Why We Build Castles In The Sky

Years later, Severus Snape sat at his desk in the dungeons correcting his third years’ moonstone essays. He breathed a sigh. Harry Potter’s essay no doubt was Hermione Granger’s doing... the boy could not stay out of trouble.

‘Just like his miserable father.’ The head of Slytherin House thought as he marked Harry’s paper with a failing grade.

It was just then when there was a knock on the dungeon door.

Dumbledore stepped in, looking tired but his eyes bore the usual sign of alertness that contradicted the rest of his manner.

“Headmaster.” Snape said, striding forward. “What did you come to my quarters for? Is there a problem?”

“No no, Severus. I’d just like to talk to you about the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.”

Severus felt his stomach leap in excitement. “Yes?” He said, unable to hide his eagerness.

“I’ve found a great teacher.” Dumbledore said happily, his eyes twinkling.

The Potions Professor looked down to the floor of the dungeons, crestfallen. “Oh... I’m delighted to hear that.”

Dumbledore opened the door a little more, revealing a someone in patched robes.

"I thought you'd like to meet him." Dumbledore said, inclining his head. He said goodnight to Snape and then strode out past the new arrival and hummed happily down the corridor.

It took a while for Severus to fathom who this was. It was unbelievable...

“Remus...” Severus said, his eyes wide. He hadn’t seen Remus Lupin since... school.

“Severus.” Remus said, taking a step forward. “Wasn’t my idea... I didn’t even know you taught here until Dumbledore told me a minute before we reached your door.”

Snape said nothing.

“How... are you?” Remus asked. It was a little awkward.

“I was fine until I learned you took my post.” Snape said, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms. There was the hint of a smirk playing around the edges of his mouth.

“Your post? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. I thought your post was ignorant git.” Remus spat, not enjoying this at all.

Snape felt himself growing angry, “For Christ’s sake Lupin can you forget the past? That was years ago. I’ve had time since then.”

“Plenty.” Remus said bitterly.

“I miss it.” Snape blurted out.

“What?”

“I miss... us.” Snape said with great difficulty, striding over and taking Remus’s hands. The shabby-robed professor pulled his hands away in disgust.

“Obviously you haven’t remembered what I said to you years ago. I hate you.”

“Hated. I swear to god let me make that ‘hated.’” Severus pleaded, trying desperately to keep eye contact.

“I removed my scars.” Remus said, sliding the sleeves up on his robes and exposing pale, but smooth skin. “To ultimately get rid of any trace of you.”

Snape nodded, “Good, because that’s the past.”

Remus shook his head, “It’s everything. You were everything. Since then I’ve been with... girls; all of them cheated on me. One even tried to kill me for being a werewolf so I couldn't attack her during the night or something. Yep, It was very nice.” He said in great sarcasm.

Snape nodded, “Yeah. I’ve had some... well they were more like one night stands.” He said, ashamed with himself. He had never really found a love–mostly because he didn’t want to. He knew he was gay... but he hadn't wanted anyone else to know.

Remus understood. “Girls aren’t as fun?”

Severus nodded, laughing a bit, “They’re too damn emotional.”

“Tell me about it.” Remus said, looking into Severus's dark eyes.

And for the first time since Remus came into Severus’s quarters, they exchanged a smile.