A/N: Many thanks to kopernikfor your work on the Snupin Santa Fest! Sorry this is late!! I knew where this began and ended, but the middle was eluding me! Thank you again!
Remus listened to the ice as it pelted down on Grimmauld Place; a steady ping against the windows, a softer scratch on the roof three stories up. He listened to the sounds in the kitchen, the muffled voices of the only two left after the Order meeting. His fingers craved the feeling of warmth a cup of tea will provide and it was no secret that a biscuit or two would never go amiss. He heard the sound of someone Apparating, Albus; the sounds of parchment being gathered and then a murmur to shrink them, Severus.
The door whispered as he slipped in. "Tea, Severus?"
Severus pulled his cloak from the back of the chair. "I do not have time for dawdling." He gave the cape a dramatic swirl and stalked out of the kitchen toward the front door.
Remus was right on his heels. "Careful out there Severus. It's been icing something awful."
Severus snorted. "Thank you. I have heard ice before."
Walburga Black's portrait began screeching about werewolves and half-bloods as Severus stepped onto the porch. He was down on his arse in a moment.
"Fuck!"
"Are you all right, Severus?" Remus asked as he held the door partially open.
Severus waved his wand and attempted to gracefully right himself. He was on his arse again even faster. "Blasted non-slip charms!"
"They don't work until you're across the road." Remus reminded gently; ice was beginning to form on his hair as he stood there.
"Perhaps you might have a helpful suggestion?" Severus snarled. "Or some salt or sand I could use?"
"Sorry, Severus. I tried keeping salt, but Kreacher keeps taking it and mumbling about Muggles. Maybe you should just come back inside."
Severus was upright and back on the cement in a flash. This time both his elbow and arse were bruised. "Lupin!"
"Unless you can fly Severus, I suggest you come back inside." Remus opened the door wider.
"Bloody weather!" Severus grumbled as he crawled back to the door.
Remus shut the door, knocked the ice from his hair and cast a warming charm on them both.
"Lupin you idiot now I'm soaked!"
With another flick of Remus' wand Severus was dry.
Severus scowled, but didn't say anything.
Remus offered a hand up; it wasn't taken. Severus was on his feet with cat-like grace. "Perhaps some tea now?"
"Firewhisky or a reasonable substitute!" Severus demanded.
Remus nodded and hurried into the lounge. "Do you need a healing charm?"
"Hardly. I have my own bruise salve." Replied Severus tartly and remained in the entry hall. He tapped a foot impatiently. "Are you distilling it yourself, Lupin?"
Remus reappeared with a glass in hand. "I thought you might want to sit in the lounge away from the racket." He pointed at the still screaming portrait of Mrs. Black.
"Lupin, I've been a teacher for quite some time. I can tune out just about any noise I see fit. However, a comfortable chair would not be unwelcome."
They moved into the lounge. Severus took one of the chairs near the fireplace. "Blasted Albus. No floo connection, no Apperating except for him." He muttered as he tossed back his drink. Remus was at hand with the bottle, Severus nodded and another drink was poured.
"I'm going to make myself a cuppa. Do you want anything else?"
Severus shook his head, leaned his elbows on his knees and stared into his glass.
Remus was back in a few moments holding a tea tray filled with a teapot, cups, biscuits, and spiced nuts. Severus raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything as Remus settled into a chair. They sipped their drinks in silence for a long while.
After Remus started on his third biscuit he asked. "Do you need anything else, Severus?"
"Since I appear to be stuck here, a bed."
Remus winced. "I'll be happy to share."
Severus rolled his eyes. "An attempt at seduction, Lupin?"
A faint pink stain crept across Remus' cheeks and he coughed. "It wasn't my intention. The house has a problem with guests. Lending out bedrooms usually doesn’t end well."
"Ah, a ploy to get anyone into your bed I understand now."
"Severus you don't understand. Things happen in the other bedrooms since Sirius is gone. It rains, wardrobes fall over, banshees scream and every time the guest ends up on this sofa which has more lumps than Albus has lemon sherbets."
"And your room is immune." Severus scoffed.
"I think the house recognizes me as a dark creature, a kindred spirit; so it leaves me alone. The only other time that the bedrooms are inhabitable is when Harry is here. I fear that he and Sirius carried out some blood ritual that allows the house to identify him as a Black."
"Even the mutt wasn't that stupid, was he?" Severus demanded.
"I don't think it was anything much to it Severus since we haven't seen any other signs of blood-magic. They probably just shared some blood in a way Harry would understand; the way Muggles do when they become blood-brothers."
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Lupin, I am tired. I do not want to ponder the extent of the stupidity of Sirius Fucking Black. Now be a good host and find me a room and some linens."
"All right, Severus. Let me leave this in the kitchen." He took Severus' glass as well.
On the second floor, Remus indicated the room next to his own. "The bathroom is across the hall and I'm next door." He opened the room and flicked his wand to light the candles, another spell and the dust vanished as well. Remus accio'd the linens and they danced across the bed sliding into place.
Severus surveyed the room. "It will do."
"G'night, Severus."
"Lupin. " Severus nodded.
An hour later the banging on his door woke him.
"Severus?" Remus called.
The door flung open. "You were expecting the Dark Lord, perhaps?"
"No, not really. Are you all right?"
"Budge over and do not think about touching me. I cannot possibly sleep in that room."
"What happened?" Remus asked.
"Budge over and I will tell you."
Remus moved to the far side of the bed and Severus slipped under the blankets.
"First, there was bleating as if the room was filled with sheep, then disco ball hung from the ceiling flashing lights. As if I had ever been to a disco!" Severus muttered the last bit. "The final straw was the ice water that was thrown over me. Are there any more blankets, not all of us are covered in fur."
Remus chuckled and accio'd another blanket. "I'm not actually that furry unless the moon is full." The blanket settled down over Severus. "G'night, Severus."
Hrmph was the only response.
Ten minutes later
"Lupin, this is ridiculous. It is freezing in here."
"All right, Severus." Remus cast a warming charm on the bed. It wouldn't last long, but perhaps long enough so they could fall asleep.
Twenty minutes after that
"Lupin, do you intend to freeze all of your overnight guests?"
Remus sighed. "I don't really think it's that cold in here, Severus. As far as anything else I can think to do that might make it warmer for you….you're not going to like it."
"I do not like the fact that if I fall asleep I might just freeze to death either. Let's have it."
"Well, shared bodily warmth might help."
There was a large, exaggerated sigh from Severus' side of the bed. "If you must."
Remus slid over, adjusting arms and pillows. Severus' hair tickled his nose. A few minutes later Severus' body relaxed; within a few more they were both asleep.
It wasn't very early when Remus awoke as he judged the time by the watery sunlight filtering through the curtains. He huffed to move a strand of Severus' hair; he wasn't quite ready to move away from this man.
Severus' voice rumbled. "Do I get the rest of the treatment?"
"What?" Remus asked, confused.
"The treatment. The gentle kisses. The look who is sleeping in my bed and he is still here."
Remus chuckled. "Did any of those things happen in that room, Severus?"
"Well, the bed it creak and there was a small snow storm."
"This would be a Slytherin seduction then?"
"Really, Lupin who is to say who seduced whom?" Severus wriggled his arse against Remus' morning hard cock. "As long as we both get what we want."
"I do want you, Severus." Remus said earnestly.
"I know." Severus whispered as tiny kisses were rained across his jaw.