He angrily wiped the tears from his face and slammed the door to his humble house closed. The door rattled and swung back open. He kicked it shut and grunted in agony. He could not believe what he had done. They would be coming for him soon. He hurriedly packed everything he could fit in his suitcase. He didn't have much to begin with. The tears didn't seem to have an end. His vision was severely blurred. He did not see the hooded figure that walked in silently behind him.
"Severus…" the dark figure said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Severus Snape jumped and drew his wand. He stared wild eyed at the figure then slumped and the tears began to flow yet again.
"Have you come to finish it then, Remus?" he asked trying in vain to keep his composure.
"I know why you did it Severus. Dumbledore told me-"Lupin began, barely holding back tears himself.
"What did he tell you? That I was a murderer! That I kill helpless old men in the Dark Lords blessed name?" he coughed and choked down a sob.
"He told me he wanted someone to know the truth should the battle go awry. He wanted someone to know of your great worth." Lupin said in a quiet ghostly voice that made Snape sure those were the exact words Dumbledore had used.
"And you shall tell everyone is that it Remus? They won't believe you. What I have done, it is unforgivable. I cannot forgive myself." Snape said bitterly, closing his suitcase and heading for the door.
"There is no where you can run to that Harry wont find you. You know that." Remus explained his eyes tired and his heart weary for the man he had longed to call his friend.
"I am not afraid of the boy. He hated me before, now he has a reason." Snape commented, losing his nerve and collapsing into a tattered chair by the door.
"What will Voldemort do to Draco?" Lupin asked quietly, his voice as always filled with compassionate concern.
"I don't think he will kill him if that's what you mean." Severus said his temper turning cruel.
"But if you'll excuse me, seeing as how I'm wanted for murder I'd rather not discuss the Dark Lords intentions with you. I must be going." He said as evenly as he could, lest the tears start up again.
"Where will you go?" Lupin asked.
"Why do you need to know?" Snape asked becoming annoyed.
"As much as you would like to believe that I hate you Severus, it simply isn't true. If you remember correctly I was the one who tried to convince James and Sirius to leave you alone." Lupin added, tired of the constant dueling.
"I do remember, and I seem to remember you laughing at their cruel jokes just as much as they did." Snape spat, getting up and heading for the door.
Snape opened the door and spared one last look in Lupin's direction. Why were things never simple? What choices had they both made to bring themselves to this point? Snape noticed movement in Lupin's robes and aimed his wand. Lupin was too late in raising his.
"It's not as easy as all that Lupin. I am a Death Eater after all. Of course I suspect that's why you came. Someone must answer for the tragedy at Hogwarts correct?" he smiled one last bitter smile while Lupin stood frozen.
"And now I take my leave old friend." Snape said.
"Stupefy!"
Lupin was not sure how long he had been out but when he came to the face of the lovely Nymphadora Tonks hovered over his. Aurors milled about Snape's small residence but there was not a single possession to be found. It seemed that twice in one night Dumbledore's killer had escaped capture.