Cliché Fest: FIC: Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Title: Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Author:snapesgirl Other pairings/threesome: Past James/Lily Rating: PG-13 Word count: 2,374 Content/Warning(s): (highlight for spoilers) *Fluff, silliness, AU, pre-slash, mild language, character death in past.* Cliché: (highlight for spoilers) *Creature!Severus* Summary: Severus takes his role of Harry's guardian seriously. A/N: thanks to the moderators for hosting this fest. A special thank you to accioslash for the hand holding. Thanks also to my proof reader, any mistakes are all mine.
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
Severus Snape grumbled as he stalked through the village streets. He wished he had never made a bargain with the devil Dumbledore. His thoughts wandered back to other things he regretted: surviving Black's attempt on his life during sixth year, joining the Death Eaters, betraying Lily, answering Dolohov's summons last month.
The last two were deep regrets. One hasty phrase lost him a friendship. Then Voldemort had ensured he would never regain it. Now, not only was he deemed a traitor; the other Death Eaters gave him to Greyback to use as a plaything. Severus loathed the fact he'd survived being mauled. He should have died to atone for Lily's needless death.
Now he was expected to not only show gratitude to James Potter -pain in the arse, father of Lily's boy and dunderheaded Auror who attended to duty on Halloween night and escaped being killed- for being his host tonight, Severus had the additional joy of spending his birthday with Potter and Lupin. He approached a cottage at the edge of the village and pounded on the door.
"You are late," Potter announced as he opened the door.
"Good to see you, too. Pity I had to stop and listen to a variety of platitudes from the Headmaster, otherwise I could have been here sooner." Severus' voice dripped with sarcasm.
"This way." Potter grabbed Severus by the front of his robes and half tugged him over the threshold. "We need to have you and Remus secured before moonrise."
"I know." Severus broke free of Potter and straightened his clothing. "Lead the way."
"Come along then and quit stalling."
They exited the cottage and walked across a small yard to a shed. Severus entered the shed and froze. Half of the interior was taken up by a large cage.
"It will hold both of you and the bars are troll proof." Potter gave Severus a shove between the shoulders.
"James, let him disrobe first." Remus Lupin softly chided from where he was getting undressed. "Your clothing should be out here so we do not shred it."
"Fine, good. Does he need to be here?" Severus was reluctant to let others see his scars.
"It's not like we've never seen it before, Snivelly."
"Do. Not. Call. Me. That." Severus toed off his boots and carefully removed his socks. He tucked the socks into his boots.
"James, please just leave us. Trust me, I will lock us in before moonrise."
Potter left the shed, closing and locking the door behind him. Severus noticed Lupin entering the cage. Severus slammed the door shut. He twisted the key in the lock then pocketed the key.
"Severus, are you insane? You need to be in here for your own safety. If the Ministry finds out about your condition, you will lose your job."
"I am well aware of my precarious position. I also have no desire to share territory with another male. You may remain in there. I will remain out here." Severus felt the tug of the moon and quickly began to disrobe.
"The -" Lupin broke off his protest and doubled over in pain.
Severus also doubled over. He hastily removed his clothing before the change took hold. Buttons fought with him and his hands shook in pain. After his body shifted, he sat and scratched an ear while a large tawny wolf threw itself at the bars and snarled at him.
Interesting, Belby's potion works. He did not become a rabid beast like he would have without it.
Severus watched Lupin prowl around the cage. The other werewolf was snarling and growling when not trying to get through the bars. Severus heard a car approaching this end of the village. He was impressed with how sensitive his hearing had become.
He nosed at the door latch, confirming he was locked inside the shed. Snorting in disgust, he started to lie down. Severus stood up and growled when he heard Petunia Evans' voice.
She appeared to be scolding a child. Severus thought she was going to harm the child. Why does she have Lily's son? Would she hurt the boy? It sounded like she might harm Harry.
He threw himself at the single window in the shed. He was grateful the glass was not reinforced with magic. Shaking off the debris, Severus trotted around the cottage.
"Oi!" Potter yelled from the back door of his house.
Severus ignored him. There was a car out front, Lily's sister was standing next to an open door and yelling at a small child. The infant was crying in fear. One result of Severus' abysmal childhood was his detestation of child abusers. He rushed at Petunia while growling loudly.
Petunia looked up just before a large black dog slammed into her, knocking her to the ground. She screamed and scooted away from the car.
The stench coming from the howling infant was horrific. Severus began to stalk Petunia. He had no idea how she could leave Lily's boy with a filthy nappy. His sense of outrage needed to be vented. Since he could not talk, Severus growled louder.
Petunia shrieked while standing up. She ran to the back of the car with Severus giving chase.
They did several laps around the car with Potter yelling at Petunia and Severus. She eventually hopped onto the bonnet and tried to climb on top of the car's roof. Severus sat and wagged his tail. His tongue lolled out while he cooled off from his brisk exercise. Chasing Petunia was almost as much fun as terrorizing the students at Hogwarts.
"Harry, Shh, Daddy's here." James scooped his son out of the car and removed a large bag. "Petunia, he's wet and stinks. Why didn't you change his nappy?"
"He's a demanding brat, and my husband does not appreciate his or your freakish ways."
Severus lunged at the car and barked at her.
"Easy, Severus." Potter’s voice was soothing, as if he were afraid of being attacked by Snape.
"Severus? You named your dog after that nasty boy?"
"Actually, this is Severus Snape. He promised Lily to help care for Harry."
"Of all the …why did you even ask me to care for your brat when you have helpers?"
Severus snarled at her. He never could tolerate Petunia's judgemental behaviour and found her current tone of voice to be offensive.
"Because it's the full moon and we didn't want to risk exposing young Harry to lycanthropy. Surely Dumbledore explained everything to you."
"I'm never watching that child again. Don't ever contact me and call off your dog." Petunia shrieked when Severus lunged once more at the car.
"Severus, please leave her alone. Let's go inside." Potter carried his son to the front door of the cottage. He waited to see if Severus would follow them. Frowning in confusion, he opened the door and watched the slim black wolf enter then sprawl on the floor next to Harry's playpen. "Make yourself at home." Potter carried his sprog out of the room.
Severus listened to movement upstairs followed by the baby's cries ceasing. He ignored the sounds of car doors slamming and an auto pulling away.
So, Petunia married, I wonder who she managed to enslave. It doesn't matter. I just hope they don't breed.
Potter came back into the room and deposited young Harry into the playpen.
"I do not understand how or why you are so calm. Try not to mark the furniture." Potter went into the back of the house.
Severus listened to him rummaging in cabinets. He soon smelled milk being heated. Wrinkling his nose, Severus sneezed. There was a tug on his ear followed by a small hand yanking the fur on his shoulder. Turning his head, he glowered at Harry who grinned back at him.
Young Potter was on the floor attempting to climb on top of him.
So, you're an escape artist. I bet your father will love seeing this. Severus remained still. He figured the expression on Potter's face would be worth being mauled by young Harry. Pity your father didn't get blasted by the Dark Lord when your mother did. Why did that idiot report for work instead of remaining home to protect you and Lily?
Severus' musings were interrupted by laughter and a bright flash of light. He glowered at Potter who was setting down a camera.
"Future blackmail pictures, Snivelly." Potter continued to chuckle while picking up his son. "Harry, how many times have I told you to remain in your playpen?"
Harry squealed indignantly and tried to retain hold of Severus.
Severus growled at Potter then sighed when his ear received the forceful tug. Severus watched the baby struggle to get back onto the floor then give up and accept a bottle of warm milk.
When Potter carried the child upstairs, Severus followed. He flopped on the floor near Harry's crib and watched Potter tuck the child in.
"Right, back to the shed with you." Potter tried to lift Severus' rump and received a flash of teeth along with a deep growl. Following attempts to move Severus were met with more growls and snaps along with slashing claws.
Severus was pleased with himself when he manoeuvred Potter out of the room and nudged the door closed. Plopping down next to the door worked almost as well as locking it.
"Damn it, Snivellus, open the bloody door."
Not by the hair of my chinny chin, chin. He listened to Potter grumble and curse then stomp downstairs. Severus stood on his hind legs to look out the window. Potter used his wand to repair the broken shed window before checking the door. When he saw his nemesis returning to the cottage, Severus went back to blocking the bedroom door. Nothing was going to make him sleep in a shed on his birthday. It was bad enough he'd spend the night on a hard floor.
He curled up and went to sleep.
Morning brought major pain as Severus' bones shifted and changed back to human. He cried out, waking the baby. Harry shrieked like a bansidhe. The door bumped into Severus and he rolled away from the additional pain.
"Bloody hell -"
"Language, Snivellous."
"Turn off that siren." Severus groaned and shivered. The floor was not only hard, it was cold. He pulled his legs close in a bid to retain body heat.
"That siren is my son." Potter kicked Severus in the bum before scooping Harry up. He bounced the child in his arms while crooning to him. "Remus will bring your clothing in a moment."
Severus managed to sit up and blearily looked around him. "Viewing this décor through a wolf's eyes did not improve it."
"You know where the door is, don't let it hit you on the way out."
"Yes, because it's already struck me once today." Severus managed to stand up and staggered out the door. He found the loo, and entered it. Closing the door cut off most of the infant's noise. The realization he needed to go to the shed to retrieve his bottle of pain potion made this day even less appealing. After using the facilities and washing up, Severus tugged on the fuzzy dressing gown he found hanging on the bathroom door. He chose to ignore the fact it was Potter's and left the room.
"Snape." Remus Lupin motioned for Severus to enter the next room.
Severus was relieved to find his clothing on the bed. He went to remove the potion bottle and searched all of his pockets. They were empty.
"Looking for this?" Lupin held up the now empty bottle.
"You took it?"
"Of course I did, right after James released me from the cage. The bottle was clearly labelled, smelled and looked right. Worked like a charm. Thank you for the donation. Now then, we need to talk."
Severus shook his head. "I need to get dressed and return to Hogwarts."
Lupin closed the door then leaned against it. "Go ahead and get dressed. We can have our little chat while you make yourself presentable for Dumbledore."
"Is he here?"
"He will be. James Firecalled him last night, after you blocked the door to Harry's bedroom. Dumbledore told him werewolves know their mate at first sight. I know for a fact that is purely a Muggle myth. I want to know how you managed to not become a raving beast."
"I was an Animagus before being bitten by Greyback," Severus evaded.
"Try again. If you'd successfully Transfigured yourself, you would not have been infected." Lupin's voice held a hint of anger.
Severus tugged on his clothing and tossed the dressing gown at Lupin. He pulled out his wand before Lupin could get clear of the fabric.
"Get out of my way."
"Make me," Lupin half growled.
Severus found himself growling in response and blinked in confusion.
"The wolf is always lurking, wanting to come out. It's the worst the days before and after a full moon. How did you manage to be so calm?"
"Harry is my true mate."
"I'm not buying that particular lie. Try again." Lupin stalked closer.
Severus cast a stunner at him only to have his wand knocked out of the way by Lupin.
"Don't look so put out. I took a pain potion, you haven't. In time, you will have faster reflexes after the Change." Lupin was almost nose-to-nose with him. "Now how is it you were so calm last night?"
"I vowed to the Headmaster to protect Harry no matter what."
"Unbreakable Vows will not cause a werewolf to be so composed. I want to take the potion you brewed. I wish to have that serenity every full moon. Give me this and I will play along with you and Dumbledore. I'll tell James you are meant to be Harry's mate."
"Why would you lie to your best friend?"
"You forget, I was as much his and Sirius' victim as you were."
This statement gave Severus pause. Perhaps he could work things out to his advantage.
"The potion is not fully tested. I want a signed statement releasing me from liability should you suffer any adverse effects from taking it."
Lupin nodded his head. "Fair enough. Now let's go see Dumbledore."