Remus was leaving the Great Hall when he saw Athena rush outside without a cloak, clearly quite upset. Guessing it was Severus that had upset her, he decided to follow. For once, being a werewolf was a small advantage. Using his heightened senses, he tracked her to a small clearing, and saw her sobbing and shaking, huddled in an old tree stump. He sat down next to her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "What happened?" he asked gently. When she looked up at him, he could see the red mark on her throat. He tipped her chin up to get a better look. "Did he do this to you?" he asked angrily.
She nodded and fell into his arms.
"Why?" he asked.
"I-I don't know. I wanted to surprise him and he attacked me."
Remus thought this was the opening he needed. He could console her and get her to trust him again. "Shhh. It's all right. You're safe here. He can't hurt you if you're with me."
All she could think of was the menacing look and voice Severus had used. It had terrified her. It reminded her how little she knew about the dark and mysterious man. She knew he could be mean with his students, but this something more, something darker, something terrifying. She had felt the magic in the air and knew that he had been only a split second away from hexing her. She clung tighter to Remus.
He could feel her shaking and wasn't sure if it was fear or cold. Even sheltered from the wind in the Forest, he was feeling the effects of the cold and held her close. He kissed the top of her head to reassure her that he still cared. The scent of her hair brought back wonderful memories. He brushed the tears off her cheek and noticed how cold and flushed her face was. "Now, I think it's time to get you back inside and in front of a fire. What do you say to that?" he asked gently.
She looked up into his warm and caring eyes, so very different from Severus' dark and mysterious eyes. Why had she ever pushed him away? She nodded her head. "Sounds good." She let him lead her back to the castle.
Severus had stalked back to the castle. Once inside he examined his cloak. The trees had torn it nearly to shreds. He fumed and paced, waiting for her to return. As cold as it was, he didn't think she would be gone too long. Fortunately the nasty weather ensured the students would be spending the day in their dormitories and he shouldn't have to deal with any of them.
He finally heard the door open and in a stern voice ordered, "Stop right there."
Remus turned to face his colleague, placing himself protectively in front of Athena. "Or what? You'll hex her this time? Haven't you scared her enough today?"
"I did not," he realized he was shouting and started again in a more reasonable volume, "I did not intend to scare her. Athena," he could see her peering over Lupin's shoulder, "it was a misunderstanding. Nothing more." How had Lupin gotten through the Forest? For that matter, how had Lupin gotten outside the castle without him noticing? The last thing he needed was her crying on the werewolf's shoulder.
"Misunderstanding or not, I think you should go now. Can't you see you are upsetting her?" Remus said defensively.
"This is none of your business, Lupin. What happened is between the two of us."
"Please, Severus, just leave me alone," she pleaded.
Severus could feel the disappointment crash around him. He would not beg, especially not in front of Lupin.
"Just go now," she whispered quietly as she choked back the tears.
He refused to let his disappointment show and stalked towards the dungeons. One moment of stupidity, he thought. I acted on a reflex, and now I am reduced to groveling for her forgiveness. Well, she would quickly learn that Severus Snape does not grovel. I did nothing wrong. She was the one jumping out of a dark corner when there was a killer on the loose that had already infiltrated the castle. His arguments further convinced him that he was the one that was right and he turned his mind to determining how he would make her beg for forgiveness.
Then he thought of her in Remus' arms. Perhaps he could be magnanimous and accept her apology without making her grovel. Now, he would just need to let her know that he was open to her apology.
Remus was pleasantly surprised to find a fire and hot tea waiting for them. The house elves must have seen them returning to the castle. He pulled out his wand and quickly rearranged her furniture, bringing the settee closer to the fire. Once he had her seated, he scanned the room for a blanket to help her get warm. He watched her pull the blanket tight around her shoulders.
Before joining her on the settee, he handed her a cup of tea. "Thank you," she replied.
"I can't have you getting sick, now can I?" He gave her his most charming smile before picking up her feet. Her shoes and stocking were completely soaked and he removed them. Her feet were as cold as icicles. A quick wave of his wand and he placed a warming charm on them before massaging the feeling back into them. "You really should dress more appropriately for going outside," he reprimanded playfully.
"I hadn't really intended on going outside. It…just sort of happened." His hands felt marvelous rubbing her feet and calves. She wiggled her toes once she could feel them again.
He could feel the warmth returning to her legs. He noticed her holding her teacup with both hands. Gently, he took the cup from her hands and placed it on the table. "Here, let me help," he said as he cast another warming charm and rubbed warmth back into her hands. "Better?"
She nodded and smiled. "Thank you." He was being so kind and considerate.
He let his hands trail up her arms to rub her shoulders. "You're still shivering. Come here," he said gently as he pulled her closer. He was pleased when she didn't resist. As she moved closer, he readjusted the blanket so that it wrapped around both of them. He rubbed her arms hoping to warm her more quickly. What he really needed was to get her out of her wet clothes, but he didn't want to be too forceful. Her scent was intoxicating and it took all his self-control not to act on his animalistic passions.
As her shivering subsided, he kissed her on the top of her head. "How do you feel?"
"Warmer. Thank you." His touch was both warming and comforting.
"I couldn't very well let you suffer a bad case of frostbite and hopefully we can avoid pneumonia."
"Not that, for standing up to Severus. He…frightened me."
He could feel her start shaking again and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "I won't let him hurt you." He kissed her temple and cheek and stroked her hair to help calm her. "You're safe. Always safe with me."
Safe, yes, she was warm and safe. She looked up into his warm brown eyes and saw the look of longing. Gazing into his eyes, she found she could no longer remember why she had pushed him away. Tentatively she reached up to touch his cheek. He smiled so sweetly at her as she caressed his skin. Lacing her fingers into his hair she pulled him closer for a kiss.
This is a very good sign, Remus thought as he returned her kiss. Patience, nice and slow, he told himself. He broke from the kiss and nipped at her neck, gauging her response. She pulled him tighter and he slipped out from beneath her and laid her on her back. Putting his left knee on the couch, he straddled her. He continued to kiss her and was pleased when he felt her unbuttoning his jacket. Unfortunately, her dress fastened in the back, so he fondled her breast through the fabric.
When she continued to reciprocate his amorous intentions, he scooped her into his arms, carried her back to her bedroom and gently placed her on the bed. Keeping her sitting, he unfastened her buttons. He could feel her frantically working on his buttons. Their kisses were becoming more passionate.
Finally, he reached the end of her buttons and pushed her dress down to her waist and lowered her on the bed. "You are truly beautiful," he whispered as he nibbled at her neck.
She moaned at his touch. He sent fire coursing through her veins. She ran her hands across his chest, feeling the reassuring warmth of his presence.
He could feel her trying to push his shirt and jacket off. He sat back, pulled off the offending garments and threw them to the floor. He looked down at her naked breasts and his longing became almost unbearable. Rolling next to her, he quickly stripped off his shoes and remaining garments. Then he pulled back the comforter and gently nudged her over so he could place her under the covers.
After pulling her dress the rest of the way off, he slipped under the covers with her and continued kissing her. He had dreamed of this since Halloween.
His touch was electric, sending tingles across her skin. She tried to push him away as reason made a final attempt to assert itself. "Remus, what are we doing?"
He didn't want to go through this again. Not now. He brushed her hair out of her face and flashed his most charming smile. "I would think that's obvious. I'm expressing my affection for you," he replied playfully.
"We agreed not to do this because of how we affect each other." She tried to protest, but it didn't sound very convincing.
He took a deep breath to collect his thoughts. "Do you mean to tell me you never change your mind? Never admit that you may have been wrong?"
"Well…" He had a point; she had been wrong in the past and had changed her mind.
He gently brushed her cheek, smiled warmly and whispered, "Give in to your animalistic passions." He nipped at her earlobe.
She couldn't help but return his smile.
He took that smile as approval and kissed her again. When she didn't resist, he let his hand drift down to cup her breast. She moaned as he teased her nipple to hardness. He would most definitely enjoy this.
She cried out in pleasure as he neared climax. "Oh, yes, yes, oh, Severus!"
Remus froze as he heard his rival's name escape her mouth. He waited until she opened her eyes and looked at him before asking, "What did you say?" When she looked at him in confusion he asked, "You said something, what was it?" He did his best not to sound angry.
"I…don't remember," she replied nervously. She had obviously said something wrong.
He pulled away from her and lay next to her on the bed, staring at the ceiling. It had been too good to be true. After a few seconds he propped himself on his elbow and looked at her. "Why him? Why did you call his name? Are you his lover, too?"
Now that her passion was spent, her mind started clearing. "Oh, Remus, what did we do? We said we weren't going to do this." She got out of bed and took her bathrobe off the hook.
He rose and grabbed her arm, forcing her to look at him. "You didn't answer me."
"No." Not yet. Maybe not ever, now, she added silently.
"Why him? He's a bitter bastard who will never treat you like you deserve to be treated." He could no longer keep the anger out of his voice.
"You don't know him," she said defensively.
"Don't know him? I know him better than you think. Remember, we went to school together."
"But you weren't his friend. I am…or was. Now I've ruined that." She pulled away, unable to meet his gaze for the guilt she was feeling.
He moved next to her. "Athena, I care for you. I love you. I've told you that before."
She faced him, a sad smile on her face. "Dear Remus, I don't think it is love. I don't think we could ever know because of what we are, what we do to each other."
"Athena, I want to protect you, to be with you, you make me feel like no other woman has. I respect and honor you. If that's not love, I don't know what is." He wrapped his arms around her.
"Remus, you are a very dear friend and I have no doubt that you care for me." She looked up into his eyes. "I just have to be sure that my Dryad heritage has no bearing on my relationship. I don't have that with you." She slowly pulled away from his embrace.
He could tell that he was losing this discussion. "We are wonderful together. We accept each other and complement each other. Isn't that enough?"
"No, I'm afraid not." Her voice was filled with regret.
"Not even for the school year romance?"
"I…can't." The pain in his eyes was almost more than she could bear and she looked away. She remembered back to when he had told her he was used to rejection. He might be used to it, but she could tell it still caused him pain. "I never wanted to hurt you." She placed her hand on his cheek. "You deserve to be happy."
"I'm happy with you," he whispered, not trusting his voice to remain steady if he spoke louder. He didn't intend to give up on her.
Looking into his eyes, Athena recalled what her mother had told her. She wasn't getting younger and she knew that he would be faithful to her and honor her, but it wasn't enough. She wasn't sure why, but she was attracted to the enigmatic Severus. That was a mystery she wanted to solve. "Oh, Remus, I'm so sorry." She fought back her tears. He was such a dear, sweet, gentle man who had known so much pain in his life and she was just adding more. "I think you should go, now."
He pulled away from her and started gathering his clothes. "If you should change your mind…"
"Remus, please don't make this any harder." She fought back the tears.
He took his clothes into the bathroom and dressed there. When he finished he saw that she was no longer in the bedroom, but sitting by the fire in the sitting room. The furniture was back in its normal arrangement. She didn't look up at him. He stopped at the door and looked back to her before leaving. "I meant what I said, I do love you, but I won't be used again. You need to work your feelings out. Consider your choices carefully. Consider what each of us has to offer."
Once the door was closed, she raised her wand and locked it before allowing her emotions to take control. She couldn't believe what she had done. Surely Severus wouldn't want to see her anymore after the way she had treated him. She was positive there was no way she could convince him she hadn't lied when she had said there was nothing between her and Remus. Especially after Remus brought her back to the castle and defended her. She also knew she couldn't lie to him about having been together with Remus. Whenever he looked at her with those black, piercing eyes, she found that she couldn't help but tell the truth.
Right now she didn't think she could face either of them. Remus was correct; she had used him.
Albus sat at lunch on Wednesday, well aware of the difficulties his younger professors were having. Athena had yet to attend a meal since her return late last Friday, Remus was quiet and forlorn and Severus was wearing an especially deep scowl and kept giving Remus his best make-the-students-cry glare, as he had done all week.
This situation just wasn't acceptable. He had hoped it would be resolved without his interference, but that wasn't the case. Especially since Athena was avoiding the situation completely. The students were complaining more than usual about Severus' cruelty. Remus was helping Harry, and that gave him something else to focus on, but he was still feeling the loss. This sort of division amongst the staff was not acceptable.
Now, he was faced with the question of how to proceed. He knew that the situation between Athena and Remus would continue to both draw them together and tear them apart. As much as he enjoyed seeing Remus happy, he knew that these were not the right circumstances for his friend's happiness.
Instead, he had hoped that perhaps Severus and Athena would benefit from each other's company. He had noticed the two of them spending a lot of time together before the Christmas holidays and, as one that knew Severus well, he had seen the positive change in his old friend's demeanor. Unfortunately, recent events seemed to be undoing that positive change.
There was only one solution; he would have to speak with Athena. She was at the center of this, whether she wanted to be or not.
Athena was sitting at her desk, going over her lesson plans, trying to keep her mind off everything that had transpired. In one morning she had laid the foundation to make the rest of the school year miserable, as this last week had demonstrated. She was sure that her potions lessons were over and there was no one to play chess with. She couldn't even muster the courage to face Severus. The few times their paths had crossed, his glare was filled with such hatred and loathing that she couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze, let alone speak with him. There was nothing to look forward to for the rest of the year. It was a very long time until June. She seriously considered going to Albus and telling him that she couldn't stay. Surely there was some Muggle-born that could teach her classes for the rest of the school year.
When she heard a knock at her door, she considered ignoring whomever it was. Most likely it was Remus. He had resumed sending her letters, but she could not bring herself to either open or destroy them. They were piled neatly on the corner of her desk. As the knocking became more insistent, she decided to tell whomever it was to go away. She was surprised to see her visitor. "Albus?"
He was holding a tray in his hand. "I thought I would see how you are holding up after your grandfather's funeral. I haven't seen much of you since your return. I also brought a snack since you missed lunch." He placed the tray on the table by the fireplace and took a seat in one of her armchairs.
Athena sat across from him and stared at the tray, drawn by the scent of food. She was somewhat suspicious since the Headmaster wasn't known for visiting people in their quarters. "I'm doing fine. I think we all knew he would end up getting killed on one of his expeditions, we just weren't sure when it would happen."
"It is a lucky man that dies doing something that makes him happy."
"That was my grandfather," she said wistfully.
Changing subjects, he asked, "Have you been learning much about potions from Severus?"
"Yes. He's incredibly knowledgeable. I really enjoyed our lessons. I hope to be able to resume them this term."
"If there's anything I can do to help you find the time… Perhaps rearrange your class schedule?" he offered.
"No, that's not it, but thank you for your offer." She picked at some of the food he had brought up, unable to ignore her hunger.
"I received an excellent report on your work. Severus seems to think that you have some talent in potions making. He told me how…invaluable he has found your assistance. I'm sure he would welcome your assistance again this term."
"I'm not so sure about that," she said quietly.
Albus conjured a tea service. "Tea?" he offered and poured a cup for her when she nodded. He looked around the room. "You know, I can't remember the last time I've been in these particular rooms, though I can't fathom why. I always enjoyed the view when I resided here. Don't you?"
"It's a lovely view and I thank you for ensuring I have a pleasant place to stay." She was glad he had changed the subject.
"I'm glad you approve. And I daresay the students have enjoyed having you as a professor this year. I have heard that you work some history into your classes."
"I hope you don't mind," she replied as she continued eating.
"Not at all. Knowledge, in any form, is to be encouraged. And while you are here, I hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to learn. That is, after all, why we instituted this program. I think your headmaster would be pleased if you could bring back new information about potions. He did mention to me that was one of your interests."
She smiled weakly. "I think he would. I'll talk to Severus about the possibility of resuming lessons."
"Excellent. I believe he is working in his office. Well, I must be going. I trust that you will be at dinner tonight?"
She smiled and nodded. "I'll be there." She had the distinct feeling that something had happened, but she wasn't sure what it was.
Severus had taken his normal course of action when things went wrong, he buried himself in his work. He couldn't understand her current behavior, given her demeanor prior to her grandfather's funeral. He should have known better than to trust her. His instinct to be suspicious of her nature and motives had been correct. She was only looking for male companionship and she had run right back to Remus when he didn't respond quickly enough. Women were completely illogical and this was why he would remain a confirmed bachelor. Women did nothing more than complicate your life. He would resume his normal habit of traveling to Knockturn Alley for female companionship. There were no emotional complications involved in that.
He could hear a noise in the hallway outside his office. "Whoever you are, if you have reason to speak with me, do so, otherwise, leave," he growled. When the pacing stopped he was sure that whoever it was had wisely decided to leave, which was the outcome he preferred. He was in no mood to speak with anyone.
"Severus?" Athena asked tentatively as she found the courage to enter his office.
"What do you want?" he snapped.
She fought the urge to flee. The amount of hatred in his voice was overwhelming. "I…" She stopped to try to compose herself. She wouldn't let him scare her.
He looked up and saw that she was about to start crying. He began to think that tears were a weapon women employed at will. "Well? I do not appreciate people that waste my valuable time."
She bit her lower lip. She would not cry. "Why?"
"I do not have time to play games. If you cannot be more specific, go."
He was so cold, worse now than he had been when she arrived. She knew she was the reason. "Why did you?" she rubbed her throat, not wanting put words to what happened.
"Why did you feel compelled to jump out of a dark alcove and grab me?" he retorted.
She didn't think she could take much more of his verbal assault. Why had she listened to Albus and come down here? She should go straight to the Headmaster's office and tell him that she couldn't stay. She couldn't work in this environment. "I…you are a horrible man," she shouted out before running out of his office.
Severus was convinced, now more than ever, that he would never understand women. She had proven herself to be intelligent, but was reduced to idiocy by her emotions. Men did not have that problem. Men were able to control their emotions, to harness them, but not be ruled by them.
The last thing Severus expected that afternoon was a visit from the Headmaster. It seemed there was a conspiracy to keep him from his research. "May I help you?" he asked in a voice that was perhaps overly polite, yet still tinged with irritation. He had a theory as to the reason behind Albus' visit, but he could not fathom what interest the Headmaster could have in his personal affairs. Albus rarely came to the dungeons, preferring to summon Severus to his office.
"Horrible weather we're having for the start of term, isn't it? I trust the window caulking here in the dungeons is holding?"
This was perhaps Albus' most annoying habit. The man was incapable of getting straight to a point. He felt the desire to begin with small talk and then sneak an answer and a promise out of a person, instead of coming directly to the point and asking, which would be more effective. "As I have not heard the wind howling and the rooms I occupy are dry, I assume so." He fought the desire to demand Albus to get to the point and leave him alone. He just waited for the next inane question.
"Excellent news. How is your latest experiment coming? I know you were expecting to publish soon."
"It will be a few more weeks before I complete the experiment and then organizing the research will take a few more. I expect to submit the paper in the spring."
"Even with Athena's assistance?"
"I do not believe Professor Bainbridge will be assisting me this term," he replied coldly.
"That is a shame. I remember you saying how helpful she was last term. Did she happen to mention why she wouldn't be assisting you? I know she expressed an interest in working with you even before she arrived."
"Perhaps she felt her talents did not lie in potion making, but elsewhere. She did not share the rationale behind her decision with me." He hoped they were reaching the end of this pointless conversation.
"Are you sure she didn't mention anything to you? When I talked to her earlier today she was looking forward to resuming her work with you."
Finally, Albus had reached his point. He arched an eyebrow. "Was she? It did not appear that way when she spoke with me." He thought he knew what the old fool wanted. Albus wanted him to apologize to her when he had done nothing wrong. "Albus, while I find this conversation stimulating, I do have work to finish before dinner."
"Well, then, I'll let you get back to work. Though I think that you would find an assistant to be invaluable. As Athena is already acquainted with your methods, I would think it would be logical to do whatever is necessary to secure her assistance again this term. I believe the work would help her with her grief at losing her grandfather. I find loss can have a profound effect on a person." There was a twinkle in the Headmaster's eye as he gave Severus a knowing smile.
Severus watched him leave. There it was. Albus wanted him to apologize, wanted him to believe her hurtful behavior had been a result of grief. Well, Albus could just keep waiting. Severus had done nothing wrong. She was the one that had jumped him. She was the one found in the arms of another. She was the one not entirely human and using her mystical powers on him, though he had not yet determined how she accomplished that feat. He had been a fool to think that he had ever meant anything to her. At least he had maintained enough self-control not to fall prey to her advances.
Athena paced her sitting room trying to determine how it had happened. She had taken her resignation letter to Albus with the plan that she would leave the castle before dinner. The arrangement Albus had in place during her absence could continue until a more permanent replacement could be located. But from the moment she stepped through that door, nothing had happened as she had planned.
When she entered the Headmaster's office, she found Albus sitting at his desk, enjoying tea and pastries.
"Athena, my dear, have a seat and join me for tea," he said in his most fatherly tone.
From there it had all gone downhill. She now realized that she hadn't had a chance from the beginning.
She tried to hand him the letter, but he had refused. "Now, now, I don't like to conduct business on an empty stomach. Let's have a nice tea and then we can discuss what troubles you."
She didn't want to have tea. She wanted give him the letter and thank him for his hospitality and be on her way. "Albus, thank you, but I don't think this can wait," she said.
"There is a time for everything and now is the time for tea. The time for your letter will be after tea," he lectured.
She sighed and accepted the cup he offered her.
Now she found she couldn't even remembered what they had talked about. She had vague memories of herbs and magical plants being part of the discussion, but Albus seemed to jump topics quite easily, keeping her off guard. That was probably his intention.
"Now then, my dear, about that letter, you aren't really going to give it to me, are you?" He smiled warmly at her.
How could he have known what was in her letter? "Headmaster, I regret having to do this, but I must."
"Oh, no I'm sure that's an exaggeration. You can't truly find Hogwarts so horrible a place that you would want to leave us early." He patted her hand in a comforting manner. "Now, as to our discussion earlier, you must realize that Severus is a difficult man. He is also very prideful, but as I'm sure you have noticed, he is incredibly knowledgeable. I know he values your assistance. The reports he has given me have been quite favorable."
"Perhaps in the past, but it seems we are more different then I thought. I…find it is no longer pleasant to work with him. I think it would be best if I just left."
"For one difference of opinion you would leave?" he asked.
"It's more than that. It's very complex and I just don't feel comfortable here anymore. I probably shouldn't have come here in the first place."
"Is it because your grandmother was a Dryad?"
Athena almost dropped her teacup. "You know?"
"My dear, little that happens at Hogwarts escapes my attention. I've known for some time, and I assure you, I do not hold it against you, and neither will anyone else here on the staff. That is no reason for you to leave."
"Albus, there is more than you think." It wasn't just Severus, it was also Remus. She just couldn't control herself when she was around him.
He patted her hand and smiled warmly. "I think you will find I know exactly what has been happening. Allow me to give you a little advice. Be forceful and courageous. I know that you can stand up to him. Running away from your problems will not make them go away. If I were to let you leave, you would regret it."
After that he had given her some more advice and led her out of his office. Now, she was trying to determine how it had all happened. She had agreed to stay at Hogwarts and somehow had been talked into going back to Severus. Thinking back on the conversation, she was more troubled by the fact that he was aware of it all. How much of it did he really know? Quite a bit, she assumed, since he kept deflecting the conversation every time she attempted to bring up Remus.