Current mood:	contemplative
Entry tags:	fic: pg, retro fest

Unconscious Tactics - Part Nine (PG)
Title:

Unconscious Tactics
Author: bonfoi
Rating: PG
Pairing: Remus Lupin/Severus Snape
Summary: This story takes place in an alternate reality where Remus’ spine is a bit stiffer, Severus’ heart a bit tender, and they see something about the other that makes it worthwhile.
Challenge: lupin_snape RetroFest 2009, Prompt #6 (see inside for full prompt).
Word Count: Part Nine: 1,199
Genre: Alternate Reality; Romance; Angst; Humor
Warnings: None
A/N: I wondered how Remus made contact with the werewolf clans, how Severus and Harry might interact when one of them wasn’t angry, and, now…I hope that I met the requirements of the prompt with what the Prompter needed, besides the Snupin Love! The speculations used are listed at the end of the fic.

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Part One – Change of Perspective {} Part Two – Spy Troubles {} Part Three – Unexpected Kindness
Part Four – Sharing the Pain {} Part Five – Avoiding the Auror {} Part Six – Two Beating Hearts
Part Seven – Grim Tidings {} Part Eight – Outside Influence {}





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Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter, its characters and settings are the copyrighted works of J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., her publishing companies and affiliates. No profit was made from the writing of this story nor was any malice intended in any way, shape or form to the author or the actors/actresses who so brilliantly have brought them to life.

This author is not responsible for underage readers. Please observe the ratings, warnings, and age of legal consent for your country.

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Tonks fumed outside the door of Grimmauld Place. For some perverse reason, the door wouldn’t open for her! She pounded on the thick oak, kicking the bottom panel when it still wouldn’t open, cursing as she felt the bruise blooming on the heel of her palm. Muttering under her breath, she turned and stomped back to the street and then down into the shadows of an alley to Apparate away. A curtain twitched and a misty head of hair—once curly and dark—appeared. Cousin Tonks missed the phantom tongue stuck out at her as she left.

Floating in his childhood room, Sirius thought back on his conversation with Remus, the essence of which was how to break the hold his mother’s warped magic and Bellatrix’s mad enchantments. He chuckled to himself, a faint rumble that would barely be heard by a human ear, as he pictured Snape’s face when he swooped down on him in his ghostly Grim persona!

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Standing before Poppy Pomfrey was always difficult for Severus. Being her cousin made it even worse. “What do you mean I can’t just cosh the evil witch over the head?” he asked. “Her head’s so muddled, she’ll most likely think it’s a love tap!”

Crossing her arms in imitation of Severus, Madam Pomfrey shook her head. “Severus, she’s mad, bad, and thoroughly dangerous to know. But…ah ah!” She held up her index finger. “We need her to retain what little mind she still has.” Her eyes bored into Severus’, willing him to understand.

Throwing his arms up in the air, Severus just shook his head, lank hair sweeping across his shoulders wildly. “Fine, fine, do it the Gryffindor way!” he grumbled. Turning on his heel, he strode out of the Infirmary. Pulling the heavy door open, Severus muttered over his shoulder as he stood in the doorway. “I’ll be in the laboratory making something a bit stronger, just in case the polite way doesn’t work.” He made to slam the door, but a built-in spell stopped it before it could make any noise.

Humming to herself, Poppy pulled together the various potions and salves Minerva had asked for. “Good to know the lad has some fire still left. Just like his mother,” she suddenly said out loud. She went back to humming, a smile on her face. The walls of Hogwarts heard and a few stones shifted. Somewhere in the Dungeon, a door slammed in a more satisfying manner.

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Flooing into Grimmauld Place was always an adventure—the fire irons were guard dogs that took their jobs seriously. Severus just missed being nipped on the left boot heel as he stepped through the fire and absentmindedly hexed them solid for the next hour. Brushing the Floo Powder from his robes, Severus cocked his head to the side and heard Remus speaking to someone. The Library door was open—an unexpected but not unwelcome occurrence—and he crept forward to listen.

When he heard Sirius Black’s voice, Severus took a step back in surprise. He’s dead! he thought as he crept forward once more. He found himself holding his wand as if to send a hex—old reflexes die hard it would seem. Severus shook his head and tried to pay attention to what was being said.

“…still say that you could do better, Moony.” Black’s laughter drowned out whatever Remus said in response and Severus stepped back once more. Good thing the door stood open and he heard something that made him creep closer to the opening.

“Sirius, Severus is the best for me!” Remus’ voice was tense and harsh. “He’s a good man who is trapped by circumstance. And if you do anything to drive him away again, the exorcism that I hold will remove you from any chance of reincarnation and even from the rolls of Hogwarts.” A chair skidded across the scarred kitchen floor, heralding someone standing up in a huff. Severus smirked—and even felt a little glow inside—at Remus’ defense. He waved his wand behind him and set the fire irons to scraping and tinging against each other.

“Identify yourself!” Remus called from down the hall.

“Master Irritant.” Chuckling to himself, Severus had to smile as Black’s grumbles grew louder and Remus’ admonitions were softer. “Lupin, I’ve your Wolfsbane and some news.” The other two voices faded away as Remus came into the room, a gentle smile blooming as he looked Severus over.

Remus yelled back, “Minor Inconvenience!” The sound of the kitchen door hitting the wall preceded his entrance into the Library.

Severus had to school his features into the mask he showed to everyone but Remus. The smile withered on his lips like ice on the flanks of a volcano. His brows lowered and his sneer became a sharp slash across his face. As the door opened, the ghost of Sirius Black floated forward, spectral nose to flesh-and-blood nose. Severus grimace and rolled his eyes, yet shooting a softer glance at Remus.

“I see we’re unlucky enough to have another Peeves in our midst. Just what this ruin was lacking.” Severus pursed his lips, trying to keep up the farce but Black’s gaping face was too much at the insult and he laughed. Remus’ laughter rang out as well while Black’s head swiveled as if he were at a tennis match.

“Hey, now!” Sirius groused. “I’m dead, but I still have feelings! Moony, tell him!” A ghostly finger wavered towards Severus’ chest. “Make him stop teasing!” Before the last syllables faded, Black disappeared with a wail.

Chuckling, Remus waved Severus before him, toward the kitchen. “C’mon, ol’ man. Tea’s hot as usual. Luckily, you’re the first to arrive.” Remus turned in the kitchen doorway. “Thank you for that. Sirius always took it for granted that he knew what was best for me.” His eyes met Severus’. “Perhaps, he did once, in First Year, but he doesn’t speak for me now.”

Severus nodded his head at the words left unsaid and handed over the Wolfsbane before reaching for a cup. “I won’t ask why or how Black came to be haunting his ancestral home now, but you will have a story to tell, later. Right now, Lu-Remus, we have plans to be laid.” He laid thin fingers on the back of Remus’ hand and dropped his voice. “Send your Patronus, but through the harridan’s portrait. I’ll tell you more afterward.”

Remus did as he was told, the memory of Severus’ fingers—slightly calloused but strong—against his skin making his Patronus leap from his wand, the form a bit indistinct but sparkling with comets of color shooting through it. Severus didn’t make a sound; he pressed his fingers once more to Remus’ hand, adding a soft stroke as he lifted them away.

Hovering over them, half-formed, Sirius watched with a gleam in his eye, and very attentive ears.

Severus sipped his tea and then spoke. “Now, we make plans. We’re going to capture Bellatrix Black and remove the curse she’s cast through the harridan’s portrait on Auror Tonks.” Smiling to himself, Severus relaxed in his chair. Then he smirked and shouted, “And, Black, wherever you are, you’re going to help!”

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Thank you for reading. ~~~