Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Too Much Of Not Enough	By : RikuRocks Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 1782 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Harry Potter, nor am I making any money from this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
Severus had never paused to appreciate just how often he saw Remus during an average school day until the brown-eyed boy was suddenly absent for longer than the usual day.

The raven-haired teen kept finding his gaze drawn to the room�s only empty chair during lessons, and even caught himself scanning the grounds for the fawn-haired Gryffindor in-between lessons by habit more than once. He took avid notes, and found himself thinking of questions to ask Remus later or making observations that he actually looked forward to discussing with the scarred boy after classes. It was as if all of his barriers had suddenly dropped where his quiet friend was concerned, and he allowed himself the usual trivial excitements and interests of any other teenage wizard.

Well, as far as Remus was concerned, in any case. To every other student, he acted the same as always, often ignoring or belittling them when they felt the need to interact with him.

He also noticed that no one else seemed aware of the loss of one of their classmates, save for Peter Pettigrew, who�s watery eyes darted to Remus� empty seat several times as well, especially during lunch. Potter, Severus noticed, glanced at Pettigrew on occasion and then Black, as though studying the latter�s reaction to their friend�s absence. Black seemed to be determinedly not looking, or showing any sign of concern for that matter.

Severus had a harder time repressing the urge to hex the ingrate throughout the rest of the day. Later on, when he was heading to the infirmary directly after their final class, the obsidian-eyed teen noticed Black and Potter heading in the same direction. Pettigrew was nowhere in sight, and Potter seemed to be needling Black, who seem unperturbed. Few other students occupied the corridor, and Severus decided that, for once, self-control was overrated.

With a swish of his wand and a carefully controlled casting of Sectumsempra, the sallow-skinned Slytherin severed the strap of Black�s expensive book bag, causing it�s contents -which included a fair number of items that students were forbidden to have by Filtch�s demands- to spill all across the corridor. Severus spoke clearly as the other boy muttered curses and frowned while he bent to retrieve his belongings.

�So you�ve decided that Lupin�s condition is less dire or that you�re less at fault if you don�t show any concern above what you normally would during his recovery? �Not that I�ve actually seen you express any form of concern before, Black. In fact, you just showed more feeling at a few spilled items than you have at all the misfortune you�ve caused.�

�You one to talk, Snivellus,� the grey-eyed teen retorted as he straightened. �Since when have you felt for anyone or anything?� A fine eyebrow arched elegantly, �Can overgrown grease balls even feel as humans do? I don�t think we�ve covered that yet in class.�

�Apparently I feel more than arrogant purebloods from dark families,� countered Severus in a refined drawl, not intimidated in the least by Black or Potter, both who had their wands drawn as well now.

Both of the Gryffindors narrowed their eyes at the obsidian-eyed teen. �A Slytherin insulting purebloods,� commented Potter, �Better watch it, Snape, you might find yourself cast out of the snake pit for that.�

�And you won�t be welcomed anywhere else,� added Black haughtily, �Not that someone like you belongs anywhere outside of the dungeons. Shouldn�t you be slithering back to your little dark corners to read about poisons and practice evil curses?�

�Actually, I was just heading to the hospital wing,� Severus responded with a dark smirk. �Remember the assignment the headmaster assigned after your blunder the other night? It seems you�ve practically thrown your friend at my feet, what with all the long nights you�ve guaranteed we�ll be spending together.�

Black�s lip curled up in a silent snarl and Potter�s eyes darted between the other two boys in confusion, clearly realising that he had missed something.

�If you�re as smart as you like to think you are,� Black hissed through his teeth as he raised his wand, �You�ll leave Moony alone, Snivellus.�

Despite the fact that he was still clearly out of the loop, Potter jumped in as soon as he realised where the confrontation was headed. �Believe it or not, Snape, Remus feels badly enough about what happened already. If you do anything to punish him further, you�ll wish I�d never pulled your sorry arse out of that passage by the time we�re done with you.�

Severus sneered at the bespectacled teen, �Didn�t I already tell you not to bother trying to play the hero with me, Potter? I�m not as easy to fool as some of your friends or Dumbledore and it is obvious that you and that,� obsidian eyes flickered to Black, �Monster you call a friend hold no remorse for what you�ve done.�

Grey and hazel eyes narrowed and both of the raven-haired Gryffindors wasted no time in trying to disarm Severus, but the obsidian-eyed teen had been expecting as much and managed to block their spells before casting Langlock on Black. The grey-eyed teen attempted to cast a few spells with his tongue adhered to the room of his mouth with no success before he decided to duck out of the crossfire to try to right himself as Severus and Potter continued throwing and dodging hexes.

In under a minute, Potter�s ears were three times their usual size, he was sweating abnormally, and he was sporting many small scratches. Meanwhile, Severus� hair was green, his nose was twice its usual size, and he had a large stain of what appeared to be some sort of gravy on his robes. Black was seething as he called muffled suggestions to Potter and attempted to unstick his tongue so he could join in the fray.

Each of the three boys were so distracted, that none of them noticed Lily�s arrival until she marched right up to them -already yelling about how they should all be ashamed of themselves- and right into one of Potter�s hexes. All three boys immediately froze in place and stared in horror as the girl was hoisted into the air by her ankle, causing her robes and skirt to fall over her head.

Returning to his senses, Severus cast the counter curse immediately, but did not react in time to stop his friend from hitting the ground in an ungraceful heap. Before he could do anything, Lily stood, made sure her clothes were straitened out, and then turned to Potter, wand drawn and ready.

�Expelliarmus!� Neither the green-eyed girl nor the hazel-eyed boy reacted as his wand flew out of his grip and bounced off a wall before rolling off somewhere behind him. Potter was starring at Lily, wide-eyed and red-faced, and working his mouth wordlessly. Black�s mouth was hanging open as much as it could, despite the discomfort; he seemed to have completely forgotten about trying to unstick his tongue.

Lily stepped forward and pointed her wand straight at Potter�s face. �Severus,� she ground out through clenched teeth, �Go to the hospital wing and tell Remus that he won�t be seeing his other friends for a couple more days. They�ll be busy serving the worst detention of their lives.�

Severus offered a quiet confirmation before retrieving his book bag from where he had dropped it during the skirmish and heading to the hospital wing in a brisk walk. He had a feeling that particular corridor was about to get very loud.

Madam Pomfrey set Severus right as soon as he entered her ward, and he could have sworn he saw a hint of a smile on her face as he told her about Potter and Black�s detentions with Lily. After commenting that students should not be using magic in the hallways anyway, the matron sent Severus along to see Remus while she took inventory of her potions and slaves, telling him to take his time as she released the spell binding the curtains to the intense recovery ward.

The obsidian-eyed teen approached his friend�s bed and slipped past the curtain without any hesitation this time. He did hesitate upon entering however, as he saw that his friend had fallen asleep while apparently reading.

A large Herbology tome was lying open on Remus� stomach and the upper half of his body was twisted to the side. The unmanaged side of his face was pressed into his pillow and his hair had fallen over most of what would have remained visible. One hand was resting on the book, having likely been holding it while he was reading, and the other was curled on the pillow beside his face. A Muggle notebook, an inkwell, and a couple of quills were scattered over and around him as well.

Severus felt the corners of his mouth tug upward slightly at the sight, but the waning smile quickly turned into a frown as he noticed the scarred boy�s laboured breathing. He debated calling Madam Pomfrey for a moment, but decided to wait. Instead, he carefully slid the book off Remus, figuring that having a twelve-pound book lying on one�s chest could not be good for breathing.

It appeared that Remus had been marking pages of the book with pieces of notebook paper, and Severus marked his page with one before putting the book aside and removing the other study items lying around the bed from the werewolf�s sleeping form. He paused while doing so when the fawn-haired boy started making strange whimpering sounds in his sleep.

Severus leaned closer and frowned at the fawn-coloured hair obscuring his view of Remus� face. He carefully brushed the hair back and was surprised to see that only his friend�s left eye and a mall area surrounding it were bandaged now. The werewolf�s jaw was bruised and scratched as though it had been repeatedly struck against something very solid. Severus shuddered as he recalled the sounds in the Shack that night.

The scratches and bruises looked as though they would all heal entirely, except for a few angry ones peeking out from under the bandage over Remus� eye. The symmetry of the wounds made it clear they were claw marks; it looked as though the creature had tried to scratch out it�s own eye. Severus could only hope it had not succeeded and decided it was finally time to ask Remus some serious questions about his injuries.

The raven-haired teen lightly stroked his friend�s bruised cheek and jaw, and was about to pull his hand back when his fingers accidentally brushed Remus� lips and he froze as the pale boy made another soft sound and shifted. Fortunately, the scarred boy did not awaken. However, much to Severus� surprise he tilted his head down to nuzzle the sallow-skinned teen�s palm. He did not still until Severus� hand was covering his nose, mouth, and chin. The lycanthrope breathed deeply through his nose for a few seconds before his breathing evened out and he still, falling back into a peaceful sleep with Severus still cupping the lower half of his face.

Obsidian eyes blinked and Severus made a mental note to be sure to add this peculiar fact to his notes on werewolves. He was still trying to figure out what it might mean when he felt Remus� face scrunch slightly before the pale boy�s lips brushed over his palm as he heard a muffled, �Severus?�

Clearly not entirely awake yet, Remus attempted to lick his slightly chapped lips and ended up flicking his tongue over Severus� palm as well. Both boys went incredibly still for a second before Severus pulled his hand away and Remus snapped his head over to see the taller boy with his uncovered eye. Both were blushing and wide-eyed.

�Sorry, Severus,� the brown-eyed teen stammered out. �I didn�t mean- I was-�

At the same time, Severus began making his own excuses, �Your hair was in your face- I didn�t plan to-�

Both stopped speaking at once. Remus sat up and looked down while Severus straightened his robes and gathered his composure. The raven-haired teen tried to ignore the tingling sensation on his palm as he made another mental note about werewolves: their tongues were slightly roughly than humans, it seemed.

The sallow-skinned Slytherin decided to speak first, in the hopes of turning the incident into a more academic discussion before anything too humiliating was said. �You were�whimpering in your sleep. I smoothed your hair and you shifted- You seemed to�take comfort in having my hand like that. Is that�normal for you?�

Remus flushed again and bit his lip before answering in a tone that sounded more forced than his usual calm. �I don�t know if you mean me or my kind, but either way, I don�t know. Other than M- the matron- no one�s ever touched me while I was sleeping before that I know of.�

The words were not harsh or accusing at all, but Severus still had to fight not to wince when Remus said �my kind�. It was clear that Black�s recent actions had left the lycanthrope�s emotions raw in that area. �I didn�t mean anything by that,� the raven-haired teen offered. �I meant the nightmares as well as the action�and I meant for you and your kind.�

The brown-eyed boy was not as good at hiding his wince as Severus had been, and the obsidian-eyed teen mentally cursed himself. �I know what you are, Remus. I�ve been asked to learn more and quite frankly, I want to. I want to understand what you go through and how I-� Severus swallowed and kept his voice level, �And what might be able to help you.�

The fawn-haired teen looked up and searched Severus� gaze. After a brief moment, he relaxed completely. �I�m sorry.� Remus offered him a light smile, �Werewolves senses are sharper than a normal human�s closer to the moon, but even at our most human our senses of smell and taste are particularly acute. I was having a nightmare earlier�then, I sort of -sensed you and it got better. I think I must have been seeking you out or something. I�m sorry.�

Not wanting to pull out his notebook and make Remus feel like a field specimen, Severus simply made a mental note of the information as he sat down. He nodded to Remus and then thought about what he had said from a completely non-academic standpoint. �So�you can recognise my taste and smell even in your sleep?�

�Well, I�d never actually tasted you before,� commented Remus, who was blushing yet again but still smiling, �Of course most things taste similar to how they smell�anyway, I suppose so. I�ve never really thought of it before. I do have a pretty good memory for that kind of thing though.�

The obsidian-eyed teen tilted his head slightly as he studied his friend, wondering if it was normal to find him so endearing at the moment or if this was just a side effect of his attraction. �Do you tend to remember scents and flavours as well as sights and sounds?�

The scarred teen�s skin regained its usual pallor as he became comfortable with the conversation, which caused Severus to feel yet another strange sort of warmth in his chest. �My memories seem to be based on scents and feelings more than sights or sounds, actually. I mean, I recall everything, but they�re more dominant. I don�t remember much before�is that abnormal?�

Severus frowned lightly as he pondered how to answer that query. �I can recognise scents when I smell them, like the blood replenishing potion on your bedside table, and I can recall that it hurts to touch something hot or feels good to climb into a warm bed on a cold being, but I can�t recreate scents, flavours, or feelings in my mind as I can sights and sounds. It�s that way for most�humans.�

The raven-haired teen sighed at the last word, knowing it was technically the correct word to use but feeling badly about pointing out that Remus was not human. He focused his gaze, which tended to drift inward when he thought deeply, and noticed that the fawn-haired boy looked thoughtful rather than offended. Very thoughtful, in fact. �Remus?�

Brown eyes suddenly became alert, and Severus noticed for the first time that Remus tended to turn inward when he concentrated as well. He ignored the fact that he noted this as well as he had each of the werewolf facts.

�You know what Legilimency is, right?� Remus questioned as though he were already sure of the answer, even though they were not due to learn about the subject for another year. When Severus nodded, he continued, �I was just thinking�I�ve never heard of a human trying it in a species of human or near-human intelligence, like a werewolf or merperson. I wonder if there�s a species barrier, or if it�s just too different to make sense for the Legilimens. What do you think?�

Severus blinked, intrigued by the idea enough to completely forget about the subject of the species differences between them, just as Remus had. �I�ve never heard anything about that either. If we can�t fin anything on it in the library then we should test it.� He instantly wondered why he had said the last thought aloud; normally, he kept that sort of thinking to himself to explore in private.

�Do you know Leglimency?� questioned the brown-eyed boy.

�No,� the raven-haired teen answered honestly and evenly, �But I�m sure I can learn.�

Remus smiled softly, �I�m sure you�ll be brilliant at it.�

Severus smiled back, not sure why, other than that Remus� faith in him just made him happy somehow.

�On a related subject,� commented Remus as he picked up the notebook Severus shad moved earlier and held it out to the raven-hared boy, �Here. I started putting this together for you today,�

The obsidian-eyed teen took the proffered notebook. �What is it?� He opened it as he asked, and noticed a list of books on the first page.

�The first page is a list of references my mother used to create a basis for her theories on what might work on me and what wouldn�t,� replied the brown-eyed teen mildly. �They�re all on killing werewolves�what poisons, potions, and hexes work or don�t work on them.�

Severus could not help a sneer of distaste from curling his lip even as h tried to keep the conversation at an academic level. �So she used this information to try to estimate the differences in lycanthropic and human immune systems and metabolic systems before she began her�experiments?�

Remus nodded, �I also put together a list of spells that don�t work on me the same as everyone else. Some mum used, others I�ve just been hit with around school or Diagon Alley. Of course, there are some good books on all of that too.�

The raven-haired teen turned the page and began looking over the listed spells as his friend continued, �After that, I�ve started listed potions and potion ingredients and tried to explain their affect on a werewolf. I didn�t always know what mum was doing or using unfortunately, but I figured it would be a start at least. If you�re still interested come summer, I can send you mum�s notes to keep.�

�I�ll be interested,� Severus stated, noting that Remus had actually filled most of the notebook with what he did recall. Remembering that the fawn-haired teen was a little more sentimental than he was, the obsidian-eyed boy looked up at his friend again. �You�re sure you don�t mind parting with her work? I can always return them after I�ve studied them.� In truth, Severus knew he would want to take his time on the subject.

�I think�I�d rather you have them,� commented Remus after a thoughtful pause. �Dad doesn�t know what to do with them and I -I don�t like reading them�they�re all basically about how to kill me -or come as close as possible- when it comes down to it. Still, mum worked hard, it should be put to use�but not by someone who is just going to use it to harm my kind. I mean, I can�t be that unique�there has to be others that don�t want to hurt anyone.�

The raven-haired teen nodded slowly; the despondent expression on his friend�s face seemed to be pulling something inside him and he wondered if he would learn as much about feelings as he would about lycanthropy by the time he turned in his assignment. He glanced at the notebook in his hands; the entries were concise and impersonal, as though Remus had tried to prevent him from connecting the horrible and detailed reactions it described with the scarred boy himself.

�Remus,� Severus began, wondering why he was even asking this, but the question had entered his mind back when they first broached upon the subject, and he could never stand to leave his queries unanswered. �When we first discussed our parents, you said I was the first person to whom you spoke of their�disagreements. Do your�other friends know about any of this?�

Remus no doubt caught the tinge of bitterness and distaste that entered his friend�s tone when he called Black, Potter, and Pettigrew his friends, but he had the grace not to comment on it. �No. Fortunately, I�ve never had to lie about it either. My parents were only brought up once during third year -when we were studying werewolves in DADA- after Peter read that it was common practice in the previous century for parents to drown their children if they were bitten.

�Sirius made a rather off-colour comment about how he could see his parents or any of their friends sobbing and talking about their poor child and how horrible it all was as they had a house elf take the child off to dispose of it without a second thought. James admitted that he wasn�t sure how most of his parents� friends would handle it, though he doubted they could ever kill their children. Peter asked how mine were taking it, and I just said they tried everything before my mum passed, but of course there�s no cure, and obviously they didn�t decided to put me out of their misery.�

The fawn-haired boy shrugged lightly, �They�ve never asked for further details on the subject and I�ve never spoken of my transformations in any sort of detail, so it�s simply never come up.� The werewolf looked down nervously, �And I- I don�t want it to.�

The raven-haired teen nodded to say that he understood. �We�ve kept each others secrets all this time�and I�ve told no one about the nature of your condition. You do know you can trust me to keep all of them, don�t you?�

The fawn-haired boy replied before his friend could have any second thoughts about admitting so much. �Of course I know that. Can you- Do you still trust me with yours?�

�Of course;� The obsidian-eyed teen glanced down at the open book in his lap, idly turning a few pages to the herbs section. �After all, you haven�t actually changed, have you? I�m just more aware of a few of your�less prominent attributes.�

The brown-eyed boy smiled, looking quite touched, and the atmosphere around the two boys seemed warmer and calmer as the subject dropped. They sat in a companionable silence for a moment as Remus read the notes Severus had brought him about the days lessons and Severus looked over the notes Remus had given him.

Noticing a couple of magical herbs that had been known toxins to werewolves for centuries, Severus closed the notebook and set it aside, deciding he would read it when he returned to his dormitory. He hoped it would be easier to look at it academically when Remus was not present.

In the meantime, he deciding to find out more about Remus� injuries, as the boy was looking better, but still seemed to tire quickly. However, he quickly discovered that he was still no good at phrasing things gently, so he decided to ease into the discussion instead. �How are you, Remus?�

If the query sounded as lame to the werewolf as it did to Severus, the scarred boy hid it well. �I�m feeling much better, actually. I think I might be able to convince the matron to let me return to classes in a few more days.�

The obsidian-eyed teen would have rolled his eyes as he felt another strange stirring in his chest, were it not for the fact that he was distracted by the feeling itself. It seemed to be equal parts concern, protectiveness, and pride. �You shouldn�t push that. You�re keeping up with the work just fine, and a viable excuse for your stay has already been offered to the student body.�

�I know I just�� Remus shrugged and picked up a nearby textbook, but did not open it. �It isn�t like I�m going to be doing anything but going to classes and studying��

�Is the library or the lakeshore truly that preferable to studying here?�

That statement earned a small smile from the brown-eyed boy, which caused Severus to smile a little in return. The fawn-haired teen met his gaze again; �I actually like the grounds and the library a lot�even classes. My friends are the only ones who pay any attention to me, so I can still go about my business�but I can get lost in the crowd. It�s the only time I feel close to human after a transformation.�

Severus wanted to say something comforting at the tone of his friend�s voice, but he was not a believer in false hope. While he did not mind that the other boy was not human, he knew most would. He also had no idea how it felt to be anything other than human and knew that empathy was also not one of his strong suits.

�You don�t have to say anything, Severus,� Remus stated softly, sounding comforted despite the other boy�s lack of a verbal response.

The werewolf continued to smile lightly at the obsidian-eyed teen, �You know what I am, but you�re still here and you still treat me as a friend�that says enough. The others make me forget that I�m not like everyone else for a while -and that means a lot to me- but you... You make it feel okay not to be. That means a lot too.�

The obsidian-eyed boy did not even realise how broad his smile had grown until the brown-eyed boy�s own smile grew to match it. Severus wondered if his own eyes lit up the way Remus� visible eye did, even as he doubted that his normally dark and cold eyes could ever look as warm and compassionate.

The moment was broken as Remus suddenly flinched violently as his left hand shot up to cover his already covered eye just before Severus� own hand landed there, covering the bandaged had as well.

Both boys froze for a second before the pale teen offered a weak smile and the sallow teen remembered to breathe.

�I�m all right,� Remus sounded as though he were still in some pain, but in better spirits than he had been since he woke up in the hospital wing. �I just haven�t stretched the skin there much lately��

Severus nodded, looking between the other boy�s visible eye and the bandaged one under their hands. �Your eye isn�t�that is; will it heal?�

�Yes,� the werewolf�s reply was slow and quiet, and he seemed to know immediately that Severus caught onto this. �There will be scars, and it might take a while for my vision to return to normal, but at least I didn�t lose it�the matron said she wasn�t sure if it was still there when she first saw me.�

The sallow-skinned teen offered a tight smile that he hoped was somewhat comforting as he lowered his hand, only afterwards did he realise that he had practically caressed Remus� face as he drew away. However, if that was as abnormal an action for a friend to make as he thought, then the lycanthrope did not seem aware of it. Remus merely returned the smile and dropped his own hand to his lap.

Severus glanced down at his own hands; one of which had now caressed his friend twice that evening and had even been smelled and licked by the werewolf convalescing in the bed before him. He frowned then, noticing his clammy palms and dry fingers, and the way that his nails and fingertips bore the faint tint of the potion he had brewed in class earlier that day. �That cannot taste appealing in the least,� he grumbled aloud without meaning to.

Obsidian eyes widened and darted to Remus, who chuckled lightly.

With a notable flush across his pale cheeks, the werewolf murmured, �Actually, it does. It tastes like your scent�if that makes any sense.�

The Slytherin arched an eyebrow at is friend, ��And that�s good?� The lycanthrope merely nodded, looking slightly embarrassed.

Severus� brows straightened out; �From what you said earlier -about your senses- that does make sense. I just�don�t know how I smell�to someone like you.� The raven-haired teen released a quiet snort at his complete lack of sensitivity.

Remus spoke before the other boy could even consider amending his comment. �I�ve never tried to explain someone�s scent before�err, there really isn�t a direct comparison; an apple smells like an apple, you smell like you. But it sort of reminds me of�damp stone, fresh herbs, liquorice, shadows, a cool breeze, magic, and�� the fawn-haired boy�s voice dropped to a murmur, �And moonlight.�

The obsidian-eyed teen merely stared at the scarred boy for a brief moment, unsure of how to respond. The werewolf�s reaction gave him the impression that this disclosure, particularly that last description, was somehow more intimate to the lycanthrope than any of the other admissions or actions to pass between them�at least that Remus had been conscious throughout. Severus was not sure how to respond to that, so he verbalised the first thought to enter his mind that he hoped was a less personal nature.

�I didn�t know that most of those had scents�or that a scent could remind someone of them.� Severus decided to press a little more when Remus simply nodded in response while still looking at his sheets. �Why were you reluctant to voice that last one? Does my reminding you of moonlight distress you?�

The brown-eyed boy shook his head slowly; �It�s just that�nothing ever has before. I didn�t expect it from something�pleasant��

Severus was not sure how to take that, but he had to admit to himself that it pleased him. �And do I always smell that way?�

�Yes,� the werewolf looked at his friend thoughtfully, �Although there are usually other scents on you as well�potions mainly, magical residues, foods you�ve eaten, and other students you�ve been near. I can also smell hormones and such that shift with heightened emotions, but I don�t know how to identify many of them yet...actually, I can normally only identify surges of anger, fear, or-.�

Severus looked up sharply when Remus stopped speaking abruptly, worried that the brown-eyed boy had somehow upset one of his injuries. The slightly shorter teen did not appear to be in pain though, but was staring unseeingly at the privacy curtain behind the Slytherin. The lycanthrope�s head turned slightly and his face was focused, causing him to look like an animal that had caught the scent of a predator and was straining to hear anything that might pinpoint its location.

Pulling out his wand, the obsidian-eyed boy stood and turned to face the curtain as he stepped closer to the bed. He could not see, hear, or smell anything, but he was more than willing to trust his friend�s senses on the matter. Without turning his head, he whispered, �Remus?�

Suddenly, the fawn-haired teen slumped back against his pillows and released a small sigh. He looked wary and worn but less tense than he had seconds before. He shifted his gaze to Severus and listlessly murmured, �It�s Sirius�I�d hoped he would give me a day before trying to convince me he didn�t do anything wrong again. No such luck I guess.�

�Black?� Severus frowned as he turned to his friend and pocketed his wand again, �But he�s supposed to be serving detention with Potter�Lily said they weren�t going to be visiting you for a couple of days. There�s no way they could have wormed their way out of it.�

�Lily said�?� Remus looked puzzled. �Why would Lily�unless, she�s the one who- But they usually avoid vexing Lily. What did-�

Before the werewolf could complete his query, Black slipped past the curtain separating them from the room. He was still peeking out to see if he had been caught when he started speaking, apparently unaware that he had interrupted anything. �Hey Moony, sorry I�m late but I had to sneak over on the way to-�

�What did you do this time?� questioned the brown-eyed boy. �You must have made Lily really mad��

�How do you know Evans had anything to do it?� Sirius asked as he turned to glance at hi friend over his shoulder. Severus arched an eyebrow when the other boy still seemed to miss his presence. �I didn�t even get to do anything because Snivellus-�

�-Severus,� Remus corrected with the tone of someone who has done something so many times that it is now an automatic response.

�Thank you,� Severus nodded toward his friend, who returned the gesture.

Black spun around at the sound of the Slytherin�s voice. �What the hell are you doing here?�

To mock the other teen�s slightly panicked tone, Severus made sure to answer in an elegant drawl. �I could ask the same of you.�

�I�m visiting my friend,� the grey-eyed boy snapped as he stepped closer to the bed. Severus remained by it as well, but turned so that he was facing the Gryffindor.

The two stood glaring at one another for a few seconds before Remus spoke, looking between the two raven-haired teens nervously. �Severus and I have been studying. He�s helping me keep up in class. It�s nice. His notes are rather brilliant, actually�how are y-�

�Snivellus-� Black cut in curtly, still glaring at Severus and ignoring the lycanthrope as he corrected him again, �Already told me about the differences in our assignments from the headmaster. I know what he�s studying�he thinks this is a punishment, you know.�

Severus� glare intensified as his gaze bore into the other boy�s face. Remus� voice was lower and slightly aggrieved as he answered mildly, �That�s not true, Sirius��

�Then what�s that?� The taller Gryffindor inclined his head towards the notes the other two had left on the bed and bedside table, both on schoolwork and the effects various potion ingredients have on lycanthropes. ��And since when do you need help keeping up, Moony? You�re doing brilliant in most of your classes even with missing one a month.�

�Yes and the circles around his eyes and his general lack of well-being couldn�t possibly be affected by all the work he normally has to put into keeping those brilliant marks without aid.� The obsidian-eyed teen practically snarled at the other boy, �Unlike you, Black, I am actually endeavouring to assist our friend in his recovery. Whether he requires the help or not, I am sure it is appreciated�especially since he will be missing more than one day, thanks to your efforts.�

The grey-eyed teen had his wand drawn in the blink of an eye, an action that was mirrored by Severus almost perfectly.

Remus sat up straight, his fist clenched the sheets and the colour drained from his face as he did so. �No, S-�

�I never intended to hurt Remus, Snape,� Black stated coolly, but the rage in his eyes belied the façade. �You forget the circles my family travels in�I know all about the things you and your Slytherin friends do behind closed doors. Moony always has been too nice for his own good; too willing to give people chances they don�t deserve.�

�Yes, people like arrogant aristocrats who consider werewolves animals just as their parents taught them to,� Severus retorted icily, his eyes even colder than his tone. Then, as his adversary sputtered angrily, he added, �That is what you were thinking, wasn�t it�when you used him?�

The raven-haired Gryffindor spoke through clenched teeth, �Trying to slither out of trouble by turning this around on me, Snivellus? I�m not the ones who�s been practically obsessed with him for months-�

�A-all right, I think we all�need to calm down now...� Remus� quiet attempt to intervene fell upon deaf ears. Severus started to turn his eyes toward his friend, but his attention snapped back to the other Gryffindor as Black had continued through the interruption.

�-And I don�t care if you�ve convinced Moony that there�s more to you than spite and dark magic,� Black spat out, eye still fixed on Severus, �I know you�re up to something�I won�t let you use him.�

�So you�re a hypocrite as well as an attempted murder?� Severus looked at the other boy with disgust, �You may act like a changed man, Black, but you�re still the same little pureblood bigot that entered this school five years ago. Orion�s little hound-�

The grey-eyed teen all but shouted, �I am not anyone�s hound! I�m not the one who�s going to end up a filthy Death Eater!�

The werewolf�s gaze snapped over to the other Gryffindor in shock, �Sirius, that�s not-�

�A little over defensive, aren�t you, Black?� questioned Severus with a cruel smirk. �Not sure if you want to keep playing the rebel?�

�You�re the one who�s playing, Snivellus.� Black took a threatening step closer to his adversary, his wand gripped tightly before him. �You called Remus your friend before I sent you down that tunnel, but as soon as James got you out, you called him inhuman! James said you would have called him worse if Peter hadn�t interrupted-�

The obsidian-eyed teen raised his wand and stood his ground. �I was talking about you! You and Potter�thinking it�s great fun to turn your friend into a murderer. You�re more monstrous than Lupin will ever be-�

Black took another half step closer. �Oh, so he�s Lupin now? What, forgot you�re supposed to be playing nice to the little beast? You�re disgusting-�

Severus opened his mouth to snarl out a retort, but he caught sight of Remus as he stepped closer to Black, and the look on the shorter boy�s face doused the anger burning through him like the presence of a Dementor. �Remus�?�

The fawn-haired teen looked as though he had been slapped. He stared at Sirius, pain and disappointment clear in his only visible eye. The werewolf seemed to have trouble finding his voice, and when he did, it came out as scarcely a whisper. ��You knew?�

�What?� Black turned halfway to look at his friend, but kept his eyes and wand on Severus.

�You knew that Severus was my friend?� Remus� undamaged eye searched the other Gryffindor�s face closely.

�I told him just before he sent me down to the Willow,� Severus answered quietly when it became clear that Black would not. The grey-eyed teen simply stared at the werewolf with a mixture of anger and dread. Both of the raven-haired teens finally lowered their wands.

�That�s what this was about, wasn�t it?� The brown-eyed boy shook his head slowly; his eye began to water as his expression changed to one of complete distress. �It had nothing to do with any of the things you said earlier to me, James, or Peter��

The raven-haired Gryffindor set his jaw and said nothing. His eyes seemed to falter, even as they narrowed toward Severus before returning to Remus.

The lycanthrope�s mouth twisted slightly as though he were tasting something bitter and he blinked a few times to prevent any tears from escaping his visible eye. �You found out you have to share something for once in your life -with someone you hate, no less- so you decided to get back at us? Kill two birds with one stone, as it were�?�

�No,� Black shook his head once, fervently. �I didn�t mean to hurt you, Moony. I honestly never even thought about what might happen to you. You know how I am. I just didn�t think-�

�Yes, you never think,� Remus interrupted, his voice breaking, �Not about anything other than yourself anyway. I can�t believe you would do this, Sirius, I- You swore you�d never- �I trusted you.�

�Moony-�

�I can�t, Sirius�not right now. Please, just go,� the brown-eyed boy spoke quietly as he shook his head slowly before closing his eye and looking down, appearing defeated. By what was anyone�s guess, but Severus thought it was simply that life had just handed him yet another foul blow�which was perhaps one too many to handle in his current state.

It hurt the raven-haired teen just to watch. Therefore, he turned to Black, his wand raised once more. �Leave now,� he hissed dangerously, �Before you do any more harm.�

Grey eyes narrowed. �If you think I�m going to let you do whatever it is you have planned to do to Remus, you�re dead wrong, Snape. You don�t fool me. You don�t care-�

�I care a good deal more than you are even capable of, Black,� Severus interrupted venomously. �You would be cursed already were it not for the fact that I, unlike you, do not wish to upset Remus any more. However, if you insist on it, I will take great pleasure in removing you from this room myself.�

�I�d like to see you try, Snivellus,� Black sneered, raising his wand again as well.

�Please stop,� Remus� hoarse voice interrupted, and both of the raven-haired boys turned their gazes to their scarred friend while keeping their wands on each other. The fawn-haired teen looked miserable. �Sirius, please, I can�t�I can�t talk to you right now and I don�t want you to fight with Severus. Just leave and let�s give us both a few days to think and cool down�like Madam Pomfrey suggested�please?�

The obsidian-eyed teen turned his focus completely on Remus for a moment as the scarred boy stated the matron�s given name. By the air of resigned purpose to his otherwise despondent appearance, Severus could tell Remus knew exactly what he was doing. The Slytherin had to give his friend a mental nod of approval as he turned his attention back to Black.

Shock flickered across the grey-eyed teen�s face quickly before it closed off coolly as he narrowed his eyes. �Moony, you can�t still be that upset. It was just a trick like all the others you frown at me for; you have to understand that.�

�Understand what;� Severus clipped out harshly, �That you consider murder and betrayal forms of amusement?�

Black�s hand shook slightly as he turned to Severus and the tip of his wand sparked lightly. �No one was talking to you, Snivellus. Remus is the only one who needs to see the truth here, you can just-�

Suddenly, the curtain was pulled back to reveal a worried looking Madam Pomfrey. However, her concerned was rapidly replaced by surprise and then anger. �What is going on here?! Mr. Black, Mr. Snape, put those wands away at once!�

The raven-haired boys complied immediately as the stern nurse placed her hands on her hips and stared at them crossly. �I have made it explicitly plain to both of you that Remus needs time, rest, and most importantly, support if he is to recover. I am immensely disappointed in you two. Now, I need to check Remus� abdominal injuries, so Mr. Snape, I will ask you to kindly wait outside. Mr Black, I believe I expressed by displeasure at your behaviour around my patent quite satisfactorily already, so I will ask you to leave and take five points from Gryffindor. Good night.�

The matron promptly turned to Remus as Severus and Sirius mindlessly stepped out of the curtained area. Even through the shock of hearing the nurse take house points -an unprecedented occurrence as far as he knew- Severus thought to close the curtain behind him. He figured the least he could do was allow Remus to keep some level of dignity.

The obsidian-eyed boy turned his back to the curtain and found that Black was still in the room, glowering at him.

Severus searched an eyebrow haughtily, �Need I remind you what Madam Pomfrey just said? I do not care for Gryffindor as a whole, but it is Remus� house as well as yours. Do not add further insult to injury by losing more points over your treatment of him.�

�I�m watching you, Snape,� the grey-eyed teen hissed. �You may think you�ve won, but Moony can never hold anything against his friends for long. He�ll forgive me soon enough and then I am going to convince him to stay as far away from your greasy arse as he possibly can. I don�t care what he thinks of you, I know you aren�t going to do him any good.�

�Strange,� Severus stated coolly, �I was just thinking the same thing about you. I may not have won yet, Black, but I assure you, I will.�

Black offered a cruel smirk in response, �We�ll see about that, Snivellus.� With those words, he spun around and quickly strode out of the hospital wing.

The sallow-skinned Slytherin glowered at the other teen�s retreat, and then turned to the curtain behind him, which was still pulled taut. While he hated to give Black even the lightest amount of credit, he had to wonder if the odds were in the other boy�s favour in this case. Severs felt strangely drawn to Remus, and had grown quite attached to the werewolf, but Black had known him for much longer.

The obsidian-eyed boy also did not know if his friend reciprocated his feelings. Even if he did, the numbers were against Severus; if Black made Remus choose between them, it was unlikely that Potter or Pettigrew would be forgiving should the lycanthrope choose Severus. He would just have to make sure that quality would overcome quantity�he just was unsure of how to do that.

Severus pondered the unofficial competition between he and Black for a moment, before his concern for Remus began to take precedence over his plans to win the werewolf. Nearly an hour had passed since he was asked to leave Remus� bedside and the matron had not emerged from behind the curtain yet. The raven-haired boy began to pace before the privacy curtain apprehensively.

Madam Pomfrey finally emerged as the teen passed the curtain for the forty-sixth time. She was carrying a large bowl filled with bloodied bandages, a jar of disinfectant, and a few empty potion vials. The anger had left her, leaving her with a wary and thoughtful expression.

She paused upon seeing Severus, and took a quick glance around the room before sighing. �At least Mr Black knows when he�s crossed the line. Remus requested that you be allowed back in to see him if you so desired. He seemed quite�touched that you waited; I don�t think he expected it.

�However, first I want your word that he will receive no further upsets this evening,� the stern nurse added, although not suspiciously or cruelly.

Severus could not help but stare at the bloodied bandages for a moment longer before pulling his gaze up to meet the matron�s eyes. �You have my word, Madam. I shall also do my best to insure he receives no further upsets as long as he must remain here.�

Madam Pomfrey offered a nod and a small smile that lay in her eyes more than her mouth before she replied, �Very good, Mr Snape. I expected no less of you. Now, I need to return to my office, you may stay with Remus as long as you like but be sure that he rests.�

�Thank you, I will.� Severus nodded back before passing the privacy curtain to Remus� bed.

The werewolf, who had apparently gathered and organised his and Severus� notes and homework, looked up and smiled apologetically at his friend. The scarred boy was pale and panting slightly, like a wounded animal. �I didn�t mean for you to wait so long, sorry.�

�I chose to wait of my accord,� the raven-haired boy replied as he moved closer, still looking his friend over. �I don�t think you had any choice in the length of time it took to treat your wounds�� Obsidian-eyes lowered to the crisp sheet that were pulled up to cover the lycanthrope�s abdomen, �I didn�t mean to upset you so much.�

�It wasn�t your fault� I was careless. I-�

�You were hardly the problem,� Severus interrupted.

Remus� mouth opened, and then slowly closed as he nodded and looked down at the two stacks of parchment on his bed. ��Yes�about that, I- I�m sorry about Sirius. He can be rather- trying at times. I- I don�t-� As he spoke, his voice lowered, his breathing grew more laboured, and he began to quiver.

Closing the distance between him and the bed, Severus placed a hand on his friend�s arm, feeling the slightest pull of guilt when the boy stiffened beneath his bandages. �Don�t Remus. You�re getting upset again and that�s not good for your recovery. �Black has done enough damage already. Don�t give him any more power to feed his gluttonous ego.� Don�t allow him any power over you�

The brown-eyed teen looked at Severus again, �Perhaps we should just�not talk about Sirius�at least for now.�

�I agree,� the raven-haired boy answered with a nod. Then, he glanced at the stacks of parchment on the bed. �What is this?�

�That one is yours,� the werewolf indicated one of the piles, then the other, �And that one�s mine. I figured you would need your notes tomorrow. I�m going to try to finish my DADA and Herbology homework tonight,� he added as he leafed through his own parchments.

Severus picked up his stack of notes and tried not to sound eager as he responded, �Well, Madam Pomfrey did give me permission to stay as long as I�d like tonight�if you�re up to the company. I would like to hear your thoughts on our History of Magic assignment��

The werewolf smiled a true smile at that and slid over on the bed to place his notes beside his books on the bedside table. �Why don�t you sit down then� -Severus could only stare as the lycanthrope glanced to the empty space of bed beside him- �We can cover a few subjects until you decide you want to go back to your dormitory.�

Obsidian eyes continued to stare for a moment, shifting between the fawn-haired boy and the vacant side of the hospital bed. He could not help but wonder if he had misread the other boy�s meaning. �You mean�sit here?�

The shorter teen frowned slightly, �I�m sorry, Severus�I just thought it would be more comfortable and the beds big enough for us both. I didn�t mean to- I�m sorry. Of course you�d prefer the chair, I understand-�

�Remus, stop rambling,� the obsidian-eyed boy interrupted before pointedly sitting on the edge of the bed, twisting slightly to look at Remus. He rationalised the request -as well as his positive reaction to it- as he reassured the werewolf. �We�ve sat just as close while studying elsewhere; I see no difference in this. I won�t hurt you though, will I?�

�As long as you aren�t planning on jabbing me anywhere sensitive, no,� the brown-eyed boy grinned good-naturedly, and Severus had to remind himself that the other boy was thinking of something completely different than he was. �Come on; let�s get started before we get too tired.�

Smiling slightly in return, Severus settled onto the bed beside Remus and pulled out his notes, trying to remind himself that this was not any different from any of the time they had spent together previously.

The evening passed by pleasantly, schoolwork mixing with personal thoughts and pleasant conversation as usual, until Severus felt a warm weight up against his arm and discovered that the werewolf had fallen asleep. He realised that it was well past curfew and that he should be heading back to his dorm, but he found the position to be more comfortable than he would have guessed.

His last thoughts as he drifted to sleep was that Remus� hair felt softer than he thought it would, and that it smelled like the woods just before a rain�
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Too Much Of Not Enough