Research and Development

Part VI: The Dominant Partner

Remus got to his feet and helped Harry up, as well. "Are you all right?" he asked the youth quietly. Harry only nodded, looking more vulnerable and confused than Remus had ever seen him, his eyes wide and blank, and missing their trademark glasses. "Did you manage to grab your wand?" The werewolf's own wand was tucked in the waistband of his pajamas. There was definitely something to be said for werewolf reflexes.

Harry nodded dully, brandishing it with a rather abstracted air. Suddenly, a loud 'pop' split the night beside them, and there stood a tall, masked Death Eater. It pointed its wand at Harry's head, and Harry's quick reflexes responded by flourishing his own, ready to hex and curse.

"NO!" a voice roared from nearby, and Harry was abruptly on the ground and rolling, tackled by a shadowy figure. Remus, gaping, tried to decide between the Death Eater before him and the unknown quantity attacking Harry. On the whole, anyone attacking Harry pretty much automatically became his first order of business.

He dove into the struggle, managing to kick the dark body away, snatching Harry from its grip. He heard Arthur Weasley shout a curse behind him, felling the Death Eater. As Remus aimed his wand at Harry's assailant, the man lunged forward once more, grabbing hold of Harry's wand, completely ignoring Remus.

"POTTER, YOU IMBECILE! If you don't give me your wand this instant you will suffer such indescribable pain that even I would feel some small measure of pity for you!" Severus Snape proceeded to wrench the wooden object from the boy's grip, scowling dreadfully at him. He turned to Lupin. "And you! Don't you pull your wand on me, you worthless, walking catastrophe! You were WARNED, damn you! You deserve to be skinned and mounted in a Death Eater's trophy room! WHAT DID YOU LET HIM EAT?"

Remus flinched, lowering his wand. "I--what? I--I didn't. I never," he stuttered, trying to sort the situation out in his head.

"It was something I ate?" Harry asked, obviously baffled. "I only ate Mrs. Weasley's pot roast. Oh, and those new candies the twins came up with."

The werewolf's mouth fell open as it clicked into place. "Dear Merlin! Oh, no! You ate that gag-gift candy from the twins! And so did I," he added as an afterthought. He looked at Harry. "Your dream. Don't you remember?"

"It would be a good joke..." Harry muttered, his face gone white. His terrified eyes searched his lover's face. "Was it poison? Did he poison me? Did he poison us?" he cried, his voice rising in fright. Oh God, oh God, please don't let me have poisoned my own lover, he thought wildly, his stomach abruptly contracting in nausea.

"I would have thought only an utter fool would take candy from a Weasley, even if the Dark Lord were in no way involved," Severus remarked darkly, still glaring at them. His dry, cool tone calmed Harry somewhat; surely if two people were about to die horrible deaths right in front of him, Snape would be more upset, wouldn't he? Besides, he was a Potions Master, and knew all the antidotes. "No, Potter, you haven't been poisoned. The Dark Lord has tried that route, repeatedly, but has found it to be, for some reason, a great difficulty. What few poisons which really were poisons have never been subtle enough to make it through the many defenses the Headmaster has set up for you."

Snape sneered at Harry, looking as though he would only be too happy to watch the boy twitch and convulse as he succumbed to a deadly poison. He was about to continue, but Tonks' shout interrupted. "Bus is here! We have to go, now!"

Harry found himself swept onto the Knight Bus, which jumped from place to place at a dizzying pace, outrunning the Death Eaters and keeping on the move. Harry had no idea how it had been arranged, and he didn't much care at the moment. He just went and sat right next to Snape, glaring at the man. "What happened? Why didn't anyone tell me I wasn't supposed to eat anything?"

"Because the Headmaster has a ridiculous urge to coddle you mercilessly, and save your poor, innocent soul from dealing with such nasty things, I assume," Snape spat angrily. "And if he continues to do so, he will pamper you straight into an early grave."

"It was the potion you made, wasn't it?" the werewolf quietly asked.

"The potion the Dark Lord demanded," Severus corrected, looking irritated.

"Dear God, Severus," Remus berated, "and you prepared it for him? Why couldn't you have just faked it, like you did with the others?"

"One does get tired of just faking it," Snape mocked. "The Pursuing Potion is, unfortunately, easily recognized, if not easily made. It had to pass, Lupin. I made what adjustments I could, given the specifications that had to be met. I was able to make it...more difficult for him, I believe. The potion will work correctly, when it is first taken. But it dissipates, and after it encounters the blood stream, only magic will render the drinker visible to the searcher."

"Does that mean he can't use magic without risk of being traced?" Remus replied, his brow lowering.

"It means neither of you may use magic. It means no one who has eaten that candy can use their magical abilities without drawing the Dark Lord to their side. Even being near magic is dangerous." Snape closed his eyes, looking suddenly tired. "It was the only protection I could offer; it is a very powerful potion."

"Indeed it is," a new voice put in, and Harry looked up to see Dumbledore standing beside them, looking grave in his blue and pink sleeping gown. "And we are very fortunate that you were able to alter it in the way you did," he added, patting Severus lightly on the back. The man merely sniffed in return.

"Headmaster? Sir? What's going to happen to me? To us?" Harry asked, blinking a little. "How can I go back to school if I can't do magic? And what about Ron and the twins? The twins didn't do it on purpose--I know they didn't. They would never betray me."

Remus felt a worrisome twinge at that. The truth was the Weasleys could and might betray Harry. You never really knew. Remus had learned that the hard way. He made a vow to keep a closer eye on Harry's friends, and prevent them ever having a chance to harm him again. He looked towards the rear of the bus, where Hermione was crying, and Ron had his arms around her. They were obviously too absorbed to be worried much about Harry, although they did spare an anxious glance or two at him.

"Oh, I have no doubts as to Fred and George or their motives; they are excellent young men, really. They seem to have chosen their most recent supplier rather unwisely though, I'm afraid. This should teach them a valuable lesson about people who seem to offer a good deal for very little in return."

"Not to mention learning something about acquiring business contacts through Mundungus Fletcher," Snape interjected, his eyebrow arched.

"As for what will happen to you, you need not fear overmuch. Since it is dangerous for you to be near magic, we shall be keeping you away from it, at least for the time being. And there will be no reason you cannot attend Hogwarts at the usual time, as the potion should have passed through your body by the time the school year starts."

Harry's eyes gleamed. "It will?"

Dumbledore beamed at the boy, but it was Snape who answered, in his usual acerbic style. "Of course it will, you little ninny--a week from now, your body will have entirely forgotten the serum was ever introduced to your system. That is, of course, if you are still alive by then."

Harry ignored this. "Will I have to go back to the Dursleys', then?" he inquired rather hopelessly.

Dumbledore hesitated before answering. "Not just yet," he finally replied. "I'm afraid there are...complications with your Aunt and Uncle."

"Complications as in, 'they don't want you back,' which I don't doubt, or complications as in, 'something's happened to them'?" Harry queried shrewdly. "Has something happened to them? Are...are they all right?"

At this, the Headmaster smiled a little. "They are fine, Harry. They have simply been relocated for the moment for their own protection. I've decided it is...prudent at this time to split you up. To split everyone up, actually," he explained apologetically, and Harry felt the bus rumble to a halt. "Come now, boy, this is your stop."

Harry made sure Remus was following before walking to the front of the bus and hopping lightly to the sidewalk. The night was still pitch as sin, but from the glow of the streetlamps the young wizard saw that they were in the middle of a Muggle city. He felt suddenly quite embarrassed that he was standing out there for all to see, dressed in his pajamas. He wasn't even wearing underwear, for Merlin's sake.

Then Remus joined him, and Harry felt immediately better. The werewolf had no compunction about his couture; he seemed perfectly at ease like this, and he wasn't even wearing a shirt. Harry felt an inexplicable thrill that the masculine marks across the man's chest were displayed for one and all. And the way Remus moved, all sinew and control, his self-possession evident despite his state of undress...Harry shivered. The man was almost pornographic, and he wasn't even doing anything.

Dumbledore joined them shortly, along with Professor Snape, who looked as though he'd rather be anywhere else. "Harry," the Headmaster was saying, "You'll be going with Professor Snape. Each person who was subjected to the potion will have to be paired with someone still capable of performing magic. Remus will be staying with me." He turned to re-board the bus as though the subject was settled.

Harry shared a panicked look with the gray-haired man, before shaking his head wildly. "No! You can't separate us like that!"

"Cease behaving like a stubborn jackass and come along at once," Snape snapped, snatching at Harry's wrist and yanking. He turned and began hauling the boy along behind him, like he was a particularly recalcitrant wagon.

Harry gave Remus a pleading look, and the man stepped forward and grabbed hold of Harry's other wrist. "Stop, Severus," he ordered. He looked back at Dumbledore, giving him a rueful shrug. "Albus, I'm afraid I must insist on staying with Harry." He gave a gentle tug, pulling the youth back toward him.

"Remus, I'm afraid I don't--" the aged wizard began, when Snape interjected vehemently.

"Lupin, be an imbecile on your own time!" He gave Harry's arm a jerk, nearly toppling the boy, and causing him to stumble into the man. "We are wasting precious moments out here!"

Lupin responded by wrenching the young wizard right back away from the Potions Master. "You're the one wasting time by arguing!"

"Remus, I think--" Harry started to say, before his professor interrupted by wresting him away from the werewolf.

"I hardly think you have any right to voice your opinion at this stage, Lupin," the man sneered. "So far your astounding feats of guardianship have led to nearly getting the boy killed not once, but twice! And however little I like being stuck with him, it's far less unpleasant than being stuck with you, so let go!" He pulled harder on Harry's arm, trying to get him loose from the werewolf's grip.

Remus snarled, showing teeth. "Sod off, Snape!" He clutched Harry more tightly. "As if anyone in their right mind would leave him alone with you! And you let go, damn it! He's mine!"

"All right, now, that's enough," Dumbledore's stern voice came from the dark night, and the men released their grip on the boy.

"It really is, too!" Harry complained, rubbing at his sore arms. "The two of you can just stop trying to rend me limb from limb for a few moments, if you don't mind!" Remus bowed his head, looking abashed, but the Potions Master merely scowled. "Anyway, I'm not going anywhere without Remus, and that's the way it's gonna be, so you all can just get used to it." He crossed his arms stubbornly, and saw Snape out of the corner of his eye, shaking with suppressed anger.

"You know, it may not be a bad idea," Dumbledore told them thoughtfully. "You wouldn't be able to keep an eye on the boy all the time, Severus, with all of your other duties that need attending. And Remus has some experience of the Muggle world. Yes, I think it would be best to keep the three of you together."

"What?" Severus and Remus demanded in unison.

"What?" echoed Harry.

"Severus, I do believe the same plan may be adapted to fit three, would it not?" That damnable twinkle was once more evident in the old man's eyes. "Well, then. It's all settled. Now, don't forget yourselves, and use no magic whatever. Let Severus handle all of that. I'll keep in touch. Remus, do try not to despair; I may have an odd job or two for you in spite of the situation. All right, I'd better be getting on with it. If I assign Minerva to keep an eye on the twins..." he muttered, stepping back onto the bus.

Snape gave Harry his patented, award-winning look of pure loathing. "This wasn't my fault," Harry protested weakly. Giving the bus one last look, he saw Ron and Hermione waving apologetically at him. He managed a half-hearted wave in return, before the bus abruptly leapt out of sight.

Severus took a deep breath through his distinctive nose. "Let's not stand out here all night, looking like complete fools...fitting though the look may be, for the two of you. Come along!" he bit out, sounding very sour. He whirled on his heel and began marching away.

Harry trotted to keep up, and Remus swiftly plucked him off the ground, letting his longer strides eat up the pavement. He spared Harry a contrite smile. "I'm so sorry, Green Eyes," he murmured. "I don't know what I was thinking."

"From what you were saying¸ it was something like, 'Mine! Mine! Back off, bitch! If you touch him I'll bite you! Mine, mine, mine!'" He giggled a little, and Snape shot them a suspicious look over his shoulder, although he was far enough ahead not to overhear the conversation.

"You're right," Remus sighed, chagrinned. "Oh, dear. I'm really going to have to work harder at controlling myself. I'm sincerely sorry, Harry. I'll try very hard not to let it happen again." He said this with such a hangdog look that Harry couldn't help laughing once more.

"I wouldn't worry too much. The only part I really objected to was playing the rope substitute in your little game of tug-of-Potter-war. The hot-blooded possessiveness and the surprising, totally baseless jealousy were really kind of cute."

Remus looked deeply offended by this, giving a harrumph of protest. "I was not jealous," he insisted. "I was simply concerned about your welfare." Harry snorted in response, but didn't disagree.

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The tiny hotel room was dingy and decrepit. There were twin beds, a television, a small kitchenette, and a feeling of hopeful desperation, like a middle-aged divorcee with a slew of bad memories visiting a singles bar. The wallpaper was a rather outdated succession of purple and yellow flowers, and Harry noticed several spots on the walls where the damp had seeped through. "Boy, what a sodding dump," he noted with indifference.

"Mind your mouth, Potter," Snape replied. "Far be it for you to show some gratitude, considering how difficult this all was to arrange on such short notice. Of course, if the great Harry Potter's standards are not being met--"

"I didn't say that," Harry disagreed. "It's okay." The room was cheerless, but it held Remus Lupin, and that was all he really cared about.

"There are only two beds," Remus said slowly, glancing cautiously at Snape.

"You will not be sharing mine," the Potions Master replied with disgust. "Can't you just curl up on the rug or something?"

"I don't mind; he can share with me," Harry offered instantly, looking inappropriately hopeful, and causing a wry smile to pull at the corners of the werewolf's mouth.

Snape frowned, looking at the small beds. "I'll find something I can transfigure into a cot tomorrow," he said slowly.

Remus shrugged carelessly. "If Harry doesn't hog the covers, then I'm sure I don't care. I've slept in far worse places, at any rate." It was such a pity to be forced to sleep in such close proximity to his mate and be unable to claim him if the desire arose. Which it inevitably would, and likely five times a night, at that.

Severus glanced at the man, looking as though he felt vaguely uncomfortable but couldn't put a name to it. "...At any rate," he muttered at length, "I'm sure I'll be gone often enough, and you can have mine when I'm not here."

Remus nodded, attempting to appear appreciative of the offer. The only time he'd get a bed to himself would be the nights he wouldn't need one. He sighed. Looking down at Harry, he said, "Are you tired?"

Harry shrugged one shoulder casually. "After all that excitement? Not likely. But it probably won't be long before I'm ready to kip. It'll catch up with me, no doubt."

The werewolf patted him tentatively on the back. "We're going to have to get you new glasses, aren't we?"

"The hell with the glasses; nearly all my clothes were at Grimmauld Place. And yours. We're each going to have to get a whole new wardrobe, not to mention anything else we left there. I guess I'm glad Hedwig was still at the Dursleys'. I'm grateful I never got around to sending for her or the rest of my stuff." Remus was looking...almost cross, although he didn't say anything. Harry could sense he'd touched a sore topic, and hurried to change it. "Oh, let's see what's on the telly, shall we? I never get to pick what to watch." He flicked on the screen, and he and Remus tried to make themselves comfortable on the bed, Snape flicking his wand at various objects and transfiguring them into useful items before entering the bathroom and, after an initial gasp of horror, using scourgify on every accessible surface.

The only show that came in clearly was a re-run of Cagney and Lacey, and it bored Harry about to tears. He ended up falling asleep in the crook of Remus's arm, while Snape perched on the edge of the bed, scowling at the flickering screen with absorbed concentration. The man only spoke once all night; to tell Harry, who was in the process of trying to get more comfortable, "Shut that damnable snoring mongrel up! I want to know why they don't think the purse-snatcher was involved in the rest of it."

Harry hid a grin as he poked Remus in the ribs, causing the man to grunt and turn onto his side. The werewolf slept more quietly after that, and Harry fell back to sleep with an abiding sense of coziness. Whatever else the next week held, he was sure it was going to be greatly entertaining.

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The next morning, Harry woke to Remus bustling about in the kitchenette, making a couple of weak cups of tea. As soon as he saw Harry was awake, he came over and leaned down to press a soft kiss to the boy's lips. "Good morning, Sunshine," he said in a soft voice. "Would you like a cup of truly awful tea?"

Harry gave him a grin, swinging his legs off the bed. "Oh, why not? You're awfully affectionate this morning, considering that 'Hurricane Snape' would do terrible things if he caught us like that. Do we have anything to eat?"

Remus shook his head sorrowfully. "Not yet, Cupcake. Snape's out taking care of all that right now. Which is why I'm being so affectionate," he added with a small smile. "Trying to meet my quota before Tall, Dark, and Nosy returns to ruin it." He pressed another kiss to Harry's temple, and handed him a chipped cup. "If you drink enough, you won't feel so hungry. Old trick."

Harry frowned into his cup, blowing the steam away. "Yeah, I know that one," he said quietly. He glanced up and their eyes met before both looked away in mutual shamed embarrassment. "So. I wonder if there's anything better to watch this morning. It's not like we can do much of anything, when neither of us even has any clothes. I never thought I'd miss my underwear quite so keenly. Of course, we could always..."

Before Harry could even finish his sentence, a grouchy Severus stomped in, holding a couple of parcels under his arms. He glowered when he set eyes on the student. "Ah, Mister Potter. Now that you've finally abandoned your thoroughly futile beauty sleep, perhaps we can get some of the day's more repulsive chores done with. Here," he thrust a package at Harry. "Put those on."

Harry unwrapped the clothing, only to find it would never fit him. "Snape, these clothes are for someone much taller and thinner than I am."

"Ah, yes. Somehow I'd completely forgotten how extremely obtuse you really are. Do you remember that insignificant thing called magic, Potter? Surely if Quidditch played any part in transfiguration, you wouldn't be so dismally slow to catch on."

"Stop it, Severus," Remus admonished. "I know how much enjoyment you must be getting out of the fact that you're the only one of us capable of doing magic just now, but you're not going to hold your little power trips over Harry's head. Just make the damn clothes fit him."

With a grimace, Snape brandished his wand, and Harry soon found himself in a pair of gray slacks and an itchy sweater. A very itchy sweater, which Harry wanted out of almost more than anything, but he realized this would not be a tactful thing to say. "Thank you," he grated, trying to subtly reach up between his shoulder blades. Snape threw another parcel to Remus, and changed the size of the outfit accordingly.

Eyeing the faded corduroys and the grubby t-shirt, Severus mocked, "I shouldn't doubt these are the finest garments you've ever worn."

Remus merely gave Snape a resentful look, but Harry bristled. "Don't you dare do that again," he shot. "You spent months ridiculing Sirius, and I'm not going to let you pull that on Remus, too. No more goading, do you understand? He's always been perfectly respectful to you around me, even when you're acting like a total arse. I'm sick of it. Play nice, Snape."

"Professor Snape," Remus automatically corrected. "Don't worry about it, Harry. Self-control is practically my middle name. You need to learn to not let these sorts of things bother you. There are much more important concerns, all right?"

Harry gave Snape a disgruntled look--one that was met by the man's lip curled in an expression of disdain--and went over to Remus. "Yeah, all right, I guess. What are our concerns right now? Besides breakfast, I mean."

"Your concerns are clothing, supplies, and staying the hell out of everyone's way until this has passed. In other words, for once in your life, you are going to stay the hell out of trouble," Snape informed him. "Lupin, on the other hand, will be fulfilling a duty set by the Headmaster, as well." He handed Remus a folded slip of paper. "This is from Fletcher. You will be meeting him tomorrow evening. I have an appointment I cannot miss, so you will have to take the boy. I have some of Mister Potter's funds, which Albus has seen fit to have released in order for the two of you to clothe yourselves for the duration. Since yours were lost in 'the line of fire' or some such obviously fabricated nonsense, he's also seen fit to give you a small reimbursement. It must be such an indignity, knowing you're an unequivocal charity case."

Harry gnashed his teeth and clenched his fists, but Remus calmly put a hand on his shoulder. "It's nothing, Green Eyes. Bullies always derive satisfaction in provoking intelligent people into doing stupid things."

"Like James so often did? Or were you accusing me of provoking the mutt to his eventual death?" The Potions Master gave them a smug look when they both turned faces full of disgust and fury toward him. "Oh, but no provoking mild-mannered Lupin, I see. Always the calm one, unless you're ripping peoples' throats out with your teeth. At any rate, here are the funds," he thrust a small purse at Remus, who caught it awkwardly. "I will be back later this afternoon, and I will expect to meet the two of you here. You will not cause any trouble while I am gone, is that perfectly clear? You will make your purchases, return to this room, and work on your best imitations of mimes. If I, for any reason, have to save your sorry excuses for lives again, you will wish devoutly that I had let you die."

"Fine," Remus replied shortly through gritted teeth. Snape merely wrinkled his nose and flung himself back out the door, slamming it behind him. The werewolf shook inside with anger, but outwardly was as composed as ever. He sighed, about to suggest they get going, and turned to see Harry, already in a state of undressing himself.

"I hate this sweater," the youth said sheepishly. "Could you scratch my back?"

"You do realize that my laying hands on your bare skin will almost certainly lead to carnal activities which have nothing whatever to do with clothes shopping?" He traced Harry's slender throat with his eyes, sighing inwardly.

"Oh, but Remus," Harry grinned wickedly. "I'm counting on it."

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Afterward, Remus read Mundungus' note several times, while Harry whined about wanting food. "In a second, kiddo," he said absentmindedly, missing Harry's dark scowl in response. "The Ride 'Em, Cowboy? But...but...why the hell would Fletcher want to meet in a place like that? And what is Snape thinking? I can't take you to a place like that."

"Why not?" Harry demanded, brow lowered. "I can take care of myself."

"Yes...but..." Remus trailed off, not certain how to express himself.

"But what?" Harry's foot was tapping in a rather alarming way.

"Harry. You're just...too young for something like this, and far too delicate." He sighed even as the words left his mouth, knowing he'd put it exactly the wrong way.

"What?" Harry shouted. "I'm delicate? You think I'm too young and I'm delicate? I've already lived through at least four separate attacks by Voldemort, so just how damn delicate could I possibly be? You think that just because I'm not some middle-aged cynic who couldn't be hurt by anything less than a silver bullet, that I'm somehow some kind of weakling? Is that what you really think? Huh?" Harry was right up in Remus's face, hands balled into fists once more, chest heaving. His teeth were clenched but his eyes were bright, and the werewolf worried the youth might fall apart completely. They'd been through a lot recently, after all.

Instead of denying anything, Remus tilted his head and kissed Harry long and gently, feeling the tension ease from his lover's slender frame. "Poor choice of words," he whispered when they broke away. "I meant that I always hated the place, and that you would be a very tempting plaything to most of the patrons. It's a rough sort of place, and you...one shouldn't go in, looking as innocent as you do now."

"Well..." Harry considered this. "So then we make me look less innocent, that's all." He gave Remus a rather cunning smile.

Remus shook his head, frowning. "No. Absolutely not. I'm not taking you into a leather bar, and certainly not an S&M dive like the Ride 'Em, Cowboy. You can be angry and yell at me all you want, and you can even throw things and have a big fit if you like. The fact remains; there is no way on God's green earth you're coming with me tomorrow night."

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As the door to the club swung inward, Remus wished profoundly that he'd left Harry behind. In the first place, he was more than a little worried about keeping the other customer's hands off the boy, and in the second, it had occurred to him that he was very likely going to end up being arrested. In the end, it didn't matter what happened; this was almost unquestionably going down in history as the worst week of his life.

Shopping had been horrific. Harry had enjoyed himself, and it was true that the enjoyment was contagious, at least as far as watching Harry try on new outfits went. The trouble started when Harry insisted on picking out his clothes, as well. At first, he had acquiesced quite easily, reckoning the boy would soon tire and they could move on to other things. It wasn't that Remus particularly disliked clothes shopping, although it held no great thrill for him; it was just that he had very little money to his name, and was, by nature, very frugal. Harry was not.

Harry was expansive, particularly when it came to buying Remus things he didn't especially want or need. He tried to voice his objections several times, but the damn boy simply rode right over them, and proceeded to behave as though Remus were a Ken doll that needed to look spiffy for Barbie. And numerous pairs of jeans, slacks, button-downs, sweaters, jackets, ties, and cries of 'Oh, look, Remus! Superman underwear! Isn't that great? We just have to get some!' later, he was following the youth out the front doors of the shopping complex with several bags, a glazed look, and a feeling of acute distress.

"Harry..." he'd managed weakly. "We can't...all this...Harry. We have to take some of this back. This is ridiculous. I can't... These are more clothes than I usually go through in six years. We don't need all of this. Do you have any idea how unhappy I am, right now?"

"Oh, hush," was Harry's distinctly airy response. "If I'm going to be stuck looking at you for the rest of my life, you're bloody well going to have to be something nice to look at." He displayed a particularly Slytherin smile and said, "Now. How do we make me look less respectable?"

Remus groaned. "This is a bad idea. Anyway, it may have less to do with whether or not you look respectable, and more to do with whether I look intimidating enough to chase anyone else away. And dispelling any doubt that you're with me..." he was saying, but Harry spoke over him.

"Oh, look! A porn shop. Let's try in here, shall we? Maybe we'll find something useful."

"What?"

And so it came to be that the two of them skulked--well, Remus skulked, Harry had an annoying bounce in his step--into the Ride 'Em, Cowboy. Which was, Remus noted with a mixture of relief and despair, far less rough than he remembered, although it was still fairly sleazy. Most of the clients were dressed in leather, chains, and unlikely things such as cowboy hats, which Remus supposed helped them to blend in a little. Still, he wholeheartedly regretted having bought the collar and leash.

Harry seemed completely oblivious to the werewolf's discomfort, and swam through the crowd until the leash brought him up short. "Ouch. Remus, keep up, would you? How are we ever going to find Mundungus in this horde of people?"

"Sorry," Remus muttered, trying stay near the boy's side. "Look, why don't you hold onto the leash? I feel like a right idiot, and--"

"No, Remus! That defeats the whole purpose! What would be the point of a leash otherwise?" He turned in a circle, eyes squinting through the new lenses.

"Right," Remus' shoulders slumped. "At least it makes it harder to lose you in the crowd." The problem wasn't so much that the accessory wasn't appropriate; the throng was full of people with dog collars and piercings and handcuffs hanging casually from belt hooks. The problem, in Remus's eyes, was that Harry was so clearly a child, and looked severely underage at a place like this, and the leash and collar connected to a man so much older could only make Remus a complete pervert--especially in the eyes of the law. Remus had had run-ins with the Muggle law before, and was not overly anxious to experience one again.

He turned and scanned the crowd, pausing to really focus on the faces. Fletcher was good at disguises; maybe Remus would have to wait until he found them. He couldn't wait to see the look on the man's face when he set eyes on Harry. And, oh boy, Dumbledore's face when the news was relayed to him. Snape was probably right; he should never be left alone with the boy again.

Speaking of the boy, Remus looked back to him, and saw the youth chatting animatedly with a large man sporting at least twenty tattoos and an impressive mustache. "Harry," he called aggrievedly. No response. "Harry." He gave the leash a gentle tug, and green eyes flared with irritation, giving him a dirty look before turning back to the disgustingly macho biker, or whatever he was. Remus grumbled under his breath for a moment. If Harry was going to be disobedient, Remus would simply have to remind him who was in charge. "Harry! Come here, now!" He accompanied the words with a sharp yank on the leash, and the boy was at his side in an instant.

"Jeez, Remus; you don't have to crack the whip or anything!" He rubbed at his neck as if it bothered him, but the werewolf could clearly see the smile playing at the corner of the youth's mouth and the excited pink crawling up his face. He determined to forget about it, at least for now.

"You were ignoring me," he said pointedly, staring the boy down. He fought down a flash of arousal at the way those green eyes lowered submissively, that faint smile never fading.

"I was only being friendly," Harry said, a challenge as much as a disputation. He glanced slyly up at the man.

The werewolf's eyes narrowed, and he leaned over until his lips were only an inch away from the boy's ear. "Don't you dare argue with me. I've had enough of your antics today. First the shopping, where you fully disregard my feelings on the subject, and now you've the gall to--to flirt with the dregs of society! You listen closely," Remus hooked one finger at the front of Harry's collar, dragging him closer, and pointed another at his nose. "I. Am. The. Boss. I'm the one in charge. I'm the master; do you understand me? We do things my way or we don't do them at all. And if you won't do as I say, the next time I have to go somewhere, I'll tie you to the bed and leave you behind." Pulling on the collar until the boy was forced to stand on his toes, Remus looked fiercely into Harry's eyes until the youth, flushing brightly, looked down once more. "Is that understood?"

"Yes, Remus," he replied in a rather breathy voice.

"Remus?" someone at his elbow said, and the werewolf turned his head. A squinting Mundungus was examining him with great curiosity. "It is you. You look quite flash somehow. Must be that leather jacket. Anyway, I thought I--I. Dear God! Harry?"

They found a small table to sit at, and Remus was only too happy to accept Mundungus's offer of a stiff drink. Actually, when the man said, "So, who wants a good, stiff drink?" Harry had piped up just as quickly with a bright, "I do!" earning himself a pointed snarl from the werewolf.

Remus swirled the gin around in the glass a few times before taking another swig. "Dear God, Fletcher; why did you have to choose this place to meet at?" Dimly, he was aware of sounding petulant, but decided he didn't care. After a while he looked up, sure he was being scrutinized.

He wasn't. Fletcher was still staring at the Boy Who Liked Discipline a Little Too Much. "I...thought this was your kind of joint," Mundungus told him slowly. "Thought it'd be a treat for you to get out again...maybe meet someone, now that..." He went to take a sip of his Bloody Mary and missed his mouth, dribbling tomato juice down his chin. "Uck." He dabbed at himself with a napkin, still looking confusedly at the boy, taking in the feathered hair, flushed cheeks, net shirt and, of course, the somehow very conspicuous collar and leash. "I forgot you'd have the kid."

"I'm not a kid!" Harry retorted instantaneously, looking furious. "And I've got as much right to be here as anyone."

"Harry..." Remus rebuked with a low growl. One look at the werewolf's face threw the boy into a sulky silence. "Yes. Yes, I had to take Harry with me. I couldn't leave him behind; it wouldn't be safe. But I was worried about bringing him here, as well. I mean; you know what the place used to be like. Some people have difficulty taking no for an answer, and Harry is so young and...slight, if you would, and I was just sure someone would try to grab him."

"Ah," Mundungus tapped the side of his nose. "I can see what you were thinkin', now. Makes sense, makes sense. Didn't remember the boy was with you, or I'd have not suggested such a place. It does make it more dangerous, him sporting that pretty face and all. Yep, I'd have been worried, too. There's a good deal of unscrupulous people, would take advantage of a boy with a face such as Harry's."

"Yes," Remus agreed swiftly, relieved that the man had taken his point. "He's perfectly lovely, and walking into a hell hole like this with the face of an angel could only mean trouble. I was just sure someone would have their hands on him by the time the night was out. We...tried to make him look a little less of a complete ingénue, but I'm not certain it worked."

The other wizard squinted at the boy, who was now working to keep the flush from his face. Remus thinks I'm 'lovely?' And Mundungus said I have a pretty face. He bit his lip and tried not to preen, his earlier irritation with Remus almost forgotten. "Nah," Mundungus replied after inspecting the boy. "I reckon the leash and collar didn't help much. He looks even more inexperienced with that stuff on. Ah, well. It was a good thought, all the same. Helps to keep him from wandering off. In my mind, all teenagers oughta be leashed like that. Anyways, there's not much you can do about this one's looks. He'll always be a bit of a Bambi. It's the big eyes does it." He took another large gulp of his drink, his eyes flickering around the crowd. "Anyway," Fletcher added casually, "I've got something we need you to look into."

Remus nodded. Thank Merlin they were finally getting to the point. He couldn't wait to get out of this place, back to the hotel, alone with his mate...who was wearing a leash. He licked his lips and shifted in his seat, his new pants abruptly feeling too tight. Pulling himself together, he asked, "What is it?"

Mundungus pulled a handkerchief out of this pocket. Something was wrapped inside it, but he made no effort to unfold it. "Here. Take this. You can't do it here, Dumbledore said, 'cause there are too many people about. Just have Snape take the...the you know what off, and have a close look. Then send him to tell us what you think."

"Couldn't you have given it to Snape in the first place? And why is it so important?" he frowned at the package before slipping it into his jacket. Obviously it was something that shouldn't be opened until later, but he'd have liked to know why.

Mundungus gave a slight lift of his shoulders. "I don't know nothing about nothing. Just tell us what it reminds you of, got it? Anyway, I've got to go." He got up and nodded goodbye.

Remus watched at him uncertainly, and opened his mouth to question the man further when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Remus? Oh, my God, it is you!"

He turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered blond, whose perfect teeth flashed in the erratic lighting of the bar. What the...? Wait. I know that face! "Alexander!" he exclaimed, jaw dropping. "Good grief. I haven't seen you in...what, now? More than ten years? You're looking...well." He really was, too. He'd filled out since Remus had last seen him, and was looking more sophisticated and self-confident than ever.

Harry glared up at the interloper, ready to spit in disgust at his trendy clothes and expensive haircut. What a tosser. He crossed his arms tightly, seething quietly.

The man laughed. "Yes, it's certainly been a while, hasn't it? And who is this?" He gestured to Harry, his grin slightly more amused.

"Oh. Erm. This is Harry. Harry, this is Alexander Decklin. Harry's a...I'm Harry's...uh. Harry's my..." Remus trailed off, looking guilty.

"Oh, I can see perfectly well what Harry is to you. Really, Remus, a leash? I admit he's at the age where they fool around quite a bit, but you have to physically restrain him?" He laughed again. "Nice to meet you, Harry." He offered the youth his hand, but Harry turned his head.

"Harry. Mind your manners," Remus ordered, sounding angry.

"Don't worry about it." Alexander winked at the werewolf, and sat down across from him. "Remus and I got into quite a bit of trouble, back in the day. We had just as much of an attitude."

"What are you doing here?" the werewolf was watching the man, mesmerized. "I thought you'd...outgrown the place years ago."

"I did, in truth," Alexander responded. "But I still drop by on occasion. After all, it's so near my flat. My goodness, you do know how to pick them, don't you?" He reached out a slender hand and cupped Harry's chin, turning the boy's face from side to side.

"Don't. Touch me." Harry grated, jerking away. Remus opened his mouth to reprimand his mate once more, but Alexander laughed.

"Ah, yes. You did always have a thing for the ones which were easy on the eyes and hard on everything else, didn't you?" He grinned at Harry again. "Always did like the wild ones, our Remus."

Harry scowled at him. "He isn't our anything, you swish bastard. He's mine. And what would you know about it, anyway!"

Without thinking, Remus jerked on the leash and nearly yanked Harry out of his chair. Pulling roughly, he forced the boy's head close to his own. "I'm growing tired of your immature behaviour," he warned in a low voice. "You would not like me to speak to your friends so rudely. You have exactly ten seconds to prove to me that you're not a little monster who's too young to be treated with anything approaching respect, let alone carrying on a sexual relationship with someone more than twenty years his senior. Got it?" Harry nodded wordlessly.

Remus slowly played out the leash, letting Harry crawl back into his own seat. "Sorry," the boy muttered.

"Not a problem," Alexander responded cheerfully. "A little grouchiness never hurt anyone. If you'd been Sirius, you would be punching random strangers by now."

Harry's head flew up, and he looked at the man with wide eyes. "You knew Sirius?"

Once more, the man's musical laugh carried through the bar. "Absolutely. He was a very dear friend of mine--more so than Remus, in fact, since Remus very nearly always had to be bullied into doing anything fun. Like that time with the lights; d'you remember that one, Remus?"

"How could I forget?" the werewolf replied wryly.

"It was Christmas time, and we'd stolen every set of Christmas lights we could find, took them down to Broveborough Hill High School's football field, and used them across the field to spell out--"

"And then we got arrested," Lupin interrupted. "You remember that part, don't you?" He would certainly never forget. It had all seemed such a lark in the beginning; Sirius already bored with hanging around their new flat, going to hang about a Muggle bar, meeting up with Alexander and Thomson and deciding, as Sirius so oft did, that what the world needed was a little more mischief.

"Well...yes, of course," said Alexander, who at least had the decency to look a little abashed. "I spent two hours thinking that I'd soon be switching places with my father, who would surely be arrested for murdering me. I still don't understand quite how you and Sirius got us out, though. I mean, first that trick bar, and even though Sirius could turn on the charm, we never really--"

"That was back when you were with Thomson, wasn't it? Whatever happened to Thomson?" Remus cast desperately about for another topic of conversation. God, that had been a terrible Christmas. Sirius had forced him to pull one of the bars loose--something he hated doing, but being a werewolf, was capable of. Then Sirius went and obliviated the policewoman at the front desk and stole all their paperwork, while Remus and the others made their escape.

"Thomson?" Alexander was repeating, with a strange look on his face. "He's been...gone, a couple years now. Cancer."

"Oh!" Remus said, his eyes going wide. "I. Er. I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't know."

Alexander shrugged those broad shoulders. "Well. We didn't keep in touch, did we? So you couldn't have known. Are you still friends with Sirius?" Remus noticed he was looking away, and the whole situation had suddenly become awkward. Alexander is a Muggle, he remembered. And he's often out of the country. He probably didn't even hear about Sirius escaping prison.

"He's...he's gone, too. Um. Heart attack. Earlier this year, actually." He was very careful not to look at Harry as he spoke. It was times like these that were the hardest; when something quite unexpectedly pulled a particularly powerful memory to the forefront of his mind, and he ached with loss all over again. He shut his eyes and kept them that way for a long while.

"Oh. I'm...sorry, as well." Alexander was looking pale now, and Harry felt a twinge of ...something, for the man. "It's hard to believe, isn't it? He was always so full of life. Well, actually, that sounds rather trite, and anyways Thomson always seemed so strong--such a big, strong guy--and you should have seen him wasting away on that hospital bed." He let out a great whoosh of air and stood. "Well, it was nice to see you again, Remus, but I really ought to be getting back. I'm not as young as I used to be, and I've got a meeting with the boss tomorrow. Better be at my best, if I hope to make partner. Harry, it was good to meet you. And you needn't be jealous of me; I never had any designs on your boyfriend. Just...take good care of him, all right?" Remus knew he was offering to shake Harry's hand--Alex always offered to shake peoples' hands--but he didn't look to see whether Harry accepted it or not. He kept his eyes shut, and felt the man give his shoulder a brief squeeze as he left.

"Remus? Are you all right?" he heard Harry saying, and nodded.

"Yes. It was just...a bit of a surprise, that's all." He was suddenly so weary, so drained. God, what the hell was he doing with a sixteen-year-old child as his lover? The whole situation was absurd. "Are you ready to go yet?" He blinked a couple of times to focus on the boy before him.

Harry was looking at him oddly; his was head tilted to the side, and he was chewing his lip, his dazzling eyes a tempest of emotion. "Sure, Remus," he replied at length. "Sure. Let's go."

They walked slowly down the street, passing under the streetlamps that glowed dimly in the evening fog. "Do you want to take the leash off?" Remus inquired after they'd gone a ways. Just a man and his pet, out for walkies.

"No. Not really." Harry gave him a shy smile, and the man felt his heartbeat speed up again. "It's...it's kind of getting cold out, though. Wish I'd remembered a jacket."

"Here, take mine," the werewolf offered, and found himself riding a swell of fondness when the youth's face lit up with another brilliant smile. He struggled out of the heavy leather coat, and helped Harry into it, all the while unable to take his eyes from that radiant grin. Oh, yes. To be sixteen again, when wearing your lover's coat meant something. He slid an arm around Harry, feeling the boy snuggle into the warm nook and rest his head on the werewolf's shoulder. Remus noted that the silent, empty ache had receded just a little, and reflected that it was a good thing.

When they walked into the hotel room, Remus noted that a light had been left on, and a small note sat on top of the television. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands.

My dear idiots,

I've been summoned earlier than expected. Don't wait up for me. One of you may use my bed, so see that you do. You are not dogs, despite the lycanthropy, and it is nauseating in the extreme to see the two of you reposing in a heap of arms and legs. Not to mention, Lupin, that there is every chance you could roll over in the night and sever the boy's spine. I did not touch any of your nasty Muggle food...especially the kind inside the cans. I cannot fathom how any meal could possibly be stored this way...nor can I decipher how to extract it from the tin. At any rate, I shall return tomorrow, most likely. Be cautious, and for Merlin's sake, remember to take no candy from strangers.

S.S.

P.S. Don't touch my toothbrush. I'll know if you have. I mean it.

Remus snorted. Severus didn't even need a toothbrush. Well, he could certainly use one, actually, but he was supposed to be able to do that with magic. Shaking his head a little, he turned to see Harry standing in front of the bed, buck-naked save for the collar...and leash, which led right into his own hand.

"Harry..." he began in a scratchy voice. He cleared his throat. "T--take that silly thing off. You shouldn't...you. You ought to learn to have more control than this...Snape could walk in at any moment."

"I don't want to take it off," Harry replied mutinously, flipping his bangs out of his face. "And Snape's off with the Death Eaters, so I'd bet he won't be back any time soon. And, you promised me that if I worked on my Occlumency, I'd get what I wanted. You still haven't given it to me. I want this, Remus, and I want it now."

"You're thoroughly spoiled," the werewolf replied weakly, following the leather strap, with his eyes, from his hand back to the youth, who was now sporting a sultry smile and a conspicuous erection. He looked back at the note in his hand. He shouldn't be back until tomorrow...and the night is young...and so's your lover...and he's wearing a leash. "Oh," was all Remus managed, and it came out more of a groan than a word. Then Harry was before him, running his hands over Remus's face, licking his throat, nipping at his lower lip.

"I love it when you have just a little stubble," the boy whispered, rubbing his neck against the werewolf's face. Harry felt Remus sigh, the warm breath brushing his collarbone, and he shivered. "Please, Remus."

"What do you want?" Remus bit Harry's ear gently, running the tips of his fingers up and down the youth's spine. "What do you want me to do?" As always, he could feel the flood of desire rushing through his veins, and kept a firm hold of himself. He hadn't managed to frighten the boy yet, but he was more than a little aware of how inexperienced Harry really was, and he would continue to be extremely careful with him.

"Everything," Harry was panting now, nails digging into the man's shoulder. "I want you kiss me and touch me, and I want you to stop asking me what I want all the time, like you're afraid of hurting me or doing something I don't want to do. I want you to do everything you want to do, and not be afraid of being rough." He slipped the tip of his tongue into Remus's ear briefly, and smiled a little when he felt strong hands gripping his hips tightly. "I want you to take me. Oh...and I don't want you to let go of the leash."

"Oh..." Remus drew a shaky breath, feeling his knees going weak. "Holy mother of God, Harry. You just. Do you even know? Get the lube, and hurry up about it." In the meanwhile, his fingers fumbled with the buttons on his new shirt. Incoherent, uncoordinated, heart thundering in his ears...if he could bottle the effect Harry had on him and sell it, he'd shortly be the richest man alive.

"Do you want me to undress you?" Harry's voice, still managing to retain a hint of self-consciousness, floated through the haze round the werewolf's head.

"Yes, please," he finally said when his clumsy fingers removed a button altogether. Laughing softly, Harry's nimble hands worked their way down his shirt as Remus looked on, mesmerized. He felt his breath hitch when Harry ran a heedless tongue over his teeth. "You're absolutely breathtaking, do you know that?"

The youth slowly pushed the shirt of Remus's shoulders, then glanced down at the man's chest. He leaned forward and slithered his tongue over one of Remus's nipples, then paused.

Remus watched Harry pull back a little, eyes wide and uncertain behind his new glasses. The youth licked his already pink lips. "Did you...do you want me to do that? Did you like it? I could stop..."

Remus groaned softly. Did he like it? Did he want Harry to stop? Here, have a large helping of mind-blowing pleasure. Um. Do you like it? "Yessss," he hissed. "Harry, this night was supposed to be about you. We're supposed to be concentrating on doing what you want, anything you want." He pulled steadily up on the leash until those eyes, half-lidded with lust, were staring into his own. "You needn't be so concerned about me. There isn't a damn thing you could do that I wouldn't like, anyhow. So Harry, let's do what you want." He rubbed the very tip of his nose against Harry's.

Wild green eyes slowly opened to stare deeply into his own. "But Remus...don't you get it? Making you happy is what I want...well, that and the leash." He blinked innocently up at his mate, tilting his head to the side once more.

Remus felt a roaring, rushing surge of...something...come tearing through him. He found it abruptly difficult to breathe correctly, to think. He crushed his lips to Harry's, pushing him roughly down onto the bed, relishing the low moan the boy made as his mouth was none-too-gently plundered by the werewolf.

Breaking the kiss, he reached down between them. He thrilled at the frenzied squeaks the boy was making. He leaned back a little further, and Harry attempted to follow, sitting up to capture the man's lips again. Remus allowed this for a moment, before choking up on the leash and pressing it against the bed, so that Harry had no choice but to follow. The youth didn't seem the slightest bit upset about this; his eyes were raging with want, and his body writhed with passion, seeking Remus's hand and pushing into it with fervent abandon. Remus stared avidly, taking in every detail of Harry's flushed face, the sheen of sweat on his body, the puffs of breath, and the way his jaw would clench as each eager whimper escaped his mouth.

"That's enough," Remus barked suddenly, and the boy fell still, chest still heaving, a cross between a snarl and a smile on his face. His fists were twisted in the blankets, and Remus let him have a few moments to calm down. "Ready?" he asked, when the boy seemed to have a bit more control. Harry nodded and began to say something, but Remus covered his mouth. "No. You need to remember to be quiet, so no talking. Understood?" Harry nodded enthusiastically, his eyes as large as dinner plates. The werewolf was glad he remembered the delightful way the boy's appetite was whetted by a few simple commands. It took so little to keep Harry stimulated, and if Remus wished to derive any pleasure from the experience, then Harry would have to enjoy himself as well.

He gripped the youth's hip with one hand and spun him over onto his stomach. "Spread your legs," he commanded, and Harry did immediately. "Get up on your hands and knees," he finally suggested. Remus remembered to keep hold of the leash with the other, and Harry gasped. "Oh, you like that, do you?" Remus could hear the wolf, the growl in his voice, and couldn't even bring himself to be appalled. The wolf would not hurt its mate. Harry let out a loud, inarticulate moan, and Remus froze.

He hadn't been joking when he'd said Harry needed to be quiet. The walls were paper-thin in this place, and the last thing he needed were meddlesome neighbors, especially if they happened to mention to the hotel's owner or, God forbid, to Snape, that the sound of two males rutting had kept them awake at night. "Harry...keep it down," he warned.

"S--sorry," Harry's sibilant reply came. Remus moved carefully, and Harry moaned once again. "Can't help it!" The noises Harry was making only increased in volume, and Remus was forced to stop. "Oh, Remus, please don't stop," the boy pleaded miserably. "I'll try harder, I promise."

"Shhh..." Remus admonished him, twisting a handkerchief and pulling it between Harry's teeth. "This'll muffle things a bit, hopefully. But for crying out loud, keep it down! I mean it." He tried to think of a way to phrase it that would walk the line between keeping Harry aroused and still dampening his vocalizations. He finally settled on, "You are not to make any noise." Then he began to make love to the boy, gently at first, then more and more roughly as the animal within took control.

When Harry let loose a cry of passion, Remus clapped a hand over his mouth and rode it out, kissing the sweaty hair clinging to they boy's temple. With an overly raucous shout of his own, Remus shoved Harry flat on the bed and let the clenching, squirming muscles push him over the edge. Feeling himself erupt with passion, Remus shuddered as he felt Harry's face, making certain the boy could still breathe. He yanked the handkerchief off as soon as it was over. "God, I'm sorry, Harry," he whispered. "We just have to be careful in places like this and--here, let me take off this leash."

Harry rolled over, his eyes glazed with bliss. "No, don't," he mumbled. "Don't be sorry. Felt so good. Merlin...Remus...that was brilliant. You've never lost it like that before." His voice held a note of awe, and Remus ducked his head a little.

"Mmph. Yes. Well. We need to shower. Come on. I know you're tired, but we haven't a magical way of cleaning ourselves, so up you get."

"All right," Harry sighed in agreement. "But I still want to wear the leash to bed," he told the werewolf, who stared. "I like the leash."

"Don't be stupid," Remus grinned. "You'd only get all tangled up in it. Now come on, let's get cleaned up."

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The next morning, Remus woke to a banging noise, as things were thrown about the room in a hurry. "Get up! Get up, you fools! We have to get moving! Here; let me shrink your effects." The werewolf watched, blurry-eyed, as Severus shrunk his belongings into a compact little bundle.

"What's going o--aaahhhh--on?" he yawned, stretching greatly.

"They've found you. You have to move. Now. I'm going to Apparate out of here; Mundungus should be here in exactly five minutes to pick you up. You're to get in the car as quickly as possible, and I'm going to meet you several blocks away. Now get moving, you infuriatingly indolent bastard!"

Harry grunted, waking. "Umph. What's all the noise?" he groaned, sitting up and fumbling for his glasses.

Snape gaped at the boy, shock and abhorrence written across his face. "Dear God! Why the hell is Potter wearing a dog collar!?"

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