Severus stood, looking at the werewolf. "Sorry. Didn't catch that." He said wryly.
"Come in." Remus said, his voice more sharp and clear. Severus blinked, then walked past him, trying hard to cover his limp, and stood awkwardly in the hall. His eyes instantly fell on the threadbare rug on the floor. It was quite ugly, an awful shade of dingy blue, patterned with what looked like bullfrogs. Severus raised an eyebrow.
"If you're wondering why I opened the door," Remus began, sounding as matter-of-fact as possible, as if he was teaching an incredibly rude Defense Against the Dark Arts class, "I could smell you." Severus nodded as if he should have already known. When he opened his mouth to speak what was most likely a tart remark, Remus interjected.
"Werewolves do a lot of things that aren't in books, Severus." He said, then put his hands in his worn pockets. Severus could see that Remus was on edge about something – perhaps the fact that a known killer was in his presence. He let out a frustrated sigh and frowned.
"I wasn't going to say that," said Severus smartly, "I was just going to tell you that I probably should have already known that before approaching your door, but as I've been hunted by the Dark Lord, fallen out of a window, and have been eating absolute shit for the past week, I think that I would be excused to forget certain things in regards to your condition." He stared at Remus, his black eyes narrowed with irritation.
Remus looked somewhat taken aback.
"I'm sorry," He said softly, then lead Severus into the sitting room, not meeting his eyes.
"No you're not. That would be rather presumptuous of me to assume so." Severus retorted, sitting. Remus stood still.
"Why are you treating me as if I'm the one on the run for killing Albus Dumbledore?" Remus said tartly. He took his hands out of his pockets and crossed his chest. "I could send for the rest of the Order and have you taken to Azkaban if I wanted, Severus. You could at least be more hospitable and understanding of my position."
Severus blinked. Remus had never stood up to him in this way, and it was very stunning. He took in a breath, and opened his mouth.
"Well..." He said, drumming his long fingers on the arms of the chair, "I was just acting on orders..."
Remus still remained standing, silent, but listening very intently.
"...Dumbledore's Orders." He said softly, and Remus cocked his head.
"Why would Albus want you to kill him, Severus?" He asked, little hints of disbelief cropping up in his voice.
"Because, Remus," Severus began, speaking as if he was explaining the simplest of Potions to someone very stupid, "You know Dumbledore as well as I do. His life was being targeted. He knew it. He was becoming weaker..." Severus stopped at this point, and stared at the floor, his black eyes had an odd look in them, as if he was actually sad.
Remus blinked, "How do you mean?"
"You remember the mysterious injury he took. How it never healed... The Dark Lord is inventing new jinxes and curses every day. Things that are so filled with the Dark magic that it is almost impossible to get rid of..." He said, then suddenly became frustrated, "He invented the Dark Mark for Merlin's sake!" Sweat popped up on his forehead as his ankle began to throb even more, making his ability to do anything else but pay attention to it and suffer unbearable.
Remus' eyebrows frowned, and he sat opposite Severus.
"Albus told you to kill him for those reasons?" He asked, his eyes slightly narrowed, as if in deep thought.
"Yes," Severus gasped. "I don't see it as murder, Lupin. I would never have done it if I saw it that way. I see it as a request that was made to me by a man that saved my life seventeen years ago...
My loyalty had fallen under the category of 'questionable' with the Dark Lord. Dumbledore also knew this... After the request was made, and I reluctantly accepted, Narcissa Malfoy came to me and made an Unbreakable Vow, swearing me to take Draco's place if he was unable to perform... If I had refused, I would have died. From just more than the Unbreakable..." He stopped there, leaning back in the chair, letting out a shuddering breath.
Remus' nostrils flared for a moment, and his eyes dilated.
"You're hurt." He said sharply, his voice becoming somewhat raspy, "Where?"
Severus shook his head, "No – "
"Where?" Lupin demanded. Severus reluctantly pulled up his pants leg and revealed a severely swollen and purple ankle, a bit of blood leaking from a small gash. Remus stood.
"I have a cot in my basement. I stay down there when the moon comes. You can have it." He offered.
Severus was surprised. He hoisted himself out of the chair with Lupin's help, and they headed down to the dark, dank basement. Severus felt almost at home.
"Thank you." He said awkwardly – almost begrudgingly as Remus helped him lay on the cot. Remus nodded and straightened himself up, brushing a few grey and ginger hairs from his eyes.
"I'm going to go upstairs and make a cup of tea. Would you like some?" He asked. Severus thought for a moment, and nodded.
"Please." He said, then took in a breath.
"When I return, I'll mend your ankle. I faired well with Healing charms, and I think it would come out all right." Remus said, nodding. Severus raised a doubtful eyebrow.
Remus frowned. "I'm not going to hex you then turn you in." He said, then turned and went back up the stairs.
Severus laid back and stared at the ceiling, ignoring the warm feeling of safety and comfort that grew in his chest.