Beyond Death's Veil

Title: Beyond Death’s Veil

Disclaimer: All characters in this story are the property of J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishers and all other companies involved in the production of Harry Potter stories for the enjoyment of the general public. This story is written with no intention to earn any monies in reward for the right to read. The copyright belongs to Miss Rowling and no infringement is intended. Epona and William belong to me!

P.S. Happy Birthday (belated) moony for the 10th of March


Chapter Three: The Overdue Moony


Remus John Lupin, aka Moony, sat reading his book at the airport.

Perhaps it was an odd place to find a wizard who could with a flick of his wand transport himself over vast distances in blink of an eye or ride a broomstick wherever he desired to go. But sometimes the Muggle way was just more interesting. Having been raised a Muggle in his early years; his experience of the slower mode of transportation had been the thrills of his life. Remus could easily recall the first time he had sat on an aeroplane at the age of six. The thrill of speed as the aeroplane took off. How tightly his mother and him had held hands as they climbed into the clouds. Temporary angels, his mother had called them while flying above the clouds.

Closing his book, he studied the picture of the author on the inside cover. It was one of the new publications in the Wizarding World, mimicking the paperback book of the Muggle publishers. The author would normally smiled up at you, clutching their works proudly in their photograph. However, this man glared at you as if to say, “What are you looking at?”

Severus Snape was not an easy man to like, even more difficult to love. But that was what made the goofy smile appear on Remus’s face while he waited. Glancing at his watch, he knew in four minutes reality would come crashing into his temporary haven. Closing the book, he slipped it into his bag. He studied the Muggles wandering through the terminal building for a moment; wishing he could jump back on aeroplane and escape once more, but he did not have an excuse to this time. No he had to return home to face the music.

“Remus?”

The voice startled him. Turning around, he faced by the lovely image of Lily Potter looking as lovely as she always had.

“Lily,” Remus said embracing her.

“How was the flight?”

“Good,” he smiled. “The food was as nice as it can be. But I find Quantas are one of the better airlines to fly so I was at least comfortable and the stewardesses were very attentive.”

Lily gave him a sly look. “I would have thought the stewards were more your type?”

Feeling the blush rise in his cheeks, Remus decided to change the subject. “How have you been?”

“All right,” she replied brushing a lock of red hair out of her face. “A little hassled with the new job and looking after the family, but we are all doing well. Did I tell you Harry graduated?”

“Really? That makes me feel old.” He laughed. “Seems like only yesterday he was born!”

“I know, but he’s all grown up and his brother is close on his heels.” Lily sighed and a sad shake of her head. “I am glad your back, Remus.”

A guilty pang hit him in the chest. It always niggled at Remus’s heart that he spent so much time away from the people he considered family. But it was easier to be on the other side of the world that to live with a daily reminders of chances missed and the shattered heart that he carried in his chest. Lily always pestered him in her letters to return. The last had challenged his Gryffindor courage to face reality and ground his feet back here in the United Kingdom for more than three weeks.

Thinking about the book in his bag, Remus knew he had been a coward for too long. If only he had said something sooner. If only he had the courage to seduce the man he cared for from the man who had stolen him. ‘Lots of ifs as,’ Lily said, ‘what about dos?’ That was why he had returned. It was time to move on and do something… and that was what he was here to do.

“Come on, let’s get to the car, before it costs me an arm and a leg!”

Remus picked up his small travel bag and followed Lily towards the airport exit. He liked Manchester airport, it was one of the nicer ones in England. He hated the crowds in London, and always tried to arrive if he could manage it in the great airport of the North. The friendly staff, clean environment and easy to navigate the airport were definitely bonuses for the extra cost of flying here. As they passed the Muggle shops, he thought of the shopping he would have to do now he had returned home. He would need groceries and other bits and bobs. Pushing that from his mind, he returned to thoughts of the Potter family.

“You could always have another if you are still feeling broody, Lily.” he suggested after releasing Lily had looked a little sad at mentioning her children were growing up.

“Say that in front of James and he might just kill you for giving me ideas,” she laughed fishing for her car pack ticket. “But it is true, I would like another baby. Do you have twenty pence, Remus?”

Digging into his pocket, he bought out a handful of change. He had withdrawn money from his Muggle bank account in Heathrow waiting for his transfer for Manchester in order to buy a cup of coffee to keep himself awake after flying for sixteen hours from Sydney. Giving Lily his only twenty pence, he watched the machine eat the change and eject the ticket with a beeping sign saying ‘please take your ticket’.

“Why don’t you have another child?” he asked, curiously. “Wizards and witches live much longer than Muggle parents, you are both still young enough!”

“What a compliment,” Lily giggled pulling a tongue at him as she wandered over to a green Land Rover. “James thinks two is enough, but I am pestering him at present, I would like a little girl. I am still getting the ‘We’ll see’ comment, I’ll get my own way in the end. He just doesn’t know it!”

Opening his door, Remus laughed. Lily was definitely persistent and usually got her own way. He didn’t doubt for a second that if she wanted another child in the end James would give into her.

He was wise enough to realise that women always won in the end.


* * * * *


It seems Lily had been more prepared for his arrival back than Remus had thought. Currently, he was sitting in his kitchen with Lily unpacking Tesco shopping bags. After picking him up from the airport, Lily had detoured to her local shopping market in order to pick up some groceries for him. While he had napped in the car, she had just wandered around the store picking up the basics of fruit and vegetables, meats, bread, milk and other things that he would need to survive a few days of recovering from jet lag.

He had woken up as she closed the car boot.

They had driven an hour more before returning to Gryffindor Hollow, where Lily had insisted he have a cup of tea. He had meet William there too and his childminder. William was the current youngest Potter child. Ten years separated Harry and his brother, so he was still in primary education and yet to go to Hogwarts. A bright child, Remus found chatting to the eight year old a delight. William was a curious mix of his parents, unlike Harry who favoured his father with his mother’s eyes. William had brown hair and brown eyes, Lily’s nose and James’s smile. He was as bright as his mother and possessed her grace of movement as well. It was quite clear that William would favour his mother’s abilities for charms and potions with those skills. He also had inherited James’s ability to handle a broom and observation to detail. Even now, Remus could see that William would be a well liked amongst his peers and definitely a well rounded student, unlike his brother who had too much of his father in him to stay out of mischief.

A cup of tea and a chat with William later, Lily had helped him portkey the groceries to his kitchen, which brought him to this moment and the current conversation about which Hogwarts House William would possibly be bound for.

“I think I have a Ravenclaw for a son,” Lily said putting away articles of food into his fridge. “Though sometimes the way he plots things, I worry he will end up in Slytherin!”

Slytherin. Remus felt his heart clench at the word. The misunderstood house as Dumbledore liked to call it. Yes a few good Slytherins had come out of it despite the reputation it possessed. One he could think of was probably due home very soon.

“Sorry, Remus.” Lily said spinning around to face him. “I wasn’t thinking. Are you alright about staying here tonight with them? You could always…”

“Its fine,” he interrupted, with a taunt smile. “I doubt either of them will even know I am back, unless you told James I was coming.”

“Not a word,” Lily replied. “James won’t hear until he gets back tonight from the Ministry and William tells him he meet Uncle Moony.”

Lily left shortly afterwards. Leaving him to sleep peacefully, only sleep didn’t come. He lay in his bedroom listening the house. At about quarter to seven, he heard the front door go. A sign that someone was home. A voice called out into the rooms below seeking if someone was about. Remus recognised the voice almost immediately; it was Tonks. Sirius’s second cousin who stayed at the Black House now and again as her Auror job kept her travelling so much Sirius had offered her a place to stay rather than having to rent a place and waste money.

He was surprised to hear a response come from one of the downstairs rooms. Sirius replied with a confused but happy tone to Tonks. Remus sat up, listening intently to the dimmed conversation below.

“Allright Sirius, old man?” Tonks said happily. “How’s it going?”

“Surreal, Tonks. Life is definitely surreal.” Sirius replied, followed by the sound of shuffling. “I’m glad to see you.”

“Where’s the dread bat?”

Remus winced. He hated how Tonks and other people referred to Snape. People were still cruel no matter how you tried to change them.

“I don’t know.” Sirius answered. “I think he’s staying at Hogwarts.”

“Wot?” Tonks asked surprised. “I thought you two were all loved up and beyond petty fights!”

“Definitely not!”

A fight? Remus quietly swung his legs off the sofa and summoned his wand. What was going on? Sirius was fighting with Snape? Had things changed that much? A ray of hope leapt into his heart only to fall. If something was wrong in their ten-year partnership it was likely to be something serious. Shelving his own interests, Remus stood and wandered to the door, preparing himself to be the shoulder for his love rival. He mentally cursed himself for being too kind-hearted. As he descended the stairs, his mind wondered to the other person in this equation, the man who he secretly loved but never could tell due to his honour as a friend.


* * * * *

Severus Snape had never been an easy person to get along with. He believed that the day he first met Snape things could have either gone horridly worse than they had. He could recall finding the thin, lanky dark-haired boy sat reading in one of the carriages, ignoring the rest of the world. It has been the start of an awkward friendship. They had spoken a little on the train; the dialect growing more as each mile passed and slowly the dark curtains of long hair and the book shield had lowered to reveal a rather nervous looking boy who possessed a wicked wit and intelligence even Remus had marvelled at.

Although, he made other friends in his House, the Marauders, as they called themselves. James and Sirius never would fill Snape’s shoes as his first and best friend. He was Remus’s choice companion. Early on Sirius had started to tease and pick on the Slytherin with his greasy hair and a nose he hadn’t grown into yet, and it had quickly ended. When a jelly legs hex hit the Slytherin as they walked to Charms class discussing a potions practical they had, Remus felt his temper boil. His wand had been in his hand before he had thought his actions through, and he returned a stinging hex in response. Sirius had been stunned clutching the slash on his cheek.

Ignoring him, Remus turned and knelt beside Snape removing the hex and collecting up the fallen boy’s books and bag. Snape glanced towards James who stood beside Sirius frowning at the disagreement between his best friends. Then he looked up to Remus, who stood offering his hand to help the Slytherin up. A smile appeared on Snape’s face as he took the hand. Pleasure had rushed through Remus as their hands had touched. Stumbling to his feet, Snape had been inches away from his faces and practically in his arms before righting himself, and Remus had experienced his first problem with uncontrollable swellings. They always appeared around Snape.

Madam Pomfrey had told him it was part of boy’s growing up and not a Wizard ailment.

He had been too young to understand it then. But later he realised, he had fallen for Snape in that first meeting. He had desired him sexually at thirteen. At fifteen, Remus knew it was more than friendly affection. He would watch him across the hall for years, too scared to stand up for the object of his obsession in case Snape figured it out. But in the end, he had lost.

It had been days before Valentine’s Day in their sixth year, after six years of watching and confusion, Remus had realised the prospect he loved Severus Snape. The awkward Slytherin he had been friends and lab-partner with. Being male and loving a male wasn’t wrong according to Professor Tunstell who was teaching defence against the dark arts that year. She was a lovely woman from South Africa who had studied Magical Legal Law and Muggle Law in the United States before returning to teach Defence. Dumbledore had allowed her to conduct a debate one key issues in one her classes; mostly it had been boring ancient laws discussed, but towards the end on Muggleborn student Kelsey Shale had asked a question off the topic of defence but she had been a curious Ravenclaw apparently going through a difficult time at home.

“Professor, might I ask you a question?” Kelsey had asked raising her hand. “Its not on defence laws, but it does regard the law.”

“This debate is not just about defence law, Miss Shale.” Professor Tunstell said excitedly. “Please feel free to ask away.”

“Well it’s embarrassing, but is it illegal to be homosexual?” Kelsey blurted out, startling several of the class. “See my dad, he’s run off with a man. My mum says it’s dirty and evil, and he will go to Hell. I know my dad though, he’s the nicest man I know.”

Several of the classes started twittering amongst themselves, some laughing. Lily looked sad and angry at the lack of sympathy of those people to their classmate. The Purebloods just raised their eyebrows; some of them a little confused looking as if to say what is all the commotion about. Remus felt his own curiosity stir; with his mixed up feelings this could prove helpful. Professor Tunstell took it all in her stride.

With a wave of her hand, she said. “Hush all of you.”

The several students who had been chuckling shut up as the wandless spell hit them.

“Miss Shale, personal problems are best discussed outside the classroom,” Professor Tunstell said approaching the Ravenclaw and laying a dark hand on her shoulder. “I suspect this is a recent development and you’re still confused and upset about it. Well, despite your mother’s personal beliefs, homosexuality is legal in some parts of the Muggle world.

Here in Scotland, it’s still a crime. But I understand there is great debate about it. But by your accent I judge you are English by birth. Be comforted your father isn’t breaking any law in England; it has been legal there since 1967. Now, you might have noticed some of the class didn’t react to your question. The Wizarding world politics have developed quite differently from Muggle. The Ministry never specifically outlawed homosexual relationships after the Roman Empire left these Isles.

They did bring a law in though to clarify the Law on it three hundred years ago, stating anyone over the age of eighteen, who understands the basis of a homosexual relationship may pursue such a relationship with a willing partner.”

There, Professor Tunstell ended her lecture. She told the class that they should embrace a wider cultural experience that being magical opened them up to. Their world wasn’t as restrictive as many Muggles lives were and they should be grateful for that. She then held back those who had laughed and made comments at Kelsey Shale’s question back after class, issuing them with two lengths of scroll essay on the topic of why tolerance was essential to living in the modern world.

It left Remus with a lot to think about. By Valentine’s Day, he understood what he was feeling and he wanted to express it. Sending Snape a soppy Valentine’s card that exploded singing “I love ya baby!’ would be sending it to its doom and make the Slytherin want to kill the person that sent it rather than encourage him wonder. He decided to talk to the girls. Lily and Epona were the only female friends he had. The other girls tended to fancy him or just be interested in James or Sirius, though now James was in a steady relationship it was Sirius grabbing all the attention.

Epona Ravenclaw, a descendant of the Ravenclaw founder, sat speaking to Lily Evans in the courtyard gardens when he found them. They were practically joined at the hip as firm friends. Both brainy with lovely classical looks, they were noted by the school gossip as two of the most desirable ladies in their year. Epona was also one of Snape’s other friends.

“Hello Remus,” Epona said as she saw him approach. “Why are you looking so glum? If you say it’s due to Valentine’s Day, I won’t believe you!”

“Oh hush, Epona,” Lily told her companion. “You do look down, Remus; is something wrong?”

“Actually, I was wondering if you two could give me some advice.”

Both girls looked at each other. Shuffling apart, they gestured for him to sit between them. Sitting on the stone bench, he spoke quietly so the other students close by might not hear what was said. They listened intently, both considering what action they could suggest. Of course, they assumed that it was a girl that Remus was talking about. After exhausting a good few ideas, Epona thought of something.

“Well, there is something else.” Epona sighed playing with her tawny long hair. “If chocolates, cards, jewellery or promises; won’t win the heart you’re after perhaps trust will.”

“What?” Lily and Remus asked together.

“My grandmother was so difficult to woo, most wizards gave up. She was determined only the ONE was going to win her affections.” Epona explained looking directly into Remus’s eyes and smiling. “Why don’t you share a secret or give her something that means the world to you? My grandfather gave my grandmother a feather from a black Pegasus, they are extinct now, but he was given a feather by the last living one as a reward for his kindness.”

“Wow,” Lily smiled. “That was a gift of the heart for sure.”

A gift of the heart; Remus smiled at the idea. He was sure that was the only way anyone could convince Snape they loved the misunderstood Slytherin who had low self-esteem and distrusted everyone. Even though, he trusted Remus as a friend, there lingered doubt, which he harboured in his heart. Snape had told him of this doubt, and he had promised never to betray or give Snape a reason to doubt him. He hoped that the Slytherin would understand him now.

Desperate to speak to Snape before dinner, he excused himself from the girls company. He had an idea of what he would entrust to Snape. It was a secret that could destroy him, only James and Sirius knew because over the years they noticed his disappearances and injuries. He stood outside the Slytherin dorms waiting for someone to pass, hoping they would be kind enough to pass a message onto Snape.

Rosier, a first year was the person that volunteered to carry the message. His friends had been surprised he had volunteered when they had teased him for even asking. Rosier hurried inside to the sixth year dorms and fetched Snape rather swiftly. Remus was surprised as Snape came out the portrait so quickly.

“Lupin,” Snape greeted him. “Are you feeling ill? You are as white as a bed sheet!”

“I’m fine,” he said, feeling his gut twist into a thousand knots. “Can I talk to you in private?”

Confused, Snape nodded. Dark eyes studied Remus as he grabbed Snape’s hand and pulled him along the hallway. He led the way to the old armoury chamber in the first floor of one of the entrance towers. No one much used the room save for storage, so with a silencing charm, Remus knew it was a safe place to talk.

“Ouch!” Snape declared as Remus relinquished his hand.

Casting the illuminating, locking and silence charms before turning to face the Slytherin. Remus pocketed his wand and felt himself shiver. His heart was racing a million miles an hour as he prepared himself to launch into the speech he had mentally prepared.

“Lupin, what is wrong with you?” Snape snorted. “You are acting very odd! Are Black and Potter up to something?”

“No,” Remus said nervously. “I know you must think I am crazy, but please there is something very important I want to tell you.”

Snape frowned at him. The Slytherin glanced around the room for a place to sit as he watched Remus pace a little like a caged tiger. Something was eating his friend and Snape was curious to know what had wound the Gryffindor up so badly. He transfigured a dustsheet in a seat and then waited for Remus to speak.

Remus watched out the corner of his eye as Snape made himself comfortable. Glad that the Slytherin was at least staying to see what he wanted to say. Convinced, it was a good sign he took a calming breath before moving to stand before Snape, forcing the dark-haired boy to look up at him.

“I have a secret to tell you,” he said with a deep breath. “This secret could destroy me if it ever got out. But I want you to trust me completely, and if you know this you would have complete power over me.”

A little startled by the declaration, Snape gulped. “Why would you tell me such a thing? Or want to tell me?”

In for a penny in for a pound, his mind told him as he replied to Snape. “Because I want you to explore something with me. Ever since we meet on the train, there has been something between us for me. I didn’t know what it was, until recently.”

“What?”

“I love you, Severus.”

Snape was out of his seat quicker than lightning stuck, knocking Remus off balance and he landed crashing to the floor yelping as he bruised his elbows on impact with the floor. The Slytherin stood above him trembling and wide eyed. He looks like a frightened fox, Remus thought recalling the time as a child he found a fox hiding in a hole as a hunt moved by his house. The poor creature had backed into the shed terrified of the baying hounds.

Slowly, he sat up and reached for Snape’s hands. The other boy flinched as he grasped one and tugged on it. Taking the hint, he knelt on the ground beside Remus not giving two thoughts to the dusty floor and his black trousers. They sat together watching each other for a moment. Assured Snape wasn’t going to bolt, he continued.

“I’m telling you because I have feelings for you, Severus.” He continued, squeezing the hand he still held. “No tricks just honesty. The secret I want to tell you is this; have you ever noticed I’m always ill at the full moon and covered in cuts and scratches for a week after it?”

The dark-haired boy frowned; a thoughtful look filled his eyes. “Yes, I have. But what has…

“I am a werewolf, Severus.”

Shock was a mild way to how to describe Snape’s face. The pale colour of his cheeks grew whiter; he looked as Muggle’s description of someone had seen a ghost. Surprisingly, Snape reached out and touched his shoulder with the free hand Remus’s wasn’t holding. No horror appeared in the Slytherin’s eyes nor was there pity. There was no fear, which please him most of all.

“A werewolf,” Snape murmured. “Do you have a scar from the bite?”

“Its on my thigh.”

“Why have you told me all this?”

“Because I love you,” Remus said slipping his finger’s through Snape’s and clasping their hands together as lovers did. “And I needed to tell you.”

“Stupid headstrong Gryffindor.”

“Trust me?”

Snape considered Remus for a moment. “I have never kissed anyone you know? Few people have ever liked me; save for my mother no one has ever loved me. I am a disappointment to them all. So why do you?”

“I liked you. Now I love you, and I have never kissed anyone either.” He answered, brushing strands of the long dark hair, behind Snape’s ear. “I am not asking for you to say you love me back, Severus. I just want the chance to… I don’t know… earn your love.”

“It cannot be public!”

“No.” Remus answered. “I understand it can’t, but please can I have a chance?”

Snape looked at Remus before turning away. His heart slumped at the dismissal. Releasing the hand he held, he moved back and stood before glancing down at the still sitting Slytherin.

”We better head to dinner otherwise we’ll be later,” Remus said before he took out his wand and removed the spells on the door.

As they stepped out into the hallway, Snape glanced up and down before turning back to Remus. Dark eyes studied the Gryffindor. He would never know what encouraged him to do it, for years he put it down to his stupid Gryffindor courage. Stepping forward, he let his hands wander slowly up the Slytherin’s body; his eyes never leaving the dark gaze that was fixed with hawk like precision on his own. Dark orbs that expressed every feeling occurring in the taller boy’s turbulent mind; confusion, desire and trust.

“You won’t hurt me will you, Remus?” Severus asked softly leaning into rest his forehead against Remus’s.

Moisture crept into Remus’s eyes, tears threatening to overspill. “Never.”

With that whisper, he closed the distance between them. They lips touched briefly upon the first try. It lasted barely long enough to be considered a kiss. As blue eyes looked into black, a silent permission passed between them and all nervousness evaporated. Both Remus and Severus’s first kiss started as slow tender exploration as they overcame the awkward moments. They both felt something pass in the brief brush of lips. It left each speechless, breathless and desperate for more. An intense passion and heat sparked up between them; Remus found himself pushed up against the wall as Severus intensified and took dominating control of the kiss. Exploring every part of him possible to touch with his hands and that clever wicked tongue that could lash you with an insult and now incited such passion and excitement.

Remus could only hold on as the kiss continued. Both surrendering to the feelings that the touch brought; they parted only when the need for oxygen force them too. Breathless, they rested against each other for support feeling weak as they panted for breath.

“Wow.” Remus managed to gasp to break the silence.

“Indeed.” Severus chuckled, brushing a lock of tawny hair out of Remus’s eyes.

“What now?”

Severus froze for a moment before drawing back; he straightened Remus’s uniform before placing a soft fleeting kiss upon the swollen lips he had bruised. “We wait and see where this leads… but for now we have dinner to go to an a Valentine’s Ball to endure tonight.”

Remus nodded. “Can I see you later?”

A smile lit up the Slytherin’s face. “Of course. Ten o’clock by the house counters? We should be able to feign boredom or tiredness with our friends by then.”

Severus left first heading back down the rear staircase for the dungeons. Leaving Remus leant against the world; his heart soaring and head full of dreams. He felt on top of the world and as if nothing could ever bring him down. Severus had accepted him. Been curious in the feelings he possessed and shared with him a special moment of a first kiss! Epona and Lily would notice the smile that lit up Remus’s face at the ball. They pestered for details but got none. But both concluded that Valentine’s Day had gone well for Remus.

He pushed himself off the wall, whistling as he walked down the corridor, wishing time to hurry by. Something Remus did know for sure, the world was never going to be the same again; everything had changed…

Unnoticed by both boys someone had been watching their display in the hallway. Deep anger burnt in the heart of the figure hidden in the shadows; he swore silently that the world was never going to be the same again. He would have what Remus longed to possess…


* * * * *


As he descended the last step of the staircase, Remus heard a creak as the front door of the Black House opened. His body froze as he saw the figure enter and stop in surprise at the sight of him.

They stood there staring at each other for a moment, unsure of what to say.

“Remus?” the dark figure said breathlessly.

Without warning, Remus felt his heart shatter again into a thousand shards as it always did at the sight of Severus Snape.


TBC…




AN: William is inspired from Prince William, British Heir to the Throne. William and Harry belong as brothers, so I created William Potter! In case anyone wonders where Wormtail is, he was never born in this world. So the rat isn’t a pain in the ass!