An Experiment Gone Wrong

A little over two weeks had come and gone since the episode in the shack, or rather the failed potions experiment as Severus was calling it. Obviously he couldn't say that the shack episode was a failure since Remus himself wasn't the one at fault for the failure. As the time stood now, only a bit less then a week was all they had now before they would have to begin a new dose of the potion. And so far not a single clue had been shed as to why it had happened.

The downside (or perhaps it was an 'upside' at this point) to having Remus Lupin still here this long was that, although Remus had no knowledge of it, Severus was growing quite used to having him around. He was almost looking forward to the next full moon, though in a way if the potion did work, he doubted there would be need for his hidden skill.

It had only been by pure luck that Severus had come across the information he had in a particularly old volume he found down in a Knockturn Alley bookshop, "Werewolves and Animagus - Friend or foe?". It had cost 25 Galleons, to most maybe it was pricey, but to him he would have paid anything for it and it was with a deep satisfaction when he smuggled it back here to his rooms. He had it well hidden in a specially made trunk that was adorned with more locking charms and spells then his desk draw had been.

That book had proved invaluable over the years, and though he had his suspicions now about Potter, Black and Pettigrew, he really didn't care. It had taken him just over a year to master the skill in which the book showed him (which if Remus had known this he would have had a field day with considering how long it had taken James, Sirius and Peter at the time), but he felt it wasn't a year of wasteful learning. And two weeks ago he had proved that. Other then a few minor tryouts, that night at the shack had been his first time truly being that other part of him.

That fact that he never told anyone, not even Dumbledore and especially not Lucius or Voldemort gave him a certain feeling of power. Although 2 weeks ago he was nervous and afraid, not so much from the werewolf but from what he had gotten himself into, afraid he wouldn't remember how to turn back, now he was almost aching to try it again. Even if the potion did work, he was thinking of slipping somehow into the shack on the next full moon.

Remus J. Lupin was beginning to get under his skin, he knew that. Something about him as both human and wolf fascinated him. Though he was beginning to admit the human side of him held the most fascination. Even in his dreams Remus invaded, the image of his naked form haloed in the morning rays of the dawn was the last thing he'd see as he closed his eyes at night, and at times, the first thing he'd see when he woke up.

He knew he had to be careful, Remus wasn't like anyone else he had ever known. Those eyes of his held so much expression in them, one word could cause them to turn golden with happiness, another darkened with sadness. So he remained his cooler, aloof self the past two weeks, more for his own benefits then anything else. There was no way in holy hell he was ever going to admit he might be actually beginning to like Remus Lupin. *Not like you dolt...admit it...you're far far past the 'like' stage...*

"Severus? You in here?" a voice called out in the classroom, prying Severus away from his thoughts, which he was almost grateful for.

"Yes, in here Lupin," he yelled back and seconds later Remus walked in a bit agitated. 'What's wrong?" he said actually concerned now at seeing the the closed look on Remus's face.

"Severus I...that is...oh heck I'm sorry bout this but...I have to leave for a little while..." he said apologetically.

"Leave? Now? But we've only got less than a week! You just can't leave now!" Severus said startled. *This isn't happening...you're not really leaving me are you?*

"I know, I know...and I'm really sorry bout this Severus, but I have to...." he said and ran round collecting up the few meager things he'd brought with him.

"At least tell me why? Give me that Lupin!" Severus said realizing Remus really was leaving. For some reason his stomach was aching at this thought, not to mention another vital organ within his chest he thought didn't even exist before.

Stopping in mid-pack Remus's shoulders slumped and he gave a small sigh. In a half whispered voice he only said one word. "Sirius..."

Severus wasn't sure he heard correctly, though an anger crept into him that assured himself he had. "Black? What does Black have to do with anything?" he said, his anger visibly creeping into his voice even.

"I wish I could tell you Severus, I really do...but I can't. Suffice it to say I have to go for a bit. I promise I'll be back before the end of the week or even sooner allright? I won't let you down..." he said finishing up the last of his packing and turned to face Severus.

Severus's eyes were blazing he was so angry at this point. Steeling himself he knew that it wasn't really Remus he was angry at but he had to show something, so he said in an icy tone, "Fine. But if you're not back by week's end I'll find someone else to test it on."

Remus looked at him startled, but gave him a small nod. Without saying another word he gave Severus a look that spoke volumes, or would have if Severus hadn't been so busy being so upset. Remus gave a brief sigh and turned and left before anything could be said.

Severus stood there watching the doorway for a bit longer, almost as if he was expecting Remus to return. After finally realizing that he wasn't he released a small growl, followed by a deep sigh. *Damn you Black! Just like always you have to ruin everything...everything!* And with a strength he didn't even realize he had he slammed the door of his private chambers shut, unawares at this point of the truth as to why he was even so angry.

* * * * *

Remus Lupin looked round the small flat that until 3 years ago had been his home. Not much had changed, the same beige coloured walls, the same furniture that they had bought together, the same coloured carpets on the floors. It was almost with a pang of regret that he realized that it had been half his money that had been the existence of all these things. But to dwell on that now would do him no good, no good at all.

"Sirius? Sirius are you here?" he said after a moment putting his bag down on the floor near the door. Just another reminder that he was now the visitor here, not the occupant.

Sirius walked into the room from the kitchen, a mild look of smug satisfaction on his face. "Figured you'd come. You never could turn down a request from me Remus," he said slowly.

Remus felt his face flush at that comment, but decided to let it pass. "Albus said you wanted to see me, so here I am. What's this about?" he said now walking a few steps into the room.

"Yeah, that's right...Albus had to deliver the message. Nice of him to do that...wasn't it..." Sirius said in a sharp tone whilst walking over to where Remus was standing.

Remus was a bit startled, he didn't like the tone of voice Sirius was using at all. "Come off it Padfoot, what's going on? Why did you want to see me?" he said keeping his gaze level with Sirius's.

"Didn't want to tell me you were going to Hogwarts now did you..." Sirius said in that same sharp tone.

Remus shook his head not understanding this. "Sirius, why would it bother you? We haven't seen each other in 3 years minus a few brief times, and only written by owl a few times...." he said confused.

"Obviously something like you going off to Hogwarts for gods know what wasn't important enough to inform me though...yet James knew...." Sirius said in a low tone, anger brewing in those black eyes of his.

*So much like Severus's eyes...yet so different...Severus's eyes have almost an alive glow when he's angered...but Sirius's only turn dull and hard as ice...* Remus had to mentally slap himself for that thought and refocus on the issue at hand. Obviously Sirius was taking his silence for something other then golden. "Sirius you're making much to much of this...and I don't see what concern it is of yours where I go or what I do these days. It's not like we're still...." he began but was cut off quickly.

"It is my concern when one of my best friends doesn't even have the guts to tell me that they're going off to be with...with..." Sirius said stammering from rage, and a tone of disgust that was painfully clear.

Something inside Remus recoiled at that disgust and in low, calm and very crisp voice he said, "With who Sirius?"

Sirius gave Remus a look of almost hatred then. "You know who. That slimy greasy haired Slytherin git. That bastard that doesn't deserve to be in the same country, let alone the same room with you...." he said in low tone. A tone that Remus knew well, for when Sirius was like this he was about to become his worst.

Remus allowed himself to remain calm at this point, to get angry now would only make things 100 times worse, if that was even possible. "For your information Sirius, Severus has been..." but that was as far as he got.

"Severus? SEVERUS?! Since when in bloody hell do you call him Severus?" Sirius spat out, all thoughts of reasoning lost to him now. "Christ, Remus, when James owled me and told me you were going to actually be in the same place as Snape voluntarily I nearly lost it...but this...you're calling him Severus? For fuck's sake Remus he's a slimy git! A bastard at it's lowest form! How could you? How could you do this to me?!" he said in a voice that was torn between pure hatred, and pure agony.

Remus was in shock now, no longer calm or collected as Sirius's words sunk in. "To you? What...what I"m doing to...you?" he said in a cold voice, his golden brown eyes turning dark in anger now. "Since when do you have claim to what I can and can't do Sirius. Obviously you fail to see I'm a grownup now, that I don't need you to tell me how to think or where I can go. I"m capable of making my own decisions now."

"You think so? Look at you Remus, just look at you! Threadbare robes, you're as thin as a rail...even with the moon half a month away you're looking sick. Is that what making your own decisions have turned you to? Making you become half a man?" Sirius spat back in disgust.

A vague memory of something Severus had said to him not that long ago seemed to percolate through his head. Only it had been himself defending Sirius at the time, something he was beginning to regret. "At least I am a man and not pretending to be something I'm not..." he said back coolly, keeping his gaze level with Sirius's.

A sudden 'crack' filled the air and Remus staggered back falling on his knees to the floor. Sirius was over him, his eyes colder then ice. "Is that what this is all about Remus? Are you shagging him? You couldn't have me anymore so you turned to Snape for it?"

Remus looked up at Sirius stunned. "Sirius...Padfoot listen to me...it's not about that..."

"No? James told me you're sharing a room with that git..obviously that includes the bed...so how is he Moony...hmm? Is he good in bed? Does he make you feel like I can? Does he touch you in the places I know you liked to be touched? Come on Moony...answer me...." Sirius said in a harsh voice whilst grabbing Remus's hair in his fist and pulling his head back to look down at him. In a whispered voice he said, "Answer me...."

Remus shut his eyes, his insides writhing in fear, agony and pain. Sirius had been his first, his only bedmate in his life. For 4 years he had shared Sirius's bed, never thinking anyone else could fill that spot...that was until.... A hard pull on his hair made him stop thinking and he reopened his eyes, only to stare right into the ice cold black orbs belonging to Sirius. He lost both nerve and voice, he knew couldn't answer Sirius, not now.

A flicker in Remus's eyes seemed to break Sirius, and with a low growl he descended upon Remus, forcing him to the carpet. Pinning himself on top of Remus now he whispered harshly into his ear, "Is this what you like now Remus? Is this how Snape treats you in bed...aloof and cold? Is that what turns you on now Remus? Cause if it is..." His words were left burning in the air.

Remus didn't need to second guess what Sirius had planned after that. He knew he couldn't fight Sirius off, not with the full moon so far away. The wolf might always be a large part of him, but without the benefits of even a waxing moon his strength was nothing more then a simple human being. And although he knew he'd been eating well the last few weeks, Sirius Black had always had the advantage of size and strength on him, this time being no exception.

He didn't cringe, nor cry out at what Sirius was doing to him. Sirius still had Remus's hair tightly wound in his fingers, almost as a threat that Remus ought not fight him. He felt Sirius's tongue licking roughly at the nape of his neck, his ear, his chin. This wasn't Sirius, this was a stranger in his place. The Sirius he had last known would never have done this, would never make him feel pain like this. And that's what this was...nothing more then unrelenting pain.

He closed his eyes to attempt to shut out what was going on, to try and block the pain and torment Sirius was putting him through, but to no avail. Sirius was making damn sure he wasn't going to forget this, and Remus knew that this was nothing more then pure anger taking itself out in the worst possible way. But in his self depreciating way Remus's mind thought he almost deserved this pain.

He hadn't owled Sirius because he knew it might be this type of reaction, James at least,though angry, had been more tolerable to it. He had meant to owl Sirius if the potion had worked, forgetting completely about doing so when the experiment had failed. Granted he hadn't expected Sirius to react quite this way about this, and jump to all the wrong conclusions, but in an odd way he did understand why Sirius would think along the lines he was. From the short sound of it James had gone out of his way to let Sirius know he was sharing Severus's room. Something Remus was highly regretting having told James now, though at the time he owled him he hadn't thought much of it.

Another flash of pain broke him out of his thoughts as he realized that Sirius had bitten his lower lip, obviously angered at the fact Remus was being so unresponsive. Either that or because Sirius thought it was something Severus might do, he really wasn't sure. Somehow he had to try one more time though to get Sirius to listen to reason, so he said softly, "Sirius...Padfoot please...please let me explain..."

A growl met his ears however, his pleas obviously were not going to be headed. Instead a fresh wave of pain came over him as Sirius bit hard into his shoulder, too close to where he'd been bitten by the werewolf all those years ago. And the one spot on his body that even through his clothing, was the most sensitive of all to pain. "No..." he rasped out in agony.

Sirius only silenced him with a harsh kiss, cutting off any further words. Sirius was then back at licking his throat and neck, intertwining his tongue with his teeth to pull and bite at Remus's skin. Moments later Sirius grabbed up his wand for a moment and muttered 'Declotha', and Remus found himself bereft of robe and shirt.

It was as if a dam now broke inside Sirius Black at seeing the half naked body of his former lover. With a groan he gave in to the feelings that had been building up the last few minutes. Not the anger, not the torture of knowing that Remus was probably shagging Severus Snape, he didn't care any longer about that. Not that he had been exactly celibate the last 3 years himself, but seeing Remus like this, knowing what he could do to this man was like an addiction for him, a drug that he had to have.

Remus felt himself shudder involuntarily as he could feel the shift in Sirius's mood. Gone was the hateful, spiteful touches. Gone was the agony of biting and clawing at him. Only need was there, simple basic need. An emotion that was seeping from Sirius so badly that it overwhelmed Remus's wolf senses. The only thing other then his exceptional hearing that he did have of the wolf no matter what the lunar phase.

Sirius's hands began to trail a path down Remus's back, he hadn't been joking when he had said that he knew Remus's body earlier. He knew exactly where he wanted to be touched, and he was taking full advantage of that fact now. Now that he was being gentler Remus found himself responding in every way, even allowing a small groan to escape from his lips.

Sirius suddenly pulled off him then, and Remus reopened his eyes in surprise."S-Sirius?" he said haltingly, a questioning look in his eyes.

Sirius didn't say anything, just gazed down at Remus for a moment, taking in the sight of Remus's pale skin, his lean upperbody, even the fact his lip was still a bit red from blood where he'd bitten Remus. Gently he put his arm behind Remus's back, his other arm behind Remus's knees and lifted him off the floor, licking away the drops of Remus's precious blood that he'd spilled.

Remus wasn't sure what was going on, but he had no complaints on whatever it was Sirius was doing. The gentle lick of his lip from Sirius had sent shivers down his spine, and he closed his eyes oblivious to the fact Sirius was carrying him elsewhere. It took him a few moments to realize what Sirius was now up to, but as soon as he felt himself being lowered onto the bed they had once shared, he knew that there was nothing that could stop what would come next.

Sirius was gentle, tender and attentive to every one of Remus's needs. Tender kisses laced with passion seared into Remus's body, a feeling that for 3 years he hadn't felt, and he felt himself respond involuntarily to. He gasped as Sirius was able to remember every single spot that Remus liked to be touched, stroked and caressed on.

He barely noticed it even when Sirius removed his trousers, in the old fashioned way not by spell. He moaned Sirius's name over and over while Sirius kissed every part of his skin with each inch of fabric that was being removed from his hips. Sirius teased him, putting kisses in places he hadn't even remembered about. If it was one thing Sirius did know, it was how to play the game of 'how-long-until-I-make-you-beg..' and right now that wasn't a very long game for Remus.

Not when he hadn't been touched in so long, not when he was being touched like this. *Why did I never realize how good this was? How did I walk away from this?* Remus's mind managed to think, though that was the last thought he would have for a while. Sirius had finally ended the game as his tongue finally found the one place Remus was his most vulnerable.

Moaning in sheer delight he had forgotten just how well experienced Sirius was with that tongue of his. It might produce the worst words at time, but right now the only thing it was doing was driving Remus into a frenzy. He was responding with every part of him under Sirius's careful administrations, and he didn't know how much longer he was going to be able to hold out.

"Sirius...Sirius...." was all he managed to half say, hoping Sirius would understand. To his utmost delight, Sirius did. Seconds later Sirius was now bereft of his own clothing, and a seconds shivered delight reached Remus's eyes, and it was all too clear what he needed right then and there.

Sirius didn't need further urging, his own needs as equally needing to be met. He moved himself up, kissing Remus softly on the lips, and using his knowledge of Remus's body, the two people became one. A rhythmic, yet powerful exchange of desire claimed both men as each knew exactly what the other needed.

There was only one small thought nagging at the back of Remus's mind however, something that all these years he never understood. *This is so right, so perfect...so why haven't we ever lifebonded?* But as the desire for release overtook him, that thought got pushed back into his mind as his sweaty body clung to Sirius's.

Their pace sped up, each of them knowing they were so close to achieving the ultimate goal of pure perfection. Pure mind-blowing satisfactory release. Yet again though Remus's thoughts interrupted him, and despite how much he tried this time he couldn't let them go. They burned into him like a knife, and he knew there was no stopping the thoughts now, any more then he could have stopped what had just taken place.

As Remus felt Sirius finally release himself, softly calling Remus's name, Remus too released. The thoughts that had been in his mind melted onto his lips, and there was only one name he called out when he shuddered at his final release...

"Severus...."

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