Mist and Vapors

Minerva gazed in horror at the werewolf, her hand in front of her mouth. "Oh Remus..."
The tiny Charms master quivered with outrage. "Of all the beastly things to do...I guess we should be grateful those students showed up when they did...No telling what else he might have done..."
Severus stepped back and leaned against the door post again, his lips firmly pressed together.

Albus nodded at Madam Pomfrey. While the nurse, still looking daggers, gently bandaged Remus' arms back up, the white-haired wizard gazed up at his Potions master, concern written all over his face.

"I think it is time you started taking this more seriously, Severus. I'm quite concerned for your well-being. We should take certain precautions..."

"I believe it's time for me to leave Hogwarts entirely. My continued presence here is a danger to both students and staff." As far as he was concerned, it was the blindingly obvious. If he were gone, there would be no more reason for Pettigrew to keep hounding Hogwarts. It was the most logical conclusion.

Minerva stood up with a jerky movement, and walked over until she stood inches from the Potions master. "Don't be daft." She looked up at him with narrowed eyes. Not that she had to raise her eyes all that much. Like Snape, she knew when to use her height to full advantage. "We didn't get all the way through this war just to have you killed off by a renegade Death Eater now."

"Better me than someone else." He crossed his arms again, and leaned back a little further.

"I don't agree with that." Her lips pursed disapprovingly, she stared defiantly into his eyes.

Snape irritably tilted his head to where Remus was getting settled back into the pillows by Madam Pomfrey. "Lupin's crippled. I'm sure he would agree."

"Remus will be fine. Your student is fine. No one is in serious danger except you."

He glared at her. "Tell that to Lupin. Ask him if he didn't feel in danger when Pettigrew hurled that curse at him."

"Well, yes, why don't we ask Lupin?" The mild voice of the Defense master had a sharp edge to it.

Both of them wheeled towards him with surprised expressions on their faces.

"Just for the record, I'm with Minerva on this one."

Snape looked at him disbelievingly through lowered eyelashes.

"Do I need to remind you, Severus, that what Peter did to me was really only marginally connected to you? That even if you were nowhere near this place, he still would have had plenty of motivation for causing me trouble?"

"Do I need to remind you that that is my name that is so becomingly etched into your skin?" He almost spat the words at his colleague.

"I could think of worse things to have etched into my skin."

Snape's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Cheap shot, Lupin. I know you never cared much for me, but..."

"That's not what I meant. And you're right. I never particularly liked you," Lupin interrupted him in a level voice. "And I fail to see what that has to do with anything. Don't you think I know what you put yourself through the last few years? Personally, I'm getting just the slightest bit tired of the fact that you think you are the only one allowed to take abuse for people you don't particularly like." A half-smile flitted across his face, and the corners of his eyes crinkled.
"As a matter of fact, I don't see why you get to put your life on the line for people you don't particularly like for years, and I barely get to do it once. And then you push me out of the spotlight again immediately, and offer to go away so more people you don't particularly like don't get hurt. I don't think that's fair. Filius, do you think that's fair?"

Flitwick scratched his head, looking confused. "Erm - no, wouldn't think so." Albus' lips twitched. So did Minerva's. All of them studiously avoided the Potions master's eyes.

Remus leaned his head back, looking worn-out and tired. The argument seemed to have sapped the last of his strength. "So if that is all settled, I think I could really use a nap now." He smiled apologetically at his colleagues.

Madam Pomfrey, taking that as her cue, stood up and clapped her hands together. "Enough for today, everyone. Out with you. Now." She busied herself, smoothing wrinkles out of the sheets and tucking the blanket in around Remus. The werewolf allowed himself to relax under her ministrations.

Standing up, the Headmaster patted him on the hand. "You rest now. I'll see you later."

"Try and talk some sense into the dunderhead, will you?" Remus asked quietly, casting another sideways glance at the Slytherin.

Albus chuckled. "I'll do my best."

.-.-.-

In the end, it had been the Headmaster's argument that he could not possibly find a replacement Potions master of Snape's caliber without at least a few months' notice that had won the day. That, and the fact that Dumbledore had proposed certain measures to be taken for the students' protection. There would certainly be plenty of grumbling and complaining when they were informed that Hogsmeade visits were cancelled until further notice, and that they could only be out on the grounds if accompanied by a teacher or as part of a group - but it had to be done.

Not that Snape was any happier with the restrictions Dumbledore had 'requested' of him. He snorted. "If we are asking the students to not leave the castle unaccompanied, I must ask the same of you, Severus." As if he were a hapless third-year. As if he could not deal with Pettigrew. But Dumbledore had been adamant, and in the end he had given in, as always. Old habits were hard to break. When the Headmaster had broached the subject of an escort inside the castle, he had dug in his heels though. He had made clear in no uncertain terms that if his colleagues were called upon to baby-sit him, he would be gone by next morning, end of discussion.

It was a threat he hoped he would not have to act on - the truth of the matter was that he really had nowhere to go. At least, nowhere that he would want to be. There was no place in Britain where he would not sooner or later be recognized. And who would hire him? The width of his skill and ability became immaterial in light of his reputation.

Sure, he could spend the rest of his life alone in a basement somewhere, supporting himself by brewing potions for sale, but even to him, that idea was less than appealing.

Hogwarts was the only home he had known for the better part of three decades. He would leave if he had to. But it would feel strange to go.

Nevertheless, it could not hurt to at least explore options. That evening, several owls left the Owlery, carrying messages to different parts of the world.

.-.-.-

The next afternoon, he had just returned some books to the library when he ran into Hannah in the second floor corridor. Her face lit up with a smile when she saw him. Then the smile faded, and the look of concern was back.

"How are you? Are you alright?" She looked up at him with worry in her eyes. "You look tired." With one hand, she touched his sleeve. "I heard what happened. What an awful thing to do. I mean, I wonder what went through his head - someone normal wouldn't do anything like that."

"Pettigrew hasn't been normal in decades," he said, his expression hardening. "And several years as the Dark Lord's personal lackey have not done much to improve his mental state."

"I hope I never have to meet him." A light shudder ran over her before she straightened up. "I was just going up to visit Remus. Would you like to come along?"

"Lupin and I are not exactly on the best of terms," he answered shortly.

"I noticed." She looked at him with eyebrows raised and the corners of her mouth turned up. "That doesn't mean you can't go up and see how your colleague is doing. Especially under the circumstances. It's almost time for dinner, so we can't stay long anyways."

When he just continued to stand there with beetled eyebrows, she gently nudged him. "Come on. I'm sure he won't bite."

Severus smirked. It was still about three weeks until the next full moon.

Without waiting for a further answer, she just started walking towards the hospital wing. After deliberating for a second, he shrugged, and followed her. There was no actual guarantee that walking the corridors of the castle was safe. Might as well keep an eye on her.

Upon arriving in the infirmary, Hannah softly knocked on the open door of Remus' room. He looked up with a smile from the magazine he was reading. His eyebrows shot up when he saw his old school mate entering behind her.

"Hello, Remus." She sat down on the edge of the bed while Severus took up his usual position leaning against the door post. "We just wanted to see how you are. How's it going?"

"Much better. I'm regaining sensation in my legs, so I should be right as rain in a few days."

A wide smile broke over Hannah's face. "I'm so glad to hear that. That is such good news - isn't it, Severus?" She turned back towards him..

"Quite." His voice and face carefully preserved a neutral expression.

Hannah turned back towards werewolf. "Are you in any pain? I heard what happened. - Remus, I'm so sorry; that must have been just awful."

He looked up at the Potions master. "The burns were a bit uncomfortable until Poppy tried out an ointment that mysteriously appeared on her desk early this morning. Seems that it is an archaic unction specially formulated to treat silver-related werewolf injuries. So obscure she had trouble even finding it in her desk reference. Worked like a charm." He cocked his eyebrows and smiled. "You, of course, wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

After a moment of awkward silence, Hannah started digging in the depth of her bag. "Oh, I almost forgot." She pulled out a small, wrapped package. "I brought you some chocolate. The good stuff. Swiss import, I would have you know." She placed it on the nightstand. "For later."

He grinned. "Now, who told you I like chocolate?"

She grinned back at him. "It seems to be common knowledge. I was treated to quite a few stories after I went back to the Gryffindor common room yesterday. Before I forget - I'm supposed to wish you all the best from, oh, about half the house, by the way."
A few more minutes of small talk, and Hannah leaned over and gave his hand a quick squeeze. "Well, we better get down to dinner now. I'm so glad you are doing better."

"Thanks for coming by, Hannah. And Severus - thank you."

The Potions master nodded brusquely and followed Hannah out the door. Together, they began to make their way down to the Great Hall. Hannah kept looking at him sideways, a warm smile on her face.

"What?" he finally asked gruffly.

She looked at him as if trying make up her mind if asking the question would be a good idea or not. "So how long did it take you to find the recipe and then brew that potion last night?" she asked softly.

"I haven't the faintest idea what you are talking about," he said in a clipped voice. For a few moments they just walked without talking. Then Hannah spoke up again.
"Have you known Remus for a long time?"

"He was in my year at Hogwarts. So, yes," he answered shortly.

She looked up at him.. "I didn't know that."

"How about you?" he said casually. "Do you know him well?"

She shrugged. "I've marked papers with him. That's about all. He seems nice enough. All the Gryffindors sure seem to like him." She grinned. "Especially the Gryffindor girls."

He snorted. "Gryffindors."

"Oh, I would bet there are some girls in Slytherin that have a crush on you." There was a light, teasing tone to her voice.

He snorted again, and walked a little faster.

When she spoke again after a minute, her voice was serious.
"Severus, what happened between you and Remus?" she asked hesitantly.

The lines between his brows grew sharper, and his lips set in a tight line. He stopped short, and turned towards her. "If I ever feel an overwhelming need to discuss my personal history with anyone, I can assure you I will let you know. Now, if you will excuse me?" He gave a small bow in her direction. "I just recalled that there is something I need to see to before dinner."

Hannah looked on wistfully as he swept off in the opposite direction, mentally chastising herself. She should have known better.

.-.-.-

It was almost a week before she got a chance to talk to him again. He stopped her in the entry hall after dinner.

"The first Quidditch game of the season is tomorrow. My house will be playing Gryffindor," he said stiffly.

"Yes, I heard. Sounds like it'll be an exciting match." She smiled up at him.

"You are planning on coming?"

"Wouldn't miss it. I haven't been to a Quidditch game in years."

"I will see you there, then." With another bow, he had swept off again.

It seemed to Hannah that the better part of her Hogwarts acquaintance with him was spent watching his swirling robes retreat into the distance. She sighed.

Not that she felt all that confident in deciphering the message between the lines, but she could have sworn that this was, in fact, an invitation of sorts, and a possible attempt at fence-mending. She sighed again. It seemed the only time the man could be direct was when dishing out insults.

Well, she would find out tomorrow, she supposed.