An Experiment Gone Wrong

Severus awoke the next morning in a bit of a daze. His head and body ached a little bit, and he had these strange feelings coursing through him that were of little help in his disorientation. He felt out of place, like he was somewhere he didnt belong, and there was a warm pressure on his arm that felt vaguely familiar, though he couldn't place why.

For a moment he lie there trying to clear his thoughts until suddenly recognition dawned on him. He was in bed, his own bed...and the pressure on his arm was a person. No, not just a person...it was Remus. His Remus...his lifemate...his soulmate. A soft protective smile came acrost his face and he unconsciously tightened his arms round this wondrful man beside him.

He remembered everything then of what happened the previous night. Remus's scheming way of getting him into the bed, Remus's needs being fulfilled, and Severus's own needs of...well....just everything. He remembered telling Remus that he always won, and was grateful that in this case he was more than right. The only thing that slightly did bother him was exactly what he was now, and what to do about it.

He didn't fear becoming a werewolf, he knew he wouldn't, but he was curious as to what was going to happen to him now that he was joined with one. Though he had extensively done his research on the potion, it was with irony that he realized he had never really bothered to find out what made up the aspects of a werewolf. Pretty much all he did know of what was one like was from watching Remus the two times at the shack, their late night explorations when he was in his animagus form, and the distant memories of doing an essay on werewolves years and years ago.

He had so many questions, and almost no answers and that irked a man like Severus Snape. Usually he never went headlong into doing something he knew nothing about, but last night he knew he had wanted to join with Remus so badly he hadn't cared what the price was. He still didn't, he would have binded with Remus anyway he knew that, but he really did want some of those answers.

A slight movement on his arm alerted him Remus was waking up as well, and loosening his arms a little from round Remus he felt him turn towards him and he opened his eyes. He was rewarded by the softest smile he could ever dream of from Remus's lips, and the most loving expression he'd ever seen in his life radiating from Remus's eyes.

Unable to help himself he leaned in and tenderly kissed those lips, then looked back to gaze deeply into those lovely still sleepfilled golden brown eyes. With a sigh of contentment he half whispered, "Morning my love..."

Remus blinked a moment and leaned up to kiss him back just as tenderly. "Mmm...morning to you too my love..." he said sighing happily.

"Did you sleep well?" Severus asked drawing Remus back into his embrace lovingly. He could smell the scent of sex, blood and their own mixed smells of berries, vanilla, musk and patchuli oil in the air, and for a moment he was startled at how strong it was.

Remus felt the shift of emotions from his lifemate and turned his eyes back to him worriedly. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Severus blinked away his surprize and shook his head. "N-nothing...it's...it's just that I smell...us..."

Remus wasn't surprized at this however, actually he gave a little chuckle and nodded. "Wolf scent Severus. Even without the moon you'll have that. Along with sharper instincts, and much better hearing. The rest of it pretty much falls only on the moon itself."

Severus nodded a bit sheepishly. "Admittedly Remus...I have to say that...er...I really haven't a clue what's happened to me. Not that I'm complaining mind you..." he said giving Remus a kiss on his forehead in reassurance. "But there's alot I wish I knew." he said with a sigh.

Remus nodded understandingly. "I know Sev. It'll take time to understand it all. Heck I've been a werewolf for 18 years and I still don't it all understand myself...remember?" he said nuzzling Severus's neck with his lips.

Severus felt himself responding to Remus's lips immediately to his surprize. Closing his eyes he let himself be taken in by the sensations Remus was causing him. "Mmmm...Remus...." was all the words he could manage at the moment.

Remus chuckled slightly against his neck, then moved up to whisper something to him. "Another thing bout we werewolves Sev..." he said breathing seductively into his ear, pleased at the elicited shiver from his lifemate. "Our restorative properties are phenomenal.....and that....my love...is in every way...." he whispered and bit down gently on Severus's ear causing him to gasp.

Grateful to whatever powers that be that noone was calling for either of them at the moment, Severus found out all too well what Remus meant by that comment. This time their lovemaking was intense, filled with more ardor, passion, and love than it had even been last night. With nothing to hold them back any longer they took their time finding out everything bout what the other needed, their heated moans and the calling out of their lovers name echoing round the room the only sounds needing to be uttered.

Hours later, after they finally spent themselves completely, the both of them felt more then well sated. Their sweaty bodies were wrapped in a tangle of sheets and limbs, the duvets long abandoned to the floor. Remus was once again spooned into the soft yielding body of his mate, both pairs of eyes glowing in blissful contentment.

"Mmm...you...are...incredible...." Severus said after a few moments, still feeling dazed but able to find his voice again.

Remus smiled dreamily. "I think...that's what I said last night...about you.." he said with a slight grin.

Severus chuckled, remembering all too well that was what he had said to him last night. "So you did....so now I return the sentiment..." he said with a grin. "We should get up though, it's almost lunchtime...and I've managed to work up quite an appetite..." he said playfully and made a move towards getting out of the bed.

Remus groaned at the suddenly removal of the warm body next to him, but agreed with a nod of his head. "Yeah, you're right. Besides, I've got plans for today..." he said sitting up with a yawn and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

Severus stood up next to him and stretched for a moment, Remus's words sinking in. Turning to him he had a questioning look in his eyes. "Plans? You didn't say you had plans for the day..." he said almost poutingly.

Remus stood up, a small growl escaping his lips at the stiffness of his body, and stretched himself relieving his own muscles. After a small yawn he looked back at the waiting Severus and gave him a small wolfish-like grin. "Oh don't you give me that look mister...I didn't tell you because I only just now made them. Allright?" he said teasingly.

Severus relaxed and shook his head. "You.." he said gazing up into the air, "are incorrigible. You know that." he said matter of factly, though he was grinning slightly.

Remus laughed and nodded his head. "And you...wouldn't want me any other way Severus, and you know it. Go get cleaned up, we very well can't walk into the Great Hall looking like this now can we!" he said teasingly and gathered up the tossed clothing from the night before dropping them in the laundry bin.

Severus stared for a moment at the naked man before him, amazed at how he was still reacting towards this incredibly attractive image even after all those hours of lovemaking. He saw Remus turn to him questioningly, and he felt a small blush creep up his face at the amusement now showing on Remus's face. "What?" he half mumbled.

Remus shook his head and grinned. "Guess now maybe you'll believe me about our 'restorative' properties Sev..." and he laughed as a huge blush cascaded over Severus's face now, his obvious arousal evident. Remus went over and gently cupped it with his hand causing Severus to breath in sharply. "Cold showers Sev, get used to them. Either that or start getting used to imagining Minerva McGonagall naked...same effect. Otherwise you'll never make it through the day..." he said with a grin and let Severus go.

Severus groaned at the parting of Remus's fingers from him, but now that Remus had so graciously conjured up that lovely image for him, he felt himself slightly subside. "Merlin Remus, is this going to happen on a regular basis? I mean...I can't very well teach a class with...er...well...that on my mind constantly, and especially not if I have to imagine McGonagall like that!" Severus said scowling.

Remus laughed. "Don't worry Sev, you'll find other ways I'm sure. Though I have to admit it took me ages to stop seeing Minerva that way..." he said teasingly. Giving him a playful swat on the bum he said, "Now go, get into the shower cause I want to take one too when you're done."

Severus was still scowling but he did comply. "Allright, allright I'm going. But...get me any other image but McGonagall and I'll be you're slave for life Remus...I mean that..." he said firmly causing Remus to chuckle, and with that parting remark headed off to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

When Remus finally came out of the bathroom himself a bit later dressed and ready, Severus was sitting at the chair near the fire in slight contemplation. "Knut for your thoughts luv?" he said kneeling down next to Severus just like he had last night.

Severus turned to him, questions in his eyes. "Remus...are...are you sure you want me to go with you tonight? I mean...it should be your time with the Potter's...not mine." he said quietly.

Remus looked at him understandingly. Taking Severus's hand in his, he gently put his other hand on Severus's neck, tracing his fingertips over the very obvious bitemark that now resided there. "You listen to me Severus Snape...you're my lifemate now...nothing can change that. If Lily and James can't accept this of me, then so be it. I have spent over half my life running in fear as well as hiding things from my friends...and I won't any longer understand?" he said firmly.

Severus nodded and sighed. "I know...but...they are your friends Remus. I've never had a friend, so I can't say what it's like...but I do think you really would regret it if you didn't stay friends with them...even Black for what it's worth..." he said hesitantly.

A look of pain came acrost Remus's face at the mention of Sirius's name, but deep down he knew Severus was right. With a sigh he said softly, "It would be hard to lose them Severus, that's true. But...it would be far far harder...if I lost you..in the process. If it ever came down to the choice between them...or us...I choose us..." Remus said softly.

Severus leaned down at tightly wrapped his arms round his lifemate for a moment letting him know just how much he loved him. "Come on, let's go to lunch before Albus decides to come look for us."

Remus smiled, grateful for the interruption and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Last thing I need him to think is that I'm about to attack you again or something." he said getting up and he went over to open the door.

Severus got up from the chair and said impishly, "Well if this mornings 'attack' was anything to consider, then I'm more then happy to have been the recipient of it!" he said teasingly.

Remus laughed and swatted at him playfully. "Oh let's go allready, and I've still got to talk to Albus bout my plans for us for later." he said stepping aside to let Severus walk out first into the classroom.

"Oh really? And what may I ask are...." he began jovially, but stopped in mid-sentence by something he saw in the classroom, and he quickly stepped back in surprize, preventing Remus from entering the room. "What are you doing here?" he said angrily, not even realizing that a low growl was coming from his throat, and rather threatening growl at that.

"Severus? What's wrong? Who's there?" Remus said concerned now when he heard the sound that Severus was making. Though he couldn't see into the classroom having been pushed back into the room, he could feel the waves of anger pouring off Severus and it alarmed him.

"I might ask the same of you Snape, considering it's the middle of the day and the two of you are obviously just now leaving your room. Forgive me if I've interrupted anything..." a voice said coldly, the implications thick in the air.

"As a matter of fact you have. I don't know why you're here, but I don't appreciate people in my classroom when I am not in it, especially when they're sitting at my desk. What do you want?" Severus said back icily, keeping his black eyes trained on the darkhaired man.

"I received quite the informative owl post this morning as it were. Would you like to know what it said..Snape..." the man said menacingly.

Black eyes met black eyes at the two men locked heated gazes. "I am not interested in your owls, nor in what it said. Kindly remove yourself from both my desk and my classroom or I will throw you out." he said with a low growl.

The man wasn't bout to be dissuaded however. "That's a pity, since I'm going to tell you anyway Snape. You may have fooled Albus, The Order...and even James...but you don't fool me. Scum like you don't deserve the chance you've been given. You should be in Azkaban with the rest of the vermin, not out in the real world corrupting innocent people. Or should I say torturing them..." the man spat out angrily.

Remus heard those words and his anger grew tenfold. Pushing past Severus, he turned to face the man sitting at the desk, his eyes dark and threatening. "Enough! You don't have a clue what you're talking about. You're accusations disgust me...you disgust me. When you accuse Severus, you accuse me. Obviously James didn't bother to tell you what my purpose in all this is....because I'm more guilty of corruption then Severus ever was." he said icily.

Sirius Black was startled at the utter look of hatred that Remus was directing towards him. He knew Remus was here, he had heard the two of them after the door opened, but somehow it just didn't really register in his angerfilled mind. His only idea had been to confront Snape, not Remus. "Remus, what the bloody hell are talking bout? You've never hurt or corrupted anyone...unlike that deatheater over there..." he spat out, turning a sharp hatefilled gaze towards Severus again.

Remus drew in his breath trying to maintain some form of control over himself. His anger at Sirius was giving way to something much darker within him, and he was fighting a losing battle in order not to be taken in again. In a low trembling voice he said slowly, "Get out Sirius...."

Sirius turned to stare at Remus, his anger still clouding his better judgment. "Get out? Get...out? I don't think so Remus, not unless you're coming with me. If I had known what Snape was earlier I never would have let you come back here. I thought I was doing the right thing sending you back to that git...but obviously I was wrong."

*...I never would have let you come back....I was doing the right thing sending you back...* Remus closed his eyes letting those words float round his mind and the memories of that last afternoon with Sirius came back to him. Sirius's mocking attitude, the way he had admitted how he had used Remus, how he had been nothing more then his 'pet'. Even now Sirius was trying to make a fool of him by these new words, trying to show Remus that he was the one in charge still.

Remus could no longer stop the powers that were sweeping through him. His anger gave way to a calmness just like before a storm. His body started to react in a way it hadn't even before, and he suspected it was because of the blood exchange with Severus. He was drawing on the magic of Severus's blood and mind as well as his own, doubling the effects of what he had allready learned. This time was different though, this time he knew what he was doing.

Severus felt his lifemate's sudden shift of emotions, feeling the pull of the darker powers that were now flowing through Remus. He was a little afraid, not really for himself but that Remus was going to lose it again as he had last time, and he doubted he would be able to keep control on the situation. With a muttered oath he turned to stare at Sirius, and for a second he was actually concerned for this man. If Remus allowed the dark magic to take him over fully, there was no telling what would happen if Sirius kept up his antagonism towards Severus.

With a quick stride he went up and stood between Sirius and Remus, acting like a shield almost just in case. He turned to look at Sirius, his coal black eyes now calm and collected. He had to let Sirius know he wasn't the threat here now. He leaned in towards him and in a low voice said, "Listen to me Black, if you don't stop feeling the hate you do right now Remus is going to hurt you, maybe even kill you. He can't control his powers yet, so I'm warning you....either calm down...or leave. Now."

Sirius stared back at Severus uncomprehending, his hate for Severus was too strong. "What the bloody hell do you mean by that Snape? Don't you dare tell me what to do you...you piece of slime. I"m warning you..."

Severus didn't even get a chance to cut him off, Remus did it for him. Remus had heard what had been said by Sirius, and it was the last straw for him. In a blur he was at the desk, with one hand he lifted Sirius out of the chair by his neck, his eyes blazing almost black with anger. "And I warned you to get out Sirius. You don't have the right to tell anyone what to do anymore...not me, not Severus. Noone. You should have listened to me Sirius....you should have listened..." Remus said in a voice very unlike his own. It was a deeper, fuller voice laced with pure malice.

Severus knew he had to do something, despite how he hated Black he certainly didn't wish for his death, especially not by his lifemate's hand. Turning back to Sirius he said quietly, "You brought this upon yourself Black, but much as I hate to say it I don't wish for your demise. Stay still. For once in your pathetic life, trust me."

Remus wasn't going to be put off however, his hand itched to crush Sirius's neck beneath his fingers. The powers within him wanted to be satisfied, they wanted Remus to know what it was really like to have control over life and death at his command. "No, he's mine to deal with not yours Severus. He doesn't deserve to live...he hurt me...he used me...he deserves nothing from me!" Remus said in angered cry, although his eyes showed the pain of his betrayals and tortured emotions.

Severus knew he had to get through to his lifemate quickly, and he hoped that although it hadn't worked the last time, this time it would. If it didn't, Sirius Black would be dead, Remus wasn't going to let him go. Somehow though he had the feeling that Remus had more control over himself this time, so he drew on that and closing his eyes opened a link to him.

"Remus....I know you can hear me...you must stop this..."

"No Sev, he's hurting me...hurting us...it'll be one less person in the world to do that.."

"Remus you're wrong. Killing him isn't the answer. He's your friend..."

"NO! If he was really my friend he'd understand! He wouldn't do this to us...to me!"

"He's upset love, he doesn't understand. Killing him won't help that happen."

"He'll never want to understand Severus...he never tried to before why would he now?"

"Remus...for my sake let him go. Even if he never does it doesn't matter. I'd rather you hate him while he's alive then regret him when he's dead. Trust me my love...let him go..."

"I do trust you Severus...but I can't trust him...I want to make him suffer like he made me suffer all these years..."

"No Remus listen to me...killing...death...it's an ends to a means..but not the solution. Believe me...I know...I know Remus...having blood on your hands for causing death is a guilt I don't want for you...it's a guilt I live with all too often..."

"You....you've killed...?"

"Yes Remus...I have...and trust me when I tell you..it is not pleasurable...it's frightening, tormenting...it takes away a piece of your soul bit by bit...please Remus..please just put him down...it's not worth it..."

Severus's words brought Remus back from the edge. He could feel the bitterness in Severus's voice cut through him like a knife. His lifemate was in pain because of him, because he thought what he was doing was right, a justification. But Severus was the one who was right...but then he knew his lifemate was always right....

With a cry of anguish he let Sirius go and fled into Severus's arms, his courage gone, his anger no longer a part of him. He was ashamed, guilty, and all he wanted was to feel Severus's arms round him, comforting him. Telling him it was allright, that he wasn't a monster, that he wasn't a killer.

Severus felt all this coming from Remus as if it was embedded within himself. The emotions were more then strong enough for him to understand clearly what Remus needed, and he remembered the book had said that once joined he would feel strong emotions like this no matter where his lifemate was. Tenderly he wrapped his arms round Remus's trembling body, not even caring that his shirt was getting soaked by Remus's tears. Putting his hand on Remus's hair gently stroking it he said softly, "It's allright Remus...it's allright..."

Sirius watched the two of them from where he lay crumpled on the floor. He rubbed his neck for a moment and swallowed, making sure that he was allright himself, then shakily stood up using the desk for support. He hadn't a clue what had just happened, but he had a damn good feeling that somehow Severus Snape had just saved his life.

As he stood there watching the two of them he was surprized at the tenderness Severus was showing Remus, and at the way Remus was calming down under his influence. His eyes then fell upon something on Severus that made him breath in sharply, and in that moment he finally understood what was going on. Why Remus had fled to him, needed his comforting. And why Severus was acting in the strange way he was.

"You're...lifemates now...aren't you." Sirius said quietly, his gaze still on Severus's neck.

Severus looked over Remus's head at Sirius with an odd expression and nodded slowly. "Yes." he said back quietly.

Sirius felt the earth drop from beneath his feet. *It's too late then Remus...I've lost you for good...I"m so sorry Remy...sorry for everything I've ever done to you...* he thought sadly, and he knew what he had to do now. He wanted...needed even..to know what was happening to Remus. To help him even if he could, though he didn't know how but he would try. He would always love Remus, and the last thing he wanted was to lose him forever, even if that forever meant he was now Snape's lifemate.

"I'm sorry." he said quietly.

Remus stiffened, not quite sure what he had just heard. Turning round he faced Sirius, questions in his eyes. "Sirius?" he asked.

Sirius shook his head. "I'm sorry for everything Remus. For everything I've ever put you through. For making you feel so horrible about yourself. I know I've been a git all these years...and I'm sorry. I...I don't want to lose you Remy...even if...if it means you're with Snape now...talk to me Remy...please...tell me what you want me to do..." he said pleadingly.

Remus sniffed back the rest of his tears and looked at Sirius a moment wearily. He let everything Sirius just said filter through his mind, and he realized Sirius was actually being well....serious. He walked over to where Sirius was standing, and to both Severus and Sirius's surprize, pulled him into a hug.

"For as annoying as you are Sirius Black...sometimes you amaze me." Remus said looking back at Sirius now with a smile on his face.

Sirius was a bit stunned but half smiled back. "Remy?" he said unsure of what was going on still.

Remus chuckled and shook his head. "Yes, you are a git most of the time...but you're my git...and my friend. We've been through alot together you and me Siri, and the past is now the past. I know you can never accept Severus as a part of my life..not really, and I won't ask you to. All I ask is that you accept me...for what and who I am now."

Sirius looked for a moment from Remus to Severus then back to Remus. "I probably never will like Snape, but for you Remus, I will try to understand. I don't trust him, but I trust you Remy. And I do want to know what's going on with you, honestly. James did tell me why you were recruited, and what you were messing with...but I didn't want to believe it. Guess that's another thing I was wrong on.." he said nervously chuckling.

"There's alot about me you don't know anymore Siri, and that's partly my fault. I should have told you and James how bad things were for me, but I was so determined to make it on my own. I realize now though that I don't have to...I have The Order now, people who believe in me...and most of all I have Severus...and...hopefully...you too Siri..." he said more as a question than anything else.

Sirius smiled and hugged Remus this time. "Just try and get rid of me Remy. I promise you I'll do my best to try to make things right. I miss you wolf....believe it or not I have missed you. I just...I'll just need a bit of time though to well..." he looked over at Severus hesitantly.

Remus smiled in understanding. "It's allright Sirius, I know. But keep in mind he is on our side now...Albus and everyone else...and mainly I trust him...and...I love him Sirius. He's my lifemate now, you have to understand that." Remus said and walked back over to Severus putting his arm round his waist, Severus possesively doing the same to Remus, though he kept a steady eye on Sirius almost as if challenging him to say something else.

Sirius looked at the two of them, at how contrasting they were side by side. Severus with his black clothes, just past shoulder length greasy looking hair, his calculatingly cold black eyes. Remus dressed in his earthy brown worn robe, shorter mousy brown hair streaked with grey, his eyes now back to a soft golden brown, and standing atleast a good 4 inches shorter then Severus. Yet, despite the differences they both seemed to have an internal glow about them, a happiness that Remus never had round anyone else. A trust and partnership that was fluid and gentle.

"For you're sake Remy I'll deal with it, I promise." Sirius said nodding his head. "I guess I should go then...sounds like you had plans. Don't want to ah...interrupt anything..." he said heading towards the door of the classroom.

Remus thought quickly for a second and came to a decision. "Actually, since you're here allready...how bout you join us for lunch Sirius? I'm sure you wouldn't mind a meal in which you didn't have to cook or buy for a change...and we can catch up on things...if you want to that is.." Remus said hesitantly.

"Hmm...that depends..." Sirius said giving him a slight grin.

"On what?" Remus asked.

"On whether or not the food here is as good as I remember it to be...so is it?" Sirius said playfully.

Remus laughed. "Better I think actually. You can tell me all bout your new godson too. Honestly though seeing you as a godfather...." he said teasingly. Giving Severus a look that clearly said how much he needed to spend a few moments alone with Sirius, he took Sirius by the arm and together they walked out of the classroom.

As Severus watched the two of them leave he knew he was more then a bit apprehensive. It's not that he was jealous, he wasn't. He didn't trust Black farther than he could throw him yet, probably never would, but when all was said and done he was Remus's friend. And right now if Remus was going to have any hope of controlling the powers within him, he was going to need those friends.

*You can be so foolish sometimes Severus Snape. Those so called friends of his will never trust you. And now look what you've done...really..revealing everything infront of those strangers. Don't think for a moment they wouldn't turn you in if need be...* his inner voice chided him.

*What do you know? Remus loves me, and he needs those friends of his. And I knew what I was doing when I told them. I'd rather spend the rest of my life in Azkaban then spend one day of having Remus hate me for what I am...was.*

*You are a terrible liar Severus. You wouldn't survive a day in a place like Azkaban and you know it. Face it, you're too damn soft these days. Remus has turned you into a wuss.*

*He has not. Just because I'm not my father doesn't mean I'm a wuss. My father was an evil, horrible git and I promised mum I'd never turn into him.*

*Ha! You did when you were helping Lucius 'play' with the latest batch of muggles less then six months ago wasn't it?*

*Sod off! I know what I did and I don't need you to remind me! Remus saved my life...he brought me back from what I was...just screw you allright? I need him...just as much as he needs his friends...and me.*

*Ah...now that's the key isn't he. He does need you but for what purposes?*

*Just because he loves me, and I love him, that's more then enough purpose for me. Now if you don't mind I'd like to get to lunch before it's over, so go away.*

*Hmph, you're still so naive aren't you Severus. You should have stayed in Stephan's bed, atleast he knew the rules. He wouldn't have hurt you in the end...*

*Nor will Remus, you'll see. Remus would never hurt me, he loves me. Now go away, you're annoying me...*

*Fine fine, I'm going. But remember what I told you before Severus Snape...you will fall, and I'll be here waiting....and now you've nowhere to turn...love is for the weakminded Severus....not for you...you'd do well to keep that in mind.*

Severus waited until he was sure his inner voice had finally left his mind and with a muttered, "Good riddance." he headed out the door of the classroom. His eyes were a bit darker, his thoughts trying to push away what had been said. His inner voice had to be wrong this time, it just had to be. Remus would hurt him no more than he would hurt Remus. And he was going to make damn sure that would never, ever happen, no matter what the consequences.

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