Day 16 Both Sinner and Saint Remus/Severus PG-13
Title: Both Sinner and Saint Pairing: Snape/Lupin Word Count: 715 Rating: PG-13 Warnings: No sex, unbeta’d Challenge: writing… Author's Notes: epilogue to follow (no I can't top book 7)
Remus stared tiredly at his mug of tea, his sandwich was disappeared at a particularly slow rate. He was grateful for preservation charms, he hadn’t been to his home in almost a year. Another bite of his sandwich and a few crisps and he stopped again.
It had been a long, exhausting four days, two of which he’d spent allegedly deceased. Day three had been better, at least it had included pain potions, a mattress and food.
Remus dragged his hand through his hair. Day four, today, had been the longest. First, there was Tonks’ funeral. He’d worn borrowed robes. Charlie had held Teddy and Andromeda stood close by. There were a few Order members and Aurors in attendance. Narcissa had turned herself and Draco in at Harry’s urging that very morning, at least that was the rumor. He missed the kick-ass Auror that was his non-wife/wife. The world seemed like a slightly duller place.
After that he had removed his robes and shrunk them. He slipped into a Muggle coffee shop where he sipped tea and crumbled a dry scone onto the table. A song came over the loudspeaker system, one from his youth. Only the good die young, sinners, saints…he could have sung it all if he had chosen, but what he could think of now was Severus. Severus missing, presumed dead. Quite the sinner and the saint he was. It was too much to think about, the handle of his mug snapped. Remus needed to leave before he flung the thing against a wall.
Fred’s funeral was next. Back into his robes and he Apparated to the Burrow. It reminded Remus’ of Bill and Fleur’s wedding. Same white tents outdoors, throngs of people, there was more crying today of course. Neither Fred, despite his absence, nor George would have let this be a perfectly solemn occasion. Pranks, fireworks and ridiculous stories were all about. Tears, hugs and condolences were kept off to the side where Molly and Arthur and one of their children or another stood by.
He talked and hugged and checked on Harry, Hermione, Ron, and all his ex-students. They looked older, slightly weary and far too grown up, but at least a good many were alive. He sought out Molly and Arthur again, arranged for Hermione to return his borrowed clothes and then Apparated home.
His sandwich was now gone and he dumped the last of the crisps into the bin. He needed sleep. As he walked toward the bedroom he pulled his jumper over his head and flicked on the lights with a spell. The corner of the bed came into view, the blankets were rumpled. Remus stopped, dropped his jumper and fingered the end of his wand. Slowly, he had inched forward. Long black hair draped over the pillows. It appears as if Remus' entire stock of potions were strewn across the top of the chest of drawers.
"Severus." Remus breathed.
He shook himself and moved to the bed. "Severus?" He voiced louder.
There was a rough groan and the body on the bed turned gingerly over.
"Gods, Severus." Remus stared at the mess along Severus' neck.
"Lupin." Severus' voice scratched. "What time is it?"
Severus shoved himself partially upright. Remus hurriedly grabbed the appropriate vial and handed it over, and then conjured water into the glass on the bedside table.
"So." Severus croaked.
"Don’t talk. You're throat's obviously a mess." Remus undid his trousers and pushed them and his pants down his legs and stepped out. He kept his head down as he took off his socks as well.
"I have on your pyjama bottoms." Severus whispered.
Remus turned to see the bloody robes on the floor behind the door.
"You know I don't like them anyway." Remus said quietly. "Budge over, Severus."
"Your wife?"
"Long story." Remus sighed wearily.
"Aren't you going to ask…" Severus' voice was barely a whisper.
"I already know all I need to know. Could we simply sleep and save a game of twenty-nine thousand questions until tomorrow?"
Severus shrugged.
Remus slid into the bed behind him. One are wrapped around Severus and pulled him close.
"I'm going to have to plead a headache." Severus murmured.