Chapter Thirty-One - A Blessing And A Curse

Tears burned the back of Severus' eyes, his throat painfully closing up, but he shook it all away, putting on his emotionless mask, not allowing himself to feel the hurt at being shut out from Remus as he left the wolf's quarters, stopping by his office to pick up his lesson plans for the day and any creatures that were needed. Being pushed away like that, it was hard and yet Severus understood that Remus needed space to process Greyback's attack on the boy, it worried Severus to no end, every instinct was telling him to not leave him alone, remembering how Remus had told him about being in the dark place, the darkest lowest form of his depression… Would this tragic incident with the boy pull Remus back under? Severus didn't want to think about finding Remus how he'd found Harry during the summer, lifeless on the floor, a puddle of blood and a pale hand… Severus shuttered at the memory.

He arrived at Remus' first class late with his dark mood growing more foul with each passing second. His arms laden down with cages of creatures, lesson plans and books. The sixth year students were all lined up against the wall in the corridor, their chatter growing silent as Severus approached them. He nodded silently to Longbottom to open the door for him who immediately complied with a jump of fear, seeing the nervous mess of a boy, Severus couldn't help but roll his eyes with his best scowl.

"In, no talking, open your books to the chapter you're working on with Professor Lupin," he demanded with a controlled and authoritative voice that had the students quickly filing into the classroom and doing exactly as they were told. He narrowed his eyes as Weasley and Granger passed him with Harry nowhere in sight.

Severus suppressed a frustrated sigh. The last thing he needed was Harry getting into trouble right now. He had half a mind to cancel all of Remus' lessons for the day, but doing that would leave his classes behind for the end-of-year exams. Severus had more pressing matters to take care of, contacting Albus to set up an Order meeting to talk about what they were going to do with Greyback's threat, and another painful task that Severus was not looking forward to in the slightest, writing to Tonks to see if she could get Remus out of the bathroom or watch him at least, make sure he doesn't do what Severus was fearing. It would at least put his mind at ease while he went through this suddenly long and exhausting day.

Once the last of the students filed in, Severus shut the door behind him, heading straight to Remus' desk at the front and finally relieving his arms from the cages, lesson plans and books. He then waved his wand at the windows, shutting them close and causing the room to be dark with only the lanterns flickering. The room was silent as he turned on the projector, illuminating Remus' carefully written lecture on Inferi.

Just as he was at the beginning of the lecture, the door opened and his son finally stepped inside, quickly heading to his seat beside Weasley.

Severus gave him a pointed glare, "You're late, Potter."

The lesson took forever to end, Severus was even more anxious than before, not knowing how he was going to get through the whole day, knowing Remus was alone in the bathroom, wondering if he was okay, if he was hurting himself or drinking… And his anxiety came out in his temper, a nasty temper that Harry managed to diffuse.

Once the lesson ended and Harry left, taking Remus' lesson plans for the first through fourth years to Professors Vector and Flitwick, Severus had given them to Harry to deliver for him, another annoying task that was done, Severus quickly began to start writing letters. One to Tonks, to come to the castle as soon as she could to watch Remus for him, to make sure he doesn't hurt himself, briefly telling her of the events of the morning and of his fears. The other to the Order, calling an emergency meeting after dinner, duplicating it for each individual.

Just as he was done sending them with a house-elf to send via owlpost for him, the next class of students came in, and just like that Severus' mood became rotten again.

The day passed painfully slow. They couldn't get a hold of Albus. The Order meeting was just about to start and Severus was standing at the head of the long table, finding himself having to be the one to lead the meeting, and he was resenting Albus greatly for it. What could he be doing that was so fucking important, that not even an emergency such as this one could bring him back to Hogwarts?

Severus cleared his throat, surveying the seated members as he prepared himself to speak, noting that Tonks wasn't there and he hoped that meant she was with Remus. Severus regretted not being able to find the time to check on him for hours now, the day demanded his time, juggling his lessons and Remus', and also preparing for the meeting and trying to get a hold of Albus. During the mid-morning break, Severus managed to find a small moment to check on Remus, who still hadn't come out and he wasn't responding to Severus' calls. He casted a charm over the bathroom, the one Remus always used for Harry, to alert Severus if he leaves the room or decides to hurt himself. It hadn't gone off and that was one small thing that lessened his worries.

"I'm sure you've all read the prophet by now," Severus spoke, his voice low, commanding everyone's attention. The room grew silent, all eyes were on him and he hid his nervousness of being in the spotlight.

Severus hated this, Albus should be here talking to them, commanding them on what to do about Greyback. Severus only belonged at the headmaster's side as his own personal shadow, quiet and ready for any advice needed… And surveying the waiting Order members, he knew they were most likely thinking of the same thing, but he quietly resigned to the fact that Albus wasn't gracing them with his presence tonight. Severus pushed away his resentment and nervousness, made sure his mask was firmly in place so that none of them knew what he was feeling, making him comfortable enough to continue without his voice shaking.

He took out the blood-stained letter that was sent to Remus this morning, giving it to Minerva who was sitting closest to him so she could read it and pass it on.

"This attack was no accident, it was premeditated by Greyback to get Remus to join his pack, we'd discuss what happened to him during the attack on the Burrow, the mating bite… They want him. Remus has done research on the pack…" And Severus went into full detail of the mating bite, deeper information on Greyback's pack and how Remus became leader to them.

Severus had to stop to wait for them to finish reacting, gasps of shock and disgust mingling together mixed with pity for Remus to be trapped in such a horrible situation. They were all passionately determined to do something about the threat, especially the professors and the Weasleys, making Severus realize just how loved Remus was by all of them, a magic Remus possessed, being loved by everyone he comes across without having to try too hard to win their affection. It was simply from just being himself. If only Remus could see right now how much he means to everyone in this room, to contradict his insecurities on being a monster.

"We must track Greyback and Rowan down before another innocent victim is attacked by them during the next full-moon…"

The meeting went on for hours, and once it was finally over and Severus had confirmed their agreed plan on how to find the werewolves one more time with everyone, clearing up any leftover confusion or questions, and everyone was assigned their assignments, he was finally free of the day's duties to go and check on Remus. Just as he was previously doling out the assignments the alarm had gone off, alerting Severus that Remus left the bathroom. It was hard, but he kept his composure, forcing himself to not drop what he was doing and run upstairs to Remus. The only thing that kept Severus calm was that Tonks was with him.

He ran up the moving staircases, taking two steps at a time, his black robes billowing around him due to his haste to get to Remus' quarters. When he arrived, to his worry and disappointment, Remus wasn't there nor the witch. Remus' office was empty as well, and without a second thought about it, Severus quickly made his way to the Astronomy tower. To his immense relief that had him taking a deep breath, Remus was there with Tonks, sitting on the floor against the wall, then Severus' relief instantly evaporated as he caught the words coming from Tonks and spied the empty wine bottle in Remus' hands.

And he knew he was too harsh with her, that the witch was only trying to help. He knew it must've been difficult to get Remus to open the door, and the promise of offered wine was most likely the only thing that worked, but Severus didn't care. He trusted Tonks to watch Remus from doing the things he feared today, and she failed him. Now Severus was leading a stumbling and intoxicated Remus to bed.

Remus wasn't really chatty, he just kept stumbling and muttering apologies over and over. Severus sat Remus on his bed and handed him a Sobering Potion, sitting down beside him, watching the potion run its course until Remus' eyes were clear with self-awareness once again. Severus silently watched Remus press his palms to his eyes with a groan of frustration and guilt.

"I'm sorry, Severus, truly…" Remus croaked. "Don't blame Tonks, please, it was my choice."

"You weren't in the right mind to make a sound decision, that was why I had her watch you, I trusted that witch to prevent you from drinking or doing anything else, and she failed."

Remus let out a huff of frustration, "I didn't need watching."

"You locked yourself in the bathroom, what was I supposed to do? I was worried for you, Remus!"

Remus didn't say anything to that at first, he only seemed to cower into himself with guilt… Then finally after a moment, he said so softly, his voice cracking with emotion, "I didn't mean to worry you, I was just in shock… That boy, Severus, didn't deserve to die like that."

"I know…" Severus sighed, pulling a hand away from Remus' face, wanting to see his wolf. He was met by hazel eyes ridden with such guilt and sadness.

Severus raised his wand and summoned a glass of water from the kitchen, handing it to Remus who gratefully took it and sipped it slowly.

"No more apologies, we'll start over again," Severus said with sympathy. "Don't be so hard on yourself, it's been a rough day. I admit I almost helped myself to a glass of wine during dinner as well… I was missing you, and worried…"

Sounding completely down-hearted, Remus only let out a sigh, not saying anything, his eyes watering a bit. Studying him, seeing his low spirits, Severus pulled the glass out of his hands and pulled his wolf into his arms.

"It's going to be okay, wolf, we'll get through this. Do you want to hear about the Order meeting today?"

Remus nodded, "Is that where you were all evening?"

They both laid down, Severus placed a few kisses on his soft lips, telling him everything that happened and the plans that were being carried out, feeling Remus finally start to relax in his arms as he began to put in his input.

"I want to aid in the search, I have to do something, it's better than just sitting here while the Order goes out risking their necks for me."

"They want to, it didn't take much convincing. They all care for you."

"Hmmm…"

"Everyone who meets you, loves you."

"A blessing and a curse, love," Remus sighed sleepily.

"We're going to find them, we won't let another child die because of those blasted werewolves," Severus vowed, feeling his own eyes start to grow heavy under Remus' gentle series of kisses on his shoulder and collarbone.

Severus reached up and brushed aside a lock of golden hair from his eyes, then trailed his fingers through it to rest on the back of Remus' neck, massaging the tense muscles where his shoulders met.

"Do you want to talk about today?" he asked.

Enjoying the massage, Remus answered, "I didn't mean to worry you or act dramatically. I just got trapped in my head, my guilt…"

"You didn't kill that boy, he was just another victim of Greyback, just like you, just like Kaylie Porter… You know the attack was because…"

"To try and get to me… I know… I'm not going to lose my head again, so don't you worry. I'm going to track those werewolves down if it's the last thing I do."

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.

The days passed with the Order of the Phoenix searching endlessly for any sign of Greyback and Rowan, even for their infamous pack, but there was no sign of them. Remus mentioned to Severus and the Order members over and over again that Greyback's hidden talent was shields and barriers, to keep a close eye on signs that they were near the wards of the camp. Severus believed him of course, remembering the strong barriers that were used to hide the werewolf camp. But that didn't cause them to lose hope on their search.

During the next few weekends of May, Remus had taken to camping out in the woods or rural areas near villages where there were known to be sightings of Greyback and his pack, most often he was accompanied by Severus or Tonks and even Bill or Charlie Weasley. Remus had even dared to visit some of the friendlier werewolf packs that may know Greyback's location. Those were the days he would go alone, and Severus worried for him, unable to sleep, and holding Remus tight when he finally returned exhausted and dirty, yet unharmed.

Meanwhile, Severus had taken that time to visit Lucius in Malfoy Manor, like Greyback and Bellatrix, he too had managed to break out of Azkaban. Severus went in hopes to see if Greyback was hanging around the Manor since it had become some sort of base for the Death Eaters, hoping he might even hear a few rumors from them about any future planned attacks. But there was nothing… All of their efforts were wasted, leading them to dead ends, and the hope they so stubbornly tried to cling onto began to fade with each passing day that was bringing the next full-moon closer and closer.

Remus, who had been able to pull himself together by throwing himself into the search and keeping busy with his lessons, and still managing to set time aside for Harry and his D.A Club and tea with Severus in the evenings, was starting to fall apart again. The last week before the full-moon, he grew distant, hiding in his quarters again. He was irritable with the other professors and with students that tested his patience. He barely ate, barely slept, and when he did sleep, he was plagued by nightmares. And Severus worried for him, this full-moon was going to be a bad one, he had no doubt about that….

As soon as Severus and Madam Pomfrey exited the tunnel and into the shack, right away Severus sensed something was wrong. The cabin felt too quiet and empty. He didn't feel Remus' presence. Without a word, he raced up the stairs to find an empty room, and feeling himself start to shake with shock and fear, he began to swiftly search the room, trying his best to not panic. Madam Pomfrey joined in on the search, going to the other rooms and calling Remus' name, her voice full of the panic that was threatening to take over Severus' mind.

Once they were completely sure Remus wasn't in the shack, they examined the windows and the walls, looking to see where he might have broken through, but there was no sign of a breakout. They even searched on the ground floor for any holes to see if the wolf had dug his way out. There was nothing, leaving them with the only possibility that Remus left through the tunnel.

They went back outside, splitting up and searching the grounds around the Whomping Willow to determine which way to go.

"Severus!" Madam Pomfrey suddenly shouted just behind the Whomping Willow, Severus bolted towards her. Her wand was lighting up the path ahead leading to the dark forest, just ahead Severus could see trampled grass and a tuft of gray fur caught in a bush.

"Come on!" Severus shouted, running down the trail and hoping that Remus couldn't have gone too far.

They were about twenty minutes in when they finally lost the trail. They split up again, looking closely at the undergrowth with the light from their wands for any more clues.

Severus was breathing hard now, trying to not lose himself in his panic. He couldn't help but think if only his Animagus transformation had been completed by now, then perhaps this could've been prevented, and now Remus was lost somewhere in the dark forest, waking up alone and naked, possibly injured and with no wand to defend himself. They had to find him before something else did.

After another ten minutes of searching, suddenly the undergrowth just ahead of the path began to crack, signaling footsteps coming towards them. Severus and Madam Pomfrey both whipped their attention towards the source with their wands ready. And to their relief, especially Severus' who almost fell to his knees at the sight, it was Remus, naked and heavily limping with his arms around himself, looking forlorn and in pain as ever.

"Remus!" Severus shouted, bolting to Remus' side and pulling him into a tight hug, burying his face into him and catching the scents of the forest from his skin. "Bloody fucking hell I was so fucking scared for you!"

Severus pulled himself away, holding Remus at arm's length to assess him for any injuries. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" To his relief there were nothing but minor scratches from running through the forest all night, and Remus had bits of leaves and twigs in his hair. Severus reached up and pulled some of it out.

Remus was shaking so hard, his body riddled with scratches and his skin was puckered with rising goosebumps. He only looked down to the ground, numbly shaking his head in response to Severus' questions. Severus took off his robes and wrapped them around his boyfriend, taking a closer look at his face, realizing Remus was a bit dazed as if he were in shock. He quickly scooped him up into his arms, just as Remus began passing out.

They took Remus up to his quarters. Severus placed him as gently as he could into the bed, then assisted Madam Pomfrey with cleaning up and healing the scratches. Severus couldn't help but feel relieved at the fact that they didn't find him covered in someone else's blood.

Once they were done with that, Madam Pomfrey casted a few medical examinations, checking his vitals. "Everything seems to be in order. He's just passed out from shock and exhaustion," she said to Severus with relief.

Severus sat on the edge of the bed as she spoke, gathering up her things, his eyes never leaving his sleeping boyfriend who was now comfortably dressed in pajamas with a blanket over him.

"I'm going to make a report to Albus right away, just in case this gets out to the school board and parents that Remus was out running loose on the grounds last night. It's about time he gets that shack better secured, this was bound to happen sooner or later."

"Thank you, Poppy, send a letter please, tell him I don't care what he's doing, he needs to come back to the castle."

"Do you think Remus was led out of the shack by the werewolves the Order has been searching for? He's never left the shack without his friends before."

"You knew about that?"

"Of course I did. Those boys couldn't hide anything from me, I always trusted them to keep Remus safe and they did."

"Well, your theory could be a possibility, Minerva and I were patrolling the castle last night and there weren't any breaches in security. The students were safe the whole night… So if they were the ones that led Remus out, they stayed in the forest."

Their conversation ceased, Severus couldn't help but worry if Madam Pomfrey were right about Rowan and Greyback luring Remus out, how this would affect Remus when he awoke, also the next threat from Greyback that should be arriving any moment now.

He didn't see the way the medic-witch's eyes softened as she stood by the door, watching Severus gazing at Remus with so much worry and love.

"Now, it is only you I trust to take care of our Remus, you make him happy, Severus. I've never seen him smile the way he does when he looks at you, and I've never seen you care so deeply for someone in return…"

Severus slowly tore his eyes away from Remus as she spoke, meeting her soft gaze with surprise. "Are we that obvious?" he asked.

"No, not really, I only see it when I'm only with you and Remus, Harry as well."

"That's because I trust you too," Severus said, realizing he'd been letting his guard down around the school medi-witch without realizing it. She was a friend, another co-worker like Minerva that he would sorely miss once Albus' task was complete. Severus frowned with regret and returned his gaze back to Remus, hearing Madam Pomfrey leave Remus' quarters.

Severus slowly climbed into bed, suddenly feeling wrecked from all of the intense emotions he went though the early dawn, he made himself comfortable beside Remus, instantly falling asleep.

.

.

Severus was dreaming of the meadow, of golden eyes and a soft hand in his own, fingers intertwined… He suddenly awoke to find those golden eyes in his dream staring back at him and confused, Severus wondered if he was still there in that meadow.

Severus reached out and a hand grabbed his own, feeling soft lips kissing his fingers. He sleepily blinked his eyes, realizing he wasn't still dreaming. Remus was lying beside him awake and watching him as he awoke.

"Darling…" Severus said, yawning, then pulling Remus on top of him.

He was surprised that Remus wasn't pushing him away, that he was willing to be held by him, that he was kissing his hand and being so sweet to Severus just after a full-moon.

Severus gazed into Remus' tired eyes. "Darling, I was so frightened for you this morning, what happened? Do you remember? How do you feel?"

The questions tumbled out one after the other, until tears blurred his vision, and he croaked out, "I almost lost you." Severus held him tighter as Remus began to cover his face in soft kisses, closing his eyes as Remus placed kisses on his eyelids, kissing a few tears away.

"Severus, love, I'm sorry," he whispered in between his careful ministrations.

"What do I always tell you about apologizing?" Severus muttered.

"To stop," Remus answered sheepishly, now trailing his kisses down to Severus' neck, suckling at the spot just below his ear.

Severus lost himself in the feeling of being under those lips, feeling them suckling and tasting, storing it all away in his memory, so when the time came when having Remus in his arms would be nothing more than a painful memory, Severus could lose himself in this, lose himself on how it felt to be loved by Remus Lupin.

Severus opened his eyes and gently brought Remus' face back up, kissing his lips, inserting his tongue into his mouth and groaning from the butterflies in his stomach.

Once they were done kissing, they laid together, Remus nestled into Severus' side, his head on his shoulder.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Severus asked. He could feel Remus' body tremble against him.

"Rowan," Remus whispered.

Severus shivered from the fear in Remus' voice, feeling his stomach drop at hearing the confirmation of his and Madam Pomfrey's theory on how Remus' wolf escaped the shack last night.

"Not long after the change he called to me from the dark forest. I don't know if he was controlled by Wolfsbane or if it was his full wolf form… Hearing him howling, I lost a bit of control and before I knew it I was running towards him. I think I allowed my wolf to follow his call, I thought it was the black wolf I've been seeing in my dreams and when it wasn't him, I couldn't turn away from Rowan. I don't fully remember what we did, I just remember racing through the forest with him… Rowan was on the grounds last night, Severus, you don't think he was able to get into the castle? I don't remember going anywhere near it, but he had a chunk of time before I found him." And with that question, Remus' trembling grew harder. "If it's a Hogwarts student that was attacked this month, I don't think I can bear it."

"Nothing got into the castle, everyone is safe," Severus consoled him, planting a quick and gentle kiss on his lips before getting out of bed. "It was mine and Minerva's night to patrol, none of the wards went off, the corridors were all quiet. We did hear a wolf howl, but we assumed it was you."

"Where are you doing?" Remus asked.

Severus went over to Remus' writing desk, sitting down and pulling out parchment and a quill.

"I'm writing a letter to Minerva to gather up the professors that are part of the Order to search the grounds, just in case Rowan is still here."

"I would think he's long gone by now," Remus said with a worried frown. "I woke up alone."

"I know, but just to be safe. Even if he is gone, maybe we can still figure out where he went after his change, it could possibly be a breakthrough to where he and Greyback and their pack have been hiding."

When Severus was done with the letter, adding to not allow any students out of the castle until the search was over, he summoned a house-elf and ordered it to take it straight to Minerva. The house-elf bowed down, then disappeared with a crack.

"Aren't you going to join them or maybe see if Dumbledore has returned yet to alert him on everything he's missed?" Remus asked with surprise as Severus climbed back into bed with him.

"No, my first priority right now is being with you and making sure you're getting some rest. You were in quite a shock this morning. Also, Poppy has been taking care of that."

Remus cuddled against Severus as he spoke, throwing the blanket back over them.

With affection, Severus brushed Remus' hair aside. "You know she knows about us."

"How?" Remus asked with surprise.

"By the way you smile at me," Severus said warmly, causing Remus to kiss him so lovingly, Severus melted into him, storing that moment into his memory along with all of his other favorite ones.

They laid in bed together all afternoon, exchanging sweet slow kisses and sharing light conversations, often about their kid or things that didn't have to do with werewolves being after Remus. Loving each time Remus laughed at something Severus would say, Severus never thought of himself as funny before and it surprised him each time Remus was amused by him… Another thing to store away… The sound of his laugh.

And just when they finally decided to get out of bed for lunch, talking about tracking Harry down and getting him to join them, an owl was pecking at Remus' bedroom window. They both froze. Remus, looking a bit green now with fear, looked at Severus then at the window before going to open it. He took the parcel from the owl who looked more well-kept than the previous one.

Severus held his breath as he watched Remus open the letter and began to read it. He couldn't help but think it odd that the owl stayed perched on the windowsill, its quiet hooting was the only sound in the room.

"Remus, what does it say?" Severus asked when he could no longer take the suspense.

Remus looked up with shock in his eyes, his face no longer looking like he was going to be sick, then back down to the parchment, rereading it with disbelief. "It's from Dumbledore," Remus finally said with relief.

"What?" Severus went over to Remus' side reading the letter over his shoulder and not quite processing its contents when he was done. Without thinking about it, he took the letter from Remus, cursing at the headmaster as he stalked over to the fireplace in the living room and threw floo powder into the orange flames. "Headmaster's office!" he shouted.

"What the fuck, Albus!" Severus swore as soon as he entered the circular office, stalking over to the headmaster's desk and throwing the letter at him.

Behind Severus, the flames roared again and out stepped Remus dusting the soot off of his clothes.

Albus Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, an amused grin on his face. "I've missed you too, Severus," he responded. "Ah, Remus, I'm glad to see you unharmed, you look rested."

"Explain, now!" Severus ordered before Remus could answer to the headmaster's greeting.

Albus glanced at the letter on his desk, then at both of them. "Why don't you two take a seat first?"

Severus sat with a huff and Remus calmly took the seat next to him, reaching out and holding Severus' hand, and he allowed it, not caring that it was in front of Albus. Severus knew Remus needed his support after reading the contents of that letter.

After everything, after all their troubles in searching for those werewolves, and Albus just appears after being missing for weeks and just fixes everything like that? Some fucking communication would've been fucking nice! Severus was fuming at his audacity.

Meanwhile, Albus' electric-blue gaze traveled down to their conjoined hands, warmth mixed with a sad regret flashed through them before he switched to a more business-like composure.

"Lemon drops?" Albus asked, picking up a candy tin and offering it to them. Severus shook it away with a scowl. Remus took one with a thank-you, popping it into his mouth.

"How the bloody hell did you know what was going on when you were missing off the face of the earth for over a month?! We've sent out messages to you to come straight to the castle, and we never received a word back from you. How did you know where to find Greyback and stop the next attack from happening? And where the fuck have you bloody been, Albus?!"

"Ah, Severus, don't question it too much, just take my news and get a bit of rest. I've heard from Minerva and Poppy how hard you and Remus have been working with the Order. The young girl Greyback was after last night is safe, and I have Tonks, Charlie and Bill tailing him. I'll alert you once they find the pack, they are going to tail him until the next full-moon to prevent another attack from happening."

Severus scowled again, "Well what about Rowan? Did Poppy tell you how he was on the grounds last night with Remus? What are we going to do about that so it doesn't happen again? We're lucky there was no harm done."

Severus squeezed Remus' hand, remembering his fear of finding an empty shack this morning. Remus squeezed his hand back with reassurance.

"That was an unfortunate slip in security, as soon as I've gotten Poppy's message, I arrived straight back here. The heads of houses and I straightened the wards, extending them around the shack and the dark forest, I'm sure Rowan wouldn't reshow himself again." Albus turned his attention to Remus. "Remus, I am so sorry about Rowan being near you again, and I'm very glad you're safe."

Remus nodded his head, "Thank you…"

"Albus, you're not answering all of my questions!" Severus snarled with impatience.

"The answers I've given you are all you need to know."

"Blasted old coot," Severus retorted.

Albus smiled in response, agitating Severus even more. "Now, why don't you two go and enjoy the rest of the day together, I must get back to this dreadful paperwork that has been piling up on my desk."

"Serves you right," was all Severus could say, Remus squeezed his hand again, diffusing the rising anger in him and stopping him from saying anything more.

They both flooed back to Remus' quarters, and even though Severus was pissed as all hell at Albus, he was just relieved that a child was spared last night because of him and so would the next future victim. It was the best case scenario that they were hoping for for weeks.

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.

Throughout the rest of May, Severus and Remus had been receiving steady reports from Tonks, Bill and Charlie on Greyback; who was now with Rowan again. There was no location of the pack yet, but they were confident enough that they would prevent the attack for June's full-moon with their watchful eyes on both werewolves.

The end of the month had also brought the sixth years' Apparition test, leaving only three students in Severus' class that day, Harry, Draco and Ernie Macmillian. The tension was so unbearable between Harry and Draco, Severus was sure he could cut the air with a blade. Fed up with it, he ended lessons that day early, making Harry stay behind to help him put things away so he wouldn't be tempted to follow Draco.

"That was intense," Severus had said as he was examining the student vials on his desk.

Harry was organizing the potion ingredients in the student cupboards. "He really hates me now… He was the one who kissed me…" The hurt in Harry's voice cracked. "I didn't ask for it… I feel like he's punishing me for it…"

"I don't think so, kid, I think it was because he was caught in a vulnerable moment and now he's doing everything he can to prevent it from happening again."

"Do you think we could ever be friends again after this?"

"I think so…"

And not just the tension between Harry and Draco had grown, but also among the students that were rooting for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. According to Remus' calculations, if Gryffindor won by three hundred points, then their team was set to win the Quidditch cup, and seeing the way Harry had been practicing with his team, they had Weasley and Katie Bell back, Severus was sorry for the possibility of having to hand over the cup to Minerva.

Severus had also taken the time to talk to Draco again, and was successful in having him finally reveal to Severus the vanishing cabinet…

"I thought it was fixed, but the bird died… I don't know what to do," Draco said, taking off the sheet and revealing the broken cabinet.

Feigning surprise at Draco finally revealing it to him, Severus stepped forward, examining it. Seeing this cabinet confirmed the information he took from Borgin.

"You have a little over a month before term ends, Draco, you're running out of time…"

"I know!" Draco shouted with anxiety and stress in his voice.

"What is your plan?"

Draco told him everything. Severus hid his relief. Now he was able to take it to Albus and they could start planning the night of his murder on June thirtieth.

And just when Severus was about to leave the room, Draco called out, "And Harry, what if he goes after us?"

"Don't worry about Potter. Just focus on the cabinet, keep using the spell I taught you…"

Severus had missed most of dinner due to being stuck in a meeting with Albus, he was on the staircase passing the sixth floor when he suddenly heard Moaning Myrtle screaming bloody murder in her bathroom, causing Severus to bolt towards the noise.

Entering the bathroom, the most horrid sight almost gave him a heart attack. The floor was flooded with water, blood swirling in its depths, turning it dark red. The ghost was still screaming and Draco was on the floor bleeding out, and Harry was beside him, wet and full of blood, trying to stop Draco's wounds from bleeding. He looked up, his face blanched with horror to see Severus at the door.

Severus shot his wand at the ghost, silencing her, she right away flew into a toilet with a splash, her hands clutching her throat.

Severus stalked towards his son who tried to speak, but failed, shoving him aside without a word as he knelt beside Draco. He examined the wounds on his godson's torso and realizing what they were, he whipped his head at Harry with shock. His son looked down to the floor with guilt, shivering from being soaked with water and blood.

How did he know to use this spell? Sectumsempra….

A spell Severus had privately created when he was nothing more than a student at Hogwarts. No one knew of its existence. The only place Severus had written it down was in his…his Advanced Potions Making textbook… And everything clicked, everything made sense… Harry's sudden talent in Potions, impressing Slughorn, the bezoar… He found Severus' old school book, but how, when? And those thoughts swirled around Severus as he began to chant the counter curse, piecing Draco back together.

Once Severus was done, he helped Draco stand up who was so deathly pale and weak from blood loss and shock. "Come on, let's get you to the hospital wing. You're going to be okay, you just need rest and a Blood Replenishing Potion or two."

Severus hadn't forgotten Harry. As he helped Draco walk to the door, he called out over his shoulder with not even a glance at him, "Stay there!"

Once Draco was settled and under the care of Madam Pomfrey, Severus returned to the girls bathroom on the sixth floor to find Harry still there, not having moved an inch. He had his arms wrapped around himself, head bowed, shaking, his eyes on the floor. A posture of defense, one Severus had used often when he knew his father was going to beat him.

He stared at Harry, not knowing what to do, not believing that he would actually use an unknown spell on someone like that, not knowing how to handle this. Severus was so angry at the fact that Draco could've died, and in the back of his mind a reasonable voice was telling him to get Remus, but he couldn't just yet. Severus was frozen. Then he saw the way Harry's fists were clenched tight and with a frustrated growl under his breath, he swept over to him, grabbing Harry's hands and pulling his fingers away from his palms, revealing bloody crescent-shaped marks.

"Look at me, Potter, now," Severus demanded in a calm and cold voice.

Harry slowly looked up at him with caution, his eyes swimming with fear, shock and guilt.

"You know that I'm not ever going to hit you, not like them, you know that, Potter… I want you to go and get your book bag with all of your school books. Don't talk to anyone, don't make any detours, go get your books and come straight back here, is that understood?" Severus said with that same icy-cold tone of voice, calm and slow to prevent himself from shouting.

Harry didn't reply.

"Potter, I said, is that understood?"

"Yes," Harry's voice shook.

"Then what are you waiting for?"

Harry bolted out of the bathroom, leaving Severus to wait. He quickly sent a patronus to Remus, telling him everything that just happened and to get here as fast as possible.

Harry took a while of course, but it was just as well, Severus thought with annoyance. At least Remus was able to get there before him who gasped at the amount of blood swirling around in the water.

"Where in Merlin's beard did he learn such a spell?"

Severus ran a hand through his hair with shame and anger directed towards himself. "Through me," he admitted.

Affronted by Severus' quick admission, Remus asked, "Severus? What are you…"

"Harry has my old copy of Advanced Potion Making. I'm certain he found it during the summer and he's been using it all year… Remus, his sudden high marks, the bezoar… It all makes sense… That spell he used, it's called Sectumsempra. It's a dark spell I created after Black tried to kill me. It's to be used for enemies, I wrote it down in that book. Harry knew it was dark and he used it on Draco… That book was like a journal to me, it's the only way he could've learned it. It's written down nowhere else… I should have known, Remus, I should've known!" Severus quickly explained. "That book… It was a lost and angry boy who wrote in it, who created that spell and I should've gotten rid of it! How could I let it fall into our kid's hands and not even realize it when the signs were so clear?!" Severus was ready to pull his hair out with his guilt and anger at himself when he finished.

"Hey… Hey… It's okay, love," Remus consoled, suddenly at his side and pulling him into a hug. "This wasn't your fault, you just didn't know."

As upset as he was with himself, Severus took his boyfriend's comfort, wrapping his arms around him and burying his face into the crook of Remus' shoulder. "I gave Harry a weapon and he almost killed Draco with it. How the fuck are we going to handel this?"

"He found it, you didn't physically give it to him, it's okay, we'll…" but then Remus' words were interrupted by footsteps. They pulled apart just in time as Harry appeared at the doorway, stopping when he spotted Remus and his cheeks burned with shame.

"Bag, now!" Severus snapped.

Harry stopped in front of them, silently handing over his book bag to Severus.

"You took your time," Severus commented as he took out the books, then handed the bag to Remus. "Look through the rest of it, please," he said to the werewolf.

Harry didn't say anything, his eyes were back down on the floor again. Remus searched the bag but there was no second Potions book in it. Severus opened each textbook, handing them over one by one to Remus, leaving the Potions one last. It looked too neat to be his old one. It was possible Harry had changed its cover or swapped it with someone else's, explaining his lateness.

He flipped through the clean pages, finding the blasted Roonil Wazlib written inside the cover again. He loudly snapped it shut, causing Harry to flinch. "This isn't your fucking book! Where is it, Potter! I know you have it!"

"That's my book!" Harry shouted with defiance, finally directing his gaze on Severus.

"Then why does it have Roonil Wazlib written inside of it!?"

Severus opened it, shoving the front cover page in front of Harry's face. He didn't back down, just kept glaring at Severus with stubborn defiance. Severus could feel himself shaking with rage at Harry's audacity to keep lying to him, when it was clear that he was caught.

"It seems to me that your bloody mate Weasley has written down his name with a faulty spell-check quill. That spell you used was extremely dark, Potter, where did you learn it? I didn't teach you that, nor has Remus, and I'm sure in all fucking hell that it isn't allowed in the school curriculum!"

"I got it from a library book!" Harry snapped out.

Severus stepped forward, in his anger he didn't stop to think about it, he was suddenly reaching into Harry's mind, holding his eye contact, and he saw it, his old Potions book swimming on the forefront of Harry's mind.

"You're lying," Severus seethed as he broke eye-contact.

"Get out of my head, you bastard!" Harry suddenly shouted, stepping back, his whole body shaking uncontrollably.

Severus stepped forward, "How dare you speak to me that way!"

"Whoa, okay," Remus held Severus back with a hand wrapped around his arm. "Severus, take a breath, will you?"

"Remus, he's lying," Severus gritted through his teeth.

"I know, but yelling at him like that is just making matters worse, just go, walk away for a moment. I'll talk to him."

Severus was so close to disagreeing with Remus, but one stern look from those golden-flecked eyes had Severus letting out a huff of frustration and he walked to the other side of the room.

He watched Remus turn his attention back onto Harry with a serious frown. "Harry, we know you are lying. Hand us the Potions book you've been using all year."

"I did, it's in his hands!" Harry shouted, gesturing at Severus.

"Fine, since you won't do as you're told and confess, then this is going to lead to greater consequences. Are you still sure you want to stick to your story?"

Harry nodded once, glaring at Remus.

Severus watched Remus take a deep breath, realizing just how scary Remus could be sometimes when he wanted to be and admiring just a bit of Harry's bravery to still lie to his face.

"Okay, you were warned… Detention, you're going to have detention with either me or Severus every Saturday at ten in the morning all the way until the end of term."

And Harry's face fell… "But, Remus, Quidditch," he said weakly, all air of defiance suddenly gone. "It's the last match of the season, I've been working so hard!"

"Well, then you better start looking for a replacement," Remus said without any sympathy at all. "You also know very well enough to never use an unknown spell like that on yourself or on another person, especially one that seems dark. You're lucky you didn't kill Draco, Harry, lucky! This consequence I'm giving you is more than just because of you lying to us, I want you to understand the seriousness of what you've done, of what could've happened," Remus lectured as he stuffed all of Harry's books back inside his bag.

Severus went back to Remus' side, handing him Weasley's Potions book. Remus took it, putting it in the bag as well then holding it out for Harry to take.

"Now, go to your dormitory, clean yourself up and think to yourself if keeping this secret was really worth letting your team down and disappointing me and your dad, if using that spell was worth risking Draco's life for."

"I didn't mean to hurt him so badly," Harry's voice shook.

"I know you didn't, cub," Remus answered back with a softer voice. "But you still must learn the consequences of it."

Before Harry took the bag, his gaze went from Remus to Severus, who only nodded his agreement to Remus' lecture and detention. Harry shot Severus a look of hatred and betrayal, snatching the bag from Remus and storming out of the bathroom without another word.

Remus and Severus could only look at each other with disbelief. Then Remus' stern expression he used with Harry changed into guilt.

"Don't feel sorry, darling, you did what you had to do," Severus consoled him, feeling wretched himself. He should've gotten rid of that blasted book, and the guilt of it must've carried out through his voice because Remus suddenly hugged him.

"And don't go blaming yourself for this," Remus said.

Severus closed his eyes, holding Remus for a long moment, letting the feel of his body pressed up against him chase everything away. Once Severus pulled himself together, he pulled away and said, "I'm going to get Filch to get this place cleaned up, then let's have a cup of tea…"

"We need something stronger than tea," Remus answered back, as they waded out of the bathroom through the dirty water.

Special Thank you to:

Guest (Lizzie)

CityGirl7768

LightsCameraPotter

I'm very glad you're enjoying my story, thank you for still reading it and leaving reviews! I really appreciate it! =)

Next update will be either tomorrow or sometime this week.

I have four more planned chapters before the end, thank you again everyone if you're still reading my long fic!