Disclaimer: All characters belong solely to JK Rowling. If you recognize a scene or a name, it is hers.
Chapter nine: Truth or Lies
Remus stared after the dark-haired boy in shock. Sirius, recognizing the look of horror on the werewolf's face, looked in the direction that Remus was staring, and saw the back of Snape's head as he disappeared through the office door.
"Uh… Moony? I think… I think that Snape just… I think he heard you." James' voice sounded tense, but it was evident that he was worried for Remus.
"Yeah he… he seemed to have heard every word. How long could he have been standing there?"
"Bloody Snake," Sirius muttered, barely audible. But Remus heard, and fixed him with a glare. A glare which remained trained on his friend, until the sound of a door opening tore his mind away from the insult on Severus. Remus glanced up toward where he knew the Slytherin would be, and saw the other boy look over toward the Marauders. The werewolf met the other's eye again, but Snape quickened his pace, and was out the door within a minute.
"Hey I'll… I'll see you three in the dorms." Remus stood immediately and half-ran towards the door, leaving the other Marauders in stunned silence.
"Snape!" Remus' voice echoed through the corridor, but the Slytherin continued his brisk walk toward the staircase. "Come on, you have to hear me out. Please just listen to me!"
Snape spun around on the spot, just feet in front of the staircase. There was a single tear in his eye, which he seemed not to notice as he clenched his hand tighter around the potion vial. "What, Lupin. What could you possibly want from me?"
"I know you heard…"
"Heard what? The plans for the latest prank your precious friends have planned?"
Remus stared at the other boy in shock. "Prank? What're you…"
"Don't even try to convince me otherwise, werewolf," Snape snarled. "If you expect me to believe that you suddenly have sunk so low that you would desire my presence, you're mistaken. I thought you had realized that this was all stupidity after your supposed friend betrayed you. I thought you maybe finally woke up to realize that Black and Potter are immature imbeciles. But I guess I was wrong as usual. Go. Away. Now."
With that, Snape turned and proceeded up the staircase once more. But Remus was determined. He could not lose this battle. "Just hear me out. Severus, please." Remus had to fight the sob coming forward in his voice. He fought it and gained partial control of his voice. He followed the other boy up the staircase.
Half way up, the stairs began their occasional movement. Both boys froze, midway through a step. The brisk movement didn't affect Remus, but the Slytherin stumbled. Remus dashed forward and prevented the other's fall, slipping an arm around Snape's thin waist. The dark-haired boy looked up in surprise at the werewolf's actions. Again, amber met onyx, and neither could break the connection.
When the stairs finally stopped moving, Snape pulled away from Remus. But he didn't immediately walk away. Instead, he muttered a soft, "Thank you," before continuing up the stairs. Remus followed, prepared to chase after him again. But Snape stopped just past the staircase. He was surveying his own worn black shoes, but glanced up as Remus joined him.
"Hey, we've got Potions next… We never did figure out a way to strengthen it."
"I… uh… I took some notes this morning. During breakfast. I'll… I'll bring them to class."
"Oh, you did? Yeah, bring them. I'll look over it and… I can't do this. I know you heard. I know you don't believe it, but everything I said was true. I have feelings for you, Severus. I don't expect anything, I just… never wanted you to find out like that. And not yet. I wanted to prove to you that I'm not an asshole just because that's what my friends are. But now you know and…"
"I have to go. I'll… I'll see you in potions." And with that, Snape strode away again. But Remus didn't follow this time. He watched him go and, a minute later, was joined by the other Marauders.
"Sorry, Remi, we tried to not let him see us. But he saw Sirius and… yeah."
"No big deal. I'll see him in a few minutes anyway." They headed toward Gryffindor Tower, but as they got there, the bell signaling the end of the period. The four ran inside and grabbed their Potions supplies, knowing there was no way they would make it to the dungeons on time.
A short chapter, but I promise that the next one will be longer. I have a few issues to address in the next chapter, but lets just say... you'll enjoy it.
Will Sev believe Remi? Will Peter stay with the Marauders? I'm open to ideas, so review please!