"I…well," Remus started.

What do I have to lose?

"Yes, yes I did."

Just about everything.

"Right, you want to explain as to why?" Sirius said, raising an eyebrow. "You and him been buddies lately?"

"That's one way to put it," Remus said, staring Sirius in the face.

Am I really going to tell? And will Severus care if I do?

Sirius stared at him, "I don't know if I can handle this right now."

"Right," Remus nodded. "Sorry."

"Don't be." Sirius continued to stare at him. "Are you...erm…dating him?"

Remus let out a laugh, and Sirius cocked his head and then looked away at the floor.

"I dunno," Remus shrugged.

"What happened? I mean, when did this start?" Sirius asked.

"About nine days ago."

"Wow."

"Yeah," Remus nodded. "But don't tell James or Peter yet."

"Well, I don't think I'm about to tell James anything just yet, so you don't have to worry about that." Sirius said, and then frowned. "But why Snape?"

"He's different, once you get to know him."

"Different, as in special?" Sirius asked.

"No, don't be like that. You don't know him."

"No offense Moony, but I don't think you know him either."

Remus stared at him, not able to answer.

He's quite right, was all he could think.

"I'm going to go after James."

"I'd give him time. How would you feel if you just caught your best friend snogging your supposed-soon-to-be-girlfriend?"

"You're just to-the-point now aren't you?" Sirius agreed. "Right, well...I'm going to…go do something."

"Don't want to be around me?" Remus asked, afraid of what the answer might be.

"Erm, well, I don't really know what to say right now, and this is kind of a lot for me too handle. So, I really just need to be…elsewhere." Sirius looked at the ground. "But I don't have a problem with you being, erm, gay…and all. Just, wow…and with Snape?"

"We haven't really done anything," Remus said.

"I didn't ask," Sirius said quickly. "But if I were you, I wouldn't do anything with him anyway. He's a creep, and just because he's gay too, doesn't mean he's good for you."

"I'll keep that in mind," Remus said sarcastically.

Sirius just nodded, and went out the common room door.

Well, that's one down. Remus tossed his head back, and put his hands on his face, but is Sirius right?

---

Remus awoke the next morning to complete silence. He glanced around the room and noticed Sirius', Peter's, and James' beds were empty.

He yawned, as he quickly got dressed. At a closer examination of James and Sirius' beds, he wondered if either even slept in their beds last night; both were neatly made, but that could have been from the house elves.

It was the first day of Christmas vacation, and it had snowed over night. Remus exited the castle, and made his way up to the Whomping Willow. Pressing the knot on the tree, he entered as the tree calmed down.

Inside he was greeted by Severus Snape.

"Why are you always here?" Remus asked him, smiling. It brightened up the day just to see him.

"Because you always come here," Severus said, with a slight grin.

"Well, I guess that's true," Remus agreed. "Well, what are you here for this time?"

"To be around you," Severus said, in a hush tone.

Remus felt himself flush. "That's a good idea."

"I thought so," Severus grinned. "What are you doing tonight?"

Remus sighed. "It's a full moon tonight."

"Oh, right," Severus muttered, sounding a little disappointed.

"Sorry," Remus said.

"It's not your fault," Severus smiled.

"What did you have planned?" Remus asked, curiously.

"Oh, nothing big," Severus shrugged. "Just to hang out, that's all."

Remus nodded. "We can do that another time."

"We're bound to." Severus smiled. "So, did you have fun at your little celebration without me?"

"Not entirely."

Remus suddenly looked very perturbed.

"What's the matter?" Severus asked as Remus busied himself by picking up scattered pages of torn up books. "And why do you have those in here in the first place?"

"Nothing is the matter," Remus said, pausing in his efforts to look at Severus. "And I like to read before I change, they're just cheap books anyway."

"I see," Severus said, grimly.

"Look, I don't want to talk about it." Remus tried to discourage him.

But Severus didn't let him alone. "Just tell me."

"No, really. It'll be fine."

"Just tell me," Severus said sternly.

"Severus, if you're not going to drop this, then leave me alone."

Severus frowned, "No. What's going on Remus?"

Remus looked up for a minute, took a deep breath and then said, "I think my best friend hates me." Remus sighed. "And it's all your fault.

Severus stared at him, what in the world did I do? "Oh? And why's that?"

Remus held silent for a moment, he didn't know if Severus was going to hate him for it, but he certainly couldn't lie to him.

"I told Sirius about you," Remus sighed.

"You what?"

Remus watched Severus, trying to figure out if he was upset, it seemed he was.

"Why the hell would you do that?"

Remus sighed, "because I didn't think it would be that big of a deal."

"You're as thick as the rest of them!" Severus spat out.

Remus was very taken aback by his reaction. Never, had he imagined him blowing up like this.

"Severus, please." Remus tried to calm him. "I just thought, that he should know."

"Well he shouldn't!" Severus groaned. "I can't believe you'd…No I do believe you'd say something. You're all disgustingly high and mighty."

"Why is this such a big deal?" Remus asked, upset. Mostly upset at himself for making Severus so angry.

"Because!" Severus threw up his hands in a way to describe it. "Because, I don't want to go around flaunting a relationship I might not even have."

"What's that mean?"

"What do you think?" Severus growled. "How do you know I'm not just using you? Or maybe, you're using me. What would I like it spread across the school that I'm gay, when this might not even last."

"Severus, come off it," Remus shook his head. "I'm certainly not using you. And I'd hope you're not using me."

Severus stared at him for a moment. "You just don't get it."

"Clearly, but if you explain it to me…" Remus suggested. "I care-"

"I don't care what you care about. " Severus hissed. "You should have thought before you ruined this!"

"Ruined what?" Remus cried, in surprise.

"Ruined us," Severus growled. "Don't talk to me again, Remus."

Severus started to leave out the tree, and Remus was lost, confused and hurt.

"Wait, please! Come on, Severus. Speak to me," Remus called after him.

But Severus just left, leaving Remus all alone.

"What did I do?" Remus said aloud. "What did I do that was so wrong?"