Sweets

Pairing(s)/character(s): Remus Lupin/Severus Snape, mention of an OOC
Word Count: 836
Warnings: AU, Fluff! Nothing really, unless you hate sweets ^_^
Notes: This story was written as a gift to one of my betas et_tu_lj on Live Journal based on some of her favorites foods. Thanks to my terrific betas brighty18, Geek6 and kibatsu on Live Journal for the terrific and speedy betaing! Any mistakes left in this story are my own.


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"Lupin!" Severus scowled in irritation as he looked down at the mess on the dining table. "Lupin!"


"Hmm?" Remus stepped out from around the kitchen door wearing a neatly tied pinny and carrying a wooden spatula. He loped over in long strides to where Severus stood.


"What's the matter?"


"'What's the matter?'" Severus growled. "What is all this?" He waved his hand with a flourish at the colorful bags piled haphazardly on the dining room table.


"Sweets." Remus grinned like a child standing in the middle of Honeydukes.


"Yes, I can very well see that, but what is it for? I don't recall you having an addiction to these varieties of sweets."


"Oh, it's not for me, it's for our guest."


Severus frowned, unable to recall inviting over company. "Our guest? Since when did we start inviting over five-year-old children to be our dinner guests?"


"She's not a child," Remus said, "but she does like her candy."


Severus arched an eyebrow as he gingerly lifted one of the bags to examine it closely. "It appears so. Peppermints. Skit-tles? Must be Muggle candy," he muttered, tossing the bag aside before picking up the last. He let out a snort, "Lemon drops, she's probably as bad as Dumbledore." He let the bag slip slowly from his fingers and back onto the table, then crossed his arms. "When were you going to tell me about our guest?"


Remus smiled back, eyes crinkling at the corners. "I did tell you about her, last week while you were looking at Big Broomsticks."


"You know very well you aren't to disturb me while I'm reading." Severus glared at Remus. "Who is she and why has she been invited to our home?"


Amber eyes twinkled back at him. "Don't worry, you'll like her. This is a get-to-know-you dinner. Her name is Kimberly and she's an editor."


"An editor?" Severus asked. This was beginning to sound intriguing.


"Yes. We've been exchanging owls about my experiences during the War. She's going to edit and help get my book published under a pseudonym. It seems that Muggles love stories about Wars involving Magic."


"Indeed. Is she a witch?"


"No, a Squib, but she has a good reputation among the wizards and witches she's helped publish. That's how I heard about her."


"I see." He ran his finger along his lips. Remus was naive when it came to negotiations. It appeared it would be up to him, as usual, to make sure that Remus got his fair share out of any contract that was signed.


"Is that all you can say, Severus?"


"No. What I will say is, that it's more than likely she will work with her publishers to pay you the smallest sum possible for your story and you, being the overly accommodating wolf that you are, will naturally agree to whatever arrangement she offers."


"I don't think it will be like that. Like I said..."


Not wanting to hear any excuses, Severus cut Remus's comment off with a wave of his hand. "I refuse to let you bumble your way through such delicate negotiations, so I will make certain that your contract will sufficiently compensate you for your story. I will also be present to ensure that your memories of events of the War are accurate.


"Severus, really! I'm quite capable of recalling events clearly, unless you're trying to tell me something?" The corner of Remus's mouth lifted in a slight smirk.


"What might that be?" Severus squinted down his nose at Remus as though Remus were a bug.


"Oh, I don't know," Remus replied, his head tilted to the side. "Maybe you'd like to write a book of your own?"


"Hmph! Don't be ridiculous." Severus rolled his eyes in exasperation. It was unbelievable the inane conclusions that Remus could jump to. "If I was going to write a book, it certainly wouldn't be about the War."


"You could always help me write mine," Remus said with a grin. "Maybe add some embellishment?"


"The War doesn't need embellishment as you very well know." Severus scowled. "However, like I said, I will help you keep your facts straight. Now, when is this 'Kimberly' arriving?"


"In about an hour."


"More than sufficient time for you to finish cooking dinner. We will also need a bowl for these sweets. You don't really expect her to eat them from the bags now do you?" Severus arched an eyebrow. Why did he always have to figure out the smallest details?


"If you could help with that, I'll get back to making dinner," Remus said, waving his spatula in the air.


Severus made a pushing motion with his hand in the direction of the kitchen. "Yes, yes, of course, go on and while you're doing that, I'll think of a title for your book."


Eyes narrowed, he watched Remus's retreating back. Severus was almost certain he'd heard Remus give a soft chuckle as he turned and walked back toward the kitchen.