Severus walked through the forest in deep thought, leaves crunching under his hooves. He had a lot on his mind, mostly about Harry finding him out. All those years of keeping his identity and he allowed a small eleven-year-old boy to expose his darkest secret. He wasn’t sure how to progress with this strange, new relationship.

               Rustling caught his attention. Severus paused and looked over his shoulders, ears perked. Something was stalking him, a large shadow zigzagging through the shadows, a putrid, rotten eggs smell burning his nose. Severus snorted in disgust, holding his breath to keep from smelling it again. Lowering his head, he peered through the trees to try and spot what was following him.

               A large paw stepped out of the shadows, followed by a lion’s body and a scorpion’s tail. A manticore with a thick mane snarled at Severus, its humanish eyes glaring at the centaur. It roared.

               Thinking quickly, Severus leaped away and galloped as fast as he could, hearing the manticore’s thundering paws behind him. A slight pause in noise informed Severus that the beast pounced, and he made a sharp turn to the left, narrowly avoiding the manticore’s claws. Severus slid down a hill. The manticore used the opportunity to lash out with its stinger, missing Severus’s rump by a few inches. The manticore swung its tail as it roared again.

               Severus galloped away, the manticore chasing him. Severus had heard of a couple manticores living in the forest in past years, but that had been so long ago, he was sure the monsters had died of old age. Either this one was new to the forest, or very old. Severus felt blood pounding through his brain as he panted and looked for an escape. His heart raced in his chest and he felt moist with sweat all over his horse’s half.

               The manticore’s grunts and snarls behind him did nothing to ease his fear. Moments like these, Severus wished he kept his wand on him, but they also made him glad he didn’t carry his wand as it could very easily be damaged in the chase.

               The hunted outcast once more, Severus couldn’t help but think. He hated to feel like prey.

               Severus spotted the breach in the forest and dodged right, slamming into the breach as the manticore pounced for him.

               Severus’s ran down the short path that led to Remus’s cabin, not truly aware of his surroundings. Adrenalin coursed through his blood and he breathed heavily as he kept running straight, sure the manticore was right behind him.

               “Severus,” Remus said, stepping out of his cabin, tying his winter cloak as he quickstepped down the stairs. “Hey, easy!”

               Severus slid to a halt as Remus stepped in his way, but he wasn’t in his right mind yet. He pawed the ground anxiously and snorted, rearing and stomping his hooves.

               “Whoa, whoa, easy, easy,” Remus encouraged, holding his hands up as one would to a frightened horse. “Calm down, Severus!”

               Severus took several deep breaths, trying to bring forth his mind and push away the instinctual behavior that had been consuming him. He still pawed the ground occasionally as he relaxed more, but as he felt his heart slow, he felt his human mind return.

               “What on earth, Severus, you’re acting like an unbroken horse,” Remus commented.

               Severus snorted angrily, glaring down at Remus. He reared up a foot and stamped the ground in front of him. Remus backed up cautiously, but held his hands up once more, defensively this time.

               “I’m just saying,” he said. “If you break something during your episode, I will charge you.”

               Before Severus could retort, a roar caught their attentions. Severus side stepped away as the manticore darted for Severus and Remus, growling.

               “Oh, great,” Remus said, stepping forward and pulling out his wand, “you brought company. And I thought I’d have a boring night. I hope our guest likes Chardonnay.”  

               Remus flicked out his wand and struck the ground between the manticore and himself, creating an electric fence barrier made purely of electric bolts. The manticore cried out and leaped back, licking the paw that had touched the electricity. It set its paw down and snarled.

               “You hide behind a human, centaur,” the deep voice of the beast said. “How lowly, even for you.”

               “I’m sorry,” Remus said, “Remus’s eatery is now closed. You’ll have to come back with a reservation.”

               The manticore snarled, “I should eat you both.” It stepped up to the electric fence, staring face to face with Remus, shaking out its mane. “What is a human doing so far out in this forest? These are my hunting grounds.”

               “And these are my living grounds. Come back again and I’ll turn them into hunting grounds myself. I could use a nice, warm lion rug in my cabin. You look like just the thing.”

               The manticore snarled again, walking the length of the fence that grew to keep in his way, following his path. The manticore stopped once more, baring its teeth at Severus, who flattened his ears and switched his tail furiously.

               “Where was the fight in you earlier?” the manticore asked.

               “I know how to pick my battles,” Severus stepped closer to the fence. “Come after me again, and I may just go straight for an Unforgivable.”

               The manticore didn’t seem fazed by the threat. It merely lifted its lips once more, saying, “When the day comes that you are unprepared for me, I will attack. I know how to find my prey at their weakest. And when that day comes for you, I will be waiting.” The manticore snarled before walking away from the cabin, then leaping back into the shadows. Remus waited for a few silent moments before ending his spell.

               “Charming fellow, isn’t he?” Remus remarked.

               “Why didn’t you just kill it?” Severus snapped.

               “It’s just surviving, Severus,” Remus said, putting his wand away. “It wouldn’t really be fair to kill a beast for hunting something it normally hunts. That would be like killing a wolf for hunting a deer.”

               “Humph, and yet muggles kill them regardless.”

               “You better watch your back, Severus, that threat was not empty.”

               “All I ever do is watch my back!”

               No one said anything while Severus paced the open space, calming himself. Remus spoke first, changing the subject.

               “I see you’re using the turnout blanket. Glad to know I’ve helped you in that aspect. What brings you here?”

               “I have this,” Severus reached into one of the turnout pockets and pulled out the small vial of wolfsbane he had. He held it out.

               Remus’s eyes widened, and he reached for it, then paused. “Are you sure?” he asked. “I mean those truly are expensive to brew and to ask this of you –”

               “Just take it.”

               Remus did so, studying the vial in his hands, running his finger along the engraved words on the vial. “I’m serious, Severus, this means a lot to me and –”

               “Again, spare me the sentimental gratitude. I am doing this for the safety of the students as well as keeping yourself from getting killed by a frightened witch or wizard should you ever encounter another.”

               “Right,” Remus carried the vial inside, keeping the door open so he could talk. “Honestly, Severus, you should carry a wand on you at all times. Given your situation and where you often find yourself, it would benefit you greatly. That manticore isn’t going to let this go. He’ll come after you again. And again. There stubborn things, really. They don’t like challenges. They want to be at the top of the food chain at all times.”

               “I’m not hear for a Care of Magical Creatures lesson, thank you.”

               “Again, I’m just saying.”

               Remus walked out, carrying a large piece of leather and a handmade bow with arrows. Severus frowned as Remus stopped in front of him, setting everything down and holding up the bow first.

               “This,” Remus began, handing over the large bow to Severus, “was something Mr. Banges had been working on for a few months. He finished it just this morning and I bought it from him. It’s made of European Yew. Sturdy stuff, yet flexible. And the arrows fly nicely. I tested it out earlier.”

               Severus admired the bow. It was a very well-made craft. The wood was a beautiful color and the bow itself was smooth and emitted a polished shine and an earthy smell.

               “Why are you giving me this?” he asked Remus.

               “If you are not going to carry your wand, you’ll need something, and since this is a common weapon choice among centaurs, I figured it’d be the best match for you.”

               “Of course,” Severus sneered, accepting the quiver from Remus and slinging it over his shoulder. He pulled an arrow from the quiver and admired that it looked much like the bow’s shine and quality.

               “Besides,” Remus said, “this is the least I can do for what you are doing for me. I will not allow myself to be a charity case. What you give I give in return.”

               Severus rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t help but marvel at how nicely the bow and arrows were modeled. It wasn’t like he could deny the products after forcing Remus to accept the wolfsbane potion. He wondered if he should give the bow a few trial runs. As if Remus had read his thoughts, the man spoke.

               “I had practiced on that target I made there when I brought them home,” Remus pointed off to a tree just on the forest line. It was approximately twenty yards away. “Now, I’m not sure if you’ve ever shot a bow and arrow before . . .”

               “When I was a kid,” Severus answered, setting up the arrow and raising the bow. “My mother taught me. I haven’t handled a bow since then.”

               “Then it may take a few tries to hit the target, handling the bow can be tricky after years of absence and muscle memory fades . . .”

               Remus trailed off as Severus hit the bullseye of his makeshift wooden target.

               “Huh. Well, I guess it comes naturally for you.”

               Severus glared down at Remus.

               “Where did you get the bow?” Harry asked inquisitively as he sat next to Severus in the grass between the usual greenhouses, inching closer to the centaur. Severus was lying in the grass, his hooves gathered under him.

               “A . . . an acquaintance gave it to me,” Severus answered, watching as Harry sat up on his knees and felt the wood of the end of the bow, he had attached to the quiver strapped around his shoulders.

               “Did he make it?” Harry asked.

               “No, now pay attention,” Severus said, gently pushing down on Harry’s shoulder so he boy was sitting down and giving him full attention. “What have I told you so far about classes?”

               “That because of your job and the acquaintances you have, you have to keep acting like you have been in class, so no one gets suspicious. But I still don’t get why its so important. And you don’t have to be so mean all the time.”

               “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,” Severus said, narrowing his eyes at Harry. “It’s important now because I need to keep myself safe and the students. That’s all I can tell you for now. Understand?”

               “Yes, sir.” Harry pulled at a few blades of grass. “Do you want me to call you Professor now? I mean, it just seems rude to call you by a first name.”

               “It’s not my first name, though. You may continue to call me Ajax if you wish,” Severus said.

               “I can?”

               “What’s the point of having a pseudonym if no one uses it, hmm?”

               “I guess that makes sense.”

               “Just remember not to call me by it in class or you’ll be facing a lot of detentions writing a thousand lines of “I will address Professor Snape appropriately during class hours.” I’m sure that will help the message sink in.”

               Harry made a face at the idea of writing a thousand lines during a bunch of detentions. He didn’t think the punishment fit the crime very well, but he kept his opinions to himself.

               “I’ll remember,” Harry said.

               “Good.”

               The two fell into a comfortable silence, no one saying or feeling the need to say anything. Finally, Harry stopped picking at the grass and looked up at Severus.

               “I’m sorry for what I said about you,” Harry said.

               “What do you mean? When?”

               “Well, yesterday for one. I wasn’t really thinking when I stopped by your office.”

               “And physically assaulted me,” Severus reminded.

               Harry frowned at Severus before continuing, “I said sorry. And also, for what I said about you trying to steal from whatever the three-headed dog is guarding. I didn’t know you were the same . . . person.”

               “Ah, thank you for reminding me. You should have been no where near the forbidden corridor.”

               “It was an accident we ended up there, the stairs moved, and we didn’t know where we were.”

               “We?”

               “I. I meant I.”

               Severus raised an eyebrow. He already knew Miss Granger was involved and he was sure Mr. Weasley was in on it if the first two were. But he said nothing of the statement, deciding to let it slide.   

               “Regardless, you are to forget about the dog and the forbidden corridor. It does not concern you and it certainly is far too dangerous for an eleven-year boy to be fooling around near. Do you understand me?”

               “What if we – I mean, I – think someone is going to steal whatever the dog is guarding?”

               “The adults are handling the situation, and everything is under control. There is no way for anyone to steal what the dog is guarding. It is well protected. Do not get involved and do not get in harm’s way. Understand?”

               Harry nodded his head, averting his eyes as he picked more blades of grass.

               “Harry,” Severus said, lifting the boy’s chin with a finger. “I need to hear you say that you understand. That you will not pursue the forbidden corridor any further. It’s for your own safety.”

               “I understand. I won’t get involved.”

               Severus lowered his hand and said, “thank you.”

               Harry smiled at Severus.

               The meetings continued for a week, with Severus and Harry meeting at their usual spot. It had been a tough week for them both, with Harry struggling to play along with Severus’s cruel acting and Severus struggling not to be too hard on Harry. It had been a very draining week, yet Severus found relief in his nighty visits with the boy. Harry usually just talked away about his day and all the homework the other professors gave out. Somehow, Harry found it easy to confide in Ajax even with the knowledge of who Ajax was. Severus found it remarkable yet comforting.

               Harry had not turned him away.

               As many had before.

               Severus smiled as he walked down the hall to his quarters, an odd sight for the potions master. One could mistake his smile for a malicious smirk if they did not know Severus personally. His smiled disappeared as he turned the corner and saw Harry talking with Remus Lupin.

               He froze, studying the sight. Harry was smiling at Remus, who smiled back. Harry let out a laugh at something Remus said, and Remus’s smile grew more.

               An unfamiliar feeling grew inside Severus’s chest, hitting him like a strong ocean wave. He bit his inner cheek as a surge of anger swelled inside him, and he maintained a sneer on his face as he walked up to the two.

               “Professor,” Harry greeted, “this is . . .”

               “Lupin,” Severus interrupted. “May I have a word?”

               “Of course,” Remus smiled. “I have to leave after this, so I’ll see you again soon, all right, Harry?”

               Harry nodded, “Yes, sir. Good afternoon, Professor.”

               Once Harry had left and was out of earshot, Severus scowled at Remus.

               “What are you doing here?”

               “I was meeting with Albus,” Remus said casually. “But as I was leaving, I ran into Harry. We got talking. He’s so much like James, and even more like Lily. I see why you spend so much time with him.”

               “You will risk exposing yourself if you show your face around here so often. Someone might start questioning things.”

               “I’m sure I’ll be fine, Severus, it’s not like I’ll show up here every day. What’s the worst that can happen?”

               “Let me think, perhaps you forgetting your potion on the night of a full moon and shifting in this school.”

               “Which will never happen. You are overreacting and to be honest, you sound a little jealous.”

               Severus’s glare deepened. “If I were you, I would avoid this school as much as possible. Or at least disguise yourself should you need to see Albus. But keep away from the students.”

               “You cannot tell me to stay away from Harry. He’s my best friend’s son and I would like to become a part of his life while I have the chance. You cannot deny me that.”

               “You are a danger to him.”

               “And you are not? You have more targets on your back then I ever have in my life. I wonder who the real danger to that boy is. Look, I’m not going to stand here and argue with you all day. I’ll take my leave. But I will find a way to have more time with Harry whether you approve of it or not.”

               Remus turned at that, leaving Severus seething where he was. He was not jealous, Remus was the one overreacting. Obviously, the man didn’t see how he could danger Harry and the whole school. Sighing, Severus looked out a nearby window to see the setting sun. He’d have to get moving if he wanted to meet Harry at their usual spot. The night air was getting colder, perhaps he should consider moving the meetings indoor. It might be easier to just give Harry detentions and have him meet at his quarters at night instead of going outside.

               It might keep Remus away from the boy as well.