Capture and a New Leaf
"How are you doing?" Kanda asked Severus cautiously as he peered at the man who currently hunched over on the sofa, head on his knees.
"I think that was the most stressful thing I've ever done. And I've lied to Voldemort's face" he groaned into his lap. Kanda huffed with amusement and sat next to the man, rubbing his back. He jumped slightly when Severus tilted himself into his lap, the man stilling himself to see if it was allowed. Kanda relaxed and began to run his hand through the slightly greasy locks and smiled at his sigh. Then Snape looked over at the table and groaned,
"Though we have to take that thing away first" Snape grumbled, nodding towards the rat. Kanda huffed and nodded, pushing Severus up from his lap. The pair stood and Wormtail was suddenly alert once more. Severus released the sticking charm to pick up the cage and the rat rushed against the door, smashing the metal open.
"Mugen!" Kanda shouted as the rat tried to dart away. The kneazle was pouncing the rodent in an instant and, in his panic, the rat became a man.
"Pettigrew" Snape loomed over the shivering form, his voice filled with disgust. Pettigrew tried to shove his way past the looming man, knowing that if he transformed, the cat would be the one taking him out. He tried to dash past again and Snape responded by slamming the man into the wall, holding him in place and shouted back at Kanda
"Get Albus! Use the floo!"
Kanda nodded and dashed through the flames, returning swiftly with the headmaster.
"What is all this… Pettigrew"
Everyone present was surprised at the kindly headmaster's dark tone and Severus released the not-dead man and thrust him towards Albus.
"Remus will want to know about this," Dumbledore informed Severus without turning from Pettigrew.
"Incarcerous" Dumbledore waved his wand and the man was bound with thick ropes.
"Don't try to transform. The ropes will shift with you. I believe Kingsley will be pleased to see you Peter" and he grabbed the ropes and pulled him towards the fire.
"Severus, may I?" he gestured towards the floo powder.
"Be my guest" Snape waved his hand and Albus nodded before dragging the convict into the fireplace and disappearing with a shout of 'Kingsleys's office, Auror department".
"I'll let Lupin know. You seem like you need a rest" Kanda looked at the older man with a wary glance. Snape rolled his eyes but nodded, collapsing into the armchair.
"Do tell him that I did not say anything. I don't need him thinking me a tattle" he responded. Kanda nodded and gave Severus a kiss on the forehead before heading out of the room to find an angry wolf.
"Professor Lupin, you in here?" Kanda stuck his head round the classroom door.
"Ah Kanda! Be down in a minute" Lupin called down the stairs.
Not long after, the sandy haired man appeared from the adjoining office and headed towards him, cleaning ink off his hands.
"We caught the rat," Kanda stated bluntly. He didn't see the need to be overly flouncy about the delivery of the news. Lupin's eyes darkened instantly.
"I see. Does Harry know about Peter?" he queried and Kanda nodded,
"He knows about all of you. And to note, Hermione figured you out. Severus didn't tell him anything" he quickly added, remembering Snape's final remark. Any rage that may have been within this man dissolved at the admittance.
"I mean I have been missing lessons routinely with the moon. I'm surprised nobody else did to be honest." he sighed and Kanda felt a hint of sympathy for the man.
"So Severus told him about us? What we were like." Lupin leant against a desk, heavy.
"He did. As well as what he did. But Harry somehow has the heart of a saint. He doesn't hate Severus - far from it. He sympathised. And Severus didn't throw you too much under the bus. He admitted you did very little and understood the need for friends when you're already an outcast." Kanda told the man. Lupin looked at him in shock
"Then why does he hate me so much if he - "
"- Just because he understands doesn't mean he likes it. You did nearly kill the man whether you meant to or not. That's not going to go away" Kanda butted in. Lupin slumped, nodding.
"No you're right." he sprang up from the desk, a look of determination in his eyes.
"I never actually mentioned that night after it happened. I raged at Sirius, yes, but I never. I never apologised to Severus. Even coming back here years later I kept quiet. Time to right those wrongs I think. May I come back with you? I believe the man is overdue an apology"
Kanda's eyebrows shot up but he shook his head fondly. Gryffindors.
"Sure. He's already had forgiveness from Potter and Co. I wonder how much an apology from you would shake him up" he grinned and Lupin watched him warily. Slytherins.
"Alright. Well, lead the way"
"Severus we have a visitor!" Kanda announced from the office and Snape barely had time to stand from the sofa before the apprentice burst into the room dragging an awkward but determined Remus Lupin behind him. Snape paled slightly and nodded to the werewolf,
"Lupin. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I'm sorry" the man blurted out.
Snape stared at him.
"For what?" he asked, confusion evident.
"For, well, for everything. For the shack, and all the years before and after when I did nothing. Did nothing to stop my friends. I apologise for my cowardice, I guess"
Snape stayed silent for a long while and Remus seemed to grow more agitated as the silence stretched.
"Is today the day of emotional confessions?" Severus sighed, sinking back onto the sofa with an arm draped over his face.
"Seems that way," Kanda smirked. Snape dropped his arm and glared at the apprentice.
"You could have given me more warning. You know patronus messaging, use it" he accused. Kanda shrugged,
"Fair point" Snape looked back at Remus who was still awkwardly standing in the doorway after giving his apology.
"Oh do come in Lupin. You're making the place look untidy" Snape barked and Remus jumped slightly, letting the door shut behind him. Snape stood and headed into the kitchen.
"Since today seems to be the day for righting old misgivings, I guess I should make the decision to forgive you and turn over a new leaf, or so the saying goes I believe," Snape spoke to the defence teacher, his back to the room.
"Thank you. This means a lot to me. You really have changed Severus" Remus told the figure who huffed.
"Yes, people keep informing me of such. Tea?" at the offer, he turned back round, face impassive but relaxed - the loss of a heavy burden evident.
"Tea sounds wonderful," Remus smiled.