Remus Lupin's life in Azkaban was horrible.
He was shipped off to the dreaded place with nothing more than the clothes on his back, and with his wand was forever stowed away by the guards he had no chance to fight off the awful presence of the Dementors roaming around the prison. His holding cell was even reinforced with silver-coated paint on the bars and walls so he couldn't escape using his other self.
Whenever his werewolf afflictions came up, he was almost glad of it since he could actually forget his misery if only it was for a night. He could've sworn the Ministry collectively agreed to put him somewhere where all the other prisoners and guards could see he made fun of himself whilst being a mindless beast. His prison outfit was almost always torn to ribbons by the next day and by the third time it happened, he never got any replacements. Instead, he had to resort to use old newspapers as cushions and blankets inside his cold cell, huddling himself closely to conserve body heat.
After nearly seven years having some people on his side, Remus found himself utterly vulnerable to the jeers and catcalls from other people about his monthly misfortune. He initially had high hopes that Albus Dumbledore would tried to solve the mystery of Sirius Black's murder and free him, seeing that the great old wizard had helped him to get proper education in the past.
But for the time he remained in his holding cell, he had never received any visitors. As time passed, Remus no longer knew of joy. If there really was a blessing in disguise, it was that he didn't need to choose a side in the war. The newspapers he read all talked about destruction and chaos, and he noted grimly that the Light side didn't fare well at the moment.
For a brief moment, he wondered if Albus Dumbledore really was the strongest wizard alive.
He was about to fall into sleep for the day when he heard a cheerful voice greeting him. Startled awake, Remus stared outside of his cell only to see no one.
"Don't be afraid," the phantom spoke on as if with a wide grin, "I can tell you are a brave soul, still holding on to the hope that you may get out of here someday. As applause to your efforts, I do hope you like these."
Right before his eyes, Remus saw items began to appear; clean clothes, food and drink, even more newspapers. Yet he still saw no one, even as the person passed the things through one of the gaps in between the bars.
Could it be…?
"I do hope you take good care of those outfits; they are really hard to get and I won't be here always. Cheerio." With a whoosh, whoever it was then walked away. Remus took the newspaper and went pale upon reading the news of James Potter's parents passed away due to dragon pox, along with some other elderly people.
For the next few days, the mysterious visitor came by without a word, simply giving Remus the items and left just as quick. He never heard the other prisoners talked greedily nor did he have any intentions to share his newfound belongings with others. After all, the world in Azkaban was merciless.
It was almost a week when the unknown man handed him the Daily Prophet for the day and said delightfully, "I do think you will like this edition, Mr. Lupin."
Frowning, Remus uttered his thanks skeptically and read the headline, which wrote:
POTTER HEIR ANNOUNCES MARRIAGE IN OCTOBER
His eyes went teary up upon seeing James, Lily Evans and Peter Pettigrew huddling themselves close in the accompanying photograph and how he wished he could join them too. He could only hope that his mysterious visitor was a brilliant one too and could help him find a way out of the prison, despite how unlikely it was.
"How's the wolf?"
It was a week after Lord Voldemort's visit to Azkaban, and he was currently in the cottage behind the British Library with Severus Prince and Nagini for tea. It was not to say Prince Manor was not the right place to have their usual meeting, but rather that the young man would receive his letters without compromising his family's safe haven.
After all, only he and Eileen Prince were the people who knew of Severus' name change, status and where he actually lived.
"Pitiful," the older man spoke with a sneer as he stroked the brown snake's long body, "I can't wait to take him out and crush his miniscule hopes by letting Fenrir have his fun."
Severus' orange eyes seemed to glint in mischief before he drank his tea. They simply sat by doing their own business until they heard a continuous tapping by the window.
"An owl?" Severus sighed upon seeing what it was, "If this is about the damned dragon pox cure yet again, I will tear it to pieces."
Lord Voldemort heaved out a silent amused snort; Severus Prince might be a Potions Master but he was no Healer, why couldn't those with the right actual professions did the job instead? He watched as Severus took the letter and tore it open with a flick of his wand and the young man furrowed his brows while reading the contents before throwing it aside with an indignant snort. Intrigued, he went to see what it was and turned sour himself.
It was the invitation to James Potter and Lily Evans' wedding, set to be on Halloween Eve.
Both men racked their brains over why the younger man's nemeses had sent such item before Lord Voldemort grinned, "You should attend the party."
Severus pursed his lips thinly. "And pray tell; why should I bother myself with the Mudblood?"
At that, the Dark Lord smiled. His Death Eaters had never used the degrading word again (at least in his presence) but he always had a soft spot for his heir to utter it, especially to the redheaded girl. "I don't know about you, but I do believe this is a perfect opportunity to know more of Dumbledore's pathetic army just like what they did to your party a year ago. We can take them down some time later."
Severus merely rolled his eyes, "They will pinpoint it all to me, and you know already how much I hate attention."
Lord Voldemort noticed the young man's hands were shaking minutely and narrowed his red eyes. "Of course, if you don't want to then let me go in your stead. I do want to gather more information of our opposition."
Severus snorted, "Doubt you will act as me in such finesse. Knowing them, they'll probably have some guy to inspect the guests' wands as a failsafe plan to prevent any intruders." He then tapped his chin thoughtfully and the Dark Lord patiently waited for the inevitable.
"Oh alright, but you will have to come along too," he groused.
"Lily love, I get that you're kind and all but for the love of Merlin, I still can't comprehend why you invited him of all people to our wedding."
"He is my oldest friend, James," she sighed, "He's the one who first introduced me to this world; the least I could do for him is for him to be in peace with who I chose to marry. And besides, we do need a good Potions Master on our side."
Her to-be husband huffed, "Your skills are already good enough for our cause. As if Snivvy's all happy with all this; look around us Lils." The Potters' cottage in Godric's Hollow was decorated with both Muggle and magical items for Halloween, and even they both wore matching suits of Frankenstein and his supposed bride.
Lily rolled her vibrant green eyes, "Oh, on the contrary he will fit just fine."
Dusk fell over and guests began to flock into the place, with both she and James bowed down in greeting to the former Headmaster of Hogwarts as well as their old professors and friends from the Ministry of Magic and the Order of the Phoenix.
"I demand you to let me enter at once," a sour voice entered the air and Lily turned to the entrance, seeing Severus Snape was pursing his lips at the Ministry officer who narrowed his eyes while the old wandmaker in Diagon Alley, Garrick Ollivander was inspecting the young man's wand as per precautions so that no impostor would come in. On Snape's shoulder was a brown owl whose orange eyes looked around in utmost curiosity.
She hiked up her dress slightly and approached the three men, "Mr. Moody, it's alright; he's with me. Dumbledore asks for him too." Hearing her words, the gnarly wizard strode by whilst huffing under his breath.
"Here you go, Mr. Snape; I do hope it continues to serve you well in these trying times," Mr. Ollivander said and Snape nodded briskly before keeping his wand inside the arm sleeve of his robe, presumably in a holster too.
Lily took note of her childhood friend's appearance, which was shrouded in black on every aspect. His pale visage was the only striking feature among the bleakness of his outfit, even more so than the famed vampire Dracula. In his left hand was a brown wooden cane that he gripped tightly and as he walked without much care for her, she noticed how he limped slightly in every other step before sitting nearby the refreshments with a sigh.
Lily looked over to James who quirked his eyebrow minutely before continuing to talk to Alastor Moody and the rest of the Aurors that attended the party. Mustering her courage, she then approached Snape; he was stroking the owl's chin with a weak smile and dropped the gesture as soon as she took her seat next to him.
"Nice owl," she commented but Snape simply ignored her.
"…So, h- how're you doing?" she started again, inwardly cringing at her attempt. They were friends for seven years, yet she felt as if strangers to the young man beside her. Did he still remember his promise that she would regret it if she were to talk to him again? Sighing, she went to the end side of the carpet and walked alongside Marlene McKinnon to James who waited on the small stage.
When the Ministry officer that overlooked her wedding ceremony pledged them to be loyal of each other, Lily found herself distracted by Snape's intense gaze.
"Lily?" James' voice broke through her hazy mind and blushing with embarrassment; she turned to him and returned his words of allegiance. As the marriage vow entwined between her and her husband, she could feel a rush of euphoria running through her.
The party went by without much fanfare, but Lily found herself to stare at Snape every now and then. The dour young man still sat by himself and his owl, although some people and the Hogwarts professors did come over to his table and congratulate him for his achievement, asking him whether he had found a cure for the dragon pox disease.
"No," he said seemingly through gritted teeth; Lily assumed there had been many people questioning him the same thing on a regular basis. "I'm a Potions Master, sir; not a Healer. And besides, why should I risk myself getting infected with such illness? I already had enough with my current conditions, thank you very much."
Professor Horace Slughorn only laughed at his former student's rants, "I'd guess so, Mr. Snape! Still, it was a shame; I had hoped that you will take my place someday but alas… I don't suppose you know any other Potions Masters that are of your caliber?"
Snape only shook his head, "I do think Francesca Zabini is almost done with her training, though."
"Miss Zabini? My, my; I think I'd rather have the students do their work with a straight mind!"
Lily found herself glad when Snape frowned at the man in utter distaste. His owl merely blinked its orange eyes curiously before Snape politely dismissed Slughorn with a wave of his hand, to which the older man only laughed and left, replaced with Albus Dumbledore.
At that, she leant her head subtly to hear the ensuing conversation. She too, wondered what exactly the old warlock wanted to talk of with Snape.
"Mr. Snape, I'm glad that you could find the time to attend Miss Evans… or rather, Mrs. Potter's wedding today," the wizened wizard began with a smile, his blue eyes were twinkling.
For his part, Snape only looked in disinterest at him. "I'm only here to see the possible wreckage of marriage these two people would have in the future, sir," he almost spat the last word.
"Surely you would have more faith in them."
"Why should I, I wonder? Is it really my fault that I felt no joy out of this? Of the unification of two people who belittled me for who I am, who hurt me despite already knowing of my injuries?" Snape narrowed his black eyes at Dumbledore, "But I suppose this had been rather fun, seeing that this marriage is only to cover up a disgraceful mistake. Or am I wrong on this, Evans?"
Lily's face went beet red; how could he know? Blinking hard, she looked down to herself and gulped uneasily. Knowing Severus Snape, he perhaps had noticed it when she sauntered toward him earlier.
"I think I've had enough idiocy for the day, Mortimer. Let's go home; I do so wish for fish and chips for tonight."
The moment Severus Snape and his owl left the cottage with a crack, narrowed eyes fell onto James Potter and his newly-wed wife in suspicion.