Vanilla-Scented Smoke

Lupin and Snape have their differences. But when Lupin's life is put in danger, it turns out that Snape cares enough to take action. How much trouble will they get into in order to protect each other? And what, exactly, is driving them to want to make their lives fit together? When plan after farfetched plan fails, Lupin and Snape will have to take a big step and acknowledge that spending their lives together is far more important than being practical. Written for the Master and the Wolf Fuh-Q-Fest challenge #35: Remus was about to be put down by the new regulation from the Ministry. What did Severus do?

Remus thinks. Using one's brain can have serious consequences, like, say, starting to believe one's dreams are starting to take hold. But when things do start to work for Snape and Lupin, it proves that it will be slow going on a road full of jealous friends, old insecurities, and pesky Ministry regulations. Things will evidentally get harder before they get any easier, but then again, they might just work out in the end.

Remus gets some bad news and Snape thinks things through. When the main characters confront each other, the outcome is anyone's guess. It seems, though, that their luck might be about to change - they hatch a plan that could just have a side effect of bringing them closer together, but will carrying it out be worth the risk?

Things are set into motion - watch out for explosions, mysterious-looking bite marks, mad relatives, cheerful identical twins, bubble gum, rebellious teenagers, and sneaky spy-movie tactics. But crazy as Snape's and Lupin's antics are, they may start to go bad when old memories are dug up, and the characters decide they may have to back down from whatever daring positions they've put themselves in.

Snape and Lupin are still wrapped up in their plan at St. Mungo's, but like before, they keep getting sidetracked. Remus has encounter after encounter with people he'd really rather not talk to, while Severus is more distracted by his own thoughts. And meanwhile, something incredibly interesting happens to Jude – you'd almost think this story was going to have a happy ending, after all. But considering all the people who are getting themselves involved, that won't be for a while yet :)

Snape gets attacked by something supremely unscary – but that's not to say it doesn't set him back at all. Get ready to see a bewildered wizard wandering around Muggle London, and making a thorough mess of it. Over in America, Jude is getting some relaxing done, which I guess works, because our two boys finally have a chance to sit down and talk as well – and talk they do. About Very Important Matters Indeed. At which point, something unexpected happens. And also, something good.

Three girls are ready for a night with their sweethearts - despite one of them being, you know, a painting, and one being tortured viciously by Eddie the Evil. Remus does something incredibly stupid that involves talking mattresses, rubber duckies, and defenestration, but he ends up having rather an enlightening experience anyway. Meanwhile, Snape gets some bad news. Some very bad news. The readers all feel terribly sorry for him, and secretly bemoan the fact that it will lengthen this story by a few chapters, at least.

People kiss. That's really all you need to know. Oh, and there's also an awkward confrontation. But mostly, there is kissing.

Things are moving into high gear—there are only a few days left before Severus and Remus' options run out. As their plan becomes clearer, so does their opposition. On the outside, things seem to be going well, but in private, everyone has their own complaints to work out. And how long will it be before things start to go wrong?

As per the chapter title, Remus and Severus have quite an adventure in the Floo Hub. Get ready for action, suspense, and -- okay, no mystery. But the trouble they get into is pretty much what you'd expect from a genius and a Marauder interested in doing everything except being noticed. So, of course, exactly the opposite happens. Will they be able to escape in time?

Remus and Severus have beat the odds again, and the world in front of them is full of opportunities. While they're settling in, though, they're much more interested in each other, in their new relationship, and (of course) in living happily ever after.