A recent entry for the Dreamwidth Fan_Flashworks community. The prompt was "One Night Only" and I went back to Hogwarts for this one. Lupin and Snape, brief appearance from James and Sirius, completely safe for work and kids. Enjoy!
Remus paused in the entry of the Library, taking a quick survey of who might be in there. He disliked the week leading up to the full moon, as his senses sharpened inhumanly, all the sights and smells and sounds too intense. Still, he needed to look over his work, it was O.W.L. year after all, and he wanted to put up a good showing despite his affliction. It seemed that the Library was mostly deserted, primarily Ravenclaws who wanted to one-up one another, and some Hufflepuffs who were determined to get solid "A" marks.
Perhaps it made him a poor friend, but Remus was actually grateful that James and Sirius had detention this evening. They were hardly acknowledging their increased workload, and undoubtedly it didn't matter to them. James would pull down solid marks regardless of whether or not he even cracked a book, and Sirius would slack off until the actual tests, and then show off how much he actually knew. Poor Peter (who was also serving detention, in a show of solidarity perhaps) would scrape by like he always did. Remus, though, needed to have every spare minute that he could manage to find to keep on top of his studies, thanks to his frequent absences. However, trying to do anything around James and Sirius was frequently next to impossible. He loved them, but sometimes he dearly wanted to knock their heads together. He wished he had the nerve.
Two of the Ravenclaws had begun to bicker in whispers, but they might as well have been shouting right next to him. He'd have to find a more isolated spot. He started moving toward the tables nearer to the Restricted Section. Most student found it too dark, and maybe a little intimidating. Right now Remus could have read by starlight if he wanted. A lack of bright lighting was not going to bother him. He paused between shelves. There was someone already back here. A quick sniff of the air to tell him more--a boy, hair greasy from leaning over his Potions cauldron, maybe not as clean as he might have been, and always that thread of fear. Snape. Remus almost turned around right there, but a recollection of a very recently over-heard snatch of conversation came back. Lily Evans and her friends had been nested in one corner of the common room as he had left, and Lily had been saying Poor Severus really is an all right sort once you get to know him. He just has a hard time making friends. There was no denying that he had brains, despite what James and Sirius loved to say. Having a critical eye look over his work would be extremely helpful. Cautiously, Remus rounded the end of the shelves.
Snape was deeply absorbed in his own work, head almost touching the table from how far he was bent over his parchment. Remus briefly wondered if he needed glasses. Becoming aware that he was no longer alone, Snape's head snapped up. His eyes widened, terror and hate mingled in the expression. More terror than anything though, to judge from how his scent and posture had shifted. Prey!! screamed that predatory part of Remus's mind. He couldn't argue with it. Snape looked like a hunted animal, a cornered one. Those were dangerous. Sympathy stirred within him. It could be so easy for him to be in a similar position, if people knew. Hunted, trapped, hated, for something he really could not control.
"It's just me," Remus said in what he hoped was a reassuring tone. "Do you mind if I sit down? The Ravenclaws are squabbling up front, and I need a quiet place to revise." He didn't wait for an answer, but set down his bag and pulled out a chair.
"Where's the rest of you?" Snape demanded, bristling. His eyes flicked around nervously. Remus shook his head.
"Detention. I told you, it's just me." He began pulling parchments and books out of his bag. "Not that I could get any real work done around them." He grinned at Snape, hoping it looked friendly enough. "I'm having some real problems with this essay for Professor Flitwick. You've got good marks in Charms. Would you mind looking it over for me?" He offered the parchment to Snape. Uncertainly, the other boy took it. After a moment, when nothing happened, he began to read it.
"I don't know why you think you're having problems," Snape said at last. "Except for this bit about velocity being proportional to the force with which the wand is waved, it's not bad." He sounded almost pained when he said it. Remus gave him another smile.
"I suspected that Sirius was yanking my chain on that." He felt Snape relax, and a ghost of a smile flicker across his mouth and eyes. "What have you been working at with such determination?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts." There was something almost like affection in his tone. "Er. D'you think you could give it a once-over?"
They spent a few hours like that, quietly looking over one another's work, asking for clarification or explanation, sometimes even laughing over a thing said or done in class. As Snape relaxed and became less guarded, Remus started to see it, what Lily said was there. Under his poor temper and unappealing exterior, Severus Snape was a highly intelligent boy with a subtle sense of humor, and really a pretty normal sort of chap. A pity that he was in Slytherin with all those Death Eaters-in-training, because Remus was beginning to believe that the two of them could have been very good friends. They were just beginning to get into a serious discussion of the current Quidditch season--Remus would have never guessed that Snape was so knowledgeable on the subject--when he heard familiar voices approaching the Library. There must have been something in his expression, because Snape fell silent.
"They're out of detention," Remus whispered. Snape turned even more pale that he usually was. "Quick, get your things and go out through the side door. I'll keep them off you." Snape hastily shoved his parchments and books into his bag, swearing in his alarm. "And Severus," Remus said softly, laying a hand on his shoulder, just before Snape bolted. "Thank you. I really enjoyed this evening." Snape didn't say anything, but jerked his head in a quick nod. It looked like there were tears beginning to well up in those black eyes. "Go. I'll keep you safe tonight." Snape disappeared between the furthest shelves, silent as a shadow.
"Merlin's pants, was that Snivvy?" Sirius asked as he and James came sauntering down the main aisle. "How about it, are you up for a bit of a chase?" He grinned at James.
"Oh, I'm always up for a bit of sport," James laughed. "I could stand to stretch my legs, after sitting for so long."
"Let him alone," Remus said quietly. Sirius stared at him like he had sprouted an extra eye.
"Let him alone?" James repeated, incredulous. "Lupin, old boy, are you feeling quite well?"
"Not really, if I'm honest about it. But no, just let him alone tonight. Please." The silence dragged on unbearably as James and Sirius continued to stare. Remus stared back, hoping that it really wouldn't come to shouting. James finally sighed, raking a hand through his hair.
"If you say." James was definitely concerned, that much was plain. "We'll drop it tonight."
"Fine." Sirius said at last, trying to sound indifferent, but he smelled disappointed. "I don't really want another detention anyway."
"You don't?! Did you hear what McGonagall said, if I get another one?" Remus tuned James out while he began a lively retelling of his latest visit to Professor McGonagall's office. He didn't think he'd be able to keep them off of Snape next time, but for one evening, he could manage.
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