The big bad and the wolf *Completed*

A/N: Huge, huge thank you to my alpha - Holdt and my beta - inviteme <3 <3 <3

@Jan - Thank you, the story has 17 chapters in total and I post a chapter per day ;) I hope you'll enjoy this one.

Harry was blinking at him from behind his glasses. Lupin closed his eyes, counting to ten. He shouldn’t feel this way towards Harry, but at the same time, Potter should stop pestering him about details.

“He is the same as always, Harry. And no, he is not trying to ‘make my life a living hell’ as you put it. He does that with everyone around him effortlessly.” He smiled at Harry.

“Can you handle him?” asked Harry, a note of worry in his voice.

“I have nothing to handle, Harry. He spend days in his room and barely gets out of it, mostly for meals. I am not bothered by him, I’m worried.”

“But you look ...“

“If I do look annoyed it is with St. Mungo’s and their brilliant ideas.”  He huffed; two days and he still hadn’t any idea how to approach Severus with the new regime the hospital had suggested.

Harry breathed out in relief. Lupin fought not to frown. For all Harry’s goodness he was still highly suspicious of Severus. Sometimes Lupin wondered why the boy had testified on Snape’s behalf if he still despised him?

Too much like his father in that regard.

“I know I must sound annoying, but... I know that he is on our side, and I know how much I owe him, but ... That is Snape, you know? Too much bad blood, I guess.”

“I think that is an understatement, Harry. But, if I may give you a word of advice, don’t let old hatreds consume you.”

“I won’t. At least I’ll try.”  Harry sighed. “So what is the latest request from St. Mungo’s?”

“They suggested I take him for walks and that he should spend time sunbathing.” He breathed out.  “I have no idea even how to suggest either to him.”

Harry’s eyes widened, and for a moment Remus thought it was a reaction to his words. Then a gravely baritone behind his back dispersed that thought.

“Potter,  what are you doing here?”

“Last time I checked this is Remus' home.” Harry replied, his face morphing into the familiar stubborn grimace he wore at school.

“Sadly - yes. Well, I do hope I won’t have the dissatisfaction of seeing you again,” grumbled Severus.

“It is certainly not a pleasure seeing you, especially not this much of you... Professor .” Remus held his breath. He wasn’t sure whom of the two he should reprimand.

“Then I suggest that you. Do. Not. Come. At. All.”

How easily they slip into old roles, thought Lupin bitterly.

“ Does he do this often ?” Harry said after Severus left the room.

“Do what?”

“Walking around, almost naked?”

“Yes. Harry, he has only one set of robes, the one he wore on the day of the battle.” He sighed. Harry looked horrified. “I did plan to take him shopping...“

“If you need anything...“  Harry offered.

Remus felt sick. It was the same thing all over again.

“There is no need. I have my income and my home. We can manage just fine.” he replied, maybe a tad harsher than he’d intended to. “Thank you for offering.”

Harry flinched and nodded. “Well, I have to go. I came by to see how you are doing and to bring you Wolfsbane, but I have to return to the Ministry.” Harry smiled at him, a slightly insecure smile.

“Thank you for coming all this way.”

He followed Harry to the door. He couldn’t wait for the boy to leave. Remus knew this was wrong; Harry was nothing if not well-intentioned. It still hurt him. He couldn’t even bear the thought of depending on another Potter. Once was more than enough, especially after...

Well, everything.

Some secrets were worth keeping. This was just another one of them.

“So are we going shopping?”

Remus jerked his head at the voice. Severus was standing, leaning heavily on the edge of the chair, dressed in his black robes.

“Would you mind Muggle clothes or used store clothes?” He sighed, bracing for another scathing remark. “I do need to change...“

“No, you do not. If we are going to buy Muggle clothes, you already look like you could blend in.” There was the usual jab, in Snape’s usual tone. Remus chose to ignore it.

“Blend-in?”  

“Yes, Lupin. Salazar, one would not believe that you are half-blood,” said Severus with annoyance. “Muggle clothes mean Muggle shops. I already look like a priest. You... May pass as a... monk. ”

“A monk, Severus? Muggles are not that stupid.” He scoffed.

“You said the same for our students. You are not known to be the best judge of character.” Severus smirked, one eyebrow raised in challenge.

“Fine. We’ll have to go to Gringotts first and exchange...“

“Just apparate us to this address.” Severus flicked a parchment in his direction.

Later that night Remus was trying to soak out the pain from his bones. It turned out that Severus did have a contingency plan, one that didn’t involve the wizarding world. Now they both possess more than one Muggle outfit.

Severus did appear disgruntled with his new attire, but Remus had no doubts that Severus would look decent in the Muggle clothing he’d picked out. Of course, Snape didn’t allow him to see.

He was a bit worried. Severus had told him to apparate them to the Muggle bank, where he’d had a duffle bag secured. As well as some Muggle cash and strange plastic cards.

Remus felt cheated and scared. Afraid that he might wake one day and discover Severus gone. He didn’t like it one bit, no more than he liked the fact that Snape had dragged him to stores and used his own plastic card to pay, mostly for Remus’ clothes.

As far as he knew,  Severus had bought only a few items for himself.

Now, Severus was locked in the room with his duffle bag, and more than anything, Remus hated that he had no knowledge of what was in that bag.