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 Part One for full prompt). Word Count: Part Two: 1,348 Genre: Alternate Reality; Romance; Angst; Humor Warnings: None Highlight for 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.
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.
A week later, Remus stood swaying outside the door of No. 12 Grimmauld Place. He tugged on his sleeves, wearily noticing he had torn the leather patch from one elbow. Rolling his eyes, he trudged up the stairs and raised the door knocker, letting it fall with a heavy thud.
The door flew open and Tonks squealed. Remus winced at the high-pitched noise and almost fell off the stoop as she launched herself at him. An armful of girl hadn’t been on his list of things to find at the meeting and he called on his preternatural strength to keep them both upright. “Nice to see you, too, Tonks, but I’d rather be inside than out,” he chastised her. His teeth glinted in the lamplight as he grimaced.
Tripping over her feet and tearing Lupin’s jacket even more, the Auror pulled him inside, her hair a rainbow of happiness as she dragged him down the hall and toward the kitchen. “Everyone, look! Look what landed on the step!” she shouted. Walburga Black’s portrait muttered and screeched until someone hexed her quiet. Remus was too tired to fight and let the girl drag him along to a chair.
“So kind of you to join us…Lupin,” Snape muttered out of the side of his mouth. Remus stared at him. “Care to tell the child to let you go now?” Severus’ chin pointed to Tonks’ hands clutching Lupin’s arm fiercely. Under the guise of straightening himself in his chair, he pulled his arm away, aware of Snape’s dark looks all the while. Molly Weasley’s eyebrows were pressed together, a speculative look on her face as she stared between Tonks and the werewolf.
“Ah, and here is Remus Lupin!” Dumbledore called the group’s attention to their resident werewolf and began peppering him with questions. “How did you fit in, my boy? No hardships then? Good. Any news?” He didn’t wait for Remus to speak, questions tumbling out as if by force. “Has Voldemort gotten his hands on all the major werewolf clans? Will we need to alert the Ministry’s Unspeakables to help? Have you carved a spot in the clan?” The lycanthrope just sat back and let the words cascade over him until the Headmaster paused for breath.
“I’ve only been there a few weeks. They’re under Greyback’s thumb, but not his pack. Only twenty or so right now, but they’re waiting for this week’s full moon to add to their number. We’ll be moving to someplace in the Loch Ness area soon.” He stifled a yawn and inched away from Tonks’ grasping fingers. “I wouldn’t want to bring in the Ministry unless we absolutely have to; they’d only muck things up, you see.” He crossed his arms in unconscious imitation of Snape, scowled, and continued. “The packs are open to whoever can give them peace right now, but due to the laws, they’re ready to side with Voldemort just for a chance at a life.”
Harry’s voice was muffled but it came from a corner of the kitchen. Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled as the boy whipped off his father’s Invisibility Cloak. He repeated himself, “I said ‘why don’t we invite the packs that aren’t officially Voldemort’s to the Forbidden Forest?’ Wouldn’t they be safe there?” He ignored Snape’s sour face and focused his attention between Remus and the Headmaster.
Removing the grasping young Auror’s hand from high on his thigh, Lupin tiredly shoved his chair back and rose. “Headmaster, Order Members, I need to sit and rest for a bit. Why don’t you discuss Harry’s idea and let me know. I don’t really have too much to add.” Remus looked at them, a bit of the wolf darkening his features as he spoke. “Why don’t you come with me, Harry? You and I can talk for a bit, eh?” Leaving the table, Remus didn’t look back even though he felt Snape’s eyes following his every move.
When Nymphadora moved to follow him as well, Snape called her back, testiness in every syllable. “Miss Tonks, your report if you please. Shacklebolt is late and I have things to do!” The kitchen door closed behind the two Gryffindors and Remus breathed easier.
“C’mere, Harry…let’s have a look at you.” In the hallway, the lycanthrope dragged the boy to his side. He gave him a quick sideways hug and walked him to the Library. Once they were seated, he locked the doors with a spell and even set up Privacy Shields. “Now, tell me what’s been going on. Why are you so drawn? Molly not feeding you enough?” he joked, but his eyes were sombre.
“Remus!” Harry was barely seated when he was crying against Lupin’s tatty vest. “I’ve been so worried! Why didn’t you write?” he demanded in a broken voice. “You said you come for me,” he sobbed.
Not used to having children cry on him, or over him, Remus adjusted himself in his chair and held the still small teen in his arms. “I couldn’t, Harry, I’m sorry.” He put his fingers under Harry’s chin and raised his face. He looked into eyes so much like Lily and promised himself to tell the lad the truth. “I’m a spy, Harry. Not as good as Professor Snape, but I still fetch the scraps of information Dumbledore deems necessary,” he growled, still too close to the wolf to temper his words. “I’m not worthy of being around you, or so some say.” He grimaced and changed the subject. “Now, I know we won’t have much time. Let me tell you about our latest camp.” He gave Harry a clean handkerchief and began some nonsensical story about the werewolf cubs and Selkies to lighten the atmosphere.
Having excused himself as the shouting grew more strident, the other Order spy leaned toward the Library doors and heard nothing! He fumed and then returned to the meeting. If nothing else, he could discommode Auror Tonks. He smirked at the thought of casting a Sticking Charm on her wandering hands and leaving her in the kitchen for the night.
Ω•≡•Ω♦Ω•≡•Ω♦
“Oooh, is wittle Snapesy helping our Lord?” The cooing and the rank breath against the back of his head startled Severus Snape and he almost dropped the delicate potion from his hand. He stiffened, waiting for Bellatrix’s next move. He didn’t have long as she held up a glowing handful of decomposing leaves and roots…and something thin and wriggling.
“I found this in the manor pond. Picked it by moonlight, just for you.” She let it fall into his cauldron with a plop. “I did it right, didn’t I, Snapesy?”
Bellatrix Lestrange beaming at one was enough to tilt the world on its axis, Severus thought. He cleared his throat and tried to stop breathing as he answered her. “Madame Lestrange, how kind of you. It’s been devil’s work to get quality ingredients these days.” He cringed inside as she smiled, her gums receding and her teeth dark between her cracked lips.
Bellatrix patted his arm and left a smear of decaying things across the black wool. “Goody, Snapesy! Will it help the Dark Lord?” She looked into the cauldron. Severus backed away; luckily the recently brewed potion was still simmering in the open vial in his hand. He Summoned a cork and popped it in with a sigh of relief.
“Yes, yes, it will. Do be a good girl and tell him, won’t you?” Severus dismissed the only Dark Mark-bearing female with a negligent wave. She stared at him and then blew him a kiss.
“Right-o, wittle Snape!” Her breath washed over him in a miasma of foul odours. At the door, she turned and wriggled her fingers at him, as if he were her schoolyard crush.
Once she was gone, Severus tottered over to a convenient stool and collapsed, his potion hidden inside one of his capacious pockets. “Oh…my…gods!” he gasped out. “She’s courting me!” Tears slid down his face slowly, as if unsure of whence they came and where they were going. “I’m a dead man.” He shuddered and swiped both hands down his cheeks.