Transcendence

~ Chapter 7: Something new everyday ~

Saturday, 5^th July 1997. Fifteen minutes past five in the evening.

The Potions Master and his godson had been frantically working for the last hour preparing dinner for their highly anticipated guest. Prior to that, rather than spending their time in the study, sitting and pushing books all over the huge table, the two instead had been working out in the protected woods. They had finished cooking just minutes before and had quickly washed up. Snape was back in the kitchen, toweling his hair furiously as he took experimental bites of dinner. Harry on the other hand, set off into the woods for a brisk walk. He was going to meet Lupin out there rather than having the wizard Portkey-ing right into the house. His godfather certainly would not be pleased if Lupin managed to arrive crashing on the table and breaking bones in the process.

Aside from being Lupin's escort, he had an ulterior motive for leaving the cottage. He needed some privacy to 'talk' to his lover. Draco was having some problems with the lady of the manor and Harry was trying his best to distract the Slytherin. A soft meow from behind made him stop in his tracks and he looked quizzically at Black. He decided that the Persian's behavior was rather strange for a normal cat, though he was nothing like Crookshanks, who was part-Kneazle.

"I can't believe that she paid wizards to cast anti-Apparition wards all about the Manor!" Draco fumed. Harry was silent and continued to walk until he reached the boundary that signaled that he was about to reach the glade. He chose to lean against an oak tree as he waited, while he listened to Draco's voice in his head. He absently watched Black frolicking about in the lush grass, engrossed in chasing blue-winged butterflies. **Two swooping shadows distracted the cat from the insects and Black began pawing at the air. He launched himself upwards several times, swiping playfully at the owls who had come to play. That distracted Draco and since the Slytherin was locked in his bedroom, he had the privacy to do as he liked. Harry's lover looked through his eyes and he gladly shared the view. They watched Hedwig make several taunting swoops and Harry chuckled when she gave an indignant hoot; Black had managed to pluck a feather from her tail.

"Your owl should stop taunting the cat before he plucks more of her feathers or she will have trouble flying silently for the next few weeks," Draco observed, sounding much calmer now. Harry smiled to himself and then frowned slightly when his lover abruptly 'left' him. Apprehension gnawed at his nerves as he waited for a response from his lover.

"Drake?" He projected his thought, not quite liking the feelings he experienced, all made possible by the bracelet he had created for the Slytherin.

"Had I known that she planned for me to be cooped up in here all summer, I would have asked sanctuary of Dumbledore." Draco's voice was oddly flat.

Harry wasn't quite sure how to react to that, and a strange sense of déjà vu invaded his awareness. Just like Sirius... "Maybe she's doing it for your protection," he said, although it sounded lame even to himself.

"I don't think so Green-Eyes." Draco's tone was almost quiet. The silence in their minds stretched on for several minutes. "I need to explore and pick out several suitable hiding places. If I have to be confined in here, I want to make sure that I at least have a place to retreat and avoid her company."

Harry furrowed his eyebrows in thought. "But didn't you say that you're locked up in your room?" he asked and felt a definitely superior smirk from his counterpart.

"Come on Green-Eyes. You can't expect a half-grown wizard not to pick up some things along the way." Draco's reply was filled with mischief and Harry's lips quirked into a warm smile.

"Quite right," he agreed, "but what if you're seen?"

"You're not the only one with an invisibility cloak," Draco replied. "The only ones I have to worry about are the house-elves. But don't worry, I'll bribe them if I have to..."

"Damn. Worrying about this won't help me much,"

the Slytherin said. Mercurially, his tone changed into a merrier one and it was not feigned. "I think Snape and Lupin will have a definite chance getting cozy later." Harry brightened up considerably, especially when Draco left him with words of affection.

He must have been positively glowing because Lupin gave him a strange look when he recovered from his instant travel. Harry tried his best to maintain a brooding expression but grinned widely in the end.

"O-kay," Lupin said slowly before pulling Harry into a hug. The older wizard drew back to examine him and Harry had to try hard not to look away from the soul-piercing brown eyes. "I hope you don't mind me saying this Harry, but you look a hell of a lot better than you did a few weeks ago."

Harry smiled and his eyes took on a mischievous glint. "And you are looking as weary as ever," he teased and Lupin snorted.

**********

Lupin was silent as he examined the young wizard but raised an eyebrow slowly when Black came forward to sniff him.

"Ah... this is Black. He's Sev's pet. Or maybe the house's caretaker," Harry added and Lupin heard the fondness in the boy's voice when he mentioned his godfather. Lupin's feelings shifted and he cursed himself. Bloody hell... getting jealous at my age... How Sirius would laugh, he thought.

"Remus..." Harry called and he blinked.

"Sorry..." he answered, managing a sheepish smile that Harry returned with another grin.

"I said, 'what is that in your hand?'," the boy repeated and he wondered what Harry was talking about when he remembered the object that had acted as a Portkey. He unclenched his fist to reveal it.

"Lipstick..." Skillfully, Lupin shoved the object into Harry's front pocket. The boy was wearing tight blue jeans that day but thankfully, the lipstick was rather small. The raven-haired teenager protested. "Sorry Harry, but you have to hold on to that for me. All my pockets have holes and Dumbledore wouldn't be pleased if I managed to lose the Portkey."

Harry rolled his eyes heavenward. Hedwig swooped over his head and Harry let out an unrestrained laugh. Lupin noticed that Harry no longer had shadows under his eyes as the boy led them on the path back to the cottage. Soon, they came within sight of Snape's home.

"Dumbledore told me that this cottage was a legacy of Snape's mother." He watched Harry give a small nod. He looked all about him in approval. "It's a good place. Solid protections..." He jerked his thumb at the endless rows of oak trees.

"Oh, before I forget," Harry said brightly, "remove your shoes as we enter the house. Sev goes barefoot, except during cold weather." Lupin smiled at that. Harry went on talking but Lupin wasn't truly paying attention until Harry said, "-And I'd hate to see him start acting like a hermit in the future," a little too flippantly.

There was just something in Harry's voice that made him uneasy and it was a good thing that both of them were walking. He doubted if he could stand still were Harry to look at him and discuss Snape. In order to distract himself from the discomfort he was suffering, he scrutinized his young friend. I wonder what has happened that has put him in such high spirits, he pondered.

Black whisked past him and disappeared into the cottage's interior. He belatedly followed Harry's advice, trusting the green-eyed wizard that it was all right for him to enter. He was just about to speak to Harry as the boy absently took his boots away from his hands when he felt the Potions Master's presence. Lupin turned his head slightly and there he was, arms neatly folded and a calm expression on his face. Snape looked like how he usually did when he was unguarded, or totally absorbed with studying. Oh yes. Remus 'Moony' Lupin had had a crush on Severus 'Snivellus' Snape for years. During his sixth year in Hogwarts he couldn't resist stealing glances of the dark-haired, gloomy, forbidding, powerful and sensual Slytherin. Too many of those thoughts were milling about in his mind and it quickened his breathing. He licked his dry lips slowly and to his immense pleasure he caught Snape's obsidian eyes following the slight movement of his tongue.

Harry was looking curiously at him and Snape and that was all Lupin noticed. He could not have known that Harry was actually communicating with another individual, commenting about his reaction to the alluring Potions Master. Lupin was staring blankly at Snape and was so lost in his thoughts that he did not hear his colleague clear his throat. When Snape finally took two steps forward he snapped back to attention, brown eyes startled like those of a deer.

Damn... Lupin didn't have the faintest idea of what to say to the wizard who had invited him to dinner. He wasn't even certain if he could speak without his voice emerging as croaks. A thought flashed through his mind and without meaning to, he swore loudly, surprising the living daylights out of Snape and Harry. I can't believe he tricked me! Lupin was horribly shocked. I let him maneuver me into thinking that I need to visit Severus... Well... yes I do have to, to get my potion... Oh damn! I can't believe he sent me here without at least making some preparations! I'm going to be stuck here until tomorrow! Dumbledore, you sneaky... And I don't even have spare clothing! All right... calm down... It wasn't the old man's fault. I wasn't paying attention when Dumbledore explained the fact that the Portkey would only be activated again tomorrow evening. The D.A.D.A professor was still dealing with the fact that his employer had outsmarted him once again when Harry made a small wave to catch his attention.

"Remus?" Harry asked, exchanging a slightly baffled a look with his godfather. It took a few moments for Lupin to calm down and finally notice that Snape was looking at him peculiarly.

"Sorry about that. Harry," he mumbled apologetically. Due to obvious reasons, the fact that he was a teacher meant that he had never used harsh language in front of anyone before. Well, maybe he did, but certainly not in the presence of students.

"What was that about Dumbledore?" Snape asked silkily, accompanied by a raised eyebrow

"Gods..." Lupin muttered, running his fingers through his graying brown hair with an air of resignation.

"Remus..." Harry was getting rather impatient.

"I'm stuck here," Lupin answered, glancing at Snape guiltily.

"The Portkey," Snape responded with a thoughtful look. Lupin nodded. "Then you won't mind me quoting you that Dumbledore is certainly a cunning, decrepit old coot?" Harry choked back on laughter that was threatening to escape as Lupin stared dumbly at the Potions Master. "I see that you have not brought anything along for your night here. Whatever you need, you can borrow from Harry or from me." Snape stopped speaking, tilting his head to one side and Lupin felt himself flushing under the Potions Master's direct scrutiny.

"When will the Portkey activate again?" Harry inquired as the boy made a signal for Lupin to take off his cloak.

"Tomorrow at eight in the evening," he answered after spending some time remembering just what Dumbledore had said to him before his finger touched the lipstick tube. He suddenly grew uncomfortable when Harry beamed at his answer and a few seconds later, Harry left the living room leaving the two adult wizards alone.

"You look like hell Remus," Snape said softly without his usual sneer or bitterness.

"Tell me something new," Lupin groaned and the Potions Master gave him a crooked smile. Suddenly, he found Snape standing less than a foot away from him.

"You want me to say something new?" came the low purr that sent chills up and down Lupin's spine. "Well... there is more gray in your hair than before and it seems that you have acquired more wrinkles since Harry's third year in Hogwarts."

A small growl escaped from Lupin's throat and he was tempted to wrap his fingers around the Potions Master's pale throat. He glared steadily at Snape but the Potions Master was clearly unaffected by it. In fact, his black eyes were twinkling with carefully contained cheer.

"You did ask," Snape pointed out innocently and it made Lupin blink his eyes once. He had never seen the wizard so relaxed that he'd reveal a sense of humor, however slight it was. Snape's face lacked his usual sneering demeanor but that could have been simply because there was no one else around to terrorize except Harry. However, after Harry's fifth year, Snape simply did not frighten him as much as he once did.

"If you have finished glowering at me Remus," Snape spoke in that low voice that Lupin personally liked, "I believe it is time for us to feed you." The Potions Master turned on his heel swiftly and disappeared through the small hallway that led to the kitchen, leaving Lupin to follow on his own.

Breathe! He chided himself when he felt himself turning blue and inhaled deeply. He wanted very much to look around the house but the scent of roasted chicken reminded him that his lunch had already been digested hours ago. He was feeling a little hesitant about the dinner, especially with Snape. All in all, he was rather glad that Harry was there to fill the silence because that was how meals between Snape and him turned out; they would just eat in silence. But maybe, now... it might be different.

"Remus! Are you lost?" Harry shouted and Lupin snorted. He waited until he reached the kitchen's threshold before answering the young wizard.

"I'm afraid not, Harry. Sorry to disappoint you though." He entered the spacious kitchen and somehow knew that this was Snape's territory. His eyes fell on the dishes laid out and thanked Merlin silently that it was rather simple fare.

The three wizards engaged in light conversation as dinner proceeded, carefully avoiding subjects related to Snape's guardianship or Voldemort. They were halfway through dessert - When on earth did he find the time to bake? - when Snape spoke of the latest potion to cure lycanthropy.

"I'm not too sure about taking that," Lupin said slowly and Snape nodded. The reason why Lupin was hesitant about the new cure was because of the mortality rate of the test subjects. One out of every five consumers found themselves being totally werewolf, unable to transform back even when the Homorphus Charm was forced on them.

It was not a pleasant experience for the Health Ministry since they were forced to put the uncontrollable ones down. "In any case, I'm far too used to being in the state that I am presently." Lupin shrugged as he drank the pumpkin juice. And I am far too used to you brewing up the Wolfsbane Potion for me, oh indefinable one, Lupin thought to himself.

"I myself feel that it is wiser for you to wait a few more years and see if they are able to refine the potion," Snape opined. Lupin had to give a crooked smile at that, then they moved on to what Harry should consider for a lifelong career.

"Potions..." Lupin muttered but Snape shook his head.

"As good as Harry is Remus, I am afraid I would rather have a Slytherin be my successor."

"You mean to tell me that you'd let a student like Hermione pass up that chance?" Lupin asked incredulously.

"Miss Granger may be good... too good in fact, to waste most of her life in Potions. She's better off working with the Ministry or such like," Snape said.

"Well... if you're sure you're going to pass on Hermione..." Lupin said in an uncertain voice, "then who are you planning to 'groom'?"

"That is a rather obvious question... I think..."

"Malfoy? Are you sure he is good enough in Potions?" Remus asked archly.

"He is, and a natural at that, Remus."

When the last piece of cake was devoured Harry offered to show Lupin around. His godfather gave him a penetrating look but remained mute and began clearing up the table. Harry first showed Remus the study and it did not surprise him to see that at least two-thirds of the study was taken up by bookshelves. Lupin saw Phineas's portrait and was considering sending a message to Dumbledore when Harry spoke lightly, "Don't even think about it."

That caused the older wizard to grin and Harry laughed soundlessly, malachite-green eyes flashing back merrily. After the bedrooms, they moved back into the living room and the stack of Muggle CDs on the mantelpiece caught his eye. Their presence was odd being that there weren't any CD players about the house. His confusion must have been evident since Harry chuckled.

"I'm not entirely sure if I'll get into trouble with the Ministry because of this," Harry said a little timidly. Lupin watched curiously as the boy randomly grabbed a CD case and he felt his eyebrows raise in astonishment when he saw its cover. Harry deftly opened the casing and lifted the CD. Almost instantaneously, a bundle of silver rods materialized and Harry inserted the CD right in the middle of the floating rods. They began to spin faster and faster until the CD itself began to reel. A second later, 'Black Magic Woman' by Santana started playing.

Lupin couldn't help himself. He whistled, looking at the music device and Harry in amazement. The boy answered with a shy chuckle and raised his hand briefly to the whirling rods. They slowed down and he retrieved the floating CD then returned it to its casing.

"Sev's probably making tea and some snacks. Would you like to take a walk in the meantime?" Harry asked politely.

Lupin watched the young wizard as he thought. He probably wants to have a chat, since I don't think Severus will be that long preparing tea. Unless he's going Muggle about it... He shrugged, going to the shoe rack to get his boots. Ten minutes later, both of them were out of the cottage and Lupin was not surprised by the fact that Harry seemed to be leading them back to the glade where he had arrived earlier.

The woods had taken on a far more shadowy appearance since dusk was steadily approaching, making it look far more ethereal than it actually was. It was warm but not so stifling hot that being dressed in a collared-shirt would be uncomfortable. Lupin stood for a moment in the center of the glade while Harry moved off to sit under a tree. He had no idea how long he stood there staring blankly at his environment, feeling his worries and weariness slowly drain out of his system.

Feeling somewhat energized, he walked briskly over to his young friend and sat beside him, watching the shifting rays of sunlight dreamily. The silence between them grew heavier and the feeling of awkwardness slowly deepened.

"Remus," Harry finally spoke. "What do you feel... about me... and Sev?" he asked, and Lupin watched him out of the corner of his eye. He wondered if Harry realized that the question could be interpreted in an entirely different way and he hoped that he understood what the boy was asking. If he didn't, he guessed that he would just have to deal with that ache.

"You're asking me about how I felt when I learned that he is your godfather," he stated lightly and felt relieved when Harry nodded. He broke eye contact and resumed watching the pillars of sunlight as he considered his answer.

"I guess I was shocked... even stupefied about the entire thing," he replied slowly. It was quite sometime before he spoke again, in a tone that was nearly a whisper. "I'm surprised that you hid it quite so well from the rest of us, excluding Dumbledore. For some reason, I doubt that the 'old coot' would have been kept in the dark about this." He smiled. "Dumbledore gave us vague answers every single time we asked where you were before distracting us with more Order work. As I recall, he told me that you had been entrusted into the care of a trusted personage. I had assumed that it was his older brother or someone in his circle. I never expected that person to be my age." He smiled wryly before giving Harry a speculative look.

"You're wondering why Dumbledore agreed to the arrangement and why it didn't cross your mind that I had actually left the sanctuary of my mother's magic," Harry responded with a slight smile.

Lupin frowned at Harry's too-accurate deduction but swiftly replaced it with a blank expression. "Did Moody know about it?" he asked carefully and watched Harry's face intently. He saw the troubled look flash across the young face and noticed that the boy's eyes had turned dark; it could have been because the light was dimming around them. The young wizard raised his eyes and stared squarely into his.

"Yes," Harry whispered, eyes still not leaving Lupin's. "Mad-Eye was the one who made all the necessary arrangements, both for my stay with Sev, and in helping to hide the fact that I was staying with Sev." Harry paused and slumped against the tree. "Mad-Eye made sure that I wouldn't go crazy in there."

Lupin was aware that his young friend was fighting back the urge to release unshed tears but was unable to pursue his thoughts when Harry continued.

"We had become quite close last year... Mad-Eye and me..." Harry told him in a preoccupied manner and his eyes behind his glasses unfocused a little.

Both wizards contemplated in silence and Lupin was quite unwilling to break the mood. When Harry stretched his legs, his eyes widened and he took a quick glance about the forest. "Damn!" Harry swore, quickly getting up to his feet. "Don't just sit there! It's already late and Merlin only knows how long we've kept Sev waiting!" Harry exclaimed in despair and Lupin grinned crookedly.

"Don't worry too much about him," he reassured his young friend. "Knowing Severus, he is probably doing a bit of marking or research in our absence."

They did not hurry back to the cottage, seeing no point in getting themselves sweaty and panting. When they finally came upon the path to the house, Lupin saw the faint glimmer of lights. He finally noticed that the front door sprang open as Harry neared the cottage and he felt a little troubled that he had missed it earlier. I hope this inattentiveness of mine is because I'm thinking too much about him and not a prelude to something far worse.

"Seems like you were right about him," Harry commented as he paused to take off his trainers. Lupin looked curiously to where Harry was staring and smiled despite his attempts to keep an innocent expression plastered on his face. Snape, the Potions Master, was glaring at them from behind several stacks of books.

As he had done earlier, Harry disappeared off to the kitchen. Lupin took his time taking his boots off, painfully aware of the silent scrutiny from a pair of sable eyes. When he turned, he flushed at the sight of Snape appraising him blatantly. Calm down Moony... Harry can't stay in the kitchen forever, he told himself.

"Are you perhaps considering becoming a hall porter sometime in the future?" Snape asked in that peculiar velvety purr of his. Lupin glowered, showing the Potions Master that he too, could be grouchy at times. In less than five seconds, he had seated himself across Snape and not waiting to take a cue from anyone, he made quick work of rearranging the volumes scattered all over the table. He allowed himself a satisfied smirk when he noticed the stunned expression on Snape's face.

The Potions Master quickly adopted an equanimous expression when they heard Harry's approach. He was humming softly under his breath and carrying a tray containing two mugs and a steaming teapot. Lupin took another glance at the tray. Harry! He groaned inwardly. He isn't going to leave me with Severus all night! Will he? He struggled to keep a tight leash on his anxiety as he watched Harry carefully set the tray down and pour some of the tea that Snape had brewed earlier.

Something much more curious than a missing mug captured his interest. Sniffing the air, he found the aroma was coming from the steam emerging from the teapot's spout. This is definitely weird. Where in Merlin's world did Severus actually get the idea to brew tea with Screw Pine^* leaves? He did not bother hiding the look of incredulity on his face. Harry chuckled while Snape delighted at having the chance to smirk back.

Lupin was feeling rather disinclined about having to try, or maybe in this case, taste the tea, but the scent was far too enticing for him to ignore. He gave in to the inevitable, pausing before he took a cautious sip. He was looking pointedly at Harry. "Aren't you going to join us?" he asked the young wizard then suppressed a sigh when Harry shook his head, saying that he had to complete his homework.

"Living with Sev has taught me a few things and I have yet to find out if it would be any different if I were to live with Hermione," Harry responded with a smile. "I'll leave the two of you alone, so... enjoy."

Lupin was startled to hear Harry say that. He would have spluttered in his tea had he drunk it but he did gasp. Merlin... I hope he isn't saying what I think he's saying. The sly smile on Harry's lips gave him second thoughts about staying in Snape's house even for the night, although the animalistic side of him was jumping with joy at the opportunity to unearth secrets from the most mysterious man he had ever known.

"Goodnight and I'll see you both in the morning," Harry told them and gave Snape a deliberate wink. Lupin felt as if he was about to sink onto the floor in a puddle of goo. He distracted himself from his embarrassment by drinking the tea which had cooled off somewhat during their exchange.

"Too sweet," he remarked absently but took another sip. The Potions Master glared at him and got up to get something from the kitchen. His sudden movement alerted Lupin.

"Severus, where are you going?" he asked mildly, looking up at the inscrutable face of the wizard from under his eyelashes.

"I am going to get some water for you to un-sweeten your drink, Remus," Snape replied in an exacerbated tone while looking murderously down at him.

"Don't trouble yourself Severus," Lupin said and helped himself to more of the strangely-flavored tea. Snape halted before sitting down heavily and resumed reading his book. The ever-tired-looking D.A.D.A. professor was content enough to watch the harsh-looking Potions Master but took some time to analyze the tea he was drinking.

The scent of the leaves was peculiarly soothing and the taste - combined with the tea - was as good as inhaling the aroma. His eyes finally closed as he enjoyed the sensations and his insides were warmed by the tea he'd consumed. Almost an hour passed in silence when the clock's Muggle tune broke it and he glanced up. It was ten o'clock. Suddenly Lupin felt strangely out of place; maybe it was because Snape did not bother hiding the fact that he was observing Lupin's every move. The Potions Master had ceased working about fourteen minutes earlier and was finishing his second cup of tea. Damn... I can't stand the quiet...

"I am aware that Dumbledore may have arranged this little overnighter to give me the opportunity to interrogate you, Severus." Lupin went straight to the point. Snape didn't even bat an eye. Lupin waited patiently for Snape to respond.

"Are you going to?" Snape asked slowly. "Would you like me to take my own Truth Serum to help you along?" His tone was dangerously sweet.

Lupin narrowed his eyes, silently cursing the wizard sitting directly across from him for attempting to stir up his negative emotions. "You will tell me how Harry ended up being your godson, how he came to find you, and how you broke the news to him," he said stiffly. "I, will decide what is true and what is not." His expression turned impassive. "Of course, Severus, should you try to falsify the facts or give me half-truths, I am afraid I will have to break your nose. Again. This time I'm sober and as such, unlikely to miss my target."

That was what had happened when both of them had gotten drunk together over Sirius's death, although Draco would be sorely disappointed that it hadn't happened. Lupin waited for the Potions Master to reply. Snape first gave him an indescribable look before giving a curt nod. Snape pushed his books and empty mug aside, leaning forward and resting his chin on his clasped hands. Snape did not blink as he stared at him.

"I will ask of you a favor; don't interrupt me until I'm finished," Snape said almost brusquely. Lupin nodded his agreement and Snape slowly told how of he was tasked with the duty by describing the events of the gathering nearly two decades earlier.

For some reason, Lupin was unsurprised that it had been James's idea. It was just his way of doing things; no explanations were given for the actions he took. Lupin knew a bit about how life-debts worked and he waited in anticipation for Snape to move on to the next part of his explanations.

The Potions Master informed him in a firm tone that he did not send a letter to proclaim that he was Harry's godfather. Snape recited the facts of how and why Harry came to Hogwarts in an almost bored tone.

"You're not serious!" Lupin exclaimed, golden brown eyes widening in horror when Snape mentioned that Harry had arrived at Hogwarts mounted on a broomstick with no one to guard his back. Curses erupted from his lips.

"I am honestly surprised that Nature herself did not kill him..." he whispered, torn between awe and fear. "His father was never that reckless...attempting such a risky venture."

"That's because his father had two of you to watch his back and remind him what was crazy and what was not. Harry has no one. Well, no one who truly understands him at any rate," Snape pointed out dryly. "But then again, due to his current situation, it's best if no one understands him." Snape then continued his account of how Moody arranged for Harry to live with Snape without too many questions being asked by the members of the Order, especially the Weasleys, who had treated Harry as a family member.

Two hours passed and they found it more comfortable to talk about other topics; they did not discuss their other responsibilities longer than was necessary. Their conversation mainly revolved on the subjects of werewolves, newly-invented Potions, dueling spells, and their teaching plans. Snape and Lupin found the phrase, 'Maybe... when You-Know-Who is truly gone...', often quoted by the 'civilians' of the wizarding world, incredibly depressing and too reminiscent of the dark times they lived in so they never bothered to discuss that particular line.

Soon enough, both wizards ran out of things to discuss. The silence between them grew heavier and not even the soft sneeze of a dozing cat was capable of lifting the gloom. Lupin's eyes glanced uneasily at Snape's but the Potions Master seemed to be ruminating about something.

"I believe it is time for you to rest," Snape finally decided and began stacking his books neatly to one corner of the table. Then rising to his feet, he invited the werewolf to join him in the kitchen. Lupin tilted his head slightly and gave the Potions Master an inquisitive look. "Don't tell me you've forgotten the actual purpose of coming here?"

Ah... but the question is what was my purpose? To take the Wolfsbane Potion... or to see you? Lupin stared at the spot where Snape had stood just scant seconds earlier and sighed. He quickly grasped the handles of the empty mugs and placed them back on the tray. He then lifted the plain black tray and moved quickly into the kitchen. Without being told to, he washed the mugs but Snape stopped him from emptying the teapot.

"I believe it is prudent to save things that are still of use, Remus," Snape said in a patronizing tone and Lupin bit back a retort. He set the teapot on the dining table instead. Snape handed him a huge goblet and Lupin gave a look of despair as smoke began to spill over the rim of the goblet.

"You might have thought after years of consuming this potion that I should have gotten used to the taste," he remarked ruefully to the Potions Master. Snape didn't react to his words and having no other choice, Lupin drained the goblet at one go. He grimaced at the bitter, unpleasant aftertaste of the potion in his mouth.

Snape waited until ten minutes had passed before he gave Lupin another glass, this one containing plain water. Lupin gratefully took it and drank it down. He went over to Snape who was washing the goblet with care. Lupin's fingers accidentally brushed against the Potions Master's hips and he felt Snape stiffen at the unexpected contact. Lupin pretended that he did not notice the other wizard's reaction.

His outward appearance may have been calm but inside, his mind was whirling about in conflicting directions. Is there a guest room? Or do I have to sleep in the living room? He fretted, a frown unconsciously forming on his face as he washed his glass. Snape stepped back, allowing more room for him. Lupin was still rinsing the glass, oblivious to the gentle, amused look of the wizard directly behind him.

The moment the glass touched the rack, strong arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him backwards. Lupin gasped in surprise when he heard Snape's low chuckle. Hair tickled his cheek and he realized that the Potions Master was resting his chin on his right shoulder.

"Too stunned for words, werewolf?" Snape asked in a whisper, his warm breath playing across his ear. Lupin's eyes became slightly unfocused when Snape licked the outer shell of his ear in an agonizingly slow pace before planting a kiss gently on his neck.

The sudden action from the dark-haired man had indeed, shocked him to the point of aphasia. Severus is not doing this with... He is not doing this to me... Oh Merlin! I want him! His mind was rattling but his thoughts diminished when Snape began biting and nuzzling his neck at the same time.

Lupin lost his control and gasped with pleasure. In a gesture that was almost reflexive, he tilted his head and was thrilled to hear the delighted moan escaping from the lips of the somber man. In his haste to turn and kiss Snape, his right hand struck the glass and he watched it crash onto the floor. The spell between him and the Potions Master was immediately broken and Lupin cursed his clumsiness. Snape was much quicker than he and with a single, sharply spoken "Reparo," the cup was repaired and he picked it up and placed it back among the many cups on the rack.

"Come with me and I'll show you where you are to sleep," Snape turned to go and something snapped inside Lupin. He jumped on the unwary Potions Master and moving swiftly, managed to grab hold of one blue clad arm. With great deliberation, he pinned Snape against his own kitchen wall.

Lupin's heart was racing and he was feeling rather delirious with the surge of adrenalin, anticipation and lust. He was glad now that Harry had chosen not to join them for their talk. His eyes fell upon Snape's thin, parted lips and involuntarily, he leaned forward to kiss them gently. Soft...He groaned. He licked tenderly on Snape's lower lip in a silent request and those delectable lips parted in invitation. He was thanking every god he knew that he was here and doing what he had wanted to do for years. He had released his hold on Snape's arm and now held the Potions Master in an unmistakably possessive grip.

"Remus..." a plea escaped from Snape and it took a lot of effort for Lupin to withdraw from the other's lips. Both panted, trying to calm their breathing. "Not here..." Snape croaked and pulled him away from the kitchen and set off for the bedrooms.

"Severus! Where are you taking us?" Remus hissed.

"My room," Snape answered softly.

Lupin's eyes widened. "But Harry!" Snape quickly silenced him with a kiss. When Snape released him, he was surprised to see that his colleague was grinning. It looked slightly odd on a face so marked by harshness but Lupin decided that he quite liked it.

"He knows," Snape whispered. With a soft command, all the lights in the house went out - Harry had already turned his off hours earlier when he went to bed - except for Snape's bedroom. A part of Lupin hesitated and rightly so. It had been a long time since he had been in an intimate relationship of any sort.

Snape somehow felt his uncertainty and stopped, taking one of his hands and caressing it. "We don't have t - "

"No..." Lupin shook his head and his features became more determined as they entered Snape's bedroom. "I've waited too long for you." Looking at Snape's face as the Potions Master closed the door, he knew he had said exactly the right thing.

Snape approached him once again and like an eagle swopping down to ensnare its prey, the Potions Master caught him in a tight embrace and led a fiery dance of passion with his tongue. Now, they did what they had not done in the kitchen, even when Lupin had pinned him against the wall.

Snape's body heat coursed through him in an electrifying rush. I want him so damn much... It was a desperate thought and there was no doubt that Snape knew it, not with the evidence he felt as they ground their hips together.

"Stop," Lupin pleaded but Snape smiled cruelly, continuing his snakelike movements on the werewolf. "Severus..." came another fierce whisper. "I am too hungry for you and if you don't stop..."

"I don't feel like stopping Remus," Snape whispered huskily, breaths coming in harsh pants, black eyes glittering with pure need. His right hand moved to trace Lupin's arousal and he smiled when Lupin gasped and arched into his touch.

"Merlin... At least take my clothes off!"

A feral grin appeared and Snape cheerfully stripped him, clothes discarded all over the floor. Lupin did the same to his lover and finally, both were undressed. Snape took a moment to cast Silencing Charms about the bedroom before pushing Lupin down on his bed. Each sought the other's mouth and they moved together in bed.

"Sev!" Lupin cried out when Snape touched him and growled when his world exploded into billions of stars. His pleasure triggered his lover, and both spent several moments wrapped around each other, quaking and glowing in the aftermath.

"Just like a pair of randy teenagers, aren't we?" Lupin muttered and Snape chuckled softly. "One might think that being in the prime of our lives would have taught us something..."

"I agree..." Snape mumbled drowsily and fell asleep, limbs still entangled with Lupin's. The still-awake wizard turned his head slightly to watch his slumbering lover and closed his eyes too. Wediditwediditwedidit! Lupin slept with a light heart, and a satisfied smirk etched on his face.

**********

In the world of Dreams.

Harry again was sitting in Draco's lap as the blond nuzzled the exposed skin on the side of Harry's neck. "Dumbledore will be so disappointed that they didn't wait for either of you to interfere," came the mumbled comment.

Harry chuckled and pulled his neck away so that he could face the Slytherin as he spoke. "Why should it matter? You know, there's only one thing left to complete the picture..."

"What?" Draco asked with an eyebrow elegantly raised.

"You and me... I am slightly envious that they got the chance to get their hands on one another and we haven't," Harry elaborated and blushed when Draco examined him from head to toe. "In reality."

"Oh..." Draco answered in a bored manner, but his eyes were crinkling with laughter. Harry finally gave up trying to talk to his lover and kissed him instead.

**********

Screw Pine Leaves:

If you have no idea what this is, it is usually called Pandan (I think you'll be familiar with this term if you're an Asian), the people in Hawaii (and France) refer this as the Pandanus, Pandano in Italy, Spain, Portugal... If you still have no idea what I'm referring to, click [URL=http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/generic_frame.html?Pand_ama.html]here[/URL]. Of course, I'm assuming that the link could work in FA... :)