated that he had to plead with his husband, hated himself for the things he had done and said in the past.
"You betrayed me, Remus. Your own husband! I had no – No. This conversation is over, Lupin. You will see me each month when it is time for your potion, otherwise, stay away from me!" Severus hissed vehemently, "Now get out of my office!" When the other man made no move to leave, he shouted, "OUT!"
Remus stood, his posture defeated, his eyes red and clouded with tears. "Very well, Severus." He said softly, "If that is what you wish…" Without another word, he left the office. Once in the hallway, he ran. He ran from the dungeons, out the front doors, and down the path to Hogsmeade. Safely past the apparition barriers, he apparated to his flat and threw himself onto his bed, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Back at Hogwarts, Severus Snape sat in his office. He hadn't moved since the other man had left. Though minutes before, his eyes had shown nothing but hate and malice, they now showed pain and sorrow. And if anyone had entered the office at that moment, they would have seen a shocking sight. Severus Snape buried his head in his arms and cried.