A Perfect Match
Werewolf in the middle
A PERFECT MATCH
By Geena
Chapter 14: Werewolf in the Middle
Remus Lupin drank his potion. It was THAT time of the month again ! Soon he would be feeling the all too familiar changes his body went through every full moon. Thanks to Severus it wasn’t such an ordeal lately, but he was chained to these monthly transformations for life.
Severus. When he brought the potion he had made a strange request, but Remus would do as asked without question. Hopefully he would remember to save some of his saliva. The Potions Master seemed to be in a good mood tonight. Probably was making progress in his work. In fact, he looked in such good spirits, Remus had been daring enough to drop Hermione’s name. He had heard the rumours about a confrontation between Severus and Sirius in the Great Hall and he asked Severus why he had been so hostile towards Sirius that evening. Bad idea.
Severus had given him a fierce look.
“I came back early from the Ministry and Albus persuaded me to go with him to Hogsmeade, in Harry’s cloak of course. When we were sitting in the Three Broomsticks, Hermione and Black walked in. In stead of joining Albus, they went to sit on their own, Black looking very pleased with himself. Anyway, I stayed up late that night and I didn’t see them return, so I assumed Hermione spent the night with him.”
Remus chuckled, thinking only a man in love would reason like this. Apparently it hadn’t occurred to him he just didn’t wait up long enough or he might have missed them.
“Turns out I was wrong, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. He’s no good for her, doesn’t understand her.”
“Severus, as I recall, you told me you weren’t interested in any involvement with Hermione yourself, so why are you so worked up about this ?”
e ble black eyes turned cold and he clenched his fists when he answered:
“I have told you my feelings for Hermione are irrelevant. She must never be linked to me. Don’t you realise it would be just the thing Voldemort is waiting for ? She would never be safe again.”
Remus saw the struggle on his face and wanted to comfort him, but did not know how, for what he said was true. But…
“Severus, if I’m not mistaken, you are working on a means to destroy Voldemort. Then there won’t be an obstacle anymore. Can’t you explain this to Hermione ? I’m sure she’ll understand.”
“We have already come to an understanding to forget about what happened and I would say she’s doing a great job.” The binessness in his voice made Remus’ heart go out to him.
“Do me a favour Remus, and do not ever mention this issue to me again.” He had left leaving Remus feeling guilty about trying to interfere.
So all Remus had to do now, was sit this night out. He had just finished drinking the potion, when Sirius entered his room. As usual, he would keep him company tonight. Remus was still thinking about Severus and Hermione. They were so right for each other and he was sure Hermione felt as strong as Severus. He recalled seeing her running through the passage in tears and assumed this had been after her ‘understanding’ with Severus. Noticing she had been looking happy earlier today, he concluded she had come to terms with it. Either she had found solace with Sirius like Severus was thinking, or she had found a way to let Severus see some sense. Knowing Hermione, it would probably be the latter.
Had he been so obsessed with the Severus/Hermione thing or did he hear Sirius mentioning her name ?
“Remus ? I just told you Hermione wants me to ask you to come with us to Hogsmeade on Saturday.”
“Oh, that would be nice.”
“Actually, …er, I’d appreciate it very much if you would accept to come with us and then dig up some excuse on the day itself.”
Remus raised his eyebrow. “What on earth for ?” Although he knew very well what Sirius had in mind.
“You see, I think I might stand a chance with her if I can just get her alone one more time. Remus, it’s like old times again. The Black-charm still works !”
as ras really getting excited now and he smiled widely.
“Er, Sirius, are you sure Hermione does not have a boyfriend ?”
Sirius looked a bit confused, but shook his head. “No, I’m pretty sure there’s no one in her life at the moment. Why ?”
“Oh nothing, I was under the impression she had feelings for someone, but I could be mistaken.”
“Well, a little competition never hurt anyone and, if I recall, I’m the master at this game.” He looked very confident and Remus got a very bad feeling about this.
“Sirius, I once told you your little game would backfire some day. I think you should make sure she’s completely unattached before you go stirring things up.”
“You think I don’t have it in me anymore do you ?” Sirius seemed to think this was all just a game and stealing girlfriends had always been his favourite pastime, but Remus feared Severus would not be able to control himself, Voldemort or no Voldemort.
“Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He sighed as he sensed the transformation was about to begin.
The next morning, Hermione bumped into Remus on her way to the dungeon. Apparently he was heading in the same direction.
“Good morning Hermione. You look radiant today.” Remus smiled, she did look good.
“Thank you Remus, it’s just that our work is really progressing.” Especially since I’m also making progress with Snape, she thought by herself.
“Good on you. Oh, by the way, I’d be happy to come with you and Sirius on Saturday.”
She looked confused. “Saturday ?”
“Er, Hogsmeade ?”
Now she seemed to recall something.
“Oh right. I didn’t think it would be so soon. I’m not sure I’ll be able to go next Saturday. It depends on our work.”
Remus laughed, thinking the Black-charm wasn’t what it used to be.
“Hey, we can do it some other time. Maybe when Harry comes to visit.”
“Oh yes, that would be great. Will you tell Sirius ?”
She looked very relieved and if Remus were to have had any doubts about his assumptions, he was absolutely sure now. Sirius didn’t stand a chance !
“I will. Oh, could you give this to Severus for me, I have a class to teach.”
He gave her a little jar and turned the other way.
When Hermione entered the dungeon, Snape was standing next to the cauldron. She gave him the werewolf’s saliva and he instantly put it in with the filtered bleach. Next he added the leeches and she saw the mixture was boiling now. He cast a spell to keep it at the same temperature and picked up something from the table. It appeared to be a syringe with a little container attached to it.
Hermione rolled up her sleeve and went to him.
“Are you feeling at ease ? You know you will experience some discomfort.” He spoke softly, like he was trying to soothe her.
“I’m ready.”
She gave him her arm and looked into his eyes. She felt calm. He kept looking at her when he drew the blood. She didn’t feel a thing, only aware of his stare and it was like she floated in some kind of fluffy cloud where the pain couldn’t get to her.
When he looked away she felt deserted for a moment and followed his movements. He put the blood into the cauldron. She heard a hissing sound, but no sparks emerged from the brew.
“How do we know it’s ready ?”
“We don’t. Neither do we know if it’ll work. This potion doesn’t work that way. We have to let it boil for a few days and stir it regularly to keep the blood from clotting.”
He took the cauldron from the table and put it in a corner of the lab.
Hermione began to collect their notes as she suddenly felt strange. Her head felt rather fuzzy and her legs went all wobbly. She saw the panic on Snape’s face when he reached out to her and she could feel being lifted by strong arms right before everything went black.
TBC
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