Rating:
R
House:
Schnoogle
Characters:
Draco Malfoy Harry Potter Peter Pettigrew Remus Lupin Sirius Black Severus Snape
Genres:
Mystery Slash
Era:
Multiple Eras
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Stats:
Published: 08/09/2002
Updated: 02/03/2003
Words: 93,751
Chapters: 17
Hits: 9,290

Age of Innocence

Piri Malfoy

Story Summary:
Come to a time when the world was shadier and hostile...the roaring 1920's. 17 yr. old Harry, raised as a Muggle and unknowing of even his real parents names escapes the life of abuse and torture he knew and begins to learn what freedom really means. Gaudy nightclubs, women of the night, playing runner to the mob, bootlegged liquor and much more make up the life that Harry now leads. The only problem is no one else even notices who he really is and what he did for the world long ago. There is one person however who does remember, but will the son of the mob boss make him think things he shouldn't and will he be able to help Harry find his true self? (AU/Canon fic; HP/DM, SB/PP, RL/SS)

Chapter 14

Posted:
10/19/2002
Hits:
278

~~~~Age Of Innocence~~~~

~~~~Chapter Fourteen: Sometimes You May Not Like What You Hear~~~~

~~Hogwart's School - Jan. 8th, 1925~~

It had been exactly one week since the incident in the infirmary had taken place, and everyone was still on pins and needles. Sirius had recovered with mild aches and pains, but Severus was still unconscious. His vital signs were stable at least, thanks to the complex series of magics that Remus had preformed days before. Harry also had not woken up, and Albus was worried it wasn't because of just being tired, but because darker magic was still at work.

'This wait is driving me fucking batty! Why can't we just wake him up magically already?' Draco muttered for the hundredth time, his gaze never leaving Harry's pale face.

'We already told you we can't do that Draco. Whatever is happening to Harry must take it's course naturally. If we try to bring him back magically, it could interrupt whatever it is Mr. Lupin did to him,' Hermione said in a huff. She could put up with a lot from Draco, but by now even her nerves were wearing thin. Not to mention she was considerably worried about Harry herself.

'Hermione is right Draco. The spells I did on Harry and Severus take time to work. If they work that is...' Remus said quietly, worry clear in his voice.

'Have more faith in yourself Moony, I do. I know you won't let us down,' Sirius said quietly and gave his friend a hug. He gazed down at his godson, a look of pure pain on his face. 'I just wish none of this had to have happened is all. It's fucking killing me to see him lying there so lifeless.'

Remus closed his eyes and put a hand over Harry's scar, a visible shiver going through him. Opening his eyes he said in a far away voice, 'I can see such pain in him Siri. He's been hurt so badly...but he's like Jamie was...a survivor. He's strong...'

'Not strong enough apparently if he's still fighting us. Harry...Harry you have got to come back to us...dammit...you've got to come back to me! I can't lose you now...I won't. I won't that bastard take you away I promise Harry, why can't you see that?' Draco said heavily and tried to hold back a sob as he held onto Harry's hand tightly.

'He is fighting Draco, but not against us. Against himself. He's afraid of what he's remembering...of the horrors of what he's seeing inside himself. It hurts him, but we can't fight that battle for him now. It's up to him to figure things out...to find out who he is and what he wants now. When he's ready to stop fighting and accept, he will,' Remus said quietly and took his hand off Harry's forehead.

'There's one thing I don't get Remus, how did he know us? You told me he called out for me, you, Petey and...for fucks sake of all people...Snape. Why on earth he would he call Snape 'uncle' I still don't understand. Makes no sense,' Sirius grumbled.

'I don't know either Siri, wish I did. Severus has never mentioned anything to me 'bout it. I can't think for the life of me why he would remember us either...or how. He was only a bit over a year when we last saw him,' Remus said furrowing his brow.

'He might have been a year and some old Remus but you forget who it is we're dealing with. Harry is no ordinary child, never was. He was always much more advanced than other children, no doubt due to the Gryffindor blood line heritage,' Albus said.

'You think so Albus?' Sirius said pensively, 'you know I do remember actually he was walking by what...seven months? And talking by a year too if I remember right. But to actually have memories of that time...that's a bit fucking much to believe.'

'Memory is a funny thing Sirius, even I don't claim to know all it's functions. Just when you think you have forgotten something there it is, and when think you might remember something important...it slips away. Why just recently I found a room here at the castle that I thought I had never seen before, or thought I hadn't. When I walked in the room however I realised I had been there...a good oh hundred and forty years ago when I was a student here. I didn't remember it until that moment, but the memory got triggered,' Albus said.

'Hmm...you could be right Albus. You humans...err...rather humans on a whole that is...don't use half of the memory functions they could be using. I forget the percentage but if I remember right they use only round what...10 or 15% of their memories. The rest just get buried,' Remus said.

'Moony, you are no less human then I am you git,' Sirius grumbled and shot his friend a dark look. 'I don't ever want to hear you say you aren't, got it?'

Remus chuckled but shook his head sadly. 'Siri...much as I'd really love one day to not have to say it, the truth is as it is mate. I am a werewolf...a creature of darkness...not fully human, yet human enough I suppose. There's not much I can do 'bout that now though and I accept that. Even if one day you could separate the two out...I wouldn't know what to do without that side of me. I don't need to be human or wolf to know what I want though, and at this point...I'll do anything and everything in my power to get it,' he said softly.

'Far as I see it, Remus is just simply...Remus. Sweet, adorable, kind, generous and loving Remus. One of my best mates, a Marauder and always there for his mates,' Petey said quietly and gave Remus a shy smile.

Sirius chuckled and nodded his head, then wrapped his arm round his lovers waist. 'On that note I agree completely my dear Wormtail. Even if his choice of mates includes greasy haired potions gits,' Sirius said with a grin and winked at Remus.

Remus rolled his eyes and laughed, then smacked Sirius on the arm. 'Oi you'll be sorry one day you know when you get the chance to really get to know him. He's not really as bad as he makes out to be...even if he does have to pretend it.'

'G-giving...a-away...all my...s-secrets...Re-Remus?' a voice stammered from behind the men causing them to turn round quickly in surprise.

'Severus! Oh Merlin....you're awake! Oh Sev...Sev!' Remus nearly screamed out then dove into Severus's arms, tears flowing down his face. 'Oh Sev I thought...I thought...you were going to die on me,' Remus said sighing and sobbing at the same time.

A soft smile came across Severus's face, one that neither Petey nor Sirius had ever seen on the man, and his arms came up and wrapped tenderly round Remus's body, trying to soothe him. 'S-shhh...l-love...I-I'll...be...all-all right...n-now...I-I...p-promised...I...w-wouldn't...l-leave...w-without...y-you...' he stammered out obviously in an effort.

'Ah, good you're awake. I thought I heard a yell coming from somewheres. Now here, take this, and before you say no Severus Snape I will tell here and now, if you refuse I will simply force it down into you. It's from your own stores, not one of my 'abhorrent brews' as you call them. Now drink,' Poppy said sternly, and disentangled Remus from Severus's arms, which he was not happy at all at Remus's removal, then she helped him sit up a bit to drink the potion.

'F-fuck...t-that's...n-nasty!' Severus muttered with a cough, his traditional scowl now back on his face.

'It'd be you're own fault if it did Severus, considering you rarely ever taste what you brew down in those dungeons,' Poppy said recorking the phial with a huff.

'Hmph, I do taste what I brew woman, needs sugar that's all,' Severus grumbled again, then looked back up at her with a smirk. 'At least it works. I can talk normally again, and breath better.'

'That's an improvement?' Sirius said dryly.

'Sirius! Honestly!' Remus said a bit miffed till he realised Sirius was only joking. Shaking his head he turned back and crawled into Severus's arms again sighing happily. 'Ignore him Sev, he's just being his usual annoying and witty self.'

Severus wrapped his arms back round Remus and shot Sirius a smug look. 'Don't worry, I learned to ignore him years ago. Now...someone fill me in with what's going on. How's Harry?' he asked now worriedly.

'He's fine, but there's something interesting I need to ask you Snape. If you would be so kind that is to answer it,' Sirius said keeping an eye on Severus. He was having issues dealing with how loving and comforting Severus was with Remus near him. It was liking watching one person with two distinct personalities and it was frankly a bit unnerving.

'Mmmm...I might...depends on what you ask me Black,' Severus said, then leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Remus's forehead. Looking back up at Sirius who was staring at him now he said testily, 'What it is now?'

Sirius just shook his head in amazement. 'I just...I don't know...am finding it hard to believe you two really are...err...that you're so...so...' he began to say but couldn't seem to find the words he was looking for.

'So loving with each other? Is that it Siri?' Petey supplied, looking at Remus happily snuggled into Severus's arms.

'Err..yeah...that. One minute you're a complete bastard, and the next second you're all...sappy and loving. I don't know which is worse,' Sirius said with a shake of his head.

'Oh Siri stop it. Now ask you're question already and then shove off won't you?' Remus said airily, though it was clear exactly why he wanted them to get lost from the look in Remus's eyes.

'For the love of Godric, Remy you're beginning to sound like him!' Sirius exclaimed, but a glare from Remus shut him up. 'Oh for crying out loud...fine fine I'll get on with it and leave you two to...I don't want to know what,' he muttered.

'No I'm sure you don't, so get on with it Black I don't have all damned day to sit here and listen to you jabber away,' Severus scowled.

'Right then. Explain to me why my godson would call out your name after he collapsed...or rather...why he would call out 'Uncle Severus'. Any ideas? Something you have to tell us Snape?' Sirius said scowling himself now.

Severus seemed to tense up and even Remus looked up in concern. 'Sev? What is it? What's wrong?' Remus asked quietly.

Severus seemed to get a far off look in his eyes, then a look of pure sadness came into them. 'He...he said that?' he asked in a strange voice.

'Would I be asking you if he didn't Snape? So spill it, why would he be remember you of all people?' Sirius asked.

Severus seemed to think this over very carefully, unsure if he should or shouldn't tell them things they probably wouldn't want to hear. Finally he said, 'Are you sure you really want to know Black, because you may not...scratch that...you won't like what you hear.'

Sirius sucked in a long breath and let it out slowly, then sat down in one of the chairs near the bed, Petey grabbed a chair himself and sat down next to him. Albus and Poppy however seemed to mysteriously have vanished from the infirmary at the moment to everyone's surprise. Ron and Hermione came over too, though stood only close enough to listen in on things. Draco, interested now himself, left Harry's side a moment and stood by the curtain, though not really taking his eyes off Harry much.

'All right Snape, he's my fucking godson...so if it involves him, it involves me. Tell me why he called you that,' Sirius said slowly.

Severus closed his eyes a moment and allowed himself to drift back. Back to a time when things were not really easier...but simpler. When you knew which side you were on, and what you believed in still. Who you're friends...and you're enemies were...who you trusted...and who you didn't...

~~Godric's Hollow, Wales - July 30th, 1908~~

'He's really adorable Jamie, I envy you and Lily,' a younger Severus Snape said looking down at the boy sitting on his lap and who was wiggling in his arms.

'Heh, chip off the old block that one eh Sev? Be pulling pranks before we know it,' Jamie Potter said with a grin.

'Unkie Sevahrus pway? We go on bwoom now? I love to frwy...it's fun!' the boy said grinning whilst sucking on his thumb and looked up at his uncle happily.

Severus laughed but shook his head. 'Maybe tomorrow Harry boy. You're da's friends will be here soon and you know I can't be here when they come,' Severus said sadly and put the boy down on the floor.

'Unkie Sevahrus fwriend too...like Moony an' Paddy an' Wormie is. You stay too!' Harry said stubbornly and grabbed onto Severus's robes with his tiny fist.

Severus chuckled. 'It's not the same Harry, not that I wouldn't wish it differently. Now go on and help your mum out kiddo, I think she's calling for you.'

'Pwomise you come back twomorrow Unkie Sevahrus? Pwomise? You come back an' pway wif me?' Harry begged and climbed back into Severus's lap, hugging him tightly.

'I promise Harry. I'll be back tomorrow, you can bet on it even,' Severus said with a smile and hugged Harry back just as tightly.

Jamie came over, took Harry from Severus's arm and tweaked him on the nose. 'Run along squirt, your ma wants you to help her upstairs.'

'Awe da I hates howseworks!' Harry said petulantly and shuffled his toe against the black and white tiles of the kitchen.

Jamie chuckled and nodded his head. 'I do too squirt but when your ma says to do it, we don't have a choice eh? Now go on, and if you're really good I might have a surprise for you after dinner!' Jamie said with a grin.

Harry looked at his da happily. 'Is it...iwe cweam? Chockie iwe cweam?' he said with a bounce.

Jamie and Severus laughed at that and Jamie whistled for a moment. 'I don't know...you'll have to just wait and see eh?' he said and ruffled his son's hair.

'Oh bowy oh bowy oh bowy! Iwe cweam! Yeyyyy! I'll be gowd, pwomise! I goes helps mama now!' Harry said with a big grin and picked up the small black dragon toy Severus had given him for his birthday then headed out of the kitchen in a hurry.

Severus chuckled and shook his head giving Jamie a grin. 'You sure as fuck know how to charm 'em no matter what age don't you Jamie.'

Jamie chuckled and nodded his head, then pour out tea for them both and sat down at the table. A worried expression came to his face then and he blew on his tea a moment to cool it off. Then he said, 'We can't hold out much longer Sev. He's gonna come here, we both know it. Just a matter of time. I don't want it here when it gets here.'

Severus sighed and nodded his head, sipping carefully at his own still hot tea. 'What do you plan doing then? I told you this was dangerous, you wouldn't listen to me Jamie. What do you want me to do? You know I'd do anything for the two of you. You're not just my partner...but my friend...hell Jamie you're like a brother to me even, you know that.'

'I wish...I wish we didn't have to keep pretending to hate each other Sev. Only you understand what I've become. How much I hate being his servant now. I'm sick of torturing...killing...innocent people. I'm sick of him getting everything whilst I...an heir of Gryffindor...sit in silence, receiving nothing,' Jamie said angrily.

'Jamie...James I do know, that's why I'm here. That's why you know I'd do anything to help you two out. What were you thinking to accomplish though by taking the damned thing? What good does it do now that you have it back? He's going to kill you to get it you know,' Severus said with a sigh.

'I know, but he doesn't deserve to have it. It's been in my family for 1000 or more years Sev. I was a fool to give it to him in the first place, but I had no choice. I can't let him have it anymore now that I have Harry. It belongs to him now, not our Master. It was never meant to be used in such a way Sev...never meant to be used in destruction like it has been,' Jamie said heavily.

'What did you expect it to be for Jamie? To be used like you did at school? As a fly by night way to map the grounds of Hogwarts and to pull pranks and get away with it?' Severus argued back.

'Yes! No...I don't fucking know Sev. It's better for that than to use the bloody thing to kill people and get away with it isn't it? I'm tired of it Sev, that's why I stole it back. It's bad enough I've dragged the name Gryffindor down into the fucking gutters by becoming a Death Eater...I didn't need to use family heirlooms to do it though,' Jamie said bitterly.

'Bullshite Jamie. The name Gryffindor still stands for nobility, courageousness and honour. It always will as long as Hogwarts stands. Where is the thing anyway? Where have you put it?' Severus asked.

'It's here...in the house,' Jamie said quietly.

'Here? Have you gone daft Jamie? This is the first fucking place he's going to come and he'll tear this place apart to find it!' Severus said angrily.

'I know, I know that you git! For Godric's sake though what can I do? I don't have time to get it out of here. Much as I trust and love the others I can't let them take it either. Tell me what the hell I'm supposed to do with it Sev!' Jamie said torn between anger and tears.

Severus thought on that for a few moments whilst finishing his tea. 'Give it to me Jamie. I'll take it somewhere safe, somewhere where nobody will find it, trust me on that. I'll protect it as much as I'll protect Harry and the both of you. I'm as sick and tired of being a murder as you are Jamie, I just won't be so blatant 'bout it.'

'Hmph, knowing you I don't doubt that Sev,' Jamie said with a bit of a grin now. Getting up he walked over to a place in the wall that seemed normal enough. Tapping the wall with his wand and saying a few words the wall opened and a draw was revealed. Jamie pulled a brown paper wrapped package tied with a rope string from it and brought it to the table, setting it down in front of Severus. 'Take it Sev. I don't care how or what you do with it, just make sure he doesn't get his grimy paws on it again won't you? If I don't make it out when he comes for me...give it to Harry for me one day...and tell him who he is and why he's special. Not because he's an heir of Gryffindor...but because he's my son...Lily's son...tell him 'bout us please?' Jamie begged.

Severus sighed and took the package carefully, holding it for a moment in debate, then put it into his robe. 'I will Jamie. I'll tell him everything...good and bad...because he deserves to know. I still say you're a fool though...a right damned fucking git for doing this, but you always thought you knew what was best,' he said with a half hearted chuckle. 'Damned Gryffindors...'

Jamie chuckled back and nodded. 'That we are Sev, that we are. I don't care what façades you put up for the world to see Severus Snape, but to me you've been nothing but a true blue friend. I trust my life and family to you, always will...or for as long as I can anyway,' he said softly. 'Sirius may be his godfather Sev...but you're his 'uncle', you're his family too. Even if not by blood, you're still family to me Sev, never forget that...and I hope Harry never forget that...'

Severus smiled softly and nodded at his friend. 'I'll always be his 'Unkie Sevahrus' Jamie...even if he doesn't remember me...one day though maybe he will...I'll always remember the good times we've had. He's an exceptional kid Jamie. Not that I will ever have any, but if I did...I hope they turn out like him.'

Jamie laughed at that then shook his head. 'Sev if I ever find out you've turned straight I think I'll be glad to be in hell. I ain't going to heaven that much I know...but so help me I pray never do see you with a woman. That's just...sick actually,' he grinned.

'Bah, you are impossible James Potter! Why do I put up with you I don't know!' Severus said mockingly.

'Not like you have the choice old man. You better get going, Siri, Remus and Petey will be here soon to help set up more wards on the house. If all goes well I'll see you tomorrow...if not...' Jamie said getting up from his chair.

'If not I'll see you in hell Jamie,' Severus grinned and getting up himself he gave his friend a hug. 'Tomorrow then?'

Jamie nodded and hugged Severus back. 'Fuck yeah, if not Harry will kill us both!' he said with a chuckle. 'Night Sev!' he called out as Severus headed out the door.

'Night Jamie! Give my love to Lily and Harry will you mate?' he called back and shut the door as he got his answer.

~~~~

'Only 'tomorrow' never came. When I did go back it was to a house that was destroyed, Jamie and Lily were dead...and...well you know that Albus and Minerva were already there for Harry. I...I never got to say good-bye to them. He was more of a brother to me then my own brother was...we protected each other's backs for years, we couldn't help but to be friends in the end. It was easier to pretend still to hate each other as things were, get suspicion off us you see. Jamie really never was cut out to be a Death Eater...he hated what he was. That's why he did what he did...so he could take back his life. Be free...' Severus said sighing deeply. Even after all these years it hurt him to no end to think of that last time he'd seen his friends alive.

'He never said a word. Oh fuck...we thought you two hated each other...hell of a ruse Snape. I...I don't know...what to think...' Sirius said dumbfounded.

Severus softly huffed and shook his head. 'You don't have to think anything Black. You wanted the truth, I gave you the truth. Harry was like a son to me too, I loved that boy like my own. I would have done anything for him. He was my best friends son...my only friends son. I still will protect him with my life. I swear to Salazar I will kill anyone who hurts him again, you or anyone else Black, don't think I won't,' Severus said giving Sirius a deep intense gaze.

Sirius put his hands up in defence and a slight grin came on his face. 'Not me, I swear I wouldn't ever hurt Harry. He's my godson remember...for what it's worth,' he said now sighing. 'Well that explains the 'uncle' part of things. But...if Jamie gave you the thing then...'

'Yes, I still have it. I haven't touched it from the day I put it in hiding though, but I can say for sure it's still there. I know Jamie didn't want it to be used as a weapon, but in this case...now that Vol-Voldemort's back...' he said with a slight shudder, 'I think Jamie would want it used in the best way possible.'

'Where is it then? I can go - ' Sirius began but Severus cut him off.

'No, no...you can't get it. Only I can, it's trapped so that unless I deactivate the area personally you'd be sliced, diced, hexed and cursed into oblivion Black. Trust me on this, when I set my traps, I set them well,' Severus said with a smug grin.

Sirius snorted. 'Why don't I doubt that for a second Snape.'

'You're just going to have to wait Siri, Severus is not leaving this bed till I say so...err...till Poppy says so anyway,' Remus said giving Sirius a glare.

'Hey...I promise Moony, I am not going to interfere in you're ah...tender administrations. It's waited this long, it'll wait a bit longer. 'Sides, Harry should know what to do with it...now that I know what 'it' is that he wanted. Or rather what Voldemort wanted. Fuck, this is confusing. I still want to know how the hell he got hold of Harry,' Sirius said angrily.

'On that I'm not 100% sure either Sirius. I know it was at the museum, it's the only place he could have. It's very complex, dark magic mind transference spells, but something of course he could do easily. I think Harry was just so easy to use because he wasn't prepared for it, he didn't know how to shield himself. Honestly though I don't know, but I do know that scar of his has to do with it,' Remus said with a frown.

'What do you mean? What's his scar got to do with things?' Petey asked puzzled.

Remus shook his head and bit his lower lip to think. 'I can't explain it but...whenever I touch his scar I can feel dark magic radiating from it as thick as treacle. It's not just because Voldemort gave him the scar either. I think...I think it might not have anything to do with the Gryffindor power. Whatever power beyond Jamie's blood-line that's flowing through him...it's dark and easy manipulatable.'

'So how do we protect him?' Draco cut in. 'I'm sure as fuck not going to let Harry get taken over by that wanker again. So what do we do?'

'I don't know honestly Draco, I wish I did. I'm going to need to do more research...now that Severus is back though we might be able to have more chance to figure this out,' Remus said looking up at his lifemate.

Severus nodded. 'I'll see what I can remember on my Death Eater days. I'm sure there's got to be something, I'll help. I'm not going to let Jamie and Lily down again. This time I will protect Harry,' he said firmly.

'Right then,' Remus said all business-like now. 'Siri, Petey I need you to go the restricted section and get some books. I'll give you a list. Draco - '

'Uh uh. I'm not moving from his side. You're daft if you think I am,' Draco said stubbornly.

Remus chuckled. 'That's fine. What I was going to say was that I want you to just keep talking to Harry as you were doing anyway. Softly reassure him it's all right to come back to us.'

Draco nodded and went back to Harry's side, again taking up his vigil. Turning to Hermione and Ron now Remus said, 'I need both of you to help as well. I want to go to Severus's lab and get me some ingredients and potions, I'll give you a list too.'

'Now wait just a minute here Remus. I will not tolerate children going into my personal stores! Some of those phials have potions that aren't exactly...err...legal...you know,' Severus said scowling.

Remus rolled his eyes and shook his head at Severus. 'Honestly Sev, it's a bit late in the day for caring what's legal and what's not legal. They're not going to give two figs what's down there, and I need these things. So stop your hemming and hawing at me, it won't get you anywhere,' Remus said sternly.

Severus muttered to himself and glared at Remus a moment. 'Oh all right, they can go. Just be careful down there you two. Only take what you're asked to get and nothing more,' he said sharply.

'Right professor, we won't,' Hermione said stepping on Ron's foot to keep him from saying anything stupid.

'Ow! Hermione!' Ron said huffily, then blushed a bit. 'Err..right. We ahh...we won't touch what we're not supposed to,' he said sheepishly.

'Good. I'll get to work on grilling Albus in exactly what it was he did to Harry that day when Jamie and Lily died. I'm sure he's not telling me everything, I just have this feeling anyways he's not. Whatever magic he used I'm sure is a part of all of this too,' Remus said.

'And what about me? What am I going to be doing?' Severus asked suddenly.

'You my dearest love, are going to do nothing more than lie there, look incredibly sexy and shaggable...and rest. If I find out you even moved a centimetre out of this bed you're going to be in some very deep shite with me Mister, make no mistake,' Remus said with a look that clearly showed he meant every single word.

Severus groaned and shook his head. 'You are impossible Remus Lupin, you know that,' he said with a sigh.

Remus nodded his head and coyly smiled at him. 'For once I am going to be the man in this relationship Severus Snape, and I assure you...I'm more than capable of doing that.'

Severus grinned then and chuckled, pulling Remus tightly to him with a satisfied sigh. 'I have no doubts you are my love. Now...guess it's time for all of you to get to work eh? Oh...and Black?'

'Yeah Snape?' Sirius said getting up from his chair.

'Good luck.'

Sirius smiled and nodded. 'You too. Think you'll need it more than we will,' he said with a grin. Wrapping his arm round Petey's waist the both headed out of the infirmary together towards the library.

Remus watched them go, a soft smile on his lips. 'They really are cute together aren't they?' he said quietly.

Severus chuckled. 'Not half as cute as you are when you're being all masterful like that my dear wolf. I think I could get used to that actually...' he said with a feral grin.

'Oh really hmm? Perhaps then I'll let the wolf play with his...food...more often...' Remus grinned back equally as feral, and leaned in to kiss his lifemate on the lips passionately. 'Everything's going to be all right now Sev...I just know it...' he whispered a moment, then with a long, tender kiss he got up from his lifemate's arms and began to write down the lists of things he would need.

He gave one list to Hermione of the potions and ingredients he'd need, and the second list of books to Ron to run up and give to Sirius and Petey. When they were gone he made a last check on Harry and Draco, gave Severus another kiss, then he himself headed out of the infirmary to Albus's office. Now it was time to find out exactly what Albus hadn't told them, and he hoped beyond hope that in the end it would all come right. Because deep down in his soul he knew that if they couldn't find out how to defeat Voldemort once and for all...and soon, Lucius Malfoy would begin to look like an angel of mercy. And that was one thing Remus really didn't want to think of as a possibility...even if it would be true.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

August 21, 2002

10:20 PM

©Piriotessa/Piri Lupin-Snape