Path of the serpent
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Snape/Lucius
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
37
Views:
15,116
Reviews:
48
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Snape/Lucius
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
37
Views:
15,116
Reviews:
48
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
The hearing
Title: Path of the serpent
Author: ejab
E-mail: ejab@keyaccess.nl
Pairing: SS/LM with a little SS/RL and SS/DM on the side
Rating: story is NC-17
Feedback: a true gift and highly appreciated
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is very rich, I am extremely poor
Warnings: none here
Category: all over the place
Summary: a frustrated Lucius, a sick werewolf and a fainting Severus
A/N: eternal gratitude for my betas Seeking Severus and silentpawz, who had their work cut out for them. And yes, Phobos, I reluctantly (;)) admit – I needed the threatening...
35/?
Lucius Malfoy was never an easy person to deal with. An insulted Lucius Malfoy however, was nearly impossible and extremely capable of driving anyone insane. Including a certain potions master on his way to eternal fame.
Obsessed. The man was now completely obsessed by the DADA teacher.
Straight after the hearing they’d gone to the Manor. Severus had hoped to talk some more about the hearing itself and enjoy a good meal in the process. Instead he got to watch several impressive fits of raw rage. It didn’t matter that Severus reminded Lucius that he was marrying HIM and not that bloody werewolf. That he was not in love with the DADA teacher. Did not even like him, for that matter. Lucius was plainly seeing red and could only see, hear, taste, smell and speak about Remus Lupin.
Severus Snape was the focus of the lack of attention.
The moment he realised this, the potions master just leaned back in his chair and sighed. When Lucius was in this kind of mood, the best thing was to let him get it out of his system and pretend he was listening. Which he wasn’t. Severus knew very well what the real issue at hand was here. This was not about insecurity. Anxiety also had nothing to do with it. Not even Lucius’ notorious possessiveness or jealousy. Snape was in love with Lucius as much as Lucius was in love with him. They would get married, no doubt about that. And Lucius knew that.
No. The issue at hand was arrogance. Pure blatant Malfoy arrogance. No one in their right mind would defy a Malfoy. No, he should rephrase that – no one defied a Malfoy. Ever. Full Stop. But now, the unthinkable had happened; Lucius Malfoy had been defied. And to make matters even worse, he had been defied by an inferior creature like a werewolf!
Lucius paced up and down the study, stopping before his desk and replacing several items without being aware of his actions. Then the pacing started again. The only thing on his mind was a certain DADA teacher and his open defiance. His mind clearly just couldn’t grasp the fact that someone actually had the nerve to defy HIM. For Lucius, that was almost too much to comprehend.
“The impertinence...!” Lucius seethed, going for his desk again.
“Yes, it was a rather strenuous day,” Severus mumbled half-heartedly, slowly standing up and completely fed up with his self-centred husband to be for now.
“What?” His lover looked at him as if the potions master finally had gone mad. Then it dawned on him. “Oh...”
“I am going back to my quarters now, Lucius. Thank you for the nourishing meal and-“
“Meal? What meal? We ne-ah...” No true Malfoy ever had any conceptions of such emotions as shame or guilt but, in Lucius’ defence, Severus, for a fraction of a second, had the tiniest feeling that perhaps one of those emotions might have been trying to surface.
“Yes, of course. Busy as always, aren’t you?” Lucius escorted his lover to the door, not for one moment considering an apology. After exchanging a short kiss, the potions master put on his cloak and opened the large wooden door.
“Oh, and Lucius? Do NOT harm my experiment. In any way. Do I make myself perfectly clear?” The look in Severus’ eyes spoke about a line that definitely was not be crossed.
Lucius glared back at his lover for a moment, staring daggers. “As you wish,” he eventually snarled, masking his involuntary capitulation with an attitude.
“Good boy.” The potions master carefully hid his grin and quickly left, suspecting that his last remark may had just assured him of a particularly vicious punishment in the near future. Lucius Malfoy did not take kindly to being told what to do.
Severus Apparated close to the grounds of Hogwarts and sauntered the remaining distance, using the extra time to decide on his next plan of action. Better tackle that awkward issue immediately as well. This night was already lost.
He sighed deeply and reluctantly made his way to Lupin’s quarters. He was not there. The classroom, then. He was probably preparing for the next day.
When nearing the DADA classroom, Snape knew he had been right. An annoyingly happy whistling told him the Gryffindor was there. The classroom door stood ajar but being a firm believer of the right first impression, the potions master threw it open even more to the point of the door almost tearing it out of it hinges.
“Ah, Severus. What can I do for you?” Remus stopped writing on the blackboard and turned.
“Have you lost your mind, Lupin? Or perhaps the potion has been eating away the last few remaining braincells that were still functioning?” Snape crossed his arms in a rather combative manner and stared angrily at the DADA teacher.
“To what are you referring, Severus?” A detestable smile of innocence, as always.
“You bloody well know to what I am referring, Lupin,” the potions master hissed, putting his hands on the desk and bending forward slightly. “What were you thinking, you stupid meddling Gryffindor?! Why, for Merlin’s sake, did you provoke Lucius?”
“Ah, that...” Remus calmly put down the chalk, mirroring Snape’s posture at the opposite side of the desk until their faces were mere inches apart. “That, my dear Severus, should be obvious. I want you. Or should I say ‘we’ want you?” A feral grin appeared.
The last time they were this close, the wolf clearly had been the dominant of the two. But he should be dormant now. Shouldn’t he? The potions master caught himself staring, fascinated and intrigued. Once again. He could almost feel the presence of the wolf, it seemed, and that should not be possible. Nor happening.
Snape was speechless and just stared in complete disbelief at the still grinning DADA teacher.
“Yes, Severus, he’s here.” Remus purred, all too aware of the effect the werewolf had on the potions master. “Thanks to your last alteration, he’s now always present. Not as strong as during the full moon, but he’s here. Don’t worry, though – I am in total control.”
Wasn’t that a shame? No. He did NOT just think that. Snape shook his head, forcing himself back to reality and scowled. “Excuse me but where did you fail to miss the concept of a relationship? It takes TWO, Lupin. And I have absolutely no desire to be involved in a romantic relationship with YOU.” He straightened his back again and took a step back, noting a vague glimpse of hurt in the other man’s eyes. It left him cold. It really didn’t do anything to him. Not in the least. He did not have to convince himself of that.
“I can wait some more, ” Remus mumbled, sounding remarkably disappointed now.
“What?! You really HAVE lost your mind, haven’t you?” the potions master snarled. “And before you are tempted to stick your nose in MY personal life any further, you would do well to remember that I am the only person capable of making this new Wolfsbane Potion, Lupin. I also fully intend to keep it that way.”
“Is that a threat, Severus?” Remus frowned, looking slightly worried now.
“Let’s put it this way – you as the guinea-pig are currently receiving your potion for free. But once it is completed and I no longer work here... ? Then what?” The potions master shrugged theatrically and, without waiting for a reply, left the classroom.
As he left, he saw two mysterious shadows moving along the wall near the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower. Just by the way they moved it was obvious that they were up to no good. Probably some stupid Gryffindors trying to sneak out, undoubtedly on their way to making havoc. Perfect. He was in the right mood for this.
Snape swiftly walked towards his desired goal, making sure to encounter them from the back.
“And what are you three doing out here at this hour of the day? Does the word “curfew’ mean anything to you?” he asked in his soft and deadly tone.
The three trespassers almost jumped out of their skins and hastily turned around. Slytherins.
“Mister Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle... “ The potions master masked his surprise.
“Are you coming or going?”
“Er... we were just going, sir.” Crabbe mumbled, not sure if their Head of House was angry with them or not.
“I do hope you left some sort of er... valediction to your Gryffindor schoolmates?”
“Quite a smelly one, sir.” Draco was less impressed and smirked self-assured. “They may even have to spend the night in the Great Hall.”
“Such a tragedy... “Snape shook his head in mock-sadness. “Five points to Slytherin for trying to warn those deaf Gryffindors and now off to your dormitories. And without any further detours.” He gave them a stern look.
“Yes, sir.” All three of the Slytherins gave their Head of House a big smile and went, after Draco proudly pointed at the yellow smoke that was now slowly starting to appear from under the portrait of the Fat Lady, who was beginning to look around nervously to see where it was coming from.
Snape smiled faintly and also made his way to his own quarters. No doubt he would hear the full effect of this little exercise at breakfast tomorrow morning. A pleasant start of the day.
Aside from one letter from Lucius (in which he made it very clear that Severus was NOT to buy any new clothes for the wedding as he would take care of that), nothing of great importance happened before the day the potions master and Lupin were to appear in front of the members of the High Council again.
It did not surprise Snape to see Dumbledore was escorting a visibly nervous Lupin. But then again, it certainly did not surprise them to see that Lucius was escorting him.
This time the DADA teacher wisely made sure Dumbledore was between him and Lucius at
all times, Snape noticed. Lucius noticed too but made no comments. He just glared once in a while.
They waited in complete silence until Meadur came to collect Lupin and the potions master. Dumbledore didn’t move but Lucius automatically followed the two wizards.
“You will have to wait outside, sir.” Meadur stopped him unyieldingly.
“I beg your pardon?” Lucius managed to stretch his height by an inch or two.
“You will have to wait here, sir.” Meadur was, again, not impressed nor intimidated. “This is a scientific test, to be witnessed by the members of the High Council only. Those are the rules, I’m afraid. There are also possible dangers involved. It is for your own safety, sir.”
The blond aristocrat pressed his lips into a thin line of restrained anger. He was getting quite fed up with these stuck-up ‘scientists’; they failed to treat him with the proper respect, again and again. The things he had to endure to please his lover! He could not even harm that bloody werewolf in any way! And the only way that possibly would not inflict any lasting harm to speak of, but could be used as a warning, was not an option! Rape was an extremely useful tool when administered skilfully. But Lupin was a half-blood and he, Lucius Malfoy, would NEVER voluntarily touch a half-blood in skin on skin contact, let alone shove his cock into one. The thought alone was enough to feel repulsive shivers go through his body.
“Make yourself comfortable, Lucius.” Dumbledore cheerfully patted on the empty chair next to him. “It may take the whole night.”
That was not something to look forward to. Especially not with the present company. But seeing that he had no choice... Lucius nodded curt and took his seat, staring at the door.
Behind that same door Remus was undergoing an extensive number of tests, both physical and psychological, which were conducted by two very stern looking medi-wizards.
After they were satisfied he was in reasonable good health, the potions master handed him the vial with the new potion.
“So soon? I am not even shivering yet.” The DADA teacher looked up in surprise.
“No, but you are already starting to get tense. And besides, when I changed the potion, I decided to see if that inconvenience could be solved as well. Humour me.” The potions master did not wait for an answer and walked back to his seat. Remus drank.
“Well, you definitely did not change the taste.” Remus grimaced and received a sympathetic smile from the French Grandmaster of Potions, Remy Clerc.
“In this case taste is irrelevant,” Snape bit back impatiently before taking out some parchment, a quill and a tiny bottle of ink. He was ready to take notes. As were the members of the High Council, with their wands suddenly very close by, obviously nervous. Especially the medi-wizards. Which made perfect sense since they, of all people, had witnessed first hand what a werewolf was capable of doing.
Everybody waited. And waited. Remus leaned against the desk the potions master sat behind, focusing very hard on the potion that was now slowly spreading through his body.
“It feels different, I must say,” he mumbled after several minutes, turning around to Snape.
“How so?” The potions master looked up with interest.
“It feels... I don’t know, soothing and warm, I think. And smooth; like a syrup is gliding through my veins. Very nice, actually.” The DADA teacher grinned.
“No tense muscles? Uncontrollable shivers? Confusion?\"
“None whatsoever. I think you did it, Severus.” Remus gave Snape a sincere warm and loving smile and the potions master could not help but to smile back. Only to wipe it from his face the moment he realised just what he was doing.
“It still is too early to tell, Lupin,” he snapped, starting to take notes. Remus just kept on smiling. The members of the High Council remained silent and just watched the DADA teacher as well as his interactions with the new Grandmaster of Potions to be.
“Stop that, Lupin,” the potions master grumbled, without looking up from his writing.
“What?”
“Wipe that stupid grin off your face. I know it’s there,” was the uncomfortable reply.
The DADA teacher burst out into laughter, got up and started to walk around a bit. Only to be immediately surrounded by the two medi-wizards, their wands extracted.
“Put them away, you fools; he’s completely harmless,” Snape spat. The medi-wizards looked at the members of the High Council. They nodded simultaneously. The two obeyed.
“I am not quite that harmless, you know.” Remus apparently had walked back because all of a sudden he appeared in front of the potions master. “I could do a lot. You KNOW what I’d like to do with you now, don’t you?” he whispered seductively. “Or better – what I’d like to do TO you...” He cocked his head and showed his feral grin again. The wolf was back. At full force.
Snape stared at him and just swallowed.
“You would like that too, I see.” Remus sniffed. “I can smell you do.”
Snape swallowed again, noticing how his legs seemed to turn to jelly. Oh Merlin, this was getting ridiculous! He quickly cleared his throat and gestured the DADA teacher to go away.
“I am busy, Lupin. I need to take notes and you need to be tested. Now go and bore someone else.”
Remus chuckled and obeyed. He could almost swear hearing the potions master whisper ‘Good dog” sarcastically and was, for a moment, tempted to bark. Or howl. But seeing that everyone else still looked rather nervous and a bit apprehensive, he wisely decided against that.
So he just walked around, endured test after test and was provoked every once in a while just to see if the wolf would take over if he got angry and lost control. Unfortunately for the medi-wizards and the members of the High Council, Remus Lupin was not able to get angry or even upset. No matter what they tried. The new potion simply made him feel relaxed and cheerful and the floating feeling also remained. He would have to mention that to Severus later – it would do well as a drug on the black market!
It did have one nasty side effect, though, as the DADA teacher found out at around 7 am the next morning. The potion was now gradually wearing off and he was starting to feel more and more nauseated by the minute. At half past eight he was vomiting profusely. The medi-wizards barely spelled away the last puddle of vomit before the next one was already appearing.
“Well, that can be taken care of... “ Master Jonathan Merble walked out of the room, only to re-appear shortly after with a vial. The medi-wizards managed to get Remus to drink it and within seconds the vomiting stopped. The DADA teacher remained laying on the floor, hands curled around his aching stomach and clearly feeling very, very miserable still.
“Although that is a rather unwelcome side effect, I am positive that you can alter the potion enough for that to disappear. Am I right, Master Snape?” Master Naninni looked at the potions master.
“Absolutely, sir.” Snape nodded confidently.
“All right. Please wait here as we retreat for several minutes to discuss what we were
honoured enough to witness these last hours. It will not take long, I can assure you,” Master Merble gave the potions master a warm smile and followed his colleagues into the back room once more.
Snape looked at the DADA teacher, already taking some mental notes on how to alter the potion, before fixing his eyes on the desk in front of him. They just had to sit and wait now.
It did not take long indeed. After no more than five minutes all the members of the High Council took their places again. Master Jonathan Merble remained standing.
“Master Snape, do you agree to monitor professor Remus Lupin for the coming full year, in order to see if there will occur any long term side effects?”
No! “Yes, I agree,” the potions master managed to keep a civil tone and appearance but inwardly something was starting to get extremely restless and agitated. This was not good. Not good at all. He would still have to see Lupin every month for the next 12 months to come?! He did NOT want that! He wanted the bloody Gryffindor to get out of his life and stay out of it! And how was he supposed to tell Lucius this...? Oh Merlin, WHY?! Why couldn’t anything in his pathetic life EVER go easy? Just once! “I will monitor his progress.”
“Excellent. As there hardly seems to be any reason to fear really dangerous side effects, we have decided to grant you the title of Grandmaster of Potions as of this moment. Step forward, please.” All living members of the High Council stepped down as the nervous potions master stepped forward.
“Master Snape, as spokesman of the Office for the International Confederation of Herbologists and Potion Masters, I hereby congratulate you with your well deserved title. As controversial as it may be, it is without any doubt truly revolutionary and ...”
Snape hardly heard anything. He just saw smiling people and in front of him, a mouth that moved and apparently gave sound and spoke words. His mind however, refused to register. The only thing that went through his head was the knowledge he had finally become a Grandmaster of Potions. HE, Severus Snape, the feared and loathed potions master and git and-
“Smile, please!” A sudden flash of bright light brought him back to earth and Severus stared somewhat bewilderedly at a photographer from the Daily Prophet. The man laughed and then tried to take a picture of the still very sick DADA teacher but Grandmaster Clerc stepped in and forbade him from so doing. The werewolf had his right of privacy and was not to be ‘put on public display without his own permission’ and since he clearly was feeling too sick to do so...
The reporter aka photographer reluctantly left the room, almost barged out of the way by an eager Dumbledore and Lucius Malfoy. Snape just stood there and saw them coming. A celebration? A ceremony? What? He still could not focus on anything and all the voices seemed to flow around him from another world. Someone was shaking his hand? What?
Then there was blessed silence.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Bergie and Winterraven - thank you so very, very much!
Author: ejab
E-mail: ejab@keyaccess.nl
Pairing: SS/LM with a little SS/RL and SS/DM on the side
Rating: story is NC-17
Feedback: a true gift and highly appreciated
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is very rich, I am extremely poor
Warnings: none here
Category: all over the place
Summary: a frustrated Lucius, a sick werewolf and a fainting Severus
A/N: eternal gratitude for my betas Seeking Severus and silentpawz, who had their work cut out for them. And yes, Phobos, I reluctantly (;)) admit – I needed the threatening...
35/?
Lucius Malfoy was never an easy person to deal with. An insulted Lucius Malfoy however, was nearly impossible and extremely capable of driving anyone insane. Including a certain potions master on his way to eternal fame.
Obsessed. The man was now completely obsessed by the DADA teacher.
Straight after the hearing they’d gone to the Manor. Severus had hoped to talk some more about the hearing itself and enjoy a good meal in the process. Instead he got to watch several impressive fits of raw rage. It didn’t matter that Severus reminded Lucius that he was marrying HIM and not that bloody werewolf. That he was not in love with the DADA teacher. Did not even like him, for that matter. Lucius was plainly seeing red and could only see, hear, taste, smell and speak about Remus Lupin.
Severus Snape was the focus of the lack of attention.
The moment he realised this, the potions master just leaned back in his chair and sighed. When Lucius was in this kind of mood, the best thing was to let him get it out of his system and pretend he was listening. Which he wasn’t. Severus knew very well what the real issue at hand was here. This was not about insecurity. Anxiety also had nothing to do with it. Not even Lucius’ notorious possessiveness or jealousy. Snape was in love with Lucius as much as Lucius was in love with him. They would get married, no doubt about that. And Lucius knew that.
No. The issue at hand was arrogance. Pure blatant Malfoy arrogance. No one in their right mind would defy a Malfoy. No, he should rephrase that – no one defied a Malfoy. Ever. Full Stop. But now, the unthinkable had happened; Lucius Malfoy had been defied. And to make matters even worse, he had been defied by an inferior creature like a werewolf!
Lucius paced up and down the study, stopping before his desk and replacing several items without being aware of his actions. Then the pacing started again. The only thing on his mind was a certain DADA teacher and his open defiance. His mind clearly just couldn’t grasp the fact that someone actually had the nerve to defy HIM. For Lucius, that was almost too much to comprehend.
“The impertinence...!” Lucius seethed, going for his desk again.
“Yes, it was a rather strenuous day,” Severus mumbled half-heartedly, slowly standing up and completely fed up with his self-centred husband to be for now.
“What?” His lover looked at him as if the potions master finally had gone mad. Then it dawned on him. “Oh...”
“I am going back to my quarters now, Lucius. Thank you for the nourishing meal and-“
“Meal? What meal? We ne-ah...” No true Malfoy ever had any conceptions of such emotions as shame or guilt but, in Lucius’ defence, Severus, for a fraction of a second, had the tiniest feeling that perhaps one of those emotions might have been trying to surface.
“Yes, of course. Busy as always, aren’t you?” Lucius escorted his lover to the door, not for one moment considering an apology. After exchanging a short kiss, the potions master put on his cloak and opened the large wooden door.
“Oh, and Lucius? Do NOT harm my experiment. In any way. Do I make myself perfectly clear?” The look in Severus’ eyes spoke about a line that definitely was not be crossed.
Lucius glared back at his lover for a moment, staring daggers. “As you wish,” he eventually snarled, masking his involuntary capitulation with an attitude.
“Good boy.” The potions master carefully hid his grin and quickly left, suspecting that his last remark may had just assured him of a particularly vicious punishment in the near future. Lucius Malfoy did not take kindly to being told what to do.
Severus Apparated close to the grounds of Hogwarts and sauntered the remaining distance, using the extra time to decide on his next plan of action. Better tackle that awkward issue immediately as well. This night was already lost.
He sighed deeply and reluctantly made his way to Lupin’s quarters. He was not there. The classroom, then. He was probably preparing for the next day.
When nearing the DADA classroom, Snape knew he had been right. An annoyingly happy whistling told him the Gryffindor was there. The classroom door stood ajar but being a firm believer of the right first impression, the potions master threw it open even more to the point of the door almost tearing it out of it hinges.
“Ah, Severus. What can I do for you?” Remus stopped writing on the blackboard and turned.
“Have you lost your mind, Lupin? Or perhaps the potion has been eating away the last few remaining braincells that were still functioning?” Snape crossed his arms in a rather combative manner and stared angrily at the DADA teacher.
“To what are you referring, Severus?” A detestable smile of innocence, as always.
“You bloody well know to what I am referring, Lupin,” the potions master hissed, putting his hands on the desk and bending forward slightly. “What were you thinking, you stupid meddling Gryffindor?! Why, for Merlin’s sake, did you provoke Lucius?”
“Ah, that...” Remus calmly put down the chalk, mirroring Snape’s posture at the opposite side of the desk until their faces were mere inches apart. “That, my dear Severus, should be obvious. I want you. Or should I say ‘we’ want you?” A feral grin appeared.
The last time they were this close, the wolf clearly had been the dominant of the two. But he should be dormant now. Shouldn’t he? The potions master caught himself staring, fascinated and intrigued. Once again. He could almost feel the presence of the wolf, it seemed, and that should not be possible. Nor happening.
Snape was speechless and just stared in complete disbelief at the still grinning DADA teacher.
“Yes, Severus, he’s here.” Remus purred, all too aware of the effect the werewolf had on the potions master. “Thanks to your last alteration, he’s now always present. Not as strong as during the full moon, but he’s here. Don’t worry, though – I am in total control.”
Wasn’t that a shame? No. He did NOT just think that. Snape shook his head, forcing himself back to reality and scowled. “Excuse me but where did you fail to miss the concept of a relationship? It takes TWO, Lupin. And I have absolutely no desire to be involved in a romantic relationship with YOU.” He straightened his back again and took a step back, noting a vague glimpse of hurt in the other man’s eyes. It left him cold. It really didn’t do anything to him. Not in the least. He did not have to convince himself of that.
“I can wait some more, ” Remus mumbled, sounding remarkably disappointed now.
“What?! You really HAVE lost your mind, haven’t you?” the potions master snarled. “And before you are tempted to stick your nose in MY personal life any further, you would do well to remember that I am the only person capable of making this new Wolfsbane Potion, Lupin. I also fully intend to keep it that way.”
“Is that a threat, Severus?” Remus frowned, looking slightly worried now.
“Let’s put it this way – you as the guinea-pig are currently receiving your potion for free. But once it is completed and I no longer work here... ? Then what?” The potions master shrugged theatrically and, without waiting for a reply, left the classroom.
As he left, he saw two mysterious shadows moving along the wall near the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower. Just by the way they moved it was obvious that they were up to no good. Probably some stupid Gryffindors trying to sneak out, undoubtedly on their way to making havoc. Perfect. He was in the right mood for this.
Snape swiftly walked towards his desired goal, making sure to encounter them from the back.
“And what are you three doing out here at this hour of the day? Does the word “curfew’ mean anything to you?” he asked in his soft and deadly tone.
The three trespassers almost jumped out of their skins and hastily turned around. Slytherins.
“Mister Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle... “ The potions master masked his surprise.
“Are you coming or going?”
“Er... we were just going, sir.” Crabbe mumbled, not sure if their Head of House was angry with them or not.
“I do hope you left some sort of er... valediction to your Gryffindor schoolmates?”
“Quite a smelly one, sir.” Draco was less impressed and smirked self-assured. “They may even have to spend the night in the Great Hall.”
“Such a tragedy... “Snape shook his head in mock-sadness. “Five points to Slytherin for trying to warn those deaf Gryffindors and now off to your dormitories. And without any further detours.” He gave them a stern look.
“Yes, sir.” All three of the Slytherins gave their Head of House a big smile and went, after Draco proudly pointed at the yellow smoke that was now slowly starting to appear from under the portrait of the Fat Lady, who was beginning to look around nervously to see where it was coming from.
Snape smiled faintly and also made his way to his own quarters. No doubt he would hear the full effect of this little exercise at breakfast tomorrow morning. A pleasant start of the day.
Aside from one letter from Lucius (in which he made it very clear that Severus was NOT to buy any new clothes for the wedding as he would take care of that), nothing of great importance happened before the day the potions master and Lupin were to appear in front of the members of the High Council again.
It did not surprise Snape to see Dumbledore was escorting a visibly nervous Lupin. But then again, it certainly did not surprise them to see that Lucius was escorting him.
This time the DADA teacher wisely made sure Dumbledore was between him and Lucius at
all times, Snape noticed. Lucius noticed too but made no comments. He just glared once in a while.
They waited in complete silence until Meadur came to collect Lupin and the potions master. Dumbledore didn’t move but Lucius automatically followed the two wizards.
“You will have to wait outside, sir.” Meadur stopped him unyieldingly.
“I beg your pardon?” Lucius managed to stretch his height by an inch or two.
“You will have to wait here, sir.” Meadur was, again, not impressed nor intimidated. “This is a scientific test, to be witnessed by the members of the High Council only. Those are the rules, I’m afraid. There are also possible dangers involved. It is for your own safety, sir.”
The blond aristocrat pressed his lips into a thin line of restrained anger. He was getting quite fed up with these stuck-up ‘scientists’; they failed to treat him with the proper respect, again and again. The things he had to endure to please his lover! He could not even harm that bloody werewolf in any way! And the only way that possibly would not inflict any lasting harm to speak of, but could be used as a warning, was not an option! Rape was an extremely useful tool when administered skilfully. But Lupin was a half-blood and he, Lucius Malfoy, would NEVER voluntarily touch a half-blood in skin on skin contact, let alone shove his cock into one. The thought alone was enough to feel repulsive shivers go through his body.
“Make yourself comfortable, Lucius.” Dumbledore cheerfully patted on the empty chair next to him. “It may take the whole night.”
That was not something to look forward to. Especially not with the present company. But seeing that he had no choice... Lucius nodded curt and took his seat, staring at the door.
Behind that same door Remus was undergoing an extensive number of tests, both physical and psychological, which were conducted by two very stern looking medi-wizards.
After they were satisfied he was in reasonable good health, the potions master handed him the vial with the new potion.
“So soon? I am not even shivering yet.” The DADA teacher looked up in surprise.
“No, but you are already starting to get tense. And besides, when I changed the potion, I decided to see if that inconvenience could be solved as well. Humour me.” The potions master did not wait for an answer and walked back to his seat. Remus drank.
“Well, you definitely did not change the taste.” Remus grimaced and received a sympathetic smile from the French Grandmaster of Potions, Remy Clerc.
“In this case taste is irrelevant,” Snape bit back impatiently before taking out some parchment, a quill and a tiny bottle of ink. He was ready to take notes. As were the members of the High Council, with their wands suddenly very close by, obviously nervous. Especially the medi-wizards. Which made perfect sense since they, of all people, had witnessed first hand what a werewolf was capable of doing.
Everybody waited. And waited. Remus leaned against the desk the potions master sat behind, focusing very hard on the potion that was now slowly spreading through his body.
“It feels different, I must say,” he mumbled after several minutes, turning around to Snape.
“How so?” The potions master looked up with interest.
“It feels... I don’t know, soothing and warm, I think. And smooth; like a syrup is gliding through my veins. Very nice, actually.” The DADA teacher grinned.
“No tense muscles? Uncontrollable shivers? Confusion?\"
“None whatsoever. I think you did it, Severus.” Remus gave Snape a sincere warm and loving smile and the potions master could not help but to smile back. Only to wipe it from his face the moment he realised just what he was doing.
“It still is too early to tell, Lupin,” he snapped, starting to take notes. Remus just kept on smiling. The members of the High Council remained silent and just watched the DADA teacher as well as his interactions with the new Grandmaster of Potions to be.
“Stop that, Lupin,” the potions master grumbled, without looking up from his writing.
“What?”
“Wipe that stupid grin off your face. I know it’s there,” was the uncomfortable reply.
The DADA teacher burst out into laughter, got up and started to walk around a bit. Only to be immediately surrounded by the two medi-wizards, their wands extracted.
“Put them away, you fools; he’s completely harmless,” Snape spat. The medi-wizards looked at the members of the High Council. They nodded simultaneously. The two obeyed.
“I am not quite that harmless, you know.” Remus apparently had walked back because all of a sudden he appeared in front of the potions master. “I could do a lot. You KNOW what I’d like to do with you now, don’t you?” he whispered seductively. “Or better – what I’d like to do TO you...” He cocked his head and showed his feral grin again. The wolf was back. At full force.
Snape stared at him and just swallowed.
“You would like that too, I see.” Remus sniffed. “I can smell you do.”
Snape swallowed again, noticing how his legs seemed to turn to jelly. Oh Merlin, this was getting ridiculous! He quickly cleared his throat and gestured the DADA teacher to go away.
“I am busy, Lupin. I need to take notes and you need to be tested. Now go and bore someone else.”
Remus chuckled and obeyed. He could almost swear hearing the potions master whisper ‘Good dog” sarcastically and was, for a moment, tempted to bark. Or howl. But seeing that everyone else still looked rather nervous and a bit apprehensive, he wisely decided against that.
So he just walked around, endured test after test and was provoked every once in a while just to see if the wolf would take over if he got angry and lost control. Unfortunately for the medi-wizards and the members of the High Council, Remus Lupin was not able to get angry or even upset. No matter what they tried. The new potion simply made him feel relaxed and cheerful and the floating feeling also remained. He would have to mention that to Severus later – it would do well as a drug on the black market!
It did have one nasty side effect, though, as the DADA teacher found out at around 7 am the next morning. The potion was now gradually wearing off and he was starting to feel more and more nauseated by the minute. At half past eight he was vomiting profusely. The medi-wizards barely spelled away the last puddle of vomit before the next one was already appearing.
“Well, that can be taken care of... “ Master Jonathan Merble walked out of the room, only to re-appear shortly after with a vial. The medi-wizards managed to get Remus to drink it and within seconds the vomiting stopped. The DADA teacher remained laying on the floor, hands curled around his aching stomach and clearly feeling very, very miserable still.
“Although that is a rather unwelcome side effect, I am positive that you can alter the potion enough for that to disappear. Am I right, Master Snape?” Master Naninni looked at the potions master.
“Absolutely, sir.” Snape nodded confidently.
“All right. Please wait here as we retreat for several minutes to discuss what we were
honoured enough to witness these last hours. It will not take long, I can assure you,” Master Merble gave the potions master a warm smile and followed his colleagues into the back room once more.
Snape looked at the DADA teacher, already taking some mental notes on how to alter the potion, before fixing his eyes on the desk in front of him. They just had to sit and wait now.
It did not take long indeed. After no more than five minutes all the members of the High Council took their places again. Master Jonathan Merble remained standing.
“Master Snape, do you agree to monitor professor Remus Lupin for the coming full year, in order to see if there will occur any long term side effects?”
No! “Yes, I agree,” the potions master managed to keep a civil tone and appearance but inwardly something was starting to get extremely restless and agitated. This was not good. Not good at all. He would still have to see Lupin every month for the next 12 months to come?! He did NOT want that! He wanted the bloody Gryffindor to get out of his life and stay out of it! And how was he supposed to tell Lucius this...? Oh Merlin, WHY?! Why couldn’t anything in his pathetic life EVER go easy? Just once! “I will monitor his progress.”
“Excellent. As there hardly seems to be any reason to fear really dangerous side effects, we have decided to grant you the title of Grandmaster of Potions as of this moment. Step forward, please.” All living members of the High Council stepped down as the nervous potions master stepped forward.
“Master Snape, as spokesman of the Office for the International Confederation of Herbologists and Potion Masters, I hereby congratulate you with your well deserved title. As controversial as it may be, it is without any doubt truly revolutionary and ...”
Snape hardly heard anything. He just saw smiling people and in front of him, a mouth that moved and apparently gave sound and spoke words. His mind however, refused to register. The only thing that went through his head was the knowledge he had finally become a Grandmaster of Potions. HE, Severus Snape, the feared and loathed potions master and git and-
“Smile, please!” A sudden flash of bright light brought him back to earth and Severus stared somewhat bewilderedly at a photographer from the Daily Prophet. The man laughed and then tried to take a picture of the still very sick DADA teacher but Grandmaster Clerc stepped in and forbade him from so doing. The werewolf had his right of privacy and was not to be ‘put on public display without his own permission’ and since he clearly was feeling too sick to do so...
The reporter aka photographer reluctantly left the room, almost barged out of the way by an eager Dumbledore and Lucius Malfoy. Snape just stood there and saw them coming. A celebration? A ceremony? What? He still could not focus on anything and all the voices seemed to flow around him from another world. Someone was shaking his hand? What?
Then there was blessed silence.
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Bergie and Winterraven - thank you so very, very much!