Entry tags:

2008_fic, bottom!snape, fic4:scribbulus_ink, snape/lupin

7th Snapely Holidays entry - The Offer (Snape/Lupin)

Fic for: scribbulus_ink
Title: The Offer
Author: nimrod9


Pairing Snape/Lupin
Rating NC-17
Warnings Men having sex, dreaming about having sex
Summary Two souls with problems come together
Disclaimer The world of HP and its characters belongs to Rowling. The author of this fic has borrowed them for the purposes of storytelling. No profit was or will be made.
Word count ~4,800
Author Notes I hope this pleases. Many thanks to my beta and for this story muse WoPS!

The Offer

The idiot rapped at the door again. Obviously, someone who didn't understand the No Salesman sign, and thought that bad weather was the best time to be out. He peeped through the curtains. A bedraggled werewolf stood on his porch, pitiful and careworn, leaning on an equally shabby trunk. The knock sounded again. Damn, persistent Gryffindors. With as much drama as he could muster he flung open the door.

"Hello, Severus."

"Lupin." Severus nodded.

Remus pulled his cloak a little tighter. "Might I come in? It's a bit wet out here."

"The pissing rain is quite evident; however, I'm not the one who chose to be out in it."

Remus shoulders sagged. "Please, Severus. I have a proposition for you."

"I can not think of anything you have that I would want."

Remus pulled himself up straight and tall. "I can do magic."

That was a low blow, Lupin. When his blood had spilled out onto the floor of the Shrieking Shack he had retained enough for the healers and good blood restorative potions to revive him. However, his magic had left him that day. The healers had babbled about love and rejuvenation it had all sounded very esoteric and without substance. What Severus did understand was that there was no precise science to it, potions or therapy. There was nothing the healer could do for him. "Are you here to gloat?"

"Of course not, Severus."

"Then I shall. You look suitably pathetic with water dripping down your face, including that one drop that refuses to fall from the end of your nose. Useless to society, again, now that the war is over."

"Are you finished?" Remus asked quietly. "And ready to hear my proposal?'

Severus was interested, he stood aside.

Remus stepped in and cast a drying charm on himself and his trunk.

"Well?"

"Might we sit?"

"I doubt you will be here that long."

"Severus." It was practically a whine.

"As you wish. Get on with it."

Remus settled into one of the lounge chairs, he sunk a bit. "As I said I have a proposition for you. We can use my magic for your potions in exchange for room and board for me."

Naturally, his first reaction was to send Lupin back out into the rain, but he was excited by the thought of a chance to brew, to make a decent living. His savings wouldn't last forever, and he did desperately want to formulate potions again.

"I know you've lost your magic, Severus. We can help each other."

Severus snorted. He was absolutely, positively finished with helping others! If he did this it would be to help himself. Before he could stop them the words were sliding past his lips. "You will not enter my lab except upon my request. You may have the bedroom on the left. It will need dusting; you may do that as well."

"Thank you, Severus."

"I am not running a drop-in centre for wayward dark creatures. I shall expect you to work." Severus scowled.

"Of course. Perhaps I could start right now with what is left of those bookcases on the stairs." Remus shrugged off his cloak; he wore a close-fitting navy jumper and a pair of snug, well-worn jeans underneath.

Within minutes the ruined bookcases were down. There would be no more crawling through the wrecked timber. Severus went to the kitchen. His life had just taken another strange turn. He needed some tea. An hour later he emerged with a list in hand and a plan. The list fluttered from his fingers when he saw what Lupin had done.

Bookshelves lined the wall next to the stairs, but they were inset so as not to take any space from the stairway itself.

He couldn't be at a loss for words, could he?

"What do you think, Severus? I moved the bookcases off the backs of the bedroom doors out here, and I used what was left of the wood from the broken ones to create the third. I put the books that were stacked in the hallway into it."

"Can you cook as well?"

Remus beamed. "Yes, I can."

"Come with me then. The chicken awaits."

They took the two steps from the lounge to the kitchen.



Severus awoke with a faint sense of optimism, but he quashed it immediately. Before he got any daft notions in his head, he would just see what the next few days brought.

It was almost tea-time when they arrived back from Wizarding London loaded down with parcels. Severus was shell-shocked. Apparating again had been a dream; Merlin how he had missed it! His former suppliers had extended him some credit, Lupin had bartered for some advertising flyers and Severus had received his first two orders.

Lupin levitated all the items down to the lab and returned some of the items to their normal size. Severus shooed him out of the cellar and sorted the purchases to his satisfaction. Everything was dusted, labeled and in its place and then it hit Severus. He was living in a house with a werewolf and he didn't even know what the plans were for the full moon.

Severus appeared in the kitchen a moment later. "What do you intend to do during the full? Do you have a Wolfsbane supplier?"

Remus lifted his chin, but misery filled his eyes. "No one makes Wolfsbane anymore, Severus. It's one of the many things on Kingsley's agenda, but undoubtedly pretty far down the list."

"So what do you do?"

"Minerva lets me use the Shack." Remus replied.

"Hrmph."

After a few minutes of silence. Remus offered tea.

"We will begin brewing early tomorrow. I expect you down here and ready by seven."

"I'll be ready." Remus declared firmly.


Severus woke the next morning with a raging hard-on and fragments of a dream in which he had been hugging Remus Lupin. Of course, it couldn't have been hugging. It had to have been a replay of their Apparating yesterday. He could hear Lupin in the kitchen already, so there was no time to waste. His cock would just have to wait.

The day had flown by. When Severus emerged from his lab, the kitchen was cleaner and brighter than he had ever seen it. There was a chicken pie in front of him, and the first day of brewing was over. Over and a complete success. Lupin had listened to his instructions and followed them surprisingly well. Dinner would have been a silent affair except that Severus felt obliged to keep quashing Lupin's cheery small talk. After dinner Severus went to the lounge to read as was his custom. Remus went to the garden.

Severus banged the book shut. He had things to do tomorrow and a list would be required. Lupin needed to be advised of what was required of him as well. Most of the tiny garden was still filled with sunlight. Remus sat on a wooden bench with a piece of parchment, sketching. Severus hadn't known that the bench was even usable.

"Writing your resignation letter already?" Severus drawled.

Remus grinned. "No. I'm drawing up a new layout for your garden. I think you could make better use of your space and get a few more plants in so you won't have to buy so many potion ingredients."

"What do you know about organizing a garden?"

"I've worked for Muggle gardeners and wood workers. Since I've already used one skill to fix your bench I thought I would try my hand at the other."

"Hand it over." Severus commanded.

"Certainly."

Severus looked at the drawing and then to the garden and back again. It was simple and it made sense. The use of space, colour and texture were all good. To the casual observer it would look just like an under worked English garden.

"I believe this may have possibilities, but obviously nothing can be done until the end of the growing season." Severus handed the sketch back and their hands brushed. Lupin's skin was warm and firm. Why would he notice that?

"Of course, the plant selection will depend on how your business is going as well." Remus cheerfully took the parchment and continued with some changes.

"We will be going back to London tomorrow to deliver today's effort. I shall require more supplies."

An owl with a howler in its mouth interrupted. If Severus had had any magic in him, he would have incinerated it immediately. Instead he was treated to Madame Pomfrey's voice berating
him. 'Severus Snape, I can't believe you didn't tell ME that you had resumed brewing! You know exactly how many potions I will use during the school year. These students, your students deserve the best! I'd say more, but I find the words that come to mind to be most unprofessional."

Remus gave the owl a few green tortoise beetles. The message folded upon itself and dropped to the ground.

"That's wonderful Severus!"

"There is nothing wonderful about being screeched at."

Remus chuckled. "No, but it is wonderful that she can probably give plenty of work; she sounds keen to get her hands on your potions."

"I'll send her a response."

"It might be better to see her in person. Some business deals are easier that way instead of dozens of letters and questions."

Severus shot Lupin a glare, but knew he was correct. "After our delivery tomorrow, we shall stop and see her."

"You'll make a fine job of it, Severus." Remus said clapping Severus on the shoulder.

Severus hrmphed. Lupin's hand felt good and he should have shrugged it off, but he hadn't. Strangely it reminded him over his overdue wank.

The next morning Severus awakened from his dream, confused and hard as a rock. Lupin had been this dream as well, but this time shirtless, sweaty and pulling weeds. Obviously, it must have been a notion left from last night with Lupin in the garden and then later singing his way through his shower.

Lupin's Apparating technique was quite good. They delivered the first potions order without mishap and picked up two more orders at the Apothecary. Lupin had spoken to a man while they were there who was looking for Polyjuice potion. He and his wife wanted to spice up their sex life, if the man was any indication Severus could understand why. After they secured the order for a dozen bottles of that as well, it was time for them to go to Hogwarts.

Severus hadn't been back to Hogwarts since the day of the final battle. He hesitated at the gates, swallowing the painful lump in his throat. Remus stopped next to him. "Is it your first time back?"

Severus didn't respond. Remus broke the silence after a moment. "You know I died here?"

A voice in Severus' head cried out me, too.

Remus curled his own fingers over Severus' hand. "At least they listed me as dead." He paused. "I've been back to the castle a few times already."

Severus needed to move, speak, anything, but he didn't need to release the fingers that held him there. They kept him from running down the path to Hogsmeade.

"Minerva says that the reconstruction is going well." Remus spoke again, as his eyes searched Severus' face.

Reconstruction, that's why he was here, to reconstruct his life. Severus' feet finally moved toward the castle, but he didn't relinquish Lupin's hand. They reached the infirmary without incident. Poppy was bursting with an inordinate number of detailed, personal questions regarding his loss of magic. His responses were as short and curt as his acid tongue could manage. It was a painful subject, and there was truly nothing that could be done about it.

As they walked the path back to the gate, Severus reflected on the visit. The work he had acquired was welcome, but through sheer strength of will, and help from Remus a tiny voice said, he had endured returning to this place. The next trip could only be easier. He threw off his maudlin thoughts, and returned his mind to the weeks of work ahead.

One week turned to two and two into four and then the weeks became months. The mornings consisted of brewing with Remus casting spells and charms as required. This left the afternoons free for Severus to add the final ingredients by himself, and then tackle the bottling and labeling. He usually took an afternoon break for tea, and finished his work before supper.

Remus had taken over most of the cooking, seemingly able to make the food stretch forever. Apple pies and chutney appeared almost daily on the menu along with cabbage and brussels sprouts. Severus also noticed that all the windows in the house were clean, and the door once a peeling mass of gray paint and dingy wood was now a rich Slytherin green. The porch sported a clay pot with a rosemary bush.

A trickle of orders became a stream; there was work every day and dreams every night. The dreams were becoming more and more vivid. It wasn't that he was a prude exactly, merely inexperienced, and the object of these dreams was in the bedroom next door. It was quite disconcerting knowing that Remus was there, and some mornings he wondered if he should just slip down the hall and let nature take its course. A Slytherin voice in his head prompted him to do it, if things did not go well he could always pretend to be sleep walking. The entire affair, or perhaps lack of same, was completely ridiculous.

Apple pies gave way to pumpkin tarts.


The bedroom was dimly lit; all but one candle had been extinguished. A sound in the hallway enticed Severus toward the door. The noise turned out to be Remus who grabbed him and effectively pinned him to his own bedroom door. A rough hard kiss crushed Severus' lips.

"More, love. Open up." Remus entreated.

Severus' lips parted.

"That's it." Remus said encouragingly as he ran a finger over Severus' cheekbone.

Severus whimpered; Remus ran a soothing hand down his side and began rocking his hips.
A low groan filled the bedroom.

"Turn around; I want to touch all of you." Remus whispered.

Severus complied and gripped the casing of the doorframe; Remus' warm, strong hand gripped his hips as he ground his warm, firm body into him. "Be honest, Severus. You know you want to." Remus whispered.

He did want to, but he never had. How could he tell Remus? The hips behind him rocked again, pressing Remus' erection hard against his cleft. Remus nose nuzzled his neck, licking and sucking causing Severus' cock to throb. Severus pushed back into the hard length and felt a warm firm hand close over his wayward organ.

"Yes." Severus whimpered.

Severus blinked. They were both inexplicably naked, and he did not feel the least bit cold. Remus' questing fingers continued their exploration of his body. The feeling of skin on skin was incredible. Apparently, Remus wasn't even considering a bed. Severus thought he heard a charm and now the hand on his cock was slick with lube. That same hand glided effortlessly squeezing and stroking making Severus' squirm. He gasped as Remus released him. From the sound, he imagined Remus fondling his own cock, and a moment later he felt Remus sliding back and forth across his cleft. Severus pressed himself back into the hot, hard organ. Remus slipped a pair of slick fingers against his opening. He stiffened. "Stop….I've never…I…."

"Never, Severus?" Remus asked softly.

Severus shook his head.

"It's all right, love. We can go as slowly as you need to."

Severus relaxed slightly, bending further over to give Remus easier access. The first finger was the most difficult; the second had him pushing back a little.

"Severus…………Severus."

Severus' cock throbbed. His senses were on overload. All the warm skin, the new unbelievable sensations and the warm, gentle voice together were all too much. They had been going slowly, but suddenly it wasn't enough. He realized that he wasn't going to last much longer. Remus was going to have to hurry.

"Severus, wake up you're late."

Severus blinked his eyes rapidly, his heart pounded in his ears and his cock still throbbed far too close to completion.

"Are you all right?"

Fuck! Severus squeezed his thighs together. Severus pointed to the door. "OUT! I am fine except for a nosy werewolf and a bit of a headache. Now, if it is possible I'd like some privacy, a headache potion and a shower in that order. I will be down directly." He used his best glower-glare to direct Remus to the door.

"If you're certain."

"Quite."

Remus left the room, and Severus waited until the other man was in the kitchen. He didn't wait to get to the bathroom, but simply slid his hand inside his pyjamas and finished himself right there. When he could think again, he wondered what the hell he was thinking. He didn't have time to be distracted, Lupin was waiting.

Remus hovered all day. He made Severus' favourite breakfast, and offered a neck massage with lunch. Every time Severus turned around he was being asked if was all right. Severus kept putting him off; the laundry list of things that were most definitely not all right was growing by the minute.

"We need to go to the Apothecary."

"Did you get a new order?"

"No, we need to pick up some ingredients for Wolfsbane."

Remus gasped. "Severus?"

"Do not go all sappy on me, Lupin. My business cannot afford to have you incapacitated for more than two days a month."




A few days later Remus had asked about putting up some holiday decorations. Severus had acquiesced, grudgingly. Upon finishing the labels on today's potions Severus had come up to the kitchen for a cuppa. Remus had the tea and some biscuits prepared. Severus took them into the lounge, assuming he would find Remus there as well. Remus was there and so was a seven foot Christmas tree.

"Lupin! What is the meaning of this?" Severus fairly shrieked as he put down his cup.

"A Christmas tree."

"What the hell is it doing in my lounge?"

"I asked if I could decorate for the holidays. You said I could."

Severus was in full voice at this point. "I didn't expect a giant tree! I expected something small and tasteful."

It's just a simple Christmas tree with: the usual things; fairy lights, glass balls, tinsel and icicles, bells and bows and I even made a few gingerbread men. I thought you'd appreciate the colours; green and silver, very Slytherin" Remus cajoled.

Severus held is tongue for a second. "And bloody Gryffindor red!" His tea cup on the table exploded, a light bulb popped and books began flying from the bookshelves. Jars broke; the fire in the fireplace was whirling like a dervish. Severus tried to take a deep breath, he was feeling light-headed. Remus ducked as plates flew in from the kitchen. Candlesticks toppled, dust flew up from the carpet and ash from the fireplace began filling the air.

Severus blinked rapidly.

"Severus!"

Severus heard the voice calling from a long way off.

"Severus!"

Severus swallowed his Adam's apple bobbing. "Did I do that?

Remus nodded. "I've seen you angry before but this….This was quite an impressive display."

"That is quite a firm grasp of the obvious you have there, Lupin. Severus cocked his eyebrow. "If you want impressive, I have plenty of things I could show you." Why the hell had he just said that? And truthfully what was he going to do, trot out his bits?

Severus mouth worked before he dropped boneless into a chair. Remus rushed over. "You need a healer."

Severus shook his head. "No."

"If that display is any indication, I think your magic might be returning. May I call Poppy?"

"No. I need to go to bed."

"Are you certain?"

"Of course, I'm certain." Severus said wearily, but he didn't move.

Remus scooped him up in his arms and strode up the stairs. "Do you need a shower?"

"No, just bed." Who knew Remus would be this strong. Severus' mind wandered as he wondered about Remus' other attributes as he let himself rest against the broad, hard chest.

Remus placed him gently on the bed, removing his boots.

"Don't fuss, Remus."

Remus covered him with a blanket and sat down in the straight, hard chair between the wall and the wardrobe. When Severus awoke he reached for his alarm clock, it flew across the room and shattered against the wall waking Remus.

"I think you need a healer, Severus."

Severus swung his legs over the bed to pick up a boot; it flew up and hit him in the head. He fell backward onto the bed. "Damn you, wolf. I do believe you are right."

Remus picked him up and Apparated to St. Mungo's. A medi-witch whisked Severus away and Remus spend the next two hours alternating between pacing and sitting. After another four they told him to go home since he wasn't family. There was nothing else to be done, so Remus went home.


Remus had paced through the house at Spinner's End until dawn before falling into an exhausted sleep in Severus' bed.

It was noon when Severus arrived and began looking for Remus. He found him curled up in a bed, but not his own. Severus was astonished at how easy it had been to get Remus into his bed. He snorted at his own daft thought.

"Lupin, wake up."

Remus raised his head groggily. "Severus?"

"A man cannot even spend one night in a hospital. I come home, and here you are loafing about."

Remus was up. "Are you all right? What happened? Should you sit down? Is your magic back?"

Severus held up one hand. "Enough. Yes. I am quite fine. I can stand as long as I wish to. And yes my magic is back."

Remus sank back against the bed. With a smile that didn't quite meet his eyes he said. "That's wonderful, Severus! Could they explain what happened?"

A show of sadness was a good sign he hoped. Now for the long explanations. "It appears that I lost my magic during the final battle because I summoned strength from a platonic love that was unable to sustain the level of power I needed. It took everything from me."

"Your love for Lilly?"

"Just so."

"And your magic returned now because……?"

Severus paused for a very long time for he spoke. Pink spots appeared on his cheekbones. "I had to be loved by someone and I had to reciprocate." This wasn't the worst of it.

"Ahh. So who did you love back?"

A scathing response flew to Severus lips. "I will not be goaded into admitting anything."

"So your magic is back permanently?"

"Yes."

Remus sighed. "Then you won't require my services any longer."

Severus straightened himself. "I do require your services, just in a different capacity."

"Such as?"

Severus looked pained. The look didn't change for long minutes.

"I won't make you say it, but I will. I love you, Severus." Remus said softly.

It was Severus' turn to sigh. "You need to know. I do not have any experience, if that makes a difference."

"No difference whatsoever. We'll need to work out whether you're a top or a bottom though."

"I never imagined myself as anything, but a bottom."

Remus held out his arms and beckoned Severus to his bed. "Then we will start there. Unless there is other work to be done."

"Plenty, including that abomination in my lounge, but it can wait."

Apparently, Severus hadn't noticed the mistletoe yet. Remus smiled a mischievous smile before he pulled Severus down on top of him for a kiss.

Remus tasted of ginger and tea, and after a while Severus discovered that kissing required fewer clothes than he was wearing. It was as if Remus had read his mind, as he felt the small buttons at this throat open and tiny kisses being peppered along his neck. Far too many clothes it would seem. Remus had shrugged out of his jumper and his denims were already in a heap on the floor. Severus was awed by the texture of Remus' skin and the lines of his body. The heavy multi-buttoned robes were too tight, well too tight in one area, simply in the way otherwise.

Severus stroked the warm flesh of Remus' shoulder and arm.

"I'll swap you." Remus teased.

"Swap?"

"My pants for all your clothes."

A truly brilliant idea to Severus' mind. "Very well."

Remus eagerly started working on the long row of buttons. Severus did not want to wait.

"There is a spell."

"Mmm" Remus nuzzled Severus' neck. "But I like the buttons." His nimble fingers continued their quest downward.

When Severus' was freed from the top layer, he tore at his own shirt buttons. Remus was currently occupied with the bulge and buttons he found under the coat. Severus was unwilling or perhaps unable to wait any longer.

"Lupin!" It wasn't a whine, not really.

Remus nuzzled his crotch. "Yes?"

"I believe we were swapping."

"Just so." Remus rolled to his back to pull off his pants.

Severus took the opportunity to use a spell to remove his trousers and pants. Suddenly, he was very exposed and for a moment panic swept over him. Before he could reach his hands down to cover himself, Remus pulled him into his arms to kiss him. The panic ebbed away leaving desire in its place.

They touched, teased and explored with finger and lips and teeth. After a time Severus wondered if he as going to have to beg, but Remus pulled back and pushed Severus' hair from his face.

"I don't suppose you have any lube?"

Severus swallowed. "No."

"All right." Remus grabbed his wand and with a flick conjured some into his palm. He slicked them together, and Severus groaned.

"From behind or face to face?" Remus asked. "From behind is probably easier the first few times."

Severus didn't hesitate. He'd never done anything the easy way. "Face to face."

Remus produced more lube, and kissed Severus thoroughly. Severus rolled to his back. Clasping their cocks together Remus stoked them as he began to prepare Severus. One finger brought tight clenching, and a little anxiety. Remus spoke gentle, soothing words and continued his ministrations. The second digit was easier and with three, with three Severus had had enough.

"No more." He whispered.

Remus pulled back he eyes wide full of concern. "Did I hurt you?"

Severus shook his head as he said. "Don't want to wait." It might be childish or churlish but he did not want to wait, couldn't wait, any longer.

Remus beamed as he lifted Severus' arse with a pillow and then conjured more lube to slick himself again. The head of Remus' cock pressing in caused Severus to gasp, but he greedily took everything that Remus had to offer. Remus paused.

Severus growled. "Move."

"I…."

"Now!"

Remus complied slowly, carefully with utmost tenderness until there was another growl from Severus.

"I won't break!"

Severus saw passion cloud Remus' eyes. The pace was quickened, Remus pulling almost all the way out before hammering back in. A warm, slightly calloused hand gripped Severus cock sliding over it in the same quick rhythm that the cock was entering his arse. This was just what he wanted, but it didn't last. He was quickly overwhelmed by the sensations and before he could tell Remus to slow down, he was covering Remus' hand and their bellies with this creamy, white essence.

Remus cried out a moment later. As he felt the hot pulses inside him, Severus watched the face above him. It was a truly incredible sight. They lay quietly, and Remus rolled to his side when he slipped free, but he kept Severus anchored to him.

Severus pondered the etiquette of post-coital small talk, Remus interrupted his thoughts.

"About the tree…"

"The tree is tolerable. My question is about the quantity of mistletoe you purchased."

"I didn't buy it Severus. I gathered it. You know werewolf equals no money."

"And the quantity?"

"A lot."

"Excellent." Severus thought this was the perfect time for him to initiate a kiss. So he did.





END