Omni (omni_sama) wrote in lupin_snape, @ 2009-06-10 14:28:00 |
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Current mood: | hungry |
Entry tags: | fic: pg |
Fic: Points of Contact (PG)
Title: Points of Contact
Author: Omni (aka rip_von_christ...ME)
Rating: PG
Pairing: Lupin/Snape
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, just the situation in which I'm placing them.
Warning: None, really. Aside from it being like most of my fics, and un-betaed. ;)
Note: SEQUEL TO "Symbols of Rome", which is a sequel to "Not a Wolf". Ya know...let's just call it the "Patronus Series" from this point on, yeah? Ok then.
Teddy must have had a great many nightmares, because he had woken Remus up repeatedly with his fussing. Running on a combined total of three hours of sleep, Remus shuffled into the kitchen to start heating a bottle for his son’s breakfast. He walked about in a daze, passing the small kitchen table three times before an indignant avian trill made him realize he was not alone. With eyes still fuzzy from sleep, he blinked at the massive owl sitting on his table, and wondered if he was perhaps still in bed dreaming.
The owl seemed to scowl at him, and it clicked its beak as it bobbed its head towards the package beside its talons. Hoping the beast wouldn’t bite him, Remus edged closer and slowly retrieved the package. Though its giant pupils never left Remus’ face, the owl made no move to snap at him, content to stare disconcertingly. With a final glance at the bird, Remus proceeded to untie the twine and unwrap the plain brown paper of his parcel.
What he found inside had him forgetting about the potential danger of the bird, as he fell into a chair beside the table. A glass bottle twinkled up at him, the beauty of the container almost making the putrid green potion within seem pleasant. Etched into the glass was the word “Wolfsbane” in elegant scrawl. Running his fingers over the word, he felt the shallow, perfectly-cut ridges of each line. Throat constricting, he let out a few soundless chuckles before a smile could actually reach his lips and give voice to his joy.
When he lifted the bottle, he discovered a folded note with familiar handwriting, and quickly snatched it up. The bottle was placed on the table, far from the owl, who was making no move to leave. Ignoring the shaking of his hands, Remus unfolded the paper and tried to calm down enough for his eyes to focus on the words.
Lupin,
The full moon is approaching, and I know you’ll be needing this. I trust you still remember the correct dosage and times it must be administered. Of course, I’m certain you are able to receive it from Slughorn, as you’ve no doubt been doing for some time now. Unfortunately, I am no longer near him and able to correct his brewing when his back is turned, so I do not trust whatever swill it is he will concoct. You shouldn’t, either. Not that you necessarily will trust me, considering everything, but I’d hope you’d be sensible enough to realize the gravity of this particular matter. If you truly do not wish to be a threat to your son or anyone else, I’d suggest using my formula as opposed to Slughorn’s. Though, it is a gamble that is entirely up to you. Perhaps it is all an evil plan of mine to trick you into imbibing a false potion, then let a ravenous werewolf be free to terrorize the populace.
If you make the smart choice and drink what I have offered, and wish for me to continue being your supplier, merely return the empty bottle after this month’s dosage, and I shall refill it. I will send an owl after the full moon to collect the bottle. Now, I’m not certain if there will be any reactions to the curse that you had been hit with, though I wouldn’t think there would be. If, however, you have noticed anything peculiar or have any concerns, simply send a note with the bottle. I will adjust the formula accordingly.
-Severus Snape
PS:
My condolences concerning the passing of your wife. It is very difficult to lose someone you love.
Remus stared at the letter, rereading it several times as his emotions battled with each other for dominance. The letter seemed so impersonal, but elements of it made him feel warm and happy. Severus was thinking about him, and was concerned for him, and was trying to take care of him. At the same time, he wasn’t trying to maintain any other connection with Remus outside of the potion. He wouldn’t even let Remus know where he was, sending his own owl in order to keep that information a secret.
He looked up at the owl, who was staring back with unblinking eyes. “Waiting for a response?” The owl tilted its head just slightly and slid one talon forward on the wood. Remus smiled thinly and summoned his ink, parchment, and quill.
Severus,
I do not know where to begin, quite honestly. Thank you, of course, for the thoughtfulness of the potion and your offer. Of course I trust you, so of course I’ll gladly accept the potion from you from this point on. Honestly, I was a bit confused and surprised when the recent dosages from Slughorn were so disgusting and weak. I’d taken to locking myself in, like the old days, while Harry watches Teddy. Hopefully, with your formula, I can stop doing that. Not hopefully…surely.
I miss you.
Pausing, Remus frowned at that line and waved his hand over the parchment, banishing the letters. He dipped his quill into the well and tapped it on the glass edge as he considered his words carefully.
It would be nice to see you again, if you will allow it. There are many things I’d like to discuss with you. For starters, I’d like to apologize, in person, for misjudging you and the situation. I never should have believed that’d you… I’m sorry. I hope my folly has not ruined any chance of us being friends.
Thank you for your condolences. I know your sympathy is genuine, considering you’ve experienced a similar loss. I’m sorry. Harry told me about you and Lily, and the grief you’d been carrying with you for so long. Maybe it will ease your pain to know that she’s happy where she is. I saw her, when I was under. She truly is in a better place.
Thank you again, and please feel free to visit me in person anytime. My door is always open to you.
Yours,
Remus
He blew on the ink and then folded it quickly before he could change his mind. The owl stuck its talon out even further, waiting patiently for Remus to attach the note. Despite the ever-present scowl, Remus completed the task without shying away. Once the note was secured, the giant bird turned and leapt through the open window, keeping its wings close until it was free to spread them wide.
A baby’s hungry cry resounded from the bedroom, and Remus jumped to his feet to continue his earlier task.
---
Golden rays of late afternoon sun cut through the sitting room, streaking warmly across Remus’ back as he sat facing away from the window. In his arms, a bundled Teddy dozed contentedly, clutching at Remus’ threadbare robe with a tiny hand. The heat of his bundle in front and the sun at his back had allowed for Remus to relax and doze off, as well.
A loud fluttering in the kitchen caused his eyes to snap open, and he looked down at Teddy’s face to make certain that the commotion hadn’t disturbed the baby’s slumber. Soft eyelashes were still making sweeping crescents atop round cheeks, and Teddy merely pressed his lips briefly together before nuzzling closer in sleep. Smiling at his son, Remus slowly stood and carried him to his bassinet in the bedroom. There was a disappointed coo when his father’s arms left him, but then Teddy was clutching contentedly at his baby blanket. Remus allowed himself a moment longer gazing at the babe before he finally left to investigate the noise.
The glaring owl was back, and it tapped at an envelope on the table using its talon. When it saw that Remus had seen the correspondence, the owl turned and left. Remus frowned at that, since it meant that he wouldn’t be able to send a reply. That thought made his stomach clench with apprehension as he approached the table, fearing the contents of the letter and any potential pain it might inflict.
There was no name or address on the envelope, and he belatedly realized the same could be said for the package from earlier. Bracing himself mentally—and, if he were honest, emotionally—Remus took a seat and withdrew the letter.
Lupin,
You weren’t to trust me. You were meant to believe I was a traitor. I do not blame you for that, nor do I hold any resentment over it.
What I do find perplexing and mildly insulting is how quickly you recovered. It almost makes one wonder if your relationship with her really was that sudden, or if it had been something in development for a while. I was led to believe her feelings were entirely one-sided, but it seems I was quite mistaken—or grossly misinformed.
Thank you for your condolences concerning Lily, belated as they may be. It does indeed help to know that she is happy and better-off, now. I truly do thank you for that. Though, I should perhaps clear up a misconception you seem to posses, which is likely a result of young Potter’s own misunderstanding. The grief I feel for her is not the same as you feel for your wife. She was my dearest friend since childhood, and the love I feel for her is everlasting. It is, however, not romantic.
Take care.
-Severus Snape
PS:
If I were you, I’d consider a more appropriate closing line before your signature.
Setting the letter down, Remus was tempted to yell out the window for the owl to return. It wasn’t fair to give him such a loaded message, and then prevent any means of reply. Well, he supposed he had the opportunity to do so after the full moon, when the owl was to come and retrieve the bottle. He just wasn’t certain he could wait that long.
---
There was no pain, just a dull ache from deep within his bones, and he knew it was thanks to the potion. Outside the kitchen window, the sky was the faded grey of early morning, just before the sun was awake enough to open its eyes. A few birds had already started chirping, and the cool morning breeze carried their songs into the small cottage.
Emptied and cleaned, the beautiful potion bottle was waiting patiently on a bed of brown packaging paper. Remus stared at it, a smile in his eyes that his face muscles were too tired to display. There was sadness lurking there, too, however, and his fingers twitched where they lay on Severus’ letter. Parchment paper was splayed out in front of him, blank and lifeless, and his quill was drowning in the ink well. Finally, he saved the pen, the dark liquid dripping freely from it and into the murky depths of the well.
The owl would be arriving any minute, he was certain, so he’d have to write the letter quick. It was something he had put off doing until the last minute, constantly worried over what he should write. What were the right words? How could he mend the tear that he’d obviously made?
Severus,
I don’t know what to say. I’ve tried to come up with something, but nothing sounds right. So, here’s my fumbling attempt.
Dora and I were not in love. She still probably lived under the delusion, but I always knew the truth. I realize this makes me a horrid person on many levels, but it is a fact which cannot be altered. She was a comfort I took advantage of when I was angry and hurt, and I had never meant—nor indeed wanted—it to progress as far as it did. I love my son, though. Because of him, I cannot regret my marriage.
My patronus is still a raven. It hasn’t changed, you know. I don’t think it will. I don’t think it can.
Thank you again for the potion. It worked wonderfully, as always. Better, I dare say. Have you been improving upon the formula some more? My pain is nearly non-existent. You are truly amazing. In so many, many ways.
I will not change my closing line, because it is the truth. I don’t care if you don’t believe me.
Yours,
Remus
The ink had long since dried by the time the owl arrived, but Remus had made no move to fold the note. He had stared at it, frowning over the words and his own feelings of inadequacy. Once Severus’ owl was perched on the table, however, he realized that he had no choice but to make do. He wrapped the letter up with the bottle and secured it all with twine. Without a sound, save for the soft rustling of feathers, the owl snatched up the parcel and departed.
Remus watched it fly away, and wondered what Severus’ reaction would be to the letter. Letting his eyes fall closed, Remus slumped back in the chair and sighed. If only he had a time turner, he could go back and change everything.
No. No, he didn’t mean that.
He wouldn’t trade Teddy for anything in the world, even a better chance at being with Severus. No, he had to make it work, somehow.
As encouragement to himself, he remembered the day Ron had seen what was likely an eagle patronus outside the window. If Hermione’s implications were correct, then it was probably Severus. That could only mean that he still cared, right? It wasn’t a lost cause; there was still hope.
Overcoming their fatigue, the muscles in his cheeks managed a ghost of a smile.
_________
To be continued