Time Goes By

Chapter 6

Remus Lupin looked at the picture in front of him: life had been so simple that summer. He had been happy, he'd had friends that no one could top, and he'd been very much in love. He felt a tear fall down his face; it was amazing what a simple Muggle photograph could do to a person. He looked once again at the smiling faces of Severus, Lily, and himself and wondered how life would be if Sirius hadn't been so selfish.

*Flashback*

Snape gazed at the picture in shock. "You still have this? After all of these years?" Severus looked up with tears in his eyes. "So, nothing did happen that day with Black?"

"No, Sev nothing happened."

"But, I thought -"

"You thought wrong."

"Merlin..." Severus whispered.

"I have never lied to you, Sev, not once; you're the one who broke a promise."

Severus slid open the back of the frame and looked at the simple words written on the back.

Remus,

Can you believe this was taken just hours before it happened? Lils always does get her way, no matter what. I'm just glad that it worked out for us, too. Thank you for telling me your secret; I'd always wondered what happened to you every month but was always too afraid to ask...

I can't tell you how happy I am to be with you; you're a wonderful person, and I think I'm falling head-over-heels in love with you. Please stop being afraid because of what you are; it can't be helped...

I want you to know that you're not alone anymore; I am here, and I'm not going anywhere. Ever. I want us to be together always...

Yours Eternally,

Severus

Severus looked at Remus, tears swelling up in his eyes, "I am so sorry, Remy, I was young, I was stupid, but most of all, I was afraid that you didn't love me anymore..."

"What?" Remus asked in shock.

"Well, you were spending so much time with Sirius, and it was obvious that he had a crush on you... but that doesn't justify my actions. I know that--please forgive me?"

Remus sighed. "I don't know... it's going to take me a while."

"Take all the time you need; I'll wait forever if need be."

Remus gave him a strange look. "Are you okay, Sev? You're not sounding like yourself."

"Salazar, Rem, can't you tell that I'm pouring my bloody heart out to you here? I don't do that for every piece of arse that comes my way!"

Remus smiled. "There's the Severus I know and love."

"And another thing, I - did you say - love?"

"Yes, Sev, I did. I could never stop loving you."

"I am the world's biggest idiot," Severus whispered.

"I'm not disagreeing with you there; now, the sun will be going down soon, so I need to take this bloody concoction, and you need to let me be for the night."

"Alright, I'm going, but I'll be thinking about you," Severus said in that voice that always could make Remus melt.

*End Flashback*

Just then, a knock at the door interrupted Remus's thoughts.

"C'mon in, Sev."

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I heard something in one of my classes today that I think you'll enjoy."

"Oh?"

Remus looked up at Severus, grinning, "Harry and the Weasley brothers in Slytherin, Fred and George, used catnip on McGonagall today!"

Severus looked at him for a second and laughed. "So, what's on the detention list this time; you know, that woman has come to me about those three more than any other student, probably ever."

"They're not getting detention; apparently, Draco Malfoy said that he did it."

"I knew from the get-go that those four would be causing trouble."

"My, you say a lot of funny words, professor. Can't you talk like a normal human being?" Remus asked playfully.

"What are you blithering about now?" Severus asked annoyed.

"See! See! There you go again! 'Blithering,'" Remus exclaimed excitedly.

Severus sighed, "Is there a point to these shenanigans?"

" 'Shenanigans!' That's a good one! And is it true that you used - gasp! - 'tomfoolery' on your First Year students?"

Severus chuckled slightly. "You are one strange individual, Lupin."

Remus smirked. "That's why you love me."

Severus chuckled and Remus laughed slightly.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Remus said

"I see you two are friends again," Harry said, with a smile on his face. "Should I leave and come back?"

Breathing fitfully, Severus said, "No, Harry. What do you need?"

"Um... I was sent here for my detention tonight."

"Ah, that's right," Remus said. "Harry, I've been wondering, did Professor Snape really use the word 'tomfoolery' in his beginning of term speech?"

"I don't remember much from that day, as I was in the hospital wing for most of it, but he might have," said Harry, confused.

Remus watched as Severus walked out of the room and thought, I could watch him walk away forever; he still does have that cute arse--he looked over at Harry. Not the best thoughts, Rem, you idiot!

"Okay, Harry, you'll be sorting through and alphabetically stacking these books," Remus said, after Severus had left, and then walked to the door.

"You trust me to do this unchaperoned?" Harry asked.

Remus looked at him. "Only if you behave yourself and do no - shenanigans," he said and walked out the door laughing again.