Howling Lesson

He woke up, but kept his eyes closed. He felt sick and only hoped that he wouldn't have to throw up, because it also felt like his head was lying on someone's legs. And voices, too. So there would be at least two other people watching.

Oh God, was he still here? He must have dozed off while waiting for Remus, or ... blacked out again? This was clearly embarassing. He had to get up! But the thought alone made his stomach twist.

Severus heard Packler's exaggerated breathing and felt that this should be the right moment to ... save the situation. He started to prop himself up, which was surprisingly easier than he'd thought. "I know Malfoy." And his voice - or most of it - was back too. "He isn't exactly a friend of the, er, community and especially of Lupin. We had an argument shortly before I turned into ... whatever -"

"Werewolf."

He squinted at Flahery. "I figured, thank you. They turn into bats at night, right?" He paused, confused. "Anyway - Malfoy threatened Remus and I think that's why I attacked him. And as for the secrecy, that's because ... I ... "

"They have a secret love affair and, you know - the Ministry. A Hogwarts teacher getting involved with an unworthy werewolf. Bad example for students. Ministry not happy. And Professor Snape would lose his job. End of story." Flahery grinned smugly. "And they're not allowed to date vampires either."

Now Packler shot Flahery a dark look but seemed to consider the possibility nonetheless. She cocked her head, flinching from Remus to Severus until she stopped somewhere in between.

"I know this is difficult for you, Remus ... " Her voice became overly sympathetic and Severus saw Remus' eyes narrow in a not-good way. " ... and I know the outcome of this was not to be foreseen, but that's not an excuse to endanger everyone else. I hope you will learn from this incident. I sadly can't guarantee that Professor Snape's identity will stay a secret, but - as I said before - I'm trying."

Remus looked like he was going to jump at her or Flahery any second now, but Severus couldn't be bothered with making up anything else, embarrassing or not. And it had been his and Remus' fault after all. So ... "Let's go home now," he said slowly, vaguely tapping Remus' shoulder so that he looked at him.

"Right you are. Do that," Packler cut in. "But I'll see you tomorrow, Remus." She turned on her heels without giving Severus another glance.

"Think I should be off too," Flahery stated, cheerful to the end. "Professor, it was nice meeting you. Let's do this sometime again." He twinkled, turning conspirationally over to Remus. "I like him, he's like ... protective. And if I were you, I would check on my theory about the Animagus thingy. Could be fun."

***

When Packler and Flahery had got out of sight, Remus let out a deep snort. He felt completely exhausted. This had so not happened. He let his head fall onto Severus' shoulder and closed his eyes for a moment. He didn't know what to make of it, really.

"You know," Severus said in a composed voice, "it could be worse."

Remus laughed and then coughed. "It definitely could be worse." He didn't even want to think about it. He hadn't been more afraid since ... long. He brought his head up and Severus kissed him reluctantly. When they drew back he felt at least a lot warmer.

"So tell me, what did I, er ... look like?"

"You really want to know?"

"Did we ... fight? Or ... there was a lot of blood on your fur."

Remus held his gaze. "That was yours. And no, we didn't fight. And you really looked quite ... beautiful."

"Beautiful?" Severus sneered, but only half-heartedly. "I thought about something along the lines of fierce or intimidating." But remembering how Remus had looked as a wolf ...

"If it's any comfort to you, there aren't many black werewolves around. That's special. At least your front half, the back was rather Tobias on a bad moon. But ..." Remus made a teacherly face.

"But what?"

"Your howling."

"What's with it?" Severus snapped and then frowned. Had he just seriously asked about his ability to howl?

Remus gave him a broad grin. "Maybe we can ... work on it? Just a bit, so it gets really impressive. Not just, you know, average."

"In your dreams, wolfboy."

***

One full moon later:

Severus Snape swallowed down the last bits of his cereal while groping around for some toast.

"You look as if you had a rough night. So, is that a bruise or a love-bite on your neck?" McGonagall held a small bowl under his nose and gave him a challenging look. "Honey?"

"What?" Severus' hand shot up to the collar of his robe. "It's ... a bruise." Maybe, he added silently and felt the heat rising up in his cheeks.

She smiled. "I've seen worse."

"I bet you have." He snatched the glass out of her hand and started violently spreading honey on two of his four toasts. "I had a - business meeting," he lied.

She gasped. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. I didn't mean to ... "

She dropped her gaze and fell silent. Severus grinned maliciously. "It was a joke. Last night was just fine."

"You ... a joke about you-know-what? You are unbelievable!" On her other side, Flitwick took interest but she ignored him pointedly. "Give me the bacon," she hissed.

They continued eating. But although McGonagall stayed respectfully silent, she squinted at him. Repeatedly. After two boiled eggs he gave up. "What is it now?"

She shoved her plate away and folded her hands on the table. "Something's different. Sadly it's not the hair, but still -"

"What do you mean?" He frowned. "I'm just tired, that's all." Why couldn't she just go and bother someone else.

"Hmm ... you don't look tired."

He wished he'd stayed in bed.

"You smell."

He dropped his porridge. "Excuse me?"

"Are you secretly practising?"

"Practising? I don't need to practi - what for?"

"Well, either it's that or you went hunting with Hagrid, or you bought yourself a dog. But honestly I don't think the dog or Hagrid are options here."

"I smell like a dog?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Not quite. But close."

Severus' mouth fell open. "Are you by any chance suspecting me of trying to become an Animagus? That's nonsense, even from you."

"So?"

"So what?"

"Come on. Tell me. We've had a bet running for years about your Animagus form. You just seem the type for it."

"We?"

"The teachers. So what is it?"

Severus opened his mouth. He had not the slightest idea how ... "A wolf." ... to get out of this.

"Oh, dear. Really?" McGonagall seemed annoyingly amused. "I don't think someone was betting on that. It's quite a coincidence, don't you think? And a rather scary one - psychologically speaking. I think it means something. Maybe you should consult the works of Freud." She beamed, and sounded more smug with every word. "Well, if you need my help, don't hesitate to -"

"I can handle. Thank you."

She tapped her fingers thoughtfully on the table. "Fine. We best keep it a secret then. Just in case it -" she lowered her voice even more "- gets Order-relevant."

She continued her breakfast and Severus was left in peace. Of course it meant something. More than he actually could put into words. But that didn't have anything to do with that bloody Animagus issue. Or with the -

"Did you get the howling right?"

- that.

"Actually, Minerva, I did. And if I dare say - it was most impressive."