Fic post: Great Amphitrite, PG
Title: Great Amphitrite Pairing: Snape/Lupin (implied) Rating: PG Summary: two damaged men seek healing at the oldest of shrines Note: this began as a series of drabbles for snape100 and lupin100
"It sounds very good," said the shabby man. He gripped the handles of the wheelchair and looked down. "Well?"
"We've come all this way." The hawk-nosed man massaged a cramp in his right leg. "Amphitrite is the last option."
"Follow me."
The guide led them through the cool marble dimness of the temple. The statue of Great Amphitrite stood alone in the sanctuary, sea water lapping about her feet. She was the last of the chryselephantine statues of classical times, her seaside home the last hope for the desperate.
The newcomers were desperate, for one of them was dying.
*****
Great Amphitrite had been repaired over the years, both magically and mechanically. The hawk-nosed man tightened his lips at the sight of the cracked ivory, the gold corroded by sea air. This was why they had come so far?
His companion seemed oblivious as he stripped and let their guide perform the spells that would cleanse his body. Neither man moved as she stripped away the bandages covering the decades-old wound that had reopened as the final stage of the curse began to eat away at his flesh.
"Lupin. You don't - "
"Yes." Blood stained the floor. "I do."
*****
"From the sea we have come. By the sea you have sought healing. Let the Goddess restore what Dark Magic took."
The words echoed in the seaside temple as the brown haired man walked into the tidal pool. His companion, who could not walk but whose magic was strong, watched as the water turned redder than wine, listened to the cries as salt entered the curse wound, waited as flesh knitted and evil dissipated.
"It worked," he murmured, leaning forward in his chair.
"Yes," said the guide. She held out her hands. "Your turn, sir."
He shook his head. "No."
*****
The healed man slicked wet hair back from his face. "No? You said - "
"This was an accident, not a curse." His companion gestured at his useless legs. "Nerves do not regenerate."
"Neither do curse scars." The guide helped the shabby man out of the pool. His skin was smooth and unscarred. "The sea will heal you."
"I haven't felt so good in years, Severus. It will work."
The other shook his head even as they lifted him from the chair and prepared him. "I can't - "
His voice cut off as they plunged him into the pool.
*****
The hawk-nosed man struggled as the water rose about him. The shabby man and the guide stood back and watched as the realization sank in that he, too, was worthy of Great Amphitrite.
The guide waited for them to dress. "This way, gentlemen. You will need to eat and drink."
"Yes." The shabby one stopped as a small book fell from his companion's pocket. "Potions for Dummies? Why did you bring this?"
"Never mind," said the hawk nosed man. He took a cautious step forward. "Never mind."
Behind them, Great Amphitrite smiled her archaic smile and awaited the next pilgrim.
*****
They were healed but not yet strong, so the two men remained near Great Amphitrite's temple to benefit from the air and sea and sunlight. It was two days before Lupin hesitantly asked about the book his companion had brought.
"None of your business." Snape, sore from walking about the block, gestured with his cane. "You brought light reading as well. Why do you care?"
"Potions for Dummies seems a bit, well, Muggle for you." Lupin paged through the book. "There's a whole series, you know."
Snape went red. "Of course I know. I write them!"
Lupin dropped the book.
*****
"I needed the money," said Snape. The battered Potions for Dummies bound galleys lay on the room's dresser, by the cell phone that came with their rental bedsit. "National Health paid for my medical care but modifying my house - "
"I understand," said Lupin. He rubbed the new, pink skin over what had been his curse scar. "I was in America when the bite mark began bleeding. The healers wouldn't touch it because it was 'pre-existing condition.'"
Snape frowned. "What did you do?"
Lupin blushed. "I wrote this," he said, and pulled out a copy of Lycanthropy for Dummies.
*****
"And so we've both been reduced to this. Writing for dunderheads." Snape spoke without heat. "Ironic."
"Rather," said Lupin. He stared at the cheerful non-moving print of fishing boats with eyes painted on the bow. "They wouldn't let me leave the States until I'd paid the Healers. They say 'write what you know' and it was that or Dark Arts for Dummies, and since they already have one of those, I was stuck."
"Same here." Snape summoned a long rubber band and looped it about his ankle. "Spot me?"
"Of course," said Lupin as Snape began his physical therapy exercises.
*****
The guide frowned at the hawk-nosed man, now standing beside his wheelchair, and his companion, who now merely looked underfed. "I do not understand."
"I wish to leave this." Snape gently pushed his wheelchair forward. A single word, and it shrank to the size of a toy. "Consider it a votive for the Lady of the Sea."
"I, too, wish to leave something." Lupin handed over copies of his own book and Snape's. "Appalling titles, but the information is accurate. Perhaps one of your visitors may need them."
The guide slowly nodded. "It will be as you wish," she said.
*****
"Their needles don't match." Rosemary watched as the two men reclaimed their possessions. The dark one with the big nose limped slightly, while his gray-haired companion looked as if he had recently been ill.