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You Will Not Kiss Me	By : Prosperosdaughter Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Snape/Remus Views: 22836 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: JK Rowling & her associates own the Harry Potter universe and I make no money from my stories.

Chapter List
- 52
- 53
- 54
Chapter 53: Discoveries in the Library

"So," Snape said quietly, pacing his words out slowly and pinching the bridge of his nose quite hard to help him steady his rising temper, " ... let me understand this: Albus forbade Black from entering the library once everyone else had left. Black was put out. He went to bed ... as I understand it ... sulking." Snape's voice was dripping with disdain. "In the morning, when you wouldn't tell him where you had been or what you had been doing, he had a stand-up row with you about me, and he gave you a black eye. Am I correct?" Snape stared at Lupin incredulously.

"That's about the size of it," Lupin said, dejectedly, slumped on a stool in their flat as Snape stood before him looking at Lupin's upturned face. Snape expelled a puff of air and shook his head and then carried on dabbing the bruise salve to Lupin's cheekbone.

"This is how best friends behave in Gryffindor, is it?" Snape drawled.

"It's ridiculous, I know ..."

"Well, did you black his eye back? I'm from Cokeworth, Remus, I know a thing or two about Muggle fighting, I assure you. Or did you let your best friend hit you once more? Hmmm?" Snape found he was really quite angry, and yet incapable of doing anything about it. It was infuriating. Sarcasm was his only available weapon.

"That's enough Severus. We had a fight. A ridiculous, idiotic fist fight and you'll be pleased to know it was over you," Lupin said, defensively.

"That's a low blow, Remus. I'm not pleased about it at all. I wish the whole thing would go away – either Albus would Obliviate Black properly or let you tell him, and get the pyrotechnics that will undoubtedly ensue over with." Snape snapped impatiently. "Then it will be one less thing for us to worry about."

"Sirius isn't a fool. He knows something's going on with us. I've told Albus I want to tell Sirius. It's too difficult to hide it, cooped up in his house like that. Albus says we have to try harder. I can't ignore you every time you're in that house and keep bottling myself up. It's just too hard." Lupin let out a sigh of frustration. "Sometimes, I can't make Albus out at all. Sirius is shut up in that house – he never leaves – how would his knowing endanger us?" Lupin shook his head.

"It probably wouldn't with the Dark Lord. However, I have no doubt, when he finds out, Black himself will endanger me," Snape snorted.

"I'm sure that's not true …" Lupin started, but Snape cut him short.

"You are denying the reality, Remus. Black and I hate each other. It goes deep. You won't be able to waltz up to him and say, 'Oh by the way, Sirius, I soul bonded and Claimed Snivelly, that's okay, isn't it? Oh, and can we shag in your ancestral home?' and then he'll invite me for a butterbeer to celebrate and to let bygones be bygones and the two of us will be bosom buddies ever after!" Snape drawled sarcastically.

"Don't take me for a fool either, Severus," Lupin said, clearly affronted. "I'm not a fool. I know full well it won't be like that, even if I fervently wish it could be. But one thing I am sure of is that the longer Sirius is kept in the dark, the worse it will be when he does find out, or when we are eventually free to tell him." Lupin sighed again and pulled Snape to him. "Please understand, Severus. He's my friend, my brother. I don't want to shut him out."

Snape felt deflated and touched Lupin's face gently. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be harsh. I'll support whatever you want but be careful what you wish for, Remus."

Lupin then snorted softly. "Well, at least I know now that if you two misbehave, I can threaten you with Molly Weasley and be assured of your best behaviour."

"She is rather formidable." Snape smiled sheepishly.

"In a contest, Severus, are you more frightened by Molly Weasley or Poppy Pomfrey?" Lupin teased.

"I'm not sure frightened is the right word. I think I may be unnerved. Yes, that's the right word. And without a doubt: Poppy Pomfrey. It's not up for question," Snape affirmed.

"What of Minerva?" Lupin asked, in an offhand manner as Snape cleaned his fingers of bruise salve.

"A complete pussy cat," Snape smiled.

"Interesting," Lupin said, almost inaudibly, making Snape's attention snap back to him.

"How so?" he demanded.

"That both you and Sirius are so cowed by maternal women, but fearless of strong but non-maternal women."

"I am not cowed," Snape protested, offended, "and I don't understand your point."

"Well, Minerva isn't the matriarchal type, but she is strong willed and strict. You clearly respect and admire her and Sirius has always adored her. Poppy and Molly are caring and maternal although equally strict, and you both are helpless before them." Lupin shrugged nonchalantly. "It's interesting."

"Are you going to do some type of Muggle head-shrinking on me and Black to show how similar we are …" Snape enquired, with a delicate emphasis on the word he clearly thought could never apply to them both.

"No, no," Lupin rushed.

"Is this something to do with our mothers, because I assure you that my mother was nothing like that banshee Black had for a mother."

"Walburga Black may have had children, but she never loved them or cared for them. She was never tender and caring like Molly or Poppy. Her children were family assets, like the silverware or the books in the library. It was almost impossible for Sirius to ever love his mother – she didn't allow it. He doesn't know how to relate to really maternal women. Your mother, well she wasn't like Mrs. Black, I know, but …"

"… she never cared for me, is what you're saying?" Snape said, feeling pained.

"That's not what I meant – I meant, from what you've told me, your mother could never care for you because of the pressure and violence placed on her by your father. But the end result is the same."

Snape wanted to be offended, but he knew Lupin was right. He watched in awe the way men like Lupin could wind women like Molly and Poppy round their little fingers, both women falling over themselves to care for such men if they would let them and they invariably did. He saw Black's reticence with Molly every time he was at the house. He had thought Black just didn't like her, but maybe Lupin was right and he just didn't know how to deal with her.

Snape didn't know how to deal with them either, but he'd learnt to do as he was told by Poppy over very many years, and she was kind and patient with him in return. Molly, he watched warily. She always wanted to feed him, and the other men, whenever she saw any of them. Black was short-tempered with her for this. Lupin took all offerings gratefully and with his ravishing smile. Snape rather liked it, but always said no. It was not his Death Eater persona to allow himself to be mothered, as much as he might enjoy it and he suspected he rather would - if times were different ...

"The Ministry decreed that if I cannot make an appointment, they will do so. That means, of course, that Cornelius and his coterie will make the appointment. No-one else has even applied for the Defence against the Dark Arts post, so he will make the appointment." Dumbledore looked at Snape over his glasses, a look that demanded understanding, but knew it would not be bestowed.

"Or you could appoint me ..." Snape said flatly, his lips a thin line of annoyance.

"Now, now, Severus," Dumbledore clucked.

"Don't patronise me, Albus. It is your least attractive attribute," Snape snapped as he paced impatiently in front of Dumbledore's desk, his outstretched palm gesturing for emphasis with each point. "So, is it such a terrible idea? Is it that I do not have the requisite knowledge? That I cannot discipline a classroom? Am I a poor teacher, only fit to take on the ridiculously easy task of stopping the students blowing up the school and maiming each other? Do tell, Albus," Snape drawled, his whole body stiffened with offence as he came to a halt in front of the Headmaster.

"You know why," Dumbledore said softly, meeting Snape's incandescent stare.

"No, I don't Albus. You tell me that the post is cursed and you cannot afford to lose me. I tell you that I don't believe in that curse, but, if it exists, it can always be lifted. Everyone else believes that if you give me that post, I will immediately become consumed in arts so Dark that my soul will instantaneously combust in Fiendfyre! It is a delight to me that you have no confidence in my morality." Snape barked and sat heavily on the chair in front of the desk.

Dumbledore pinched his nose. "The post is cursed, without a doubt. Look what happened to each of the last incumbents. It is undeniable."

"Hmph. If I were you, I'd consult a curse-breaker." Snape bit out sarcastically, feeling rebellious as well as offended. "Know any? Oh – William Weasley perhaps?" He shrugged theatrically.

"I also need a Potions Master and, for the umpteenth time, Severus, you are a rare commodity." Dumbledore continued to meet Snape's scalding stare with mild amusement, then he shifted in his seat. "Cornelius's appointment to the Defence against the Dark Arts post is a lady called Dolores Umbridge. It should please you, Severus: she was in Slytherin."

"I know of her. Remus has spoken of her often. A minor Ministry official who instituted the anti-werewolf employment laws. No teaching experience either, I gather. Sounds just my cup of tea, Headmaster," Snape said witheringly.

"And yet three years ago, her ideas would have been very much ... your cup of tea," Dumbledore rejoined sharply. Snape drew in a sharp breath.

"That's below the belt, Albus." Snape stiffened once more and rose to leave.

"You are right. I apologise. Please sit." Dumbledore said, placatingly and summoned some tea and poured it whilst Snape quelled his indigation. "Let's change the subject." They sat for a while, drinking tea, Dumbledore looking perfectly comfortable with Snape's seething silence, until Snape eventually cracked first.

"I was surprised you didn't choose Potter for prefect," Snape said.

"Were you? I thought you'd be more surprised by my choice of Slytherin prefects. I assumed they would be the preferred candidates for Voldemort's followers and that their choice would be favourably attributed to you."

"You're all heart, Albus," Snape sneered. "You understand now the Dark Lord is back I will be expected to put Potter through the mill. The Death Eaters' offspring will report my every move," Snape said.

"More through the mill than usual Severus?" Dumbledore said, his eyebrows raised.

"It will be no less than Potter expects. I assure you the enmity is mutual," Snape retorted.

"And yet, he is a child and you are twenty years his senior, Severus," Dumbledore rejoined lightly, but his eyes bored into Snape's own with reproof as Snape made a soft noise of irritation. "Sooner or later, Severus, you need to realise that he is not his father." Dumbledore took a sip of tea. "As does Sirius," he muttered. If it had been anyone else, Snape would have assumed the comment wasn't for his ears, but he knew Dumbledore never made comments that were not meant to be heard.

Now that school had resumed, Snape had even less opportunity to slip away and sneak time to be with Lupin, whether at the flat, his house or Grimmauld Place. He had even been sorry to leave Spinner's End for the first time in his life, now that Lupin could be there with him occasionally, exorcising his ghosts one by one, every day or night spent, a delicious memory in the making of care and love that Snape was sure that house had never known, at least whilst any Snape had resided there.

He was even sorry that the end of the holiday meant the little house-elf would also return to the staff of Hogwarts. He and Lupin had enjoyed the house-elf's rather cheeky presence; Snape was pretty sure she was encouraged by Lupin – only Lupin could even disinhibit a house-elf to cheek the sour Potions Master of Hogwarts. Just the thought of it made him smile. And yet, the little elf had as good as saved Lupin's life. He wondered if Dumbledore would assign her to them during term time too. Knowing he had a link whereby he could physically trace Lupin in time of need had reassured him tremendously after Lupin's beating at the hands of the New Forest pack. He wanted to retain it. He would ask.

All Snape knew now they were well into the first term was that the weekend couldn't come soon enough for him: it would be the September full moon and he was desperate for the release the full moon brought them both, not to mention his desperation to vent about the abomination that had turned out to be Dolores Umbridge.

Lupin wasn't at this Order meeting. He had been with a werewolf pack on the South Downs that Greyback hadn't yet visited, according to Snape's intelligence. His return was imminent. Dumbledore reported that this one might well be a success for the Order.

Mundungus Fletcher then reported that he had been in the Hog's Head the previous day and overheard Potter, Weasley and Granger arranging a secret Defence against the Dark Arts group with a number of interested students. Molly Weasley was near to nervous collapse at the very thought. It took both Arthur and Bill a long time to calm her down and only managed it once she had extracted an oath from Sirius to talk Weasley out of participation. Fat chance of that, thought Snape with a snort, that boy stuck to Potter like glue. Moody commented to all that would listen that it was a fine idea, and just a shame that they had no adult to guide and teach them properly. Snape threw Dumbledore a filthy look that it should not have come to this: children trying to teach themselves, because even the Ministry itself had let them down and Dumbleore was too stubborn to let Snape teach them. Tonks was vocal in her support of the group, but Snape felt that admiring the children's courage really rather missed the salient point. Yet again.

Once the commotion had subsided, Snape delivered his own report and then slipped away to the library, this time for some genuine research.

He smirked at the Chesterfield settee and the remembrances it evoked, and then set about looking for what he needed. Lupin had told Snape that Potter's scar was hurting. The boy had told Black that the pain was worse, and he believed that it was intensifying. Both Snape and Lupin had been intrigued by what was clearly a connection with the Dark Lord and one that Dumbledore was reluctant to discuss with Snape. Snape remembered he had seen a number of prohibited books on Dark magic on revenants and Mind and Soul Magic in Black's library before he had become distracted by Lupin's amorous ministrations.

He thought he would take the opportunity to explore some of the more outlandish theories he been considering and, using the same incantation as before, identified which of the books he was interested in carried curses and of what type. He chanted the counter-curse for a particularly heavily cursed book on soul magic that he had Levitated to the desk. He took his dragonhide gloves from his cloak and began to peruse the contents: chapters on revenants, wraiths, shades, phantasms, canopic curses, horcruxes, necromancy ...

He was just thinking that this looked like a good starting point when he heard the hated voice behind him:

"Well, well, well, Snivellus."

Black.

Snape spun to face him, wand at the ready but the spell had already left Black's wand and lips. Never one to fight fair, after all, Snape thought bitterly as his wand flew into Black's left hand and Black leered at him. Snape moved slowly away from the desk, watching Black's movements like a hawk, whilst wordlessly charming the spare wand in his arm holster down his arm slowly so as not to alert Black that he had a back up.

"Back for a repeat of your last performance in my library, are you, Snivellus?" Black spat, his own wand dancing impatiently in his hand as he tucked Snape's wand in his belt. "Always sniffing round Moony lately. Why's he suddenly become such an attraction for a Death Eater, hm?" He moved closer to Snape, using his superior height to try to intimidate him. "You've been spending the full moon together." A statement, not a question. "I know it," he hissed. "Why would he even want to be near you at the full moon? There's only one reason I can think of. But he wouldn't. Why would he ... with you ..?" Snape knew all these questions were rhetorical. Black wasn't interested in Snape answering him, he was just trying to work through the bits of information he had gleaned for himself and that he was so unhappy about.

He advanced on Snape once more, his teeth gritted. "Well, let's just see, shall we Snivellus!" In that instant, and frighteningly fast, Black cast Diffindo!

The wand movement slashed, and Snape's robe and cravat were slashed from his neck and shoulder, revealing what Black had been looking for. Snape's hand darted to cover the bite from Black's horrified stare and in that second Black cast Incarcerous.

Black's slate gaze narrowed, and his teeth bared and he crouched over Snape's bound body.

"What foul arts did you use, Snivellus?" he sneered. "You must have Imperiused him to touch you. No-one would touch you willingly, you greasy, scrawny snake. You disgust me!" he spat, his loathing contorting his features. "Well, I know enough about how Moony works. I can break this enchantment or whatever it is you've worked on him." He paced around Snape's bound form, his knuckles white as he held his wand so tightly, his breathing ragged, hatred etched on his face.

"All I have to do is touch you myself and he'll kill you. He won't be able to help himself," Black sneered, triumphant in his own logic. He walked around Snape, still staring wild-eyed at the exposed Claiming bite.

"He'll kill you too, mutt, so perhaps it would be worth it," Snape hissed.

"I don't think so. Moony would never hurt me. Never." Black was undoing the button fly on his trousers. "You'll be used to this. I know what went on in Slytherin and what they did to half-bloods like you. You know the score, Snivellus."

"You're every inch the pureblood shit I always knew you were," Snape snarled.

"And you're going to take every pureblood inch, Snivelly," Black said viciously. "And Moony will smell me on your breath even if you scrub your mouth, and he will kill you. Moony will never believe you over me. Get over here in front of me!" Black raised his wand. Imperio.

"You talk too much, Black," Snape said softly, throwing off the Imperius easily, his spare wand now worked into his grasp. He wordlessly released the bonds and in the same instant sent a shield charm around himself, jumped to his feet and cast Stupefy. Black parried, casting a Repulsion Hex of his own and they sent violent Stunning and Repulsion spells at each other time after time, sending books flying as they missed their mark and splintering vintage furniture as they swooped and leapt out of each other's spells' trajectories, magic crackling around them as their anger with each other mounted and the spells became more ferocious.

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

Snape and Black's wands shot out of their hands to Lupin, his face a mask of fury as he stood at the library door staring at the two men who were now frozen in shock.

"How could you...?" Lupin whispered dangerously, his eyes blazing at both, until his eyes settled on one man.

"How could you, Sirius? You know what mating means to me. You of all people ... you took all that time to understand werewolves ... and yet you would do this to me! How could you?" He strode over to stand protectively in front of Snape.

"You'd choose Snivellus over me!" Black exclaimed, his disbelief and disgust evident on his face.

"I shouldn't have to choose at all, Sirius!" Lupin shouted back. "What the hell did you think you were doing? Why did you do this?" He gestured the cut clothes on Snape's body and then pointed to Black's open fly with his wand. "If you suspected it, you should have respected it. You should have respected me, Sirius!"

Snape had never seen Lupin so furious. His face was white with rage, his blue eyes blazed dark and he seemed so much bigger, so threatening a presence. The wolf had been taunted, that much was clear. Lupin passed Snape's spare wand back to him and he then sent a resounding hex to Black, but instantly Snape sent a shield charm between them. Lupin turned to Snape fast. "Why did you stop me?" he snarled.

"I saw what you cast, Remus. I do not want you in Azkaban for killing or maiming Black," Snape said softly, moving his hand slowly down Lupin's shaking wand arm to pacify him. Lupin stared at Snape, wide-eyed, still in a state of rage.

You've shown me everything I ever wanted. Please come away now. You couldn't live with the guilt. Come away with me.

I know what he tried to do you. I can't forgive it. Lupin's body was trembling with rage.

And yet, you must. Believe me, Remus, you must. Please. For me.

Snape knew what it was to lose one's only friend. He cared nothing for Black or his safety, but he cared for Lupin. Snape knew how he had bitterly regretted all his life losing the only friend he had had. It didn't matter why now - in the end, only the bitterness remained. He would not have that happen to Lupin. Black was a creature of his type, resorting in the end to pureblood ways. Lupin knew now; knew what Black truly was. Snape didn't need any other revenge.

Lupin stood, mid-stance, looking between Snape at his shoulder and Black before him, imploring Moony to listen to him.

"Fasten your trousers, you bastard!" Lupin spat viciously as he grabbed Snape's wand from Black's belt and, as Black buttoned the final button, Lupin sent his friend flying with one hex, and then cast Petrificus Totalus, leaving him bound on the floor before casting a silencing charm on him.

Lupin knelt on one knee in front of Sirius's prone body. "Never underestimate what Severus means to me, Sirius." Lupin stood and went to stand before Snape. Taking one look at Sirius, he pushed Snape's hair aside and sucked at his Claiming bite, causing Snape to moan and then kissed Snape passionately, hooking his arm around Snape in a vice-like embrace.

"What are you doing?" Snape whispered in horror.

"Showing him what you mean to me. I hope it burns out his eyes!" Lupin spat and Snape could see that Lupin had every intention of taking Snape in front of Black.

No! Snape said to Lupin's mind. You will shame me.

Lupin stared at Snape for what seemed a long time, fighting his own instincts to mark his territory publically to that person who had trespassed on it. Snape could see it and feel it as if it were tangible.

Remus. Please listen to me. Don't do this. Not in front of my enemy.

He saw the shift happen in Lupin's eyes as the sexual aggression came under control by degrees, albeit temporarily. Lupin gave Snape a small nod. Then, with a deliberately slow wand movement, Lupin sliced down the arm of Snape's robe to expose the bonding circlet on it.

"I wear its mate," Lupin said quietly, holding Snape's arm in his hand and running his thumb over the circlet lovingly as he fixed Black with his stare. "Since you don't respect a werewolf's Claim, do you at least recognise the sanctity of a wizard's soul bond?" Snape heard the upset in Lupin's voice and saw mute tears in Black's eyes. He knew not whether Black was upset, angry or shamed. He cared not.

Lupin turned from Black and cast Reparo to Snape's sliced robes, gently repairing them and then smoothed them with his hands.

"That is what Severus means to me, Sirius," he stated, calmly, although Snape could see his eyes still alight with the fire of trespass. He released Black from the body bind and silencing charm, and before Black could speak again, pulled Snape to him and Apparated them both to Lupin's room upstairs and warded it against entry and sound.

oooOOOooo

Lupin had been insatiable and relentless throughout the night. He had pushed Snape's body further than ever. Lupin had taken Snape every way he could: his mouth, on his back, on his stomach, on his hands and knees, his animal possessiveness was provoked and could not be sated.

It was now dawn, and Snape had to return to the school. He whispered it to the man next to him whose arms wrapped around him so tightly. Lupin pulled him closer still.

Snape was grubby, bruised and bitten – well and truly marked. His lips were swollen, his jaw hurt, his balls ached, his cock felt raw, his hips felt disjointed, his arse profoundly sore, his whole body felt abused and when he tried to stand, his knees would barely hold him. Yet every time Lupin had fucked him, no matter how ferociously, it had felt magnificent to Snape as it claimed him as Lupin's very own. Every time he thought he could take no more and would have to beg for mercy, his body found extra reserves to meet his husband's demands on it, to moisten him, to be pliable, to come again and again to Lupin's hand or mouth or just on Lupin's cock alone. And now, even as he stood to dress, Lupin pulled him back to bed with the one word he had said all night, "mine," as he covered him again.

oooOOOooo

Drenched in sweat, with Lupin still kissing him, he tried to speak through the kisses.

"I need to go. Get showered. Teach brats." His voice was hoarse, from crying out throughout the night.

"Shower here, with me," Lupin rasped.

"What about Black?"

"What about him?" Lupin said lightly, untangled himself from Snape and stood. Snape noticed Lupin's knees didn't tremble, obviously fuelled by the wolf. Lupin held out his hands to help Snape up. "Do you think when we were young, Sirius never saw me with a lover, or never heard us, or never realised we might shower. That it is you, he will have to get used to. It's not up for question, Severus. We will shower together, then we will have breakfast together. If Sirius doesn't like it, I'll ram it down his throat until he understands." Lupin made towards the bedroom door, quite naked.

Snape pulled Lupin back. "I understand," he said softly and caught Lupin's lips with his own, "but please, Remus. Let me have my dignity." He looked into Lupin's eyes, hoping he understood better now morning had come. Snape was overjoyed to be the object of Lupin's pride, knowing it was the lupine possessiveness that had seized Lupin since discovering Black threatening to assault Snape in the library and he knew that possessiveness also wanted to mark its territory, but he would not be paraded naked to the bathroom or anything else shaming that might make sense to Lupin in his current pumped state.

For the first time since the library, the brutish lust in Lupin's eyes finally seemed to ebb and they softened with understanding and he kissed Snape's lips in return and found his own bathrobe and wrapped Snape tenderly in it and then pulled on his own trousers.

"I'm sorry, my love," he said softly, now more wizard than wolf, and led Snape to the bathroom and charmed it locked.

Snape had thought he would be taken harshly again, but Lupin's possessive mood had dissipated now and he ministered to Snape tenderly, almost apologetically, on his knees with his mouth as the shower rained down on them and then Lupin soaped him and cleansed him and finally dried him with the gentlest of hands, treasuring him.

oooOOOooo

Black was seated at the head of the table in the kitchen. He looked hellish and clearly had not slept all night, or even tried. An empty bottle of Firewhiskey sat before him and he was nursing a large mug of black coffee.

Snape and Black eyed each other as Snape sat down a few chairs away, doing his best not to show his physical discomfort, neither saying a word. Lupin went to the range.

"Do you want breakfast with us, Sirius?" he said lightly. Snape marvelled at the renewed control – no trace of his temper now remained - he was mild mannered Remus Lupin once more.

"It would make me sick," Black hissed, still staring at Snape, his eyes occasionally darting to Snape's arm where he know knew the bonding circlet was.

"By all means," Lupin said mildly, "you can cut off your nose to spite your face, or you could grow up and have some breakfast with us. Soak up the booze."

"Grow up!" Black shouted, turning in his chair to Lupin. "So, here, in my house, were you ever going to tell me about this ... this bonding? When did it happen?"

"New Year," Lupin said, breaking eggs into a bowl, clearly making enough for three in Snape's estimation. Snape watched Black's face fall further.

"You didn't tell me ..." he whispered.

"You were on the run. It wasn't news for a letter," Lupin replied simply busying himself whisking the eggs and cutting and buttering bread as he spoke. "I was going to tell you when I saw you in person. Events overtook us. Unfortunately, that was when Voldemort returned. It went from my mind at that point, then Albus asked us to keep our bonding secret so Severus could return to Voldemort to spy for us. I think you'll agree that being bonded to a werewolf might not fit that image." Lupin gave Black a tight smile, but it didn't reach his blue eyes. "Then Albus Obliviated you."

"WHAT?" Black's mouth dropped open.

"I told him it wouldn't take and I've watched you fighting against it ever since, and now you know," Lupin added the eggs to the pan.

"I'd rather be Obliviated," Black pouted, like a bloody child, Snape thought.

"Do allow me the privilege," Snape snarled.

"Severus," Lupin chided softly. As he teased the scrambled eggs over the heat, he turned to Black and regarded him coolly. "If that's what you want, I'll speak to Albus." He served up the scrambled eggs and bread and butter to each man and a serving for himself. "I would prefer, however, to have the support and love of my friend," Lupin added softly, devastatingly.

Black's eyes darted from Snape to Lupin and back again, his private thoughts churning over in his mind. Lupin replenished his coffee and passed Snape a mug of strong tea, squeezing his hand as he did so. Black made a noise of disgust.

"Don't!" Lupin spat as he spun around to Black. "Just don't you make those stupid noises at us! You have no idea what this is like for us." His finger was pointing in Black's face and Snape noted that it trembled. Perhaps, he was not as in control as Snape had thought and Snape watched carefully. Lupin dropped his hand suddenly and sat down in between Snape and Black, the muscles in his jaw visibly jumping and pulled his plate of food towards himself.

"Moony ..." Black started, his face softening, until he looked at Snape again, and then his expression hardened. "Why? I mean, how? With Sniv ... Snape."

Snape decided he really didn't want to be there for that particular conversation. Lupin carried on eating and looked meaningfully at both of the other men's untouched plates.

"Both of you: eat," he said shortly. "Severus needs to get to work then you and I, Sirius - you and I will talk." He looked straight into Black's eyes and Snape watched Black's reactions. "You can ask me what you want, and I will tell you. Be under no delusion though Sirius: Severus begged me not to kill you." Lupin's expression was like granite. "I hope you understand how close you came." Lupin glared at Black, whose face drained, his face a riot of confused emotions. "So do not ... and I mean it ... do – not - denigrate my husband to me." Snape saw Black flinch at the word 'husband'. Snape saw Black wasn't used to this strength of mind from his friend. He was shocked by that as much as anything else. He was upset. He was angry still.

oooOOOooo

Snape returned to Hogwarts well before classes started, and took a Pepper Up Potion to see him through the day, followed by a sore throat potion – he needed his voice to teach. He considered pain relieving potions, but part of him savoured his aches and pains as reminders and he was sure he could overcome the slight limp. When he went to bed tonight, he promised himself, he would relive all of the night with Lupin with the physical reminders still with him. Even as he thought this, a thrill pierced him, increasing the throbbing ache already resident in his lower body. It really wasn't unpleasant at all. The look of horror of Black's face helped ... of course. That was probably the best of all, knowing once and for all, Lupin would defend him from his enemy. It shouldn't make that much difference to him – but it did. It made his chest swell with happiness. He smiled to himself, absent-mindedly picking up a note a house-elf had left on his desk whilst he had administered his Potions.

The parchment was decidedly – pink. His brow furrowed. His long fingers unrolled the parchment gingerly to read that his fifth year class of Gryffindors and Slytherins today would be inspected by the Hogwarts High Inquisitor. His good mood evaporated on the instant and he held out the parchment to arm's length.

Incendio.
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You Will Not Kiss Me