Dumbledore walked into Professor Slughorn's classroom, drawing everyone's attention as he signaled for Remus and Severus. They stood up and walked into the corridors with the Headmaster. "I think I've found a way to counter the mind linking," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling gayly. It was as if he knew something they didn't.

"No disrespect sir," Severus started. "The mind linking has been coming and going the last few days. I don't think we will need your help, after all." Severus was thankful for Dumbledore's mistake, though he didn't want to risk the wizard trying out a new experiment on them.

"It's going to fade on its own," Remus said softly. He couldn't help missing the constant presence of Severus in the back of his mind, to be honest.

With a pleased smile, Dumbledore ruffled Remus's hair. As he was walking away, Remus could swear he heard the wizard mutter, "It worked then." Blinking his eyes, Remus watched Dumbledore's back, until the man was gone from his sight.

Had everything been a plan, after all? Just how much did Dumbledore know? Remus shuddered. It was very odd indeed thinking their professor of all people had the idea to play matchmaker. Dumbledore was like a father figure, for Godric's sake!

Seeing that nobody was looking, Severus gently reached out and clasped Remus's hand. "Hey, since we have an excuse for being out of class, do you want to go to the library?" He asked. He gave the other a wink. "Come on, break a rule. It's just a tiny one. After all, Slughorn is teaching that acne potion." He rolled his eyes. "Boring..." He tugged on Remus's hand, grinning when he got a smile in return.

"Yeah, okay." Remus leaned over and surprised Severus with a quick kiss on his cheek. He chuckled at the redness flooding the other's face. Severus probably didn't believe it, but he really was adorable.

Severus had something on his mind. He kept looking down at the table and biting on his lower lip. It wasn't how he normally acted, though around Remus he showed his emotions more freely.

Remus missed being able to share their thoughts but knew it was for the best that the link was fading.

"What is it, Sev?" Remus asked.

"I… just…" Severus fumbled around for how to express his thoughts. He had been having them for a while, and it was clear they were not getting to Remus. "I'm sad the mind link is nearly gone."

"As am I, but I don't think that is what was on your mind. What is it really?" Remus reached over and picked up Severu's hand, bringing it toward him and kissing the tip of his fingers.

"Geeze, you're being a lot more…"

Remus shrugged. "I don't think there is a point in holding back, besides…" Remus got a twinkle in his eye. He could feel his werewolf side trying to take control and he let it a little. "Didn't I claim you as mine?"

Severus choked and looked away. "You did."

"Do you mind?"

"No…"

"Okay, so back to what's troubling you." Remus delighted in knowing that Severus was shy. It was as if the tables were turned. Remus still felt shy, too, but he figured it wasn't so bad letting the dominating werewolf side have a little fun, too. Both sides of him had gone through so much over the years.

"I know we've been sharing thoughts and both of us have heard some very personal… ahem… well, declarations…" Severus glanced back at Remus. He was still holding his hand.

"That's true."

"But um… even if we've heard each other's thoughts about… how we feel…" Severus didn't like that it was so hard to just let it out. Why did he have to struggle so much with this stuff?

Remus brought Severus's hand to his lips again. "Damn, Rem, you're not making it easy to get any coherent words out." Severus knew he practically sounded like he was whining, but he couldn't help it.

"Want me to stop?" Remus asked between kisses. He pulled Severus toward him so that their faces were close enough to feel each other's hot breath.

"N-no, but…"

'I am not stuttering like a bloody fool!'

Remus tried to compose himself and gave poor Severus a chaste kiss on the tip of his nose, before letting him sit back down. "I'm sorry. Go on."

'I just want to tell him that I love him, why is that so hard?' Severus glanced sharply at Remus, tilting his head. 'Did he hear that? I want to say it to him properly.'

The werewolf did not indicate that he heard anything, so Severus sighed.

"We haven't exactly put a label onto what this is," Severus murmured. "I mean… are we?"

"Oh, Godric, I should hope so." Remus looked shocked. They hadn't confirmed what their relationship was. "I would hope all this means we're… well, Peter pretty much said we're soulmates, and I think he's right. So." Remus's shyness was coming back. His face was freckled in a soft pink.

"Soulmates… will you go out with me, Remus?"

"Yes!" Remus coughed, embarrassed. "I mean, of course."

'I love you…'

"I love you, Remus." Severus felt like his heart would shatter if Remus didn't feel the same way, but he knew better, considering all they had shared since the mind link started. It was just those actual words had never been spoken.

"Severus…" Remus's eyes started to burn, and a tear fell down his cheek. Ever since he became a werewolf, he was always made to feel ashamed of who he was. Made to feel unloved and like he would never be wanted. Even though his parent's treatment of him was harsh, deep down he knew they loved him. It could never be the same sort of love, though.

Feeling anxious because he had made Remus cry and the other wasn't saying anything, Severus stood up and walked around the table to the werewolf's side. "Remus…if you're not ready for those kinds of words, I understand."

"No!" Remus grabbed Severus and pulled him down to him, causing the man to nearly be sitting in his lap. "I am ready! I'm just… being a werewolf, I thought I'd be alone forever. I do love you, Sev, I love you more than I could ever love anything." Remus buried his face against Severus's chest.

Severus pushed him back and smiled. "I thought the same. That nobody would want me, and I'd be alone forever." He stood up and pulled Remus to his feet.

They wrapped their arms around each other, each feeling how hard the other's heart was beating.

People in the Great Hall were looking and not being quiet about their confusion upon seeing Severus and Remus walking together, holding hands, with Peter running behind them. It oddly looked like a married couple with their child.

Remus had been right. Peter had really taken to Severus. Adored him in fact, and Severus was finding himself feeling more fond toward the timid teenager.

"Remus!" Lily ran up to her friend and gently hugged him. "I am quite cross at you and Severus," she said with a pout.

Peter peered around Severus and smiled at Lily.

"Oh, hi Peter."

Peter blushed. "H-hi, Lily."

Remus rubbed the back of his head. "What did we do?" Severus squeezed the werewolf's hand. Remus looked down at it and understood.

"Oh?"

"What do you mean oh?" Lily put her hands on her hips. I had to hear this from James and Sirius while they were practically whining the whole time."

Severus smirked. He saw Black and Potter across the Great Hall. They stared at each other, their expressions unreadable. The Slytherin watched as Potter nudged Black and said something to him. Surprisingly, Black sighed and then waved at him and…

'Ridiculous. He's obviously waving at Remus or Peter. Though…' Severus looked at Remus and saw that he and Peter were both focused on Lily.

Severus looked back at Black and Potter. They were still looking at him. 'Did he really wave? This is so surreal. What the Hell?'

For Remus's sake, he slightly raised his hand up and then turned his attention back on his boyfriend, Lily, and his new fan club member. He wasn't even thinking it like that to be mean. He really did like Peter. He was a Hufflepuff now, for sure. He wasn't thinking that to be mean, either.

He smiled at them, his friends. He never thought he would be fond of three Gryffindor, but here he was.

"Lily, don't blame Remus." Severus threw his arm around Lily's shoulders and could swear he heard Remus growl. When he looked at his boyfriend, Remus looked mortified.

'So he did growl? The wolf is jealous of my closeness with Lily? Aww how cute… man, I'm turning into a softy.'

"I'm not, but…" There were tears in her eyes. "I just… it kind of hurts that neither of you felt like you could be open to me about what happened and even before that, you never told me you were…"

"I'll stop you there, Lily," Severus said. "I never told you I liked guys because I never felt the need. I didn't have anyone, you know?"

"I was just scared," Remus added.

Peter patted Remus on the shoulder. Severus wondered if he should growl, but inwardly laughed at his stupidity. Peter was no threat.

"Oh, I love you guys!" Lily threw her arms around Remus and Severus. Somehow Peter was pulled into the hug. Severus wasn't sure who pulled him in. Maybe he had.

Peter squeaked much like he did when he was a rat. He wasn't used to such open affection.

It was the end of term and time to pack up and go home. Remus had been a lot more quiet the last couple of weeks and Severus knew why. It was those damn parents. He had prepared plenty of potions for Remus, but he wasn't sure if that would be enough for Mr. and Mrs. Lupin. It was hard for anyone to believe the potions worked at face value.

Surprisingly, Black and Potter had vouched for what they had witnessed to Dumbledore and Madam Pomfry, so now things with the werewolf transformation were a lot more humane. He still had to be away from other students during the full moon, because who would be able to explain why there was a huge wolf in their midst?

Dumbledore set up a private room that was enchanted so only the select chosen could enter. That was where werewolf Remus currently lay, curled into a comfortable ball, half lying in Severus's lap.

Peter was there, too, and soon they were joined by Black and Potter and then Lily.

No matter what, even knowing he wasn't hurting himself anymore because he kept his human mind, Remus's friends couldn't leave him alone.

Severus found he respected them for that.

"Can you talk to him anymore?" Black asked in an offhanded way. He tried to sound like he didn't care, but Severus could tell that he did care. He wanted to know what Remus was feeling. Remus sure looked content to Severus.

"No, the mind link has all but faded. I think it's completely gone."

An awkward silence filled the air. Severus felt so much calmer than he had in all his years. It was like Remus healed something in him. He didn't even mind that Black and Potter were staring so much.

"I haven't got that payback yet," Severus finally said to fill the silence. Lily looked up sharply, not understanding what he meant. Peter put a hand over his mouth and giggled.

"What payback?" Lily asked.

Peter was eager to tell the story, talking more confidently than he had ever sounded before. Black and Potter were giving him a strange look and surprisingly, Severus saw they were both slightly smiling.

'Ah, so even if they've been sort of prats to Peter, they do care about him. Huh… go figure. Maybe we're all growing up.'

After all, they would all be eighteen before they knew it, and technically in the wizarding world, they were already of age.

Lily started to giggle. Potter and Black glared at her.

"It's not funny!" Black said.

"Yeah, totally not funny," Potter added.

'Then why are you trying not to laugh?'

"You can't honestly blame me, can you?" Severus asked.

Potter sighed. "Guess not," he mumbled.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Fine, I guess after the fact… kinda funny."

Severus looked away from them before he smiled. Remus was really rubbing off on him.

"It's almost time for him to change back," Peter said softly. "You've been adjusting the formula. He hardly made any sounds of pain when changing this time."

Severus felt a sense of pride, knowing that he had been able to make the potion even better. He looked down at the slumbering wolf, love in his eyes.

"I'll rework it however many times it takes to make it perfect."

"Severus… you've proven to be something else, truly."

The Slytherin snapped his head up. Was that a true compliment from Black? Did he… say his given name?

"Did you… you said my name."

"Yeah, well… ever since we learned the truth, we've had a long time to reflect, and also hear Remus gush about how oh-so-wonderful you are…" Black said.

"Also, it was kind of a wake-up call to notice how much happier Remus has been," Potter said. "We were bad friends for not noticing how depressed he was before."

"So we're on a first name basis now?" Severus asked. He was shocked. He never in a million years expected they would be open to the idea of just letting the feud go.

James looked uncomfortable. "Peter made us do a lot of thinking, too."

"I did?" Peter squeaked. He started to blush a deep maroon. "How?"

"You asked if we wanted Remus to be happy and it… that's all we ever wanted," Sirius said. "So we thought about that a lot and since he's happier now and it's because of Severus, what kind of friends would we be if we were ass hats to his ' soulmate' as you more or less put it, Peter."

Peter squirmed with all the attention on him.

"So, first name basis?" James asked.

"Okay." Severus nodded.

For Remus. And also for himself. Holding onto a feud wasn't good for anyone.

After his transformation and remarkably rapid recovery, much to Severus's delight, it was almost time for them to leave and return home. School was over. It was time to be part of real wizard society now.

"Remus?"

Remus looked up, blinking at Severus. His eyes were red rimmed. He was scared about returning home, even if he was safe to be around people, would his parents' behavior change?

"Yeah, Sev?"

Severus took a huge breath. He had been working on a side project he kept secret from everyone in case it didn't work out. But it had, and in a big way.

"You know there are a lot of werewolves out there…"

"Sure, the rule book lists every single one," Remus said, trying to make a joke, though Severus could tell he wasn't in a joking mood.

"What I'm trying to say is… I love you, you know?" That wasn't what he was trying to say, but that just slipped out.

"I love you, too." Remus snuggled against Severus's chest. "Now what were you trying to say?" Remus knew Severus too well.

"I'm nervous because this is a big deal."

"Okay?" Remus kissed his neck, making Severus moan.

"Mmm, Rem, no kisses… after I tell you, okay?"

"S-sorry." Remus pulled back and flushed. Sometimes he couldn't stop his wolf side from having some fun. Severus did not usually mind.

"You remember that potion I made you?"

Remus laughed. "Severus…"

"Never mind," Severus said, sheepishly. "I've started a business," he said quietly, looking down at his shaking hands. "I-I even have staff. It's shocking. I have staff!" The excitement in Severus's voice was enough to make Remus lose his breath. Then he processed Severus's words.

"What, Sev? Really?"

"I was the first one to come up with a cure, well, not a true cure, you know? But I did it and I've perfected it, too." In the past Severus would be gloating about the fact that he had done something that nobody had been able to do ever since the problem with werewolves was first discovered.

"Oh, don't I know that!" Remus said, gratefully. "You put everything into making the potion. It's changed my life!" Remus nuzzled Severus's cheek.

"I patented the potion." A sense of pride was in his voice, but he still wasn't bragging. His eyes were bright and he was slightly shaking. This was a big deal.

Moving away from Severus, so that he could get a better look at his eyes, Remus smiled at his enthusiasm. He felt his heart flutter and the wolf in him wanted to pounce on Severus, though he held it back.

"What does this all mean, Sev?" Remus asked quietly.

Severus clapped his hands together. "I'm sorry for being secretive about it. I had to make sure it would work, you know? I've hired a staff to create the potion in mass." Severus looked down, saw that his hands were shaking and tried to steady them.

"It's how most businesses go, I get most of the proceeds, of course, though not all, because I have to pay a staff and rent a building!" Severus was beyond excited now. It wasn't just his hand shaking. His whole body was buzzed.

The awe in Remus's eyes made Severus's knees go weak and it was lucky he was sitting down.

"Remus, the demand for the potion is high." He smiled. "I'm not even charging that much for it because I want to be able to help people and I've set it up that some of the proceeds go into a fund to help people who can't even afford the low price." He blushed because now Remus had tears in his eyes.

"I always knew you were good, Severus."

"Ha, yeah, well I did this all for you, but after seeing what you had to go through…" He looked away from Remus. "I just…wanted to help more people. There are kids… kids… well, you know…" Remus did know, considering he had been six when he was turned into a werewolf.

Remus threw his arms around Severus.

"I wonder if we can make it so that more and more people keep their minds during the transformation…" Severus was talking so quietly that a normal person probably wouldn't have been able to hear him. "Maybe the stigma can start to die down."

"Oh, Severus!" Remus pressed his face against his neck. "That is the best thing I've heard in a long time…" He pulled back and grinned. "Well, besides all the sweet… and naughty things you like to think about me."

"Shush," Severus said, blushing. He playfully smacked Remus on the back of his head. "Be a good boy."

"I'm your good boy, Severus."

Severus coughed. "Yeah." He was so red. Remus loved that he had a shy side. "I think I might have some better news… I hope it's better at least." He looked down. He was wringing his hands, his heart feeling like it would jump out of his mouth.

"What could be better than curing werewolves, so to speak?" Remus ran his fingers through Severus's dark hair. It was a lot longer now.

"Well, I mean…" God, he was nervous. Severus stood up and started to pace around the room. "Well, I have a steady flow of income now, Remus, so I was kind of hoping…" His back was to Remus. The werewolf stood up and hugged him from behind.

"What Sev? You don't have to be nervous around me."

"I-I want you to get an apartment with me, Remus. I want us to live together." Remus heard Severus suck in his breath. "I know we're only seventeen, but we're of age, you know? And I don't plan on spending my life with anyone, but you, so we might as well… live together?"

Remus burst into tears. Severus felt hot tears dripping down his neck and down his back. These felt like tears that Remus had been holding in his whole life.

"Yes! Yes, of course!" Remus stood back from Severus and spun him around to face him. Sometimes Severus forgot how strong Remus could be.

Severus was feeling dizzy as Remus pressed their lips together. This time when his knees went weak, Remus had to help support his weight. The werewolf giggled against his lips. It was a sound that Severus adored more than anything in the world.

"Don't you want to know the name of the potion, Remus?" Severus asked when they came up for air.

"Mm, what's that, love?"

"The Remus," Severus said, sounding shy.

Remus tilted his head to the side, a pink dusting his cheeks. "Named after me? Really?"

"You're the reason I was so passionate about creating this, Remus. Of course, it would be named after you." Severus leaned up and kissed the werewolf on the forehead.

"Aw, Sev. I thought wolfbane or werewolf would somehow be in the title?"

"Oh." Severus grinned. "I didn't think that would be a good idea. I wanted the name to sound innocent enough so that if people heard others talking about it… um, well, you know?"

Remus did know. He threw his arms around Severus again.

"You're amazing, Severus."