A/N: This second interlude is in Snape's POV, and I had the realization while writing this that this is the first time I've ever written in Snape's POV. It was an interesting experience. While I hate both Snape and Slughorn, trying to write them well is a nice challenge, and I hope I didn't do too bad of a job. Word count: 1,122

Interlude 2

Severus Snape

With All Due Respect, No

Severus didn't look at his classmates as he made his way to the front of the Potions classroom with his phial of Amortentia clutched to his chest. He sat it on Slughorn's desk, all the while looking at it distrustfully.

He knew, of course, that the potion smelled unique to every individual, but he still felt paranoid that others would be able to smell what he could and know his secrets. While his lesson might not have been with the Gryffindors, his fellow Slytherins would be more difficult deal with if they caught on to the inspiration for the aroma.

If Slughorn didn't have important connections, Severus would have made his displeasure with the curriculum known. With the world in the state it was, there were far more useful potions they could have been practicing, but Slughorn wanted to teach them potions he thought they'd have fun with. Severus' nose wrinkled in disgust.

As he turned, reluctantly leaving the phial behind, Slughorn appeared beside him.

"Severus."

Severus paused and did his best not to scowl at the man.

"Yes, sir?"

"Would you mind staying after class? I have something that I wish to ask you."

Severus did mind as a matter of fact. He was a N.E.W.T.-level student, and this was only his first lesson of the day. Surely, Slughorn could understand that Severus had a lesson after Potions that he couldn't miss if he was meant to stay on top of his work. Of course, Slughorn thought that a simple note from him would solve all of Severus' problems. He didn't seem to care that Severus actually wanted to listen to the Charms lecture to avoid falling behind.

With practiced ease, he smiled back at Slughorn.

"Of course I wouldn't mind, Professor," he said with a respectful incline of his head.

Slughorn gave his usual jolly laugh at getting his way. Not that he had suspected Severus to turn him down. All members of the Slug Club did what Slughorn asked of them, and Slughorn seemed to believe this was out of genuine fondness for him and not the same sucking up he showered upon them.

"Of course not. I always know I can count on you, Severus."

Severus offered him one last smile before he turned away and let his scowl take over once more. He stewed in his annoyance as the other students packed their bags and fled.

He sat at his desk, arms folded, as he waited for the last of them to leave, and only then did he turn back to Slughorn, who had taken to hovering by the door saying goodbye to his favourite students as they left. Severus rolled his eyes as Evan Rosier continuously backed away while Slughorn kept droning on to him.

Finally, Slughorn shut the door behind Evan and turned to Severus, clapping his hands together to focus himself.

"What is it you wished to speak with me about, Professor?"

Severus moved to stand in front of Slughorn, keeping the man beside the door, and put his bag over his shoulder, hoping the gesture would prompt Slughorn to be as brief as possible.

The professor frowned, and Severus felt his stomach tighten in anticipation of something more unsavoury than the usual favours he'd come to expect Slughorn to ask for.

"You know Remus Lupin," Slughorn said slowly, as if Severus wouldn't know the werewolf who had almost killed him once.

He couldn't stop himself from scowling.

"Yes, yes, I know," Slughorn continued quickly. "It's only natural that you would feel resentment towards the boy, but he's not a terrible student. It's quite impressive what he's been able to accomplish despite being a werewolf. He's not like most of his kind, and considering the current climate in Britain, I'm hoping that won't change once he leaves this castle for good."

"With all due respect, sir, why are you telling me this?"

Lupin wasn't a member of the Slug Club. Slughorn had never even tried—as far as Severus was aware—to recruit him like he had Potter and Black. There was no discernable reason why Slughorn should have suddenly concerned himself with Lupin's education more than other students. Especially not enough to dare ask Severus to help him. There wasn't a professor at Hogwarts who wasn't aware of Severus' relationship with the Gryffindor boys.

He took several steps towards the door, wanting nothing more than to flee. Images of the most terrifying night of his life flashed through his mind, and it took all of his effort to suppress them.

Slughorn didn't notice the panic happening within his own head.

"The boy is decent in Potions. I suspect he'll get an Acceptable on his N.E.W.T.s, but considering his circumstances, I'd like to see someone tutor him. Well, it was Professor McGonagall's idea, actually, and she wanted me to do it personally. I'm a tad busy though, you see?" He chucked. "You're the best student in the school, and I was sure you wouldn't let me down, Severus."

Severus scowled. Knowing the idea had its ultimate source in McGonagall made him despise it more, and he hadn't thought that was possible. Though he was certain the Transfiguration professor would have a fit if she learned Severus was tutoring one of her precious Gryffindors. Even the nearly murderous werewolf.

"You want me to tutor the werewolf that almost killed me?"

Slughorn cringed, but Snape continued before he could speak.

"Why don't you ask Lily? She's almost as good as me at Potions, and she likes Lupin."

That knowledge made bile rise in his throat, but that didn't make it any less true.

"Yes, well, Lily was my first thought, but with her Head Girl duties, I thought it might not be wise to ask more of her. Besides, I also thought spending more time with Mr Lupin might be good for the two of you. Dumbledore is always going on about how we should be fostering inter-house unity. I'm sure he'd love the idea of you working together."

Slughorn laughed, and Severus grimaced at the sound of it. Unlike McGonagall, Dumbledore might actually have gotten a kick out of Severus working with the werewolf who nearly murdered him.

For once, he couldn't conceal his disgust, and Slughorn shifted uncomfortably at Severus' near murderous gaze.

"Right." Slughorn turned back to his desk and began inspecting the phials that littered it. "You're under no obligation to say yes. I'll consider speaking to Miss Evans. You may go now, Severus."

He'd disappointed Slughorn by refusing, but he didn't much care as he hurried out of the classroom, stomping along to the library with far more anger in each step than was required.