Potions and Snitches
Snape and Harry Gen Fanfiction Archive

At the Cottage

Severus stood slowly back up, studying Remus closely as the man walked over to that man-sized metal box, running a hand over the broken chains hanging on the wrecked door. Remus gave a frustrated sigh, rubbing his eyes tiredly. Severus frowned at the man, quickly sneaking behind a tree when Remus spun around and stared straight at the spot he had been. Severus waited a moment before peeking out. Remus had turned away and was waving his wand around the box, the metal crunching itself back into shape to allow the door to close once more. The chains linked back together.

               Severus quietly moved behind the trees, slowly inching his way closer to the small cottage. He wondered what Remus was even doing this deep in the Forbidden Forest. Did Albus know about this? If the man did, then that whole “the forest can’t be contained” was complete bollocks. The man had been protecting Remus from exposure – as always.

               Watching the man work brought flashbacks to Severus’s mind; one in particular . . .

               It was his sixth year at Hogwarts. Severus, as Ajax, was in the forest stretching out his legs. He didn’t go out into the forest often. Albus had planned for Severus to find sanctuary in the Room of Requirement for his nightly transformations, considering it safer than the Forbidden Forest. Albus had vaguely mentioned that it was the only place left available for use. And chances of being discovered were greatly diminished.

               Severus had always wondered what Albus had meant about the only place left. Severus had suspicions about another student in his year – one that always left Hogwarts conveniently on the same nights as the full moon. Severus had no proof of his theory, however, and if his assumptions were right, the headmaster probably already knew. He decided not to bother with the student and just focus on his own hiding.  It was still risky having a place in Hogwarts to get to, but if no one ever found the room and he paid close attention to time, he’d be safe. Besides, most students were more likely to come across it during the day. Right?

               Regardless, it had been a place to hide and have some solitude, as well as to work on his homework. Yet, there were nights when Severus did choose to go out into the Forbidden Forest before sundown, especially as he grew older and larger as a centaur, needing more space to move and run than the Room of Requirement could provide. So, tonight, he was out in the forest, trotting through the trees to better exercise his muscles. The fresh night air felt good in his hair and he quickened his trot to a canter. The Forbidden Forest wasn’t really that bad – in all his years, he had yet to encounter anything that tried to harm him. He had met the centaurs the first time when he was in his second year, and they had simply let him be. He could get used to being out in the forest.

               He cantered towards a meadow he could see through the trees, but before he could enter, he froze, standing right at the edge. A strange sight met his eyes.

               A black dog, a large buck with a rat on its head, and a very large wolf. A wolf twice the size of a normal wolf with a tufted tail. The four animas seemed to be playing with each other, leaping around the meadow and wrestling gently with one another. The black dog wrestling with the wolf took great care in avoiding its claws and teeth. The deer followed the two, using its antlers from time to time to nudge the dog or wolf playfully, the rat on its head clinging tightly to the buck’s fur.

               Severus frowned, taking a hesitant step closer, wanting to get a better look at these animals, sure that they were all animagi – and that wolf was no doubt a werewolf if that tufted tail was anything to go by. He had never seen this group before though. He may not have ventured into the forest every night, but he did enough nights to note that these four were not usually around. Unless, if that wolf was a werewolf, they only came out on the nights of the full moon. That would explain it.

               Severus took another brave step further out of the trees, his curiosity eating away at him. If they were students – and Severus was sure they were the Marauders – then that meant that they had undergone a lot of work to become ones. They had just received a lesson from Professor McGonagall on the entire process and the legalities of being an animagus. She had also asked the class if anyone happened to be an animagus already, but no one raised their hands. Severus glared at the four as he realized they were unregistered. He could get them in trouble for this. He couldn’t not report them.

               Suddenly, the black dog turned and snarled directly at Severus, who took a tentative step back. The dog barked angrily, his tail wagging as he kept snarling at Severus. The wolf turned and snarled as well, following the black dog’s lead. But instead of just standing there growling, the wolf leaped forward and gave chase.

               Severus turned on his hooves and galloped at full speed through the trees, the wolf catching up quickly. Severus wasn’t very familiar with this part of the forest, and he had to dodge low branches and leap over above-ground roots. The wolf howled behind him, snapping its jaws.

               Severus urged himself to gallop as fast as he could, and the wolf began to fall behind. Severus glanced back, then stumbled to the ground as he tripped over a root. He lay on his side, trying to catch his broken-winded breath. His heart rate was beating faster than he had been galloping.

               The wolf leaped at him and he covered his head.

               Then, the buck jumped in front of Severus, using his antlers to catch the large wolf and throw him back. The wolf landed roughly on the ground a few feet away. Severus looked up at the animals. The buck lowered his head, keeping his antlers trained on the wolf as the animal snarled and tried circling around to get to the centaur. The buck pawed the ground, snorting like a bull ready to charge the matador, displaying his antlers.    

               The wolf sneezed before turning away, walking back to the meadow. The deer stood tall and looked back at Severus, who gathered his legs under him and pushed off the ground. Severus quickly bowed to show his gratitude, and to hide his face, hoping it was too dark to make out specific features. He didn’t want the Marauders recognizing him and potentially exposing him to the whole school. He kept his head lowered, watching the deer in front of him with just his eyes. They were about the same height, so eyelevel was perfect.

               The buck stared at him for a moment, his ears pivoting forward, before he closed his eyes and bowed his head in return. Then, the deer walked away, following the wolf. The black dog trotted up to the deer, the rat now on his back. The buck gently knocked the dog over with his antlers, snorting angrily at him. The dog yelped, the rat squealing as it fell off and rolled on the ground. The dog shook himself out, growling at the deer which the rat climbed up on.

               Severus watched the three animals leave to surely find the werewolf. He was thankful that the buck had come to his aid, but that didn’t stop him from talking to the headmaster about what had happened. And Albus had sworn Severus to secrecy of Remus’s situation and now the animagi students – who Albus believed were simply helping a friend. Severus was right that it had been the Marauders. And of course, they would get away with everything – even almost killing him.

               Severus never ran into the four again – mostly due to him choosing not to go out on the nights of the full moon. And it seemed that no one ever made the connection between him and the centaur, which he was glad for. Severus pondered the memory. Albus had to know that Remus was the werewolf in the forest. That man had to have known that Remus was the one that nearly attacked Harry. And the headmaster did nothing to remove the problem.

               Unless that strange metallic box had been an attempted solution. Clearly, if Remus had locked himself in there, after changing, the wolf had broken out. That man would need more than just some locked enclosure to contain him. Better yet, Remus needed to leave this forest. It would be the safest alternative. Severus would be having a long talk with Albus once he got back to Hogwarts. And if the man wanted evidence – well, he had evidence. He had the memory of the metal box in the shape it had been in before Remus started fixing it.

               But how to get back to Hogwarts? That was a long journey back on two feet, and it probably wouldn’t be safe without his wand. Severus held up his hand and accioed for his wand. Nothing. Severus tried again, but after a long moment, still nothing. He closed his eyes as he remembered that he put it in a spell proof case with a specific password that needed to be said within three feet of the case. His quarters might be locked, but one could never be too careful. Why on earth was he so paranoid? Now he had nothing.

               Severus looked through the trees at Remus, who was busy at a well just a bit past the cottage. How had he missed that? Well, the man was busy. Perhaps he had a floo. Severus cautiously moved through the trees until he was at the side of the cottage and out of Remus’s sight. He moved quietly, his bare feet inaudible as they touched the ground. He glanced around the side of the cottage. Remus was still at the well. He could run up to the front door, grab floo powder and disappear in the flames before Remus could even glance back. But what if he couldn’t find the floo powder? Or what if the door was locked? 

               Severus quickly rushed behind the cottage, hoping that there was a back door he could test and then try to unlock with a spell. To his disappointment, there was no door. Sighing in frustration, Severus quickly peeked around the side and looked at the well. His breath caught in his throat.

               Remus was gone.

               Severus pulled back behind the cottage, leaning against the smooth wood and taking deep breaths. Where on earth did the man go? He had left the pail full of water on the stone structure of the well. Remus must have heard something, which Severus should have figured the wolf would with his heightened hearing.

               Severus looked around the side of the cottage again, and, seeing no one, made his move. He glided along the side of the lodge, glancing around to the front door. Still no sign of anyone. Severus considered his options: run for the door now or wait until he does see Remus and confirm his whereabouts.

               Ah, screw it, Severus thought. He pushed off the side of the cottage and ran for the door. He reached for the knob, but the door opened on its own and Remus stood behind it, wand pointed directly at Severus.

               Thinking quickly, Severus raised his hands submissively and said, “unarmed, unarmed!”

               “Severus?” Remus questioned, glaring at the man as he stepped out of his house, closing the door behind him. He kept his wand on Severus as he forced the man to back away. “What are you doing here?”

               “The better question is what are you doing here?” Severus snapped back, keeping his hands up and backing away as Remus advanced forward.

               “I live here.”

               “For how long now?”

               “About two and a half months. Albus had this place built for me when I asked for his help.”

               “What help? For what?”

               “That’s my business. Now tell me what your business is doing here.”

               “Oh, nothing much, just tracking down a werewolf that nearly killed a student twice!”

               Severus suddenly felt cold, hard metal behind him. His back pressed up against the metal box and Remus pinned Severus to it with his wand. The man glared at him, keeping his eyes fixed on Severus’s. He seemed to debate whether or not to believe him. Sighing, but still keeping his wand up, Remus glanced down at Severus’s feet.

               “Why are you barefoot? And are you just wearing a robe?”

               “Long story.”

               “Accio Severus’s wand!” Remus held up his other hand expectantly. When nothing happened, Remus frowned, but lowered his hand.

               “I’m telling you,” Severus said, “I’m unarmed.”

               “But why are you? Why would you track a werewolf with no wand? Sounds suicidal to me. And did I really attack a student?”

               “Twice.”

               Remus sighed, his face falling. He slowly lowered his wand and Severus relaxed, but remained against the metal box with his hands up in case Remus decided to raise it again. “What do you mean twice?” the man asked.

               “Once last month and again last night.”

               “Was anyone hurt?”

               “No.”

               “That’s a relief. And you followed me in a robe and barefoot in freezing weather?”

               “Like I said, it’s a long story.”

               Seeing that Severus had no mal intentions, Remus stepped back, allowing Severus to step away from the box, lowering his hands.

               “Who were the students?”

               “It was the same student actually.”

               “Really? Who was it?”

               Severus tilted his head, hesitating. “Harry Potter.”

               Remus’s wand dropped from his hand as the man jerked slightly. “I . . .” – Remus gulped – “I attacked . . . Harry Potter? My best friend’s son? Is he . . . okay?”

               Taking advantage of Remus’s shock, Severus dove for the wand, rolling as he grabbed it and standing to his feet, pointing it at Remus now. Remus froze before slowly raising his own hands as Severus had done. “Unarmed,” the man said. Severus sighed. What could he do? Attack the man with his own wand? Remus hadn’t harmed him while he had been unarmed.

               “Ha – I mean – Potter is fine. I protected him both times you showed up.”

               “You protected him?” Remus looked at Severus suspiciously. “You wouldn’t have happened to be the one who broke my jaw, were you? I had to use the last of my bone repair potion to fix that. Those are expensive. And I have no pain killers.”

               “How should I know how you injure yourself as a wolf?” Severus growled, though he clearly remembered the night he had kicked the werewolf and cracked its jaw.

               “Don’t play dumb, Severus,” Remus frowned, though he sounded more tired than annoyed. His hands lowered just a bit as he slumped a bit. “What spell would you have even used for the damage you did to me? Was it something to prevent me from biting Harry? Or did you even use a spell? Was I that close to him?”

               “You were,” Severus answered. He himself felt tired. He sighed as he looked down at the wand in his hand. Remus was not a threat. A danger to the nearby school, perhaps, but not a threat. And Severus wasn’t really in the mood to attack or fight with the man. He was exhausted. He had run all night. And he just wanted a way to get back to Hogwarts, so he could go to his quarters and rest.

               Deciding the best action to take, Severus flipped the wand in his hand and held out the handle to Remus. Remus gawked at Severus before his hands dropped and he accepted his wand. He twirled it in his hand for a moment before placing the wand in his sleeve, into a wand holder.

               “You followed me all night? You must be tired. Come in.”

               Remus led the way into his cottage, holding the door open for Severus. Severus was surprised Remus wasn’t asking him how he managed to keep up with the werewolf, but accepted the invitation inside.

               “Tea?” he asked.

               “If you don’t mind,” Severus replied, immediately spotting the fireplace, a fire crackling loudly within. While Remus headed into the kitchen, Severus studied the mantle, looking for a container of floo powder.                 

               “It’s not connected to the floo system,” Remus said, returning with a plate of tea supplies. Remus muttered something, and the plate floated between the two, allowing Remus to pour tea and hand a cup to Severus, who gratefully took it, adding a sugar cube to it. Remus fixed himself a cup as well, staring into the fire as he sipped it.

               Severus took the chance to look around the house. It was literally one big open square. The kitchen was immediately connected to the living room and a bed and dresser took up the last bit of space. A few candles offered some light in areas the fireplace did not reach. There was a door in the corner near the bed and dresser and Severus assumed it to be the bathroom. Yet, while there was certainly not enough room to swing a cat, Remus had somehow made the little space quite . . . comfortable. The sofa faced the fireplace and the only other piece of furniture was a small square table with two chairs on either side in the kitchen space.

               “Do you actually live here?” Severus asked, pouring more tea.

               “I do now.”

               “Why?”

               “Well,” Remus began, pouring more tea for himself as well, “it’s away from muggle and wizard society. Yet close enough to Hogsmeade. Albus found me a job there – Dervish and Banges. I’m learning under Mr. Banges how to repair several different objects. He . . . understands my situation and the days off I must take each month. Not personally, of course. But a job’s a job. And I’m grateful to have one that may last more than two months. I didn’t think I’d be able to travel to Hogwarts so quickly, though. It must be the scent of several humans in one location.”

               “That doesn’t really answer why you would live out here.”

               “It’s just better this way. You have no idea how hard it is for a werewolf to find a place to live without the landlord freaking out once he finds out what you are. Or managers. Or neighbors.”

               “What about living near muggles?”

               “Because that is completely safe.” Remus breathed in, calming himself. “Sorry, I’m just . . . still a bit agitated I guess. Werewolf symptoms.”

               Severus didn’t speak, just sipped his drink.

               “Your place is rather nice,” Severus finally commented.

               Remus snorted, “you think? Thanks.”

               “So, how do I get to Hogwarts?”

               “The same way you got here.”

               “I have to walk all the way back to Hogwarts? Without my wand?”

               “I wasn’t the one stupid enough to follow a werewolf without it. Why don’t you have your wand anyway, Severus?” 

               “That’s none of your concern, Lupin.”

               “Lupin, huh? You’re not going on first name basis for a while, are you?”

               “I don’t see why I should.”

               “Figures.” Remus set his cup down on the floating plate, grabbed the plate out of the air, then walked back to the kitchen, setting everything down in the sink and casting a self-washing charm on them. “We are not friends, Severus. We haven’t been since the day we met.”

               Severus rolled his eyes and asked, “Are you just realizing this?”

               “And oddly,” Remus continued, still facing the sink, “you’d think we’d be the best of friends, considering our situations.”

               Severus paled, and his teacup fell to the floor, smashing into a thousand pieces.

               “Really, Severus?” Remus turned and stared down at the shattered teacup. “I just polished the floor. Do you know how long that took me – the cleaning, the waxing –”

               “How do you know about my curse?” Severus’s eyes flashed.

               “Now, I have no idea about a curse. But remember sixth year? I caught your scent. It didn’t really register until the next morning when I had my mind back, but I knew that centaur was you. I figured you were an animagus – perhaps unregistered like James, Sirius, and Peter. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t expose you – to anyone.”

               “You attacked me when you knew it was me?”

               “I wasn’t exactly myself then. No wolfsbane. I was mindless and feeding off Sirius’s energy. Is that your animagus? A centaur?” 

               “Since when do animagi turn into centaurs!”

               “How would I know – I never studied the topic! You mentioned a curse – what does a curse have to do with turning into a centaur?”

               “Turning into a centaur is the curse! Every night of every day of every year! Since I was three years old, I’ve suffered with this. And I’ve kept it secret – at least, I thought I did.”

               “I’m telling you I never told anyone. Not even my three best friends. Well, then, at least.”

               “I don’t believe this,” Severus muttered, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples.

               Remus waved his wand and a broom and dustpan flew over to the shattered glass, sweeping everything up and flying over to the garbage bin to dump it all in. Severus sighed and backed up until the back of his legs hit the sofa before plopping down on the furniture. He was exhausted; his muscles hurt, his eyes were starting to hurt, and his head hurt.

               “How were you cursed?”

               “I wasn’t,” Severus replied. “My third great grandfather cursed the Prince line.”

               “Ah, I forgot you were a Prince. And how did he manage to do that?”

               “A bloody sphinx. Tried to kill it for trophy money as a monster hunter.”

               “Interesting. Was it a hobby of his?”

               Severus leaned down until he was lying on the sofa, stretching his legs out and over the arm of the sofa. He kept his eyes closed and groaned out, “I don’t know.”     

               “Well, sorry for inquiring,” Remus chuckled. “I believe you should rest here. You seem very tired. I’ll help you back to Hogwarts when you awake.”

               Severus didn’t answer, already passed out on the sofa.

 

               Severus didn’t wake until later that evening. He slowly blinked and looked around, belatedly remembering where he was. The fire in the fireplace was still blazing, but it was freezing inside despite the heat it offered. It probably didn’t help that Severus was still only wearing a robe. He sat up on the sofa, wondering where on earth Remus was. He would still be having that talk with Albus. A werewolf just can’t live so close to Hogwarts.

               The door to the cottage opened, bringing in a chill of cold night air with it. Severus shivered and pulled his robe tighter around him, watching as Remus fought to shut the door once more. Remus kicked off his boots and shrugged out of his winter coat. The fire had died down slightly from the chill, but Remus kneeled before it and fed it some more wood he had brought in. Remus set the rest of the wood aside for now.

               “Looks like a little cold front came in,” Remus remarked. “Probably not wise to be out in this weather. You’d catch pneumonia out there.”

               “I’ve faced worse.”

               “I guess being so close to the mountains doesn’t help. But I suggest you eat something before I show you the quickest path to Hogwarts.”

               Severus became aware of the aroma filling the small space. And it wasn’t very pleasant. The smell made him recoil and his nose itched from having to breathe it in.

               “Sorry about the smell,” Remus apologized, having noticed Severus’s reaction. “It’ll taste better, I assure you.”

               “What is it?” Severus frowned, looking over at the oven.

               “Rabbit. A freshly caught one.”

               “You have traps out there?”

               “I did. It appears that something smashed two of my traps. I’ll have to fix those. I made a salad as well. It’s no Hogwarts dining, I know, but its sustenance until you get back. You’ve slept all day.”

               Severus rubbed at his eyes as he yawned. He wondered what time it was and if the sun had gone down. Glancing out the window, he couldn’t really tell where the sun was with how cloudy the sky was. Damn sky. He looked over at Remus, who was setting the table with dishes and silverware.

               “Do you have guests often?” Severus asked, not really sure why he cared.

               “No, actually,” Remus replied. “Albus visited a couple times when I first moved in. That’s been all the company I’ve had here. Work is quite a relief from the solitude.”

               “I can only imagine,” Severus said, standing and stretching. “Could be worse. You could be living in a castle with a bunch of half-grown imbeciles.”

               Remus smirked, “I don’t think I would mind that, actually. I brought you a spare set of clothes if you’d like. They'd probably help keep you warmer than just a robe.”

               Severus noticed the clothes sitting on the bed, but he frowned and asked, “what time is it?”

               “Almost four o’clock.”

               “I’ll pass. There’ll be no point in changing when I’m going to shift soon anyway.”

               “Right. Well, the rabbit is ready. I’m no professional chef, but I find it satisfying.”

               “If I die of food poisoning . . .”

               “I haven’t yet, Severus. So, I’m sure you’ll live.”

               “Always a selling point.”

               Severus sat at the small table, allowing Remus to serve him a plate with a rabbit leg and side of tossed salad. Severus some butterbeer Severus thanked Remus and ate hungrily. The rabbit still smelled poorly, but it did taste fine.

               “Butterbeer?” Remus offered.

               Severus nodded, and Remus filled the glass. As Severus took a long sip, he noticed Remus wrap up the rabbit and set it in the freezer before taking a small bit of salad on his own plate and putting the large bowl in the fridge. He set his glass down and frowned as the man sat across from him.

               “You’re not eating the rabbit?”

               “I’m saving it. I can’t really afford a lot of food. So, if I can stretch out the rations, I can make that rabbit last a week. Don’t worry, I pulled some meat off the rabbit for myself as I put it away.”

               “You’ll end up starving out here.”

               “I’m earning my keep. I’m saving what I make. I’m paid minimum wage – 5 sickles an hour. Besides, I don’t have to pay for anything out here – not water, no electric bill. Everything is spelled to work out here, even the loo. And the well is my source of water – for everything.”

               “Even a bath?”

               “Yep. It’s no problem, though, really. It’s nice out here. Quiet.”

               “Hmm. But you are still a danger to the school.”

               “I have a plan for that. I will work with the chains on the box, testing their durability and finding spells to make them really withstand a blow. And the box, I believe if I can install more locks on it and a few more spells that fight against –”

               “I could just brew you wolfsbane.”

               Remus’s eyebrows shot up. Severus just stared back, raising an eyebrow himself. It was a much better idea than risking Remus escaping that box and attacking another student. Or Harry again.

               “You would . . . do that?” Remus asked. “But Severus, that is an expensive potion. I mean, to brew it would cost –”

               “Forget cost,” Severus waved a hand dismissively. “I’m well off as a Hogwarts professor. I’ll manage fine. And I’m sure Albus will agree with me as I’m sure he won’t agree to having you removed. Permanently. Besides, it'll give me something to do some nights when I'm inside the castle.”

               “That’s asking too much of you.”

               “You’re not asking me. I’m telling you what I’ll do.”

               “Of course. Thank you, Severus. I mean, really, thank you. This will mean so –”

               “Oh, save me the sentimentalities.”

               Severus breathed in sharply as he felt the familiar ache in him. He jumped out of his seat and ran out the door just in time. The freezing air bit at his skin, burning slightly. Shredding off his robe, he slowly morphed into Ajax. Once he had changed, he still shivered, and he rubbed at his arms. He might be covered in thick, centaur hair, but it was a very cold evening.

               “Is that what its always like? Looks painful.”

               Severus shot Remus a glare. The man had his boots back on and he was putting on his coat. He closed the door behind him and flicked his wand, locking the door. Remus walked over to Severus, picking up the robe the now centaur had dropped. He brushed it off.

               “Can't be any more painful than what you go through."

"Perhaps not. You know, you never answered my question as to why you don't carry your wand on you? Considering what you become and where you hide, it'd prove beneficial to have on hand."

"You never take yours when you change."

"I don't have opposable thumbs."

Severus sighed agitatedly. "I can't risk anything happening to it. Besides, I don't want anyone making any connections between myself and my centaur self."

Remus frowned at that, but Severus said no more. Instead, he shivered, trying to warm up against the wind.

“Have you,” Remus began, holding his wand to Severus’s robe, “ever seen turned-out horses in windy, freezing weather? They have these blankets on them. Something like this, perhaps?” Remus waved his wand and transfigured the robe into a black turnout blanket.

Severus narrowed his eyes at Remus, not liking the stereotype, but the blanket wasn’t a bad idea. It would at least help keep him warmer. Remus reached up and threw the blanket over Severus’s back. He reached around and buckled the chest strap as needed. Severus huffed indignantly as Remus reached under him for the other straps, crisscrossing them appropriately. Already, he felt warmer, but how on earth was he supposed to shift back when he was all strapped in? Well, he’d shrink for sure, so the blanket would just fall off him. When Remus was done, Severus studied himself, spinning to see the blanket. Well, it took care of his lower half and – what was that, a tail flap? Severus huffed once more. He looked like a pampered horse, for sure.

“If you’re done admiring yourself,” Remus said, smirking up at him. He held up another piece of clothing. “I have a winter cloak you can wear for your upper half. It’s small but it should be long enough to at least cover your torso. I’m sure this will keep you warm enough tonight. And for winter in general.”

“Why are you giving me all of this?” Severus asked as he accepted the cloak and put it on.

“Because you need them. Besides, you’re helping me now. It seems fair.”

“I’m only brewing those potions, so you don’t come looking for Potter again.”

“Right,” Remus smiled. “Follow me.”

Severus followed Remus through the trees and to a very clear trodden down path in the back of the cottage. The path forked at the end, leading into two different directions.

“The right takes you directly to Hogsmeade,” Remus explained. “The left takes you to Hogwarts. I don’t quite understand them, but there’s some kind of magical component to the trail. I think some kind of time warp or apparition breach. I’m not really sure, truthfully. But you’ll appear at Hogwarts in seconds.”

               “Good. Harry will be waiting for me.”

               “Harry, hmm?”

               Severus realized his mistake and glared down at a smug looking Remus.

               “I take it Harry has seen you as a centaur.”

               “He’s been meeting with me nightly. He has no idea who I am.”

               “Really? Who does he think you are?”

               “I go by the name Ajax.”

               “As in Ajax the Great? Interesting. I . . . I’d like to meet him. Harry, I mean. Perhaps not today, I’ll catch my death out here.”

               “Hmm,” Severus frowned. “Not a chance, wolf.”

               “Don’t hoard all the glory, now, Severus. You should probably go now, though. I’d hate to keep Harry out in this weather too long.”

               Severus stared at Remus a moment longer before snorting and trotting down the path, leaving the self-satisfied man behind. Severus paused halfway down the trail and turned, staring back at Remus.

               “We will be talking again. We have a lot to discuss if I am to brew you these potions. And you are to stay away from the school. Full moon or not.”

“Go, Severus,” Remus encouraged with a nod of his head.

               Severus glared at the man, but he turned away and continued down the path to meet with Harry, who was happy to see Ajax return. After evasively answering how he received the new garment, Severus half listened to Harry as the child talked away about the past couple of weeks Ajax had “missed,” but Severus’s mind was elsewhere. He had made a new alliance today – but what was his advantage. Remus clearly could take away something good – the wolfsbane potion – but what did Severus get in return? More work? How exciting. Severus sighed and focused completely on what Harry was yammering about, finding a relief in listening to the boy speak.     

 


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