Path of the serpent

Title: Path of the set
At
Author: ejab
Pairing: SS/LM with a little SS/RL and SS/DM on the side
Rating: story is NC-17 and slash
Feedback: oh yes, highly appreciated!
Disclaimer: I hear the people at the bank laughing so I guess J.K. Rowling still owns them
Warning: mwah... none really, I think.
Category: all over the place
Summary: Severus is having a really bad day – not only does he become the focus of
attention, he also has to fight of a horny werewolf.
A/N: betas are underlucius and silentpawz.

31/?

Not long after the Daily Prophet had been delivered to its subscribers, hell indeed started to break loose. First some excited murmurs, a few shrieks of disbelief and outrage even and then a roar seemed to spread all through the Great Hall. The Slytherin students caught the attention of their Head of House by slowly standing up, facing him and giving the dark haired wizard a standing ovation.. From the Slytherin point of view he’d made a very, very smart strategic move by making an official alliance with such a powerful and influential wizard as Lucius Malfoy.

Snape managed a tiny painful smilforeforeturituring them to sit back down again and continue with their breakfast. Oh Merlin, was such a public display of their loyalty really this necessary?

“I think I’m gonna be sick...” At the Gryffindor table, Harry Potter stared at his porridge like it was suddenly coming to life.

His friend Ron just looked absolutely disgusted at the potions master and then at the Slytherin table. “Just LOOK at that! Malfoy’s acting like he’s the bloody king or something!”

They all followed Ron’s gaze and understood - Draco Malfoy was being congratulated from all sides, obviously very pleased with it all. For a moment he looked over at the Gryffindors and smirked.

“The way they look at it, he might be just that now, you know.” Hermione sighed. “His father is pronounced innocent again and is still wealthy and powerful and now he gets a second father who just happens to be one of the best potions masters around...”

“Fathers who are both Death Eaters!n spn spat. Harry dropped his spoon. “What?”

“Nothing...” Harry quickly shook his head. “Can you imagine? If we ever thought Malfoy was unbearable before...”

“The greasy git as your father - OUCH! Seeing him at school, then at home during your vacations and-“

“At breakfast....” Dean grinned, “...after a passionate night with his husband.”

“Dean!” Ron spat out the pumpkin juice he’d just sipped. “Please! That’s an image I can absolutely live without, you moron!”

“You really think Snape and... ?” The thought alone was enough to let Neville blush profusely. He clearly had troubles thinking of his dreaded potions master having a sexlife.

“They’re Slytherins! They’ll shag anything that moves,” Dean snorted. “I wonder if he’s a top or bottom?”

“Dean, please, not everyone is interested in such insignificant details. When two people truly love each other it is-“

“Oh, shut up, Hermione. As if Snape knows the meaning of that word! That greasy git and love don’t fit in the same universe! And besides – just look at him! Who could love something like that?!” Ron huffed.

“Somehow I don’t think Mr Malfoy will allow anyone to top him,” Ginny mused, staring thoughtful at the Head Table.

“Ginny!” The words of his little sister made Ron’s eyes almost pop out of their sockets. Then a second, and much more disturbing, thought occurred to him. “Er.. you know what topping means?”

“Oh. for Merlin’s sake. Ron... you boys are not the only ones talking about sex, you know,” Ginny snorted, both irritated and amused about her brother’s shocked reaction. “We ar-“

“I’m not listening, I’m not listening,” Ron chanted, putting his hands over his ears. The youngest Weasley shook her head, sighed and concentrated on her scrambled eggs again.

“Maybe it’s an Order thing? Maybe Dumbledore made him do this?” Harry whispered conspiratorial to his two closest friends.

“I doubt that, Harry. Look at Dumbledore – does he look happy to you?” Hermione nodded towards the Head Table. Both Ron and Harry looked. No, Dumbledore definitely did not look happy. He congratulated his potions master and even smiled but anyone taking the time to really observe, could see the concern laying beneath the smile.

The gossip was also already starting, Harry noticed. Madame Trelawney, Hooch and Sprout were not exactly setting the best example for their students by sticking their heads together and whispering and laughing together. Even a troll could figure out who they were gossiping about. And by the look of the sour expression on his face, so did Snape.
He did, however, manage to stay seated and act somewhat polite when his other colleagues came to congratulate him. But when Flitwick started to excitedly, and very loudly, say how happy he was for the potions master, Snapes expression was gettinggerogerously murderous.

“What do you think he and Malfoy are up to?’ The voice of Seamus Finnigan startled Harry out of his observations. He focused on his fellow housemates again.

“What do you mean? Why should they be ‘up to something’?” Harry looked puzzled.

“You were brought up by Muggles...” Neville said as if that explained everything. Then, after sorting out his thoughts carefully, spoke softly. “Purebloods don’t divorce. Never. They just don’t. It would be a disgrace, it would mean losing face and-“

Lee Jordan decided to join their conversation. “It’s one of those unspoken rules, Harry. When your marriage is down the drain, you simply take a lover. But you don’t divorce. Most of them couldn’t afford that anyway. Especially with those upper-class purebloods, marriage is not about love but all about politics - alliances, strengthening your position, gaining power, stepping up the social ladder, assuring your legacy by producing heirs – for many of them that is what marriage is about. It’s an extreme delicate issue. My father once told me that, in the older days, men could marry a second wife if their first wife could not give them any sons.” A look to his right told him that Hermione was about to comment on that but Lee ignored it. “Anyway, the fact Luc Lucius Malfoy has divorced his wife of almost 25 years is sure to set very bad blood. And if that isn’t outrageous enough, he now marries a MAN! It will certainly shock and infuriate a lot of people. Powerful people. So to take the risk of getting shunned... ?“

“They wouldn’t dare! He’s still too powerful himself,” Seamus pointed out.

“True, but he IS taking a huge risk and that is something Malfoy would never do if he wouldn’t gain something from it. So the question is ‘what does he gain from marrying Snape?’”

“Free and inexhaustible supply of potions.” Ron shrugged.

“He probably already has that. Along with money, power and influence,” Harry sighed.

They couldn’t find an answer to the question, no matter how hard they tried. Walking back to their tower, Hermione suggested that maybe they looked at it from the wrong point of view.

“What if Voldemort has ordered Malfoy to marry Snape? Maybe he suspects Snape of being a spy and wants someone to keep a close eye on him?”

Both Harry and Ron thought about it. There could be something to that...

“ So we have to feel sorry for that git now?” Ron snorted. He and Harry exchanged looks and both decided, “Nooooo!”

“Really now... “ Faced with so much immaturity, Hermoine quickly disappeared into the girls dorm to get her books.


“**** LUCIUS MALFOY MARRIES ANOTHER MAN!!!! ****
It has come to your reporter’s attention that no other then the well known and respected aristocrat Lucius Malfoy wastes no time and is laying claim on the new, anill ill very controversial, law which makes same sex marriagossiossible!

Not only has he divorced his beautiful and loyal wife of 23 years (!), Narcissa Black, he now has announced he will marry a MAN! His new husband will be Mr Severus Snape.

Mr Snape currently holds the position of potions master at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft and your reporter discovered that the two men, both from Slytherin House, have kept in touch ever since their schooldays and were always regarded as close friends. I can’t help wonder HOW close... (forgive your humble reporter this little joke).
The Snape family... “


Only now, after a exhausting and crazy long, long day which he preferred to Obliviate from his mind, Severus found the time to look at the Daily Prophet himself. He threw the paper on the ground, not bothering to read any further. He should have known. A simple announcement in the ‘Family Column’, which was normal procedure for announcements of engagements, marriages, births and deaths, would not do. They had to write a whole article on his upcoming marriage! And on the bloody first page too! No doubt, judging by the length of the article, the reporter had also seen fit to drag in his own family history. Some history. He grimaced and cursed. Being on the opening page of the Daily Prophet was definitely not a good way to start his day. And to make matters worse the first Howlers already started to come in. The first of many to come, surely.

The only thing he could feel some gratitude for was Dumbledore’s instruction to the house-elves to collect all Howlers to come and open them in a deserted room at the other end of the castle. That spared him at least some humiliation and aggravation.
The constant gossiping, snickering and looks of the most divergent emotions from both students and colleagues, he could handle. He already ignored his colleagues most of the time and the students... well, some more ‘creative’ detentions would take care of that. Thinking up something far worse than a simple detention was almost a form of art – he really had neglected that particular skill for too long – and besides, it would be rather satisfying to leave this place with the knowledge of having traumatised certain students for life. Or at least for many, many years to come.
What a day it had been... the potions master stared longingly at his drinking cabinet but knew drinking alcohol was out of the question at this point
“S
“Severus?” A knock and Dumbledore was standing in front of him.

“Headmaster,” Snape reluctantly stood up. Now what?

“If I am not mistaken, you are about to give Remus his new potion tonight?” Dumbledore invited himself and sat down, gesturing the potions master to do the same.

“Yes. This day has been rather boring so far so I can certainly do with some excitement,” the dark haired wizard grunted. The Headmaster grinned.

“Yes, it was pretty dull, wasn’t it?” Dumbledore chuckled for a moment but soon became serious again. “With Remus’permission I have placed an alarming spell on his room for this night. Just to be sure. It will activate the moment you call out ‘Perkamentus’. I will be able to immediately appear in the room, together with Poppy and Minerva. We will be on stand by all through the night.”

Right. No pressure here. “Thank you, although I’m sure I won’t be needing your protection.”

“Better safe than sorry, Severus. Oh, and you have a day off tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll need that time to analyse your findings and work out your notes.” The Headmaster saw his potions master begin to protest but silenced him with a wave of his hand. “Please, Severus – this is too important. Too many lives depend on it.”

“Very well...” Snape gave in with a deep sigh. The old man did have a point, though... “Now, if you will excuse me? I must check on the potion to see if it has cooled off sufficiently.”

“Of co. Go. Good luck, my boy.” Dumbledore gave him a worried look and left.

Wonderful, just what he needed – encouragement that sounded like an obituary notice.
Nevertheless he continued and arrived at Remus’quarters nearly a hour later.

“Severus! I was already wondering at what ti-“

“How do you feel now, Lupin? I have to know if you already are feeling the ‘calling of the moon’...” the potions master snorted, “...before you are taking this potion” No time to waste on small talk - this would be an experiment. A professional study and experiment. One that had to be done within one step from the nearest exit, the door.

Remus smiled faintly, understanding the unspoken fear still present. Or better, increased fear.
“I feel a bit sluggish and restless at the same time. The same as usual, really, at this point. Shall we?”

“By all means.” The dark haired wizard handed the DADA teacher the beaker and watched him drink the content. Remus handed it back with the comment that it still tasted like crap.

“So... you’re going to marry Lucius Malfoy.” Remus sat down os bes bed, waiting for what was about to come and feeling extremely nervous now too. At least with the old potion, he knew what was about to happen...

“Indeed.” Snape leaned back against the cold stones near the door again, wand in his hand.

“I’m happy for you,” the DADA teacher said, smiling with sad eyes.

“No, you’re not.”

“Regardless of what you may think, I am happy. For you.” The addition said it all.

“You really are in love with me... “ A statement. Not a quon.
on.

“Yes. Ironic, isn’t it?” Remus chuckled but his eyes still spoke about pain and feeling a tremendous loss. “I have been ever since our second year. You were so intelligent, different, mystical almost... not to mention beautiful.”

“Beautiful? Love really made you blind, didn’t it?” The potions master snorted again. “Did that have something to do with-“

“Sirius never knew. Nor any of the others.” The DADA teacher shivered lightly.

“Of course not. They would have rejected you, if they knew. And a wolf can’t live without a pack, now can he?’ His voice betrayed more bitterness than Snape would have liked.

“Don’t, Severus...” Remus sighed, tired of all their past demons and definitely not willing to go there now. A second, more intense, shiver made him twitch and gasp. He closed his eyes for a moment..

“Lupin?” Snape watched as the DADA teacher’s body jerked violently and made him land on the floor with a muffled ‘thump’.

“I’m okay...” Remus made no effort to stand up or move and just lay there, staring at the ceiling before focusing on his company again. “It feels weird... I can feel both my mind and body getting confused... as if they don’t know what to do now... never knew a body could feel confused... “

“Are you in any pain?”

“Some but not nearly as much as usual in this stage.”Remus’ body convulsed again. Severus remembered all too well what this had lead to the last time and desperately hoped he wouldn’t have to witness that again. He’d seen his share of pain and suffering but this... to see a human body being ripped apart alive, shredded and then transform right in front of his eyes – that was a totally different league and had haunted him in his dreams for three nights in a row.
The eyes of the potions master widened in fear as the DADA teacher closed his eyes and moaned while his body shuddered and trembled more fiercely with every breath he took. Oh damn. Showtime. “Lupin?’

“Oh gods...” Remus started to roll over the floor, writhing in pain and groaning in agony. Or was it howling? It definitely sounded more like howling, Severus thought. Not good, not good at all. He felt the distance between himself and the door. Just to be sure and ready.
“Make up your mind, goddammit!” the DADA teacher snapped. His body and mind were still deciding which way to go, then. Or... ? As suddenlyas it had started, all movement stopped and Remus remained laying completely still. Peaceful almost. Snape felt confused. Was this it? Was this all?

Then the man on the floor yawned and chuckled. Chuckled?

“Lupin?” Had the Gryffindor gone mad now? The dark haired wizard frowned but still did not move, quickly thinking over the list of ingredients and concluding that insanity should be out of the question.

“Amazing... “Remus opened his eyes and slowly started to look around, still grinning. “A...ma...zing...”

“Enlighten me and please tell me what is so amazing?”

“My form is human, my mind is human but my senses are those of the wolf,” the DADA teacher mumbled in awe. He closed his eyes for a third time, grinned happily and then scrambled onto his feet. The hand of the potions master checked if the door had moved.
Remus walked to his bed, then back, all the while studying his own legs as if he saw them for the first time. “I can walk. I KNOW I walk. I can feel every muscle moving and I am in total control...” He looked up at Snape, smiling the warmest and most loving smile Snape had ever seen in his life, making the potions master feeling strangely lost for a second.

“What are you doing, Lupin?” The dark haired wizard eyed the DADA teacher suspiciy why when he came walking towards him.

“You just gave me back my life, Severus. I want to give you a hug,” came the enthusiastic reply.

“I don’t do hugs, Lupin,” Snape snarled. “Now back off or I’lRemuRemus pulled him away from the wall and gave him a hug nevertheless. The potions master froze at the spot, arms lifeless beside his body while countless thoughts and impressions raced through his head.

“Stop it, Lupin, let go of me! There’s still a long time to go and we must be mindful of any occurring side effects and...get off!” It sure as hell was extremely nerve-racking to have a body starting to rub up against him if he didn’t even know if it was Lupin doing it or the wolf.

“Mmm, you smell nice... even all that fear racing through your system smells nice... “ The DADA teacher (or was it the werewolf?) pushed him back against the wall and started to lick and kiss the hollow of his neck.

“Don’t do that! You might bite me, you stupid idiot!” The dark haired wizard used all his strength trying to shove his aggressor away but this time Lupin did use his wolf power consciously and even hooked his right leg around Severus’ left leg. “LUPIN! Try to control those bloody animal urges! The last thing I need nor want is a horny werewolf to watch over!”

“Oh yes, you have to keep monitoring me, haven’t you?” Remus briefly looked up and chuckled. “So much time... what shall we do with it, Severus?” He winked naughtily and pressed his body against that from Snape again while his hands hungrily ran over his body everywhere he could reach.

The potions master really did not know what to do. He was being assaulted by a horny werewolf, for Merlin’s sake! Not only that, but he couldn’t get rid of him either! And to make matters worse, his wand was laying on the floor; carelessly snatched out of his hand by the werewolf. Or Lupin. He still wasn’t sure about who was in charge in that body and .. H.. He could activate the alarming spell... yes, he could, he should... he really should... maybe he should just wait a few seconds more... those nails digging in his back under his shirt just felt too good to stop them now... oh Circe, wait, nails digging? In his flesh?

“Oh gods, don’t draw blood, please don’t draw blood...” Was that hoarse voice really his? And why didn’t he tell that ‘thing’ to stop?

“I won’t. Trust me, I won’t.” Remus mumbled, letting go of his neck andringring up at Snape who was obviously very confused, scared and also unmistakably warming up to his touches. He could smell it so clearly, it was almost intoxicating. The DADA teacher cupped Snape’s head between his hands and smiled. “I can feel the wolf, you know. He begs me to let him have you – he wants to lick you, scratch you open, feast on your blood, fuck you into submission... but at the same time he wants to protect you, love you and make you his – his mate and one and only...”

“And who is winning?” the Slytherin Head of House asked, with a catch in his voice. He was almost sure he could see the wolf lurking at the background in those brown eyes in front of him and it really scared the hell out of him.

“Let’s just say we were able to make a compromise,” Remus whispered, sliding one hand down and squeezing the potions master’s cock through the fabric of his trousers. Snape gasped, a moan almost escaping his mouth. “That’s it, just relax. Surrender.” The DADA teacher whispered again, moving his hands towards the zipper of the trousers in front of him.

Severus couldn’t quite suppress a snort. As if he really had any choice. He knew damn well the wolf would not let him go. And he had his doubts about Lupin too. This Lupin was confident, persistent and audacious and would take what he wanted. And what he (and the wolf) wanted, was Severus Snape, that bloody idiot who still did not activate the alarming spell and for the life of him he couldn’t figout out why he didn’t..

About half an hour later he was glad he hadn’t. Not when he was getting the fuck of his life – down on all fours and his knees raw and bloody from scraping over the hard stone floor and being pounded hard and ferociously until he couldn’t bear his own weight anymore and he collapsed on the floor. The pounding continued mercilessly and all he could do was scream and come as if his life depended on it. The last thing he heard was an unmistakable animalistic snarl. Then everything went black.


Anon – thank you so very much, that really means a lot to me! I will do my best to let them
keep rocking your world ;) – don’t know for how long, though. Pregnancy? Right now I am
not able to make up my mind about that yet... and if it will be in the same story or as some
sort of (shorter) sequel. Maybe a short fun intended story? More like ‘some days in the lives of two very tired and clumsy dark fathers’?