FIC: Aftermaths, Part 29

[geri_chan]

Title: Aftermaths, Part 29
Rating: NC-17 overall, but most chapters are closer to PG-13
Pairing: Snape/Lupin, Theodore/Blaise, and a few other minor pairings
Word count: ~9,230
Warning: AU; 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, Summer Vacation, For Old Time's Sake, Three's a Crowd, Return of the Raven, Phoenix Reborn, Phoenix Rising
Summary: Snape and Lupin get an unexpected visitor on the night of the full moon, and Theodore learns a little more about his adopted family.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28

***

Blaise wasn't sure what exactly had happened, but after returning from his detention with Lupin on Saturday, Aric's attitude seemed to have changed dramatically. He had toned down his obnoxious behavior, and had even started making friendly overtures towards his housemates. The seventh-years were still wary of him, but some of the younger students had responded favorably, asking him questions about what life at Durmstrang was like; most of the Slytherins were naturally curious about a school that specialized in the Dark Arts. The girls, Yvonne's crowd in particular, were pleased to have a new good-looking boy to flirt with now that Dylan was off the market. And while it was clear that he still hated Theo, Aric limited his hostility to a few sullen glares, and no longer taunted or argued with his cousin, for which Blaise was grateful, although Aric's sudden change in personality made him suspicious.

Aric's reformed behavior carried over from the weekend into the new school week. DADA class went smoothly on Monday: Aric turned in his werewolf essay without complaint, and was polite, if a bit cool, to Lupin. He even raised his hand a few times when Lupin asked the class questions.

They continued with their curse-breaking lessons, which Lupin managed to make challenging but fun, as usual. Normally the class was a little loathe to leave when the bell rang, but since Defense happened to fall right before lunch today, and they had all worked up an appetite, the students gathered up their things and hurried out to the Great Hall, pausing only briefly to say goodbye to Lupin.

As they got halfway down the corridor, Blaise said, "Oh damn, I think I left one of my books back in the classroom!"

"I'll go back with you to get it," Theodore offered.

"Oh, that's okay," Blaise said casually. "You go on ahead; it'll just take me a minute to run back and grab it. I'll catch up with you."

"Okay," Theodore said, and continued on with the other Slytherins. Blaise ran back to the classroom, where Lupin was tidying up his desk and preparing to leave.

"Oh, hello, Blaise," Lupin said with a smile. "Did you forget something?"

"Yes, sir," Blaise replied, going to his desk for the book he'd deliberately left behind to give him an excuse to come back. "Um...could I talk to you for a minute?"

"Of course," Lupin said, still smiling. "What is it?"

"Well...um...Theo and Dylan have been going over to your and Professor Snape's quarters almost every night," Blaise began hesitantly. "I know that Theo is really happy that Professor Snape adopted him, and I'm glad for him, but...well...we kind of miss having them around in the dorm in the evenings." He hastily added, "I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining--"

"But I wouldn't want Theo and Dylan to become isolated from their housemates," Lupin said thoughtfully, "nor for the others to resent them for having special privileges--after all, most of the students don't get to visit their parents every night. I hadn't really considered that, but it's been a long time since one of the teachers had a child attending Hogwarts."

"But I don't want to stop them from spending time with you and Professor Snape, either," Blaise assured Lupin. "I know it means a lot to them."

"Do you have any ideas as to how Severus and I should handle this, Blaise?" Lupin asked. "You've clearly given this some thought."

"As a matter of fact, I do," Blaise said, and told Lupin his idea.

"That's a wonderful idea!" Lupin said, grinning widely.

"Maybe Professor Snape won't go for that, though," Blaise said uncertainly.

"Oh, don't worry, Blaise," Lupin said, a sly and smug look on his face. "I'll persuade him."

"Well, all right then," Blaise said, deciding that he'd really rather not know the details about how Lupin intended to persuade Snape to go along with it. "Er...I haven't mentioned anything about this to Theo and Dylan..."

Lupin smiled. "Don't worry, Blaise. I won't tell them it was your idea."

"Thanks, Professor," Blaise said, feeling relieved. "I'll see you later."

When he caught up to his friends, Theodore asked, "What took you so long? Couldn't you find your book?"

"It was right where I left it," Blaise replied honestly. "But the Professor and I got to talking a bit."

"Oh," Theodore said, not seeming to find anything suspicious about that; Lupin was as gregarious as Snape was sour, and often stopped to chat with his students after or between classes. Blaise changed the subject to Quidditch, and soon Theo and his teammates were enthusiastically discussing ways they might beat Gryffindor this year.

***

Alone in their quarters after school had let out for the day, Lupin spoke to Snape about his conversation with Blaise. "I think part of it is probably that he misses spending time with Theo in the evenings..."

Snape smiled. "Ah, yes...young love. They should just feel lucky that they're in the same House and share a room."

"Unlike us, when we were their age," Lupin laughed. "But still, I think there's more to it than that."

Snape's expression turned more serious. "Yes, now that you mention it, I have noticed the beginnings of discontent among the Slytherins...nothing major yet, a few muttered complaints, mainly among the girls, that Dylan is hardly seen in the dorm these days, as he's either with Granger or with us. But you're right; we shouldn't let it escalate further." Snape sighed regretfully. "Though I will miss our chess games. But at least we get to see them everyday, unlike most of the students' parents."

"There might be a solution," Lupin said with a smile, and told him what Blaise had suggested.

Snape scowled. "I think it's a stupid idea, Lupin."

"Don't you want to spend time with your sons, Severus?"

"Of course I do, but I don't think the other students will appreciate it."

"Nonsense, Severus. As I've told you, you're much more popular than you think. How many students offered you condolences about your father, either directly or through me and the boys?"

Snape crossed his arms, looking downright sulky. "It will ruin my reputation."

"Well then, we'll say that I forced you to do it."

"I'm not sure what's worse," Snape grumbled, "having the students think that I'm going soft, or having them think I'm henpecked."

"Wolf-pecked," Lupin corrected with a laugh, kissing him on the cheek. "Aw, come on, Sev," he wheedled. "I'll make it worth your while." In a sultry voice he said, "You can have your way with me, anywhere, anytime you please."

Snape flushed, feeling the heat of desire spreading through his body, but leaned back against the couch and said calmly, "I do that anyway. Besides, I think that's more your fantasy than mine--you're the one who started this quickie-in-the-office-between-classes business."

"I'll howl for you," Lupin whispered into Snape's ear, his breath tickling it pleasantly.

Snape shivered. "You'd do that anyway," he pointed out, but his voice went hoarse and his mouth went dry nevertheless.

Lupin nibbled gently on Snape's earlobe. "Mmm, but the idea still excites you, doesn't it?" He slowly began to unfasten his robe.

"Bribing me with sex won't work, Lupin," Snape said, but he put an arm around Lupin and pulled him close. "A bribe is only effective if you intend to withhold it until the person you're bribing does what you want." He scraped his teeth lightly against the soft skin of the werewolf's throat, and Lupin groaned; Snape grinned wickedly. "And there is no way you would ever be able to deny me sex this close to the full moon." A few well-placed caresses proved his point as Lupin writhed and moaned in his arms.

"You drive a hard bargain, you sly Slytherin," Lupin panted into Snape's ear. "But you have another weakness besides sex. What if I persuade the house-elves to make us a special dessert...that chocolate cake you like so much, the one that's made with bittersweet chocolate and sour cream, topped with thick, rich fudge frosting? Or perhaps a strawberry shortcake, with whipped cream and fresh strawberries...?" Lupin smiled, slowly and sensually. "That might be fun to eat in bed..."

"No fair combining sex and sweets, Lupin," Snape complained. "That's cheating."

"That is the Slytherin way, after all, my dear," Lupin said with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"You're supposed to be a Gryffindor," Snape retorted.

"Well, I suppose your sneaky ways must be rubbing off on me," Lupin said, grinning and batting his eyelashes at Snape. "Come on, Sev--didn't you tell the boys that it's easier to just give in to the werewolf when he wants something?"

Snape's face turned red. "Yes, but you weren't supposed to have heard that."

"Chalk it up to my keen werewolf hearing," Lupin said.

"Oh, very well," Snape sighed, giving in to the inevitable. "But not every night."

"No, a few times a week should be sufficient," Lupin agreed. "Besides--" He lowered his lashes and smiled coyly. "--we do want some private time for us once in awhile."

"Then we have a bargain," Snape said huskily, pulling Lupin onto his lap. "And now it's time for you to keep up your end of the bargain. I believe you said something about anywhere, anytime? Well, I choose here and now."

"As you wish," Lupin said, covering Snape's mouth with his own.

***

Later that evening after dinner, Lupin appeared in the Slytherin common room carrying a large platter heaped with cookies, a slightly sulky Snape trailing behind him.

"Professor!" Draco exclaimed, looking startled--as all the children in the common room did, except for Blaise, whose surprise looked a bit feigned, but Lupin doubted that anyone else noticed. Lupin grinned; Blaise was quiet, serious, and well-behaved--unusually so for a Slytherin, but every now and then he proved that he could be as devious as any of his housemates.

"Rem--I mean, Professor Lupin," Theodore said. "What are you and Professor Snape doing here?"

"Well," Lupin replied, "as I am living in the dungeon now, and seeing as how Severus and I are...er...companions now, I thought perhaps I should take the opportunity to get to know all of the Slytherins a little better." He smiled in a boyish, mischievous way. "And besides, as a Gryffindor, it's a bit of a thrill to be able to sneak into the Slytherin dorm."

"You didn't sneak, Lupin," Snape pointed out sourly. "I gave you the password. Which I can revoke at any time, let me remind you."

"And Professor Snape is here to keep me out of trouble," Lupin said, winking at Snape.

"A losing proposition," Snape said huffily, "but I thought I should do my best to see that you do not corrupt my Slytherins overmuch with your Gryffindor idealism."

"Yes, you take your duties as Head of House most seriously," Lupin said gravely, but his blue eyes were dancing with merriment; Snape snorted. The two Professors took a seat on the couch, and Lupin passed the plate of cookies around. Theodore and Dylan grinned, and came over to sit next to their parents, and soon most of their friends and housemates had gathered around them. Snape began reading a Potions journal as Lupin chatted with the students, but eventually let Lupin badger him into joining in on a game of cards with the werewolf and some of the students.

"No fair cheating now, Severus," Lupin warned sternly.

Snape grinned wickedly and said, "It's only cheating if you get caught at it."

Soon it became a regular and--somewhat surprisingly, to both Snape and the students--welcome routine for the two Professors to drop by the dorm two or three times a week, usually bearing cookies or some other type of snack, and the students soon got into the habit of heating a cauldron of water or milk in the fireplace for tea or cocoa when Lupin and Snape visited. Sometimes Lupin would play card games with the children, and at other times he would tell them stories about his schoolboy days and the Marauders' pranks. Mostly Snape would read a book or magazine and pretend to ignore them, but sometimes Lupin would coax him into joining a card game or playing chess with Dylan or Theo. During the chess games, Dylan's and Theo's friends would offer advice while Lupin would give Snape advice--unasked for and unhelpful advice, Snape pointedly declared. The Slytherins began making wagers on the chess games--but very quietly, because no one wanted their Head of House to take offense if he learned that anyone was betting against him.

The students tread cautiously around Snape at first, but gradually, as they became accustomed to his presence, they began to ask him questions about their Potions assignments, and he would reply, providing that their questions were intelligent and they weren't simply trying to get him to give them the answers to their homework. A few even ventured to timidly ask Snape about his days as a student at Hogwarts as they did Lupin. If he was in a good enough mood, Snape would tell them a few harmless anecdotes about Quidditch matches against Gryffindor or some mischief their parents had gotten into as children, but he never talked about the Death Eaters or how he had come to join them.

Dylan and Theo still visited Snape's quarters to spend time alone with their parents, but less often now that Snape and Lupin spent so much time at the dorm, and the resentment of the Slytherins dissipated before it ever really had a chance to get started.

Aric never joined in on the games and discussions, but sometimes Lupin would see him hovering around the edges of the group, hiding in the shadows, quietly listening in, and Lupin hoped that was a good sign.

***

The day after the Professors' first visit to the Slytherin dorm, Dylan received a letter from Goewin in response to the query he'd sent her about the foreboding fortune Theo had cast with his runestones shortly before school started.

***

Dear Dylan,

I'm sorry it took me so long to reply to your letter. Blodwen dropped it off at home in Wales while we were in London putting some of Deirdre's affairs in order. We've decided to close up the Donner mansion in London and take Deirdre's house-elves back to Wales with us; it's too much trouble traveling back and forth while Ariana is still so small. Ari was also feeling a little sick when we got back, but she's better now--Severus's tonic was very helpful, so please thank him for us.

As for the reading Theodore's runestones gave, yes, the fact that he cast the same runes three times in a row is significant, but at the same time, don't let it scare you. As you know, the Divination process is notoriously vague, and sometimes things become clear only in hindsight. The runestones are meant to be an aid and a guide, not a premonition of doom. If danger is foreseen in the runes, one can take steps to avoid that danger. And you must remember that the runes are symbolic and not necessarily to be taken literally. The water-reversed rune can mean betrayal, as Theodore told you, but it can also mean that one's own mind has become confused and in danger of making a bad decision. I am not surprised that the central rune in the casting was the one for change, considering the turmoil and upheaval in your friend's life--in both your lives--in recent months. Change can be frightening sometimes, but it is a force for good as well as for ill; the Ministry was afraid to face change, afraid to face the fact that Voldemort had returned, and wanted to continue living in their blissful illusion of safety. If the Order and you and your friends at Hogwarts had not been willing to embrace change, we could all have perished.

So advise your friend to be cautious and not to act rashly, but neither should he let fear overwhelm him. There will no doubt be more change and turmoil in the days to come, but I believe that in the long run, he will be a stronger person for having faced them. Give him your support, as his friend and his brother.

In fact, I believe I see an auspicious rune in this casting: the rune Othel, which symbolizes home and inheritances. I recently heard that Severus has adopted Theodore and been reinstated as the Snape heir, which means that Theodore now has the backing of the Snape family behind him. Do you see what I mean about things becoming clear in hindsight?

I am sorry to hear about Severus's father, although I suppose he will not want my sympathy. And I was suprised but gladdened to hear of the adoption; I am sure it will be good for both of them. Severus has changed a great deal from the wary and bitter boy I used to know--I think being with Remus has changed him for the better. (And look, there is that word "change" again!) Or perhaps I am only now beginning to see--or he is only now letting us see--what has been there all along; I don't think that even Remus could create love and compassion where they did not exist before. Severus and I quarreled at times during the Order meetings, over how much risk you should be exposed to, but I could see how much he loved you and wanted to protect you.

So try not to worry too much about the runes, dear, but go to Severus and Remus at once if you perceive any danger to yourself or Theodore. The main threat from the Death Eaters is over, but there will be those who hold grudges against the families of the Death Eaters. I don't believe it will escalate into violence, but be aware and be cautious. And please write to me and Uncle Math about how things are going at school.

Love always,
Aunt Goewin

***

Theodore smiled sheepishly when Dylan showed the letter to him. "With all the excitement about the adoption and Aric showing up Hogwarts, I completely forgot about the runestones. Guess I got all worked up over nothing, huh?"

"Aunt Goewin didn't say that it was 'nothing,'" Dylan pointed out. "She said that it was significant and to be cautious, but not to be scared by it."

"Maybe all the signs of trouble were pointing to Aric," Theodore mused. "Though I don't know if I really consider him a danger; he's more of a nuisance, really."

"Well, be careful around him," Dylan warned. "I don't trust him not to hex you when your back is turned."

"I will," Theodore promised.

***

The night of the full moon fell on a Thursday, and Lupin and Snape skipped dinner in the Great Hall to eat an early meal in the privacy of their quarters. They were not really surprised when Theodore and Dylan knocked at the door just as they began eating.

"Come in," Lupin said with a smile. "I had the house-elves bring up enough food for four."

But they were surprised when another knock sounded at the door just after they had sent the dirty dishes back to the kitchen. Snape opened the door to find Lukas Bleddri standing behind it, looking uncomfortable and a little sheepish.

"Bleddri!" Snape said, startled. "I didn't expect to see you tonight, as I gave you your dose of Wolfsbane Potion this afternoon. Is something wrong?"

"No, not really," Lukas replied. "I just--" Then he broke off his sentence when he caught sight of Dylan and Theodore staring at him curiously. "Oh, excuse me, I didn't realize you had company."

"It's just Theo and Dylan," Lupin said with a smile. "They've become accustomed to spending the full moon with me. Come in, Lukas."

"Oh no," Lukas hastily demurred, starting to back away from the door. "It's nothing important; I'll just be on my way--"

"You didn't want to spend the night of the full moon alone, right?" Lupin asked quietly.

Lukas froze in place, then reluctantly nodded. "I usually spend the full moon with my pack, but I didn't want to leave Hogwarts since tomorrow is a school day and I have to be up early..."

"The improved Wolfsbane Potion has made the tranformation less debilitating, but if you do feel too tired to teach, Albus won't mind if you take the day off," Lupin told him.

"No!" Lukas said sharply. "I won't give the bigots more ammunition to use against our kind, won't give them a reason to say that you shouldn't hire werewolves because they have to take time off from work every month."

"Then you're welcome to spend the evening with us," Lupin offered.

"I don't want to intrude," Lukas protested; he had clearly walked into a private family gathering.

"You won't be intruding," Lupin assured him with a smile. "And besides, we werewolves should stick together. Severus and the boys won't mind."

Lukas wasn't so sure about that; Lupin had a tendency to speak for his mate without asking for his mate's opinion, but Snape said in an only slightly grudging voice, "Come in, Bleddri."

"Are you sure?" Lukas asked skeptically.

"It's a pack thing, isn't it?" Snape asked in a suprisingly reasonable voice. "Wolves don't like to be alone, and your wolfish instincts become stronger when the moon is full. You had might as well stay, Bleddri. I doubt there will be any problems as you've been taking the Wolfsbane Potion, but just in case there are, I'll be close at hand to deal with them. And besides..." Snape heaved a long-suffering sigh. "I'd rather invite you in than have the werewolf nag me about it all night."

"He'd only be able to nag you until the moon rose," Lukas pointed out, beginning to smile; for all that Remus claimed that Snape was the alpha of his pack, he certainly seemed to control most of the decisions that were made in his odd little family. In fact, despite his meek and gentle demeanor, Remus seemed to get his way in most things, period. Every child in the school seemed to adore him, with the exception of Dietrich, but even then, Remus had been able to bully Aric into "volunteering" at the clinic, and despite Lukas's initial misgivings about it, he believed that they had actually made some progress with the boy. Not much, but it was a start, and more than Lukas had expected.

"Oh, believe me," Snape replied tartly, cutting into Lukas's train of thought, "Lupin is quite able to make his opinion known even in his wolf form."

The boys laughed, and Lupin just smiled innocently, an I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about expression on his face. Feeling a little less uncomfortable, Lukas entered the Potions Master's quarters, and took a seat on the floor in front of the fire, dropping into a sitting position in one smooth, fluid movement--the unconscious grace of the wolf, which was second nature to him by now; the boys looked a little impressed.

There was an awkward silence; at least, Lukas felt awkward, and the boys seemed to as well, although Lupin looked serene and Snape had fixed a look of cool, detached interest on his face, like a scientist about to observe an experiment. Lukas thought Snape might be trying to cover up his own discomfort, but it was sometimes difficult to tell what the Potions Master was really thinking. The Head of Slytherin, true to his House, was a cunning and devious bastard, but the one thing that did ring true, always, was the fierce and possessive--almost wolflike, one might say--love he had for his mate and cubs, no matter how much he grumbled about Lupin's Gryffindor idealism and cheerfulness.

They did not have to endure the silence for long; the moon rose and triggered the transformation even though its light did not reach into the depths of Snape's dungeon quarters. Lukas felt the pain of his flesh and bones realigning themselves, and with long practice, he surrendered to it instead of fighting it, and the pain passed quickly. He rose on four legs and shook himself, settling into his new body, feeling a sense of rightness; he was as comfortable in his wolf form as he was in his human form, perhaps even more so. As a human, he was still a predator, a wolf in a man's body, and in a way, it felt good to actually be the wolf and not have to be careful to behave like a proper human so as not to scare people. This was what most werewolves feared, Lukas thought to himself, if they would truly be honest with themselves: the reason that they fought so hard against the transformation, the reason that they tried so hard to repress the wolf within was because a part them enjoyed it. Enjoyed not having to work at being human, enjoyed the freedom in surrendering to the beast's natural, unthinking instinct to run and howl and yes, to hunt and kill. They feared that if they acknowledged that joy and gave in to the wolf, they would no longer be human. Maybe they were even right about that, at least before the Wolfsbane Potion had been invented. But on the other hand, Voldemort and the Death Eaters had not needed the excuse of lycanthropy for their brutality and sadism; they had tortured and slaughtered hundreds of people, a massacre worse than any committed by even the most deranged werewolf. Lukas knew that in many ways, he was more wolf than human, but he still had more humanity than they'd had. Hell, even a real wolf had more humanity than the Death Eaters had possessed! At least a wolf killed only to feed and protect itself and its pack.

A damp nose touched Lukas's face, startling him out of his brooding thoughts, and he let out a little yelp, but it was only Lupin, sniffing at him in a friendly manner. Strange, how he managed to look gentle and good-natured even as a wolf; perhaps it was the blue eyes, which looked rather odd in a wolf's face, the opposite of Lukas's yellow-green eyes, which made him look wolfish even as a human. Lukas made a small growling noise in acknowledgment, and Lupin barked happily and licked his face.

Lukas growled irritably, wiping his face against the rug lying beside the hearth, which caused Theodore and Dylan to laugh, although they tried to muffle it by placing their hands over their mouths. Meanwhile, Snape glared at the two wolves jealously--he did, as Lukas had noted before, have a possessive streak, although Lukas would have been happy to assure him that he need not worry on that account. Even if he had been inclined to pursue someone else's mate, Remus was not Lukas's type: the wrong gender, for one thing, and too damn cheerful, for another.

Lupin, however, was quick to show his devotion to his mate; he jumped up on the couch, bracing his front paws against Snape's chest, and enthusiastically began licking Snape's face as the Potions Master spluttered and shouted, "Aargh! Stop that, you stupid wolf!" Lupin gave Snape's face one last affectionate swipe, then jumped back down to the floor to pounce on his two cubs. Snape watched indulgently as the boys laughed and wrestled with Lupin as if he were an overgrown puppy, and Lukas made a disgusted snorting noise, but secretly he felt a little wistful; it was not so different from the way he used to romp and play with the members of his pack during the full moon. The younger wolves liked to pounce on him and nip at his tail, and Lukas would lie still and permit this indignity for a little while before suddenly jumping to his feet, sending the ones pouncing on him tumbling to the floor, and cuffing the others with just enough force to show them who was boss, but not enough to hurt them. Then he would settle back down on his favorite place beside the fire and the whole process would start all over again. The blond wolf let out a wistful little sigh, but no one seemed to notice.

When Lupin and his cubs had tired of playing--or more accurately, when the boys were too tired to play any longer, Lupin jumped back up on the couch and flopped down, laying his head on Snape's lap. Snape reached down and scratched Lupin behind the ears; Lupin's mouth dropped open in a grin, his tongue lolling out, and he wagged his tail. Eventually Theodore picked himself up off the floor and sat on the couch beside them, stroking the wolf's back; Lupin's tail wagged harder, and he made contented little growling noises.

Lukas growled, laying down beside the fire and resting his head on his front paws. He laid back his ears, thinking to himself, {Remus gives lycanthropy a bad name; he acts more like a pet dog than a wolf!} But again, he was really more wistful than angry. Perhaps this had been a bad idea; watching Lupin interact with his pack made Lukas feel more lonely than if he had spent the night by himself in his own quarters. He whined softly before he could stop himself, and Dylan, who was still lying sprawled out on the floor, looked up and stared at him thoughtfully.

The boy cautiously approached him and said quietly, "You miss your pack, don't you, Master Bleddri?" Then, very hesitantly, he reached out and scratched behind Lukas's ears.

To his horror, Lukas found himself wagging his tail before he realized what he was doing; there were some disadvantages in giving in to animal instinct, after all! Damn, but it felt good, though; no wonder dogs looked so blissful when you scratched them behind the ears. No human had touched him in wolf form since he had been a very small child, and he had only very hazy memories of it, as there had been no Wolfsbane Potion back then, and his father had drugged him nearly insensible with Sleeping Potion so that he could hold his son in his arms and comfort him during the full moon. Lukas's father had worn layers of thick robes and heavy dragonskin gloves for protection, as well as covered himself with numerous magical wards for good measure, but it was still an incredibly reckless thing to have done, even if a werewolf cub was less dangerous than a full-grown lycanthrope. Lukas was grateful for it, though, and cherished those memories, as blurry as they were. He remembered his father's hands, strong and gentle, stroking him and soothing the pain of his newly tranformed body. He remembered his mother's voice, sweet and melodic, singing him a lullaby in Welsh; the wolf could not understand the words, of course, but it understood the tenderness that her voice conveyed. Mother's voice and Father's hands, along with his parents' familiar scents, combined to drive back the red haze of anger and madness, and dissipated the hunger to bite and scratch (although his body was too drugged to act on that hunger), and eventually the wolf cub would sigh and relax, dozing in his father's lap until morning came. That lasted only a few years, though, because all too soon, he had grown to the point where no amount of Sleeping Potion would subdue him enough to let a human safely remain in the same room with him. Even then, his parents would spend all night just outside the room he was locked in so that he could smell them and hear their voices. The wolf would fling itself wildly against the door, scratching frantically at it until its claws broke and bled, trying to reach the humans it smelled so tantalizingly close but just out of reach. The wolf didn't know or care that they were his parents; all it wanted was to bite and claw, driven by the urge to pass on its curse. But eventually exhaustion would set in, and it would collapse on the floor beside the door, and then their familiar scents and their voices, soft and reassuring, would finally reach him and comfort him.

Dylan's hand, gently stroking his head and scratching behind his ears, reminded him of those times. Lukas-the-human would have pulled away in embarrassment, but Lukas-the-wolf was happy and did not want the stroking and scratching to stop, and it was the wolf who was in control now. He had just enough self-control and presence of mind left to raise his head and cast a baleful glare at the boy, trying to silently convey the words "If you ever tell anyone about this, I will bite your hand off."

Dylan just smiled, a hint of mischief sparkling in his normally serious silver-gray eyes, and whispered, "It will be our secret, Master Bleddri." Lukas grunted, feeling somewhat placated, and laid his head back on his front paws, his tail continuing to wag of its own accord, thumping softly against the floor.

Drowsy with contentment, he was only half aware when sometime later, Snape said to the boys, "It's getting late. You should go back to the dorm and get some sleep; you have classes tomorrow. We all do, actually."

Dylan gave Lukas one last pat on the head and said, "Goodnight, Master Bleddri. Goodnight, Professor Snape, Remus."

"Goodnight," Snape said. The only response from Lupin was a snore.

The boys laughed softly and left. When he heard the door close behind them, Lukas blearily raised his eyelids, wondering if he should leave, too. But the wolf was very comfortable and did not want to move, and besides, it wasn't like he could use the Floo in this shape, since he couldn't grab a handful of Floo Powder, nor could he open the door with his paws if he decided to walk back to his quarters--which quite frankly, was a very unappealing proposition at the moment.

Snape solved the problem by saying in that dry, sarcastic tone of voice he was so fond of, "Oh, you might as well stay where you are, Bleddri. It's not like I haven't had a wolf sleeping on my floor before." Lukas was half-tempted to bite him, except that Snape would probably be even more insufferable as a wolf, and besides, it didn't seem worth the effort. He let his eyelids, which were feeling incredibly heavy, fall shut. He heard Snape hiss, "Lupin! Lupin, come on, get up and go to bed. I don't intend to spend another full moon sleeping on the couch." Then he heard the sound of Lupin yawning, and a heavy thump as the wolf jumped from the couch to the floor, and then the sound of footsteps--Snape's, heavy and measured, and the softer steps of the wolf, his claws making a soft clicking sound as they brushed against the floor. The sound of the bedroom door closing was the last thing Lukas heard before he slipped into unconsciousness.

***

Lukas woke up the next morning on the floor in an unfamiliar room. He felt tired and his body throbbed with a dull ache, but he didn't seem to have a hangover. He rubbed his eyes, then sat up and looked around--ah, that's right; last night had been the full moon, and he had spent it in Snape's and Lupin's quarters. He was relieved to find that his hosts were nowhere in sight; a glance at the clock on the wall told him that it was still early, and they were probably both still in bed, asleep. He grabbed a fistful of Floo Powder from a jar on the mantle, and quietly returned to his own rooms.

Despite the improved Wolfsbane Potion, the transformation still left him feeling a little drained, though he tried to show no sign of it during his Physical Defense classes. Years of poverty and living on the streets had taught him to be able to function normally in spite of hunger, fatigue, and pain, so this was nothing in comparison. What bothered him more was the fact that he had to face both Theodore and Dylan after spending a night being scratched behind the ears by the latter. Theodore, fortunately, had a good sense of tact and self-preservation, and carefully avoided Lukas's gaze in class, making no mention of the previous night.

Dylan, on the other hand, was calm and self-composed as ever. He didn't avoid Lukas's gaze, greeting him politely and asking questions in class as he always did, behaving as if last night had never happened. Lukas watched him closely, but he could find no sign of mockery or amusement in the boy's eyes, and relaxed a little. Dylan's foster father was a werewolf, after all, so perhaps he didn't find wolfish behavior that unusual. Lukas still didn't feel entirely comfortable in his new role as a teacher, and he still missed his pack, but he was beginning to think it would not be so bad. Most of his students liked and respected him, and Remus's pack had made him feel welcome. It was not the same as being with his own pack, but he appreciated the gesture of friendship. Besides, his pack was starting to break up anyway, as his newly-respectable wolves found mates and jobs and moved into homes of their own. It was a little sad, but they would always be pack even if they lived apart, and Lukas was happy for them at the same time. It was, after all, what they had fought so hard for, what they had most desired: a chance to live a normal life. Lukas was overwhelmed by a sudden, unexpected rush of sorrow at the thought that his parents had not lived to see this moment, but he quickly pushed it aside before his students noticed, and turned his mind back towards the day's lesson. He had once told Remus to let the past be, and he supposed he ought to follow his own advice...

***

The Snape family owl, Socrates, dropped off a letter that day at lunch, inviting Snape, Lupin, and the boys to tea on Saturday at Snape Manor. The bird sat on the table, waiting patiently as Snape read the letter and groaned; it had obviously been ordered to wait for a reply.

"Does she think we have nothing better to do?" Snape grumbled. "You and I have assignments to grade, lesson plans to work on, and the boys have homework and Quidditch practice--"

"It's just for an hour or two, Severus," Lupin said patiently, petting Socrates and feeding him a tidbit from his plate. "You knew when you adopted Theodore that you'd have to spend some time with your mother." He plucked the letter from his lover's grasp and read it. "It says here that she wants Theodore to start learning about the Snape family history and financial holdings. That seems reasonable to me; he will eventually inherit the Snape estate, after all, so he should know these things."

"I hate it when you're reasonable," Snape said, scowling. "Are you really looking forward to going back to Snape Manor and having my mother look down her nose at you the entire time?"

"No, but I can put it up with it for Theo's sake," Lupin replied calmly. "Besides, Lady Selima and I have reached an understanding of sorts: she'll tolerate my presence in exchange for getting a Snape heir. Look, she even included Dylan and myself in the invitation, and she referred to me as 'Professor Lupin,' not 'the werewolf'. That's progress, don't you think?"

Snape just growled in response, but scrawled a quick reply on the back of Selima's letter and handed it to Socrates.

***

The next day, Snape and family arrived at Snape Manor. Snape had brought a new bottle of Pain's Ease Potion for his father, and Lupin, after asking Snape what kind of sweets Selima liked, had picked up a box of petit fours from a tea shop/bakery in London that was popular with the pureblood elite, and which Selima was known to frequent. They were a specialty of the shop, and said to be delicious; they certainly looked like works of art almost too beautiful to eat, each little pastry square covered with deep brown chocolate or pale pastel frosting and decorated with delicate little icing ribbons and bows or flowers.

"Don't expect her to thank you for it," Snape had warned before they left. "You could hand her the Philosopher's Stone on a silver platter and she'd still look it at disdainfully because it came from a werewolf."

"A gift should always be freely given, without expectation of thanks," Lupin had replied serenely. "I'm doing it because I want to, not because I expect thanks from Selima."

"Good," Snape had retorted sourly. "Because you won't get any."

But somewhat to his surprise, his mother accepted the gift graciously, with a cool but polite, "Thank you, Professor Lupin." Snape knew from experience that it was the very proper and polite tone of voice she used with someone she didn't like but didn't want to offend, but it was still a step up from the outright scorn that she usually regarded Lupin with.

"You're welcome, Lady Selima," Lupin said with a warm smile.

Snape gave his mother the potion, and she thanked him with just a little more warmth and sincerity than she had Lupin, which was still barely discernible, at least to someone who didn't know her well. "Here, Vorcher," Selima said, handing him the box of pastries and the potion bottle. "Serve these with tea later, and take the potion up to the Master's room."

"Yes, Mistress," the house-elf said obediently.

Selima led them to the library, sat Theodore down at a desk, and set a very large and intimidating stack of thick, leather-bound books in front of him with a loud thump.

Theodore stared at the books in dismay. "I can't read all this in one day!" he protested.

"No, but you can get started on them," Selima told him sternly. "You can take the books back to school with you, but be careful with them; they're irreplaceable. These are the Snape family histories--records and diaries made by the Lords of the Snape estate. And this--" She added a slimmer volume to the stack. "--contains the financial holdings of the Snape estate." Theodore just sat there staring at the books. "Better get started, boy," Selima told him in a voice that was remarkably similar to the one Snape used when addressing his students. She tapped the stack of books and added, "This covers only the first half of the Snape family history."

Theodore groaned, and Snape told his mother irritably, "You know, he does have other things to do besides read the family histories. This is his seventh year, and he has his N.E.W.T.s to study for--"

"He doesn't have to read them all at once," Selima snapped, "but he is second in line to inherit the title, and being the heir has responsibilities as well as privileges."

"I can't be dragging him out of school every weekend--" Snape continued to complain.

"I just said that he can take them to school with him!" Selima retorted. "He doesn't have to visit every weekend, but I do expect you to bring Theodore by regularly so I can see that he is being properly instructed in his role as the Snape heir. I realize that this is a crucial school year for him, but most heirs aren't suddenly adopted into the family at age seventeen! He knows almost nothing about the family he will head one day, and he has years' worth of learning to catch up on! If you had done your duty and--"

"Lady Selima is right," Lupin quickly interrupted as Snape's face began to turn red with anger, and both Snape and his mother stopped arguing to stare at him in surprise. "Theodore should know the history of the family he has been adopted into," Lupin continued calmly. "I see no reason why he shouldn't visit at regular intervals and take some of the family histories back to school with him to study."

"Whose side are you on, Lupin?" Snape muttered under his breath, while Selima continued to stare at Lupin, obviously torn between feeling vindicated and feeling annoyed that the werewolf was supporting her.

"Theodore's side, Severus," Lupin replied in an even voice. "I want what is best for him, the same as you do." Snape subsided, still looking grumpy, but also a little ashamed of himself. "However," Lupin continued, "while I understand your sense of urgency, Lady Selima, considering Lord Severin's condition, I don't think that we need to rush Theodore's education. He will not have to assume control of the estate for many years, as Severus is next in line to inherit. What is done hastily is often done poorly, and perhaps it would be better to take Theodore's education at a slightly slower pace, and see that it is done properly. There is no point in him reading all these books if he is only going to forget what he read because he rushed through them too quickly."

Selima glared at him, but couldn't argue with his logic. "Very well," she agreed curtly. "I will expect to be kept informed of his progress. And--" She turned to address her grandson. "--I expect you to be making progress. This is just as important as your N.E.W.T.s." She made a sweeping gesture that seemed to include the entire mansion. "All this will be yours one day, and you must learn how to properly manage the estate."

Theodore glanced at Lupin, who smiled and nodded slightly, and Theodore said meekly, "Yes, Lady Sel--I mean, yes, Grandmother."

Selima looked even more annoyed by Theodore's quick glance to Lupin for approval, but all she said was, "Tea will be served in the sunroom in an hour," and she swept out of the room.

Theodore sighed and reluctantly picked up the first book, the list of financial holdings. The look of boredom quickly vanished from his face as his eyes widened in shock. "Merlin's beard!" he exclaimed, then looked up at Snape. "I didn't know that your family--I mean, our family--had that much money in Gringotts!"

"How much?" Dylan asked curiously, and peered over his shoulder. When he saw the figure, he raised his eyebrows, whistled, and said, "Impressive."

Snape looked just a little smug. "Yes, the Snapes are one of the wealthiest families in the wizarding world. Not quite as wealthy as the Malfoys are--or used to be, before the Ministry imposed their fines for Lucius's crimes." He couldn't resist adding, "Wealthier than the Blacks, certainly." Lupin just chuckled and kissed him on the cheek.

"And the Blacks aren't exactly poverty-stricken themselves," Dylan said. "Hermione told me that Sirius is the one who bought the Firebolt for Potter."

Lupin laughed. "I'm sure Mrs. Black would have disapproved of Sirius squandering the family fortune on a broomstick, particularly one for a Gryffindor godson!"

"I'm sure my mother would consider it a frivolous purchase as well," Snape said, smiling a little. "She was raised in a merchant family, so she hates to waste money. She doesn't stint on expenses, however, when it comes to impressing the right people." His voice took on a mocking tone as he mimicked one of his mother's catch phrases, "Making a good impression is the first rule of business."

Theodore turned to the next page. "We own property in London as well as the mansion?"

"Ah yes," Snape said, pulling up a seat next to Theodore, "I'd almost forgotten about that. My parents kept a townhouse there when Father was still working at the Ministry. Sometimes it was convenient for them to stay in the city when he was working long hours, and it was a good central location to entertain business associates, particularly for less formal gatherings. But they closed it up and returned here to the mansion when Father was forced to retire."

Theodore continued flipping through the book in fascination, as Dylan and Lupin read over his shoulder. There was a detailed listing of valuable artwork, books, tapestries, and other items the family owned; the boys gazed around the library with new respect as they realized how much it must have cost to amass such a collection over the years. There was also a listing of the Snape business holdings, including shares in the Bashirs' import-export business.

"It was part of the dowry my mother brought to the marriage," Snape explained.

"That's to be expected," Theodore said, nodding. "But we also own an art gallery in London?"

"Another arrangement with my mother's family," Snape replied. "The Bashirs supply the gallery with art objects from foreign countries--you know, the kinds of expensive and exotic things the purebloods find fashionable. At least, it was fashionable when I was a child. I don't know how the gallery's doing now; I haven't kept up to date on the family business dealings."

"It still seems to be turning a profit, according to these records," Theodore said. "Merlin! We also own stock in the chain of Wizarding Supply stores?"

Dylan laughed. "Maybe we can get a discount on our school supplies next year! Or maybe I can, anyway--you'll be graduating, so I guess you won't need any."

"And that's not all," Theodore said, flipping through the pages. "There are other business dealings. Hmm...we once owned a Potion shop, but sold it a few years back because it wasn't making a profit. Too much competition, particularly from Slug & Jiggers, according to this note your mother made, sir." He grinned at Snape. "Perhaps they would have done better if you had advised them."

"Oh, that reminds me," Lupin said. "I was supposed to tell Dylan that Mr. Jigger is looking for an apprentice to take over his shop."

"Me?" a startled Dylan asked. "He wants me to take over his shop?"

"He is looking to retire in a few years, and has no children of his own to take over the business," Lupin explained. "Severus has been singing your praises to him--"

"I don't 'sing,' Lupin," Snape objected.

"--and apparently Mr. Jigger considers you a worthy candidate," Lupin finished, ignoring the interruption. "He knows that you still have another year of school to finish, but he'd like you to keep it in mind."

"You could do worse," Snape said thoughtfully. "It's an old and respected shop, and you could even expand the business and do more potion-brewing. Jigger mainly sells ingredients these days, not actual potions, except to a few special clients; he says it's too much work."

"But you're young and fit," Lupin said with a grin, "and I think you could handle it. In fact, I think you'd be bored if you didn't have any potions to brew. It wouldn't be too much work if you had, say, a partner helping you run the shop..." He winked at Dylan.

"Hermione's a great Potions student," Dylan said enthusiastically, "and she's still not sure what she wants to do when she graduates."

Snape groaned as Dylan's eyes went a little dreamy, no doubt fantasizing about running the shop together with his ladylove. Lupin laughed and affectionately nuzzled Snape, saying, "Remember when we were teenagers, Severus? I asked you what you would do if your parents disowned you because of me, and you said we could run a Potions shop together! Of course, I have no talent for potions, but you said I could sell charms or counter-curses. We were going to have a little apartment over the shop, and you said I could have a pet dog..."

Snape's face turned bright red as their sons stared at them incredulously. "Oh, knock it off, Lupin," he said gruffly. "It was just a silly schoolboy fantasy."

"It wasn't silly," Lupin objected, giving him a kiss. "Of course, things didn't turn out quite the way we planned, but we are working and living together, so at least part of it came true, and as long as I am with you, I am content." Snape's face turned even redder as the boys tried to hide their smiles. "Of course," Lupin added, "I still don't have the pet dog..."

"We don't need one," Snape growled, "considering that you turn furry on us every month. One canine slobbering on me is sufficient, thank you very much."

Lupin just chuckled and hugged him, and Theodore took pity on his father and changed the subject. Pretending to be engrossed in his book, he asked, "Are all the wealthy families' finances this complicated? My fam--I mean, when I was a Nott, we had the mansion and the account in Gringotts, and that was it. Of course, we weren't as wealthy as the Snapes, but..."

"My mother expanded on our business investments after she married my father," Snape replied gratefully, "but I wasn't aware of how extensive they were. You'll have to ask Lady Selima for the details if you want to learn more, I'm afraid."

Theodore looked a little intimidated at the thought of that, but Lupin said gently, "I'm sure she would be happy to explain them to you, since she wants you to be knowledgeable about the Snape holdings."

"I'm not sure that 'happy' is the word I'd use," Theodore muttered, then sighed. "But I suppose it is my duty to learn these things." He said earnestly to Snape, "I meant what I told Lord Severin when you adopted me, sir, that I would be a worthy son and heir to you."

"I know that, Theodore," Snape said with a gentleness that was much more characteristic of Lupin, and laid his hand on his son's shoulder for a moment. "You already are." Theodore smiled at him, his eyes filled with that look of love and trust that still awed Snape, then he laid aside the financial records and determinedly picked up the first book in the stack of the family histories. Dylan continued to read over his shoulder, and the two boys soon became engrossed in the book; Snape had always thought the histories were rather dull, but apparently Dylan and Theodore were finding them quite interesting. He glanced up to see Lupin gazing at the three of them, a smug and contented look on his face, looking for all the world like a wealthy man gloating over some magnificent treasure, some rare and priceless gem he had just acquired. Snape caught Lupin's eye, and the werewolf smiled tenderly at him, placing his hand on Snape's shoulder. Without saying a word, Snape reached up and laid his hand over Lupin's.

Part 30