Angelinus

Chapter 3

Change/Arrange

"I've arranged to go to Harry's Muggle home and call the airport from there," Remus said carefully. "He has a telephone and says he's not afraid to use it!"

Severus pursed his lips to stop a smile breaking out as his partner struggled into a sweater Ron's wife Desiree had recommended. Using his wand, Severus transfigured a set of his own robes into a Muggle style overcoat for Remus, exactly like the Muggle picture Desiree had owled them the evening before. It was fawn coloured and calf length, not terribly different from outer robes except it was made of a canvas like material. He held it out and helped Remus put his arms down the sleeves, settling the collar at his neck. His hands lingered for a moment on the curls at the back of the werewolf's neck and dropped a kiss on the soft skin there. "Are you sure you want to go by yourself?"

"Of course I don't! I'd rather you came too but you know you would hate it. Rubbing shoulders with all those commoners - bumping into who knows what? Can you see yourself walking through Muggle London in Muggle clothes?" Remus teased, turning in the circle of his arms to drape his own over Sev's shoulders.

"Do you really see me as that much of a snob?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, I'm only teasing, I know you don't like the sunshine and prefer to stay indoors."

Severus glared then snapped a quick charm that blasted through the room, turning his teaching robes into an outfit that was exactly like Remus' only all in black. He thrust his blond wand into the sheath at his right forearm, black wand into the left arm sheath, and glared down at his partner with an air of finality. "I am not a snob, nor a vampire, to avoid the light."

"Now Sev, I was only teasing," Remus said contritely but Severus had the bit in his teeth and was determined to go along, into Muggle London to prove something to Remus, although neither was sure of what.

He was still puzzling over Severus' odd attitude when they strolled down to the apparation point outside Hogwarts' gates, and apparated to Hogsmeade then took the public floo to Diagon Alley. Remus' puzzle didn't last long, once they exited the floo foyer and entered the crowded streets. People took one look at Severus Snape and drew back hurriedly, women clutching children to them, men glaring at him as they hurried their families away. Oh, a few smiled, some even offering nervous and hurried greetings which Snape replied to with his usual condescension. On the whole he was shunned and ignored by the majority of the population of Wizarding London. Now Remus knew why his partner hated to leave Hogwarts.

"Is it always like that for you?" Remus asked gently as they exited the Alley through the Leaky Cauldron, melting into the crowd of early morning shoppers on Charring Cross road in Muggle London.

"And how is that?" Severus asked, being deliberately obtuse.

"Like you had the plague?" Remus said harshly. "Don't they know? Haven't they realised anything? Without you, they wouldn't be free to wander about Diagon Alley or anywhere else for that matter."

Severus stopped dead, ignoring the odd irate comment from others on the pavement. "My dear Remus, they have no bloody idea what they were saved from - nor do these sheep-like Muggles. I am the only tangible symbol of the Death Eaters left and they think I am the worst there is, and I am - now. But they will never know how much they missed and they will never realise so why bother taking offence? It's not worth the effort! This is why I usually visit the Potters at their Ottery St Catchpole country house rather than in the heart of Muggledom."

There was no comforting reply Remus could make, only a stark reminder that some wounds were invisible and not healable by anything but time and distance. Those wounds were the worst of all. He might have offered a soft, soothing comfort to anyone else but Severus would no more thank him for that than he would appreciate absolution. Some people were born martyrs, some people were made martyrs but Severus Snape refused to fit into anyone else's paradigm but his own.

They started walking again, slowly, browsing the shops and ignoring the streaming humanity who passed them. Severus stopped to watch the antics of a small creature with purple fur in an oddly lit cage, which Remus told him was a 'cartoon' on a 'TV'. It never ceased to amaze him what Muggles would come up with as he continued at Remus' urging. Harry was expecting them at two thirty, so they had better hurry along, Remus persisted.

Harry wasn't on the public floo and although they could have asked him to open it for a private arrival or apparated to his building, they were more than happy to continue their walk, shoulders brushing and hands touching as they moved. Once or twice, Muggles gave them strange looks but they were somewhat oblivious as they strolled into the residential streets with their neat, narrow houses all joined together. Remus frowned at the lines of iron railings then realised the numbers on the small brass plaques were the house numbers Harry had told him about. They needed number twenty-five. Just before Severus could impatiently accio Harry Potter, Remus spotted the right number and all but dragged him forward with a triumphant laugh. "We made it!" he crowed softly, studying the door and finding the button Ginny had told him to push when he arrived.

Nothing seemed to happen but then, after a moment, they heard footsteps from inside. Ginny opened the door with a grin of welcome that barely faltered when she saw Severus behind Remus. "Come in, come in. You found the place all right? I was a bit worried that you wouldn't cope with non-magical directions but the telephone only works here, not at the cottage. Harry is still locked away for a few more minutes but the kettle is on and tea will be up soon. Cinnamon and apple Remus? And you Severus? Russian Caravan it is. Let me take your coats. Severus! You leave your coat in the hallway in a Muggle household!" She giggled when the Potions Master looked scandalised. "Come on in."

The Potter home was light and airy, gauzy curtains filtering the light to cut the edge off the spring sunshine. Ginny waved her wand at the windows and reduced the glare even further when she noticed Severus squinting a little. Indicating the plump floral sofa, she bade her guests sit down and fussed with the tea tray, summoning a second teapot from the kitchen with Severus' selection of black tar-like tea in it. There were small cakes and sandwiches, also a tray of Honeyduke's finest selections of bon-bons and chocolates, which both older men eyed hungrily. Ginny poured tea and filled plates, making sure Remus had his favourite chocolate cup cakes and offering Severus his choice of the rest. The wizarding sweet tooth was legendary. Desiree had explained about magic and the need for quickly metabolised energy that came from the sugars found in sweets.

They were both settled and the conversation was even flowing smoothly between Remus and Ginny when the far door opened and Harry strode in, a smile on his face as his nose twitched. "Remus, and Severus too, this is a surprise. Oh yum, chocolate cake. Thanks lovey, nothing like home made chocolate cake to hit the spot. I'll have Caravan today thanks," he said in a single breath as he dropped a kiss on Ginny's cheek and flopped ungracefully into the second armchair. "So, you need to ring Heathrow and find out when your children are arriving. We have a phone book - accio phonebook - where you can look up the number or do what Ginny does, ring directory assistance and ask them to connect you."

Remus took the phonebook and flicked through it eagerly, intrigued by the many columns of tiny printed names and numbers. "Fascinating! If your father could see this, Ginny, you'd never get him to go home."

"Humm, I know, and I think we have some plugs he would have drooled over," Ginny smiled reminiscently. "Ah well, his teaching has come in useful. Even Mum can cope with the Muggle stuff we have here when she visits. We have the kids in Muggle School at the moment; it gives them a bit of rounding before they go to Hogwarts."

"Won't hurt them to have to manually clean their own rooms and hang their own clothes up," Harry put in as a strange white box affair flew to his hand. "Here Ginny, ring directory assistance."

It took quite a number of phone calls to finally track down the information they needed, one of Harry's dicta-quill taking copious notes as both Ginny and Remus took turns to ask the questions. Severus took over the task of making tea for the busy pair and making sure there was plenty of parchment while Harry simply wandered off on his own business. Severus found him in the study, talking to a very odd looking box which displayed his words in a plain, square handwriting that was reminiscent of the phonebook words.

"It's a computer," Harry told his ex-potions master with a grin. "It's not magic, although it seems like it might be sometimes. When I write for the Muggle world, I have to submit in electronic format that is far different from the parchment I send in to Lurenod's for copying and binding. Here, try this game and see how you go."

When Remus finally went looking for Severus, he was concentrating grimly on coloured bricks falling down on a 'computer monitor', trying to make the odd shapes fit into rows. A couple of twisted, smoking lumps of something hovered around the desk and Harry was in fits of laughter as the older man swore imaginatively and threatened to blast the screen if it didn't cooperate!

"What have you done to my vase?" Ginny demanded, flashing a Reparo at one of the twisted lumps that resolved itself into a vase of daffodils.

"I think the other ones are desk furniture." Harry was laughing so heartily Ginny's face softened and her Reparo was not as forceful as it had been, her anger fading in the face of his complete amusement. "I think I created a monster when I introduced Severus to Tetris. Merlin help us if the kids let him play X-Box!"

Severus clicked his tongue in disgust when the little bricks landed in a heap and he lost the round. "You broke my concentration," he complained bitterly but did not go back to the game, instead turning to Remus who was grinning broadly. "What?" he demanded rudely.

"You just look cute when you are all flustered and indignant over the game." Remus laughed then laughed harder as his partner tried to slay him with his glare. "Okay, maybe not cute then. Miss Solstein has booked a flight to Heathrow that will land on Friday morning at ten thirty am."

"Quite a civilised hour and well after full moon, considerate of her," Severus murmured reaching up to cover the hand Remus had lain on his shoulder. "So what did you discover that has agitated you so?"

"Oh, you're good," Ginny muttered as Remus bent to kiss Severus' temple.

"She's only booked for two people," Remus said uneasily, not surprised when Sev stiffened slightly. "Whether she has put the twins on an aeroplane by themselves or has left one of them behind we don't know."

"Is there no way to ascertain which is one or the other?" Severus asked then shook his head slightly. "Of course not, either you or Miss Weasley would have explored every avenue. This is a worrying turn of events." He dropped his chin onto his chest and worried the problem in his mind. He wasn't sure how long he sat there cogitating but he was drawn back to himself by a warm weight landing in his lap. "Excuse me? What do you think you are doing?" he demanded icily.

"Sitting in your lap," Paul said unconcerned by the glare bestowed on him. "Have you been playing Dad's computer? He doesn't let us play with it. Can I play with your wand? Mum and Dad hide theirs but Lillian can accio them sometimes. If we can get them, Lillian and me can make them work pretty much. Lillian can work Finite Incantatem and Alohomora but I can only work Alohomora after she has finished the charm. Dad says I probably need a different sort of wand, 'cus his is a Gryffindor wand and I am probably going to be a Ravenclaw."

"And your sister will be a Slytherin," Severus mused; dropping a casual kiss on the boy's short, messy black hair. "You would do well in Ravenclaw."

"Mum wants me to be in Gryffindor but Dad says 'be true to yourself, no other'," the boy said thoughtfully, stroking the soft wool of Severus' shirtsleeve as if it was alive.

"Your father grows wise. If you are not true to yourself you are exploitable by anyone who can twist you." Severus sighed deeply, regret thick in his throat as the boy snuggled deeper.

"I told my teacher that you and Uncle Remy got married and she said that two men could not get married, that it was wrong. I told her to go to Hell and she sent me to the headmaster. He said it was okay to have married uncles but I shouldn't swear at teachers. I really wanted to tell him that Uncle Remy was a werewolf but I didn't, I promise. Sometimes it's hard, you know Uncle Sev, because of the magic and all. Everyone I go to school with is, well, ordinary, and we aren't. It's easier when we go out to Grandma's house and the cottage. There we don't have to worry about what we say but at school..."

Severus sighed deeply, holding the boy closer and resting his chin on top of the boy's head. "I know, but the experience of working within restraint and restriction is a good lesson to learn well. No-one can be completely without boundaries and to learn the lesson early will only be an asset."

The boy turned and pressed a spontaneous kiss on Severus' thin, sallow cheek. "I love you Uncle Sev," he said very seriously then scrambled up, grabbing Severus' hands and pulling him up eagerly. "Mum made chicken and stuff for dinner, and you are staying. Uncle Remy says he can stay tonight 'cus the moon is still not full but tomorrow would be too close for comfort. I wish I could see Uncle Remy as a werewolf, bet he is really nice and furry. Is he nice looking Uncle Sev?"

"I don't know Paul. I have not had the privilege of seeing him in full form, except for a brief glimpse many years ago, but I still remember a buff coloured ruff and lambent amber eyes shining like stars at midnight," Severus said softly then pulled himself together. "Dinner then?"

Remus withdrew, ashamed to be eavesdropping but loving the small insight into his partner and his interaction with the boy, so natural and so genuine. As the two emerged from Harry's office, he wrapped an arm around Severus' shoulder and dropped a kiss on the hinge of his jaw. "Love you man," he murmured against the warm fragrant skin.

Paul giggled and hooked arms with both men, lifting his legs and demanding a swing as they made their way down the hallway to the dining room where Ginny had laid a table that outdid the tables set by her mother. They ate heartily and drank quite a lot of vintage wine Harry had laid down over the last few years. By eight thirty when Ginny had sent the children to bed and they had insisted their uncles tuck them in and read three stories, the two older wizards were ready to go home. Harry and Ginny took the lock off and opened the floo then found the illusive floo powder canister they kept under the sink in the kitchen. Tossing a handful into the fireplace, the older couple called Diagon Alley and flooed into the main wizarding area. By nine o'clock they were back in the dungeon, sprawled out in opposing armchairs with a glass of Ogden's finest in their hands.

Remus sighed deeply. "Severus tomorrow is the night of the full moon. Are you ready for it?"

"I think so. I have brewed your Wolfsbane and it is ready for you, a full night's worth. And..."

"No Severus, are you ready for me, as a werewolf? The only times I have ever been a werewolf in you presence; I have tried to destroy you. Twice! The Wolfsbane allows me to have my human mind in my wolf's body so I do not crave blood and broken bone but I am still a werewolf when all is said and done. Will you be able to cope with the changes?"

Severus did not answer straight away, a thoughtful pause for which Remus was grateful. "I love you, Remus Lupin-Snape, in all your moods and changes. In the last instance, I love you and I will never turn my back on you," he reiterated softly, making Remus catch his breath in sheer emotional overload.

~~<*>~~

Remus finished his shower, patting himself dry with care; every inch of his skin was super sensitive and every nerve twitching in anticipation. Severus handed him a silk robe and a glass of juice while toasting him with firewhiskey as they took up their respective positions on opposite sides of the fireplace. The wolf would not tolerate alcohol so close to being free, although Remus could indulge at other times. After finishing his juice and brushing his hair Remus rose and Severus frowned at the movement.

"Where are you going?" he asked harshly.

"I thought I would go into the bedroom for the change," Remus said softly, apologetically.

"Do you want me there? Can I do anything?"

"No, there's nothing to do except ride it out," Remus murmured, trailing a hand over Severus' shoulders as he passed on his way to the bedroom. The change was close, he could feel his bones softening, feel his skin crawling as the hair follicles began to push out fur. He always grew more hairy toward moon change, his chest, arms and legs, even his back growing hairier the closer to full moon they got.

Suddenly the change was upon him without the usual screams of agony heralding its coming and he was caught short of the bedroom door. He staggered once as his feet began to change, a moan of pain finally breaking free. Then suddenly hard arms held him up and a solid chest bulwarked him as he was carefully guided to the bed. Tremors of pain rolled through his muscles as they tore free of their anchorage and began to reattach themselves in the new order. He knew he screamed for he heard Severus swear and felt his lips brand him on the forehead in burning intensity. How could Severus bear to hold him, tolerate being near him after the fear and horror he had caused his dear mate in the past. But it was Severus holding him, keeping the worst of the ravages at bay. 'Far too brave for a Slytherin.' The random silly thought would have made Remus laugh, if he could have, if his jaw was not in the process of breaking and reforming.

Remus didn't usually change on his bed, that he reserved for his human self, and he had prepared a nest of blankets on the floor as usual but it was ignored as Severus half carried, half lifted the writhing man/wolf onto the soft mattress. He tried to protest but his jaw was already lengthening and he had lost the power of human speech. Surprisingly, it was not as painful as usual. Only a low moan of pain was elicited as his feet stretched and his thighs shortened, his coccyx lengthened and became his tail.

He whined as his neck lengthened but there was a hand holding him, kneading the muscles and soothing the strains. A band of cool balm clung to his neck, sending waves of healing comfort to fight back the pain. 'The charm,' Remus thought disoriented. 'The dog tag Severus gave me is working, it's helping!'

The complete transformation of skeleton and internal organs continued until Remus laid shuddering and panting, the world changed completely in his senses. Exhausted, he closed his eyes and fell instantly asleep. The nap did not last more than ten minutes, as the wolf was not a restful beast. As he woke, he smelled Severus, smelled his horror and his sadness, tasted his compassion and his fear for his loved one, felt the strength and the resolve it had taken to hold him while he writhed and transformed in his arms. Such courage was rare and precious as Remus sat up groggily and pushed his nose into the neck so close to him. The potion was doing its work, the terrible hunger blunted to a faint echo in the back of his mind as he managed to stand upon the mattress and shake his coat out decisively.

Severus let him go and Moony flowed off the bed, prancing and eager to join with his mate in a game or a walk or some activity that involved them both. Severus frowned at him, a scent of uncertainty coming off him in waves. He spoke and it took all of Moony's concentration to understand what he said as wolf ears did not pick up human voices in exactly the same way that human ears did. He huffed and grabbed the edge of Severus' robes trying to tow him out of the suite, taking him for a walk or going for a walk with him, whatever.

Usually, when he changed, he stayed in his suite, unable to work the human locks and handles but this time he could get his human to take him out for a run in the moonlight, or to play a game or just be there while he ran or rolled or did something. Wolves were pack animals and the loneliest part of being a werewolf was the lack of interaction between himself and others. All pain or past considerations were forgotten in the moment and he licked Severus up the side of his face, rubbing against his hip and butting him with his head, begging for a pat, a rub, some contact!

Severus could not help the chuckle that broke out as he opened the door and Moony raced ahead of him then back again, nails clicking and scrabbling on the flagstones. There was a dog like eagerness and a wolf like dignity in Moony as he tried to rush Severus forward toward the front doors. Grabbing up a cloak, Severus followed him, pushing open the entry port in the main doors to let the wolf out.

Yelping excitedly, Moony fled down the steps, his paws barely touching the marble as he bolted for freedom, tossing himself onto the moon lit lawn and rolling wildly, legs flailing before he bounced up and pranced around Severus who was openly laughing at his antics.

"Go on, you mad creature, run!" Severus yelled exuberantly, the moon madness touching him too. Moony yelped, arrowing away to the trees and back in a wild excess of high spirits. He had rarely been allowed to run free in the moonlight, either caged by his parents or his school or himself in an attempt not to hurt people. Or when he ran with the wild packs in the war, he had been driven by bloodlust and a dreadful hunger, needing to rip flesh and tear bone. Now, free of hunger and restraint, stronger and fitter than ever his human body was, he could jump and run and play and...

He stopped dead when he smelled it, another canine of sorts, Fang, Hagrid's cowardly hound. Contemptuously he cocked his leg and pissed all over Fang's markers, deliberately seeking them out and covering them with his own scent. Chuffing and snorting in disgust, he held his head high as he trotted back to Severus, a job well done. Severus ran a gentle, loving hand over his ears and head, scratching him under the chin as they walked away toward the lake together but Moony had too much energy to be sedate. He yelped again and ran off to explore the next set of scents that wafted to his nose, a rabbit! He was off, coursing after the timid creature, chopping and changing as it jinked and tried to escape. He caught it and grabbed it, and went to bite down on its back as it screamed in terror. A wave of revulsion stopped him before he could sink in his fangs. He carefully let it go and sat down to watch as it shook itself and then bolted for the nearest hole.

Dropping his bottom jaw in canine laughter, Moony ran back to where Severus was slowly circumnavigating the gardens and barrelled into his legs, felling him. Severus grabbed him around the neck and they wrestled on the grass until they both fell apart in panting heaps. Licking Severus up the cheek again in a canine kiss, he stood up and shook his fur out, sending bits of grass flying before bounding down to the lake and lapping up a drink. Going back to Sev's side, he walked at a more sedate pace as they returned to the school.

"Hungry?" Severus asked and was answered by a canine grin and a scrabble of claws in the direction of the kitchen. Oh yes, it would be funny to see how the house elves reacted to a full-grown werewolf invading their domain. Severus had never thought about just how big a werewolf grew but now he knew. Moony was bigger than a Great Dane and twice as massive through the chest and shoulders but so graceful when he ran across the grass, flowing like a creature of moonlight and shadow should. Beautiful!

The house elves managed not to go insane and did produce a large bowl of prime steak for Moony as well as a beef bone and a bowl of fresh water. For Severus they managed Orange Pekoe tea and buttered toast with honey. When they tried to put the bowl for Moony on the floor, Severus was annoyed and insisted it was put on a chair, which brought it up to a better height for the huge animal. Moony just laughed and gobbled up the chunks while Severus warned him he would get indigestion if he weren't careful.

Severus was feeding him bits of toast and honey when the door opened again and Moony stiffened uneasily, sidling around to the other side of Severus' legs. Lydia Halfpenny had left Beauxbaton School to join the staff at Hogwarts, the fourth Herbalist to try and replace Madame Sprout who had been literally torn to pieces defending her gardens from Death Eaters in the final weeks of the war. Lydia was still very new, having only worked one term of her contract and nervous around Professor Snape who's reputation preceded him. To see him sitting at the kitchen table, spoiling his dog took away some of the mystique and made him seem more human somehow. She smiled tentatively and offered a hand for the very handsome animal to sniff, studying it closely.

"I didn't know you had a dog, Profess... er, Severus. He is a fine animal, isn't he? What breed is he? Some sort of Malamute? I don't recognise him," she asked, desperately trying to start a conversation as the house elves brought her tea and cake.

Severus pursed his lip and glanced at Moony for permission, seeing mischief in the wolf's eyes. "He is a rare breed, you probably wouldn't recognise from sight as they tend to be few and far between. And most are only seen by moonlight."

"Ah, a magical creature," she mused, offering Moony a piece of her chocolate cake.

Moony raised an eyebrow and glanced at Severus who shrugged in response. "A small piece will not hurt you," he told the wolf by way of permission. A long, pink tongue snaked out and wrapped around the morsel of cake, drawing it back into his fang lined mouth very delicately.

Lydia shivered and wiped her hand on a napkin while Severus mouthed 'flirt' at his grinning companion. "He's very gentle, isn't he?" she commented, trying to rid herself of he notion that the man and his dog were silently laughing at her.

"Ah, Severus, I didn't expect to see you down here tonight of all...." Minerva McGonagal breezed in then an explosive hiss broke out before she could control it. "Oh! Excuse me! I didn't realise.... How are you feeling tonight, Remus?"

Moony tried not to growl at the animagus but even werewolves were not exactly enamoured of cats. He narrowed his eyes and chuffed carefully, keeping his head on Severus' knees to blunt the chase reaction. Severus felt his quivering eagerness and laid a calming hand on his head. "He feels fine, fine enough to chase rabbits, piss on nearly every tree in the Forbidden Forest and almost knock me into the bloody lake. Silly wolf! We were just enjoying an evening snack before turning in when Lydia joined us. She was wondering what breed Moony is."

Minerva peered over her glasses at the younger woman for a moment then shook her head. "Really Lydia, I was almost positive you were present when we were discussing Professor Lupin's lycanthropic tendencies."

"Lycan.... Lupin? Werewolf? Oh Merlin forefend! And I'm feeding him cake?" Lydia blushed vividly and Moony yelped his amusement while Minerva and Snape smirked at each other across the Royal Albert tea set.

"So I gather it has been easier on you this time, Remus? Good. Severus, he has tomorrow free so he doesn't need to be in his classroom until Tuesday. Professor Dumbledore wants you both to take it easy on Wednesday and Thursday, and on Friday you greet your new arrivals."

"Indeed. It should prove interesting. Once the children settle in I have arranged for a Governess to teach them their primary learning. Albus has agreed to allow her to use Remus' old rooms while she is with us."

"Yes, I believe Miss Harkness comes highly recommended from Durmstang, although I wonder at your choice Severus? Weren't the Harkness family part of the...."

"No Minerva, they were not!" he said flatly, cutting the discussion off short.

"Ah well, you would know, wouldn't you?" Minerva couldn't help putting in one tiny barb before wishing them all a goodnight.

There was a pregnant silence when the older witch left then Severus and Moony rose in concert, nodding to the younger witch with a smirk and a brief bow in passing. As the door closed behind them, both laughed all the way back to their rooms.

~~<*>~~

Changing back was usually agony but this time it seemed easier. Severus had insisted Moony sleep on the bed in his arms, despite the fur and claws, holding him tight against his body all night. The first throes of the change were on him when he woke, his legs lengthening, his feet shrinking, his jaw receding and his tail disappearing. He could not help the whimpers and moans that escaped him even though he tried hard not to wake Severus. The hand that had been draped over his waist tightened and began to stroke his side soothingly as Severus sat up on one elbow, his teeth worrying his lip for a few seconds. As the last convulsion hit, Remus bit back a scream, every muscle cramping viciously, trying to tear him apart.

Glass clinked against his teeth and thick syrup flowed over his tongue, the coolness being absorbed into his mouth and flowing down his body from the point of his tongue. The potion didn't even need the effort of swallowing to be effective. The cramps eased dramatically and Remus blinked, sighing in relief as Severus pulled the blankets up higher to his chin.

"How are you feeling?" he asked speaking softly in consideration for Remus' still unsettled hearing.

A single croak came out of Remus' throat and Severus summoned a goblet of water for him, holding it steady as his hands trembled too much. "Much better, easiest change yet," he managed to assure his mate, pressing one shaking finger to the medallion still hanging around his neck. "It worked. I love you." The effort had used up all his energy and he slept again.

His second wakening was much easier and he stretched indolently before realising what day it was. He felt great, not too tired and aching but comfortable and even happy. Last night had been fantastic! The best change he had ever experienced and being able to share it with someone after all these years had been a bonus he had never expected to have again. The last time he had shared a change with someone was when Padfoot had been a part of his life. Before that, the Marauders had changed into their animagus forms and lay outside his cage.

This time he had run free, completely free, and had interacted with his mate, with Severus, been played with, hugged, patted and been a part of their private pack. Ah Severus! A man of raw courage and unlimited compassion, wrapped inside a harsh and condescending sneer. He wasn't like that all the time that was only his outer shell, inside he was pure mush, in a Slytherin kind of way.

Remus chuckled, imagining Sev's reaction to that thought as he rolled out of bed and hit the shower. As he came out drying his hair, he noticed a tray of steaming hot bacon and eggs with lightly golden toast set out on the hearthside table ready. There was also a small goblet of something sitting beside the plate, a note propped against it.

Dear Remus,

Drink this before the food. It will help.

Severus

Not the most intimate of notes but the potion slid down easily, warmth and energy invading his limbs, driving out the lingering weariness that always clung to him after the change. It was such a boost, he made it through his afternoon reading with ease and was still energised enough to kiss Severus soundly as they returned to their chambers.

"You are full of yourself, aren't you?" Severus remarked with a sly smirk.

"I'd rather be full of you but hey, I can wait," Remus teased making Severus blush slightly. "Severus, you do remember that I am infectious when I am in wolf form, don't you? At least, I'm pretty sure it's only then. Don't let me kiss you or get any fluids into your system when I am a wolf, will you?"

Severus' blush deepened and he drew a deep breath but then let it fade. "With your permission, I will take samples during the next change and test them to see what is permissible and what is not."

"You had better take semen as well as saliva samples, both before, during and after, to be sure." Remus said evenly although his eyes danced with mischief. Severus blushed brightly then seemed to pull himself together before he nodded his agreement. "Saliva samples are easy, just use a standard charm," Remus continued, opening his mouth. "But the semen sample you might have to work for."

After a deep, calming breath, Snape muttered a charm and a clear drop of fluid translocated from Remus' mouth to a sealed jar on the desk. Although he would never admit it aloud, Remus' playfulness and openness about sex and all things related, shocked Severus to the bottom of his straight-laced, Pureblood soul. It also gave him an almost vicarious thrill to realise Remus only spoke to him in such an open and loving way. Still holding his wand, Severus moved his gaze lower with an evil smirk and Remus quickly covered Sev's mouth with one hand, his genitals with the other. "Oh no you don't, you sneaky git, you want it, you have to work for it!"

"Is that an invitation?" Severus purred against his fingers, making a shiver run down Remus' spine at the promise.

"A plea, perhaps," he managed, hoping he didn't sound as needy as he felt.

He must have because, Sev's black eyes lit with unholy glee, his narrow tongue darting out to wet thin, pale lips, trailing suggestively between Remus' gagging fingers. Slytherin mush tended to be a little tart and acidy in places with jags and slightly sadistic tendencies to keep a Gryffindor on his toes. The promise in Sev's hot gaze was exciting. And then he bit Remus on the thumb.

Remus let out a yelp and pulled his hand back quickly, his left grabbing for Severus' wand wrist to still its movement. Snape tried to get free but realised Remus was much stronger than he, so he changed his attack to groping with his left hand. Turning his hip, Remus snaked his left arm around Severus' narrow ribcage and dug his fingers into the tender spot on his side. It was Snape's turn to jump and yelp, a half giggle, half squeal of protest at the sneaky attack. Remus didn't let up, tickling the taller man into submission. They both fell to the hearthrug, rolling around wrestling in a terribly undignified manner until Severus begged pax and Remus flopped across his chest laughing and dragging wet sloppy kisses up his jaw. Their play turned more serious as Severus caught his tongue and drew it into his mouth, lips meeting lips in a soft and tender kiss.

"That was fun!" Severus murmured in a soft, happy voice as they lay together panting and resting from their play. "You have brought a lot of laughter into my very dull existence Remus and I do thank you for that."

"You have brought a lot of love and joy into my life too Severus, and I thank you for that. Let's make semen samples right here on the hearth rug."

"Let's," Severus agreed, pulling his lover close.