FIC: Phoenix Rising, Part 8 of 37

[geri_chan]

Title: Phoenix Rising, Part 8 of 37
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Snape/Lupin
Word count: ~9,120
Warning: AU; my own version of Year 6 (was written pre-HBP).
Author's notes: {} Indicates character's unspoken thoughts
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Sequel to: Always (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), Summer Vacation (Part 1, Part 2), For Old Time's Sake (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5), Three's a Crowd (or, Summer Vacation II) (Part 1, Part 2), Return of the Raven (Part 1, Part 2), Phoenix Reborn (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8)
Summary: Snape is summoned to another Death Eaters' meeting, and the wolf gets a little playful during the full moon.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7

***

Snape and Lupin missed breakfast the next morning because despite a pleasantly exhausting evening of lovemaking the night before, the wolf woke up "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed"--as Snape put it (although Lupin laughingly pointed out that the full moon wasn't till tomorrow night)--and feeling quite amorous. But finally Snape crawled out of bed and got dressed, pleading hunger, exhaustion, and the need to work on the Mind Restoration Potion.

"Don't go, Severus," Lupin murmured, as he came up behind Snape, slipping his arms around Snape's waist and nuzzling his neck.

"Cut that out, Lupin," Snape growled.

"Don't you like it?" Lupin pouted.

"Yes, I do, but the Mind Restoration Potion has to be tended at regular intervals. Besides, I've told you before, that I'm not as...ah...resilient...as a werewolf."

Lupin laughed affectionately. "I thought you were doing just fine!"

"Yes, but I do need some time to rest in-between," Snape said dryly. "I wonder if all werewolves are insatiable as you are?"

"I don't know, but I had better not catch you messing around with any other werewolves, not even for the sake of scientific curiosity!" Lupin said sternly, baring his teeth playfully at Snape.

"I love it when you're jealous, Lupin," Snape purred.

"You had better not purr at me like that, Severus," Lupin warned, "or you'll never get out of this room!"

Snape hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly said, "Duty calls. I really do have to tend the potion soon, or it'll be ruined, and I'll have to start all over again."

"Very well," Lupin sighed. "But maybe after lunch...?"

"After lunch, I'm all yours," Snape promised, bowing over Lupin's hand and kissing his fingertips in a courtly manner.

"I like the sound of that," Lupin said, grinning wickedly, and Snape hastily left the room before his resolve could falter. It was then that he decided to follow Branwen's advice and let Granger help them with the potion. If she was going to pester him with annoying questions anyway, then he had might as well put her to work. Besides, if the wolf was going to be so demanding, then he needed every bit of spare time he could scrape together.

He went to the kitchen to get a bite to eat, and found the girl helping Branwen and Molly clean up after breakfast, and imperiously commandeered her services. She looked surprised, but obediently followed him and Branwen to his workroom, while Molly watched them leave with a bemused look on her face.

Snape locked the workroom door behind them. Granger stared at him nervously while Branwen raised an eyebrow. Snape scowled and explained, "I don't want Lupin sneaking up on me again, especially when I'm working on the potion!" He certainly didn't relish the thought of explaining to the Dark Lord that the Mind Restoration Potion had been ruined because an over-amorous werewolf had startled him while he was mixing it.

"As you wish, Severus," Branwen said calmly, although she seemed to be fighting back a smile. Bane, sitting in his usual perch on her shoulder, cawed loudly.

Snape glared at the raven; he could swear the damn bird was laughing at him. "And make sure that bird stays out of our way!" he snapped. Bane cawed indignantly, but Branwen whispered something to him, and he sullenly flew off and settled down on top of a shelf in the corner of the room.

"You will assist Professor Blackmore in preparing these ingredients," Snape said to Granger in his usual curt voice. "You will follow our instructions, precisely and to the letter, because the potion will be useless if the ingredients are not prepared properly, do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," Granger said obediently. "What potion are we making?"

"That's none of your concern, Miss Granger," Snape snapped. "You will merely do as you are told, and you are not to gossip about your work here with anyone, is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," Granger repeated.

If Snape had been thinking more clearly, he might have phrased his words more carefully, but he was still slightly distracted by thoughts of Lupin. If he had ordered Hermione not to speak about the potion at all to anyone, she would have obeyed, however much she wanted to discuss it with her friends. But to Hermione there was a difference between "gossip"--frivolous talk, spreading rumors for the sake of mere entertainment--and a serious discussion about life-and-death matters that affected her and her friends personally...

Branwen could almost see the wheels turning in the girl's mind, but she merely smiled, and said nothing to Severus.

***

The next day, Snape was kept busy tending the potion and his werewolf lover. He was supposed to give Potter another lesson, but decided to postpone it until after the full moon had passed. He spent the entire day either in the workroom or in Lupin's bedroom, forbidding his lover to leave the room even for meals; he brought up trays of food from the kitchen for them. He was absolutely not going to give Lupin another chance to molest him in front of the children again. However, as the sun was beginning to set, the Mark on his arm began to burn--he had been summoned by Voldemort.

"So soon after the last meeting?" Lupin asked anxiously. "Severus, this could be dangerous--"

"It would be more dangerous to ignore his summons," Snape said grimly. "I'm sorry, Remus, to have to leave you on the night of the full moon--"

"I'll be fine," Lupin said. "I'm more worried about you. Please be careful, my love."

In spite of his apprehensions, and the somber mood that had fallen over them, Snape smiled at the words "my love"; it still seemed like a miracle to him that Lupin actually loved him. "I will," he said, giving Lupin a quick kiss. "The potion's been working fine for two years, so there shouldn't be any problem with the transformation, but Branwen is here in case--"

"I'll be fine, Severus," Lupin repeated firmly. "Go, before he grows angry with you for being late. But--" His voice dropped to a whisper. "Come back to me, Severus."

"I will, Remus," Snape said softly. "I love you. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"I love you, too, Severus," Lupin said, and Snape left.

To his infinite relief, Voldemort had not summoned him for punishment, or because he had found out Snape was a traitor. Bellatrix Lestrange was badly wounded--she was almost white with blood loss, and covered with numerous deep, bleeding scratches and puncture wounds. {Bites and claw marks?} Snape wondered. The potion Snape was making called for some rare and dangerous-to-obtain ingredients, such as dragon scales or blood, and the potions that the Dark Lord himself sometimes experimented with called for even stranger substances. Perhaps Bellatrix had been gathering potion ingredients for their Master, but it didn't really matter, at least not to Snape.

"Should I return home and bring some healing potions, my Lord?" Snape asked.

"I've given her what we had on hand," Voldemort said. "She needs something more." He frowned down at the wounded Death Eater, looking very angry, and Snape was grateful that the Dark Lord's anger was not directed at him. "Not that her life is worth saving," Voldemort sneered, " but I am rather short of followers right now..."

"Please, Master," Bellatrix whispered.

"What would you like me to do, my Lord?" Snape asked.

"Cast a Sanguis Sanatio spell to heal her," Voldemort replied. "You did it once before, with great success, to save Bellatrix's husband, ironically enough."

Snape bowed his head to hide his surprise, and said obediently, "Yes, my Lord." He quickly squelched the brief surge of fear he felt; could it really be a coincidence that Voldemort was ordering him to perform the same spell he had so recently cast to save Sirius Black? But now was not the time to think about that, nor could he stop to think about the time he had been forced to drain a Muggle captive's life-force in order to save Rodolphus Lestrange. Snape let his emotions drain out of him, and looked up at his Lord through cold, black eyes, the very picture of a loyal and ruthless Death Eater. "Who will be the sacrificial victim?" he asked indifferently, as if it were of no more importance to him than deciding whether to have bacon or eggs for breakfast.

Voldemort grinned, and the assembled Death Eaters cringed in terror, for this time there were no Muggle captives present. The Dark Lord let his crimson eyes rest briefly on each black-robed figure, then sighed and said, "Unfortunately, I can't afford to spare any of them. Take a little from each of them, and we shall hope that will be sufficient to restore Bellatrix."

As far as Snape knew, no one had ever attempted such a thing, and he wasn't sure if it would work, but he was not stupid enough to express such doubts to the Dark Lord. "Yes, Master," he said, projecting an air of confidence. "Who will be first?"

No one looked eager to step forward, but finally one figure did, pulling up the sleeve of his robe as he knelt down beside Snape and Bellatrix. Snape looked briefly into the Death Eater's eyes, which were all that were visible behind his mask; it was Rabastan Lestrange, Bellatrix's brother-in-law, and the only one of her comrades apart from her husband--who was presently imprisoned in Azkaban--who might be willing to risk himself for her sake. Voldemort handed Snape a dagger, one with an ornate hilt carved in the shape of a serpent, and Snape made a shallow cut on Rabastan's wrist, lifted his wand, and said, "Sanguis Sanatio!" Rabastan's blood dripped into his sister-in-law's mouth, and she swallowed, eagerly and convulsively. Some of the bloody wounds on her body began to fade. When Rabastan began to turn pale, Snape broke off the spell and said, "Next!" The other Death Eaters were still hanging back reluctantly, and the healed wounds began to reopen. "Quickly!" snarled Snape.

Voldemort grabbed one of them at random and shoved him forward. The robed figure dropped to his knees beside Snape, whimpering pathetically. "Give me your arm," Snape said impatiently. Wormtail thrust forward his silver hand, and Snape snapped, "Your other arm, you dolt!" Still whimpering, Wormtail extended his left arm, and Snape slashed it across the wrist, more deeply than he had Lestrange's. Pettigrew screeched in pain, but Snape held his arm firmly in place over Bellatrix's mouth, and cast the spell. Vindictively, he let Wormtail bleed much longer than he had Rabastan, not so much because Peter Pettigrew had been one of his childhood enemies, but more because he couldn't stand the way the sniveling little coward kept whimpering and whining. Snape didn't like any of the Lestranges, but at least they weren't cowards. Finally, when Pettigrew was sheet-white and almost ready to faint, Snape broke off the spell and shoved him away. "Next!"

As Pettigrew crawled away, sobbing and moaning, Voldemort said sharply, "The next person who hesitates will offer up ALL of their blood for the spell, and not just some of it!"

After that, the remaining Death Eaters all but trampled each other in the rush to step forward, though one pair of gray eyes glared at Snape hatefully--Gwydion Donner, no doubt--and a second pair of gray eyes--Gilbert Donner--stared at him in terror. Snape wondered if Gilbert still thought his restored sanity was worth the price of joining the Death Eaters, or if his former dull-witted state now seemed like blissful oblivion. He quickly worked through the remaining Death Eaters; the final one was Narcissa Malfoy, whose eyes no longer looked proud and haughty, but frightened and almost humble. Although their ranks were much reduced, it seemed that the blood offerings of the remaining Death Eaters had been enough to save Bellatrix. She was not completely healed; there were still half-healed scratches on her skin, but they had scabbed over and stopped bleeding, and she was breathing evenly, some color restored to her pale face.

"She will survive," Snape said coolly as he pocketed his wand, "but there might be some scarring."

"It will be a reminder of her foolishness and carelessness," Voldemort said, sounding satisfied rather than displeased, and Snape repressed a sigh of relief. "You did well, Severus," Voldemort said approvingly.

Snape bowed low. "Thank you, my Lord."

Voldemort dismissed all of the Death Eaters except for Snape, whom he asked to remain behind, and Bellatrix, who was in no condition to move. As Narcissa left, she whispered to Snape, "Please look after Draco at school."

"I will," he said quietly. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you," Narcissa whispered, in a tone of sincere gratitude that Snape had never heard her use before, and she Disapparated along with the others. He turned back to Voldemort and asked, "How may I serve you, my Lord?"

"Since I have used up our current supply of healing potions, I wish for you to make more."

"Yes, Master," Snape replied. "I have a good supply already on hand in my office at school. I can bring it over tonight, if you wish."

"That will not be necessary," Voldemort said dismissively, looking unconcerned. "You may owl it to me in the next day or two."

"Yes, Master."

"I would also like you to prepare some Sleeping Draught and Polyjuice Potion."

"As you wish, my Lord."

"Oh, and by the way, Severus, have you been in touch with young Mr. Rosier this summer?"

"Yes, my Lord," Snape said without hesitation. It was better not to lie, in case he had been spotted on the Donner estate, although he taken care to Apparate and Disapparate within the house, out of sight of prying eyes. "I have been writing to Ariane and Dylan, and I have stopped by the house a few times to visit the boy. But since your return was revealed, Mathias Donner has increased the protections on his estate, and has watched me carefully during my visits. He is suspicious, of course, knowing of my past, but suspicions are all he has, or he would never let me anywhere near his great-nephew."

"You know, of course, that Dylan is one of us now?" Voldemort asked in a casual voice, but his eyes were watching Snape carefully.

"Yes, my Lord," Snape replied calmly. "The boy informed me."

"You do not disapprove? I know you thought he was too young..."

"It is not my place to disapprove, my Lord," Snape said respectfully.

"That is right," Voldemort said sternly, but he looked pleased. "And how is our young friend adapting to his new status?"

Again, Snape settled on a mixture of truth and falsehood for his reply. "He was very frightened at first, but I think I have been able to reassure him. It is easier, now that I no longer have to hide my status from the boy, or avoid talk about his father's Death Eater days. He idolizes his father, and is eager to prove himself to be as loyal and worthy as Evan." But he knew Voldemort would be suspicious if he portrayed Dylan as being too eager, so he added with a sly smile, "And he is quite anxious to protect his mother. He loves her very much; it is one of his few weaknesses." Voldemort already knew that, so revealing this fact would do no further harm. "He has remarkable self-control and ambition for so young a child."

Voldemort looked very smug. "You see, he is not too young, after all!"

"Clearly I was wrong, my Lord," Snape said humbly; it was time to throw in some flattery. "I bow to your greater wisdom, Master," and literally bowed low to the Dark Lord.

"What a silver tongue you have developed, Severus," Voldemort laughed, but again, he looked pleased. "Do you think it will be possible to smuggle Mr. Rosier off the estate during the summer?"

Snape hesitated. "It would be very difficult, my Lord," he said carefully. "But if you command it, I will find a way to do it."

Voldemort gave him an approving look. "No whining, no protests that it cannot be done--very refreshing; that is what I like about you, Severus." Snape bowed again. "But I think that will not be necessary," Voldemort decided, after thinking over the matter for a few moments. "No point in arousing his great-uncle's suspicions; the boy will once again be under your control at Hogwarts in less than two months, after all."

"As you wish, my Lord," Snape murmured, being careful to show none of the relief he felt.

"That is all, Severus. You may go."

Snape bowed and Disapparated.

***

The children, along with Sirius and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, had just sat down to dinner, when a plaintive howl echoed through the house. It was a very eerie and haunting sound.

"What was that?!" Ron asked, dropping his fork.

"That was Remus," Sirius said, with a look of concern on his face.

"Tonight is the full moon," Hermione pointed out.

"Yeah, but I thought the Wolfsbane Potion was supposed to keep his mind human," Harry said anxiously. "It's not normal for him to howl like that, is it, Sirius?"

Hermione exchanged a look with Ginny. She had told Ginny about how "the call of the moon" had affected Lupin in the drawing room last night, but had not mentioned it to the boys since they insisted on acting so squeamish and immature about Lupin's and Snape's relationship.

"No," Sirius answered Harry, frowning, and rose from his seat. "I'd better go check on him."

Mrs. Weasley looked alarmed. "If he missed taking his potion, if he's not safe--" she started to say.

"Everything's fine," Blackmore said, walking into the dining room. "He's just lonely and worried, that's all. Severus was..." She hesitated, glancing at the children and then at Mrs. Weasley. "...called away," she finished.

"Was he summoned to a Death Eater meeting?" Harry asked.

"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, glaring at him. "I told you before, there are things you children do not need to know!"

"But Mum--" Ron started to protest, but Blackmore cut him off.

"Molly, like it or not, the children have already been exposed to danger, and likely will be again. Voldemort does not discriminate by age; he will show no mercy to them because of their youth. And they aren't stupid--they know that Severus is working as a spy, and that only a summons from the Dark Lord would have forced him to leave Remus's side on the night of the full moon." Mrs. Weasley opened her mouth but before she could speak, Blackmore turned to the children and said sternly, "And you need to understand that there are some things we cannot share with you, things that would put the lives of Order members in danger if they were revealed."

"We know how to keep a secret!" Ron said indignantly.

"I'm not saying you would reveal it on purpose," Blackmore replied. "But if the Dark Lord managed to break into Harry's mind, or if one of you were captured and tortured--"

"BRANWEN!" screamed Mrs. Weasley, and Mr. Weasley said nervously, "Now, now, Branwen, there's no need for that kind of talk around the children--"

"Yes, there is," she said firmly. "They need to understand the dangers and risks involved in working with the Order. You want to become part of the Order--well, it is time you learned that it is not all honor and glory, that there are risks and responsibilities involved as well."

The children had all turned pale. "We know that," Harry said quietly. "Especially after what happened in the Ministry. But...we are already involved. Voldemort's been after me ever since I started at Hogwarts."

"I know, Harry," Blackmore said in a more gentle voice. "And that is why your lessons at Hogwarts are so important; they will teach you how to protect yourselves. You cannot become full-fledged Order members until you are strong enough to defend yourselves against the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters, and until you understand that each Order member may be called upon to sacrifice his or her life someday."

The children turned even paler, and Ron and Ginny stared at their parents in something close to horror, as the realization sank in that their parents were not just "Mum" and "Dad" but Order members who were risking their lives in the battle against Voldemort. Mr. Weasley had already nearly been killed last year by the giant snake, after all...

"Enough, Branwen, please," Mrs. Weasley whispered tearfully, as Mr. Weasley put an arm around her.

"I know you never sugarcoat your words, but you've made your point, Branwen," Sirius said quietly. Blackmore nodded and gave Mrs. Weasley an apologetic look, and sat down at the dinner table without another word. There was an awkward silence, but then Sirius cleared his throat and asked, "Maybe I should go upstairs and check on Remus?"

"I was going to stay with him," Blackmore said, "but he practically pushed me out of the room. I think he wants to be alone right now. But maybe after dinner you can take a plate up to him and see if he wants some company."

***

Lupin informed Branwen about Severus's summons, and she stayed with him as he transformed. She petted him in a comforting manner, and scratched behind his ears, but it just wasn't the same as having Severus with him. He threw back his head and howled mournfully before he could stop himself, then gave Branwen a sheepish look.

"I know you're worried, Remus," she said. "But hopefully Severus will be back soon. And I think he'll be safe; the Dark Lord still needs the Mind Restoration Potion we're working on, after all."

Lupin wasn't really reassured, but he appreciated the attempt, and gave her face a friendly swipe of his tongue. She laughed, and he butted his head against her, pushing her towards the door. Gratifyingly, she seemed to understand the wolf almost as well as Severus did. "Are you sure?" she asked. "You don't want me to stay with you?" There was no point in her missing dinner, and Lupin was going to fret no matter what, so he barked and nudged her towards the door again. "All right," she said, pausing to give him one last scratch behind the ears. "But come downstairs if you change your mind." She left, making sure to leave the door slightly ajar, since the wolf was unable to grasp a doorknob.

Lupin paced around his room in restless circles, his claws clicking softly against the floor. He fought back an urge to howl again, not wanting to scare the children. Severus had left a spare robe draped carelessly over a chair, and Lupin buried his nose in it and inhaled deeply, feeling a little comforted by his lover's scent. He grasped the hem of the robe firmly with his teeth, pulled it down to the floor, and curled up on it contentedly, like a puppy sleeping on a favorite blanket. He made little snuffling noises as he pressed his nose against the cloth here and there, picking up various scents--Severus's own scent, of course; the sweet scent of lavender; the sharp, unpleasant smell of aconite; the slightly pungent, spicy scent of rosemary; and a slightly acrid scent that made him sneeze--hellebore, better not inhale that too deeply! Lupin remembered Severus telling Hermione last night that it was a narcotic. He barked out a small laugh; Severus probably wouldn't be too happy to come home and find an intoxicated wolf in his room! Feeling much better, Lupin continued to snuffle along the length of the robe, and caught the scent of brown sugar and chocolate. He shoved his snout into a pocket, discovered a crumbling but still edible chocolate chip cookie, and happily munched on it. It was probably a treat for Bane that Severus had slipped into his pocket and forgotten about; the raven and the Potions Master seemed to have forged an odd friendship the day they had been left behind together when Lupin and Branwen had gone out to meet Harry at the station. Lupin's mouth dropped open in a grin. Bane and Severus were really quite similar when you thought about it: cloaked in black, they acted menacing, but were more bark than bite.

Suddenly, Lupin's ears pricked up as he heard the front door open. He jumped up, shoved the door open with his front paws, and ran downstairs.

***

Harry and the others were just finishing dinner when they heard a loud thump, like something--or someone--falling to the floor, and then a loud shriek.

"That was Severus!" Molly exclaimed.

A moment later, they could hear the portrait of Mrs. Black screaming, "Filth, scum, traitors, and beasts--begone from the house of my fathers!"

Everyone ran down to the entrance hall, for once ignoring Mrs. Black as she screamed curses and insults at them. They found Snape lying flat on his back in the hall, struggling with a large brown wolf.

"Oh my God!" Ron shouted. "Lupin's attacking him!"

"Was there something wrong with the Wolfsbane Potion?" Harry asked, reaching for his wand, but Sirius grabbed his arm to stop him.

"He's in no danger," Sirius laughed. "Not unless you think Remus is going to tongue him to death."

The children looked closer, and saw that the wolf was not trying to bite Snape, as it had first appeared, but enthusiastically licking his face. Snape had grasped the ruff of the wolf's neck, and was trying to wrench Lupin's head away from his face, but without much success. "AARGH!" Snape howled. "Get off of me, you crazy wolf! Stop drooling on me!"

Although Sirius had made it clear that he disapproved of his friend's relationship with Snape, he seemed to find this scene vastly amusing, and doubled over with laughter. Blackmore was laughing also, and Mr. Weasley chuckled while his wife stared at her fellow Order members as if they had all gone mad.

"Damn it, Black, don't just stand there!" Snape snapped. "Make yourself useful! Argh!" He spluttered as Lupin's tongue swiped over his face again. "Get him off of me!"

"Are you saying you want help from me, Sevie?" Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Branwen!" Snape called, but his former teacher was too busy laughing to assist him or scold Sirius.

"Well, I suppose I do owe you one," Sirius conceded. "And I really hate being in your debt."

"Don't think this makes us even!" Snape said, glaring at him. "I hardly think--argh, stop that, Lupin!--that getting your best friend under control compares to my saving your worthless hide!"

Sirius grinned down at Snape. "Do you want my help or not? Most people would consider wrestling with a werewolf to be a very dangerous--"

"JUST GET HIM OFF OF ME!!!" Snape shrieked.

"Sirius!" Blackmore scolded weakly, still laughing.

"Oh, all right!" Sirius finally relented, and grabbed Lupin and tried to haul him off of Snape. However, that turned out to be more difficult than he thought it would, because the wolf was very strong, and was so relieved to see its mate home safe and sound, that it did not want to be budged from where it was lying on Snape's chest. Finally, he grabbed Lupin's tail and yanked hard on it.

Lupin yelped in pain, sat up abruptly, and turned to give Sirius a reproachful look. "I think your boyfriend would like to get up off the floor, Moony," Sirius said dryly.

Lupin looked down at Snape, who glared at the wolf and shouted, "Get off of me, you mangy, flea-bitten cur!"

Lupin gave Snape an apologetic and slightly sheepish look, licked his face one last time, then rolled off of his chest and allowed him to stand up. Snape wiped his face on his sleeve and glared down at Lupin, who barked happily and wagged his tail.

"HOW DARE YOU IGNORE ME?!" screamed Mrs. Black. "FILTH, SCUM, BY-PRODUCTS OF--"

"Dirt and vileness, yes, yes," Snape finished in a bored voice. "Not to mention half-breeds, mutants, freaks, perverts, and beasts." He stomped past the portrait, Lupin following close on his heels, still wagging his tail.

Ginny and Hermione walked past the portrait, ignoring Mrs. Black's screams as they giggled together. "Wasn't that cute?" Ginny laughed.

"I think it was disgusting!" Ron said, as he and Harry followed after the girls.

"So who asked you?" his sister retorted.

Blackmore was still laughing so hard that she could hardly walk. Sirius bowed and gallantly offered her his arm. "May I escort you back to the dining room, Milady?" She grinned and linked her arm through his, leaning on him slightly for support. "So, how many times do you think I have to save Snape from Remus before we're even?" Sirius asked, and Blackmore just continued laughing.

Mrs. Weasley shook her head and walked down the hall, muttering, "You'd think they could behave like adults and set a proper example for the children..."

"Oh, it's not all that bad, my dear," Mr. Weasley replied. "Look on the bright side, at least Severus and Sirius were cooperating for a change..."

"Hey!" Mrs. Black shouted. "HEY! COME BACK HERE! YOU CAN'T IGNORE...me..." Her voice trailed off into a disgruntled silence. She glared at the empty hallway, and the curtains swung shut over her portrait in a rather miffed manner.

***

Snape had intended to go up to their rooms, but the wolf caught the scent of food and headed for the dining room; now that he knew his mate was safe, Lupin discovered that he was starving. Snape reluctantly followed him, muttering something about "a wolfskin rug" under his breath.

Lupin jumped up, placing his front paws on the table as he sniffed eagerly at the remains of a joint of beef Molly had roasted for dinner. Ginny and Hermione giggled as Molly swatted Lupin's nose lightly with her apron and said, "Get down from there, Remus! I'll make you a plate." Lupin laid back his ears and sank to the floor, looking chastened, as the girls giggled again and Snape scowled at them.

Molly sliced several thick slabs of meat for Lupin and set the plate on the floor. "For Merlin's sake!" Snape said indignantly. "You don't expect him to eat off the floor like a dog, do you?!" Molly flushed, and Snape bent down to reach for the plate, saying, "We'll eat upstairs--" He broke off mid-sentence, because apparently Lupin had no qualms about eating on the floor, and was hungrily devouring his meal.

"You must be hungry, too, Severus," Molly said pleasantly, fixing him a plate, and Snape sullenly took a seat at the dining room table, glancing down to glare at the wolf every now and then.

Branwen said, "Well, there's really no need for him to hide in his room, since everyone knows he's a werewolf, and he's perfectly safe since he's been taking the Wolfsbane Potion all week." Snape turned his glare on her, and she smiled sweetly back at him.

Lupin licked his plate clean, then jumped up on the table again. "Damn it, Lupin, get off the table!" Snape snapped. "If you're hungry, all you have do is say so!" Lupin barked at him cheerfully, and lovingly swiped his tongue against Snape's face. "Cut that out!" Snape said, wiping his face on his sleeve.

Sirius chuckled. "I think maybe he wants the bone?" he suggested, and Lupin barked, wagging his tail.

Most of the meat had been sliced off it, but there were still many juicy scraps clinging to the bone. Snape set the platter that held the bone and the remains of the roast beef on the floor, and the wolf began gnawing on it contentedly. Snape looked down at him sourly and muttered, "I think I need to talk to Kamiyama about altering the potion..."

Meanwhile, Molly served dessert--a rich chocolate cake with sour cream frosting, and Lupin looked up from his bone, sniffing the air with interest. "Isn't chocolate bad for dogs?" she asked, hesitating over whether or not to give Lupin a slice.

"He's a werewolf," Snape pointed out in a slightly testy voice. "They're almost impossible to kill by normal means; he isn't going to be poisoned by a little chocolate."

Which was just as well, because he was cadging handouts from the girls, who were feeding him scraps from their plates, giggling as he licked cake crumbs off their fingers. Ginny began scratching the wolf behind the ears, and Snape snarled, "He's not a pet dog, you silly girls!" But Lupin's mouth was hanging open in a canine grin, his eyes half-closed with pleasure, and his tail was thumping happily against the floor. "Traitor," Snape muttered under his breath, giving Lupin a dirty look, and he could have sworn that the wolf winked at him.

Snape ate his dessert, glowering as the girls petted and cooed over the wolf as if he were indeed a pet dog. Branwen fed Bane half of her piece of cake; Molly didn't bother to express any concern over the raven, who seemed to have a cast-iron stomach. Having polished off his mistress's dessert, Bane hopped along the table and eyed Snape's plate hopefully. "Oh no, you don't," Snape growled, and Bane tried to look hungry and pathetic, without much success--Lupin was much better at it, judging by the way all four children were now slipping him bits of cake under the table. "And don't look at me like that! You're practically too fat to fly as it is, anyway!" Bane couldn't really make puppy-dog eyes the way Lupin did, so he settled for being annoying, and sat down in front of Snape, staring at him unblinkingly, until the Potions Master finally gave up and shoved his plate towards the bird.

{Potions "Master," hah!} Snape thought to himself peevishly. {I can't believe I'm letting myself be bossed around by a bird and an overgrown dog!}

Finally, after the last crumb of cake had disappeared, Lupin was content to follow Snape upstairs. Snape found his spare robe lying on the floor, and complained, "You've got fur all over my robes!" Lupin leaned against him lovingly, and proceeded to get fur all over the set of robes he was currently wearing as well. Snape heaved an exasperated sigh. "So now you want my company?" he asked dryly. "Are you sure you don't want to go back downstairs and beg doggie treats from the brats?"

Lupin just looked up at him, his blue eyes filled with amusement, and Snape could almost hear him thinking, {You don't have to be jealous, you silly git!} As if to reassure Snape of his love, Lupin jumped up, placing his front paws on Snape's chest, and licked Snape's face affectionately.

"Stop that!" Snape said, but he couldn't completely hold back his smile. "That's how you knocked me over the first time!" For a change, Lupin listened to him, and dropped back to the floor. Snape decided that he ought to encourage that obedience, and reached down to scratch the wolf behind the ears, although he grumbled good-naturedly, "If you don't behave yourself, next month I'll put you on a leash!"

The wolf licked his hand, and attempted to look contrite, but Snape doubted that his threat had made much of an impression. "Well, why should you listen to me?" Snape sighed. "No one else in this house does." He sat down on the bed, and the wolf jumped up beside him and flopped down in his lap. Snape sighed again, this time with contentment, and stroked the wolf, running his hands through its thick, soft fur. This was what he liked most about the nights of the full moon: being alone with Lupin, and knowing how much the wolf loved him and depended on him. It had become a habit, almost a ritual, a special moment shared only between the two of them. That was why he had been so put out earlier; not because Lupin had embarrassed him in front of everyone--again--but because he didn't want to share this moment, this night, with anyone. Well, to be honest, he hated sharing Lupin with anyone, period. As if sensing his thoughts, the wolf looked up and gazed at him tenderly, then gave his face a gentle swipe with its tongue. Snape laid his face against the top of the wolf's head for a moment, feeling warm fur beneath his cheek, and murmured in a barely audible whisper, "I love you, Remus."

The wolf's ears twitched; Lupin, like all canines, had excellent hearing. He could not reply in his present form, of course, so he settled for giving Snape's face another gentle lick.

***

Snape woke up the next morning, feeling Lupin's warm, human body pressed up against his, and his hand reached out and touched silky hair rather than fur. "Good morning, Severus," Lupin said, smiling at him sleepily.

"Good morning, Remus," Snape replied, appreciatively watching Lupin's lithe body as the werewolf yawned and stretched. "I hope you intend to behave yourself today," Snape said, striving--with rather limited success--for a stern tone of voice; it was difficult to sound angry when Lupin was lying next to him looking so beautiful. "The full moon has passed, so you can't blame your behavior on the wolf." Lupin just gave him a mischievous grin and licked his face. "LUPIN!"

"Sorry, Severus," Lupin giggled. "I couldn't resist." He loved teasing the Potions Master, and he especially loved that he was the only one allowed to get away with doing so.

Snape glared at him blackly, and mumbled under his breath; only about half of his words were audible: "Incorrigible beast...keep you on a leash...wolfskin rug..."

Lupin just laughed and nuzzled Snape affectionately, saying "Don't be so grumpy, Severus."

Snape ignored him, grumbling, "I'm going to have to talk to Kamiyama about changing the potion; it seems to be having some unforeseen side-effects--"

"There's nothing wrong with the potion, Severus," Lupin said, looking more serious now.

"Then why were you acting so wolfish last night?" Snape complained. "No--'wolfish' is the wrong word; you were behaving more like a pet dog! Honestly, Lupin, begging for scraps at the table and letting the children pet you--"

Lupin interrupted his tirade in a quiet voice. "I was a little silly and giddy last night," he admitted. "Partly because I was relieved to see that you were all right, but also..." He hesitated, and Snape ceased his grumbling and fell silent, waiting patiently for Lupin to continue. "All my life, I've hidden away during the full moon," Lupin finally said. "Even after I started taking the Wolfsbane Potion, and was no longer a danger to anyone, even after everyone knew I was a werewolf, I always spent the night of the full moon locked up in my cottage or in my room, letting no one but you or Sirius or Branwen see me. Last night was a great relief--Molly and Arthur and the children saw me in my beast form, but they didn't care. I didn't frighten or disgust them. You don't know how good that felt, Severus, to be able to be with people in my wolf form, and not have them scorn or fear me."

Whatever lingering irritation Snape might have felt instantly dissipated, replaced by a sense of mingled tenderness, disappointment, and guilt. He knew how much Lupin had feared and loathed the beast within, so he should be happy that Lupin had found friends who loved and accepted him for who he was. But he also felt a little disappointed--he had always felt smugly superior to those narrow-minded bigots who scorned Lupin for his lycanthropy, but at the same time he had secretly been grateful for their prejudice. It had made him feel special, to be the only one who was willing and able to accept, even embrace, Lupin's inner wolf, to be the only one that Lupin was able to trust and depend on. Lupin's fear and loneliness had served to bind them closer together, and now he felt a little resentful that he was no longer quite as special, no longer the only person that the wolf could trust. And then of course he felt guilty, for having such selfish and petty thoughts...

Lupin saw conflicting emotions fighting for dominance on his lover's face. "What are you thinking, Severus?" he murmured, reaching out to caress Snape's cheek.

Snape caught Lupin's hand as it touched his cheek, and held it in place, closing his eyes for a moment as he leaned into the caress. "I'm thinking that I'm a little jealous," he confessed, looking shamefaced. "I always liked spending the nights of the full moon alone with you, just the two of us. It made me feel...well...special, somehow..."

"Oh, Severus," Lupin said tenderly. "You ARE special to me! You created the Wolfsbane Potion for me, and made it possible for me to safely be around people in my wolf form. You loved me--all of me, including the part of me that I had always feared and hated. Many people tolerate me in spite of my lycanthropy, but you were the first one who didn't just tolerate the wolf, but embraced it. You healed me, Severus; you made me whole." He leaned in close, close enough so that Snape could feel Lupin's breath on his face. "I love you, Severus," Lupin whispered. "The wolf loves you. You will always be first in my heart. You will always, always, be special to me."

Snape breathed a small sigh of relief, feeling the guilt and resentment draining away. "I love you, too, Remus," he whispered back, then grinned. "Both of you, the man and the wolf." Lupin grinned back at him, exposing his sharp canines. He playfully licked Snape's cheek in wolfish fashion, then kissed him gently on the mouth, a long and lingering kiss. Snape put his arms around Lupin and pulled him closer, returning the kiss, which quickly turned heated and a little less gentle.

They did not make it downstairs in time for breakfast.

***

"So what's this secret project you've been working on with Snape and Blackmore?" Harry asked Hermione one night when all the children had gathered together in his room.

Ron made a face. "Working with Snape during summer vacation! That's even worse than detention!"

"I don't mind," Hermione said cheerfully. "It's quite interesting, really."

"But do you have any idea what the potion is for?" Ginny asked impatiently. "Why's it such a big secret?"

"Well, I've been forbidden to 'gossip' about it," Hermione said, "so we can't discuss it outside of this room--"

"Gee, that's too bad, I was planning to owl Malfoy with the information," Ron said sarcastically. "Come on, Hermione, you know we can keep a secret!"

"I don't know what it is, exactly, but I can make an educated guess, judging from the ingredients," Hermione said. "He's had me chopping up ginger, and I saw him add armadillo bile to the cauldron--"

"Those are ingredients for the Wit-Sharpening Potion!" Ginny exclaimed. "We worked on it in class last term."

"But why would that be such a big secret?" Harry asked dubiously.

"It's not a Wit-Sharpening Potion," Hermione said, a little smugly. "But you're not far off."

"Can't you just tell us?" Ron grumbled, but he knew she was going to stretch out her story for the sake of suspense, or perhaps just because she enjoyed lecturing. {She would probably make a good teacher,} Ron thought darkly. {It's no wonder she's gotten so chummy with Snape and Blackmore recently!}

"But he also had me dicing black hellebore roots," Hermione continued, "and that's not an ingredient for the Wit-Sharpening Potion."

"We used hellebore in the Draught of Peace," Harry muttered, still remembering how he had ruined his potion by forgetting to add that particular ingredient. "Isn't that supposed to be poisonous in the wrong dosage?" The thought had occurred to him more than once over the years, that perhaps Snape was trying to poison his students...

"It's a narcotic," Hermione said in a didactic tone, "sometimes used to treat nervous disorders. We've also been distilling oil from rosemary flowers and leaves."

"Um," Ginny said, her forehead furrowing in thought, "the properties of rosemary are...let's see...I think I read that it was used in love potions, but of course we aren't allowed to make those at Hogwarts..."

"That's because rosemary is a symbol of fidelity," Hermione said, "but it's also supposed to improve one's memory."

"So Snape's making some kind of memory potion?" Harry guessed.

Hermione just smiled smugly and continued, "I've also been chopping up ginseng, which increases alertness and reduces stress, and valerian roots. And I saw Snape add dried primrose petals to the potion.

Harry thought hard; it had not been that long since he had studied for his O.W.L.s. "Primrose and valerian are healing herbs, right?"

"Right!" Hermione said, grinning at him approvingly. "I've also been grinding coriander seeds and dried lavender leaves..."

"Isn't coriander just a cooking spice?" Ginny asked.

"It's used in certain healing potions," Hermione replied, "particularly ones that treat mental disorders. And lavender can be used to treat hysteria."

"So is it a memory potion or a healing potion?" Ron asked impatiently.

"Both," Hermione said, looking very pleased with herself. "But not just any simple healing potion! Snape's been very adamant that the ingredients have to be prepared just so, or the whole potion will be ruined. And it's not only herbs that we've been preparing; Blackmore has been grinding up gemstones to put in the potion: chrysolite, pearls, amber, moonstones, amethyst, jade--"

"Merlin's beard!" exclaimed Ron as Ginny's eyes went round with amazement. "That's some expensive potion!"

Harry remembered the essay he had done for Snape on the properties of moonstones. There were several different things the gem could be used for, but one in particular stood out, keeping in mind what most of the herbs Hermione had named had in common. "Moonstones provide mental clarity," he said slowly.

"Exactly!" Hermione said, giving him another approving smile; Harry half-expected her to award points to Gryffindor. "So does amber. Pearls are believed to increase wisdom, and chrysolite is supposed to cure insanity. The properties of amethyst and jade include restoring calmness and balance to the mind--"

"Dammit, Hermione!" Ron finally shouted in frustration. "Will you just get to the point and tell us what the potion is?!"

Hermione gave him a slightly offended look, then sighed and said, "Oh, all right!" She took out the fat, leather-bound textbook Snape and Lupin had given her for Christmas. She opened it to a page near the end of the book and pointed to it. Her friends gathered around, reading over her shoulder.

"Mind Restoration Potion?" Harry asked. "I've never heard of such a thing!"

"Nor I, till I read this book," Hermione said. "But that's not surprising, because it's very difficult to make. Only a Master-class potion brewer--like Snape--is capable of making this potion. It takes over a month to brew, and very precise instructions have to be followed every step of the way, or the potion will be ruined. Not only that, but it's very expensive to make--"

"No kidding," muttered Ron, "with all those gemstones it calls for."

"--and some of the ingredients are very rare and difficult to obtain. The herbs and gems can be purchased easily enough, providing you have sufficient funds, but it also calls for things like Jobberknoll feathers--"

"Used in Memory Potions and Truth Serums," Ginny said thoughtfully.

"--and the blood or scales of a Chinese Liondragon."

"Why does it have to be a Chinese dragon?" Harry asked curiously.

"Well, the book doesn't say," Hermione replied. "But in Asian folklore, dragons are renowned for their wisdom. There are a few even weirder ingredients listed, but you get the picture. All the ingredients have something to do with memory, wisdom, intelligence, or healing--particularly mental healing. I haven't seen Snape add the feathers or the dragon's blood to the potion yet, but he has some in jars in his workroom, and they're not supposed to be added till the later stages of the potion-brewing, anyway."

"So what exactly does this potion do?" Ron asked, peering more closely at the book.

"It heals magical damage inflicted on the mind," Hermione answered. "Like the Memory Charm that backfired on Professor Lockhart."

"Then why didn't they use it on him at St. Mungo's?" Ron asked. "Surely he could afford to pay for it, even if it is expensive."

"Because the effect is only temporary," Hermione explained patiently. "And not many people are willing to go through the time, expense, and effort of making the potion for a temporary cure."

"So why would Snape be making this potion?" Harry wondered out loud, frowning thoughtfully. "And why does it have to be a secret? Is it something that he's doing for the Order, or something that he's doing for the Death Eaters?"

"Neville's parents are in St. Mungo's," Hermione said. "I've been wondering if this potion is for them..."

Ron snorted. "Like Snape would go out of his way to help Neville!"

"Not to help Neville, no," Hermione agreed calmly. "But if the Longbottoms had information the Order could use, Dumbledore might have ordered him to make it."

"Hmm," said Harry, thinking it over for a minute. "Maybe. But the Longbottoms have been out of commission for years; why is it suddenly so important to cure them now? No, I think maybe it's something to do with the Death Eaters."

"Why would You-Know-Who want Snape to brew a healing potion?" Ron asked incredulously. "I would think he'd be more likely to have Snape make him some poisons!"

"Maybe one of the Death Eaters got injured in the battle at the Ministry," Ginny suggested.

"I hadn't thought of that," Ron admitted. "Could be. And some of those Death Eaters are probably a bit balmy after spending so many years in Azkaban with the Dementors sucking out their memories."

"Sirius was in Azkaban, too, and he's fine," Harry said defensively.

"Yes, but he wasn't affected in quite the same way," Hermione said soothingly, "probably because he was innocent."

"And Sirius was acting a little unhinged last year," Ron muttered under his breath.

"He's not crazy!" snapped Harry, glaring at his friend. "He was just frustrated, from being cooped up in the house all the time!"

"Yeah, that would probably drive anyone a bit batty," Ron hastily said in an apologetic tone. "I'd go nuts myself with Mrs. Black's portrait screaming at me all day!"

"Anyway, Sirius seems fine now that his name has been cleared and he can walk around freely," Hermione added, trying to avoid an argument between the two friends. Harry did tend to be a bit touchy and protective about Sirius...

"That's right," Harry said firmly, but his anger faded at the reminder that his godfather was finally a free man, and he smiled.

"I'm impressed, Hermione," Ginny said, changing the subject, "that you were able to figure out what the potion was from the type of ingredients you were preparing."

Hermione grinned, looking flattered. "Well, it is a long and very unusual list of ingredients," she said modestly. "It's ironic, because I never would have been able to figure it out if Snape hadn't given me this book!" She turned to Harry and Ron, saying, "I can loan it to you, if you like."

"Study?" Ron asked in disbelief. "During the summer?!"

"I'm sure you can handle that book, Hermione,"Harry said dubiously. "But it's a little advanced for Ron and me."

"That's why you should start studying now," she replied, giving each of them a stern look. "You both applied to Professor Snape's N.E.W.T. class, didn't you? You're going to have to study hard if you want to keep up. You didn't do too well in Potions last year, and his advanced class is even harder..."

Ron groaned. "I can't believe I let you talk me into it, Harry! We could have stopped taking Potions after fifth year!"

"It's required for an Auror," Harry said with grim determination. "And I'm going to become an Auror and fight Voldemort even if it means taking classes from Snape!"

"Snape hates us," Ron muttered, then added almost hopefully, "He'll never let us into his N.E.W.T. class!"

"You managed to get decent scores on your O.W.L.s, so I think he will," Hermione said, and Ron's face fell. "Besides, haven't you figured out by now that Snape does whatever Dumbledore tells him to? He's never flunked you, Harry, no matter how much he threatened to, not even when we helped Sirius escape in third year. And he's still giving you Occlumency lessons, isn't he? Besides, like Lupin says, I don't think Snape is as mean as he likes to pretend."

"Yeah, right," Ron snorted.

Hermione just smiled, remembering how Snape had told her the real reason why Dylan had broken off their friendship.

"And why are you grinning like a Cheshire cat?" Ron asked suspiciously.

"It's a secret," she said loftily. "Anyway, Professor Snape isn't so bad when he's working. He's really taught me a lot about Potions, and he's not as rude when Professor Blackmore's around. And when he gets caught up in his work, sometimes he even forgets to be grumpy."

"That I'd like to see," Harry muttered skeptically.

"Well, you could ask if he'd allow you to assist, or just watch us brew the potion," Hermione suggested helpfully. "Or maybe just ask him to give you some extra tutoring--"

"No!" Harry shouted. "No more extra lessons with Snape! The Occlumency lessons are bad enough!"

"Fine," Hermione sighed. "But just remember, if you want to become an Auror, you have to pass Snape's class next year..."

"Let me borrow your book, then," Harry said reluctantly. "I'll study over the summer, but I'm not taking anymore extra lessons from Snape!"

"Boy, I can hardly wait to start school..." Ron grumbled.

Part 9