Potions in the Moonlight

"Maybe he's right.... maybe it is my fault..." Remus said plopping down on the bed. He had tears streaming down his cheeks. His chest hurt and it felt almost like he couldn't breath. "He said we where over. Said he's forgiven me for enough that I should at least... have given him a chance. Maybe I should have." He said. "Maybe if I hadn't been so hard on him..."

James sighed and put his quidditch magazine down. "Remus... it's not your fault. He's just... being Snivellus." He said. He wanted to be nice and to be honest he thought that had Remus just talked to him Remus would stop mopping about. Turns out it just made it worse.

"Fuck you James. Just fuck you, when did I ever ask your opinion! You don't even try to understand how I feel. When have you ever felt this bad about anything? Just fuck off."

"I'm just trying to help Remus..." James said picking up his magazine again ignoring his friend who seemed to not want his help.

James was right, Remus didn't want his help. Swinging his bag over his shoulder he left for the library. All he wanted to do was drown in a book and never have to think about people again.

Unfortunately Snape was still there again. Remus sat down at a table further away. Remus couldn't look at him, it hurt just thinking about him. He pulled an advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook off the shelf and buried himself into it.

He glanced up as he saw professor McGonagall come into the library. Odd.

She walked up to Sev and saw him nod as she spoke quietly to him. He gathered his books and followed her out of the library.

Snape followed her to the headmasters office. He saw Dumbledore sitting at his desk. "Ah Mr Snape." Dumbledore said. "I have received word that a court date has been set pertaining your sister" he smiled slightly. "I have to say Mr Malfoy is very kind to help you like this."

Sniffing, Severus didn't look the headmaster in the eye as he said tersely.

"Yes Sir, he is."

His voice sounded as empty as he felt, if he didn't think about what was happening too much then maybe it wouldn't hurt so badly.

"Would you like me to send word to Mr. Lupin of the date or would you like to tell him yourself?" Dumbledore asked. "I'm to assume you would wish him to be present?"

Severus blinked at him. Could the old man be serious? Did he not realise... stupid fool. He kept his tone as emotionless and neutral as possible, hoping his voice wouldn't break.

"Why would I want to do that?"

"I was told that you and Mr Lupin made up after what happened in the Shrieking Shack. I had assumed you would like support from a... Friend."

Without looking the old man in the eyes, Severus snapped, tersely.

"Re... He's not my friend..."

Dumbledore blinked a few times. "I see... Yes well your court date has been set." Dumbledore moved the paper that was in front of him aside. "I trust you are catching up with your studies."

"Yes, Professor..." all Severus could think of was the face of the younger boy when they had finally ended it. "... adequately well..." those puppy dog eyes, the idea that Remus was hurting more than he ever had done before. "... I shall be totally prepared for the exams next month." The very thought made Severus want to be sick.

"Very good... Very good... Yes well you would be returning to class then." Dumbledore said politely. "Good luck with your studies."

Severus managed a very curt 'thank you, Professor' before sweeping out the door. He wouldn't be needing luck. And he wouldn't be needing Remus.

He made his way back to the library and collected the rest of his stuff before heading to his next class.

Damn Potions. An hour sat in the same room as Remus, that was the last thing he needed right now. He wanted to settle and think about court.

He made his way into Slughorn's class and sat down at his usual desk.

---

Snape sat nervously in his chair though he refused to show it. He saw his mother and father sitting at the table a few feet away from him but refused to allow the mans glare to get to him.

"Court is now in session."

Lucius reclined lazily beside his iron clad lawyer. He found the whole idea of court over a small child exceedingly dull. He was only here because it intrigued him how far Severus would go for one little girl.

Severus listened to the lawyer speak and watched as people where called to the stand.

"Severus will you please come to the stand."

Snape slouched to the witness box purposefully not looking at anyone. The Judge continued.

"Why do you think you'll be a good guardian to your sister."

"I won't abuse her for one..." Snape muttered. After him Lucius was called to the stand and almost three hours of arguing and a brief recess to calm his father down after he had attacked Severus. His mother had sat next to her husband quietly more out of fear than anything else.

In this tense silence, Severus could almost feel sorry for his Mother, being forced to part with her child like this. Almost. If she had been a better Mother in the first place, then Severus wouldn't be having to do this. He'd heard the abuse his Father and the lawyers had given him. Called him an animal, called him unfit.

He was so grateful that no one here but Lucius knew about him and Remus. That was a prejudice he could never overcome.

"The court has come to a final decision. Custody goes to Severus Snape."

Severus froze, unable to move or speak. Those were the words he had been waiting to hear for so long, and now he could scarcely believe them. He heard his Mother slowly collapse into tears, but he couldn't bring himself to pity her.

He smiled at Lucius who tried to pull him out of the way as Tobias flew over his table and grabbed onto him. He threw Severus to the ground and hit him braking his nose in the process.

Despite the searing pain in his head, Severus couldn't bring himself to care. All he could think of was Amara... she was safe now. he had sacrificed everything to make her safe and happy. Had it been worth it? Of course, he put her above everything.

He was dimly aware of his father being magically pulled off of him. He stood up and whipped the blood from his face and saw his mother watching him. He couldn't tell if she was sad or... No... She looked... Happy.

Feeling like the child he had once been, Severus grinned at her, blood settling in the gaps between his teeth. He knew that she was glad both her babies, both Severus and his sister would be safe now. Now Severus was an adult he could do everything in his power to protect his little sister. What any Mother could want.

She wanted so badly to go up to him and thank him. To hug her baby again. But she was hurriedly dragged away by her furious husband. Severus wanted to feel sorry for her but found that he couldn't. Unlike Amara his mother Eileen could protect herself but chose not to.

As the healers tended to his face, he remembered asking, in all the chaos, where his sister was.

"When can I see her?" he repeated over and over. Dumbledore was at his side, reassuring, calm.

"Soon Mr Snape. Soon, don't worry."

He felt his heart start to beat again so suddenly his chest hurt. It felt as if it had stopped as soon as his little "werewolf problem" was brought up. He thought right then that he had lost. But Lucius had reassured them that on the full moon he would be kept locked up and that someone at Malfoy manner would be taking care of her. The ministry looked skeptical at first but as Dumbledore had stepped up they realized it was only one night a month.

It suddenly all fell on Severus at once; his sister was truly his, he was stuck with his werewolf problem, Remus would probably never look at him again, he was indebted to Lucius indefinitely and he still has all his NEWTs to pass. It all felt too much, the tears mingled with the blood streaked down his face.

"Come along Snape." Lucius said walking up to him once again. "We have... matters to discuss."

----------

Lucius stood in the large dim bed room looming over Snape who sat staring at the floor. His pale skin practically glowed in the candle light making him look like a pale haired vampire as he advanced on him. His black silk robe hung loosely from his slender shoulders.

His smile was a delicate blend of malicious and gentle. His eyes lingered over Severus' neatly healed nose though it have it a slight hook.

"Today has been a great success... Severus. In a day your sister will be brought to the manor. I trust now everything is settled, you will act with a little more respect."

Severus didn't look up. "Yes sir."

"Lucius." Malfoy's tongue hissed over his name. "It was always Lucius before..."

"Yes Lucius." he said knowing he enjoyed the sound of his name on his lips. He knew Lucius loved his voice ever since first year.

The candle guttered weakly, highlighting Malfoy's glittering smile. Without a word he slid onto the bed, taking in the younger boy's skinny frame.

Severus shrunk away from him but didn't leave the bed.

Not breaking his gaze from the younger boy's face, Lucius licked his lips.

"How long have we been... friends, Severus?"

"Six years."

Lucius laughed.

"And still you look at me like I am going to bite you." Severus glanced up through his hair.

"I honestly don't know what to expect from you anymore Lucius."

That dark, forbidding laugh again.

"Correct..." Lucius brought his pale fingers up to brush Severus's hair from his eyes.

Severus shivered as his fingers brushed the skin of his temple.

Frowning, Lucius cautiously dragged his nails down to Snape's neck.

"You cold?"

"No..." Snape said honestly. To be honest he felt... afraid.

Lucius knew this, and somehow this bothered him. Pressing the boy back against the luxurious bed, Malfoy bent over him to steal a dominating kiss. The soft blonde hair that wasn't loosely tied back hung down across the younger boy's face.

Severus lazily returned the kiss suddenly feeling slightly nauseous. The weight of his situation suddenly dawned on him but he did not push Malfoy away. Instead he lay under him stiffly and shaking.

Rolling his eyes and stealing another kiss, Lucius forced Severus against the headboard.

"You're still not there Severus," he whispered, dangerously.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Severus said pushing Lucius off of him. He sat up on the edge of the bed his breathing coming in long harsh gasps. He was trying to stay calm but he was beginning to hyperventilate.

Growling Lucius wrenched his hair and stalked off to the other side of the room, leaving the boy on the bed.

"You're pathetic. Fighting me isn't going to make this any easier. You made an arrangement and I have completed my side of the bargain. You really think the courts would have looked favourably on a freak like you?"

Severus didn’t say anything, he just looked away from him. Lucius turned back and smiled.

“You know I’m right don’t you?” He asked walking back. “You know that had it not been for me your sister would be at home right now... your dad-”

“Enough...” Severus said. “I’ll do what ever you want just...”

“Just what Severus?” Lucius asked.

“Just stop talking about my father...” Severus said. Lucius smiled and crawled back onto the bed moving ontop of Snape as he pushed him back down on the bed.

“Trust me Severus.... You’ll enjoy this.”

TBC...

Schiff: Pasha where are you? :(