TITLE: Second Chances -Because of Searching

AUTHOR: Alia

STATUS/PART: 2?

SEQUEL: Raven's Gift

EMAIL: PG-13…maybe R

PAIRING: Severus Snape/ Harry Potter

DISCLAIMER: I do not in anyway or fashion own HP or anything else. I'm making no money from this.

SUMMARY: Remus goes for his miracle and finds out a lot more!

AUTHOR'S NOTES: This may be shorter than the first part though. I'll be writing Severus as Raven in some places and Snape in others. Just so you know.

/.../ thoughts

Second Chances - Because of Searching

That Tuesday, Remus returned to Andrew's apothecary. The werewolf was shifting nervously before the door while keeping out of the way of people shopping for Christmas gifts. It was rather early in the month but it was nearing. All Remus wished to do was make it to see another holiday. He took a deep breath and opened the door.

Andrew was in the front opening a small crate behind the counter. The older man was humming a soft tune that Remus didn't really recognize. "Andrew?"

The old man looked up a bit annoyed at being disturbed from his work. He smiled slightly at seeing Remus. "Ah! Professor Lupin, come right in," he said as Remus came up to the counter. "Zeus just contacted me through the floo a few moments ago. He should be here any minute now."

"Excellent. Do you know what kind of news he has?"

The wizard laughed as he continued pulling vials and bottles from the crate. "From the way he was bouncing around, I'd say he was bringing very good news."

Remus sighed in relief. That brought a great amount of hope to him. He'd actually spent the last day or so arranging his will. Maybe now, he wouldn't have to worry it about.

It was ten minutes later when Zeus flooed in. The man had a large smile on his face. He rushed up to Remus and the now finished Andrew. "Excellent news, everyone! I've contacted my friend and he indeed has the potion."

"Really?" /Thank Merlin! For a moment there.../ thought Remus.

"Yes. It can't be sent by owl and he has no floo so he'll send it to his shop. I will have to apparate to his shop and get it. But first, I need to know if you are allergic to any of these ingredients on the list. He gave it to me. Check everything there."

Remus took the list and while trying to calm himself enough took a deep breath...and caught a scent he hadn't smelt in over 12 years. "What in Merlin's name?" he whispered in surprise.

"Do you see anything that you are allergic to, Professor Lupin?" asked Andrew who was watching the shock on the younger man's face.

"Oh! Um-no, I can't find anything." Remus handed Zeus the list back. His hand shook a little as he did so but Zeus didn't know it. /I don't believe it, but it makes sense doesn't it. Who else would know so much about the wolfsbane? Or be able to come up with a cure for the immunity of the potion? Esan, SNAPE, wrote that list. Oh god! Harry and Julian. I wonder if I can.../ "Zeus, do you think that I can go after the potion?"

"You?"

"Yes. I would really like to thank my savior in person. It would only be right. I mean, I don't even know his name."

"Ah, his name is Raven Esan. An excellent man. You may even know his son. I think the boy went to Hogwarts, last year."

"Julian?" asked Remus, although he already knew the answer.

"Yes! That's his name. A dear boy. Very intelligent."

Remus nodded with a smile. "So do you know where I should go to receive the potion?"

"He has a small shop in his home village that I can take you to. He has however moved from his home. He's a few miles out of a wizarding town in France. I don't know where he lives exactly. His friend, Willow, who has begun running the shop for him, may know. You'll have to get it out of her. Would you like to go now?"

Remus nodded. Yes, he was more than ready to go on a hunt.

Later, Remus would recognize just how foolish it was to leave without anything but the money in his pocket and the clothes on his back, but at the time he followed Zeus to Esan's, or rather Snape's, home village, he had no idea what type of adventure that he would be going on though it wasn't a very 'adventurous' one at all.

Shirevale was a rather tiny wizarding village, but a boisterous one none the less. Wizards and witches of all shapes and sizes rushed the small roads and walkways. Remus actually found it a bit difficult to keep up with Zeus as the old wizard made his way down the street towards the potions shop.

"Now, which way is it?" muttered Zeus as he and Remus paused at a street intersection. "Damn that bakery! They just had to change the front of the store! Hmmm...there that ugly clothing shop my wife likes so much, so I go this way!" he cried triumphantly, dragging Remus behind him. The werewolf nearly stumbled trying to keep up.

"How much farther is it?" asked Remus. He felt as if they'd gone through the entire village and it had been almost half an hour since they'd flooed in. Zeus had gotten them lost twice.

"Right here!" Zeus smiled broadly and pointed to the small shop. The sign hanging over the door said Zelda's.

As he entered the shop, Lupin wondered if it was the right shop. "Who is Zelda?" he whispered as Zeus began yelling hello. Remus took a moment to look about the shop. It wasn't very big but from the sign over the five wide aisles, Zelda's had a large supply of potions. Various bottles, jars, and vials lined the shelves of the aisles neatly. The shop was slightly darkened over the aisles but lighter toward the front. The word Zelda's was on the wall behind the counter in front where the clerk usually was. There was a door further in the back and another beside the counter.

A black woman looking slightly haggard came in from the door by the front counter with a whining infant in her arms. She smiled tiredly. "Hello Zeus. How are you?"

"Hello Willow. I'm fine. You don't look very well though, my dear and the little one? Is he alright?"

Willow sighed. "Colic. I've given him something. That's the only reason he isn't howling anymore. Poor thing feels awful." She pressed a little kiss to her crying baby's forehead. Willow looked up at the man with Zeus. He was rather cute. "Who is your friend Zeus?"

The old man placed his hand on Remus's shoulder. "This is the man I told you about. The Wolfsbane poisoning?"

"Ah! Now I remember." She turned to Remus. "Did Zeus give you the list? We need to make sure that you aren't allergic to anything. It might prove fatal."

"Yes, he did actually. I'm fine with everything."

"Good."

Zeus said, "Professor Lupin here wanted to thank the person responsible for possibly saving his life."

Although she smiled sweetly and didn't show it, Remus could have sworn Willow was shocked.

"Professor Lupin? From Hogwarts?" inquired Willow.

"Yes, Ma'am." Remus watched her smile again but could sense her unease. It couldn't have been because he was a werewolf. It had to be who he was.

"Doesn't Matt go to Hogwarts, Willow?" asked Zeus.

Willow just managed to stop a glare.

"Matthew Lyrin? Second year."

"Yes. My second oldest. My oldest is fourth year at Durmstrang. My two girls are too young and this one is the last."

Remus nodded and smiled, trying to put the woman at ease but it wasn't working. "Like I said Mrs. Lyrin, I wanted to thank the creator of the potion."

"I'm sorry but the man who made the potion is away on business at the moment. If you can leave a letter-,"

"Where is Raven, Willow? I haven't seen him since he moved to that village in France."

She glared at the meddlesome old man making him take a step back. Willow then sighed. "Sorry Zeus. Titan has me rather temperamental at the moment." She rocked the baby in her arms.

Remus didn't believe that for a moment. "I really would like to meet them in person."

"I do apologize Professor Lupin, but even when he returns from business, he won't see you. I do apologize."

Lupin nodded silently. Zeus nodded sadly. "Sorry my boy. Do you know how long it will take to make the potion Willow?"

"Four days."

"But the full moon is five days away!" cried Remus slightly startled.

"Don't worry Professor Lupin. I'll have it delivered to you at Hogwarts. Even if you don't take it more than once before, it will have the desired effect."

Both men thanked her for her help then exited Zelda's.

Remus paused at the door. He thought he'd heard some hurried steps. "Zeus?"

The older man turned to him curiously.

"I think I'll stay here in town a bit longer before going back. I think I'd like to look around a little."

Zeus laughed. "I don't blame you son. This village does have it's attractions doesn't it? Don't get lost!" With that, the old man rushed off.

Lupin slipped back into the shop and headed toward the back. A door was slightly open and he could hear people speaking inside. A rather familiar voice was heard.

"Calm down Willow or you will upset Titan."

She gave a shaky breath. "Sorry. It's just that I was jumpy. That came out of no where. Who knew that Professor Lupin would show up."

"Was he looking for us?"

"I don't think so. You know I nearly killed Zeus today. That old goat! He practically told Lupin where to look for you!"

There was a long sigh from Snape. "There's nothing to do. He'll never find us unless he knows the password through the wards anyway."

"That was a rather good idea of yours."

"Perhaps they should have thought of it for Hogwarts. Just calm down. There is nothing to get overly excited about. If the aurors haven't rushed out to find us by now they never will."

"That did surprise me. That Potter hasn't tried to find you."

"Lets just hope we stay lucky. Are you planning to come by?"

"Just to drop off the list since you don't have a proper floo. What is the password this month?"

"Invention." The scorn was easily heard in his voice. Remus merely rejoiced at knowing that but still needed to know the name of the village.

"Julian?"

"Of course. I swear ever since he saw that muggle poster...had I known the children in the village would corrupt my son!" Remus sighed realizing that Snape hadn't said what village.

"Come now. You know you're proud of him."

Snape chuckled. "True. I am very proud of him. We're done now actually."

"That's wonderful."

"It is not. He's been testing it for the last couple of hours. He only stopped now because you contacted me. Thank you."

Willow burst into laughter. "Go back to your son, Raven Esan! You're hopeless."

"YOU ONLY SAY IT CAUSE IT'S TRUE!" screamed a voice in the background.

"Julian Triton Esan!" yelled Snape.

"I'll see you two later. I have to mind your shop."

"Bye Aunt Willow!"

"We'll see you at one this afternoon."

"Okay. Bye." Remus left quickly as Willow ended the connection.

Two days later, Raven Esan, formerly known as Severus Snape, stood with wand in hand ready to shout 'Wingardium Leviosa' the moment something went wrong.

His son Julian stood with a smile on a rather small looking surfboard that floated above ground. Raven shook his head. "I'm ready when you are Julian. Just be careful. No more of your fancy tricks. Do you want to scare more years off your father's life?"

Julian laughed. His father was always worrying. "Alright Papa. No stunts."

"Thank you. Now remember. Start off slowly."

"It's just like a broom, Papa!"

"It may seem like it but I would feel safer that your hands have something to hold onto and not just your feet staying attached to the board. Now start!"

With a smirk, Julian was off with a shot, ignoring his father's yells to slow down. The boy's eyes dropped slightly as the euphoria of rushing through the air came over him but his alertness never once faltered.

Raven watched as his son maneuvered the black and silver board like a muggle surfer. Julian somehow knew instinctively on the board, tilting slightly to the left or right to make it go the appropriate direction, or shifting down closer to the board to make it move faster.

Willow had been correct. Raven was extremely proud of his son and happy that the boy had something to preoccupy his time when he wasn't studying.

"Papa! I see someone coming this way! They've come through the wards!" cried Julian as he neared his father. Tilting back, placing more weight on his left foot, he brought the board to a slow stop a foot above ground then jumped off.

"Did you see who it was?" asked Raven as Julian grabbed his board from the air.

"It looked like a man, but I couldn't see who he was."

That unnerved Raven. His instincts were telling him that it wasn't Ash. Julian would have recognized the man immediately. "Julian, go inside the house."

"Yes sir." The boy had hesitated but Julian knew not to argue with his father. He also knew that his father would not allow any harm to come to him. Brown eyes looked back more than once as he rushed inside to put his board away. Julian ran back toward the front door though. He wanted to help if his father was in danger.

Raven slipped his wand from his sleeve not willing to be caught unaware. Who in the world had gotten past the wards? It wasn't impossible but it was difficult.

He could see the figure now moving slightly faster toward their home. The man wore simple brown robes over his frame but Raven couldn't make out his figure just yet. Seconds past when Raven cursed. "That damn werewolf!"

/How did Lupin...bloody hell. Zeus and Lupin must have heard me speaking with Willow. What now?/ If that wolf thought he was taking Raven's son he had another thing coming. No one was taking his child away.

Esan stood calmly as Lupin walked toward him. "Snape."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "I never thought Potter would tell you that. Must have been a shock to find out he was fucking his teacher."

Remus glared at him. "No more than when you took his son away from him."

Severus tightened his hand around his wand, his face displaying a furious demeanor. "Julian is my son! Potter had his chance."

Lupin, obviously blind to his godson's faults, cried out, "You never gave Harry a chance! You just took Julian away for him without any reason."

Julian burst through the cottage door in a rage. "That's not true!" He yelled from the porch of the cottage.

"Julian, go back inside!" snapped Severus.

"No." He glared at Lupin. "He told his friends that he was going to take me away from Papa for good. I heard him myself!"

"Julian," said Remus soothingly, "Maybe you just mistook the conversation?"

Julian's eyes seemed to darken and for a moment Lupin froze. "Oh really? Do you think I could mistake someone cursing my father and asking his friend if it was possible to get full custody? Matt was there as well. We both stayed there for the entire conversation. Don't you dare tell me that I MISTOOK anything!"

Severus watched his son standing there as if he was a grown man looking down at Lupin. He could also see his son moving for his wand. The boy's explosive temper would get the better of him if Severus didn't stop him. While he didn't mind seeing Lupin cursed, the werewolf might retaliate. "No, Julian."

The hand stopped immediately before falling back at Julian's side and he turned to look at his father. The boy didn't stop his dark looks in Lupin's direction however.

"Lupin, Potter threatened to have Julian taken away from me and while I may have overreacted, no one is taking my son away from me. That was why I decided to care for him myself."

"Harry tried to do that?" whispered Lupin. /I don't believe it. Is that why he won't talk about it/

"He found out who Papa really was." Remus looked at Julian, surprised that the boy knew.

"Why are you here Lupin?" asked Severus.

"Snape-,"

"Esan."

"Esan. I originally wanted the potion but then I smelled your scent on that paper Zeus gave me."

"And decided to come find me."

Remus nodded.

Raven took a deep breath. "Look Lupin apparently you've wasted some valuable time searching for us. Did you know that the full moon is tomorrow?"

Lupin grimace but nodded. "I felt...that I had to find you for Harry's sake. Now I'm not so sure."

Rolling his eyes, Raven continued. "I have the potion here. Apparently, you'll have to stay here during the full moon." Raven didn't like that idea at all. He didn't want to possibly endanger Julian but the potion was still somewhat experimental. It would work physically but the experimental aspects of Lupin's control were still questionable.

"Are you sure?" Lupin obviously had a hard time believing him.

"Yes." Raven growled. "You need to be locked up to be sure that you are mentally there instead of the wolf. After that I want you gone." He paused for a moment. "And I want your word that you'll tell Potter nothing."

"I can't do that to Harry!" Lupin cried. /True he's stopped looking but he's heartbroken./

Raven narrowed his eyes and took a step forward. Remus suddenly realized where Julian got it. "You forget Lupin, I'm in control of your cure."

Remus's mouth fell open. "You know that's the only thing that could save my life!"

"That is funny...because here you want to take away mine! I want your word that you won't tell Potter because he WILL try to take Julian from me. Now if you want that cure, swear it!"

Julian watched his former professor struggle for a moment. The boy honestly didn't know if his father would deny the werewolf the cure. From what he could tell, his father was dead serious.

Remus felt a few tears leak from his eyes. If he made a promise, he had to keep it. Such things were taken as oaths and you could NOT break them. A selfish part of him spoke up, screaming for him to take the oath, that Harry had ruined his chance for a family already. Taking a shaking breath, he nodded. "I swear that I will not tell Harry Potter of the whereabouts of you and your son."

"Good."

TBC

Alia: Yeah I know. How dare she give us this little bit and we've been waiting for all this time? COLLEGE. That's how. I was getting my ass whipped for a while there man. Don't worry. I'm getting some free time now and a little inspiration. So try to be pleased with me. Kay? Now REVIEW or I'll make you wait a month for the next piece.