Part 8
Some sort of friendship had developed between Severus and Remus.
One that was good for both men.
Together, they had made themselves comfortable in Severus' rooms at Hogwarts.
Each of them in a corner of the sofa, a book in their hands, a cup of tea in front of them on the table.
By now, Severus was so comfortable in Remus's presence, that he was sitting in just his shirt and trousers. And his frock coat was carelessly flung over the back of an armchair.
" By the way, what happened with Katie's mother?" jolted Remus him out of his concentration.
" `What's to be the matter with her?"
" Have you gotten the blood for the spell from her?"
"The potion is almost ready," Severus retorted to him instead.
You see, he couldn't and wouldn't talk to Remus about Katie's mother.
It simply wasn't possible.
The fact that Minerva knew was one thing, but Remus, well, he wouldn't understand.
Heck, sometimes he didn't even understand it himself.
However, it didn't really matter.
Katie had been brought into his life by his relationship with this woman.
His daughter.
The only good thing in his life.
"You know you can talk to me. I'm good at keeping secrets," Remus tried again.
Severus sighed.
He knew the other wouldn't let up until he knew the truth.
Besides, Remus already knew most of his story, it was just one small, important secret that he hadn't told him yet.
Up until now, anyway.
" Well, what happens if you don't like the answer?" Severus tried to get to the bottom of it.
" Well, nothing."
" You know, I don't believe that."
" I mean, it could be Lilly Potter herself, and I wouldn't judge you for it," Remus retorted.
Severus rose from the sofa and walked over to the fireplace.
Staring into the flames while he chose his next words carefully.
"Katie's mother and I were never meant to be parents. To be parents to this wonderful girl. I think we should leave it at that," he then said.
Remus hesitated for a moment whether to contradict him, but if there was one thing he had learned about Severus Snape over the years, it was that he was not to be pressured.
At some point, he would confide in someone on his own accord.
So Remus kind of hoped that he would be that someone.