Author's Notes: Hey-yo! This is the second and final chapter to this story (a Gaia request from nekohimebyha). I hope you enjoy the conclusion to Conflict Resolution and please don't forget to tell me what ya'll think. Was it good? Did it suck? Should I quit everything and dedicate my life to HP fanfiction? (Ha! I wish). Let me know and please - enjoy! ^.^

Severus could honestly say that he had never been more terrified in his life.

He hid it well, or so he thought; from the darting, worried glances and the way Remus tightened his grip to send a reassuring squeeze to the Slytherin's hand his acting might not have been as good as he thought. Perhaps he can sense my anxiety because it is so near to the peek of the full moon? The contact was broken as the passage narrowed, forcing the two teens to crouch and sometimes crawl among the dirt, rocks and roots.

When they reached the end of the seemingly endless passage Remus set down his wand, the lit end throwing the teen into pale lighting. "You have to promise me," he said in a voice so harsh that the hairs on the back of Severus's neck prickled. "That you will escape through here should anything go wrong."

Severus bristled. "Do you think that I would mess up on a potion so important?"

Remus wasn't put-off. His green eyes were serious and steadier than the Slytherin had seen them and eventually he was forced to nod. "Fine. I will stay by the door if it suits you."

"Thank you," Remus said, visibly relaxing. He turned then to the one wooden patch that was at the ceiling of the tunnel's end, pushing it open with one hand before easing himself up. Severus walked over, glancing at the wand who's light was slowly starting to fade and tucked his own into his belt, climbing up after the werewolf.

The first thing he noticed, once his eyes adjusted to the lesser light and wider space, was how much stuff was everywhere. All of it broken to pieces so ragged and jagged that he doubted he could fix them with a Repairo. Maybe sixty.

The second thing he noticed was Remus. He looked so - so small standing in the room of broken things, with robes that were too big on him and drooping shoulders. The sandy-haired teen was looking out the window where a view of Hogsmead sat. It was then Severus realized where they were. "This is the Shrieking Shack."

Remus nodded, eyes seemingly fixed to the window. "It is. It isn't so much haunted as it is inhabited by a werewolf and his friends once a month." Remus stiffened and when Severus glanced towards the window again he could see it; the pale shimmer of the moon trying to break through the clouds. Remus was moving, hands dropping to pull off his robes and tossing them near the remains of what the Slytherin thought used to be a table. "You'll drop down the hole?"

"I - yes." Severus frowned, quickly jerking his eyes away from the quickly working fingers. What should he care that Remus was stripping? It's not as if he hadn't seen a nude body besides his own in the showers before. "Believe me when I say I don't want 'eaten alive' as my way to go."

Remus chuckled though it was a bitter sound, only just heard over the rustle of more clothing being pulled off. "Fair enough. I'll trust you to-"

The words were cut short. Forgetting about politeness and modesty Severus turned, heart thumping in his chest, to watch the transformation.

Remus didn't seem to be aware of him anymore. Pale and naked with a stream of moonlight coating his skin Severus saw as his body bent, shoulders and spine bowing forward as if forced by an invisible puppeteer. The sound of a few dozen bones cracking, stretching and growing into existence made Severus grind his teeth in sympathy though Remus didn't scream out at what had to be excruciating pain. It might have been in account to the lips being pulled taunt over an extending jaw, teeth pointing and elongating into terrifying blades of destruction. The most disturbing was the fact that Remus, despite the changes, still looked human. It wasn't until his hands turned to paws, legs elongating and knees forced backwards with a sickening crunch that fur sprouted all over his body, thick and coarse over his new wiry form.

Stomach rolling it was all Severus could do not to throw up. As it was his dropped to his knees, disgust and horror running through his veins. It was in that weakened state that Remus - no longer the doe-eyed, soft-spoken teen by the ferocious werewolf - turned on him. And Severus paused, breath hitching as he stared.

The eyes...

In the month and a half of study that it took for him to be able to brew the Wolfbane Potion, Severus had done much research. Every picture, every moving photograph and description of werewolves displayed them as having the feral, golden eyes of a predator. The orbs that were fixed to his own were a soft, mossy green.

Doe eyes. Remus's eyes.

Catching his breath and regaining the strength of his legs Severus slowly rose to his feet, walking cautiously over. The fact that Remus hadn't sprung at him with teeth and claws reaching for soft skin was promising in its own right. It was the eyes that gave the Slytherin the courage to approach a potentially dangerous creature and risk death - or worse yet, infection. "Remus?" Severus kept his voice low, soft, soothing. "Can you hear me? Do you know me?"

The eyes stayed fixed on Severus's as he moved closer, the dark-haired teen only pausing when he was within arm's length. Holding his gaze the werewolf blinked - once, twice, three times - then sat back on his haunches. looking for all the world like a dog waiting for instruction from its owner.

Severus laughed - a short, relieved sound - though when he reached out it was still with caution. No drooling fangs met his hands before it came into contact with the fur-coated chest - as coarse and thick as it looked and nothing like the teen's natural locks - scratching lightly. "I'll stay with you," Severus said quietly, looking up at the werewolf. Even sitting the transformation gave Remus a head height over him. "For the whole night. And every full moon after that, if you'll have me."

In answer the fur-coated head lowered, the werewolf's chin resting on Severus's shoulder. The Slytherin closed his eyes, the last of his tension flowing away. Though Remus couldn't communicate the way that he was used to in werewolf form the Slytherin was sure of two things; Remus had kept his mind, if not his body.

And he would never hurt Severus in his right mind.

~.~.~.~.~

After their night shared at the Shack the gradual friendship that Severus shared with the werewolf changed. He couldn't say if Remus felt the change as well; they continued to meet together under the lakeside tree, in the library, in the gardens. They continued to share more of themselves with one another and joke together. Severus's dry, sarcastic humor was an unexpected delight to the brown-haired teen and often during breaks the two would sit on a sill or outside on the grass with Severus murmuring comments about students passing by ('I don't believe anyone has told Lucia those feathered robes make him look like a erect poodle." "Xenophilius Lovegood. Did you hear he's working on a device to make dreams re-playable? Apparently he's never heard of a Pensive.") with Remus giving a shocked, "Severus!" sometimes before being overcome with a fit of laughter. The effect of the light sound was startling to the teen's face - Remus actually looked his age, the weary sadness and sorrow in those doe-like eyes fading away as he gave himself into the moment.

It made Severus feel...good.

The dark-haired Slytherin found himself watching the other more often. During classes, during lunch, walking down the hallways. It turned out that Remus didn't spend as much time with Potter's group as Severus originally thought. When he didn't have first and second-years rushing to him asking for help on one thing or the other and the Idiot Trio wasn't around, he was usually on his own. Even when walking with groups of Gryffindors the werewolf didn't speak unless spoken to, surrounded by students but in his own world of isolation. Severus understood some part of it but it was odd to watch someone who was in the small circle of 'popular' students as such a quiet, studious person.

Remus always passed over beans and peas but would always grab broccoli, when it wasn't the week of his transformation. He was extremely intelligent and exercised it around Severus but never raised his hand when in class, answering only when he was called on. Remus didn't smile often but when he did it was usually with a quiet pleasure that turned moss-green eyes the color of a sun-struck pond, an effect that was amplified when the light hit his lashes just so and turned them into strands of gold, lips curved and closed over white teeth.

Severus was fascinated.

He hadn't ever noticed things like the length of another boy's lashes, or the half-second pauses Remus gave before replying to a question directed at him, or the way he liked to sit with one leg tucked underneath him and the other stretched out when they were on the grass. Remus showed a genuine interest in the Slytherin, as well; more so than that of those in his own House.

"Severus."

Turning at the familiar voice the dark-haired Slytherin arched a brow in mild surprise. He and Remus tended to keep to their own Houses and cohorts during school hours, using the time after classes and some weekends to interact. That the werewolf was approaching him after the Transfiguration class they shared was unusual. Both brows went nearly to his hairline as Remus stopped before him, reaching to fuss with the green and silver tie. "It's crooked," Remus said as he flattened the material down, hand drawing away as he gave the other one of his quiet smiles. "It had been bothering me since class started." There was a clasp at his shoulder, wave and then Remus was walking off, apparently not noticing the curious glances from other students in the hall.

Severus stood for a few moments, the weight and heat of the other's hand following him to his neck class and through lunch.

That one, casual touch seemed to make Severus hyper-aware of the Gryffindor whenever he drew near. Remus would often reach out to brush the powdered remains of potions ingredients from Severus's robes, grasp him by the bicep or elbow when other students cut in front of them, rest a hand on his shoulder in greeting as well as parting. Severus shook the thought away, telling himself that it was something that the werewolf probably did with anyone he considered a close friend. After several days of study, though, Remus only touched two other students; a third-year who had fallen and which he offered a hand to help up and Black, who got a rather wicked-looking jab with a closed fist that made the boy's yelp carry across to the Slytherin table and had half the girls nearby fawning over him like love-struck buffoons.

They were indoors, the days having gotten far too cold to enjoy sitting outside, when Severus shifted his gaze to the brunet. "You're rather hands-on, aren't you."

Remus looked up from where he had been reading. They were in one of the lesser-used corridors on the 4th floor, seated in one of the large windowsills, each going about their studies. It provided a change of scene from the library and there were less people whispering, scraping chairs or coming up to talk to Remus about problems either in with work or just through the day in general. "I'm sorry?"

Severus shrugged. "You're hands-on. Or at least you seem so."

Remus seemed to consider it even though Severus hadn't been asking a question, "I can be, I suppose. Does it bother you?"

"No." The brunet's head tilted at the quick reply. "I mean, it's nothing, really. Just something I've noticed about you."

Remus scooted forward, moving until their bent knees brushed together then closer still. Coal-black eyes widened as moss green ones drew closer, a fleeting question going through Severus's mind before Remus reached out with his book-free hand, tugging lightly at his tie and smoothing it down afterwards. "You're terrible at fixing your tie correctly," the brunet murmured, green eyes sparkling. "Just something I've noticed about you." He sat back then, turning back to his book to resume his reading.

Severus did the same though he couldn't focus on the words. All he could think of was the question that had fluttered through his mind as Remus leaned close, just before the adjustment to his tie. Is he going to kiss me?

And the quiet surge of hope that had curled in his belly, followed by cloudy disappointment when the other drew away.

~.~.~.~.~

I like him.

I like him.

I like a boy.

In the dorm that he shared with three other boys Severus ran over the events involving he and Remus up to that afternoon. Thoughts were swimming through his mind at a dizzying rate and it took more effort than he thought he had to force them to go in order rather than darting from one to the other like a mad thing. The revelation was singing at the forefront, making his heartbeat quicken and breathing hitch.

So, he liked Remus. Really liked him, possibly as more than a friend. He was in love with Lily, though - beautiful, brilliant Lily who was falling for the very boy she had detested at the start of their years at Hogwarts.

Severus paused. No, thinking of Lily didn't hurt as much as it once had; the wound of her rejecting him had faded into a dull throb, a cut that had scabbed over. Not fully healed but no longer bleeding. When his mind went to her it ached but cut no deeper than before.

When he thought of Remus..

Where as Lily had burned like the sun in his mind Remus was like sitting before a crackling fireplace. Severus could bask in its warmth without fear of getting burned, comforted by its presence.

The sun had been slanting through the window where they sat when Remus leaned forward, lashes gone blond and eyes gone lake-bright. Severus's mind was fixated on the slightly-parted lips and heat pooled at his gut in the way it did when he had been alone in his room thinking of Lily, left with his own thoughts in the night.

Stop it, he scolded himself, rolling onto his side and trying to ignore the hardness swelling between his thighs. Friends don't wank off thinking of friends.

It wasn't an issue when it was Lily.

With his eyes clenched shut Severus eventually fell into a fitful sleep, dreams of a gently crackling fire, sun-kissed lashes and lake green eyes haunting him.

~.~.~.~.~

So. I have a crush.

Sitting in the Great Hall at the Slytherin table Severus nibbled at a piece of toast, mulling over the thought. Remus was with Potter and the others, as usual, apparently lost in his own thoughts. On a boy I used to hate. Pausing he gave a slight shake of his head. Alright, I never really hated him. He's decent company.

As if feeling eyes on him Remus looked up from his plate and across the hall. Severus dropped his own gaze, scowling. So what? He saw a pathetic boy who he could save from his friend's torment and perhaps befriend, nothing more.

But wasn't it his own assumptions that he and Lily were meant to be together and would, so long as he let her come to the same conclusion on her own? His sitting back and biding his time had possibly cost him her affection - though when he let himself think about it, after the pain of her turning away from him ebbed, he could see the signs that he had allowed himself to ignore before. She didn't think of Severus as more than a friend, the brother that she never had.

The thought didn't hurt as much as it once would have.

So Severus had to make a choice. He could sit back and bid his time, much as he was used to doing, and see what would come of it, or he could be Gryffindor.

Setting down the toast he'd been picking at the dark-haired teen glanced up. Remus either hadn't gone back to his food or had impeccable timing as he met Severus's eyes, raising his free hand in a half-wave. I'll do what I do best, Severus decided as he returned the silent greeting with a nod. Find out how he feels before revealing anything. The Slytherin way.

~.~.~.~.~

He approached Pettigrew first because he would be the easiest to deal with, though the hardest to get on his own. It seemed that no matter where he went he had Black, Potter or Remus with him, scurrying by their side like a rat following food. It was outside of a lavatory that Severus was finally able to catch the boy on his own, a hand grasping his elbow and hauling him down the corridor. "Pettigrew. A word."

The boy squeaked and squirmed, not quite making enough fuss to draw attention to them. Good. Severus wasn't planning on hexing the rat's ears off or anything of the sort though he didn't know that. Pettigrew scurried along with him, barely keeping up with Severus's steps. It wasn't until they had turned down several halls and the breathing of the boy beside him reached an alarming speed that the Slytherin paused, letting the other go so suddenly that the teen nearly fell over. "I want to know what you're planning."

"P-planning?" Severus sneered as he watched the teen rubbing his hands together, an obvious nervous gesture. "W-what do you mean?"

"You. Potter. And Black." Severus made his voice low, the menace in them making the other teen cower. "What are you planning to do with the information R-Lupin has been feeding you?"

The Gryffindor shook his head so rapidly that Severus wondered how his neck didn't snap, words tumbling over one another to break free. "W-we aren't! I mean, that is the say, Moony hasn't told us anything, no matter how often-" He paled, raising slightly curved fingers before him. "It's Padfoot! He's always asking for gossip on you but Moony doesn't give him anything!"

How did he end up in Gryffindor? Severus kept from shaking his head only just. It was amazing, some of the decisions the Hat made. "None at all?"

"No."

"You aren't lying to me?"

"No!"

"Because if you are," Severus continued, his voice as delicate as broken shards of China. "You will be the first one I come after. Not Remus, for betraying me. Not Black, for being the worst of your group. You."

Pettigrew looked close to fainting but he nodded, rapidly snapping his neck up and down. "Y-yes, I understand."

"For your sake, I hope so. Go away."

The teen was off in a shot, bolting down the hall and around the first corner. Severus waiting a few moments before following to head back to the main corridors of Hogwarts. One down, he thought, lips pressed into a tight line. Two to go.

~.~.~.~.~

Black was second because he would be the hardest to confront and Severus's victory over Pettigrew was at its peak. When he wasn't joined to Potter's hip Black was constantly surrounded by girls of all ages. From the wide-eyed, giggling first-years to the seductive seventh-years he seemed to flirt with anyone and everyone, so long as they were attractive. Because of this Severus was forced to approach the teen outside, sitting with a small group who were braving the cold to watch the Gryffindor Quidditch practice. "Black. May I have a word?"

For a moment Severus didn't think that the mutt would leave his adoring flock of jail bait. One girl - a Ravenclaw by her scarf, though Severus wasn't sure what year - practically draped herself over Black's shoulders. "Tell him to go away - we don't need any of his kind here."

Severus bristled, scathing words on the tip of his tongue when Black shrugged the arm away. "I need some air, anyway," he replied, never mind the fact that they were outside with the wind snapping the school flags meters above them. Walking through his hoard Black stepped down from the bleachers and walked off and Severus had little choice but to follow, shoving his own hands into his pockets as much for warmth as to keep a hand on his wand.

Black headed for the Hufflepuff stands, ducking behind it with Severus following cautiously. The dark-haired teen only stood, turned to face the Slytherin with his own hands in his pockets. "What do you want?"

No name-calling. No painful hex. Though his eyes shone with distaste Black didn't react to him the way he would have months ago, though Severus wasn't keen on trusting it. "You haven't taunted, hexed or call me outside of my name for months," he stated, coal-black eyes piercing. "Why?"

Black scowled. "Are you serious? What, do you miss me or something?" He didn't give Severus time to respond, raising a hand in a flippant gesture. "You're friends with Moony. He'd be upset if we bugged you."

Severus let his right brow climb, knowing he looked impressive even if Black would never acknowledge it. "Really? And that's all?"

"Really." Black leaned forward and though there was still several meters of space between them Severus found himself fighting not to step back from the savage look in those gray eyes. "But know that if you ever do anything to hurt, shame or betray him I'll be waiting for you - and I won't be so nice."

"Duly noted," Severus replied in his driest tone. "The same goes for you, of course."

If Black was expecting a retort that one was far from his top twenty. The Pureblood wizard blinked, drawing back as if someone had clapped their hands right under his nose, a look of distrust mingled with an emotion Severus couldn't place seeping into his features. "Right. If that's all." Black turned and walked away without ceremony, breaking into a jog after a few steps. Severus watched until he disappeared from around the stands before turning to walk briskly in the direction he had come from, cold starting to seep into his bones. He was halfway to the dungeons before Severus was able to place the look that Black had given him. He looked - impressed.

One to go.

~.~.~.~.~

Severus was wrong about one thing; Black wasn't going to be the hardest to confront. Potter was. It wasn't so much because he detested the wild-haired teen or that he thought Potter would sooner hex him than speak with him, after his demands on the Debt. It was due to the fact that when Potter wasn't surrounded by his friends or appealing to fans he was with her.

Lily Evans.

Even with his growing feelings for Remus the Slytherin couldn't ignore the fluttering lingerings of his love for her, forced into the background due to her being unattainable. Severus was trying to figure out how to get the teen on his own when, while walking with a group of Slytherins to the Great Hall, Potter approached him. "Yo, Sev. A word?"

Glaring at the teen for a moment the dark-haired boy nodded, moving away from his group to walk with Potter. He knew that the others would be eyeing the Gryffindor with suspicion and when he looked back Bellatrix's dark brows were narrowed, the girl mouthing, "Should we follow?" While a hand fingered the end of her wand. With a pool of satisfaction warming his gut Severus gave a slight shake of his head and the group moved on, not appearing to be entirely satisfied but knowing one of their own wouldn't put themselves into unfavorable situations without cause.

They didn't go far; Potter simply walked mid-way down the hall, which was clearing out with students heading for lunch. When the last of the students were gone the hazel-eyed boy nodded. "So Wormtail and Padfoot said you had a chat with them," the teen started, leaning against a stone wall in a casual motion. "I'm guessing I'm next on your list. Am I right?"

Well, that did make things easier. Nodding in turn Severus got to the point. "I want to know your real reasoning behind forcing me to be Lupin's friend."

Potter cocked his head as if to mimic a curious bird. "Force you? I didn't force you to do anything."

"You gave me no choice." Severus all but hissed the words, fingers curling into fists. "It was that or lose my magic and nothing is worth more than that, short of my life."

The Gryffindor looked unfazed, arms crossing over his chest. Why do people so often confuse courage with stupidity? Severus thought, mind going over a half-dozen hexes he could get in before the teen would be able to react. "So you're saying that you don't enjoy his company?"

"I- of course not. Of your idiot bunch he's the most tolerable and unlike any of you, Remus has the intelligence worthy of my company- what's so funny?" Severus snapped, taking in the slowly growing grin coming from the Gryffindor.

"Oh, nothing, just a thought," Potter said as he straightened. "He wanted to."

"What?"

"To be your friend," Potter explained. "He didn't ask me to use the Debt to do it but I figured that was the only way to get you to stop being such a git and give Moony a chance. He's better than any of us deserve," Potter said, lashes lowering and eyes going dark in a way Severus didn't understand. "He was dealt a bad hand but that wasn't any fault of his own. He deserves everything he wants."

"I agree," Severus replied, causing the other to start. "Which is why I wish to remain in his company. Is that really your only reasoning behind it?"

Potter eyed him and apparently found him lacking. At the slight head-shake Severus felt his spine stiffen. "For someone so smart you're not too bright when it comes to the people around you, huh."

The Slytherin glared. "Explain."

"What, and ruin the fun?" The grin seemed to widen though Severus hadn't thought it was possible. "No way. You'll figure it out soon enough, I'm sure." As the dark-haired teen walked past he raised a hand to pat Severus's shoulder. "It's right under that big nose of yours, Sev. You only need to look down to notice." Potter walked off, leaving Severus with no more answers than he had before and thoughts clanging uselessly against the walls of his mind, wondering what Potter could have meant by those parting words.

Wanker.

~.~.~.~.~

With the questions he most needed answers to answered Severus thought that he could move on with the second phase of his plan; Operation Wooing the Werewolf.

It wasn't going to be easy or necessarily enjoyable. The fact was that Severus had no idea how to start at all. He was off to the library as soon as class let out for lunch, picking up Potions for Finding One's Healing Place, Tough Transfiguration Techniques and Fool's Gold: Party Tricks to Entertain Family and Friends! and made sure to pass the magazine section, glancing around before quickly snatching up two issues of Witch Weekly to shove between the large texts he had grabbed.

Finding an empty seat wasn't a hard feat ; with most of Hogwarts dining in the Great Hall Severus was able to get his usual table, depositing the books onto it before dropping into the seat. Giving another discreet look around the Slytherin opened two of the texts flat on the table, using the last as a shield and propped upright in front of him before turning his attention to the first of the magazines.

The first one turned out to be a waste; the topics ranged from matching the right lipstick to one's skin-tone and getting dresses for one's body type to 'drive wizards wild.' After skimming the index and flipping though Severus tossed the paperback aside with disgust. Somehow I doubt Remus would find my legs in a mini-skirt at all appealing.

The second magazine was a bit more interesting. After getting past the drivel ('Charm your way into your admirer's heart!' 'Accessories to bring a sparkle to your eyes and a spark in your love life!') Severus came across a quiz.

'Want to know if you and your crush are meant to be? Take this quiz! Once you have your answers ask your crush the questions on the following page and and find out how compatible you are! Results are 100% accurate.'

100% accurate my arse, Severus thought, frowning. Even so, curiosity nipped at his heels and soon enough the dark-haired teen had his notebook open, writing down his answers to the quiz and the letters corresponding with them. At the bottom were instructions on how to figure out where he ranked and when he finished - a B - the Slytherin read what was supposed to be his personality diagnostic.

'Quiet, reserved and very intelligent, you seek one who can be your equal. You tend to obsess over things that interest you and protect those you care for with everything you have. Sometimes seen as a social outcast you have a big heart - it only takes the right person to come along and see how special you are to be let in!'

Severus blinked, then reread the print. Huh. That isn't...entirely inaccurate. Glancing to the second page Severus chewed lightly at the inside of his cheek. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try.

"Severus, there you are."

Jerking Severus nearly sent both the magazine and the book he had been using to hide it flying. He had gotten so drawn into the text that he didn't notice Remus's approach and schooled his features into a neutral expression, carefully shifting the book so that it laid open over the magazine. "Remus," he said by way of greeting. "What brings you here during lunch?"

The werewolf gave one of his quiet smiles as he set a wrapped package near Severus's right hand. It looked to be a pair of rolls and only then did Severus notice his hunger. "I finished," he said simply, settling in the chair across from Severus. "I didn't see you in the Hall so I figured you were here and lost track of the time."

A warm, squirmy bubble of pleasure curled in Severus's gut as he took up the rolls, breaking one open with his other hand. "Beef," he said quietly, gaze flickering from the stuffed bread to the werewolf. "It's my favorite."

Remus folded his hands on the table without moving to take out any books of his own. "Oh, really? That's good to know."

Eyeing the brunet teen with suspicion Severus eventually gave in to the gnawing at his stomach, biting into the bread and mildly sweet meat. Neither boy spoke but Severus was fine with the silence, using the time to eye the werewolf from under a dark curtain of hair. "So Remus," he said after he had finished the first roll, a hand toying with the napkin still holding the second. "How do you like to spend your spare time? Do you use it for reading, sports, catching up with friends, being alone?..." The first of the half-dozen questions under the Compatible Crush Quiz came out so casually that Severus would have patted himself on the back, if he was one for doing such things.

"Hm, those all touch on my interests, actually."

Severus blinked. "What? You're into sports?"

The other teen nodded. "Not as much as Padfoot or Prongs but I do enjoy it. Most of the time I usually end up reading."

Nodding sagely Severus picked up his quill jotting the answer down while using his other hand to bring the roll to his lips. "Hm. What do you like to read? Horror or action, fiction or fact?"

Remus laughed and when Severus looked up there was the makings of a flush on his cheeks. "I'm rather fond of romance, actually."

The Slytherin stared. "No. Seriously? Romance?"

"Truly. My mother has a collection back home - I nick whichever she isn't reading and hide out in my room to read." He laughed again, a quiet, breathy sound that make Severus's lips twitch in turn. "I think she's on to me, though. She keeps all the best ones hidden away."

"I would have never guessed that about you," Severus murmured in a tone he'd never used before and quickly shifted his gaze to his notes when Remus peered at him. Reads alone, likes romance.

It was there Severus got stuck, quill poised over the page; he hadn't read more than the two questions and therefore didn't know what came next. It would look too suspicious if he were to peek under the text sitting on the magazine and he had no real reason to send Remus away so that he could read them over. Just come up with something to ask, Severus told himself. Anything! "Is there someone that you like at Hogwarts?" Brain! You bloody arse!

All but swallowing his tongue Severus looked up and nearly winced. Remus had gone quite still, his green eyes fixed on the feathers of the quill held between the Slytherin's fingers. After a moment the werewolf seemed to breathe again and sat back in his chair. "There is, actually."

"There is?" Severus hadn't been expecting an answer - to be told to sod off, yes, but not a yes or no to his question. Heart giving a curiously heavy thump Severus continued to write, pretending to be taking notes on something else while really giving his hand something to do so that he didn't crush the roll between his fingers. "Does she know?"

The pause between the question and answer was shorter than before, though abrupt. "I don't think so." Suddenly the brunet was on his feet, picking up his bag from where he'd dropped it. "I'll see you around, Severus," he said and had turned and started striding away before Severus could reply.

His heart gave another, heavy thump.

Shortly after Remus's departure Severus returned the texts, leaving the magazines behind. He no longer needed them - Remus gave him the answer that he was looking for. Not only was Remus interested in someone - the idea made Severus's blood heat with jealousy - but a girl. Probably Ravenclaw, Severus thought, recalling the brunet's likes and interests.

Disheartened that his second attempt at love had ended in failure the Slytherin made his way out of the library to go to his rooms. He didn't care if he missed his afternoon classes; an evening to wallow in sorrow was what he needed.

~.~.~.~.~

Winter holidays were a few weeks away and Severus had spent the last week and a half practically living in the dungeons. He left for classes but most meals he asked one of the castle's house-elves to bring him food, the creatures squeaking and bowing and hastening to do so without complaint. Severus was leaving Professor Binn's class, his head bowed as he tried to get his bag closed while falling behind from the rest of the students leaving, when two figures swooped to either of his sides, grasping him at either elbows.

Starting his bag and its contents fell to the ground, the cracking sound of glass breaking reaching his ears while books and notes went tumbling. "Potter! Black! Let go or so help me-"

"Stupify!"

The hissed curse hit Severus and the world went black.

~.~.~.~.~

The first thing Severus noticed as he came to was that wherever he was, it was quite comfortable.

Dark eyes snapped open. Potter!

Looking around Severus hesitated, taking in his surroundings. He looked to be in a common room of some sort, though he had no idea how Potter and Black (More like dead and even deader) would have gotten him into the Gryffindor common room in the first place without raising suspicion.

The longer he looked, the surer he became; the tapestries on the wall were red with gold lions on them, the couch in which he laid on done with gold and red cushions. There was a fire burning in the hearth, a pleasant warmth stretching through the room which, when Severus sat up, wasn't as big as he was expecting.

Hold on. Severus frowned, giving the room another look around. There was the couch he sat on and two high-back chairs, a throw-rug, a some other odds and ends. There was only one door that he could see and when he rose to try tugging on it Severus found it, unsurprisingly, locked. Pacing the room proved useless in finding either his bag or his wand. Merlin's wrinkled arse I'm going to murder them!

Severus spun to pace before the fire, hands curling and uncurling into fists, when the door suddenly swung open. Before he could step towards it a figure was pushed inside and the door shut behind him, locking them both inside.

Rather than beating on the door and cursing their captures the way Severus would have done Remus simply dusted himself off and looked around. "Curious. It looks just like the common room," he said, eyes finding Severus soon enough. The two stood staring at one another, one as tense as a cat and the other mildly observing, only the sound of the crackling fire going through the room. When Remus spoke again it was with a voice gone soft, the flickering firelight causing his eyes to look as deep as swamp water. "Severus. Why have you been avoiding me?"

Turning his attention to the fire Severus crossed his arms. "I haven't," he said but the words sounded like a lie to his own ears so he doubted that the Gryffindor would buy it. Looking over his shoulder he glared at the other still standing near the door, as patient as a mountain. "I was taking up all of your free time. It didn't seem fair."

"That's not it," Remus said, ignoring the way Severus scowled as he started towards the Slytherin. "This didn't start until after our conversation in the library. Did I offend you?"

Bollocks. "It was nothing you did," Severus replied, voice low. Even with as annoyed as he was with himself he couldn't snap at Remus. It wasn't so much that the other might take offence as it was he would fix Severus with one of those long, steady looks that made him want to act more mature. "It was my own fault for being hopeful."

"Hopeful?" A hand rested lightly on Severus's shoulder and he bowed his head, eyes closing. No, he couldn't get upset with Remus for not knowing - it was Severus's own fault for not sticking with his initial plan of action after Lily. "What did you hope for?"

I may as well finish the way I started this - foolishly. Turning and opening his eyes to face the other Remus's hand fell away, though he didn't step back. "That you might have been interested in me for more than just friendship," he said, voice tainted with bitterness like dark coffee. "That you liked me. Romantically." It was all he could do not to spit, turning away despite the promise made to himself. "Idiotic, I know."

"No, Severus," the brunet whispered and the dark-haired teen couldn't bring himself to look at the other, even when a hand coaxed his head around. A blurring of color in his peripheral vision was the only warning he got before something warm, slightly damp and a little chapped pressed to his lips, coal-black eyes snapping straight to see half-lidded green pools watching him from hardly inches away. Severus stood, frozen as Remus held their lips together and even after he drew away, the brunet still watching him. "Was that being too bold?"

On its own Severus's tongue ran over his lips, still tingling from the earlier contact. He kissed me. He KISSED me. My first kiss and it's with a boy. A Gryffindor at that.

Tongue running over his lips again Severus considered. "Not too bold," he said, drawling out the words. "Though it wasn't anything to write home about, either."

Remus's face lit up for the second time since Severus begun his friendship with the werewolf - the green eyes sparkled, face lighting up and changing so much that the Slytherin could only blink and be dazed. "Well," Remus said, moving the hand from where he had been holding the pale teen's jaw to curl at the nap of his neck. "I will try harder, next time."

Next time turned out to be sooner than Severus dared hoped.

~.~.~.~.~

"Ah- ah! Severus-"

One kiss had led to another, which had led to several more, which had led to a dozen others. Somehow the boys ended up sprawled on the couch, Severus fighting to be on top while Remus pretended to fight then gave way, stripped to their pants and coated in a sheen of sweat. Severus found that the werewolf was especially sensitive behind his ears and along his collarbone and was taking full advantage, settled snuggly on the teen's abdomen with his rear grinding over Remus's groin. As he grazed his teeth along the slightly salty skin Remus groaned, hips jerking upward and head tossed-back in a pose of such utter surrender that made Severus want to fuck him right there.

"Bloody - fucking - Potter," he hissed between nipping teeth, each bite sending a jolt through Remus. "Wish we had wands."

It seemed to take a while for the words to reach Remus, who was rather distracted. "Don't - need wands," the teen gasped, entire body shuddering. "Oh - S-Severus, wait, let me up."

Though Remus hadn't pushed at him and the breathless tone didn't make the Slytherin think he really wanted him to stop Severus did so anyway, a smug grin of satisfaction pulling at his lips at the Gryffindor's groan of loss. Remus lay panting for some moments before moving as if to sit up and Severus scooted back, moving until he was on the other end of the couch and Remus's legs were free, cock tenting the front of his pants.

"I've - never done this with someone watching," the teen murmured as he hooked his thumbs into the waistband of the cotton pants, eyes as dark as midnight watching eagerly. "So don't make fun, alright?"

Severus started to reply but Remus pulled off the pants and let his swollen cock spring free, it swaying perversely. Severus had to swallow more than once to get enough moisture in his mouth to speak. "I have no idea how you think I would be able to do such a thing."

With a flush staining his cheeks and running down his chest Remus brought a hand to his mouth, sticking three fingers in. The sight - and thought of what the other was possibly planning - made the Slytherin's balls tighten dangerously and he had to close his eyes, forcing his breathing to steady. When he opened them again it was to Remus spreading his legs, left throwing itself over the back of the couch and the right bracing itself on the ground, those saliva-slick digits moving to his entrance.

Severus watched, transfixed, as the fingers teased the barely-seen puckered hole with swiping presses that didn't quite breech him. Then two of the digits curled and Remus pushed one inside, letting out a huff of breath. "Haven't - done this for - for a while," he breathed, sliding the finger slowly in and out for some time before trying for a second. Severus couldn't even look up to see if there was discomfort on his face. His mind kept repeating 'haven't done this for a while' and bringing the thought of Remus, the curtains drawn around his bed, finger-fucking himself while the rest of his rag-tag group slept on around him. It was enough to pull a groan from him, one that was mirrored when the teen inserted a third finger.

The pants were far too constricting. Severus all but ripped them off, his pale cock flushed and throbbing in anticipation, all but drooling as he watched the fingers pump in and out of Remus, his hips starting to rock with each thrust.

"S-Severus!" He didn't think the brunet meant it to come out the way it did, in a half-shouted moan but it most certainly got his attention. Remus's green eyes were like a forest canopy at night, lips parted as he panted. "It won't - be enough - you need, need to-"

Though Remus's twisting fingers ripped the words away Severus got the gist. Moving with unsteady legs Severus climbed up the length of the couch until his knees were on either side of Remus's head, a hand guiding the head of his cock to those parted lips. "Suck."

He hadn't needed to give the instruction; Remus had already opened his mouth, the hand that wasn't half-buried in his own arse resting on Severus's hips to bring his flushed cock closer. The first touch of the wet warmth of Remus's mouth made the Slytherin give a harsh, wordless cry and the thought of choking the other and having his friends skin him alive was all that kept the dark-haired teen from thrusting away, instead letting Remus's tongue bathe the sensitive skin with his saliva.

All too soon Remus had both hands at Severus's hips, urging him up. The bone-deep yearning that went through him when Severus drew his hips back was replaced with a soul-deep need as he realized what was to come, scooting back so that he could position himself between Remus's thighs, lining his cock up with the stretched hole. "I can't promise this won't hurt," Severus found himself saying, throat dry.

Remus raised his legs, wrapping them around Severus's hips and raised his arms to brace them against the side of couch. Severus wasn't sure why until Remus raised his hips and slammed them downward, the tightened thighs giving him no option but to take it.

"Oh," Severus breathed, vision gone brilliant and body taunt. "Oh."

"Severus, please, move-"

The words hardly left the werewolf before Severus was doing just that, drawing back the short distance that Remus's legs allowed before slamming back in again. It was uncoordinated; Severus was draw back while Remus tried to follow the same movement, the dark-haired teen at times getting two shallow thrusts in while Remus was pushing down - and by the time they got something close to a rhythm going Severus's sacs were tightening, Remus's arsehole was tightening and their bodies fell into the primal jerking and shuddering of orgasm, cries of pleasure echoing through the room. Panting and drained of every ounce of energy he had Severus flopped, aiming for the spot between Remus and couch but half-landing on the werewolf's shoulder, resulting in yelping and squirming until they were both comfortable.

Severus was half-draped over the werewolf like a living blanket with one arm tucked under his cheek and the other, along with his left leg, thrown over the teen's form. Remus had shifted so that he was laying facing the Slytherin, nose bumping the underside of Severus's when he shifted closer and draped an arm over his waist. "I wouldn't have thought you'd be into cuddling."

"I believe this is referred to as snuggling," Severus replied, unable to make his voice quite as dry as he could normally manage. Actually, it wasn't dry at all; his tone was thick with satisfaction like honey on the tongue. "It is rather...pleasant."

Remus sighed, breath puffing warmly at Severus's throat. "Good. I plan for us to spend a fair amount of time doing it."

The Slytherin gave a non-commenting grunt, the feeling of lazy contentment seeping into his bones. He didn't know why the werewolf found such interest in him, nor why Potter had set it as his goal to push them together. Severus knew one thing, though; Remus was special and dear to him and it would take more than the disapproval of Slytherin House or those thunder-headed friends of Remus's to make him leave.

"So," the dark haired teen murmured, fingers curling around the werewolf's hip. "When do you think Potter will let us out?"

The silence that followed was not promising.

~.~.~.~.~

Sirius scowled at the warded door, kicking at nothing in particular. "This plan of yours had better work," he said, hands shoved into the pockets of the trousers he wore under his school robes. "How can you trust that greasy git not to hurt Moony?"

"They aren't gonna come to blows." Sirius rolled his eyes at James, who was pressing his ear as near as the wards would allow. Never mind that he had put the Silencing Charm up himself. "Moony's been in a right state since Snape started ignoring him. This way they can talk."

"Riiiiight," Sirius drawled, turning away. "Well I'll leave you to it. I don't want to be anywhere near here when snake-breath and Moony come out looking for blood."

"What kind of friend are you?" James called at Sirius's retreating back, watching at the other made his way to the staircase. With Sirius out of sight the ruffle-haired teen turned his attention to the items set by the warded door; Remus and Snape's items. He disillusioned the items, setting the charm to break when the timer on the wards on the door went off in an hour. With that done James cast a salute to the closed door, heading for the stairs.

No, he didn't know how well Snape and one of his best friends would get on. He did know that, for Merlin-knew-what reason, that Remus was interested in the greasy-haired git (who had taken his advice in the daily care, thank heavens) in a more-than-friends way. And with Snape distracted with Remus...

James grinned, breaking into a jog. Maybe when Lils sees how happy the big-nose git is, she'll pay more attention to me than worrying about him. Taking the stairs two at a time James hummed to himself, pleased with the turnout to his plotting.