alisanne

Title: In Cold Blood
Author:

alisanne
Word Count: 100 x 9
Rating: PG
Challenge: Written for

snupin100/

snupin100's prompt #410: Cold Blooded.
Characters: Severus Snape/Remus Lupin (pre-slash)
Beta:

lilyseyes
Authors Notes: I seem to be writing drabbles that require follow ups this week. *sigh* Hopefully the next prompt will lend itself to a sequel. :)
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.

~

In Cold Blood

~

“Cold blooded bastard,” Sirius hissed, glaring across the room at Snape. “He’s just using Reg-”

“Maybe Snape actually likes him,” Peter suggested.

Sirius snarled. “Don’t you ever--”

Remus placed a hand on Sirius’ arm. “Leave it alone.”

“But--”

“It’s Regulus’ business.”

“He’s my brother!”

“What’ll your parents will say when they find out?”

Sirius blinked. “They’ll flay him! And they’ll disown him.”

Remus nodded. “Then maybe you’ll get your brother back.”

“And get him away from Snivellus.”

Remus looked away as Snape and Regulus shared intimate glances, not sure why it bothered him. It’s not my business either. “Let’s hope.”

~

“Moony, I’m sorry.” Sirius’ voice broke in anguish.

Remus kept his head averted and didn’t reply.

“Don’t be so cold blooded! It was a mistake. I didn’t intend--”

“What did you intend?” Remus, tired of Sirius, finally turned to face him. “You’re saying you didn’t mean for Snape to die? You didn’t want me to kill someone for you?”

“No!” Sirius went white. “I just thought you’d scare him a bit. That it’d be a lark--”

“I mauled him! I almost killed him. Pomfrey says he could still die!”

“I’m sorry.”

“So am I.” Remus looked away again. “Just...leave.”

~

“I’ll never get Snivellus away from Regulus, will I?” Sirius whispered, staring at Snape and Regulus.

Remus huffed. “Not everything works by your rules.”

Sirius pouted. “Well it should. I just dunno what Reg sees in the cold blooded bastard.”

Remus bit his lip. I know what he sees in him. That...intensity is fascinating. “Stay out of it, Siri.”

“Apparently I don’t have a choice.” Sirius sighed. “I heard they’re planning to live together.”

Remus glared. Sirius held up a hand. “Fine. We still on to help James and Lily move to Godric’s Hollow this weekend?”

Remus nodded. “Definitely.”

~

“Sirius Black, you cold blooded bastard!” Remus shouted. But Sirius was gone. How could I’ve been so wrong. He betrayed me, he betrayed James and Lily--

The cottage was on fire, Aurors were everywhere, and Remus was kneeling on the ground, weeping.

Someone touched his shoulder and he jumped. “Sorry.” The Auror, a handsome black man, smiled sympathetically. “Auror Shacklebolt. We need your statement.”

Nodding, Remus stood up. A movement from the trees caught his attention and he looked, spotting Snape’s anguished face for a split second. Then Snape was gone.

“Is something wrong?” asked Shacklebolt.

“No.” Remus sighed. “Nothing.”

~

“Regulus died.”

Remus, startled, stared at Snape. “What happened?”

Snape swallowed hard. “I don’t know. He just...disappeared one day.”

“Sirius may as well be dead,” Remus said.

“Good.” Snape growled.

“Severus.” Dumbledore, seated at his desk across from them, looked disappointed. “This isn’t the time for cold bloodedness.”

“No, it’s the time for revenge,” Snape said.

“Or forgiveness.” Dumbledore sighed when Snape looked away. “Anyway, the reason I asked you both here is see if you’ll join me. Voldemort isn’t truly dead. We must be on guard.”

Remus nodded. “Whatever I can do.”

Dumbledore sighed. “Right now we wait.”

~

When Remus emerged from Dumbledore’s office a few years later, he was gobsmacked. “I’m the new Defence professor,” he whispered aloud. “Incredible.”

“Not the word I would use,” came a familiar voice.

“Snape?” Remus blinked as Snape came into view. “Dumbledore hired me--”

“I heard.” Snape looked foreboding, cold. Remus shivered. “I’m to make your...monthly potion.”

“Thank you.” Remus exhaled. “I don’t want to put anyone in danger.”

“Indeed. You shan’t.” Spinning on his heel, Snape stalked away, robes flaring behind him.

Remus pursed his lips. Cold blooded bastard. Still, at least I get to see him every month.

~

“You and Black conspired!” Snape looked furious. Honestly, Remus couldn’t blame him. The truth had been shocking for him, too, although, because of the Marauder’s Map, he’d quickly realised Sirius was innocent.

“It’s not how it looks, Severus. Pettigrew--”

“Shut up!” Snape roared, brandishing his wand.

Sirius groaned. “Look you cold blooded--”

Snape gestured and Sirius went sailing across the room. He smiled unpleasantly. “Any more names to call me?”

“Sir?” Harry, looking determined, stepped forward. “I want to hear what they have to say.”

“I don’t care,” Snape sneered, turning away. He never saw the hex that hit him.

~

“Severus will never forgive me,” Remus whispered.

“Why do you care?” Sirius scowled. “You can’t still have a thing for him?”

Looking up, Remus blinked. “Still? But--”

“You thought I didn’t know?” Sirius sighed. “I remember that look in Reg’s eyes, too.” He shook his head. “Why is it that men I care about all end up having a crush on that cold blooded bastard--”

“Don’t call him that!” Remus glared at Sirius. “He wasn’t the one who used his friend in an almost deadly prank.”

Sirius groaned. “Will you ever forgive me?”

“Maybe,” Remus snorted. “If Severus forgives me.”

~

Concluded in Catching His Snake.