Comfort Me

“Remus” Severus Snape stood in the door of Remus’ new sanctuary, his lean frame both casually authoritative while still retaining an air of awkwardness which Remus recognized from the many years of Snape’s teenage angst. He suppressed a grin when he recognized that Severus had in fact charmed his cape to appear to billow around him.

He took the man’s words, or word rather, as a full greeting as opposed to the beginning of a conversation. After years working together in the Order, slowly an uneasy truce developed between the ex-Marauder and Snivellus Snape which over time, and after Sirius death, developed into a relatively easier friendship.

He placed a handful of vials of Wolfsbane on his desk, as Severus Snape may be a grumpy bastard but he was certainly efficient to say the least, and glanced around the room. Remus’ study was already ceiling to floor walled with books, causing Severus to arch his eyebrows in recognition that his friend had certainly settled back into life at the Castle.

“I see you’ve been sucked back into Hogwarts life already. This place is a god damn vortex.” Severus stated dryly as he watched Remus continue to unpack more books. He considered reproaching what had happened the last time Remus had taught here, but he concluded that not only had that topic been dealt with accordingly he did not need to deal with the werewolf’s emotions following his repeated apology. Gryffindors always were sensitive sons of bitches.

“Would you like a cup of tea, Severus?” Remus offered his guest but Severus promptly shook his head. “No I must be off. I have a meeting with Miss Granger which I would detest to be late for” his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Remus inhaled a breath sharply. This did not go unnoticed by Professor Snape. Such a curious occurrence needed further exploration. “You see, Dumbledore the old fool, has this godforsaken idea that it will help Miss Granger’s Potions training to shadow my evening work, irritating little wench she is”

Severus studied Remus’ reaction for a moment. My my, the new professor seemed on edge at the mention of a certain sixth former. What an interesting development. “You know the girl . . . well don’t you Lupin?”

Remus turned suddenly to face him “And what exactly do you mean by that Snape?” his tone both defensive and with an undertone of anxiety. Severus Snape had not spent countless years as a spy and an interrogator to be fooled by the man’s pathetic attempt at denial. Unfortunately for Lupin, the wolf had far too gallant a nature, hence lying did not come so easily to his recovery.

“Exactly how well do you know her Lupin?” Remus stared at him blankly refusing to be provoked by Snape’s comments. “What are you talking about Sev?” Fine, thought Severus, if he wants to play that game. “First, do not call me that blasted name. I am neither part of your mindless excuse of a group of so-called friends, needing to feel self-assured and accepted by having an ever so witty “nickname”, nor am I an animal you found on the street needing to be christened. My mother named me Severus, and you are most certainly not nearly as intuitive as she was for appropriating a suitable name with character. Secondly,” the words rolled slowly off his tongue “have you fucked the Order’s precious little bookworm?”

Remus flinched at his words “Must you be so crude Sev?” His avoidance spoke far more clearly than a confession could have done. Severus was far more surprised than he had expected he would be by such a revelation. Remus knew he was shocked as he did not receive even a slight berating for his abbreviation and he noticed Severus raise his eyebrow even further.

“To think Voldermort thought the Golden Trio was impenetrable. It seems as if at least one of them wasn’t” was the only response Severus could find immediately. Remus felt no panic as unsettlingly enough he trusted the man before him. Instead, he experienced a sharp feeling of regret. Regret for letting things get so out of hand, regret for his lack of self control, regret for how he had parted with her on Friday and regret that Severus now knew. However, he couldn’t seem to summon regret for actually having been with Hermione, no matter how much he knew he should.

“You dirty canine Remus Lupin; I would have expected such actions of Black rather than yourself.” Remus had the decency to at least look ashamed. “You won’t . . .” he started but Severus cut him off. “I am not an idle gossiper Gryffindor, I would never indulge in such a pathetic existence”

Severus picked up his cape “I expect you to relay more information on my return, and rest assured a certain witch in question will not be aware of what has been said.” He paused to gather his thoughts “Or rather what hasn’t been.”

Remus stood speechless, while thinking for a man who prided himself on his articulacy that recently this was a much too frequent occurrence, as he watched Severus leave. Before he walked out of the study Severus glanced back at a mute Remus. “Do stop torturing yourself over a simple act of pleasure Lupin; we have all had too much pain in our lives for such unnecessary analysis.”

“And Lupin, objectively you are both rather suited. You are both insufferable Gryffindor know it alls, with atrocious friendship choices. Realistically, it’s a perfect match made in Hades.”

Remus realise he had just received something verging on support from the Potions master concerning his illicit behaviour with a student. He took a deep breath and smiled to himself as he imagined Hermione’s reaction to Severus’ description of them both.

He imagined it would involve great deal of gesticulation, a colourful vocabulary and a strong possibility of violence. Hermione. His thoughts returned to her, as the had so often been doing. She hadn’t visited him yet, not that he had expected her too after how he spoke to her. He would be teaching her tomorrow morning, so he supposed he should not wish a confrontation too soon.

However, as he drifted into a peaceful state of sleep he couldn’t keep the young woman’s smile and the sweet but salty taste of her skin from his mind. He even thought he could detect a slight aroma of cinnamon on the pillow beside him as he finally succumbed to the welcoming darkness.