Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Severus lay on his bed, staring up at the enchanted ceiling, barely hearing the sounds of the people down below him in the kitchen. The smell of the chicken wafting up the stairs was enough to make his mouth water but he refused to come down. He knew it was only a matter of time before either his Mum or Dad came up to try and get him to eat dinner with them, but Severus had made up his mind. He wasn’t going to eat with the likes of him and nothing his parents said was going to change his mind. 

As if his thoughts alone brought her up, suddenly Minerva McGonagall was knocking on his bedroom door. Just a swift knock to let him know it was her (and he did know it was her because Albus absolutely never knocked), and then the door was opened. 

“Dinner’s ready,” she said as she came fully into the room. 

“Not hungry,” Severus stated stubbornly, though the sound of his grumbling stomach said otherwise. 

Minerva crossed her arms and stared down at her son. “I didn’t ask if you were hungry, even though I know you are. I told you that dinner is ready and you will come downstairs now.”

Severus shook his head as he sat up in bed, letting one jean-clad leg hang off the side before he said, “No, I’m not-”

“Severus.” Minerva’s tone was stern and Severus turned his head to look at the wall instead of her. “We are having a family dinner and you, young man, will be joining us.”

“He’s not my family!” he snapped, his dark eyes narrowing, and though Minerva was taken aback by the tone of his voice, she didn’t show it. She’d known full well that today was going to be a long one and she was more than prepared to deal with one petulant teenager. 

Minerva took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Severus, you have five minutes to come downstairs and be seated at the dinner table, and if you are not, you will be put in charge of weeding and cleaning up the flower gardens. And that includes de-gnoming them as well.” 

Severus groaned. “That’ll take days!”

“Then I suggest you come for dinner,” Minerva said cooly as she turned and walked swiftly out of the room leaving a fuming Severus behind. 

Minerva came downstairs and walked into the dining room with a frown on her face. Albus looked up at her from where he sat at the head of the table, but as he opened his mouth to say something to her, she shook her head. 

“I’m sure Severus will be down any minute.” She took her seat across from Albus and just as she removed her napkin from the table and placed it on her lap, Severus entered the room. 

“Sorry I’m late,” he said curtly as he pulled out his chair and dropped into it with a huff. 

“It’s quite alright, my boy,” Albus said with a smile as he passed him the mashed potatoes. “Have you finished all your unpacking?” 

“Um, not hardly,” Severus replied, filling his plate while keeping his head down so that he didn’t have to look at anyone. He passed the bowl to Minerva as Albus turned to the other boy at the table. 

“What about you, Remus? Are you finished?” 

“Yes, sir,” Remus replied quietly as he too began to scoop food onto his plate. 

Severus rolled his eyes and mumbled something under his breath that Minerva thought sounded suspiciously like, “Just make yourself at home.” 

Remus, who had no problems hearing Severus, looked across the table and narrowed

 his eyes at him. “I will, thanks.”   

“No,” Minerva said suddenly and she pointed a finger at both of them in turn. “There will be no fighting at my table. Don’t even start. That’s rule number one. Understood?”  

Remus dropped his head slightly and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” 

Severus nodded but otherwise remained silent, glaring down at his food as if it had personally done something to offend him. 

“Right, then,” Albus said with a smile, clearly hoping to change the subject and cut through the tension. “Does anyone have plans tomorrow? I know that summer has only just started, but I have a few last minute things to take care of at Hogwarts before my vacation can truly begin.”

Minerva nodded. “I do as well. Should we go together in the morning then?” 

Albus looked between the two teenagers that he now called sons and replied, “I see no reason why that couldn’t work. I’m sure the boys can find something to occupy their time while we are away. Isn’t that right, Severus? Remus?”

“Sure, Dad,” Severus muttered as he stabbed at a piece of chicken with his fork.

Remus nodded. “I’m going to get a head start on homework anyway.”

Severus snorted but said nothing. Remus only glared over at him but also refrained from comment. 

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to do as well, Severus,” Minerva agreed before taking a drink from her water glass. 

Severus looked up at her with a frown. “I never said I wasn’t going to in the first place.” He caught Remus’s eye and snapped, “Just because I don’t broadcast it so that everyone thinks I’m perfect, doesn’t mean I won’t do it.”

“No one would make that mistake.”

“Boys!” Minerva said sternly but they both ignored her in favor of continuing to throw insults at one another. Remus seemed to be only just barely keeping himself seated. As it was, he was gripping his fork so tightly that she felt sure that he would bend it any moment.

“No one wants you here, wolf!”

A low growl suddenly filled the space between them as Remus stood up, his eyes darkening as he glared at Severus. 

“You don’t know anything about me, you greasy git! So just shut up, Sniv-” Remus caught himself before he finished the name. Breathing heavily, he pushed away from the table and started to storm off. He only got as far as the door leading into the kitchen however before he heard Albus behind him. 

“Enough!” Albus tossed his napkin onto the table and stood up, leaning his hands on the edge as he looked at first Severus, and then Remus, who had turned back to look at him. “That is absolutely enough. We are having a nice family dinner and the two of you will behave as such.”

“He’s not my family!” Severus repeated his words from earlier. “No one even asked me what I thought about you taking him in!”

In truth, that wasn’t the case at all and Severus knew it. Albus and Minerva had first brought up to Severus the possibility of adopting Remus some five months ago, directly after Christmas holidays. Remus’s only remaining parent, his father Lyall, had suffered a heart attack and passed in November, leaving Remus an orphan. He had stayed at Hogwarts through the holidays but if someone else hadn’t stepped in to be his guardian, he would have been sent to a home during the summer. 

Severus, at the time, had been totally against it. The very idea of one of James Potter’s gang of Gryffindors coming to live with him had been frankly terrifying. There were so many things that could go wrong in this situation. 

What if he told everyone that Albus and Minerva had adopted him? That was still a secret and Severus wanted to keep it that way. It was safer for all involved, what with the Dark Lord recruiting students, and especially if one of those students in Slytherin, namely Lucius Malfoy, was to find out. He’d be dead meat in his own House!

Aside from that, the last thing he wanted was for Remus’s friends to find out. He felt sure that living with Remus would be a never ending stream of pranks and bullying in the first place where he had ever truly felt safe. He didn’t want that to end. 

And what about the fact that Remus Lupin was a bloody werewolf?! Just how was this going to work when once a month the boy turned into a mindless beast?! They didn’t exactly have a Shrieking Shack in their backyard!

But most terrifying of all, Severus had privately admitted to himself, was the fact that Albus and Minerva wanted to take him in at all. Oh, he understood and even felt bad about Remus’s parents. That was something he could at least sympathize with. But why did he need to come in and take his parents? Why couldn’t someone else be Remus’s guardian? Why couldn’t he live with some other great family instead of moving in on his? And what if, after he came, Albus and Minerva realized that they cared more for Remus than they did him? Would he be forced to go back with his father? After all, Severus’s biological father was still alive. Remus didn’t even have that. 

Eventually though, after much talking and assurances from his new-found family, Severus relented and they started the process of becoming first Remus’s legal guardians, and then his adoptive parents. The entire thing had gone far more smoothly for Remus than it had for Severus, but he supposed that with no parents to contest the adoption, it would inevitably be easier. And Albus had assured him that Remus’s werewolf problem wouldn’t be an issue because he was working on a solution even then. Though, he hadn’t confided in Severus what exactly that solution would be. 

“That is not true and you know it, Severus!” Minerva scolded, bringing Severus back to the present. “We, all of us, have talked about this repeatedly since Christmas.”

“He knows, Minerva,” Albus said, sternly looking at his son over his half-moon spectacles, making Severus feel uncomfortable at the direct scrutiny. The teenager sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring down and away from everyone. 

“Sit down,” he directed at Remus who retook his seat immediately. “Let me make something very clear, right now,” Albus continued, finally looking away from Severus in order to address them both. “I am perfectly aware that this is new for all of us. Remus has been our adopted son for the last month, but we are really only just now becoming a family in the sense that we all live together and share a home, so I realize that adjustments will have to be made. However, that being said, Remus has been adopted. I could not and would not change that for anything in this world. Just as I would not change our decision to adopt you, Severus. Both of you are my sons and as such, I expect you to act like it. There will be no name calling. None. I will not tolerate it. Not here, nor back at Hogwarts.” 

He turned his icy blue stare to Severus and sighed. “Severus, you have had five months to get used to the idea that you will be brothers with Remus and frankly, I’m absolutely appalled at the behavior you have shown tonight. I expected better from you. I expected a little compassion or empathy at the very least. Especially considering that you know what it’s like to be taken from all you have ever known. You have felt the uncertainty and fear of not knowing what will happen next and yet instead of making him feel welcome in his new home, you have done the exact opposite. You have been rude and insolent, not to mention the way that you’ve been disrespectful to your mother today.” 

Severus felt his face heating up at the verbal rebuke he was receiving from his dad. It wasn’t often that Severus found himself on the receiving end of Albus’s ire but it never failed to make him feel ashamed and this time was no different. Even if it was over the likes of Remus Lupin. 

Keeping his head down, Severus glanced over at Remus to see him staring fixedly at his plate. His light brown hair hung down, covering the side of his face, but Severus could see that his cheeks were flushed as well. 

He sighed. He knew Albus was expecting him to apologize, at the very least to his mother, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Apologies had never been his strong suit and the last thing he wanted to do now was stumble over his words in front of everyone at the dinner table. So instead, he stubbornly set his jaw and continued to look away. He heard Albus sigh. 

“Severus, look at me,” Albus demanded, though his tone was soft once more. Severus swallowed hard around the lump in his throat. He wasn’t scared of Albus. He hadn’t been in a while actually, now that he thought about it properly. But he knew that if he looked up at him now, he would see blue eyes full of disappointment at his actions, and Severus thought that was nearly worse. Still, he mustered every ounce of courage he possessed and turned his head to face him. “I expect better from you, my son.” Severus gave a curt nod but remained silent. “I think it would be fair to say that you can clean up after dinner tonight. Without magic, of course.” 

Severus sighed though he had expected as much. Disrespect was never something that his parents had tolerated and even he could admit that he had at least earned that much. 

“Yes, sir,” he replied quietly, looking back down to his food. He wasn’t surprised to see it still steaming, knowing that one of his parents had likely cast a heating charm over the entire table when he and Remus had first started arguing. 

“I’ll help,” he suddenly heard from the other teen. Severus looked up quickly and caught Remus’s eye. 

“I don’t need-”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Minerva interrupted. Both boys looked at her and she continued. “Let it be a reminder to you both that I will not tolerate fighting at my table. Insults of any kind will not be thrown at each other. You will behave like the gentlemen I know you each to be. Is that understood now?”

This time, both Severus and Remus replied with a solemn, “Yes, ma’am.” 

“Good,” she said, picking up her fork. “Then if you don’t mind, I’d like to finish our meal in peace.” 

And with that, the issue was settled. The four of them ate in relative silence except for when Albus or Minerva spoke to each other. They stopped trying to bring the boys into the conversation, thinking it best just to let them be and, when everyone was finished, Severus stood and began to gather up their empty plates. Remus was out of his own seat a second later to help. 

He followed Severus into the kitchen and over to the sink where Severus turned on the tap, letting the sink fill up with water and soap. 

“I’m sorry,” Remus said suddenly. He kept his gaze on the water so that he wouldn’t have to look at Severus, though he could feel the dark-haired boy’s eyes on him as he tried to muddle through his thoughts and find the right words. “I shouldn’t have said what I did.”

What was he playing at? Severus thought , Was he actually apologizing to him when he had been the one to start in the first place? Severus sighed.

“I’m sorry, too,” he mumbled. “I don’t...I don’t know how to do this.”

“Don’t know how to do what?” Remus asked. 

Severus shut off the water and turned away from the sink to lean back against it, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’ve never had a brother before.”

“Well, neither have I!” Remus said in frustration as he, too, turned away from the sink. Their postures were mirrored now and Severus looked over at him. 

“At least you had friends.” 

Remus wasn’t sure what to say to that and so for a while, the two of them just stood there, not looking at one another. When they heard Albus and Minerva leave the table where they had been having a cup of tea, Severus turned back around. “We’d better finish these.”

They worked in silence for a few minutes longer until Remus began to rinse the dishes. Severus had looked over and noticed immediately that the sleeves of his t-shirt were not pushed up and would get wet from the water. 

“Don’t you care that your sleeves are getting wet?” he asked, curiously. 

Remus shook his head. “I keep them down,” he answered, ignoring the way that Severus was still scrutinizing him. Another minute passed and Severus handed Remus the plate he’d just washed, before he took a deep breath and held his right arm out straight, turning it so that his palm was facing up. There, just below his elbow, was a scar that ran horizontally nearly all the way around his forearm. Remus looked from his arm up to Severus’ dark eyes. He had never been told why Severus had been adopted and had just assumed that if anyone wanted him to know, he would. Was Severus telling him what he thought he was? 

“We’ve all got scars,” Severus said simply before turning back to the dishwater and letting the subject drop. 

Remus waited a moment and then, slowly, he lifted his sleeves, though just enough to keep them from getting any more wet than they already were. A few of the smaller scars were visible around his wrists and he tried not to look at them. He wasn’t sure he was quite ready to let all of them be seen yet, and maybe he never would be.

But maybe, Remus thought as he rinsed a glass that Severus handed him and set it in the rack on the counter to dry, just maybe, this would be okay. 

Chapter Text

Severus and Remus: Summer after 5th year, age 16

Severus woke with a start. He lay there on his bed as he tried to place the sound that had pulled him from his dreams. Glancing at the clock on his bedside table, he saw that it was just after six in the morning, and then suddenly, he was wide awake. 

Remus was back, and it sounded as if he were in the kitchen. Severus jumped out of bed in a flash and sprinted down the stairs. He turned the corner in the living room and skidded to a halt outside the kitchen door, and he saw Remus standing at the sink. He was supporting himself with his elbows resting on the basin as he held a glass in his shaking hands underneath a stream of water. 

“I’ll get it,” Severus said quietly, not wanting to startle the other teen when he didn’t know that Severus was behind him. 

Remus slowly turned his head to look at him, and Severus saw a new cut leading from his temple down to his chin; blood was still slowly oozing from the deep wound.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Remus muttered. “I’m fine.” 

“Oh, yes, I can tell by the way the blood is dripping down onto your arm,” Severus sarcastically replied as he moved further into the kitchen and took the glass from Remus. “Sit down, will you?” 

Remus rolled his eyes, but it was clear that he wasn’t going to argue with him. Aside from the cut on his face, there were more, plenty more, smaller cuts and scratches along his arms, and Severus knew that when he took his shirt off, his chest would be littered with them as well. His face was pale, and his skin seemed to be pulled tight across his cheekbones, making his features seem to stand out more than usual. His eyes, usually so bright, appeared hollow and lifeless. 

Remus moved away from the sink and took a step towards the dining room chair, only to have his knees buckle before he made it halfway. 

“Merlin, Remus!” Severus exclaimed as he dropped the glass into the sink and tried to catch his brother. It was a useless attempt, however, and Remus landed hard on the tile floor. Severus reached down to put his hands under each of Remus’s arms, carefully lifting him and helping him to stand. He pulled one of Remus’s arms around his neck and supported him by holding on to his waist with his free hand. Remus hissed out a pained breath at the contact. “Sorry,” Severus said and quickly loosened his grip a bit while still trying to hold him up. “Alright, let’s get you to the couch at least.” 

Remus nodded while gritting his teeth, and slowly they made their way into the living room. Severus helped Remus lie down on the couch before going back to the kitchen to get him the glass of water he wanted. Severus brought it back to him and sat in the chair across from the couch as Remus slowly sipped it until he had only a bit left. When he finished, Severus put the glass on the end table and went upstairs to the bathroom where Minerva kept the first aid kit. Unlike a muggle kit, this one held potions for cleaning and healing wounds. Severus noticed that it was clear of any pain-relieving potions, though, and thought she must have forgotten to refill it after the last full moon. He wished she were here right now, but last night she and Albus had been called away for an emergency. So now here he was, left to patch up Remus alone. 

Severus sighed as he came back downstairs and found Remus dozing off. He knelt in front of the couch and opened the kit. “Alright,” he said as he pulled out first a vial of blue potion and then one that was clear. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” He took a cloth from the kit and soaked it in the clear potion before he swiped it carefully along the cut on Remus’s face. Remus flinched at the contact but otherwise said nothing. Severus knew that the antibiotic potion stung severely, but he had to clean it before he could heal it. 

They remained silent as Severus worked his way down Remus’s arms, first cleaning and then healing the various cuts and scrapes. When he was satisfied that they had healed as much as he could make them, he stood up, ignoring the way his knees protested at the movement. 

“Do you need help sitting up?” he asked. “We need to get your shirt off.” 

Remus bit back a groan as he let Severus help him up. When Severus moved to raise his shirt, though, he hissed once more in pain. Blood had dried, sticking his shirt to his skin. 

“I’m fine,” Remus assured him, though his voice sounded strained and weak. He took hold of the hem of his t-shirt and swiftly pulled it over his head, effectively ripping it away from his side where it had gotten stuck to the deep cut. The pain from that bit of movement had cost Remus, though, and he found himself feeling nauseous. 

“I’m going to be sick!” he rushed to say as he tried to stand. 

Severus pushed him back and said, “ Accio bucket,” then held out his hand to take the small, black rubbish bin that had soared through the air. He pushed it into Remus’s hands just in time for Remus to lose all everything he had eaten that day into it. Remus moaned and dropped heavily back onto the cushions of the couch as Severus banished the pail. 

“Thanks,” Remus breathed, his eyes closing slowly. 

Severus didn’t comment, just set to work cleaning the wounds on his chest and side before he healed them as gently as he could. “Ever thought about being a healer after Hogwarts?” Remus asked softly a few minutes later. Severus glanced up at him. Remus’s eyes were still closed, but his eyebrows were at least no longer creased in pain as they had been. That was something he supposed he could be grateful for at least. He looked back down at the cloth in his hand and sighed. When he’d started, it had been white, and now it was a dark crimson color. 

“I don’t think I’d have much of a bedside manner,” he answered, continuing his work. He only had a few more until he was finished. He tried to imagine Remus in his wolf form, clawing at his own skin over and over. The thought alone turned Severus’s stomach. 

Remus huffed lightly. “Probably not, but I’d still consider it anyway. You’re doing pretty good tonight.” Severus found that he didn’t know what to say to that, so he simply said nothing at all. When he had finally finished, he sighed before rolling his shoulders to stretch out the tense muscles there. 

“Are you hurt anywhere else?” he asked, swiping the back of his hand across his forehead to mop up the sweat that had formed there. Remus shook his head. “You’re feeling alright, then?”

“I feel like I spent the night as a werewolf, Sev,” Remus said drily but with a small chuckle that turned into a cough. “I’m just tired. Thank you. You didn’t have to do all this.” 

            “Yeah, well, I suppose that’s what brothers are for.” Severus stood and walked into the kitchen and to the first cabinet on the right. Opening it, he pulled out a small vial of pain-relieving potion and a slightly larger one of calming draught. He could have gone for a sleeping one but didn’t think Remus would have any problems going to sleep, but he might have issues staying asleep if nightmares plagued him as they so often did. So, calming draught it would be. 

He brought them both back into the living room and handed them to Remus, who took them without question. It was a testament to how close the two of them had become over the last three months that he didn’t even consider that Severus could be giving him something entirely wrong. Severus took the vials when he finished and then set about cleaning up his mess. 

By the time he had finished, Remus was sleeping as peacefully as could be expected, and Severus was unsure of what to do next. Was he just supposed to leave him down here? But that didn’t seem right. What if he got sick again or needed something? 

Ultimately, Severus conjured another bucket and placed it beside Remus on the floor before pulling down an extra blanket from the hall closet and spreading it out over him. Then, he went upstairs to wash up a bit before retrieving a book from his room and taking it to the living room to read, just in case. 

When Albus and Minerva were finally able to floo home a few hours later, they found them both asleep with Severus’s book lying open on the floor beside him. 

End

Chapter Text

Remus and Severus 

Age 19

Remus sat, nearly dozing on the couch, in Severus’s quarters at Hogwarts. It was just past four in the morning, and so far there had been no sign of his brother. To say that the just-turned nineteen-year-old was worried would be an understatement. He always worried when Severus was gone at the meetings. Although never having been to one himself, he was still certain that they weren’t the sort where a secretary took notes and brought up recent events. 

Remus sighed and scrubbed his hands down his face in an attempt to wake himself up a little more. He glanced over the vials of potion that sat atop the coffee table in preparation for whatever state Severus might arrive in. The last time hadn’t been too bad, but Remus wasn’t foolish enough to think that his brother would fare so well twice in a row. 

It was then that the floo roared to life, spitting green flames from the hearth as a figure cloaked in black stumbled out.. 

“Severus!” Remus shot up from the couch and a second later he caught Severus around the middle, just before he could have fallen to the floor. 

“Le’go,” Severus protested as he tried to take a step away from Remus, who held tightly to him, holding him up. 

Severus’s breathing was labored as if every one was torture. He was shaking, his muscles spasming uncontrollably. Sweat poured down his face and Remus could feel wetness through his cloak. 

“Where are you hurt?” Remus asked, trying to maneuver Severus towards the couch. 

“Get off me.” Severus again tried to push Remus away but his body simply wasn’t strong enough. Instead, he only managed to stumble a bit before Remus held him back upright. 

“Stop,” Remus said firmly. “Let me help you, damnit.” 

“I-I don’t n-need your help, Remus. Just go home!” 

“No.” Remus finally managed to get Severus over to the couch and helped him ease down onto it. “Now, where are you hurt? I swear, Severus, if you force me to have to check you myself, we’re both going to be very upset about it.” 

Severus remained still for a moment longer before he shakily began to fumble with the clasp of his cloak. Remus reached to help him when Severus had trouble and Severus tried to push his hands away. 

“Stop being so stubborn, you idiot,” Remus muttered as he carefully began to pull the cloak off. Severus groaned as the movement pulled at the cuts on his chest. “Sorry,” Remus apologized. He then pulled his wand out and pointed it at his brother. He quickly said the spell that caused Severus’s cloak and shirt to vanish easily. Severus glared up at him but Remus paid him no mind. “I wish you’d known that spell when we were younger. Would have made it a lot easier when I came home that night.” 

They both remained quiet as they remembered the night three years ago. Remus had cut himself so badly during the full moon that his shirt had gotten stuck to the wound in his side because of all the dried blood. That had been the first of many long nights for the both of them. 

Remus inspected Severus’s chest and winced at the sight the cutting curse had left. The slice ran from his collar bone down and across to his right ribs. “Merlin,” he breathed. He picked through the vials on the table for a moment before holding up a jar filled with a yellow liquid. 

“Not that o-one,” Severus said quickly. “Get the-” He paused as his body was wracked with another round of intense jerks that prevented him from doing anything but waiting out the seizing of his arms and legs. He closed his eyes tightly against the pain that came from being unable to control his own body. Remus stood by feeling miserable, and yet knowing there was nothing he could do to help in the moment.

When at last it passed, Severus lay against the back of the couch, panting and clutching his chest. “Get the blue one,” he said through gritted teeth. “It’ll help stop the sh-sh-shaking.” Severus gasped in pain and Remus hurried to switch out the vial for the correct one. Finding it, he moved back to Severus’s side and uncorked the vial before bringing it to his li ps. . 

“Here,” Remus said. “Take all of it.” 

Severus began to slowly swallow the potion, sighing as he immediately started to feel the effects. His muscles began to relax, though his limbs felt too weak to move on his own. 

“Okay, just lie back now. The yellow one, right?” Remus asked. Severus nodded as Remus helped him recline so that the arm of the couch acted as a pillow for his head. 

Remus turned back to the potions and once again picked up the yellow one. It was a salve to clean the wound before he could heal it. The cutting curse had been done with dark magic though, and Remus wondered if the little he had in the jar would be enough. Without giving him time to second guess himself, Remus dipped his hand into the salve and, as gently as he could, began to spread it across the cut.

Severus half-rose from the couch as he screamed, his hands grabbing hold of Remus’s shirt without realizing it. His face was pinched in agony as he closed his eyes tightly and tried to stifle his screams by biting down on his knuckles. Remus watched as black smoke rose and curled in tiny wisps from the wound. “Is that enough?!” Remus prayed that it was. “Severus, is it enough?” 

Severus shook his head as he tried to breath through the pain, tears running down his face. Remus grew even more concerned at the sight. Severus never cried, especially not in front of him, and to see him this way, in so much pain that he didn’t try to be stoic, had him extremely worried. He lifted his hand and placed it atop Severus’s own where it was wound tightly in Remus’s shirt. 

“Alright,” he said, hoping his voice sounded steadier than he felt. “Here we go, then.” He dipped his free hand back into the salve and as quickly as he could, smeared it across the wound. Again, black smoke rose out of it and Severus screamed once more. Though this time, Remus reached around Severus and pulled him towards him so that Severus’s head rested against Remus’s shoulder. Remus could feel his brother’s shoulders and back shaking as he cried out in pain and Remus physically hurt for him. Why?! Remus screamed inside his head. Why does he need to be the one to do this?! Why can’t someone else be the spy?!

The next moment, he felt Severus’s body relax in his hold and knew that he had passed out. He gently pulled back and sighed at the sight of his brother, limp and unconscious, hair sweaty and sticking to his face. Remus gently lay Severus back down on the couch, noticing that the wound was no longer smoking. 

He set to work with the other potions, muttering a spell to get a few into him and using others to clean and heal the other cuts and bruises that littered his body. 

They must have been practicing cutting curses tonight, he thought as he watched the last one begin to slowly heal. Every so often, Severus’s body would jerk in another light spasm, but the worst was over, and for that Remus was grateful. 

He took the blanket from Severus’s bed and tucked it around him before taking a seat on the floor in front of the couch. Remus thought absently that the least Severus could do was get a couple chairs to put across from the couch so that he would have a place to sit. He leaned his head back against the couch as he listened to Severus’s breathing, which had finally evened out. The clock above the mantle chimed six and Remus stretched his legs out under the coffee table. Maybe just a small nap would do him some good. 

End

Chapter Text

Severus and Remus Age 16

Sixth Year

Classes had started over a week ago, and Remus, James, Sirius, and Peter were on their way to lunch after Potions class with the Slytherins. James and Sirius were leading the way, roughhousing with one another as they usually did, unless Lily Evans was anywhere in the nearby vicinity of course. When she was around, James had taken to acting as if he were above such childish things.

 Remus hung back, even behind Peter, who was laughing at the other two. Remus had been lost in thought since before class had even started. When Professor Slughorn had asked him to name the properties of Amortentia, he had needed to ask him to repeat the question, earning a few laughs at his expense from his classmates. After that, he had tried to concentrate, but it was no use, his mind continued to wander seemingly of its own accord.

All Remus could think about was Severus. 

Severus had been ignoring Remus since they’d gotten on the train back at King’s Cross. They’d had a pretty spectacular fight the night before and Severus absolutely refused to let Remus apologize, or apologize himself. It had been the same argument they had been having the last two weeks of summer: Remus wanted to tell his friends about the adoption, the whole truth about it, including that Severus was now his adopted brother. Severus disagreed completely. Remus had tried to reason with him, and had told him that if they only knew, he was sure that things would work out differently this year. That if they could get to know Severus the way that Remus had, they could all stop with the pranks and fights. Even if they didn’t become friends, at least they could stop being enemies. 

But Severus had been too stubborn to hear it. He didn’t want them to lay off him simply because of Remus. He didn’t need his new “little brother” fighting his battles for him. “And besides,” Severus would say anytime it was brought up, “it’s safer this way. The fewer people who know, the better.” According to Severus, the last thing he wanted was for his secret to get out. It was different for Remus. He was a Gryffindor, both his parents were dead, and no one would think twice if the great Albus Dumbledore adopted him. 

No, Severus wanted his secret to remain just that: a secret! 

“Well, if that’s how he wants it, then I suppose he’s just going to have to deal with this year the same way he always has. If he wants to ignore me, I can ignore him just as well,” thought Remus as he ambled slowly towards the Great Hall with his hands shoved deep in his pockets, staring down at the new shoes he’d gotten a few weeks back  

The sound of someone yelling caught Remus’s attention and he finally looked up. Ahead of him was the exact person he’d been thinking about, surrounded by a group of students. In front were James and Sirius. 

Remus made his way through the crowd to get a better look at what was happening. James and Sirius both had their wands out, pointing them at Severus, who was pointing his own back at them. 

“Ah, Moony,” James said with a grin when Remus came to stand beside him. “About time you showed up.”

“Yeah,” Sirius chimed in. “Where’ve you been? We were just about to teach Snivellus here a lesson in manners.” 

Remus glanced from Sirius and James over to Severus, who glared at him, saying nothing and everything all at once: Don’t interfere. Leave it be. 

It was the same thing he’d been saying for weeks, and Remus found himself glaring back. He thought back to their argument the week before and knew what Severus wanted him to do now, but he didn’t like it. He didn’t want this, not anymore, not ever, really. This wasn’t the sort of person Remus wanted to be. He thought quickly about his next move and turned to James, saying quietly, “I thought we weren’t doing this anymore, Prongs? Wouldn’t look good to Evans, would it?” James didn’t lower his wand but he did cut his eyes towards him. “She’s bound to be around soon and she’ll just go off on you again. Besides, he’s not worth it.” 

“It’s the fun that’s worth it,” Sirius added with a grin. “Besides, I’m not after Evans. And since when do you care, Moony?”

“I dunno, Padfoot,” Remus said sharply. “Maybe since you already came pretty close to getting us both expelled last year? Remember that?” 

“Oh, come off it, Moony,” Sirius replied. “you don’t even have to worry about that anymore. Now that Dumbledore-”

“Padfoot,” James finally spoke up, interrupting his best friend before he could accidentally let loose Remus’s secret. Sirius shot Remus an apologetic grin.

Louder, so that the crowd could hear him now, Remus said, “Everyone knows Snivellus can’t be taught manners anyway. Can’t get anything through that thick head of his.” 

At this, the group around them started to laugh. But before anyone else could speak, Lily came into view, casting a nasty glare towards the boys. James was quick to stow away his wand, Sirius following suit a second later. The crowd began to disperse, evidently deciding that nothing else was going to happen and heading either into the Great Hall to eat or towards the staircase.

Remus began to walk away as well, but as he passed by Severus, he bumped into him hard with his shoulder causing Severus’s bag to fall to the ground. Behind him, Sirius, Peter and James howled with laughter and high-fived each other like the masters of the universe that they each thought they were. 

Remus thought about what had happened for the rest of the day. It was like a pot on the stove that was very close to boiling over. He didn’t know how much longer he could last before he exploded, and decided that he needed to get away for a bit to try to clear his head. 

He left the others in the Common Room and made his way down to the library, deciding to work on his Transfiguration essay from the comforts of his favorite squishy chair in the back corner. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the first one there. 

Severus sat quietly with his Potions book open in his lap, though he wasn’t reading it. Instead, he was staring out the window towards the Whomping Willow, a thoughtful expression on his face. He hadn’t noticed Remus come up beside him, so he jumped when he heard him drop his bag next to his chair. He glared up without a word.

“That’s my chair,” Remus said, glowering himself. He felt tense and frustrated, and the last thing he wanted right now was to have to deal with Severus.

“It’s the library’s chair,” Severus shot back, though he did get up and move to one next to it. Remus sat down with a huff and pulled out his book. He opened it to the page he needed but after rereading the same paragraph three times in a row, he sighed before closing it again with a snap. 

“Are we going to do this all year?” he asked Severus, who didn’t even look up at him.

“If we have to,” Severus answered. “It’s not my fault your friends enjoy tormenting-”

“Oh, shut it, Sev,” Remus interrupted him as he shoved his book down between the cushion of the seat before leaning towards his brother. “It’s not like you’re innocent in all this either. None of us are, but Merlin, the three of you act like absolute toddlers.”

Severus looked around to see if they were being overheard by anyone before saying, “What would you have me do, Remus? Do you want me to just bow down to Potter and Black and let them do whatever they want? Because that’s not going to happen!” Severus’s voice was quiet enough that Madam Pince didn’t come over to tell them to be quiet, but there was still a forcefulness in his tone that belayed his emotions. “As far as anyone besides the two of us is concerned, this year is no different than last! Nothing’s changed!”

“Everything has changed!” Remus’s anger had finally boiled over and he found himself standing up, towering over Severus who remained in his seat. “And I don’t care what you said over the summer, I’m not doing that again!” He pointed towards the door of the library as if to show he meant what had happened before lunch. “I’m not going to spend all year standing by while you all fight and I’m certainly not going to join in on it! If that’s what you want, you’re on your own!” 

At that, Madam Pince did rush over, a scowl on her wrinkled face as she pointed her finger at Remus’s chest. “Out!” she ordered. “Out of my library this instant, young man.”

Remus didn’t even protest, he simply turned on his heel and stalked away, leaving Severus watching. When Madam Pince turned on him as well though, he held up his hands in surrender. “I’m going.” He grabbed his things and Remus’s and left the library. 

Once outside, he spotted Remus halfway down the deserted corridor and jogged to catch up. Severus grabbed Remus’s shoulder, forcing him to stop, before he shoved his bag into his hand and said, “Sorry.” Remus didn’t respond. He just glared at him, his frustration with the whole situation still too close to the surface. “I’m a prat and you’re right. Things have changed but I don’t know how to fix it. If anyone finds out... I told you before, I don’t know how to have a brother.”

“Neither do I!” Remus ground out.

“We’ll figure it out then,” Severus said with a shrug. “I’ll see you Thursday at breakfast.”

Remus sighed. “I’ll be there.” 

Severus took off in the opposite direction and Remus headed towards the staircase, thinking about everything that had happened that day. Last year, he probably wouldn’t be in this mess at all, but he didn’t want to spend his last two years at Hogwarts the same way he’d spent the first five. Someone had to change and he didn’t know if it would be Severus, or his friends, or Remus himself, but someone definitely had to change. He had a brother now. 

End

Chapter Text

 Gigglewater

Age 16

“Alright, boys,” Minerva said as she came down the stairs and walked over to the fireplace. Severus and Remus were both on opposite ends of the couch. Severus with a book open in his lap while Remus sat staring boredly out the living room window. “We expect the two of you to behave while we’re gone. Your Dad and I will only be gone until late this evening and Jenka is making dinner for you both.” 

“Sure,” Remus answered softly while Severus hadn’t even bothered to look up from his book. 

“If you need anything, you know how to reach us?” 

“What do you think we’re going to need in the four hours that you’ll be gone?” Remus asked, his tone sharp enough that both Minerva and Severus looked over at him. “Sorry,” he mumbled under his breath and turned back to watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky. 

Just then, Albus came in through the kitchen, a bright smile on his face. 

“Are you ready, my dear?” he asked Minerva as he picked up the jar of floo powder from where it sat on top of the mantle. 

“I am,” she answered, then turned back to the boys and said one last time, “Behave.”

Neither boy answered her and within a few seconds, she and Albus were gone. 

“Finally,” Remus muttered causing Severus to look up at him again.

“What’s your problem?” he asked. 

The two teenagers had been living together since Albus and Minerva had adopted Remus in May. It was August now, and they still weren’t getting along much better than they had at the start of the summer. Though they at least seemed to have worked out a mutual respect for one another. And at times, if they didn’t think too much about how they were enemies, one might even think they were friends. 

“Don’t have one.” Remus snapped back. 

Severus rolled his eyes. “Sure. You’re not still upset that Mum grounded you yesterday, are you?” Remus had been invited to visit with James and Sirius over at the Potter’s house over the weekend and while he was there, the three of them had gotten into trouble with Mr. Potter for taking off on Sirius’s motorbike. Strictly speaking, Sirius was allowed to drive the motorbike yet, let alone give rides to his friends. Especially when Mr. Potter had thought they were all asleep up in James’s room in the first place. To say that Minerva had been less than pleased was an understatement. 

When Remus didn’t say anything though Severus went back to reading his book only to close it a moment later. “What day is it?” Remus just glared at him but Severus glared right back. “That’s it then,” Severus stated, “It’s only a few days til the full moon.”

Though he hadn’t said it in a mean or sarcastic way, Remus, being especially testy during this time, took it that way and he pushed himself off the couch and walked over to the stairs. 

“Where are you going?” Severus asked. 

Remus didn’t answer. He just continued up the stairs as if he hadn’t heard his new brother. “Fine with me,” Severus muttered as he stretched his legs out along the sofa and opened his book back up to where he had left off. “Maybe now I can read in peace.” 

However, that peace was short lived because it was only about an hour before Remus had come back downstairs, this time heading straight to the kitchen, only to return a few minutes later carrying two glasses. 

“Come with me,” he said simply as he stopped in front of where Severus sat.

“Why?” Severus asked, looking up at him in confusion.

“Just come on,” Remus argued, “we’ve only got a few hours until they’re back.” 

“What have you got glasses for?” 

“Sev!” 

“Alright, alright, I’m coming.” Severus put his book down for the final time and stood up to follow Remus back upstairs and into Remus’s room. 

“Here.” Remus said, handing a glass to Severus before turning to his trunk at the foot of his bed and beginning to rummage through it. 

Severus, unsure of what was even going on, stood silently behind him as he waited for whatever Remus was getting them into. 

“There it is!” Remus suddenly exclaimed as he stood up. He turned back around to face Severus holding a bottle in his hand and smiling brighter than Severus had seen him in days. Severus shook his head. “No,” he said, backing up and away from Remus. “No, that’s what we with brains like to call a bad idea.” 

Remus rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on, Sev. It’s not like it’s Firewhiskey or something. It’s Gigglewater for Merlin’s sake. How bad can it be?” 

“I’m going to guess bad.”

“Have you ever drank before?” Remus asked. 

“Yes, Firewhiskey that I nicked from Dad’s study last year,” Severus answered, “and the only reason I didn’t get caught was because Lily happened to overhear that Dad was looking for me and so she covered for me.”

“Okay, then,” Remus said with a grin, “so then you already know what that’s like, so Gigglewater should be a piece of cake.”

“Why are you doing this?” Severus asked, stubbornly refusing to take the bottle that Remus was holding out for him. “Where’d you even get that?”

“James’s house,” he answered simply. 

“Okay, but why?” Severus was confused because it was really unlike Remus to act so foolishly. Especially for something as dumb as a bottle of Gigglewater. 

“Because…” He stopped and turned around so that he wasn’t looking at Severus. “Why do I even need a reason?” He spun back around and glared at Severus. “I’m sixteen years old. Practically of age and If I want to drink, then I should bloody well be allowed to drink!” 

“Remus.” Severus said quietly. “What’s going on?” 

Remus groaned and dropped heavily onto the bed, staring fixedly up at the ceiling while Severus looked around his room for some clue as to what was bothering him. He looked at the pictures on his desk, the papers scattered about. Bits and pieces of letters that were only half written, a calender hanging off to the side. He glanced at it and saw that a date had been circled in red. He figured it was probably the date of the next full moon but upon closer inspection, that wasn’t it at all. 

“Mum’s Birthday.” Severus sighed. It was tomorrow’s date but since Minerva’s birthday wasn’t for several more months, Severus could only guess that this was Hope Lupin’s birthday instead. 

“Merlin,” Snape breathed and in the next moment, before he had a chance to talk himself out of it and knowing full well that it was a really, really bad idea, he took the bottle from Remus and filled first his and then Remus’s glasses while Remus sat up in the bed, staring at him quizzingly. “Here,” Severus said, handing Remus back the glass. 

Remus grinned and raised his glass before taking a sip. 

“Well?” Severus asked.

“Nothing.” Said Remus, shrugging his shoulders. Severus raised his own glass up to his lips and took a sip for himself but much like Remus, he didn’t feel a thing. He shook his head.

“Maybe you have to drink a bit before it starts working?” He decided before drinking a little more. Remus did as well and together, they sat quietly for a few moments, both slowly emptying their first glass. 

Suddenly, a bubble of laughter welled up inside Remus and he grinned. 

“There we go,” he said around another small giggle. Severus gave a small laugh as well and held the bottle up to refill their glasses. 

“We just needed more to get the effects,” he said before laughing again. 

Only that wasn’t the case at all. In fact, had they only waited a bit longer, the giggles would have started on their own with just a bit of the gigglewater. Instead however, Remus and Severus were both already well on their way through their second glasses and were starting to have a hard time getting words out around their fits of laughter. 

“I wonder,” Severus said a few minutes later while he clutched at his side, “how long it lasts?” 

Remus shook his head, unable to speak properly for all the giggles that he couldn’t control. He tried to stand up but he lost his balance and immediately fell back down to the bed, spilling a good portion of his glass onto the light blue comforter.

“Whoops!” he said through peals of laughter. He shakily held his index finger up to his mouth and said a long, exaggerated, “Shhhhhhh,” Severus laughed harder at him, his dark eyes brimming with tears because he was laughing so hard. “Sevvy, shhhhhh.” Remus went on. “Don’t tell Mum.” 

Severus glared at Remus as sternly as he could while still being unable to stop the laughter that was pouring out of him, “Don’t call me Sevvy, savvy?” 

That only seemed to make them both laugh more and when Severus tried to take another drink from his glass, he missed it entirely and nearly dropped the whole thing. 

“R-remus,” Severus said as soon as he could get the word out, “I think,” he giggled and then tried to stop himself by shaking his head. “I think we are drunk.” 

“We can’t be drunk, Sev,” Remus laughed, completely unaware that his glass was tipping dangerously towards the floor. “Mum will kill us.” 

“Mur-der,” Severus said slowly. “Murrr-derrr.” He laughed then and Remus stood up, holding his hand out to his brother. 

“I think this calls for a song!” Severus laughed and took hold of Remus’s outstretched hand and allowed himself to be hauled up from the bed. They each put their free hands around the others back to steady themselves and held their glasses up high as they swayed back and forth. “I’ll start!” Remus said excitedly. “Hog-warts! Hog-warts!” They laughed loudly and Severus joined in. “Hoggy- worty, hooogg-warrttsss!!!”

Remus stopped then to laugh. “I don’t remember the next bit!”

“Oh, I do!” Severus exclaimed, “Teach US SOMETHING NEEEWWWW!” 

“You have got to be kidding me!”

So lost in their song, neither Severus or Remus heard the floo come to life downstairs. But they both saw the irate Head of Gryffindor House standing in the doorway to Remus’s room.

“Mum!” Severus said happily, around another fit of giggles, “Come sing with us!” 

Chapter Text

“You didn’t get into trouble for lying, Remus,” Severus remarked from where he sat up against the headboard of his bed. Severus’s usual ebony hair was currently a bright shade of red. That morning he had woken up to find it much darker but throughout the day, it had gotten lighter, then darker, and then lighter again. “You got in trouble for lying badly.” 

Remus turned his head and glared at Severus. “I really appreciate that, Sev. I really do.” 

He rolled over onto his back and watched as the bewitched stars on the ceiling danced across the sky. “It’s ridiculous anyway,” he said. “There was no way that they should have found out. We were so careful.”

“You can’t have been too careful,” Severus replied. “You got caught.”

“You’re really not helping, Severus. I know you’re mad about your hair, but it’s your own fault that you won’t let me tell them. If they knew, we could leave you out of things.” 

Severus smirked before going back to his book. Remus lay there for a long while afterward watching the twinkling stars and thinking about the unfairness of it all. How had it come to this? They really had been so careful! 

The plan had gone exactly as it should have. James and Sirius had been in charge of getting the supplies, Peter was the lookout, and all Remus had to do was perform the spell that would turn Professor Slughorn’s hair a deep shade of crimson. They had already snuck into the Slytherin dorms and dyed their classmates’ hair, but they were saving Professor Slughorn for last, figuring that if they got caught before finishing, they would rather have the Slytherins wake up in the morning to red heads instead of just their Head of House. 

How had it all turned out so wrong?! 

One minute, Remus had been standing inside the Potions Master’s rooms, muttering the spell, and the next, Minerva McGonagall herself had been there. She had both James and Sirius by their scruffs and was glaring at Remus as if he had single-handedly brought about the apocalypse. As of yet, no one knew where Peter had gone off to, and the other boys had pretended that he hadn’t been a part of the prank in the first place. 

Remus had been brought home for the weekend as soon as classes had ended the next day, and Severus, not having the desire to stay at Hogwarts when he could be home enjoying some peace away from his dormmates, had decided to come home too. Besides, Lily had gone to Hogsmeade with the rest of school and Severus hadn’t felt like being out, Especially while his hair was still changing colors. So here they both were, hanging out in Severus’s room while Remus waited for the other shoe to drop.

It wasn’t even as if he would have been in much trouble for the prank itself. Actually, Professor Slughorn hadn’t even been angry about his hair and there were always pranks to be pulled, so that would really only have gotten them a couple of detentions. 

No, what got Remus into trouble was the lie that came after.

Minerva had brought him up to her office right after she had caught them and had given them all an earful, Letting them know in no uncertain terms just how disrespectful it was to prank their teacher, even if said teacher hadn’t minded. 

She had fully intended to take a few points from Gryffindor, give them each detention, and send them up to the tower until she noticed Remus’s hands. They had been stained with the red dye that she’d caught him using on Professor Slughorn’s hair. 

“Remus?” Minerva had called him back and he looked up at her. “Where did you get the dye?”

Remus had swallowed hard as he looked from his mother over to his two best friends. Thinking quickly, he’d answered her with the first thing that popped into his head. “We ordered it. By owl from the joke shop.” 

Minerva had narrowed her eyes at her adopted son. “Is that right?” 

“Yes, ma’am,” Remus had lied, glancing around the room in an effort to not meet her gaze. Had he been looking up at her, he would have seen the way her face fell slightly at his words. 

“I only ask because Mr. Zonko wrote to me several days ago and he was quite sure that someone had broken into his shop.” Closer to the door, Sirius and James had exchanged a look that did not escape Minerva’s notice. “I explained to him of course, that there was simply no way that any of the students would dare do such a thing. But it is interesting that one of the things he mentioned as missing was several boxes of color-changing hair dye.” 

Remus should have confessed then and there. He should have opened his mouth and told the truth, but instead, he had shoved his red-stained hands into the pockets of his grey trousers and shook his head. “I don’t know anything about that, Mum.” 

Minerva had sighed, “That’s disappointing, Remus.” She had turned away from them to scribble a note on a piece of parchment and the boys had taken that as their cue to leave. However, before Remus could close the door behind him, she had called out to him once more, “Remus, you’re going home this weekend.” 

“I am?” Remus had asked as innocently as possible.

“Yes,” Minerva didn’t up from her notes.

“But why-”

“Do not,” Minerva’s tone had been hard as she cut her eyes up to her son, “insult me by continuing to lie to me, Remus John.” Remus dropped his gaze but still, he hadn’t confessed. “We are going home tomorrow after classes. Maybe by then, you will be more forthcoming with the truth.” She had returned her gaze to her desk and said, “Now, go to bed, and wash that dye off of your hands.” 

Remus groaned as he pulled his hands down his face in frustration. “I don’t understand. If she knows I lied, why didn’t she just say so last night? Why are they making me come home and then just not bringing it up the whole time we’re here?” 

Severus shrugged, “Maybe she’s hoping you’ll tell her on your own?” Remus sat up and rested his elbows on his knees as he looked away from Severus without saying anything. Sighing, Severus closed his book and looked at Remus closely, but the other boy was resolutely staring at the opposite wall. “You know that’s what she wants, don’t you?” 

Remus hung his head but after a moment, he answered. “She said that maybe I’d be more willing to tell the truth once we were home.” 

“Then what are you waiting for?” Severus asked with a huff. “Go downstairs and tell them you lied. Say you’re sorry and get it over with. Trust me, the longer you wait, the worse it will be.” 

“But then I’d be admitting to more than just a lie, wouldn’t I? I’d have to tell them that I snuck out of the castle, broke into Zonko’s, and stole the dye. Not to mention the other stuff.” 

Severus grimaced, “Alright, well then at least it wasn’t just you. You know, maybe the punishment can be split between the four of you?” Severus offered, trying to be helpful, but Remus dropped back onto the bed with a groan as he shook his head. “You mean it was just you? They weren’t in on this?”

Remus nodded. “James and Sirius were in detention with Filch. I used James’s cloak.” 

Both were silent for a long moment before Severus spoke up again, “You have to tell them, Remus. It’ll only be worse if you keep putting it off.”

“I know,” Remus agreed though he remained where he was. “I just need a minute.” 

Remus found Albus and Minerva sitting together in the living room, a tray of tea between them. Albus smiled fondly at him as he came down the last few stairs and took a seat on the couch. “Would you like some tea, Remus?” Albus asked. 

He shook his head. “No, thank you, sir.” The room was silent for a moment while Remus tried to collect his thoughts. Across from him, his parents exchanged a look. 

“Is there something you wish to say, Remus?” Albus finally asked.

Remus sighed, then looked over at Minerva, “You already know, but I lied to you last night when you asked where we got the hair dye. I didn’t order it through the owl post. I stole it. Which means I lied to you twice because I said I didn’t know about the robbery.” 

“Thank you for telling us, Remus,” Minerva said, replacing her teacup on the tray and folding her hands in her lap. “And what part did Mr. Potter and Mr.-”

“None,” Remus said quickly, “they didn’t even know about it. The only thing they did was the prank itself, I swear.”   

“So, then, the sneaking out? The thievery?” Minerva asked.

“Not to mention the little matter of breaking and entering in the first place,” Albus added, a note of sternness now in his voice as he pierced Remus with those blue eyes. 

Remus sighed as he dropped his head, unable to meet their gazes any longer. “Yes.” 

“Do you realize,” Albus asked, “that had this happened in a few months when you turned seventeen, you would be of age and you could be charged as a fully grown wizard? The Aurors could arrest you. Or at the very least you would get some really heavy fines.” 

“I-I didn’t think about that,” Remus said, his voice thick with emotion as he tried to swallow around the lump in his throat. Their disappointment in him was almost too much to bear.

“That,” Minerva said sternly, “is very clear, young man.” 

“I’m sorry,” Remus sincerely apologized. “It’ll never happen again, I promise. It was a stupid thing to do.” 

“I’m glad to hear that,” Albus nodded. “Unfortunately, apologies do not always fix as much as we would like them to, do they?”

“No, sir.” 

“Then how about we see what we can do to fix this, shall we?” 

“I think we can start with a very sincere apology to Mr. Zonko,” Minerva said.

“I will,” Remus assured her.

“What all did you steal from him, son?” Albus asked and Remus lowered his head again.

“The dye, some dungbombs, a few other prank supplies.” 

“Then I think perhaps six weeks of extra chores may be enough to pay him back, at least for products themselves. This won’t be taking into account what he deserves for having you break into his business. For that will be his decision and you will not argue with him about it. Is that understood?” 

Remus felt his stomach drop at his dad’s words but he knew better than to argue, so with a sigh, he simply nodded. “Yes, dad.” 

“And you will of course be on restriction during these next six weeks, both at Hogwarts and when you come home each weekend,” Minerva added with a frown. 

“Six weekends away from Hogwarts?” Remus complained even as he gave her his best puppy dog look, which he was unsurprised to see didn’t sway her in the slightest. 

“Six weekends,” she said again. “All the usual restrictions still apply. You’ll go to classes and the Great Hall for meals, and then it’s back to your Common Room. In your dormitory by nine-”

“I know how it works,” Remus interrupted, his somber expression from a few minutes ago now replaced with one of annoyance. 

“Remus,” Albus warned and Remus sighed.

“Sorry.” 

Minerva nodded at his apology. “I think that’s everything. Why don’t you go upstairs and get Severus for dinner.” 

Without another word, Remus stood to do as he was asked, making his way back upstairs and to the doorway of Severus’s room. 

“Dinner’s ready,” Remus said glumly.

Severus was already closing his book and standing up. “It went that bad, eh?”

Remus shrugged. “Let’s just say, seeing your hair turning blue now isn’t worth it.” 

Severus’s hand immediately went to his hair, carding his fingers through the strands, “Blue? How many more colors is it going to turn?” Remus didn’t answer; instead, he turned back towards the hallway and started walking away. “Remus! How long until this wears off?!”

Chapter Text

Remus Lupin Comes Home

Remus shut his eyes tightly against the brightness of the sun shining through the dingy window of his room at the Hog’s Head. He felt terrible. His head was pounding and the muscles in his neck and shoulders were sore and tense. All he wanted was to roll over and try and get a few more hours of sleep. Sleep had become such a scarce thing lately and he just wanted to savor it a bit more before he took off again. 

Suddenly, Remus felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Sleep completely gone from his mind. Someone, or something, was in the room with him. 

In one fluid motion, Remus sat up straight, his wand already in his hand from where he kept it underneath his pillow and pointed it at the corner of the room, a curse on his lips in that same second. 

Fortunately, before he could utter such a curse, he recognized the person sitting in a chair by the window. 

“Sleeping in, I see. Did you have a rough night, Remus?”

Remus sighed and swung his legs over the side of the bed, but he didn’t get up. Instead, he leaned forward so that his elbows were resting on his knees and dropped his head. 

“What are you doing here, Dad?” He asked quietly.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Dumbledore stated plainly, “I’ve come to bring my son home.”  

Remus shook his head, “Dad-”

“You look ill my boy,” Dumbledore interrupted. “You haven’t been taking your potion?”

Though he phrased it like a question, Remus knew that he wasn’t asking so much as stating what he already knew was truth. Remus glanced up at him but the sadness he saw in the old man’s eyes had him looking away again. 

“It’s not like I stay in one place long enough to brew it anyway. Besides, we both know that I don’t have a hope of brewing it properly without Severus.” He added lamely. 

“Who would have gladly continued to brew it for you as long as you wanted.” 

“I know that,” Remus said with a nod of his head. 

“What have you been doing while you’ve been away?” Dumbledore asked and Remus dropped his head even further if that was possible. 

“I’d rather not say,” he murmured. He heard Dumbledore sigh. 

“Remus, you need to give up this search for revenge. Killing Fenrir Greyback will not-”

“How’s Severus doing? And Mum?” Remus asked, changing the subject to a safer topic. 

Dumbledore studied the younger man for a long moment. He took in the way his light brown hair, already flecked with grey for someone so young, stuck up in odd angles from where he had been sleeping. He wore a tattered pair of grey pajama pants and a sleeveless undershirt. It was the same sort of clothing he’d worn to bed for as long as Dumbledore had known him and if it weren’t for the mustache the man now sported, Dumbledore would almost believe that he were the same fifteen year old that had come to live with him and Minerva all those years ago. 

But he wasn’t. That boy, though his life had already been unfairly hard, had had such a high spirit. He laughed and found merriment in almost everything. He was every bit as mischievous as the other boys in his friend group, though in his defence, he did try and talk them out of some of their worse schemes. 

The man now in front of him, had hardened in his adult life. He’d lost so much. He’d seen war and true evil in his life, and that wasn’t something that one just recovered from so easily. Dumbledore wished that he could have shielded both of his boys from this fate, but he knew that it did no good to dwell on what he could have done differently. 

“They miss you,” Dumbledore finally answered. “Though Severus won’t admit it.” 

Remus nodded, a ghost of a smile on his face. “I miss them, too.” 

“Then come home,” Dumbledore’s tone was soft but Remus thought that he caught an edge to it that normally wasn’t there.

“It’s not that simple, Dad,” Remus argued, finally standing up from the bed and walking across the room to the desk where he opened the drawer and pulled out a stack of letters that had been bound with a thin cord. “I couldn’t even send them a letter! What makes you think they want to see me?” 

“We’re family, Remus. They want nothing more than to see you.” 

Remus laughed bitterly. “Severus doesn’t.” 

“Yes, well, Severus will sulk and brood like he always does. He’ll end up starting some argument with you and then you’ll both say things you don’t mean and it’ll all be over with.”

“You say that as if nothing would make you happier.”

And there it was, the twinkle in Dumbledore’s eye. 

“So you’ll come for dinner tonight.” He stated. 

“No,” Remus shook his head. “I can’t come to the castle.” When Dumbledore opened his mouth to reply, Remus held up his hand. “But if you really want, I’ll come to the house.” 

Dumbledore smiled.

Remus came out of the fireplace and stepped into the living room of the small cottage house that he had moved into when he’d been fifteen. He hadn’t stepped foot inside since he’d left three years before. Though he and Severus had both moved out once they grew up, as far as he knew, their rooms were exactly as they had left them. Remus cast a look towards the stairs and found himself walking over towards them. 

He climbed the stairs slowly and when he reached the top landing, he took a deep breath before turning to the left and walking to the end of the hallway. He passed Dumbledore’s study and the bathroom on his way, and there, at the end, was his parent’s room with his on one side and Severus’ on the other. 

Remus wasn’t even sure why he felt so nervous about being here. This had been his home for eighteen years now and he’d always felt welcome here. Why did today feel so different?

He sighed and then lifted his hand to open the door, letting it swing quietly open before he stepped inside. The room wasn’t large, none of the rooms in the house were. Minerva had said that she wanted them all close. Which had been fine for her, but with two teenage boys in the house, sometimes it made things worse. 

There were two windows in the room, one on the back wall and the other, a larger one, on the side where Remus’ bed had been pushed up against. The walls were painted a light grey with dark blue accents and he had a comforter on the bed that matched. There were posters on the wall as well. The Appleby Arrows quidditch team along with a smaller poster he’d taken from Hogwarts that named Gryffindor winner of the Gobstones championship in Remus’ sixth year. Remus had been captain of the team that year and had been quite proud. 

Above the desk on the back wall, which still held books and papers with long since dried up ink and quills scattered about, was a group of pictures that Remus had attached to the wall with a sticking charm. Several were of him and the Marauders. Some had Lily, too. There were a couple that were just him and Severus, though Severus wasn’t one to take pictures very often. There was a family picture of the four of them and lastly, one with just him and his parents. In every scene, the miniature versions of themselves were smiling and waving up at him. Even Severus didn’t seem like he was trying too hard to walk out of the picture. Remus grinned as he watched as a mini Remus held tight to the back of a mini Severus’ robes, forcing him to stand beside him. Eventually, the tiny Severus gave up and crossed his arms but stood still. 

Remus turned away after that, not wanting to see anymore. He took a breath and glanced once more around the room before walking quickly out the door. Just as he was coming back down the stairs, he heard the fireplace roar into action and then out stepped Albus and Minerva. Remus stood back on the stairs and for a long moment, the three of them just stood silent as they stared at each other. 

Summoning every ounce of Gryffindor bravery that Remus could muster, he quietly said, “Hi, Mum.” 

Minerva McGonagall had always been a force to be reckoned with, but at this very moment, Remus thought that he’d rather face down Voldemort himself than to have to see the disappointment in this woman’s eyes. She pointed to a spot on the floor in front of her. 

“Remus John, you come here this instant.” 

“Now, Minerva-” Albus started even as Remus was already making his way over to them.

“Albus, you keep quiet. This is between me and my son. You already had your chance to speak your piece to him and now it’s my turn.” 

Albus turned away to take a seat in one of the armchairs, but Remus thought he saw his lips twitch as he did so. Remus, for his part, stood quietly with his hands shoved deep into his trouser pockets and his head bowed low, feeling all of fifteen all over again. 

“Not a single letter,” Minerva began. “In three years, you haven’t sent a single letter. Made even one single floo call. Not even a short note in three years to let us know that you were safe. That you weren’t starving to death or laying dead somewhere. We had no idea where you were or what you were doing. Just a simple note, Remus, would have sufficed! Something, anything, to lessen our worries just a little bit. You didn’t even say goodbye!”

Remus looked up at that. “I left a-”

Minerva narrowed her eyes at him and Remus grew quiet once more. She reached into the pocket of her robes and pulled out a folded piece of parchment, but before she even unfolded it, Remus knew what it was.

“This note, Remus? This note that we found the morning after you left. This note that says, “I’ve got to go. I’m so sorry. I love you all, Remus.” Do you know that I’ve carried these twelve words around with me for the last three years? Every full moon, I would lay awake, wondering, hoping, praying to anyone who would listen that you were alright. That you were safe.”

Remus licked his dry lips and dropped his head even lower, though he did look up at her through his fringe of brown hair. “I’m sorry, mum.” 

Immediately, Minerva was reminded of this same boy some seventeen years before who had stood in front of her in this very room and whispered that same apology after he and his friends had been caught sneaking back from a concert that they had no permission to go to. 

Minerva sighed and took a step towards him, closing the distance between herself and her son before she reached up and pulled him into a hug. Remus immediately wrapped his arms around her and he could feel as she began to cry into his shoulder. 

Remus felt wretched knowing that he had caused this reaction from her and he squeezed his eyes shut and whispered, “I’m so so sorry.”

“I know,” Minerva said quietly. “Everything will be alright now, but don’t you ever, ever think of doing that to me again.” She pulled back and looked up at him fiercely. “I mean it, Remus. Never again.”

He nodded. “Yes, mum. I promise.” 

Chapter Text

Remus Lupin Comes Home Pt. 2

Severus heard a knock on the door and sighed. He seriously considered ignoring it and just hoping whoever it was would go away, but in the end, he sat down his glass of Firewhiskey and stood up, resigning himself to dealing with company when he would rather be getting ready for bed. He opened the front door and nearly shut it back in the man’s face. 

“I don’t have time for this, Remus,” Severus said curtly.

“Severus, I just want to talk.” 

Severus considered him for a moment before finally, with another sigh, he stepped out of the way so that Remus could come inside. 

“How is he?” Remus asked, tentatively moving towards the couch as if afraid that Severus would kick him out before he had a chance to sit down. 

“He was attacked by Dementors, Remus, how do you think he is?” 

Remus looked like he wanted to say something to that, but instead, he busied himself by looking around the parlor. Severus reclaimed his chair and picked up his glass, swallowing a mouthful of his drink as he eyed his brother. 

“Listen, Severus, I know you don’t want me back here-” Severus huffed but didn’t comment so Remus continued, “but I’m glad to be here, all the same. I-I’ve missed you.” 

“Did you now? You missed me so much that I haven’t heard a word from you in three years.” Severus’s words were biting but he didn’t care. “And to what do we owe the pleasure of your company now, Remus? What, pray tell, changed your mind and brought you back here after all this time? Did you get tired of scrounging around for scraps with that miserable pack you got in with?” 

Remus’s eyes flashed as he glared back at Severus. “How did you know-”

“You’re still not as good at hiding your tracks as you think you are. You stayed with them in Bristol for weeks before leaving again, chasing Fenrir Greyback all over the country. Tell me, brother, just what would you have done if you’d actually gotten close to him?”

Remus didn’t answer, instead, he said, “If you knew where I was, why didn’t you say something? You didn’t tell Mum or Dad. If you had, he would have come looking for me sooner.” 

Severus raised his glass, this time draining the last of the amber-colored liquid before he spoke again. “As far as I’m concerned, if you had wanted to see or hear from us, you knew where we were. I didn’t say anything, because I knew you didn’t want to be found.”

Some small part of Remus’s composure faltered and he sighed, “I didn’t. I’m sorry, Severus. I truly am, but I didn’t come back here to fight with you.”

“Then why are you here? Because you certainly didn’t think you’d come back and we’d have tea and forget this whole thing ever happened.”

“Oh, of course not.” Remus said sarcastically, “Why would I ever think you could be forgiving of anyone.”

They sat quietly for a long moment before Remus glanced down the hallway towards Harry’s bedroom where without any luck, Harry was sleeping soundly. “Dad said his aunt and uncle were abusing him?”

“That would be putting it mildly,” murmured Severus. 

“How long do you think you’ll have custody of him?” 

“Until he finds someone else more permanent, I suppose.”

“What’s he like?” Remus asked. 

“You’ll be happy to know that he’s just like his father in nearly every way.” 

“Merlin,” Remus ran a hand through his hair and sighed, “I hope not.” 

Severus smirked and accioed a second glass from the kitchen before pouring a generous helping of Firewhiskey into it and handing it to Remus. “Here,” he said, “it’s not tea and I’m not feeling very forgiving tonight, but I suppose I am glad that you came back when you did. For Potter’s sake.” 

Remus smiled, “I’ll take what I can get.”

End

Chapter Text

Severus and Remus age 15

Severus sighed as he stood inside the spiraling staircase that led to the headmaster’s office. Albus had sent word through a third-year Ravenclaw that he wanted to see him during his free period today and Severus had no idea what it could be about. He tried to think over the last few days and aside from a few insults that he had exchanged with James Potter’s gang, he couldn’t think of anything that he might be in trouble for. Certainly, there had been nothing that warranted Albus calling him to his office instead of just talking with him later in their quarters.

He knocked on the door and waited for the quiet “Enter,” from his adoptive father. 

Severus walked inside to find Albus sitting behind his desk, a smile on his face at seeing his son. “Severus, have a seat, my boy.” Severus sat down across from him and shook his head to decline a lemon drop from Albus. “How have your classes been, Severus? Minerva tells me your Transfiguration grade has improved. We’re both very proud of you.” 

“Thanks,” Severus replied. When Albus didn’t say anything else, Severus glanced around the office for a moment, taking in the many whirling and twirling objects that Albus kept there. “Dad,” Severus finally spoke hesitantly, “did you need something?” 

Albus smiled. “Ah, yes, I’m afraid I suddenly seem to be at a loss for words.” 

Severus raised an eyebrow, that was certainly a first. “Is everything alright?” 

Albus waved his hand dismissively as he began to shuffle through a stack of papers on his desk. “Everything is fine, Severus. No need to worry. I admit that I’m rather unsure how to bring this up, so I believe it best just to come right out with it, yes?” 

Severus nodded. “Yes.” 

“Right, then.” Albus straightened up in his chair and focused all of his attention on his son. “Now, I would appreciate it, Severus, if you would allow me to say everything I need to before you interrupt. When I am finished, you will of course be able to give your thoughts and opinions. Can we agree on this?” 

Severus had been living with Albus and Minerva for a year and a half now. Since the beginning of his fourth year when secrets about his home life came to the surface and he had been removed from his father’s custody. They adopted him only a few months after taking guardianship of him and while it had all happened very quickly,- and despite those terrible first two months - Severus couldn’t imagine his life without them now. 

“Yes,” Severus finally agreed, still not understanding what this could be about. 

“You may remember several weeks ago, that Remus Lupin left school for a few days,” Albus said, watching his adopted son intently.

Severus thought back and he did seem to recall not seeing Lupin in class a few times. He and the Gryffindor weren’t friends on the best days but had been even less so since Sirius Black had tricked Severus into following Remus down the passageway under the Whomping Willow near the beginning of the school year. 

“I think so,” Severus replied warily.

“His father passed away and he had left Hogwarts in order to attend his funeral. He has no other family now. While term is in session, the school acts in loco parentis for the students, but when the summer holidays start, Remus will have to go to an orphanage. I imagine that you can guess why that would be less than ideal for him?” 

Severus nodded, but he kept his word and did not interrupt. He suddenly had a sinking suspicion of where this conversation was leading and he was not ready for it. 

“You’re mother and while we feel like the decision should be a family one, sometimes it’s not that easy, which is why I wanted to talk with you about it today.” Albus took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Severus, I am well aware of the feud that you have with a certain few Gryffindors, but even still, I want you to consider my words very carefully. We would like to take in Remus.”

“No,” Severus said flatly. 

“Severus-”

“No! Dad, you can’t be serious! Remus Lupin? He’s a were-”

“What he is, has absolutely nothing to do with it.” Albus spoke calmly as he stared over his half-moon spectacles at the boy in front of him. “Remus is just a boy, who has been dealt a rather unfair hand, and now he has no one. Can you not sympathize with him at all?” 

Severus stood up and paced the length of the office, from his chair to the door and back again. “Yes,” he said, his dark eyes flashing, “and I’m sorry about that, but why you? Why us? Can’t someone else step up for once? Couldn’t he go to the Potter’s? I’m sure they would love to have him!”

“He can not,” Albus said, a sadness in his tone. “Remus will need to be somewhere that he can get help when he needs it. As much as I’m sure the Potter’s would love to have him, it is just not feasible. Severus, he needs us, just like you did.”

“Don’t make this about me!” Severus shouted, his hands balled into fists at his sides. “Don’t try and make me feel sorry for him! He’s done nothing these past five years except stand by as his little pack makes my life hell! Do you really think I want to live with him?!”

“Severus,” Albus stood up and walked around his desk to lean against it as he spoke, “we both know that none of you are blameless when it comes to this feud. Yes, Remus and his friends start quite a bit with you, but to say that you don’t retaliate, or that you don’t start just as much with them, would be a lie.” Severus grit his teeth and looked away from Albus, who dropped a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I’m asking you to try, son. I won’t ask you to put yourself in his shoes; you’ve already been there, but I hope you can find it in that heart of yours to offer someone else the chance at a better life.” 

“You’ve already decided, so what does it matter?” Severus shrugged Albus’s hand off and turned away. 

“It matters, Severus, because you matter,” Albus moved around so that he was once more in front of Severus. “We want you both to be happy.” 

“But you’re still going to do this anyway? You’re still going to adopt him?”

Albus sighed, “We want to take him in, yes, but adoption is not something we’ve decided on yet. Not because we don’t want to,” Albus was quick to add, “but because we both feel like the more permanent matter needs to be thought over more. Remus may not even wish to be adopted by us. But someone needs to assume guardianship of him. You’re both only fifteen. I know it doesn’t seem like a long time, but you’re still over a year away from being adults.”

“He’d be stupid to not want you,” Severus replied after a long moment. “No one in their right minds would say no to you and Mum.”

Albus smiled, “I appreciate that, Severus. Though right now, Remus is hurting and he’s angry. He may not want anything to do with any of us.” 

“What would happen if he said no?” Severus asked.

“He would go to the orphanage. He has no one else.” 

“I don’t like him,” Severus murmured.

Albus chuckled, which was not the reaction Severus had been hoping for. “Yes, well, he’s not your biggest fan either.”

“What if I say no?” 

Albus studied him for a moment and Severus began to fidget under his sharp gaze. “I do not think you will,” he finally replied. He gave another long sigh then, “However, if indeed you do, know that we will still love you and we won’t think any less of you. We understand that it will be hard for you both, but I don’t think either of you is a stranger to difficulties.” 

Severus walked over to the window and stared out across the grounds towards the quidditch pitch. He could just make out the figures of a group of kids flying around. 

“Okay,” he said finally as he turned back to face Albus, “but don’t expect us to become friends or anything. It won’t happen. And I don’t want him telling anyone about me. The last thing I need is for James Potter’s gang to find out about us and ruin everything.”

“He will have the right to tell his friends about his new home. Assuming he even wants it.” Albus said sternly.

“That’s fine, he just needs to leave me out of it. I’ve got a right to my own secrets, right?”

Albus nodded, “Of course, my son.”

As if Severus’s agreement had been all that was needed to summon him, a knock came to the door, and at Albus’s call to enter, Remus Lupin walked inside the office. 

“You wanted to see me, Headmaster?” Remus said, quietly. Shyly standing just inside the office with his bookbag slung over his shoulder and his hands shoved into his trouser pockets. 

Severus rolled his eyes. “Can I go now?” he asked Albus. 

“You may,” Albus replied before turning to smile kindly at Remus. “Come, my boy, take a seat. Would you like a lemon drop?” Remus took one with a murmured thanks before sitting it on the arm of the chair. 

“Severus,” Albus said just before the boy could open the door, “don’t be late for breakfast in the morning. You know how she wants us all there on Thursdays.” 

“I’ll be there,” Severus said without looking back before walking out so that Albus could talk to Remus. This is going to be a very long year, Severus thought as he made his way back down the spiraling staircase. 

End

Chapter Text

Summer of 1976 Day 2

Severus and Remus Age 16

Remus lay awake in his new bed and looked around his new room. Albus and Minerva had said he could fix it up however he wanted, but so far the only thing he’d managed to do was unpack his trunk. Not that there had been much in it to start with. Just some clothes, mostly ones that were too short now for his lanky frame, and his school books. Those he had taken and added neatly to the bookshelves above his desk. He had a couple of pictures as well, but he wasn’t ready to pull those out yet. 

The rest of the room was plain, with light blue walls, a desk and bookshelf, and a large wardrobe against the back wall. It was just fine with Remus. He was just happy to have a room after the fear he’d harbored of having to go to the orphanage. That would have been a nightmare of a completely different nature. There would have been no way to hide his lycanthropy there. 

With a sigh, Remus sat up in bed and looked towards his closed door. He could hear someone downstairs, but there didn’t seem to be anyone on the second floor at all. He debated about just staying in his room until someone came looking for him, not that he expected anyone to, but in the end, his hunger outweighed anything else. He pulled a long-sleeved t-shirt and a pair of jeans from the wardrobe and pulled them on before taking a deep breath and walking out of his bedroom. 

Remus walked quietly downstairs and into the kitchen, immediately pausing in the doorway when he saw Severus sitting at the kitchen table, a bowl of cereal in front of him and a book open on the table beside him. 

“Morning,” Remus tried for pleasant but Severus just tilted his head in acknowledgment. “Where are-” he cut himself off. He was still trying to get used to the idea of calling his professors by their first names. No matter the fact that they had adopted him more than a month ago. It was still weird. 

“School,” Severus answered without looking up from his book. 

“Right,” Remus murmured before finally moving out of the doorway and fully into the kitchen. He looked around for a moment before spotting a box of cereal sitting out on the counter and decided that it would do just fine. He looked through the cabinets in search of a bowl and when he found one, he poured himself a bowlful of cereal and added milk from the refrigerator before grabbing a spoon and carrying his breakfast over to the table.  

Remus sat down across from Severus and cast a glance at the book, noticing at once that it was their potions textbook. “Studying already?” he asked, taking a bite of his cereal. 

Severus hummed in answer. 

After that, the only sounds that could be heard were that of Remus as he ate his cereal and the pages turning in Severus’s book. By the time Remus had finished eating and had taken his bowl and spoon to the sink to wash them, Severus’s own cereal had gone soggy. 

Remus heard his book close from where he stood by the sink and turned to see Severus walking towards him with his bowl. He dumped what was left of it into the trash and waited for Remus to finish so that he could wash it out. 

Overall, Remus thought that breakfast, at least, had gone pretty smoothly considering that dinner the night before had been an utter disaster ending with them both getting lectured and made to do the dishes together. Remus thought that maybe that was why Severus was being so quiet this morning, so as not to have a repeat of the night before. If so, Remus couldn’t blame him. He wasn’t too keen on the idea of another scolding from his newly adopted parents either. 

Both teenagers left the kitchen at the same time and headed back upstairs to their rooms, though when Severus got to his, he simply dropped his book off and started back down. 

Remus looked at him curiously and said, “Where’re you going?” 

“Into town,” Severus replied shortly before moving further down the stairs. 

Remus waited a moment before quickly grabbing his shoes and following after him. 

“Mind if I come along?” he asked just as Severus was about to open the front door. 

He eyed Remus suspiciously before saying, “Why? I thought you were getting a head start on homework?” 

“I thought you were, too?” Remus shot back, raising his eyebrow at the other boy. 

Severus glared but finally, he nodded. “Come on, then.” 

Remus and Severus didn’t have to walk far before coming to a turning point in the road. Severus explained that right led towards the grocery store, the police station, and a few small businesses, but left led to both, the town’s library, and a bookstore. Left also leads to a couple of restaurants and the park. Severus went left. 

“Do you come into town often?” Remus asked as they walked along the sidewalk heading for the bookstore.

“Sometimes. It gets kind of claustrophobic in the house after a while. With just them, you know?” 

“I think they’re pretty great,” Remus wasn’t sure why he felt like he needed to defend them, as if Severus had said something awful about them. 

Severus scoffed, “‘Course they are. That doesn’t mean they’re not just like every other parent on the planet. And who wants to be stuck inside with their parents all the time?” Remus didn’t answer and Snape looked over at him and winced, “Sorry. I reckon you’d rather still have yours.”

“Wouldn’t you?” Remus asked quickly, hoping to deflect the attention off of himself. 

Now it was Severus who didn’t answer. He looked up and nodded at the sign above the bookstore. “We’re here.” 

They spent the next hour scanning the shelves of the bookstore for anything they might like. Severus found a couple that he seemed to be interested in but Remus left the store empty-handed, not having any muggle money with which to buy anything. For that matter, he didn’t have any wizard money either. He wondered how Snape had gotten any but didn’t want to ask. 

On the way back home from the bookstore, Severus actually seemed to be making an effort to hold a conversation as he told Remus about different places in town as they passed by. To be honest, Remus was surprised and figured that Albus must have had something to do with it. Not that Remus was going to complain. The less time they spent fighting, the better off they would both be. 

When they got back to the house, Severus took his books to his room and Remus went into the kitchen to look for something else to eat. He found all the makings for a chicken sandwich in the refrigerator and decided to try and hold out an olive branch to Severus by making one for him too. 

Once he was done, he carried them both upstairs and knocked lightly on Severus’s door. 

“Come in,” he heard Severus mutter and then opened the door. Severus sat at his desk, already pouring over the new books, though he did look up when Remus brought the plate over and set it on his desk.

“Thought you might be hungry,” Remus offered. 

“Thanks,” Severus replied, then before Remus could leave his room for his own, Severus said, “I reckon Dad’s right, you know.” Remus turned and looked back at him, his brows crinkling in confusion. “It’s going to be an awfully long summer if we don’t find a way to get along.” 

Remus nodded, “It doesn’t look like either of us is going anywhere.” 

“And I don’t suppose theirs any point in us both being miserable all summer just because they’re forcing us together. Let’s get it clear though,” Severus said, his voice hardening, “we’re not friends. You don’t like me and I don’t like you either. But I reckon- at least for summer break- we can have a truce?”

“I won’t prank you if you don’t prank me?” Remus hedged, not really sure if he believed that Severus would actually stick to his so-called truce.

Severus cleared his throat, “And I’ll try to be nice if you will?” 

“Alright. Sure.” 

“But when school starts back-”

The question hung in the air for a long moment in which they both stared at each other looking for anything in the other’s faces or body language that would let them know they were being deceived. Finally, Remus nodded. “It’ll be just like old times, I’m sure.” 

“Of course.” 

Remus tentatively held a hand out and after a second or two of hesitation, Severus shook it. And for today at least, the second of many days that summer, all was well. 

End

Chapter Text

Exact Words

Severus and Remus Age 16

Right before sixth year

Severus knocked on Remus’s bedroom door and opened it when he heard a quiet, “Come in.” 

“Come downstairs,” Severus said as soon as he saw Remus sitting at his desk. He didn’t even wait for an answer before he turned to walk away, just assuming that Remus would follow. 

“Why?” Remus called after him. “I’m busy.” 

Severus turned back around and glanced over at the homework that Remus had spread out on the desk. “Bring it with you. I’ll be in the kitchen.” 

Remus groaned, hating the way that Severus just demanded he do things, even as he was already gathering up his books and supplies. 

The two teenagers had actually become quite close over the last two months of summer holiday, which was the expected outcome when you all but forced them to live under the same roof for such a long time. Though neither would admit it, of course, they had developed at least the beginnings of a friendship. In any case, Albus and Minerva no longer had to listen to their near-constant arguing. 

Remus came downstairs and into the kitchen where he found Severus leaning against the counter next to the sink with his arms crossed over his chest. His cauldron, Advanced Potions book, and several ingredients were laid out behind him. Remus took in the sight and raised an eyebrow at his newly adopted brother. “What are you doing?” 

“I’m about to brew the Elixir to Induce Euphoria.”

Remus shook his head. “I don’t think so.” 

Severus honestly looked confused by Remus’s reaction and tilted his head to the side. 

“Yes, I am. I’ve got an idea to counterbalance the side effects of it.” 

“No,” Remus said again as he dropped his Transfiguration book down onto the table and walked over to Severus. “Remember what you said about the Gigglewater, Sev? This is what we with brains call a really bad idea? Albus said you couldn’t brew without them here.”

“No,” Severus corrected, “his exact words were, “Severus, you are not allowed to brew alone. ” And I’m alone, am I? That’s why you’re here. Besides, nothing is going to happen. They’re not due back for hours and by then, I’ll be finished and no one will know.” 

Remus still wasn’t convinced. “We haven’t learnt how to brew this potion yet!”

“I’ve been studying it for days, Remus. It’ll be fine.” 

“Oh, well as long as you’ve studied it,” Remus said sarcastically, moving away back to the table before dropping down into a chair to work on his homework. He had a sinking feeling that this wasn’t going to end well. 

    Quite a while later, Severus was about halfway through brewing the potion and Remus was still sitting at the table. He’d finished the essay he had been working on and was now quietly watching as Severus dropped a few porcupine quills into the cauldron before continuing to stir it. He took a moment to read over the next step in his book before murmuring something about needing as many as the book had instructed. 

Once the potion had changed from yellow to dark blue, Severus reached over the counter and picked up a sprig of peppermint before stirring it in as well. 

“Perfect,” Severus said when it turned purple. 

“Sev,” Remus suddenly said, standing up from the table. He was sure that he had just felt someone enter the wards around the house, and that could only mean one thing.

Severus held his hand up, concentrating on adding in the correct number of sopophorous beans into the potion. 

“Severus, I think Min-”

“Would you shut up, Remus?” Severus spat, whirling around to face him. But as he did so, his arm knocked against the pedestal that the cauldron was sitting on, tipping it over. Both boys watched in horror as the potion spilled out onto the counter and mixed with other ingredients that had been sitting there. 

Severus let loose a string of curse words as he scrambled to get the other ingredients out of the way, but it was no use. Smoke was rising from the spilled potion and Severus had no choice but to leap out of the way just as the entire cauldron exploded. 

It all happened within seconds. One minute Severus had been brewing a near perfect Euphoria Elixir and the next he was staring out at the back yard instead of the kitchen wall. They both stood up and looked around as they brushed themselves off. Sunlight beamed down like a spotlight on the debris that now lay all around them. Broken pieces of wood and a chunk of the counter top were everywhere, while the kitchen sink itself had been blown into the backyard. Water was spewing up from the broken waterline soaking the entire mess. 

Seconds after that, Minerva McGonagall herself burst into the kitchen, (or what was left of it) her wand raised and ready to fight whatever would dare blow up her house. 

“What in Heaven’s name is going on here?!” Her eyes were wide as she took in the destruction around her and the expressions on the two boys. One looked guiltily down at the floor while the other looked furious. She waved her wand at the spraying water and it immediately stopped. “Are you both alright?!”

“Why didn’t you tell me she was here?” Severus exclaimed loudly, rounding on Remus. 

Remus turned to him, his eyes flashing amber. “I tried, you moron! You were too caught up in your precious potion!” 

“Well you didn’t-”

“That’s enough!” Minerva glared at both of them, completely understanding now what had happened. “I want you both in the living room, now!” 

Finally seeming to realize how much trouble he was in, Severus skirted quietly past his mother and followed Remus into the living room. They both sat on opposite ends of the couch without a word. Minerva didn’t follow them, though. Severus thought she might be taking a moment to calm down before dealing with them. 

He looked down at his hands noticing for the first time that they were burnt from the reaction caused by the mixing ingredients. His shirtsleeves were also stained and in one place a hole had been burned into it. “Damn,” he muttered, wincing as he stretched his fingers out. 

“Remus,” Minerva appeared beside them and glanced down at Severus’s hands, “go upstairs and get the burn-healing paste. It’s in the cabinet.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Remus said as he quickly stood up to do as she asked. 

Minerva moved to sit beside Severus and took his hands in hers carefully. She took her wand out and waved it across his shirtsleeves, repairing them easily before pushing them up his arms so that she could make sure his forearms weren’t also burned. When she saw no further injury, she gave a small sigh of relief. “It’s not that bad,” she reassured him. 

“I know,” Severus replied, keeping his head down so that he wouldn’t have to look up at her. 

A minute later, Remus came back and handed Minerva the jar of orange paste. She opened it and dipped her fingers into it before gently spreading the paste onto Severus’s palms and fingers. He sucked a breath in through his teeth and jerked back slightly, though Minerva kept a firm hold on his hands to keep him still. Once she’d worked the paste in well enough, she recapped the jar and Remus passed her a towel so she could wipe off the excess from her own hands. Then she stood up and glared at her boys. 

“What were you thinking?” she asked, her tone sharp as she tried to remain in control of her emotions. But each time she thought she had calmed down, she remembered how that blast had blown off an entire wall, and that her boys could have easily been killed. The fury then rose back up in her all over again.

When neither of the teenagers were forthcoming with any answers, Minerva turned to Severus. “What were you brewing?” 

“The Euphoria Elixir,” he answered flatly.

Minerva narrowed her eyes. “That is a sixth year potion, Severus Snape. You haven’t yet started sixth year.” 

“Oh, that’s okay, he read about it,” Remus said sarcastically from where he still stood next to the couch.

This only caused Minerva to round on him. “And just what part did you play in this fiasco, young man?” she asked before motioning for him to reclaim his seat. 

“Well, I-”

“He didn’t have anything to do with it,” Severus spoke up in Remus’s defense, once more drawing her attention back to him. 

“How many times must we tell you that you are not allowed to practice brewing without one of us present? Severus,” she paused to take a deep breath, “you could have been killed. Both of you could have. As it stands, I’m surprised you don’t at least have more injuries than you do! You blasted off the back half of the house, Severus!”

“A minor thing that can be fixed-” Minerva’s glare intensified and she crossed her arms over her chest. Beside him, Remus dropped his head into his hands with a groan. 

Severus huffed and stubbornly crossed his arms as well before saying, “Technically, Dad only said I couldn’t brew alone, and I wasn’t alone. I had Remus here.” 

    A little while later, Remus was lying on his stomach across his bed. His head and one arm was dangling off the side as he read a book that lay open on the floor. He’d been sent upstairs after Severus had reminded Minerva of Albus’s ‘exact words’ and then a silencing spell was cast over the living room. Remus knew this because he had tried to eavesdrop from the top of the stairs but had been unable to hear a word.

He heard a soft knock on his door and looked up to see Severus standing there. 

“I’m going to assume that she didn’t care about his exact words,” he stated smugly.

“Not hardly,” Severus replied as he came into the room and sat at Remus’s desk, “and you don’t have to look so happy about it.” 

Remus grinned as he sat up. “So how long are you in trouble for?”

“A month,” he answered, “and I have to clean up the backyard. Without magic.” 

“But school starts next week,” Remus’s brows knit in confusion. “How’s that going to work?” 

“I have to come home every weekend til I get it done. Mum and Dad will fix the wall themselves.” Then he rolled his eyes, “‘Course they could just clean up the backyard themselves, too, but apparently that wouldn’t teach me enough of a lesson.” 

“I assume I’ll be helping you?” 

Severus shook his head. “No, you didn’t have anything to do with it. No point in us both being in trouble.” 

“Thanks,” Remus said softly. 

“What? No ‘I told you so’?” 

“I think my exact words were, ‘This is what we with brains call a really bad idea.’”

Severus reached over and picked up the pillow from Remus’s bed before hitting him in the face with it. Remus only grinned wider. 

End

Chapter Text

Remus froze on the last few steps of the Grand Staircase. He had just heard movement from behind him and though he knew that while under the cloak, no one could see him, it didn’t mean that he couldn’t be heard. 

He slowly turned, careful not to make any noise, and peered through the darkness to see who was there. 

Mrs. Norris stood near the top of the landing, her yellow, lamp-like eyes seeming to see straight through the cloak as she stared at him. 

Remus swallowed hard before tentatively taking another step down the stairs. Mrs. Norris let out a loud “meow,” and Remus stopped once more. He pulled his wand from the sleeve of his robes and slid it through the front of the cloak before muttering a spell that caused a small red light to erupt from the tip of his wand. The light danced towards Mrs. Norris, pausing for a second on the wall or on the floor. It had the immediate effect of catching her attention, and soon she was leaping around like a kitten after the light. Without giving Mrs. Norris another glance, Remus bolted the rest of the way down the stairs and turned left at the end of the corridor. 

His only thought was that he could not get caught tonight. He’d already been warned twice now by his newly-adopted parents that if he were caught sneaking out after curfew again, he would be grounded. With the summer holidays only two short weeks away, that was the last thing he wanted. Normally, that would be enough to deter him, and really it had been for the last few weeks. He’d toed the line and kept out of trouble, or at least any trouble that could get traced back to him and the Marauders. 

But when Sirius had bet him ten galleons that he couldn’t sneak out of the passageway that lay behind the mirror on the fourth floor in order to get into Honeydukes’ without the use of the Map, he just couldn’t make himself say “no.” Besides, he was out of chocolate and needed to restock. 

Remus turned another corner and was brought up short once again. At the end of the hallway, directly in front of the door he needed, stood Professor Slughorn. Remus cursed his bad luck and tried to think of a way to get past him without being caught. He felt in his pocket where he had a handful of dungbombs, but he hadn’t wanted to use them unless it was absolutely necessary. If he set them off, they were sure to alert the professors that there was a student out of bed and then, even if he managed to get out of the castle, he would have a much harder time getting past them on the way back. 

Before Remus could give his predicament much more thought, Filch appeared from the other end of the hallway and headed straight for Slughorn. Remus moved quietly along the wall towards them, hoping to catch whatever they were saying. 

“It was Peeves that told me, Professor,” Filch said, his voice hysterical. “He said he saw a student out of bed just a few moments ago. Said they were on the third floor!” 

Remus held his breath as he pressed his back against the wall. He hadn’t passed Peeves anywhere since he’d left Gryffindor Tower. 

“Yes, yes, alright, Mr. Filch,” Slughorn said with a smile that made Remus think he was only indulging the other man. “Let’s go and see then, shall we?”

Remus let out the breath he’d been holding and crept towards the spot that Slughorn had just vacated. 

He pulled out his wand and tapped the doorknob, uttering, “ Alohomora .” He looked around once more before opening the door and hurrying inside. 

As soon as he shut the door behind him, Remus ripped off the cloak and moved over to the mirror to begin moving it off to the side so that he could get inside the passageway. Movement in the reflection of the mirror caught his eye and he whirled around, his wand raised before he had even had time to think it through. 

“Easy,” Severus said as he stepped into the light so that Remus could see that it was him. 

“What are you doing here?!” Remus asked, lowering his wand. 

“I could ask you the same thing, but I already know the answer.” 

Remus narrowed his eyes but didn’t say anything.

“Dad’s going to be pretty upset if he finds out you were sneaking out again.”

“Are you going to tell him?” Remus asked, his tone sharp.

“No,” Severus replied, walking over to him. “That would just get me in trouble too.” 

“Then why are you here?”

“Because believe it or not, I don’t actually want you to get caught. I’ve got plans for this summer, and Mum and Dad will be much more agreeable towards them if they’re not already upset with you.” 

“So you’re just looking out for yourself, then?” 

“Obviously,” Severus said drily. 

“That still doesn’t explain what you’re doing here.” 

Severus rolled his eyes. “I overheard you and Black talking about the bet yesterday in the library. I figured the best way to keep you from getting caught would be to help you out, so I snuck out myself using an invisibility potion.” Severus reached into the pocket of his robes and pulled out a bottle of silver liquid. “I found Peeves filling the keyholes of the classroom doors with gum and told him that I was going to get the Bloody Baron if he didn’t find Filch and tell him he’d spotted students out of bed on the third floor. Then I came to wait for you, but Professor Slughorn was out making his rounds and I think he spotted the door closing behind me. That’s why he was standing guard out there. He came inside but the potion hadn’t worn off yet so he didn’t see me.”

Remus thought about it and really couldn’t see any reason that Severus would be lying. He’d already admitted that getting him in trouble would only end badly for him as well.

Remus nodded. “Do you have enough of that to get back to your Common Room?” 

Severus raised an eyebrow. “‘Course I do. Are you going to be able to get back on your own or will you need help?” 

“I’ll be fine.” 

“Good,” Severus said, before raising the small vial to his mouth and downing it in one swallow. Immediately he disappeared. “Bring me back a Chocolate Frog. I’m still looking for that Alberic Grunnion one.” 

A few seconds later, the door opened and then closed behind Severus, and Remus was left alone. He wasted no time in climbing through the passageway and heading to Hogsmeade, already deciding that he would bring Severus back a whole bag full of Chocolate Frogs.

Chapter Text

June 1977- Summer after 6th year. Severus and Remus age 17

“No, Remus.” Severus sat in his desk chair, leaning it back on two legs and propped his feet up onto his desk to keep himself from falling over. “They’ll never let us go.” 

Remus blew out a breath from where he sat on Severus’s bed. “You really are terrible at this,” he said. “Of course they won’t let us go. That’s why we won’t be asking.” 

When Severus remained quiet, Remus took that as a sign that he could continue telling him his plan. “Look, we missed them when they were in England this year, and you can’t tell me that you didn’t want to go.” He stood up and moved around the bed to lean against the footboard, then held out the advertisement once again. “What are the chances that we’ll ever be so close again, Sev? We have to go.”

“Why?” Severus asked, finally lifting his head to glare at his adopted brother. “Why do we have to ruin a perfectly good vacation to go to a club that we’re not old enough to be in, when we know that we’ll get caught? And when we get caught Mum and Dad will absolutely murder us.” 

“Because it’s going to be fun!” Remus exclaimed as if the concept was too much for Severus to understand. “And because we’re going to New York and if we don’t do something fun there, we’ll be stuck doing only the stuff they want to do. We’ll be carted around to museums, and every tourist attraction there is. They’ll turn it into a field trip and you know it!” 

Severus opened his mouth to interrupt but Remus was on a roll.

“Come on, Sev, it’s the Ramones! And besides, we’re seventeen now. We can bloody well go if we want. We’re of age. We don’t need Mum and Dad’s approval for every little thing.” 

Severus didn’t agree at all. Granted, he’d gotten into more trouble in the nearly three years since he’d been taken in by Albus and Minerva, he was still very much more of a rule follower than a rule breaker. He didn’t think that they would agree that simply because he and Remus were seventeen now, that it meant they could do as they pleased. In fact, he was willing to bet every last sickle he had saved that they would most definitely disagree. It wasn’t as if they had turned seventeen and left home to live their own lives. They still had an entire year left at Hogwarts. They could still get detention for Merlin’s sake! It hadn’t even been that long ago since Severus had gotten a Howler at breakfast for sneaking out to Hogsmeade with his dorm

mates. They’d been caught by Flitwick on their way back, and he’d promptly told Albus about it. 

And yet, it was the Ramones. He looked from Remus, who was still standing in front of him, eyes wide as if pleading with him, back to the advertisement in his hand. He wasn’t even sure where Remus had gotten the muggle flier in the first place. 

CBGB

And

OMFUG

(at Bleecker)

Th. Fr. Sat. June 14, 15, 16

THE

RAMONES

RAMONES

RAMONES

Severus sighed. He knew he was going to regret this, but when would he get another chance? “I’m not saying yes, but if I were, how do you plan to get out of the hotel and into the club? We don’t exactly have ID’s.” 

Remus grinned. “I’ve already got all that figured out.” 

***

As it turned out, Remus had thought of everything. He’d floo’d to James’ and after promising that he would bring him back an autograph, James lent him his invisibility cloak. Then Remus produced two fake IDs that stated he and Severus were old enough to be legally allowed to drink. 

The plan itself was simple enough. They were going to be in New York for a week, and Albus had several Ministry meetings lined up the first day, so Minerva, Remus, and Severus were going to settle in and do a bit of sightseeing on their own. Then on the second day, they would all go out as a family and spend the whole day together. 

And that is where their plan started. Remus and Severus had put together a whole list of things to do that would take them all over New York. They hoped that if they kept their parents going all day long, that they would turn in early that evening and they would be able to sneak out beneath the cloak. 

They disguised themselves as muggles, which wasn’t hard for Remus and Severus who owned plenty of jeans and t-shirts, but when Albus emerged from the hotel bathroom wearing green bell bottoms, a purple trench coat, and his signature waist length beard in a braid, Severus was sure that he would die of embarrassment. It took a bit of convincing, but he finally agreed to change into brown trousers and a simple creme shirt. 

Minerva, having grown up with a muggle father, had done better and chose clothing that both suited her and fit in with the people in the city. When she walked into the front room of the hotel wearing a black skirt and a pretty floral top, Albus smiled brightly and before she could protest, he had taken her hand and pulled her close to him. “As beautiful as ever, my dear.” 

Minerva made a show of trying to push him away, but she was smiling all the same when he dropped a kiss to her forehead.

“No,” Severus said, shaking his head from where he sat on the couch. 

“Oi!” Remus exclaimed. “We’re right here, you know?” 

Albus laughed, his eyes twinkling as he looked between his wife and sons. “Would you like to go without us?”

“Yes,” they replied in unison at the same time that Minerva said, “No!” 

She stepped away from a still smiling Albus and tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear before picking up a small purse from the table. “This is maybe our last family vacation before you two will be off doing Merlin knows what, and I want it to be special. So we’re going out together, we’re going to have a great time, and everyone is going to be on their best behavior.” She pointed at each of them in turn but her glare lingered on Albus. “This means you, too. We have a strict schedule to stick to if we’re ever going to get through this list, and we will not be stopping at every single candy shop along the way.” 

“Yes, dear,” Albus said, but as soon as Minerva turned around he winked at the boys. 

***

Everything was working out perfectly. They spent the day traveling around the city, taking in the sights and attractions. They went to visit the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, walked around Central Park, ate hot dogs from a stand on a corner, and walked around two different museums. Then they’d gotten Chinese food for dinner before coming back to the hotel. And just like they predicted, Albus and Minerva were so tired that they turned in early. 

“This is going to be so great!” Remus said excitedly as he took off the light blue t-shirt he’d worn out that day and then reached into his suitcase for the black Ramones shirt he’d brought with him from home. 

Severus lay on his bed on the other side of the room. He had one leg hanging off the side and was using his wand to levitate the shirt out of Remus’s reach. 

“Hey, give it back,” Remus said, grasping for the shirt only for Snape to send it flying across the room towards him. 

“You can’t wear that.” 

Remus looked at him curiously. “Why not? It’s mine.” 

Severus nodded. “Sure. And wear it tomorrow. But you can’t wear a band shirt to see that band perform. It’s lame.” 

“Who says?” 

“Everyone.” 

Remus seemed to take that at face value and turned back to his suitcase. “What are you wearing?” 

Severus held his left hand out, gesturing to his boots, dark wash jeans with a ripped knee, and black shirt. “It’s not that deep, Remus,” he muttered as he levitated the shirt above him towards the ceiling, then twirled his hand, watching as the shirt spun around and around.

“Alright,” Remus said after a moment. He’d pulled on a plain, dark red shirt that Minerva had gotten him only the week before, and was tugging at the neck of it, stretching it out so that it was looser. “Ready?” he asked.

Severus nodded and let the other shirt drop down to the bed before he stood and joined Remus by the door. 

Remus pulled the invisibility cloak out of his backpack and quickly threw it over both of them before quietly opening the door to their room. 

They crept through the living room of the hotel, pausing once when they thought they heard movement from their parent’s room, then as quietly as possible, they opened the main door and slipped out into the hallway. 

Normally, Remus was sure that they could have gotten away without using the cloak, but the entire reason they were here in New York in the first place was because of a Wizangomet gathering, and the hotel they were staying in was crawling with witches and wizards who not only knew their parents, but who would have taken one look at Severus and Remus and told on them the first chance they got. It wasn’t a chance that the teenagers were willing to take. 

So, they stayed hidden beneath the cloak until they were out of the hotel and down the street, just to be safe. They ducked into an alleyway before they pulled it off, then Remus tapped it with his wand and it immediately shrank down to the size of a pocket square. 

Severus breathed a sigh of relief as Remus tucked the cloak into his pocket, then with a grin, they were off. 

***

They didn’t have a problem getting into the club. It seemed that nobody even cared that they were there, what with the massive crowd already pressing in against them. The main room was dimly lit, and Severus and Remus had to push through the smoke filled haze to get to the bar. 

The music was so loud that Severus could feel it in his bones. He could hardly take his eyes off of the stage long enough to follow Remus to the bar. 

“You boys have some ID?” asked the bartender when Remus stepped up.

They nodded and pulled out their fake IDs and held them up for him to see. 

He plucked Remus’s from his hand and studied it for a moment before handing it back. “Nice try, but I don’t think so.” 

Remus’s brows knit together as he looked between the card and the bartender who was shaking his head. 

“You expect me to believe that you’re twenty-five?” he asked. 

“Well, I– I…”

Beside him, Severus groaned. “I told you,” he murmured, too low to be heard over the noise in the club. 

“Hey, why don’t you come sit with us?”

Remus and Severus both turned their heads in time to see a woman step between them and drape an arm over each of their shoulders. She was a little older than them, with blonde hair, wearing a jean vest and tight pink pants. 

“Carla,” the bartender said, “they’re just a couple of kids. Leave ‘em alone.” 

The teens exchanged looks before glancing back to where she’d indicated, only to find a table with two other women drinking and smiling at them. 

“Okay,” Severus said at the same time that Remus nodded. “Sure.” 

“Carla.”

“Relax, Bobby,” Carla said, smiling up at him, “we’re just gonna have some fun.” 

They followed her over to the table, and as soon as Severus sat down, one of the other women moved her chair closer to him. She had dark hair and bright blue eyes. 

“I’m Laura,” she said, raising her voice to be heard over the music. “What’s your name?” 

Severus glanced at Remus, but he was already pulled into a conversation with the blonde who had talked to them first. “Severus,” he answered. 

Laura leaned across the table, letting one hand fall to rest on Severus’s arm. “Where are you from?” 

“Britain,” he said, “We’re here on holiday.” 

The other woman in the group, another blonde who looked older than them, reached over to grab one of the drinks from the middle of the table. “Here,” she said, pressing it into his hand. “I’m Simone.” 

Severus nodded his thanks before taking the first drink.

***

The minutes passed quickly and so did the drinks. Severus was pretty sure he’d only had two before the girls had ordered shots, but his head felt too fuzzy to be able to remember properly. Simone had found her own partner and disappeared a while ago, leaving the table to the two younger couples. 

The band played but Severus’s attention never strayed from Laura, who was currently leaning in close to him, letting her hand travel up his thigh as she left feather soft kisses along his jaw. 

The moment was interrupted, however, when a heavy hand landed on Severus’s shoulder, causing him to jump back. 

He looked up to find a mustached police officer glaring down at him. 

“Remus,” Severus said, hoping his brother would hear him. 

But Remus was too preoccupied with Carla to pay him any mind. 

Severus reached over and shook Remus’s shoulder. “Remus!” he nearly shouted.

“What?!” Remus broke away from Carla to tell Severus to leave him alone, but when he looked up and saw the police officer, the complaint died on his lips. “Oh.” 

“Oh, is right,” the officer said. He gestured for the boys to stand up, but as soon as Remus stood, the room began to swim and he shook his head to try and clear it. 

Beside him, Severus didn’t seem to be much better. 

“I’m officer Reagan, and I hear you two have a couple of really convincing IDs,” the officer said, though if the smirk he wore were any indication, he was being more sarcastic than serious. “Let’s have ‘em.” 

With a sigh, Severus and Remus took out the IDs and passed them to him. 

Just as the bartender had done, the officer took one look at them and then shook his head. “How old are you really? Because nobody is going to believe you two are twenty-five.”

Remus sighed. “Seventeen.” 

Officer Reagan appeared to be trying to hold back a grin. “Do you boys know what the legal drinking age is here?”

“No, but I’m going to go on a limb here and guess that it’s not seventeen,” Severus said with a roll of his eyes. 

Remus elbowed him in the side, but the officer didn’t seem to mind the cheek. If anything, Severus thought his eyes were twinkling a bit like Albus’s.

“Eighteen,” he answered at last. “Not that I’m condoning breaking the law or anything, but that might have been a good thing for you both to know. Bobby might have actually believed you were eighteen.” 

Both boys groaned loudly at that, but at the mention of the bartender, Severus turned to him. “You called him, didn’t you?” 

Bobby shrugged his shoulders as he wiped down the bar with a rag. “Trust me, kid, you’ll thank me later.” 

Severus turned to glance back at Laura and Carla, who looked quite put out that their fun was over, then back to Bobby. “I really doubt that,” he snapped. 

“Alright,” said Officer Reagan, “let’s go.” 

Both Severus and Remus wanted to argue, but they knew they had no chance. Instead, they grudgingly followed the man back through the crowds and out of the club. 

Once out on the sidewalk, Officer Reagan stopped them when he turned back to face them. “Where do you live?” 

“London,” Severus answered quickly before stuffing his hands in the pockets of his jeans. 

Remus cast him a sidelong look before he said, “We’re visiting with our parents, sir.” 

“Ah. So then where is your hotel? I’ll take you there.” 

“No,” Severus said at once. 

“Sev,” Remus warned, giving him another look. 

The officer didn’t seem fazed though. He simply stood up a little straighter, and let his hands rest on his utility belt in a way that Remus thought made him look both calm and in charge all at the same time. “Look, young man,” he said, “I don’t have all night here. You can either tell me what hotel you’re staying at, and I’ll take you there, or I can take you down to the station where you’ll just have to call your parents and have them come out and get you.” He looked down at his watch. “It’s already a quarter til one in the morning. Do you really think that’s something they’re going to be happy about having to do?” 

Severus swallowed hard but remained quiet. 

Remus shook his head. He tried to take stock of their situation. They’d snuck out and gone to a club that they knew was off limits. They’d gotten drunk with those women– and Remus could admit that they were exceptionally drunk considering the fact that the officer in front of them had just split and there were now three of him. And they were currently about to be arrested unless one of them told Officer Reagan where the hotel was. 

Merlin, they were dead if they went home. Of course, if they didn’t go home and Albus and Minerva had to be called in the middle of the night to come get them, they would be dead anyway. 

“We’re staying at the one on Kenmare Street,” he said at last. “I don’t remember what it’s called.” 

“Remus,” Severus said with a glare pointed in his direction.

“Shut up, Sev,” Remus shot back. “It’s not like they’re not going to find out either way. And it’ll be so much worse if they have to come get us.” 

Severus didn’t say anything else so Remus turned back to Officer Reagan. 

“We would appreciate it if you just took us there, sir?” 

“I know the place,” he said, then pointed to his patrol car parked beside the curb. “Hop in.” 

***

The very last thing Severus had wanted to do was ‘hop in,’ the back of a police car, but it looked like he had no choice in the matter. Remus was already inside and with a sigh, Severus slid in beside him. 

Officer Reagan shut the door before getting in behind the wheel. 

Severus glared at Remus. “This is all your fault,” he said. “I told you this was a bad idea.”

“Yeah, because I forced you to come along,” Remus shot back. “You looked happy enough to be there when that girl had her hand–”

“Hey!” Officer Reagan snapped and both boys grew quiet. 

Severus let his head rest against the window and closed his eyes. It did little to help the churning in his stomach.

It didn’t take long before they got back to the hotel, and the elevator ride up to the eighth floor seemed to go way too fast because the next thing he knew, Severus and Remus were standing outside the door to their suite. 

Officer Reagan gave a quick knock before he stepped back to wait. 

A moment later there was noise from the other side and Severus heard his mother say, “Albus, it’s the police.” 

Severus exchanged a glance with Remus and sighed. 

The door opened and there Albus and Minerva stood, looks of confusion on their faces as Albus said, “Good evening, Officer. Can I help you?”

Officer Reagan nodded. “Mr. Dumbledore, I think I have something that belongs to you,” he said before reaching over to where Severus and Remus were standing with their backs against the wall, out of sight at first glance. He placed a hand around each of their upper arms and pulled them in front of him. 

Minerva gasped but Albus only looked down at them. “I see,” he said quietly before standing back, indicating that they should all step inside. 

Severus and Remus kept their heads bowed as they crossed the threshold into their hotel suite. Officer Reagan walked in behind them and closed the door. 

“The bartender at CBGB’s called me when they tried to pass off some fake IDs.” He passed the ID cards to Albus who glanced down at them before looking sternly at the boys. 

“When I got there, they were drinking with a couple of women, but as far as I can tell they were only drinking. I didn’t see any evidence that they may have been smoking or doing any kind of drugs, though there was plenty they could have gotten their hands on.” 

Minerva’s eyes widened as she said, “Severus? Remus?”

“We didn’t,” Severus was quick to assure her, lifting his head to meet her gaze. “We were only drinking, I swear.” 

“Only drinking is bad enough, young man,” she scolded and Severus dropped his head once more. He was glad his hair was so long, that way no one would see how red the tips of his ears had become. 

Albus turned the conversation back to the officer. “Thank you for bringing them home. Is there anything I need to do?”

Officer Reagan shook his head. “No, I didn’t arrest them or anything. I’ve been in their shoes,” he said with a laugh. “Though I’d maybe keep them out of the bars til they’re old enough.” 

“Oh, of that you can be certain,” Minerva said so sternly that Remus gave a soft groan. 

Officer Reagan gave the boys a quick pat on the shoulder before tipping his hat at them all. “Well, I’ll get out of your way, then. Good night.” 

***

As soon as the door closed behind him, Albus and Minerva turned toward the boys. 

“Of all the foolish, idiotic, ridiculous things!” Minerva shouted just as Albus threw up a silencing spell around the room. “What were you thinking?!” 

“We were just–” Remus started but Minerva cut him off.

“You were supposed to be in bed, not gallivanting around the city in the middle of the night and sneaking into clubs!”

“We didn’t sneak in though,” Remus said quickly. “No one even cared that we were there.”

That, Severus thought, was decidedly the wrong thing to say. 

Minerva’s eyes narrowed. “ I care that you were there.”

Albus, speaking for the first time, asked, “How did you get these cards? And how did you get out of the hotel without someone seeing you?”
Remus sighed. “I made them,” he answered quietly. “And I borrowed James’s invisibility cloak.” 

Albus held out his hand but Remus shook his head. “Dad, you can’t just keep it. It belongs to James, and I–”

“I have no intention of keeping the cloak, Remus,” Albus assured him, “But I will be holding on to it until we get home.” 

“Speaking of home,” Minerva said, “I think we ought to leave first thing in the morning.”

“What?!” Severus exclaimed at the same time that Remus said, “But we only just got here!”

“And it took you both less than two days to sneak out of the hotel and get caught drinking!”

“No, that’s not fair,” argued Remus. “We’re seventeen, you know! We’re of age. By wizarding rules, we’re allowed to do whatever we want, including drinking! You can’t tell us what to do anymore.” 

Severus turned then to glare at his brother. “Would you stop helping?! You’re making everything worse!”

“Shut up, Severus! As if you were doing any better by talking back to that cop. He almost arrested us because of you.” 

“Enough!” Albus said, his voice taking on a hard edge that he rarely used with anyone, least of all with his sons. 

Severus and Remus both grew quiet and dropped their gazes to the floor. 

“Remus, the cloak, please.” 

Remus shoved his hand into his front pocket and pulled out the shrunken cloak. As soon as he passed it to Albus, it transformed back to its original size and he used his wand to send it to his and Minerva’s bedroom. Remus watched it go with a frown. If the apparition instructor hadn’t come down with a terrible case of Dragon Pox right before their exam, he and Severus would have had their license and could have simply apparated to the club and wouldn’t have had to use the cloak in the first place. As it was, their exam had been rescheduled for the beginning of next term. 

“Severus,” Albus said, drawing their attention back to him, “were you disrespectful to the officer who brought you home?”

“I… well, I mean I–”

“Yes or no?” 

Severus sighed. “Yes, sir.” 

Albus nodded. “That is very disappointing to hear. I would hope that no matter the circumstances in which you find yourself, that you would behave with integrity and show others the same respect that you would show me. Especially when that person is trying to help you. Is that quite clear?”

Severus blushed at the rebuke. “Yes, sir.” 

Albus nodded before turning to Remus. He ran his hand through his beard, which was still much shorter than usual as he said, “Remus, remind me, how old are Mr. Black and Mr. Potter?” 

Remus’s eyebrows creased as he answered, “Sirius is eighteen, and James is seventeen, you know that, Dad.” 

“And Sirius has moved in with James now, correct?”

“Er, yes, sir.” 

Severus had a feeling that Remus was about to dig himself into a hole, but he wasn’t about to interrupt. 

“Didn’t the elder Mr. Potter just place both of them on restriction recently for flying Sirius’s motorbike over the heads of some Muggles in London?”

Severus nearly snorted. Remus, meet hole , he thought. He reached his hand up and pinched his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “Just shut up,” he murmured. “Shut up, shut up, shut up.”

“Severus,” Minerva scolded. 

“What?” Severus asked innocently. “I told him that wouldn’t work.” 

“Well, I don’t see you coming up with any ideas to get us out of this,” Remus said, annoyed.

“That’s because I know it’s pointless,” Severus shot back. 

Albus cleared his throat and the boys grew quiet once more, but a long look at Remus had the teenager squirming as he quarreled between wanting to stand his ground on the subject, and realizing that he was at least a tiny bit wrong. 

Eventually, he sighed. “Okay, okay, I get it. We were wrong and we still have to listen to you.” 

“I’m glad we agree,” Albus said with a hint of a smile. He turned toward Minerva and said, “As this is likely our last family vacation before the boys finish school, what if we didn’t cut it short? We could perhaps stay and enjoy the rest of our time here. After all, there were several things that we didn’t get to do ourselves, yet.” 

Minerva pursed her lips as she looked from her husband over to her boys, who were both giving her varying degrees of puppy dog looks. “Alright, fine, but they don’t get to pick any of the next things we do. And they will stay in the hotel room on Sunday night so that we can go to Wizarding Broadway to catch a show, and go out to dinner together.” 

“That sounds agreeable to me,” Albus said. 

“And the trip to McTawny Broomsticks is canceled, as is to the City’s Apothecary.”

“But McTawny’s is–”

“Mum, the apothecary is the only place I can get the–”

“Canceled,” Minerva said sharply. “And you’re both grounded when we get home. And don’t bother asking for how long because I haven’t decided yet.” 

They didn’t dare protest any more. 

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Fine,” Severus said, thoroughly put out at this turn of events. “But couldn’t we just–”

“Severus,” Albus warned. 

“I mean, yes, ma’am,” he amended. 

“Wonderful,” Albus said with a clap, the twinkle once again reappearing as if they had just been having a sweet family get together instead of doling out punishments for their two wayward teenagers. “Now, it is very late and I believe it is time for all of us to be in bed.”

Severus and Remus nodded before walking toward their shared bedroom. 

“And boys,” Albus said before they could disappear inside, “we will of course, expect you both to be up and ready for breakfast in the morning. I think we shall start with a tour of MACUSA. Doesn’t that sound fun?” 

Severus didn’t think that sounded fun at all, in fact, that sounded like the opposite of fun, but he wasn’t about to tell him that. “Sounds great, Dad,” he said instead, then practically shoved Remus into their room. 

He was now sure that this was going to be a rather long vacation.

***

Chapter Text

“This,” Severus thought as he let his forehead drop to the corner of the wall with a sigh, “was all Sirius Black’s fault.”

If he had just left him alone, they wouldn’t be in this mess!

Severus groaned. He hadn’t seen Albus that angry in a while. Usually Minerva was the parent that Severus and Remus had to watch out for. Sure, there were a few things Albus didn’t tolerate; lying, disrespect, and direct disobedience would be sure to get them in trouble, but most of the time he was more inclined to let the smaller things go.

Fighting however, was never allowed by either parent. And that was precisely what he had caught Severus and Sirius doing tonight.

***

One hour earlier

Severus turned the corner of the deserted corridor on the third floor, using nothing but the moonlight shining through the windows to light his path. He was in a hurry to get up to the Room of Requirement so he could practice brewing the draught of living death. He thought improvements could be made upon the directions in his potions book and he was eager to test his theory. And more than that, Professor Slughorn had promised a vial of Liquid Luck to whomever could brew the best draught next week. Severus was determined to win. 

Severus had just passed the statue of the one-eyed-witch when someone stepped out of the shadows behind him, casting Lumos, and bathing the corridor in the soft glow of wandlight. 

Certain he’d been caught, Severus turned around slowly, only to see Sirius Black standing in front of him. 

“Oi, Snivellus,” Sirius said, grinning. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Severus rolled his eyes and started to turn away, though he pulled his wand from the pocket of his robes all the same. “Leave me alone, Black.” 

But Sirius would never give up so easily. “What’re you doing, sneaking around the castle after curfew? Could get you into trouble, you know,” he taunted.

Severus let his shoulders drop in resignation as he faced the other boy. “I could ask you the same question,” he said. “Hoping to catch some first year unaware so you can torment them, are you?”

Sirius smirked. “Not a first year. Where’s the fun in that?”

Severus raised his wand in a flash but Sirius only laughed and moved to lean against the wall beside the statue. 

“No need to be so jumpy.”

Severus grit his teeth and kept his wand raised. There was no way that Black would pass up an opportunity to mess with him, and Severus wasn’t about to be caught with his guard down. 

“How’s Potter?” he asked with mock concern. “Still in the hospital wing? Is it true someone shot a hurling hex at him? But I’m sure Madam Pomfrey will have him fixed up in no time.”

Sirius’s eyes narrowed as he pushed away from the wall. “I guess you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you, Snivelly?”

In truth, Severus had no idea who had cast the hex at James while he and a few others were playing Quidditch, though he suspected either Mulciber or Rosier if the way they laughed about it later on in the Common Room was any indication; mimicking the way James’s broom had thrown him off and how he’d landed in a heap on the ground. He had only heard about it from Lily in Potions that afternoon when she’d told him that he had a concussion and was being held in the infirmary until Madam Pomfrey was certain he was alright. 

Sirius raised his wand just as one of the portraits on the wall, an old man with a felt hat, woke up at Sirius’s raised voice and said, “You two, stop that arguing at once. Don’t you know what time it is? You should both be in bed!”

Neither teen paid him any attention, nor did they notice when he walked out of his frame with a huff. 

“I don’t know anything, actually,” Severus replied, stepping to the side as Sirius took a step forward. “But he should really be more careful. Who knows where the next hex might come from.” 

In the next instant, Sirius shot a Bat Bogey hex at Severus, who deflected easily before following up with a stinging hex of his own. After that, the corridor was bursting with flashes of spells and shouts between the two teens. 

Severus’s robes were singed by incendio but before he could retaliate with diffindo, he heard an angry shout of “Expelliarmus,” and both his and Sirius’s wands went flying out of their hands. 

And straight into Albus Dumbledore’s.

There was no happy twinkle in the headmaster’s eyes as he glared down at them, and for all of Sirius’s usual bravado, he was quick to duck his head at the reproachful look. 

So was Severus, though not before he saw the extra look of disappointment cast his way. 

“Follow me,” Dumbledore said quietly before turning and leading the way to his office. 

Severus and Sirius made no move to object, though Sirius hesitated a moment as he looked back down the corridor before hurrying to catch up. 

***

As soon as the door to Dumbledore’s office opened, the boys sat down in the two chairs in front of the desk. Severus sat rigid with his knee shaking slightly, while Sirius slouched a bit, still keeping his head low. 

Dumbledore remained standing as he pulled their wands from his robes and snapped them down on the desk. “Do either of you have anything to say for the apalling behavior I just witnessed?”

They both began speaking at once and Dumbledore immediately held up his hands for quiet. “Something that’s not casting accusations and blame onto each other?” 

Predictibly, they both grew silent. 

Dumbledore hummed, nodding his head as he sat down at last. “I thought not.” He steepled his fingers beneath his chin and said, “Let’s start from the beginning, shall we? Mr. Black, why were you out of your common room after curfew tonight?”

Sirius shifted in his seat and Severus got the impression that he didn’t want to answer. To be honest, Severus didn’t blame him. He wasn’t keen on answering that question either. 

“Just to visit James, sir,” Sirius said at last. “He’s up in the Hospital Wing.”

“And this visit couldn’t wait until morning?”

Sirius shook his head. “It’s not that. But Madam Pomfrey wouldn’t really let us see him earlier, and we thought we’d just take him a bit of sweets to cheer him up. That’s all.”

“We?” 

Sirius’s eyes went wide and he immediately began to backtrack. “Did I say, “we?” I meant “me”… I, I thought I’d take him some sweets—”

Dumbledore shook his head. “You are already in enough trouble, young man,” he said sternly, making Severus drop further in his seat even though his ire wasn’t presently directed at him. “Do not lie to me. Are Remus and Mr. Pettigrew waiting for you somewhere?”

Sirius sighed and dropped his gaze. “Peter’s not.”

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know, sir.” When Dumbledore only raised a brow at him, he went on. “Honestly! He might already be back at Gryffindor Tower by now.”

“And if he’s not?” he asked. 

Sirius cleared his throat. “In the tunnel behind the one eyed witche’s statue.” 

Tunnel? Severus was very interested now. He knew there were tunnels that led out of Hogwarts, but he only knew where two of them were. Until now. 

Dumbledore didn’t seem at all surprised by this as he stood up and walked to one of the paintings on the wall beside the bookshelf. He spoke quietly to the painting and Severus and Sirius exchanged looks, though neither said a word. 

“So would I be correct to assume that not only were you and Remus out of bounds after curfew, you’d also been out of the castle entirely?”

In another uncharacteristic show of honesty, Sirius nodded. “Yes, sir. Remus dropped some chocolate and had gone back in search for it. That’s why he wasn’t with me in the corridor.”

Severus didn’t know what to make of it. He’d seen Sirius get into trouble loads of times, not that it had ever done anything to change him, and he had never been so forthcoming about his misdeeds. Even when caught red handed, he was usually too busy acting cocky and above it all to be effected by the possibility of punishment. He was curious, for sure. 

“Mr. Snape.”

Severus was pulled from his thoughts by the sharp tone of his father. 

“Yes, sir?” he asked innocently.

“I asked you what your reasoning was for being out of bounds after curfew.” 

Severus fidgeted in his seat. He knew better than to lie, but Merlin knows he didn’t want to tell the truth either. 

“Er, I was—”

“Yes?” Dumbledore prodded. 

Severus sighed. “I was going to the Room of Requirement to practice brewing.” 

“Ah.” Dumbledore said it lightly, but Severus could hear the stern edge his tone had taken all the same. “I was under the impression from both Professor Slughorn as well as your father, that you weren’t allowed to brew alone, unless you were following the instructions in the book completely.” 

Severus lowered his head, knowing where this was going. 

“Were you planning to follow those instructions, Mr. Snape? I can’t imagine you found someone to supervise your work at this late hour.” 

“No, sir,” Severus admitted softly. 

“I thought as much.” 

Before Dumbledore could say anything else, there was a knock at the door and he said, “Enter.” 

 The door opened and Remus walked in, closing it behind him as he said, “You wanted to see me?”

“Take a seat, son,” Albus instructed as he waved his wand at a chair that sat in the back of the room, causing it to settle beside Sirius. “Mr. Black was just telling me how the two of you left the castle tonight to obtain sweets for Mr. Potter. As you can imagine, after the last time when you broke into Zonko’s joke shop, I am quite disappointed. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

Remus exchanged a look with Sirius, who only shrugged, before shaking his head. “No, sir. Except that we left money for everything we got tonight.”

“And that makes breaking into the shop better somehow?”

“We didn’t break in, though,” Sirius spoke up. “Not really. We talked to Mr. Flume when we were in Hogsmeade last and he knew about the tunnel and said we could come anytime, as long as we left a note saying what we got and the money for it.”

Beside him, Remus nodded vigorously. “Honest, dad. You can ask him.” 

Dumbledore seemed to consider them for a moment before he said, “Be that as it may, there is still the matter of being out after curfew to consider. For that, all three of you will lose thirty house points, each. Remus and Mr. Black will receive detention with Mr. Filch on Saturday for leaving the castle, and Mr. Snape will join you—”

“But, sir,” Severus interrupted, “I didn’t actually brew alone, so I shouldn’t—”

“Only because you got into even bigger trouble by getting into a fight with Mr. Black.”

“So I’m getting punished for bad intentions?” Severus argued. “That’s not fair.” 

“Perhaps next time you will put a bit more thought into your actions before you decide to do something which will only get you into trouble.” 

Severus wanted to continue arguing, but before he could even formulate his next response, Dumbledore turned back to Sirius. “As for fighting, I have no intention in being lenient. We have been in this situation too many times already. You are both in sixth year and should know better by now. Therefore, I am suspending you both from Hogwarts for one week.”

“What?!” Sirius and Severus said in unison.

“But, Professor, Quidditch tryouts are this week!”

“What about classes?! I can’t miss an entire week’s worth!” 

Dumbledore held up his hands once more for silence and both teens grew quiet. “I am quite honestly not concerned about either of those things. They are absolutely something you should have thought about before, and again, maybe next time you will. Now, Remus, I’m going to ask that you go to your room in our quarters. I believe it’s fair to say that you’ve earned a few days of restriction for sneaking out of the castle, seeing as this is not the first time you’ve been caught doing so. Would you agree?”

Severus thought the look on Remus’s face said he very much disagreed, but he was smart enough not to push their already angry father, and instead, he simply sighed and said, “Yes, sir,” before standing to leave. 

His hand was on the doorknob when he turned back and asked, “Can I go to the tower first? Peter’s waiting up for us, and I need my book bag, anyway. I promise I only be there a few minutes.”

Dumbledore nodded. “Very well.” When the door closed behind him, he said, “Alright, then, if the two of you will please wait in the hallway, I am going to floo call Mr. Potter—” At this, Sirius dropped his head even lower. “And since your father is not connected to the floo, Mr. Snape, I will write him a note at once and we’ll await his reply.” 

Severus and Sirius took his words for the dismissal they were, and left the office. They found two chairs, which hadn’t been there before, just outside the door, and they sat down quietly. 

Severus noticed that Sirius kept picking at his bottom lip as he stared at the floor. His shoulders were hunched and he was tapping his finger nail against the chair arm. 

He cut his eyes toward Severus with a glare. “What’re you looking at?”

Severus cleared his throat. “Nothing,” he said as he turned away. 

Another moment passed in silence until he heard Sirius let out a small sigh. “Is your father going to be really angry?” he asked. 

Severus was so surprised by the question, that he didn’t immediately know how to answer. He winced. If the past few minutes were anything to go by, it was safe to say Albus was thouroughly pissed. “Well, he’s not going to be happy, that’s for sure.” When Sirius didn’t say anything else, Severus glanced back at him. “Is your… Mr. Potter… will you be in a lot of trouble with him?” 

Sirius didn’t hesitate to nod. “I’ll be lucky if I’m not grounded every weekend for a month. He—”

Before Sirius could continue, the office door opened and Dumbledore stepped out with a dark haired man in brown robes and glasses. He looked exactly how Severus imagined James would grow up to look, except that while he looked stern, there seemed to be nothing but caring in his eyes as he looked at Sirius; perhaps even a bit of sadness. 

Sirius nearly lept from his chair, dropping his gaze and tugging at the hem of his shirt as he waited for whatever the man was about to say. 

“Sirius,” he said firmly, “I want you to apologize to the Headmaster for the trouble you’ve caused tonight.” 

“I’m sorry, Professor,” Sirius said immediately. “It won’t happen again.” 

Severus wanted to roll his eyes. Yeah, right! 

“And to Mr. Snape. I have had it up to here,” he said, raising his hand above his head, “with fighting and bullying. I won’t tolerate it, young man.”

Sirius’s eyes widened and he looked up to Mr. Potter as if he’d just grown a second head. 

Severus was sure he was wearing the exact same expression.

“But— I—”

“Now.”

Sirius grit his teeth as he turned halfway toward Severus and said, “I’m sorry, Sni— Snape.” 

“Severus.”

Severus looked up into Albus’s bright blue eyes and knew he was waiting for him to apologize as well. He knew Sirius hadn’t meant it, and so did everyone else for that matter, but he also knew that no amount of pleading would get him out of it and so he turned and gave his own fake apology. “I’m sorry, too.” 

Mr. Potter nodded before he clapped a hand on Sirius’s shoulder and said, “Let’s go up to the tower and get your things. Then we’ll floo home.” 

When they were out of sight and out of earshot, Dumbledore turned to Severus and spoke quietly. “I want you to go down to our rooms and wait for me in my study, son. We’re not quite done, but I need to see them off first.”

Severus nodded. He’d expected this. “Yes, sir.” 

***

And that was how Severus Snape found himself to be standing in the corner of his father’s study, well after curfew. 

He wanted to bang his head against the wall for his stupidity. Severus hated the corner. Hated it! He hated how it always made him feel like a child, and he hated how it forced him to think about what he’d done. 

If he grew up and ever had the misfortune of hanging children, he would never put them in a corner. There were far more logical and suitable punishments than being made to stand with one’s nose to the wall. 

Severus heard the study door open and he stood up straight. 

“It’s only me,” Remus said. “Dad’s not back yet.”

Severus relaxed, though he said, “Go away, Remus. I’m in enough trouble already thanks to you and your idiot friend.”

“Me?” Remus said in annoyance. “I’m not the one who got into a duel in the middle of the corridor. 

“He wouldn’t have even been there if you hadn’t dropped your precious chocolate,” Severus accused. 

He heard Remus huff as he came further into the room. 

“If it makes you feel any better, Sirius is in a lot of trouble, too.”

Severus rolled his eyes. “Sure.” 

“I’m serious. You should have seen Mr. Potter when he brought him up to the tower to get his things. He lectured him the whole time and said he was grounded, and when Sirius asked for how long, he told him he’d be lucky if got to spend a single weekend here the rest of term.” 

“You’re right,” Severus said as he turned around. “That makes me feel loads better.” 

“Perhaps Mr. Potter has the right idea.” 

Both boys looked up to see Dumbledore walking into the room. Severus immediately turned back around and Remus stood from the chair he’d settled into.

“Remus, I don’t remember sending you to my study.”

“I was just… leaving.” Remus shoved his hands in his pockets as he made his way to the door. 

“You will remain in our quarters for the entire weekend, Remus,” Dumbledore informed him. 

Remus turned back. “I can’t even leave to visit James?”

“Madam Pomfrey assures me that Mr. Potter will be back in Gryffindor Tower by lunch tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll survive without your company for a few days.” 

Remus knew it wouldn’t do him any good to argue, so he simply nodded. “Yes, sir,” he said sullenly as he left the room. 

Severus listened as Dumbledore closed the door and walked around to his desk, where he began shuffling papers around. 

Finally, after what felt like a long time, but was really only a few minutes, he called Severus out of the corner. 

“Severus, it’s been quite a long night and frankly, I’m tired. You know why you’re in trouble?”

Severus nodded. “Yes, sir. For sneaking out with the intention to brew alone, something I’ve already been in trouble for in the past, and for getting into a fight with Black.”

“What were you intending to brew?”

“Draught of Living Death,” he answered, his voice barely above a whisper.

If anything, Dumbledore’s eyes grew darker. Before he could say anything though, Severus rushed to explain.

“I had to practice it, though, Dad. Professor Slughorn has a contest every year to see who can brew the best one, and the winner gets a whole vial of Liquid Luck. So, you see, I—”

“No. No, I do not see a single good excuse that you could have to brew such a dangerous potion alone. Do you honestly not know how volatile that potion could be?”

“Yes, but—”

“Did you forget what happened over the summer when you experimented with the Euphoria Elixer?”

Severus winced. “No, but—”

“And remind me what we said the consequences would be should it happen again?” 

Severus swallowed hard and dropped his gaze to his knees. “Grounded for a month and not allowed to brew outside of class for six weeks.” He looked up then and added, “But I still say it shouldn’t count. Technically, I didn’t actually do anything!”

Dumbledore nodded, and for a split second, Severus thought maybe he would get out of this with his brewing priviledges intact. 

“Not for lack of trying, but you’re right. You didn’t get the chance to disobey us, though we both know that you would have if it hadn’t been for Mr. Black. Which is why I’m going to be lenient with you.”

Severus had a feeling he wasn’t going to think of it as lenient, but he nodded anyway.

“You are grounded to these rooms until you’re suspension ends on the Monday after next. That is for the fighting. After that, you can go back to your dormitory through the week, but you’ll come back here each weekend for the next six weeks. Additionally, I don’t want to catch you brewing so much as a Wiggenweld Potion outside of class for three weeks. Have I made myself perfectly clear, Severus?” 

Severus was positive that this did not count as lenient, but he wasn’t about to argue anymore. “Yes, sir,” he said softly. 

“Very well,” Dumbledore said as he stood up and opened the door. “Then I think it’s time for bed, don’t you?”

Severus stood and bid his father good night before walking down the hallway toward the room he and Remus shared in their family quarters. He opened the door to find Remus lying on his back, arms tucked beneath his head as he stared up at the ceiling. 

“How did it go?” he asked.

Severus didn’t answer. He simply grabbed a pair of pajamas from the dresser and disappeared into the bathroom to change. All the while thinking that if this had happened next week, after he’d won that vial of Liquid Luck, things would have turned out much more in his favor.