The only place Remus knew he�d be welcome was back at Hogwarts and so he returned, weeks earlier than he was scheduled too. A group of fourth years were outside as he made his way up to the castle and waved cheerfully at him as he passed. Remus nodded in acknowledgement but lacked his normal ebullient demeanor.
Once inside the main corridor, Remus had planned to simply retire to his private chambers, but was met by a concerned looking Albus Dumbledore. �Back so soon, Remus?� He queried with a knowing look. The pain in Remus� eyes was as plain as day and the headmaster gave him a comforting smile. �Nothing is ever as bad as it seems.�
�Something tells me this is an exception, Headmaster.� Remus sighed.
�You know, I was wondering,� Dumbledore began as if he hadn�t heard Remus. �I was just about to go help Severus with a potion, but seeing as how you�re here, you wouldn�t mind taking my place would you?� The look in the Headmaster�s eyes told Remus there was no room for argument and so Lupin found himself wandering down to the dungeons.
�I was sent to help.� Lupin stated in a foul mood, plopping down at one of the tables. Snape looked up, surprised by the sudden company, but even more surprised to see Lupin before him.
�Trouble in paradise?� Snape asked with nonchalant interest.
�I don�t want to talk about it,� Lupin huffed, moodily. Snape�s glittering black eyes regarded Lupin coolly for a moment, but then the other man simply nodded, and as if Snape had known Remus was going to talk, he set aside his utensils just as Lupin opened his mouth.
�I think I�ve made a horrible mistake,� Remus sighed, dropping his head in his hands. �Tonks� cousin was visiting us for the holiday and�something happened that shouldn�t of.�
�And I presume Tonks found out?� Snape queried, prompting Remus to continue.
�Oh yes.� Remus sighed again, more heavily. �I�m confused, Severus. I thought I was in love with Tonks, an undying devotion to her, but then in waltzes this girl who is half my age�who was one of my students no less!�and I threw everything away for just one night with her.�
�So, the werewolf is human after all.�
Remus scowled at the other man. �I knew I shouldn�t have confided in you. All you have to offer is snide comments and superiority.�
�Wait, Lupin,� Snape said as Remus stood to leave. �You�re right. Forgive me. I assume this young lady whom you fancy is none other than Raya Black?�
�How did you�?�
Snape smirked knowingly at Lupin. �She is quite a lovely girl, and one of the only two students related to Tonks and Black that you would have taught. Draco Malfoy, of course, being the other.� When Remus only blinked in response Snape leaned forward, folding his hands on the tabletop. �Continue.�
�I don�t know what else to say, Severus,� Remus admitted. �One minute we were� well, you know�and the next she was treating me as if I�d done something horribly wrong. Well, I had, but I thought it was what she wanted as well.�
�If I may, Lupin, what did you say to entice her into your bed?� Snape ventured.
�I didn�t entice her, Severus. It was a mutual feeling.�
�All right, but how did you broach the subject of your wife?�
At this Lupin thought back to that night, �She told me nothing more would happen between us until Tonks knew.�
�Had you planned on telling her?� Snape continued to prod.
�Well, not straight away, no, but then when Raya started acting like�ohhh.� Remus� eyes widened with realization, then he frowned angrily. �She set me up!�
Snape seemed almost pleased. �She is a Slytherin, Lupin, and as clever and cunning as they come. Always was, if I remember correctly; so unlike her wretched Gryffindor cousin.�
Remus suddenly felt sick with guilt. �Nymphadora wouldn�t have found out the way she did if I�d only promised Raya to tell her. Poor Tonks.�
�She�ll survive.� Snape said, brushing off Lupin�s contrite sentiment. �It�s probably best that you keep your distance from her for a while.�
�What about Raya? Now that I�ve gone, Tonks has probably thrown her out as well. I�ll never see her again.�
�Don�t be so histrionic, Lupin.� Snape scoffed. �She obviously set you up for a reason. That reason being that she fancies being with you. I�m fairly certain that she�ll seek you out soon enough.�
Remus sighed once again, but this time it was as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. �You know, Severus, you can really be quite pleasant when you want to be.�
Snape simply scowled at the other man as if deeply insulted, but the flicker in his eyes betrayed his repulsed expression. Remus smirked and stood to leave, but as he reached the door, Snape�s silky voice called to him. �I do hope you don�t think you�re leaving, Lupin.� Remus turned and looked at him with confusion written on his tired face. �As I recall you were sent here to help me brew this potion.�
�Severus, you can�t be serious.� Remus protested. �Or do you not recall that Potions is my least favorite subject?�
�I�m well aware of the fact, Lupin, but it still stands that I need an assistant.� Snape grinned darkly. �Consider it your payment, now get to work.�
Chapter 8
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