Potions in the Moonlight

By Thomas Schiff and Pasha

“Watch your step, Lupin. I shall see you for your study period tomorrow, work hard.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

Remus sidled across the landing, down the back stairs. His spine was bent under the weight of a week’s books. Head throbbing he wondered if these NEWT lessons were going to kill him. Sirius told him he was mad for doing so many subjects, but it was only around this ‘time of the month’ that the strain really started to show.

His footsteps shuffled hollowly on the empty corridor. He liked doing extra classes when the others were at quiddich. James said it was unfaithful, Remus preferred the corridors when they were quiet.

He shifted his books in his arms as he continued down the vacant hall. He cried out in shock as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Someone was pulling him back, his books falling to the floor, into a dark musky closet. So dark in fact, that he couldn't even see his hand in front of his face let alone reach for his wand.

Clawing his hand behind him in a frantic struggle he let out another muffled cry.

“Get off!”

He knew it would be ineffective, but he suddenly felt very claustrophobic, being hauled into this cupboard against his will.

He felt the person move around to his side before slamming him back into some large shelves behind him. He heard the rattling of a few bottles but none fell, nor broke. The person was now standing in front of him. Standing a little to close for comfort.

Winded he blinked into the dark, even with his especially good eyes he could only make out a shape in the shadows. He coughed.

“Look who is it? This isn’t funny, I’ve got work to do…”

"I'm sure you do." Came a quite yet deep voice that sounded very... what's the word.... almost too smooth yet nasally. He recognized that voice.

Remus frowned at the gloom.

“Snape? Severus Snape? Bloody hell, you frightened the life out of me. What do you think you are playing at?”

He moved towards the door.

A hand was placed firmly against his chest and he was once again slammed against the shelves, this time one of the jars falling off and smashing on the hard floor. He never recalled Snape being this strong. It couldn't be him. Maybe he was mistaken but...

"Playing?" The voice asked again. That was most definitely Severus' voice. "Why ever would I be playing?" He asked. "Have you ever known me, in the entire six years I've been here to ever.... play?" Snape asked.

The young Gryffindor tried to affect an air of calm frivolity. He laughed, weakly, dusting off his shoulder.

“Well we don’t know each other all that well…. really?”

"You know me well enough." Snape said. "Or as much as you'd like too."

He held Remus to against the shelving unit with one hand as he spoke, his hand against his chest just below the neck.

"Enough to help your friends pick on me at the least." He said. "I know you were in on that little joke. That little stunt that wound me in debt to no less than Potter himself."

Remus choked to defend himself.

“Snape, please! This is ridiculous. Can I please just leave?”

"No." Snape said calmly. "You remember what they did right?" He asked. "You remember everything that happens when you're in werewolf form correct?" Snape smirked. "Of course you do. Why else would you have planned something so ridiculously stupid. What was the full extent of your plan huh? Did you want to see the look of terror on my face? Maybe see me wet my pants? Or did you actually think you'd have the balls to put me out of my misery?" He asked. "Did James just get cold feet? is that it?"

Lupin flinched noticeably. His hands balled in his pocket, he hissed,

“Please Snape, that was nothing to do with me. I… was so mad with them for that… it was wrong. I am sorry for what they did…”

His gentle voice got quieter and quieter, he could never admit what he was to Severus Snape, even if Snape knew already. Just saying it in this boy’s presence was painful, he would have given anything to be out of this cupboard and back in the Common Room.

"Shut up!" Snape yelled. Remus realized that he must have placed a silencing charm on the room. Perfect. "I don't want to hear your apologies and I don't want your pity either!"

Remus folded his arms against his chest. He only felt weak and vulnerable when forced to confront himself. With Dumbledore, with his friends, and now with this wounded Slytherin who seemed hell bent on persecuting him. This was what had frightened him the most about school.

"Then what do you want?" Remus asked.

"I want.... you to beg like I did.... every time your lot come around, I want you to feel the fear I did when James ripped my wand away from me. To feel helpless as I did."

He did feel helpless, it wouldn’t be long before his next transformation and he felt very small in front of the lanky Slytherin.

“Snape… Severus, please. Don’t be like this. I can’t help what happened. James isn’t a bad guy, it was a joke that got out of hand…”

"A JOKE THAT WOULD HAVE ENDED IN MY DEATH!" Severus yelled his face now mere inches from Remus's face.

The cornered boy flinched again. How could he even be having this conversation? His voice caught in his throat.

“I…”

"How funny would it have been had I died?" Snape asked. "Would you be with your friends sitting around your table laughing at my expense." He asked. "How many students here would you say would notice that I was gone? Let alone care?"

Remus considered all the lessons the two boys had shared, without James or Sirius. Every lesson how quiet and alone he seemed, but also determined to shut out all human contact.

“… I would have cared…”

"Would you? Or are you just scared of what I'll do to you now?" He asked.

The young lycan let his lip pout softly, looking at the other boy with his tired brown eyes, his vision starting to adjust to the dark.

“I’m not scared of you Severus. I’m just sad for you…”

"You're sad for me? Why in the hell would you be sad for me when you and yours are the cause?" He asked.
"And your lack of fear is ill placed." He said moving his hand to the button of Remus's pants.

The boy froze; his hand fumbling to push Severus away, his voice soft and awkward,

“Hey… pack it in… ”

Severus moved his hand up to his throat and pushed him harder against the shelves. "The more you fight the worse it'll be on you." He said. "Not that I care much..." He said as he pushed Remus' pants off his hips.

Remus didn’t know which hand made him more uncomfortable, the one at his hip or the one at his throat. He coughed, gripping a struggling hand into Severus’s shoulder.

Severus smirked and felt himself swell. He could feel Remus's heart beat pound harder against his chest. "Scared now Lupin?" He asked pulling the boys boxers down just under his ass.

Remus thought about it. Was it fear, this feeling in his chest right now? Or could it be something else. The other boy’s hands were cold, and a little clammy. A chill from under the door raised goose bumps on his exposed thighs, covered in deep scars and newer scratches… Could he even be enjoying it, just a little.

“Severus?”

"What?" Severus asked angrily.

Even though his emotions were unnoticable in the dark, Remus knew they seeped into his voice. His grip on Snape’s shoulder loosened and he brought it down to rest on his elbow.

“There’s nothing I can say, is there? That will make this any better for you…”

"You can beg." Severus said though for what he wasn't sure.

Remus couldn’t be sure either. Even then, as he stood semi-naked and vulnerable, he wanted to make things right between he and the Slytherin. He knew his friends had done him wrong and that his twisted, transformed state had been at the heart of it.

He couldn’t help but feel sorry for Snape, after everything James and Sirius had done to him. Venturing a gesture towards the taller boy, he whispered,

“Please, Severus.”

Snape looked up at him as if waiting for him to continue. "Please what?" He asked taking the werewolf's cock in his hand.

A gasp in the darkness and Remus’s hand tightened again. He didn’t know what Severus wanted, maybe he just needed a little attention… Or maybe he wanted the resistance?

“Please… stop.”

"Why?" Severus asked simply as he stroked him.

Remus was finding it harder and harder to form logical sentences in his mind. Why not? Because he was a Slytherin? Because James and Sirius hated him? Because he was a BOY! Because no one had ever touched him like this before…

“I… don’t know… just…”

If he didn’t stop talking soon, he’d say something he’d regret.

"Just what?" Severus asked rubbing his thumb over the head. He turned Lupin around and pulled him back against his body. He stroked him as he pushed his crotch against his ass.

Remus couldn’t contain a moan, leaning back against Serverus’s chest. God it felt good being this close to another human being. A dark blush flooded his ashen face. All these years he had resisted physical gratification, and spent long evenings pining after people he could never have. To be touched with this raw, abandon was refreshing.

“Just…. don’t stop…”

Severus paused not expecting this reaction. He threw Remus against the shelves face first. "You're disgusting." Snape said realizing the irony in his words as it was he who had initiated his reaction.

Holding onto the shelves, his back to the other boy, Remus smiled. Severus could do as he pleased, he could create no worse pain or humiliation than the young werewolf had already gone through. It would be worth it to diminish even some of his hatred.

Remus smirked as he heard Severus unzip his own pants. He could picture Severus stroking his already hard cock. He turned to look at him but Severus forced his face forward.

This didn’t diminish his tired smile. He knew Severus could feel every mark and scar on his skin that had been missed or avoided, but his cold hands were soothing.

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" Severus asked. He moved forward suddenly and pressed his cock against Remus's cheeks.

He lent against the shelves, smiling into his arms.

“Maybe just a little…”

"Tell me.... have you done this before?" He asked. He wanted to know if he'd be Remus's first. He wasn't sure why it mattered to him but the thrill of taking the boys virginity made him harder.

With an arch sigh Remus pushed back against the taller boy,

“No Severus, you are my first. I hope you relish the experience.”

"Not even with a girl?" He asked. "Or do you prefer cock?"

Another hidden smile,

“I had never really considered it, Severus. I don’t get a lot of time for this sort of thing.”

"So you are a virgin then? In every sense of the word." He smirked. "Ever given head?" He asked his voice was quiet though he knew that no one outside would be able to hear him.

His hushed tones made the air thick with unspoken emotion. Remus shuddered ever so slightly.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand what that has to do with anything…”

"Just answer the question Remus." Snape said. "Have you ever sucked a guy off before?"

Remus sighed, he knew it was what Severus wanted to hear, but he didn’t want to play into his hands so comprehensively.

“No. I never have.”

"Care for the experience?" Severus asked licking the lobe of Remus's ear.

The young lycan shuddered.

“Severus, I think what I want is irrelevant. You have me trapped in a potions cupboard, in a… somewhat compromised position.”

"Are you suggesting you want me to force you rather than give you the option?" He asked smirking against Remus' neck.

“Now you’re twisting my words. I would rather you let me go back to my common room before the match ends…”

Another draught from under the door wracked his skin with goosebumps, but it was the cold rather than the situation that made him uncomfortable.

"Yes but that wasn't one of the options..." Severus said. "You can either do it willingly or I can force you."

The younger boy sighed, his fists balled on his shelf lean.

“You have your heart set on it, please get it over with quickly…”

Severus moved away from him slightly. "Then do it." He said smirking. "Surely you're not so innocent you at least know the fundamentals of doing it."

Remus blushed, turning to face the taller boy, whispering.

“I didn’t know you cared...”

"I don't." He said. "I'd just rather watch you doing it of your own accord." He said stroking his cock. He pulled out his wand and filled the room with light, so that they could both see each other.

Remus gasped slightly when he caught site of Severus. He had a deep coloured bruise under his left eye and a cut along his right cheek. He was standing with most of his weight held on his left foot but he was doing well to hide it.

"Stop looking at me." Severus said harshly.

Remus didn’t. He flinched against the light, but ran his soft brown eyes over the injured boy. He felt a true wave of sorrow for the situation he had been subjected to, but he knew that no amount of apologising could make it better.

He reached out a hand to touch his damaged face.

Severus swatted his hand away and silently snarled at him.

It stung, being rebuffed like that. Remus took a tentative step towards him.

“Severus…”

Severus stared at him daring him to continue. The look in his eyes almost promising a slow and painful death if he pressed the issue.
The young werewolf seemed to absorb other people’s emotion. He felt the Slytherin boy’s pain and hurt. His hand was still semi stretched out and grazed along the strong shoulder feeling the black material under his fingers.

Snape watched him almost like a snake watching it's prey, waiting for his moment to strike. Though he could tell that Severus was curious as to what he'd do.

Gently gripping his shoulder, Remus pulled Severus towards him, towards the shelf.

Snape turned so that he was leaning against the shelf but found that the ladder got in the way. He moved forward slightly and moved so that he was leaning back against the ladder instead.

"Don’t even think about breaking for the door I put a lock charm on it." Snape said simply. Though it was more of a state of fact than a threat not to do it.

Remus shuffled his pants back up over his hips and laid a hand on Snape’s chest. He couldn’t bring himself to speak, he know whatever he did the other boy would be angry at him.

Snape was becoming impatient. He placed his hand on Remus's shoulder and pushing him down onto his knees in front of him. "Well?" He asked.

Blinking up at him with his soulful eyes Remus reached his hands up to undo the other boy’s uniform pants. This wouldn’t be too difficult. He had a lot of affection for this boy, he felt sorry because of how James and Sirius treated him.

"Stop looking at me." Severus said again.

Remus blushed and looked away, his hands clumsily fumbling with Snape’s pants. He had to admit he was curious about this act. It would be interesting to see if he had any aptitude for it.

Snape didn't say anything when Remus finally looked away from him. He hated people staring at him. To him it was just a constant reminder of how ugly he was.... is.

Slipping his scratched hands under the worn elastic of Snape’s underwear, Remus stole another look at him. As he dragged them down his partner’s thin thighs, he noted that, despite his obvious flaws, there was something so sweet and awkward about the way the pale teenager looked.

Everything about the way he stood, the way his hair fell into his eyes, the way his scowled at the world, made Remus want to be closer to him and make it all better. He genuinely wished none of the awfulness with Sirius had happened, he wished they could start again.

"Stop looking at me." He said this time sounding more bored than angry.

Remus let his hurt bleed into his puppy brown eyes. He sighed, running his rough hands over those pale legs.

Severus watched as Remus pulled this cock free and moved his hands to the sides of the ladder. He noticed Remus glancing at him every few seconds and snarled at him each time.

The younger boy couldn’t help but smile at the familiarly feral noises. He ran a gentle hand along Severus’s erection. It would be a steep learning curve trying to please him, but Remus’s desire to succeed drove him forward.

Severus' cock twitched at the slight contact and he refrained from making any noise. Though it wasn't very hard to do, the boys hands where clearly inexperienced. Not that he had much himself but it was still noticeable.

Blinking his fear out of his eyes Remus lent forward, licking at the head and underside, each touch experimental and curious. The taste wasn’t as bad as he thought, in fact he quite liked it. Perhaps he wouldn’t let Severus know that.

He moved one hand up to brace himself and with the other, guided Severus into his mouth taking half the length in one go.

Severus tensed not expecting the boys sudden boldness. He froze and felt as if he'd cum already just from the feeling of the boys lips around him but forced himself to calm down. He gripped Remus's hair in one hand forcing him not to move a few moments before letting him go.

Remus let his eyes drift up to Severus’s face again. He liked to monitor his partner’s reactions. When he was freed from the restrictive grip he dipped his head, taking in as much as he could before sliding back out with a quiet pop. It was an action Remus enjoyed; having it filling his mouth, the sensation of bobbing his head to a steady internal rhythm… he could easily get used to this.

Remus could hear Severus's breathing increasing. The boys hand moved back to his hair.

"Ung... don't stop." He said quietly.

Those words sent a little thrill to the pit of Remus’s stomach, what was it he loved so much about pleasing people. Was this sick? Kneeling on the floor of a locked potions cupboard, giving head to a boy who professed to hate him and had trapped him here to humiliate and torture him…

Remus went deeper, gagging slightly, but years of being pumped full of experimental potions and brews had retrained his gag reflex well. He brought up his hands to aid his tiring mouth.

"Stop looking at me!" Severus said again as he noticed Remus gazing up at him. Remus looked down at his chest and pulled at his shirt trying to pull it loose. Severus knocked his hands away and moaned as Remus licked the head of his cock before taking him back in his mouth again.

Undeterred by Severus’s silent command, Remus reached for the shirt again, letting the cock again fall from his mouth.

Severus pushed him back with his knee before grabbing onto the back of his shirt and hoisting him up off the ground. "I thought I told you to stop looking at me!" He said angrily. Remus has seen Severus mad before but no where to this caliber. Severus turned him and pushed him face first into the shelving unit. "What the hell gives you that right?" He asked.

Remus closed his eyes calmly against the onslaught. He had learned not to get upset by anger and violence. It had become a natural part of his life, and he accepted it.

“I like looking at you, Severus…”

"Yeah I'm sure you do." He said. "Everyone loves looking at the ugly freak. Maybe I should start charging admission." He said pushing him harder against the shelf, the unforgiving wood pushing hard against Lupin's cheek bone.

Even through the aggression and hurt, Remus couldn’t be angry at him. It wasn’t his way, the physical pain always subsided, he wouldn’t say something he could regret.

“You have too low an opinion of yourself. You are more attractive than you give yourself credit for...”

"STOP LYING TO ME!" Snape yelled. Remus could tell even without looking at him that Severus had tears forming in his eyes.

He wanted to turn and face Severus, to tell him it was ok. Remus knew that whatever he said or did, the older boy didn’t want to hear any sort of gentle truths.

Severus pushed his pants away again and rubbed his dripping cock against the younger boy’s ass. "Why aren't you fighting me?" He asked. "Why aren't you fighting back?!"

Remus tried to keep the sadness out of his voice as he replied,

“Because I don’t want to…”

Remus could hear Severus' conflicted emotions from the sound of his breathing, the movement of his shoes on the ground. Every move he made allowed Remus to read him like an open book. Remus could tell that he was hesitating but secretly hoped that he wouldn't stop.

Severus tensed behind him a moment before Remus felt the tip of Severus' cock at his entrance. He tensed a moment before he tried to relax. The little bugger wasn't even going to prepare him.

The younger boy flinched and dug his nails into the wooden shelf. He tried his best to relax, knowing that being afraid would only make his pain worse.

Severus used his hand to guide his cock into Remus. With some effort he managed to push the tip past the tight ring.

"Fuck you're so tight." Severus moaned.

Remus couldn’t bring himself to reply, the pain was intense but bearable. His grip tightened on his wooden anchor and a small, rasping, cry escaped him.

Severus smirked at the small cry his cock swelling more. He pushed harder into him, managing to push it in half way before he needed to pull out again.

Deep breathing was the only thing keeping more noises in check as Remus tried not to think of the throbbing pain radiating from behind him.

Snape slammed into him as hard as he could forcing himself almost fully into him. There was only about an inch left of his cock and he pulled out to slam into him again.

Throwing his head back in a staggered wail, Remus lent back against Snape’s chest.

‘The pain is temporary, it will pass soon. The pain is temporary, it will pass soon… Your pain threshold is higher than this… its higher than anything he can to do you…’

Severus pushed him back against the shelf and thrust into him hard, moaning every time he pushed his cock back into his tight hole.

Each thrust slammed him harder into the rickety shelves. The pain was dulling down to a persistent ache, he had it under control. It wasn’t nearly as bad as trying to rip your own skin off.

Severus moaned loudly. "Fuck you feel so good." He moaned moving in and out of him hard. He wouldn't last much longer he could already feel his orgasm building.

Remus grimaced into the wood grain, Snape’s sporadic thrusts tore into him, but he sounded close. He wanted to look at him, he wanted to see his face when he came. But he knew Severus would rather die than let that happen.

"Fuck." Severus groaned and pulled out of Remus throwing him face first on the ground. He straddled him, a knee on each side of his hips and thrust his cock into him once again.

The cold floor pressing against Remus’s semi-erect dick was a less than comfortable accompaniment to Severus’s violent thrusts. The floor was harder to grip onto than the shelves and the young boy’s raw fingers scrabbled wildly in the dust.

"You want me to stop Remus?" He asked thrusting hard, his skin slapping against Remus's.

Remus struggled with words, his position was awkward. He pushed his hand under his body to try and rearrange himself. The cold of the floor was rubbing painfully against his sensitive erection.

"Well do you?" He asked slamming into him harder for emphasis.

A gasping, “No!” was all the younger boy could manage. His hand still grasped around his hardening length.

Severus pulled Remus's hips back so that he was on his hands and knees. He batted Remus's hand away from his cock and took it lightly in his own hand.

"What was that?" He asked not moving his hand in the least and paused in this thrusts.

Remus swallowed, groaning at the sensation of Severus’s cool hand on his skin.

“Please… don’t stop…”

Severus smirked. "I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that?" He asked his cock twitching at the lack of movement.

Grinding back slowly against the other boy, Remus almost laughed in frustration.

“Severus… please, don’t stop… please.”

Severus smiled and moved slowly in and out of him. "What? You like my cock in you?" He asked.

A low feral whine and a weak nod was all Remus could manage. He wanted the friction of Snape’s hand back, to match the roughness of his thrusting.

Severus moved inside him but didn't move his hand.

Another whine, like a trapped puppy. Remus placed his hand over Severus’s in a hope of eliciting some more compassionate reaction.

“Severus. Don’t be cruel…”

Severus batted Remus's hand away this time not even replacing it with his own.

"Give me a reason." He said simply.

Remus paused, his head flopping forward onto his chest. Severus had won his little game, it appeared that he would have to beg.

“Because I need it so badly,” he whispered. “Because it feels so good having your hands on me…” He rocked his ass back to meet Severus’ hips with a sweet little moan, partly to emphasise his point, partly because he loved feeling the friction between their bodies.

Remus's words sent a wave of pleasure straight to his groin and he took Remus's cock into his hand pumping him slowly and out of rhythm with his thrusts.

The disjointed gratification was like heaven. With a strengthening groan, Remus didn’t know whether he wanted to thrust into Severus’s hand or push back against his rock hard cock. For a boy who’d never even been kissed, this was a level of delight he had never dreamed of experiencing.

Severus could feel himself coming close and sped up his thrusts moving his hand faster over Remus.

The younger boy knew he couldn’t last long like this. He threw his head back and let out a plaintive cry, pushing harder against Severus’s intense grip.

"Oh fuck I'm going to cum." Severus moaned pushing Remus's face down against the ground his ass still up in the air making him tighter around him.

Somehow, being this dominated just drove him on. The pressure building up inside him was becoming beautifully intolerable.

“Severus…” the name was drawn out in a soft moan. “It’s so good… oh God, I can’t bear it… it’s so good. Oh.... Severus...”

Severus snarled. "Stop saying my name." He groaned out pushing into him deeper.

With a wolfish grin, his arms clawing out on the disturbed floor, Remus groaned his partner’s name again. He liked saying it, having something to moan made him feel full and happy. He was so close, it could be any second.

"Stop saying my name!" He cried out again tears forming in his eyes but not falling.

With a strangled howl, Remus came hard, his hands reaching for anything to dig his nails in. Severus’s name on his lips in a feverish whisper.

"SHUT UP!" Snape snarled tears finally falling down his cheeks. "Just shut up!" He groaned as he felt his balls tighten. "Fuck..." He groaned.

Remus lay sprawled in front of him. The floor under his face, wet with breath and drool. He panted, spasming muscles clamping around Severus.

He moaned. It still felt good as Severus moved in and out of him. "Mmm.... Severus." He moaned quietly.

"Stop!"

"Severus..." He moaned again.

"Stop saying my fucking name!" He yelled thrusting into him almost angrily as tears streamed down his face. Remus moaned Severus's name again as he heard Severus moan out his release, his juices filling him. He could feel his tears falling onto his back, could feel his frustration rolling off him in waves.

Remus sighed contentedly, pulling himself up on his knees, feeling Severus slip out of him with a wet pop. He turned to look the older boy in the eyes.

Severus sat back and buttoned his pants again. "Stop looking at me." He said sitting against the ladder and pulling his knees against his chest. He looked away from Remus not able to look at him.

The younger boy stood up, pulling his trousers up, still observing his partner, sadly. He reached a scratched hand forward to brush some hair off Severus’s face.

"Just leave." Severus said batting his hand away.

Instead of letting himself be swept away, Remus grabbed the long pale fingers, a serious expression on his blushing face. His voice was a rasped whisper.

“Don’t send me away…” it wasn’t a request.

"Why?" Severus asked. "Ten minutes ago you couldn't wait to get away from me?" He said still not looking at him.

“I guess things change,” he lent against the shelf, his sad brown eyes searching Snape’s face for a window into his thoughts.

"What you're okay with this?" Snape asked finally looking at him confused and disgusted. "I just raped you and you just.... don't care?" He asked.

Remus withdrew his hand like he’d been burned. He looked away. Snape’s words stung.

“It didn’t really feel like rape to me… I guess, I’ve had worse. Things that hurt worse… inside, you know. It felt good…”

"So.... what now?" Snape asked after a few moments of awkward silence. "I still hate you you know." He said as if making a statement he almost didn't believe.

Those sad eyes fixed him again. Taking another step closer, Remus tried to force his face into a weak smile.

“Is that… really how you feel?”

"No- YES!" He said immediately changing his answer. "I still hate you and your lot." He said. "What you thought that we'd have a little romp in the potions stores and everything would be all better? Years of torment just suddenly forgotten? Is that why you acted like you liked it?"

Remus pulled away and started recollecting his books, try to hide the fact that he was blushing.

“No… you know that’s not true. I never tormented you. We have so many classes together, we just never talked much. You hate my friends, so you think that means you hate me. But why ‘punish’ me like this? … I’m not trying to trick you.”

"Just because you're not in on the act doesn't mean you're not in on the joke."

Stuffing his books back in his battered satchel Remus blinked. His voice breaking sadly.

“You think, I think you’re a joke?”

"Why else would I be on the brunt end of your lots pranks and tricks?" He asked. "None of you pick on anyone else but me."

“… I think you’re brilliant…”

"Most think I am.... you know my grades as well as the rest. Doesn't change anything."

“Maybe if you let someone in every once in a while then everyone wouldn’t treat you like an emotionless bastard?” the words slipped out before Remus could stop them. It made him so angry seeing a boy his age with so much hatred. Especially one so intelligent.

"Maybe you should mind your own business." He said angrily. "Maybe once you realize that life isn't fair to everyone and that not everyone is as loved as you are you'll learn to butt out of other peoples business."

Remus balled his fists. The aching in his body throbbed as the blood pounded in his ears.

“Well sometimes you have to earn love, Severus.”

"Yeah?" He asked. "Sometimes the effort isn't worth it when you know no one gives a rats ass."

Moving towards the door the smaller boy brushed his gentle hand over Snape’s shoulder.

“Doesn’t that depend on the person?”

"It doesn't matter who it is, everyones the same." He said. "No one cares about poor little ugly Snape... the filthy half-blood."

Remus fought back the urge to cry, his fingers brushing the dusty fabric of Snape’s cloak.

“I do…”

"No you don't!" He yelled tears springing to his eyes again as he once again batted his hand away and stood up.

The startled Gryffindor ghosted away, tucking his hand under the stack of books in his arm.

“It’s something you can’t escape from, Severus. Somebody cares for you.”

Tears fell down Severus's cheeks again. "Just leave me alone." He said leaving the potions store, his black wand forgotten behind him. He stepped out of the closet store wiping the tears from his face moments before he collided with the last person he wanted to see. Sirius Black, still in bright quiddich robes.

"Well well what do we have here?" Sirius asked smirking.

"What is this? Is little Snapey crying?" He asked. What few people where in the hall laughed at him. "Little sniveling Severus." He laughed along with the others. "Or should we just start calling you Snivellus?" He asked.

“Just pack it in Sirius.” Remus shrugged his cloak over one shoulder, his books in danger of thudding to the floor. Trapped between two particularly difficult books Remus could feel the smooth of Snape’s forgotten wand. “Don’t cause a scene, just leave him be…”

He nudged his tall friend with a scuffed boot.

Severus sneered at Remus a moment through his tears before he stormed off down the hall towards his room.