Slytherin Saviors

Remus made his way through the halls of Hogwarts. His footsteps were steady and even, unlike the thoughts swirling in his head. With every step, he waited for the voice of Albus to stop him, a portrait to call attention to him, or something to interfere with him reaching his destination. He had spent an entire day at the graves of James and Lily, trying to figure out how he felt about Harry's sorting. He knew that Lily would not have cared. James would have been furious, but somehow, there was something Remus knew he was missing. Something from when he taught here, and from when he was sorted himself.

He was so lost in his thoughts, trying to figure out what he was missing that he failed to notice that he was right outside the Potions lab. It was the sound of his own name that drew his attention. He felt himself flush with shame as he realized the truth in what Severus was saying. It was something that had haunted hims from the time he realized what he was, that some day he would bite someone in his wolf state and further pass on the curse. And that nights, he had come close to doing just that.

The words being spoken within the room were slow to filter through Remus' consciousness. He felt the sadness that Harry spoke with at the thought of his father and Sirius' reactions, and realized that on some point, Harry was right. Not that either of them would or could hate Harry, but that they would be distrustful, or disappointed in Harry.

It was the response from Severus that most surprised him. And he felt the pieces click together for him. Harry was abused, he was dogged by the Ministry, and marked for death by an evil wizard. Any one of those events were enough to cause determination and deception. He should know. i"Ah, very difficult. I see a thirst for knowledge, courage aplenty, and a keen sense of family, but Slytherin would help you to hone your deception. You go to great lengths to hide your condition. No? Better be Gryffindor!" He remembered the feeling of fear that washed through him at the thought of being in Slytherin. That if he was both a werewolf and a Slytherin, he would never be trusted, never find friendship, and never be brave enough to face the world.

He barely had enough time to drift back into the shadows before Harry walked past him, never even noticing him standing mere feet away, the boy lost to his own thoughts. Remus waited a few moments before slipping into the room Harry had just left.

He paused a moment, just inside the doorway. He was grateful that he was out of the way of the door when mere seconds later, the door swung shut, barely missing him. He raised his own wand and cast a Silencing Spell on the room.

When he finished with the spell work, the two men stood in silence, each eyeing the other warily.

"Lupin." Snape broke the silence.

"Thank you," Was all Remus could think to say.

Severus looked at him for a long moment, before nodding sharply. "How long were you there?"

"Not long," Remus looked uncomfortable at the thought of getting caught eavesdropping. "I just heard the last bit. You were right about..." he drew a deep breath. "About me. It was never my intention to endanger them. I was... there was so much going on, Pettigrew was somehow alive, Sirius had Harry, and I just knew someone was going to get hurt. I didn't realize how late it had gotten," he paused.

Severus started to speak, but Remus quickly continued. "I know there is no excuse for what happened. I am, in fact, grateful that nothing happened that night. I regret the loss of the first job I have had in years but I accept my own responsibility. That isn't what I am here to discuss however."

"Let me hazard a guess," Snape said with a sneer. "You are here to threaten me about any damage done to your precious Potter."

"Originally, that was my intention. After what I have just heard, I don't know what to think, or say. I believe you may be the best thing for Harry," he paused as a look of surprise crossed Severus' face. His voice dropped to a whisper as he turned to leave, "How did we fail him so badly?"

"Lupin," Remus stopped, his hand on the door. He turned to face Severus, only to see the other man pouring out two glasses of expensive brandy. "Sit. I think you have heard enough that we should talk."

Remus sat hesitantly in the seat in front of Snape's desk, feeling oddly like a student caught out of bed after curfew. He took one of the glasses sitting in front of him and slowly sipped at the expensive alcohol as he waited for Snape to continue.

Snape sighed inwardly as he silently sipped his own drink. He would never betray the confidence of his students, but the damage had already been done. Through no fault of his own, he added to himself. However, he did have to ensure that Lupin did not tell tales to Albus, or anyone else for that matter.

Finally, Remus could no longer take the silence. "What did you wish to talk about Severus? Or did you wish for me to go with you to talk with Albus?"

"Use your head Lupin. If Harry wished the headmaster to know about this, He would know by now," Severus snapped.

Remus could barely think. The desire to do damage to the Dursley family warred with guilt and failure. He had failed Harry miserably. There was nothing he could do to make it up to the boy. If Harry did not want the Headmaster to know of the exact circumstances of his life, then Remus would not be the one to reveal it, except...

"What is going to happen when Harry has to return?" he asked Severus, afraid that if the Dursley's weren't reported, then the abuse would continue. He didn't know if he wanted shudder or join the evil grin that crossed Snape's face.

"There is more than one spell to keep such activities in check," Snape said. "I know of a few that will help Mr. Potter should the Headmaster not take my, or Potter's request to heart.

Remus smiled slightly. He could just imaging the types of spells that the Slytherin could come up with. Assuming of course, that Severus did not just by-pass the ones to prevent abuse and skip straight to curses.

Remus took a final drink and set down his glass. He stood and made his way to the door.

"Thank you Severus," he said quietly. "Do you mind if I return on Saturday to talk with Harry?"

"Owl me tomorrow," Snape replied. "We will discuss it."