Hey guys/girls.(or others if their reading too) Two updates right in a row. Shows how much I love you guys. Happy reading.

Chapter Twelve

Calm was around the munching pair. This calm couldn't last though. The bubble they were in could only last till lunch at the best and they were far from the luckiest people. They both knew the others darkest secret, the existence of which is enough to break a heart. The ice-cream not even halfway gone when a familiar voice rang out to the school grounds as a whole.

"Prongs, you wouldn't believe it. She just freaked out on me like I was the one that did something wrong." Sirius scoffed at that like it was too far beneath him to even comment on. Severus tensed at not only the sound of the voice, but what it might mean to the contained unit of momentary happiness he had found.

"Pad, you sort of attacked her in the middle of the hallway." James was laughing and they were walking in the direction of the invisible pair. Sirius went to say something but James held up his hand to stop him. "Then, when she said you had gone to far, that she needed a break, you attacked her friend." Sirius went to say something in his defense, whatever you can defend after that, but James refused. "You were rounding second base within seconds of her saying she needed a break. With her best friend none the less. Just because Moony isn't here doest mean you can get all uppity about your abhorrent behavior.

Remus hand to fight the urge to jump up and give Prongs a standing ovation for the speech and most importantly his use of the word abhorrent. Remus was so proud that he forgot he was mad. So proud he forgot the would walk on top of the picnic in a matter of minuets. So proud he forgot, only temporarily, that Severus beside him hated these two and would be, to use James' word, abhorred if caught at a special picnic. They would never let it rest.

Remus wasn't thinking of escape plans in time though. The pride turned to fear because there was no way to leave without being seen and they had the skills, thanks to his teaching, to undo the charms. He looked to Severus. "Do you want to be disillusioned or do you want to tell them? Because I don't want you to feel like I'm hiding this."

"I have never been scared of them. As long as this won't spread around the school to unsavory ears it is probably best they know." He looked resigned, like a lost puppy who id found by people only to be placed in the pound.

"They will do nothing." Remus knew they wouldn't. He wouldn't let them hurt him now and he would be damned if they said anything about this, if Severus didn't want it to get around.

Prongs stepped first into the crisps. He didn't even have time to be shocked by the crunching sensation under his foot before Pad had cast a couple of spells nearly at once. The spells had just overridden the lock on the spell that was in place and expanded it to include James and himself. Both Severus and James were flummoxed by how fast he had caused that to occur and how calm he was about it.

Remus knew. He knew the best and worst of Sirius. He knew Sirius would be the one to cast the spell and he knew that he would expand it. Sirius hated the crowds unless he planned the fight. If it had been someone he couldn't bet he wouldn't want the school to catch a glimpse of it.

Shock filled the formerly happy bubble. James was shocked about both the occupants and the means used to expand the spell. Sirius was only shocked that Severus was with Remus. When he had seen he craftwork of the magical barrier he had been nearly certain the work was wrought by Remus. Severus was shocked by the ability of Sirius. If he could do that he should have better grades than he did. That was top notch work and would outstrip many of the best aurors. As a death eater who dealt with them often he knew the speeds with which they could undo charms and concealments. Sirius had most beat by a lot.

"What the fuck is that douche doing at your two man gathering? Are you two dating?" Sirius dropped to his knees in front of Remus. "Rem, will you forgive me long enough to let me attend the wedding?" James pulled Sirius to his feet and smacked him. He didn't need to say things like that when Moony was already pissed.

"Sirius, please get out. I don't want to deal with you right now. I cant deal with you right now." He was nearly pleading. Severus was trying to not seem like the frightened girl in this situation, and failing. He had been sitting beside Remus but he had shifted so his body was in between the two troublesome Gryffindors and the compassion starved Slytherin. He felt pitiful but it was nice to not have to be the only one who cares for his welfare. He liked knowing they wouldn't go after him first. He thanked Remus silently for giving him that feeling for the first time in his neglected life. Even with Dumbledore's 'caring' he still was the one who went into the snake pit every time the mark calls.

"I won't be leaving while he stays. I just want an invitation to the nuptials. " James pushed Sirius behind him. If he didn't watch his mouth they wouldn't be friends anymore.

""Remus, ignore him. You know how he gets. But, never mind. Its not our business." James was trying to drag Sirius back but he had added a stipulation o the spell. No one could leave without his permission

"Have you chosen the snakes over us? We have been gone for less than a morning and your out on a lovely private date with a nasty git. Do you realize that? You traded in for hi. That's a serious downgrade." He laughed at the Sirius play on words. He found this funny. His anger riled under the surface but the top layer that the world saw was just ribbing his friend as if his only problem was that he didn't like his new beau.

"Leave him the hell out of this Sirius. I said to leave me alone until dinner. I am not any less hurt than I was before. Now its just tempered by the anger that your blinds hate inspires in me." He was shaking but he refused to let Moony take control. It wasn't that he didn't trust Moony, but he needed to keep a handle on some private feelings heretofore undiscovered. Moony was known for saying things better left unsaid."

"Have you been with him before our fight this morning? You seemed pretty quick to jump to his aid. Is he less nasty without his clothes on?" Sirius was trying to goad Moony out to play because then he would get the information he wanted, no, needed.

"Do you remember what happened this morning? Do you remember hitting me?" Remus was disgusted, which helped to dissuade Moony from taking the reigns. No one wants to be closer to that foul feeling than necessary.

"He made me hit you. Let me at him. He is pathetic little shit who would be lucky to end up a shoe shiner." Remus flew to his feet, mostly because Severus had stood and was ready to start another muggle fight with Sirius.

"No one makes you do anything. You, and only you, hit me." He was back to sadness and Severus put an arm around his waist to signify that he was there in support.

"He's touching you.' Sirius sent forth a battle cry that was nearly a mourning call. He tried to break free of James' grasp to attack Snape but James wouldn't set him free. Upon discovering this he set of in the other direction and stormed out of the bubble.

"Prongs, please don't let him tell anyone. Severus would prefer none know." James leant forward and put a hand on his shoulder. It was nice to know that James would, for once, be reasonable.

"Remus and Snape sitting in a tree K. I. S. S. I. N. G. first comes," He looked into Remus eyes and converted his lovely singing voice to a light and airy whistle to the tune. He wasn't mature, but it could be worse.

"Tell him I'll see him for dinner and we can talk later tonight." James nodded and lightly patted Remus' sandy locks, whistling all the while. He walked out of the bubble with a sing-song step and both could tell he was still whistling when he got into the castle.

Severus stilled had his arm around Remus and was beginning to like it far more than he should. Remus turned his whole body in the light grasp and placed a kiss on Severus' temple. "I always watch out for you and all of the weak. Just find me if anyone gives you a hard time. And don't hate me for my friends." Remus ran his fingers through the super silky mass of dark hair while he spoke and watched the look on Severus' face. He was in ecstasy.

Remus rolled from the grip and faced the soul he had lunched with. "I must go friend." He used magic to repack the picnic save the ice-cream. He placed the container of ice-cream in Severus' now empty hands and walked from the bubble to the school.

Once Severus left the magical protective bubble it would disappear. He worried less about the extra magic use than he did about the boy behind him. He was sure that, although nothing had happened, he had taken advantage of his lack of experience with any friends. The look when he ran his fingers through that hair had left him scared. It was as if the act had been romantic. It was meant to be friendly, as he would with Sirius when he needed comfort.

Too much romance and too much worrying about misinterpretations. He was glad class would distract him from his friends. All of his friends. New, old and angry.

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