What Eyes Can See

Chapter 6 - Wolfsbane

It was embarrassing, sometimes, to wake up next to Remus. Ron was teenager after all, and Remus was often the subject of his dreams. So far there'd been two Remus in the shower fantasies, one Remus with whipped cream, God knows how many regular naked Remuses, and one dream that had started out as a detention and ended up as a make-out session on the desks. Luckily, none of them had strayed into the land of the wet spots, just the land of massively huge hard ons. Still, embarrassing.

But it was nice too. Sort of. Ron had all ready decided he was masochistic. Why else would he willingly sleep next to the object of his obsession? And the man looked so goddamn fuckable! Even with his hair mussed and the stubble... come to think of it, the stubble was sexy. Hell, he could shave his head, dye his eyebrows puke green, and wear fluorescent plaid robes and still look gorgeous. Ok, so the robes might be pushing the envelope, but in any other way he was on the side of hot all right?

Exasperated, Ron slid off the end of the bed, carefully avoiding getting snagged on the footboard. That's what they call it right? I mean, the other one's a headboard, so... Ack, too much thinking for 6 in the morning. Nice view though. Ron stopped to ogle Remus's backside. The waistband of those pajamas has slid quite low... In fact, Remus's hipbones had decided to make an appearance. And there was the most interesting patch of hair spreading from his navel downwards...

Ok, cold shower definitely. Cranky, sleepy, and as horny as hell, Ron stomped into the bathroom.

The shower. Ron was leaning against the wall, one hand scrambling for a hold, the other digging into the top of Remus's head.

"Remus... please, yes..."

The water beat down on the lovers, hot and stinging. Remus nibbled, tasted, sucked. He loved Ron's taste, his scent...

"Ohh... ah..."

And then Ron was making that noise he always made when he came, this purring rumble that came from deep within his chest. He pulled Remus up and kissed him, hands roaming suggestively.

"I can taste myself... on you... you know that?" Ron gasped.

"And you taste wonderful..." Remus gently bit down the length of Ron's neck.

"God, I love you Remy."

"Love you Ron." And they kissed in earnest, bodies moving together in a steady rhythm. Thrusting-

"Oh fuck." 2^nd shower fantasy this week. The sound of the water running in the next room went straight to Remus's groin. God Ron, must you provide sound effects? Unbidden, an image of Ron naked came back into his head. Argg...

Remus lay there a moment, frustrated and throbbing. With a long-suffering sigh he pulled himself off the bed, pulling his pants up as he went. Those certainly rode down during the night. Also, note to self: Ask the house elves to change the sheets.

~~~~~~~

Another Monday morning Potions nightmare. It was one of those meticulously picky potions that had to be timed exactly or it would blow up in your face. Already half of the class had been sent to the Infirmary. Harry and Ron were still clinging, as were Hermione and Neville. Of the Slytherins only the teams of Draco and Goyle and Pansy and Blaise had survived. There were still a few more Gryffindors as well but Ron was working too feverishly to notice who they were.

"We need to add the sea salt in... 4... 3... 2... 1..." Harry counted off. Ron threw in the salt and Harry stirred it counterclockwise as stated.

"Next is the golem skin."

"Do you reckon it's from those earth golems Hagrid had us working with earlier this year?"

Harry shuddered. "God I hope not." He nodded toward the pile of greenish-brown skin that lay near the cauldron, stirring all the while. "It's got to be shredded."

"All right." Ron glanced at the notes they'd taken. 'Finely shredded with the grain of the skin'. Eww. With the grain of the skin? Is there such a thing? Ew ew ew ew. He got very squeamish around things like blood and skin. If Ron himself was hurt, phew, that was nothing. But if it was anything else... or more specifically, had been something else, he got a bit antsy.

Ron picked up the knife and spliced the skin in what he guessed was the 'grain'. Still gross. His thoughts began to wander. Christmas holidays were coming up. If he didn't go home Mum would get antsy. And if he did, he'd be away from Remus for a week and a half. Two days was horrible enough. A week and a half and they'd send him to St. Mungo's with a permanent...

"Ow!" Cursing, Ron looked down at his finger. "Fuck."

"What's wrong Ron?"

He looked down at his finger. He'd cut it with the knife but it wasn't deep at all. Hell, he'd done worse with the edge of a piece of paper.

"I don't know."

The problem was the pain was spreading through his hand. It was blistered, and the whole of his finger stung.

"It burned though."

The knife glinted up from where he'd dropped it, gleaming silver in the sparse light from under the cauldron. And suddenly Ron was hit with an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. The day of the full moon... when Remus hadn't taken the potion...

Their work abandoned, Harry came over and grabbed Ron's wrist to look at the injury.

"It looks nasty. Did you get something in it?"

Ron mentally shook himself. Snap out of it. "No. I just cut it, that's all"

Snape was glaring at him. He could feel his eyes boring into his back. Quickly they turned back to the Potion, Ron beginning to shred again even though his hand burned with every movement. Still Snape watched them. Yet he didn't say anything. Just watched.

Ron and Harry managed to get through the lesson without an explosion. Snape didn't even bother to ridicule them, instead merely looked down his nose and sniffed. Not wanting to believe their good fortune, they fairly ran out of the class when it was done. Hermione and Neville looked as stunned as they felt.

"From Snape... that was like... a compliment. Praise. Like there was nothing wrong. I think I might faint," Harry said unbelievingly. Then -

"Oh. Did you want to go to the Hospital Wing Ron? That still looks nasty."

Ron looked down at his hand. It was kind of swollen. He'd live though. "Nah. Why bother? It's just a little crispy," he joked.

"Extra-crispy or original recipe?" Hermione teased. And then she'd had to launch into a huge explanation of fried chicken and Foghorn Leghorn cartoons. All in all it had been an interesting morning.

~~~~~~~

Three floors away Remus looked down at his hand with a frown. That was odd...

~~~~~~~

"Hey Harry, Hermione, are you guys staying here for Christmas break?"

"Yes," Hermione answered absently. "My parents said I could choose this year."

Harry looked up from his homework briefly. "I am too. Pretty much like always. Why do you ask?"

Ron bit his lip thoughtfully. "I need to stay and... be near Remus. I mean, vacation is kind of a long time. But not going home for Christmas is kind of hokey, especially since Bill and Charlie are going to be there this year. I need a good reason."

Now Harry set aside his homework completely. "Say that 'Mione and I are also staying, and that since it's your last year you'd prefer to spend it here with us. And... and..."

"Oh!" Hermione said brightly. "I know! Hint that there's someone you like and that he's staying over Christmas break too! Moms love that. They've got this built in desire to see all their children matched off. Especially your Mum. She's a fanatic."

You really are a genius Hermione! Ron beamed. "You do know she had you picked out for me right?"

She crinkled up her nose. "How could I have missed it? Hell, we were supposed to be perfect for each other!"

"And then I turned gay," Ron shook his head sadly. "I'm so sorry Hermione. It wasn't planned darling, I just... perhaps one day I shall be cured of this terrible affliction. Perhaps one day I shall be cured and want girls again."

Winking at him she turned to Harry. "I'm sorry Harry dearest, but it's quite obvious that Ron is the one for me. Even if he is temporarily gay." With that she jumped up from her seat and leapt into Ron's arms, where he swept her into a kiss right out of the old black and white movies. Harry looked amused and came over to watch the two.

"Ron... darling..."

"Hermione... dearest..."

Snort.

"I'm afraid... I'm so afraid love!"

"There's nothing to fear beloved. I love you... I would do anything for you."

Harry was now shaking in almost silent paroxysms of laughter.

"But... Ron... I'm... I'm pregnant!"

"Pregnant? But this is wonderful news sweetheart!"

"With... with another man's baby..."

Mock-outrage.

"You... you whore!"

"Hey!"

Crack.

"Ow! I was kidding! Though to tell another man you love him, yet have another man's baby... well, that certainly seems kind of slutty..."

This earned him another smack.

"I am not a slut!"

"..."

There was a momentary pause as no one can think of a witty remark. Then --

"Shakespeare had nothing on us."

"Completely. I mean, if anything, we certainly had him beat at comedy."

"I was thinking more a tragedy myself."

"A farce. A farce of a tragic comedy."

"Couldn't it be a farce of a comedic tragedy?"

"For God's sakes Ron, yes! It could be a comedic tragedy. Must you nit-pick?"

"That sounds vaguely as though I'm pulling lice out of someone's hair."

And it started all over again...

~~~~~~~

Mum,

I know this seems inconsiderate, since Charlie and Bill are going to be home for Christmas, but could you possibly let me stay at Hogwarts? Harry and Hermione are staying. Don't worry; I won't monopolize all their time. There's someone else who's staying that I can hang out with. Rather nice bloke. And it is my last year and all that.

As far as classes, everything's good. I'm passing everything, and today Snape practically *complimented* Harry's and my potion. I thought I'd die from the shock.

Well, whatever you decide, I still hope for a little something special for Christmas! *wink, wink* *nudge, nudge*

Possibly seeing you soon,

Ron

"Too obvious?"

"Nope. Just the right amount of information. Almost casual, but since your letter's so short she's sure to assume you've gotten a boyfriend."

An hour later a letter came back. Pig flew around maniacally before Harry grabbed him and gave him back to Ginny squawking and flapping hysterically.

Ron,

Well, I admit I was shocked a bit by you requesting to stay at school, but I suppose you must really want to. It has been a dreadfully long time since I've seen you though Ron. Your mother misses you!

About this 'bloke' -

"Ha! See, I told you!"

- you wouldn't happen to like him, would you? It's about time you got a new boyfriend. That Boot boy was quite nice, though I'm sure you had a reason for breaking up with him. You seemed so serious at the time. Your first boyfriend! You were so cute together!

"Gah. Cute. Kill me now."

"Aw, but you're just too adorable Ronniekins."

"Shaddup."

At any rate, I hope you find that 'special someone' soon. I wouldn't mind a few adopted or magically made grandchildren you know. Since I don't seem to be getting them from any of your other brothers. And hopefully not from Ginny for at least a few more years. And come to think of it, you either. Wait a while. You're growing up fast, but not that fast.

"Woman can't ruddy make up her mind!"

I'll be sending your gifts along next week with Pig. Hopefully he makes it in time. Harry's will be there too. I made a little something for Hermione as well. I assume from your letter they're still together. They make a cute couple themselves-

"Ha! You're cute too!"

"Shut up Ron."

- and reminds me of your father and I at that age. It brings back such memories.

Well, so long for now dear. I won't see you until summer; fancy that! I do hope you haven't gotten taller. You tower over me as it is!

Love,

Mum

"Well, that worked perfectly. Though Mum would have a fit if she knew the 'bloke' was my teacher."

"When are you going to tell her?" Hermione asked seriously. "You have to at some point you know."

"Yeah. I know." What do I tell her? 'Hey Mum, I've been Claimed by my werewolf teacher, Remus Lupin. I love him but he only tolerates me. He also happens to be twice my age. And yes, I was his student when the relationship started. Uh Mum, please don't kill him...' Yes, I think that'd be about how it would go.

~~~~~~~

"Ron? Ron, you ok?"

"Uhhh.... mmhmmmm..." Once the room stops spinning I'll be fine.

"What happened?"

"...Saw..."

"What's he want a saw for?"

"Not a saw. He means he Saw. Because he's a Seer, remember?"

"Yes, I remember he's a Seer Harry. Please don't talk to me like I'm five."

Glad they're so concerned for me.

"What did you see?"

"Us... in Divination. Trelawney talking about bone and crystal. "

"Hopefully not her new decorating choice."

"And you Harry... you were thinking about quiet... quiet sheep or something."

"Sheep?" Hermione said skeptically. "Are you sure you didn't just doze off or something?"

"Sleeping... does not give you a headache... Seeing does. Definitely Seeing."

"Look at him Hermione. He can barely sit up. C'mon Ron, let's get you to bed."

"It's one in the afternoon."

"I know, Hermione. He can take a nap and be fine by dinner. All right Ron?"

"Sounds good." Stop yelling at each other! Gah. Even the voice in my head is yelling.

Sleep though. Sleep is good.

~~~~~~~

"Where did that burn come from?"

Ron looked up at Remus, surprised. They still rarely - if ever - spoke. "Potions. I cut it and it just swelled right up." Concerned?

"Didn't Snape send you to the Infirmary?" Looks like it hurt...

"No, I wanted to stay. Leaving meant failing the day's work and God knows my grades are all ready bad enough."

Snape. Still a bastard.

"Ah... and I'm staying here for Christmas break this year. Just so you know." Just throwing it out there.

Staying over break? Because of me or just because? "That's... good." How am I supposed to respond to that? 'I'm glad'? I mean, I don't want to scare him off... How much is too much and how much is too little?

"Yeah." What were you expecting? Him to jump for joy? Though maybe a smile wasn't too much to ask...

Without another word the two lay down on the bed, just feet and hands touching. It was enough though. Ron nearly sighed at the ache slowly leave his body. Now he wanted to curl back a little more, right next to Remus. A perfectly normal reaction he couldn't indulge in. Stupid sexy werewolf. And Ron still really didn't mind the werewolf part. Oh, he should probably be afraid of it, he knew, but he still found it... well, like he said. Sexy. The wolf was a part of Remus, so Ron loved it. I love the total package. Packa... uh, I really need to watch what I say. Think. Whatever.

Remus was having some thoughts of his own. Should I get Ron a Christmas present? Would it seem like I was paying him off for staying with me? Or for what happened? I think... I think I'll get him one anyway. I know just the thing. He closed his eyes, gently curving his fingers around Ron's. I'll send for it in the morning. It should be here in time... for Christmas...

~~~~~~~

"Now class, gaze into your crystal orbs and tell me what you see!" Professor Trelawney cried excitedly. The class, with the exception of Lavender and Parvati, groaned loudly. The Professor chose to ignore it and eventually they turned to their crystal balls.

"See anything Ron?"

"Nope. This thing is so smudged you couldn't see anything even if you were Merlin himself." Ron swiped at the globe half-heartedly. "Not sure if I want to See things anyway."

"Why?" Harry asked, puzzled. "I thought it would be great, knowing things before they happen."

Ron shook his head. "I've only see flashes of things, just enough so that when they do happen it's like 'Oh, duh'. But I can't see enough to actually stop them. And it hasn't been any good things so far."

"I though you saw what you and Remus did in the Shrieking Shack," Harry said innocently. "Wasn't that any good?"

"Well that... That's not what I..." Then with a cry he poked Harry with his wand. "You are so mean to me! I can't believe I almost fell for that."

Harry shrugged. "It was worth a shot."

"I'm never going to tell you about that. Never. Not even when I'm so drunk I can't remember my own name."

"Ron, half the time when people ask you your name you can't remember anyway."

"I have a stuttering problem. You wouldn't make fun of those with a disability, would you?"

Chuckling, Harry swirled his hands over the crystal ball. "I See... I See a wolf. Yes, a wolf. A tall, dark, and handsome wolf as the case may be, doing obscene things to a certain red-haired student with a speech impediment..."

With another cry of outrage Ron slapped his hand over Harry's mouth. "Idiot! You know what I See? A certain Boy-Who-Lived becoming the Boy-Whose-Best-Friend-Ruddy-Murdered-Him-And-Gave-Him-To-Voldemort-As-A-Throw-Rug!"

Twisting around in his seat Harry grinned impishly. "A rug? Certainly I'd make a better cloak lining than a rug!"

"Maybe I'll make you into Harryburgers and have done with it."

"You wouldn't eat me would you?"

"Only if I was starving and there was nothing else to eat."

"Uh, FYI Ron, you were supposed to say 'never'."

"Do you want me to be honest or not? If I was starving I probably would eat you."

"Thanks. I'd never eat you."

"I'm too skinny anyhow."

"Yup. Nothing but skin and bones."

"Is there something you'd like to share with the class Mr. Potter? Mr. Weasley?"

Ron schooled his features into an expression of grave dignity. "It's just quite traumatic Professor. I looked into the orb and saw Harry was naught but a skeleton. What do you think that means?"

Professor Trelawney launched into a ten-minute lecturing rant on the symbolism of bones in crystal ball readings. Ron and Harry nodded their heads up and down enthusiastically, all the while bantering back and forth when she turned her back on them.

"I just decided I would eat you after all. But only with some fava beans and a nice Chianti." Harry said solemnly.

"What?"

It was well into Harry's explanation of 'The Silence of the Lambs' before Ron remembered his last prediction.

~~~~~~~

The rest of the week passed without incident until Thursday, which was the final Potions lesson until after Christmas break.

"No more teachers, no more books, no more of Snape's dirty looks."

"Except we're staying at school. So there's teachers," Harry added.

"And I'm staying, so there had better be books. We've tons of homework to do," Hermione chirped.

"At least there's no more Snape."

Ron felt a hand clap down onto his shoulder. "I'll be the judge of that Mr. Weasley."

Oops.

"Put your potions in your vials and leave them on your desks. Class dismissed." Snape leaned in and Ron shuddered as he felt Snape's breath move down his neck. "Except for you."

Shit. This is not going to be good. Ron caught a glimpse of Malfoy's gleeful face as he left the classroom. Really not good.

Snape worked his way back to the front of the classroom, dark eyes narrowing as he looked at Ron. "How's the hand?" he asked sweetly, and that startled Ron more than anything else that had happened.

He hasn't gone mad, has he?

"You've two options Mr. Weasley. Detention every day throughout the vacation, from eleven at night until one in the morning, or you drink this potion now." Snape placed a small container on the table in front of him. "It's something that needs testing. I've the antidote right here if you need it."

If I need it? Ron chewed on his bottom lip. That much detention though. He wouldn't be able to sleep with - correction, sleep next to - Remus. And the potion surely wouldn't really be poison...

Pulling out the stopper he looked dubiously down at the liquid. Smells familiar. Looks like mud. Can't be too harmful...

With one swift motion he tossed back the potion.

Ugh. Grossgrossgrossgrossgrossgross. Even the Polyjuice Potion hadn't been that bad. Essence of scum.

It was only after he managed to unscrew his face that Ron noticed Snape's eyes were glittering dangerously. And he looked quite happy, never a good sign.

"You see, Mr. Weasley, the irony of wolfsbane is that it is indeed, a poison, but only to regular humans. It has no effects on werewolves. None at all." He paused, leaning down to look into Ron's eyes. "Or on their mates. That's why the Wolfsbane Potion is considered Dark Magic. Administered to anyone but a werewolf or their consort and it is a deadly poison. Care to explain how you managed to ingest a whole goblet full and not drop instantly at my feet?"

The room was getting smaller. Smaller. The walls were closing in, the roof falling down. It hurt to breathe. The air was so goddamned cold. Cold and small.

"I get the feeling you've all ready gotten everything figured out." Breathe Ron. Calm down.

Snape sneered. "It was rather obvious after your display earlier this week with the knife. In case you haven't figured out the reason you reacted so violently to it, it's because it was silver." He smirked at the dawning comprehension on Ron's face. "Silver will only hurt you if it hits the bloodstream, such as when you cut yourself. I simply put two and two together. It's quite easy to come up with four."

"You ought to be congratulated." Just remember to breathe. "You're the first to figure it out. Just like before." You bastard! You thought perhaps I wouldn't die from it? You were willing to take the ruddy chance? You bastard! There's no antidote for Wolfsbane!

His eyes narrowed. "I must admit I'm curious. Lupin... and you. Oddly enough I think you deserve each other."

"Glad to know you approve." Air. The whole room's filled with air.

Then why is it so hard to fucking breath? he felt like screaming.

"But do your parents?"

Oh God. Oh God oh God oh God. Snape, you bastard. You fucking bastard. I'm having a fucking panic attack here. Stop. Goddamn it, won't you let me breathe?

"Your silence only confirms what I've suspected. I'm sure the Minister would be quite surprised to find that his son is now life-bonded to his Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. A werewolf, Remus J. Lupin."

Bastard. Fucking bastard. I'm not giving in to his threats. "I'm an adult now Snape. Seventeen. This doesn't concern my parents, despite my father being the Minister. What would your telling accomplish? You've nothing to gain anymore Snape. Let it be. The 'evil werewolf terrorizing the poor, innocent student' is overdone. You won't get anywhere, though I must admit you certainly can hold a grudge." And now I'm getting the fuck out of here!

Snape watched coldly as Ron stood and headed for the door.

"I doubt your father would take kindly to it even though. He might become... rather upset. Violent even. And like you said, as the Minister of Magic he's not to be trifled with now is he?"

The room's starting to open up again. "He won't hurt him. He hurts Remus, he hurts me. We're bound to one another." He turned around at the door. "Why do you bother?"

"Is there someone you hate Mr. Weasley? Hate so much you could kill them with your bare hands... and yet... you don't know what you'd do if he weren't there? It's a horrible thing to be attached to someone so... and it makes me hate him all the more."

There was something Snape wasn't telling him. But that's all right. Bastard was entitled to his secrets. Not like Ron wanted to know what went on in his head anyway.

"I... I can't say... there's no one like that."

Yes. Yes, you have someone. Remus. Except it's all mixed up; you love him so much you hate him for it, but what would you do it things went one way or the other? You're fixed to him. And you like it. And you hate that he doesn't.

"I won't tell Mr. Weasley." Thank God for that. "Be careful this doesn't spin out of your control. Don't be foolish."

Advice from Snape. The world was indeed ending. The man's moods changed faster than quicksilver.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Without another word he strode out the door and didn't look back.

~~~~~~~

That night Ron dreamt of green light. A girl screaming. Darkness. Shadows. The Dark Mark high in the sky. A man lying spread eagle on the ground. Blood. Red, dripping blood. Shouts. Laughter. Pain.

He stumbled out around Remus and into the showers, staying there for an hour. When he came out his skin was as red as his hair. The water had been on scalding hot, and he hadn't felt a thing. Slipping back into the bed, he lay as glassy-eyed as the dead man he had seen.

(((A/N The more I try to hurry and finish this fic up the more that seems to happen and the longer it seems to get! I figured this one for five chapters, and now it's going to be at least eight. Stupid muse. It's putting in some serious unpaid overtime. I know this is Angstville, USA, but it gets better, honestly!

Also, the line about the 'fava beans and a nice Chianti' came from the movie 'Silence of the Lambs'. If you haven't seen that movie, smack yourself upside the head and go rent it. Preferably with 'Hannibal' and 'Red Dragon' to get the full Anthony Hopkins effect. God that man is creepy! *shudder* A genius though. A creepy genius. Gahhh...)))