(no subject)

[said_scarlett]

Title: Necessity is the Mother of Affection
Author: Lady Feylene
Rating: R
Pairing: Severus/Remus

Summary: This was started for the Master and Wolf FQF. But I had so much trouble with it it’s not even funny. It doesn’t count towards the FQF anymore, but I finally hit upon an idea and had to write it out. Challenge: Even more laws and regulations are made against werewolves, and Lupin's life is in danger. The only way to ensure his safety is to have him marry someone.



Remus Lupin needed to get married by tomorrow.

Severus had watched with a sort of morbid fascination as Lupin had scrambled after every available, of age female that inhabited Hogwarts castle or the Order. He had noted the chain of females, watched Lupin’s progression into desperation with a clinical detachment. It was better than the muggle tellie.

Hestia Jones had been the first victim. She was, Severus supposed, an attractive young thing. In her late twenties, dark haired and friendly. Certainly what he imagined Lupin’s type to be, if he were to imagine such a thing. And she was an Order member, which would be an intelligent choice. All in all, it looked as though Lupin wouldn’t have that much difficulty securing himself a bride.

Hestia Jones was already engaged. Severus had hid a smirk behind his coffee mug at this revelation.

Nymphadora Tonks came next. Severus thought she was a bit too young and outlandish, though he supposed that her wild streak would appeal to the wolf in Remus. Not to mention that from an instinctual point of view, young females were the most desirable. And she certainly seemed to like him well enough. She would casually throw her arm about Lupin’s shoulders, and would always sit beside him and chat him up at every opportunity.

Nymphadora Tonks wasn’t just ‘one of the boys’ because of her gutsy personality and habit of hard cursing. Another dead end for Lupin.

Emmaline Vance fell prey to Lupin’s charms thirdly. Had Severus favored women, he most likely would have found her quite appealing. She was in her early forties, handsome, and had a wit as sharp as a sword. A bit harsher than what he imagined the werewolf would do well with, but she was an Order member, and certainly on an intellectual level with Lupin.

Emmaline Vance was a widow, and couldn’t bring herself to take another husband, regardless of the circumstances.

There was a slight break after this, and Severus fancied that Lupin was weighing his options. Pursue the one remaining single witch in the Order-Minerva McGonagall-or turn to his female coworkers.

Loyalty to the Order won out, apparently.

Severus figured Minerva would take pity on Lupin, if nothing else. Despite her being a good thirty years the werewolf’s senior, she was trustworthy and they knew each other well. And she made a rather good cup of coffee.

She was also carrying on an affair with Alastor Moody, who was a jealous bastard.

The staff seemed next. Severus had watched with devious glee as Lupin turned his attentions to the female teachers.

Lupin’s first choice surprised Severus. Amaru Sinistra was dark, swarthy and secretive. Little was known about her other than she took her position very seriously. Rumor had it the woman was a vampire, but Severus never gave in to rumors . He’d never seen her in daylight, nor had anyone else he knew of but she did teach astronomy.

He never did learn why she turned Lupin down, but the werewolf never spoke of her again.

Anita Vector was next on the list-she had been Severus’ first guess. Blond haired, bright eyed and rather curvy, she always seemed to inspire the words ‘tavern wench’ in Severus’ mind. She spoke quickly and always seemed to be counting under her breath, but all in all she was a decent sort.

Sadly, her numbers and Lupin’s didn’t match up harmoniously.

It was around the time that Lupin learned Sybill Trelawny was deathly afraid of werewolves due to their portentous meaning (death, of course) that Severus began his own inquiries and planning.

While Lupin was pleading with Pomona Sprout in the greenhouses, Severus was nipping off to Diagon Alley, Madame Malkin’s to be precise. He spent a good three hours amongst fabrics and tuttering witches while Lupin was informed in no uncertain terms that Professor Sprout was happily married with three children, didn’t he bother to check up on women before he proposed to them?

Lupin sought out Irma Pince armed with flowers, and Severus sought out the confections shop in Diagon Alley armed with a carefully compiled list he had painstakingly put together.

Lupin learned that Irma was part of an obscure religious sect that forbade marriage, and Severus explored the vast wilderness of flower arrangements.

Life had continued. Classes were taught, detentions assigned, and Lupin grew more and more desperate. Severus contented himself with giving the man a smug smile over the rim of his teacup in the staff room. A smile that only grew when he received a dark look in return.

Remus Lupin needed to get married in order to keep his job, his home, and any shred of dignity he had left as a man.

It was part of a slew of new laws the Ministry was instituting. They were taking an active stand against nonhumans of all sort-Umbridge was behind it, no surprise there. Werewolves seemed to be making out the best, they were protected if they were married. As long as the marriage was documented before the laws went into effect. And so Lupin’s mad scramble to find himself a willing bride.

Severus was actually mildly surprised that no one had stepped up to help the werewolf out of a rather messy situation. He supposed not everyone was as tolerant as they liked to believe. It was all well and good to work alongside a lycanthrope, but marry one?

He allowed himself a small chuckle as he flipped through the day’s ’Prophet’. He enjoyed having the staff room to himself. He could sip his coffee and read the paper and not be bothered. And today he desired his privacy moreso than usual. He was gathering up his thoughts, replaying the last month over and over in his mind like a well loved novel. Every angry look Lupin had given him, every tight lipped frown, every line of discontent.

He sat back in his chair, thin lips curved up in a self satisfied smirk. He was a patient man, and a thorough man. He enjoyed cultivation. There was something fulfilling about taking the tiniest of seeds and nurturing it over a course of time to fruition. Especially when the final bloom was something none could foresee but himself.

The door to the staff room opened. Severus scowled, glancing over his shoulder to see how had disturbed him. His scowl broke like the sun over the horizon when he saw it was none other than Lupin himself. The day was starting off better than he’d anticipated…

***

Remus Lupin dragged himself out of bed and into the staff room for what he imagined would be the last time. He’d tried his best. He’d never imagined it would be that difficult to find someone to marry him. It wasn’t as though he expected love, fidelity, or even a wedding night. He just needed it for legal purposes.

He lost count of how many friends and co-workers he’d gone to, asking and finally begging for help. He was at his wit’s end. Not a single one had agreed. They had all had various excuses, and while he imagined a good number of them were valid, he couldn’t help but be suspicious.

He was out of options. Albus had patted his shoulder and told him he was certain they’d find him someone, but no one was appearing.

And his day had just gotten worse.

Severus Snape was sitting in the staff room, and he broke into a smirk that Remus was all too familiar with. The other man had been nothing but an utter bastard since the Ministry had released their plans.

“Severus,” Remus said tightly, nodding stiffly in the face of what was probably as close to beaming as the Potions Master ever came to.

“Ah, Lupin. A lovely day, wouldn’t you say?”

“I’m sure it is,” he responded, fixing himself a cup of tea and settling down in an overstuffed chair. He glanced up, aware of Severus still watching him. Almost expectantly.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Remus asked, his tone bitter. “You’ve been enjoying this since it started.”

“Lupin, you’ve absolutely no idea how right you are.”

The note of triumph and condescension in Severus’ voice raised the werewolf’s hackles, but he forced himself to remain calm. At least he wouldn’t have to deal with Severus on a day to day level any longer. Though a month ago that wouldn’t have been a bonus.

“Oh, I’m sure I can guess.” Remus took a sip of his tea, breaking away from that oily black gaze. He had thought the two of them had come to some sort of friendship, but obviously it had been wishful thinking. Severus had reverted right back to his smug and sneering old self the moment it became apparent Remus may be vacating his position as professor.

“I don’t think you can,” Severus said quietly. Remus felt suddenly uncomfortable. He needed to pack his things, anyway. Albus had of course opened Grimmauld Place to him, and he would be flooing in that evening.

“Fine then.” Remus set aside his tea and stood.

“Lupin?”

“What?” Remus turned, irritable and angry. He didn’t care at the moment that Severus was seeing him with his usual composure shattered. He was upset and he felt very much alone. Sirius never would have let something like this happen…

“Here.”

Severus reached into his pocket and pulled something small and glittering out. He tossed it onto the staff room table where it spun, light dancing off of it in hypnotizing patterns. It was a diamond ring. Remus watched it as it continued to spin, throwing off sparks of rainbow colored brilliance until it landed on it’s side on the wood.

“What…what is it?” Remus asked, hesitantly picking up the small bit of jewelry.

“It’s an engagement ring, you daft fool,” Severus snapped.

“A what?”

“En-gage-ment ring,” Severus said very slowly. “Unless of course I’m mistaken and you are not required to be legally wed by sundown tomorrow?”

“But…what…I…?”

Remus had lost all ability to form coherent sentences. He looked from Severus to the ring and back to Severus again.

“Unless you’d rather lose what little rights you have left, you and I are getting married this evening. In the Great Hall.”

“Married?”

“Lupin, I suggest you collect yourself together. I’ve heard of pre-wedding jitters but this is rather ridiculous.”

There it was. That smug, self satisfied smile.

“The Great Hall?” Remus asked slowly, his mind attempting to catch up with proceedings. “Is this even…?”

“It’s all legally sound. ‘All lycanthropes are subject to the Ministry’s new laws, save those legally wed to a pureblooded witch or wizard prior to, etcetera etcetera’. You are a lycanthrope, and I am a pureblooded wizard. It‘s all perfectly legal.”

“I…see.” Remus’ mind was slowly sorting everything out. “And you and I are getting married. In the Great Hall.”

“Yes, Albus agreed to lend it to me for the evening. I hope you don’t mind both the ceremony and the reception in the same place, but options are rather limited.”

“Reception?” Remus blinked, and found he needed to sit down. “It…you’re not talking about a…a proper wedding, are you?”

“Lupin, if I am to get married I would like to do it right. Ideally speaking, this is something that happens to a man only once.”

“But there’s no time!”

“It’s all been arranged. Catering, decorations, flowers, a ministry official, guests…” Severus ticked everything off on his fingers as Remus stared in wide eyed disbelief. “The only thing I haven’t done of yet is reserve a bridal suite. I was going to, but decided perhaps I had better run the idea by you first. For the marriage to be legal, it must of course be consummated, but I am willing to fudge the facts a bit if you…are disinclined to perform the necessary marital functions.”


“I don’t have anything to wear…” Remus’ mouth had caught up and sprinted ahead.

“Yes you do. It’s being delivered to your rooms sometime today.”

“How long?”

“Have I been planning this? A few weeks.”

“Oh.” Remus took a deep, steadying breath. It was all so much. When he had approached various personages and asked about marriage, he had meant signing a bit of paper and going their merry way. Not…this! “I…Severus, I don’t know what to say.”

“I think ‘why yes Severus, I will marry you, thank you so much I’d be lost without you’ is a rather good start.”

“You’re a great prat,” Remus said with a small chuckle. “But…thank you. And yes, of course.”

“Then I shall see you this evening. At seven o’clock.”

“That’s it?” Remus asked, well aware he needed to know a few more things before he waltzed off and got married.

“What more do you need to know? Minerva is giving you away, you can write whatever damn vows you’d like, and I would appreciate knowing ahead of time if I shall need to cancel my morning appointments or if we will be going our separate ways as soon as the reception is over.”

“Oh, yes…” Remus frowned slightly, a flush tinting his cheeks. In a very technical sense, he was a virgin. Certainly he’d slept with Sirius, but he’d always been the dominant one. Severus was obviously looking at him as a bride, and brides didn’t take that role.

Lupin, if I am to get married I would like to do it right.

And so did Remus. It was his wedding, and yes, it was only going to happen once. So what if it was only for legal purposes? That didn’t change what it was.

“I think you’d best go and reserve a suite for us,” Remus said quietly, glancing down at his hands.

“I’ll get us a room at the Leaky Cauldron for the night, then.” Severus nodded, standing and smoothing his robes. “I trust you would not averse to a honeymoon in Italy?”

“Italy? No…” Remus shook his head, still slightly bewildered.

“Ah, good.” Severus gave Remus another one of those small smiles and headed for the door. “We leave Sunday morning. I shall see you at seven.”

***

The look on Lupin’s face had been more than worth it, Severus decided. He rarely saw the man unruffled in anything other than grief. To see his face painted in shades of surprise and relief had been worth every minute of busying himself with the menial tasks that planning a wedding consisted of.

Which made him wonder how Lupin would conduct himself for the rest of the night. He doubted the werewolf fully comprehended the lengths Severus had gone to. He allowed himself a small smile of anticipation as he swept through the aisles of his classroom. He was well aware that rumors of the nights events had leaked out amongst the students, and ignored the stares and punished the whispers.

Friday night was not exactly the most fortuitous of times for a wedding, but Severus didn’t care. All was in readiness, including a suite at the Leaky Cauldron with all the trimmings.

He’d honestly been surprised when Lupin had agreed to it. He was half certain the man was still mourning Black. Perhaps he was, in his own way.

He knew Lupin was questioning of his motives. He didn’t blame him. He was honestly a bit unsure of them himself. He did like Lupin, and they’d formed a rather hesitant friendship in the years since the end of the war. And the man was attractive enough.

He supposed it was because he understood, in a way, what it was to be outcast from normal society. His standing as a Death Eater was now well known, and despite receiving the Order of Merlin (third class) for his war efforts, he wasn’t exactly welcome in most social circles. He was essentially treated as a convict, albeit one who has been granted parole.

He supposed he felt a bit of kinship with Lupin because of it. Something that was slightly deeper than mere friendship.

And he had no aversion to marrying the man. Lupin was quiet and good mannered, and despite a plethora of irritating habits there was plenty of room in the castle to get away from him should Severus need it. Lupin was already tied to him because of the Wolfsbane, marriage really wasn’t that odd of an idea. And it was now a necessity.

The evening drew in, closing about the castle with stealthy silence. Severus retreated to his quarters to prepare. He bathed first, turning the situation over and over in his mind.

He’d never seen himself getting married. First and foremost, he had no taste for women. Generally one man and one woman was preferred for these things. Wizards were traditionalists, and while there were no laws against two members of the same sex coming together in matrimony, it was rare. And something he had never thought of for himself.

He’d never imagined feeling that much for someone that he wished to make a spectacle of it. Emotions were private things, and had their place between the two parties and behind closed doors. Had he and Lupin come together naturally and formed a relationship, he doubted that they would be heading down the aisle.

But Severus was not one to do anything half arsed. And he had the sneaking suspicion that Lupin was the sort to want a lavish wedding.

He shook his head, pulling out the robes he had had made for the event. He stripped off his teaching garb, laying it aside for the House Elves. The black dress robes were similar, but far more elegant than what he usually wore.

He pulled on the snug black trousers first, allowing himself a moment of admiring himself in his mirror. He was not a particularly handsome man, but he did keep himself fit. And he was of the mind that his legs were quite nice. Long and lean, they looked particularly nice in the snug black linen trousers with the silver scrollwork down the outside of the legs. Why they were embroidered he had no idea, as they’d be covered by his robes. Lupin would see them, but that was all. Ah well.

A soft black linen shirt followed, as snug as the trousers. They were really more for decencies sake than anything else. And to protect his skin from the stiff material of his dress robes. The shirt and trousers were comfortable against bare flesh. The robes were not.

He winced a bit as he pulled the material about him, fingers doing up the myriad of tiny buttons and elegant clasps that lined the high necked garment. He scowled at his reflection, pulling at one of the sleeves. He felt a bit ridiculous. The robes were a material akin to linen, lustrous and quite becoming. They were black of course, the hem and cuffs lined with the same silver scrollwork as the trousers. The clasps were delicate platinum serpents, seven in all. Two tiny serpents sat at each side of his collar, completing the ensemble.

He felt he looked better than he usually did, at any rate. He’d considered writing vows but had gotten fed up with the whole thing. The only thing he was truly promising Lupin was a job and a roof over his head. He wasn’t about to go on at length about loving and cherishing until death did they part when he didn’t love nor cherish the man.

He supposed, in time, he would certainly grow fond of Lupin. Familiarity and all of that, and he was not averse to the idea. But as it stood, he did not love Remus Lupin and would not claim to.

He glanced at the clock and straightened his robes once more.

It was time to get to the Great Hall.


***

Remus sat on his bed, staring at his hands. More specifically, his left hand. The ring fit perfectly. As did the clothing Severus had acquired for him. It was if it had been tailor made. And there was no longer any doubt in Remus’ mind that he was playing the part of blushing bride tonight.

He was all in white. It had never been a color he’d ever worn. It got dirty too easily, and he never dressed for any reason other than to cover himself. He’d never owned anything fine or well made. Until now, of course.

Before putting it on he’d felt the lace was a bit much. Afterwards he realized he knew absolutely nothing about clothing.

The lace was not too much. The lace was perfect. A cascade of it hung from the open neck of the white shirt, finely woven and harkening back to the Victorian era. Remus wouldn’t be surprised if the words ‘spider’ and ‘web’ were used in the description. There was lace at the cuffs too. When he slipped on the soft, suede-like outer robe he smiled a bit. All that was visible was the lace, spilling out over the wide V neck of the robes. The cuffs did the same, the lace falling in artful folds over his hands. The robes themselves were not meant to cover, but more for decoration. One button held them together at his waist, the top and bottom both open to expose lace, white suede trousers, and white boots.

He was still in awe over it all. There were a million more questions he wanted to ask Severus, but he wasn’t certain if he ever would. The other man wasn’t exactly free with information. But this was obviously something that quite a bit of thought had gone into. Weeks…

Remus shook his head and an his hands over his face. All of this…it made things more real. Marriage was one thing, but a wedding…

Weddings were symbolic. The symbolism went back to the dawn of time, thought it had certainly changed over the years. Regardless, the core was the same. Tying two lives together. A bonding, a joining. Only in the Victorian era had love and marriage gone hand in hand. But that was what people remembered. They didn’t remember the paying for your bride, or the ownership of days long gone. They remembered roses and doves and the sanctity of holy vows.

It was all conditioning, Remus reflected. They were taught something, and it stayed. He knew that he was going to look at Severus Snape differently after they’d walked down the aisle. He didn’t see how he couldn’t. He had no silly notions that after one kiss at the alter he was going to fall in love, but he was rather certain he wouldn’t be averse to the idea. Of falling in love with Severus, that was.

Severus intended this to be a proper wedding, and Remus assumed a proper marriage. That wouldn’t be too difficult. He certainly wasn’t the sort to go bed hopping, and he couldn’t remember ever seeing Severus with a lover. Fidelity was not going to be an issue.

These were all thoughts that had been preying on his mind for most of the day. And they had only served to make him nervous.

That was normal though, wasn’t it?

He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. He was half certain this was all some strange dream, and he’d wake up and be in Grimmauld Place with no money and no prospects in the country.

A soft knocking interrupted his thoughts.

“Come in!” he called, smoothing down his marriage robes.

“Remus?” It was the sharp tones of Minerva McGonagall. His escort. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose,” Remus said as he opened the door to greet the other professor.

“You do look as though you’re about to meet your death,” she observed with a tight lipped frown. “Come now Remus, you’re about to be married. Chin up, eh? I know it isn’t the…most pleasant of aspects, all things considered, but I for one am quite pleased you’ll be remaining among us. And we all do what we must, even in day to day.”

“Mmm.” Remus wasn’t entirely certain what to make of that. Or the slightly sad tone of her voice, or the look of pity in her eyes.

“Come along then. Severus has arranged quite the to-do, or so I am led to believe.”

“Yes, that’s what he alluded to,” Remus agreed, walking beside her towards the Great Hall. She was still in her teaching robes. For some reason, this bothered Remus. He couldn’t quite explain why, and decided he was just being silly. Nerves, most likely.

“It will be a nice break for the tedium of the week, at any rate,” Minerva went on, in the voice of one who was attempting to see the brightest side of things. Remus frowned slightly, and decided to ignore it. He supposed from her point of view, marrying Severus Snape wasn’t exactly something to look forward to.

“Here we are,” Minerva said a bit stiffly. They had come to the doors of the Great Hall. Remus gave her a warm smile-that was returned with one of pity-and turned to face the Great Hall. This was it. He took a deep breath, and pushed open the doors.


***

Severus was well aware of the tone that had taken over the Great Hall. He could hear hushed whispers and a few giggles amongst the attending. It was mostly fellow staff members, a handful of Lupin’s friends, and a few more daring students who’d gotten wind of the event. He had been in a foul mood since Albus had patted his shoulder and thanked him very much for what he was doing. In that condescending tone of voice the old man favored so much now a days.

Despite all of Severus’ attempts, it seemed that forces were intent upon spoiling things. He had meant what he said to Lupin, if this was his wedding then it would damn well be a proper wedding.

Lips pressed in a thin line, the Potions Master surveyed the Great Hall. It had been done up in silver and gold, nothing horribly fancy. Severus couldn’t abide by anything gaudy. Simple and elegant had been the way to go, with tapestries and a long carpet and gilded chairs for the guests.

The ministry official looked bored and fidgety, some whey faced slip of a thing with a hairlip and a stutter. Severus gritted his teeth, headache already forming. Something, somewhere, hated him very much. He had hardly expected things to be perfect, but for once in his life he wanted something that wasn’t tainted, controlled, contrived, or forced upon him.

His head jerked up at the sound of the doors opening. Remus had arrived, and Severus noted with appreciation that the House Elves had gotten Lupin’s measurements perfectly. He did look rather stunning in white…

Severus’ head wasn’t the only one that turned. His eyes shifted to the small crowd, all of whom were watching as the werewolf began his trek down the aisle. Now they were silent. Of course, they weren’t about to snicker and point at their beloved Lupin. He was smiling. Severus realized as Lupin drew near that the werewolf was smiling, almost shyly. A blushing bride…

“Ahem,” the official began as Remus came to stand beside Severus. “Are we ready to begin, then? I haven’t got all night…”

“I believe we’re ready,” Remus said softly, glancing over at Severus in questioning. The potions master nodded and was slightly surprised to feel Remus’ fingers twine with his own. He looked down at their joined hands before raising his eyes to Lupin’s face. That shy smile was still there. Perhaps this wasn’t going to be such a disaster after all.

***

The ministry official had the driest voice Remus had ever heard. He attempted to watch the man attentively, but as the official stumbled over his twentieth sentence the werewolf found his attention wandering. It was all legal jargon anyway, which was to be expected. Rather than prose on the sanctity of holy matrimony, it was a detail of rights and benefits for the lycanthrope in question, and the responsibilities that Severus was taking on in marrying said lycanthrope.

That didn’t matter much. What mattered-to Remus-was the soft brush of Severus’ fingertips against his palm. He kept darting glances out of the corner of his eyes to the man standing beside him, a bored expression on his face. Not that Remus blamed him. He’d had History of Magic classes more exciting than this.

“Ahem. Have you anything you wish to say to one another?”

Remus closed his eyes and swallowed a small laugh that threatened to rise to the surface. This really was absolutely ridiculous. Not the wedding itself, nor the effort that had been put into it, but the complete…formality that was being shown. It struck him as darkly amusing.

“Severus?” Remus asked quietly, raising his eyebrows. “Is there anything you wish to say?” That grin was still twitching up the corners of his lips.

“Not particularly,” Severus said, dark eyes unreadable. “Why? Do you wish to say anything?”

“Just thank you, I suppose.” Honestly, what else was there to say at this point? “I know this is…coming at a great personal sacrifice.”

“But it is my sacrifice to make,“ Severus said, voice hushed for Remus’ ears only. Louder, he said, “you are welcome.”

“All set then?” the official asked, fidgeting with his glasses.

“I believe so.”

“Alright, rings if you have them.”

“I suppose you have rings?” Remus asked, head tilted curiously.

“No Lupin,” Severus said dryly. “I went to all of this trouble and I forgot rings.”

“You never know…”

Remus received a dark glare, and he held out his hand for the ring. Severus fumbled about in his pocket before drawing it out, a thick gold band with some sort of etching along it. Remus didn’t have to inspect it as it was slipped onto his finger. Severus put his own on, which was a bit disappointing to Remus.

“Yes, congratulations,” the official said, nodding slightly. “The paper work’s all been delivered, this was just for show.”

“The show’s not quite over yet,” Remus said.

“Oh?” Severus raised an eyebrow.

“Traditionally this is where we kiss.”

“Ah yes, it is.”

“Well?” Remus cocked his head, a hint of teasing creeping into his voice.

“Well what?”

“Are you going to kiss me, Severus? I‘d imagine you don‘t have any reservations, considering what we‘re going to be doing later tonight…”

Severus raised an eyebrow and inclined his head. “I did say I desired a proper wedding, did I not?”

“You did,” Remus agreed. He took a step forward, ignoring the whispers that were breaking out in the audience. He licked his lips a bit nervously, very much aware of Severus’ hand as it came up rest against the curve of his skull.

Time didn’t stand still, angels didn’t burst into a heavenly chorus, but Remus still felt a certain something when Severus’ lips brushed lightly against his. He couldn’t call it a magical sensation, and he wasn’t about to call it the best kiss he’d ever had-it was rather chaste and brief-but it didn’t matter. It was a kiss with meaning behind it. In all the stories, in all the fairy tales, it was the kiss that really sealed the deal.

“Congratulations, very nice,” the official said weakly. “Now if you’ll excuse me, my wife has dinner waiting…”

He brushed by them, muttering under his breath as he hurried down the aisle and out of the Great Hall. Remus turned to Severus, eyes brimming with mirth. He hiccupped a bit, struggling to keep in the near hysterical laughter that threatened him.

“Do compose yourself Remus.” But there was a slight twinkle in Severus’ eyes as well, a bare hint of glimmer in the black depths.

The crowd was already beginning to break up, and Albus had quickly put the Great Hall to something more suitable for a reception.

“Congratulations,” the Headmaster said, shaking both men’s hands. “I am quite pleased to see things have worked out for you Remus. One way or another.”

“Thank you sir.”

“And how long will the festivities be lasting?” Albus beamed cheerily at them, hands clasped behind his back. Severus and Remus exchanged a look.

“Er…not long?” Remus said hesitantly, glancing at the other man for confirmation.

“No. Not long. I daresay it appears as no one truly wishes to here at any rate.”

“Oh nonsense!” Albus said. “Everyone is delighted that Remus will be staying on, and who doesn’t enjoy a celebration?” The headmaster patted Remus on the shoulder and wandered off to engage Minerva in conversation.

“I’m getting the feeling that we’re the only people taking this very seriously,” Remus said softly.

“It is hardly a ‘feeling’, Remus, it is simple truth. I say we skip dinner, cut the damn cake, and skiv off to the Leaky Cauldron.”

“Alright.” Remus wasn’t about to argue. Espeically when he saw Harry heading towards him, wide grin plastered on his face.

“Remus! Merlin, I couldn’t believe it when I’d heard!” Harry chuckled, and clapped Remus on the shoulder. “Who’d have guessed Snape had a nice bone in his body, eh? No, seriously, I‘m glad. I can‘t believe the Ministry‘s doing this.”

“I can,” Remus responded. “They’ve been hinting at it for years.”

“Well, at least you’re one of the lucky ones. Nice little ceremony too, really gave it a touch of class.”

“Quite,” Severus said coldly. “If you will excuse us?” He took Remus’ hand and led the werewolf away from a suddenly stricken looking Harry.

“I say we start snogging following the cake cutting,” Remus whispered in Severus’ ear.

“What is your obsession with public displays of affection? There will be plenty of ‘snogging’ later, in private.”

“Oh, but then we don’t get to see all the shocked reactions.”

“I always knew you were a hog for the spotlight.” Severus sighed. “I truly do wonder now, why I imagined this would be a good idea.”

“The road to hell’s paved with good intentions,” Remus said kindly. “I appreciate it, if it means anything to you.”

“It does,” Severus said with a nod. “Here. The cake.”

Remus allowed himself to be led over to a rather large table, upon which sat The Cake. It was chocolate. It was four beveled layers. There were strawberries strewn across it. His mouth was watering already.

“Potter said you preferred chocolate,” Severus said, as though an explanation was needed.

“I do,” Remus said, pressing a quick kiss to the potions master’s cheek. “I do.”

The cutting of the cake went smoothly, and Remus was able to pretend the curious eyes were attentive. He sat quietly through all the well wishes and the apologies that ‘things had to be this way’.

Dear Merlin, this was his wedding not his execution! After an hour he had done with it.

“Alright, let’s get out of here.”

“Yes, please.” Severus nodded and stood. “Don’t bother telling anyone we’re going, I have no desire to be told again what a ‘good sport’ I am.”

“I don’t blame you.” Remus laced his fingers once more through Severus’, and the two of them exited the Great Hall, and then the school itself.

***

Severus had never enjoyed the Knight bus. He did, however, concede that the trip to the Leaky Cauldron was far more pleasant than any he’d taken before. The other passengers were quite curious about the two formally dressed men holding hands at the back of the bus, and Lupin had quite cheerfully told them that they had just been married.

After that came the first sincere well wishes the couple had heard all night. And elderly witch burst into tears, telling them she hoped they’d have a long and happy life together. Another began prattling on about how grand young love was, and even Severus didn’t have the heart to set her facts straight.

“I think we stayed at the school too long,” Remus said wryly.

“Mmm,” Severus responded with a nod. Someone had pulled a bottle of whiskey out of their robes and was passing it about with glee. The Knight bus had turned into a wedding celebration on wheels.

“And how long have you two been together?” A little old witch asked, sitting herself down in front of them and smiling toothily.

“Oh…er…” Remus seemed to blanch, frowning and glancing over at Severus. The werewolf was obviously enjoying the attention.

“Two years,” Severus said quickly.

“Oh, that’s marvelous! How did you meet?“ Why were old women so damn nosey?

“We went to school together. Now, I believe this is our stop…”

“You make a lovely couple. Good luck, dears,” she said, waving them both off of the bus. Severus sighed, and straightened his robes.

“Good Merlin, they did go on,” he muttered.

“Yes they did,” Remus agreed. “But it was…nice.”

“Mmm.” Another noncommittal response. It had been pleasant, in a way. Severus would never admit it, but he did enjoy being the center of attention. “I do hope you aren’t planning on attempting to garner the same response in the tavern,” he went on, glancing down at Remus.

“In a hurry to get to bed?”

“Perhaps.”

It had been a rather long time since Severs indulged in physical pleasures, and he was looking forward to the night’s events. Albeit hesitantly. He had little idea what Remus was like in bed, or how he went about these things. A new lover was always difficult. Though this would be the last new lover.

“Then let’s get to bed,” Remus said quietly, resting his head on Severus’ shoulder as they entered the Cauldron. The werewolf was remarkably physical. He always seemed to be touching in some way. It was a bit disconcerting to Severus.

Not a word was spoken as they climbed the stairs to the room they’d be using for the night.

“Here we are,” Severus said as he opened the door. It wasn’t an elegantly furnished room, simple but comfortable. It was the best room the place had to offer, and it had a large bed. That was really all that mattered.

“Here we are,” Remus repeated. He smiled a bit, and walked on ahead into the bedroom. Severus followed, feeling the slightest tremors of trepidation. Remus was sitting on the bed, pulling off his boots. His hair fell forward a bit, a stray piece obscuring his eyes and clinging to his cheek. Severus knelt, brushing it away.

“Shall we?” he asked, and Remus let out a soft chuckle.

“Just like that, then?” he asked, pressing his cheek into Severus’ fingers.

“Is there something you need to do beforehand?” Severus asked, with a raised eyebrow.

“No.” Remus shrugged. “But I thought we might talk a bit.”

“What needs discussing?”

“Nothing I suppose.” But Remus’ tone of voice contradicted his words.

“Remus, I have nothing to say,” Severus said honestly, sitting beside the other man on the bed. “I am not a man given over to wordy displays, I would imagine you were aware of that by now.”

“I’m not asking for wordy displays,” the werewolf responded. “I just though…we should talk about this. About us.”

“Ah. Yes. There is an ‘us’ now, isn’t there?”

“We just got married. There is certainly an us.”

“What is it you wish to talk about then?” Severus bent to pull off his own boots, but kept his attention to Remus.

“Just…what this means, I suppose. I have a rough idea, but…”

“It means we are married,” Severus said. “And all that comes with it. Disregarding the…overly emotional bits.”

“I see.” Remus nodded. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why did you do this?”

Severus ran a hand through his hair, leaning back. Why had he done it? It wasn’t something he gave much thought over to.

“Because there was no one else who would,” he answered honestly.

“That’s all?”

“Yes, that is all. What else do you require?” Severus glanced darkly out of the corner of his eye to the tawny haired man beside him. Remus had that god awful expression on his face, the one that put him in mind of a kicked puppy. “I am…aware of what it is to be left with nothing, Remus. To have everything ripped away and have only myself and my pride remaining. It is not something I would wish upon you.”

“Ah.” The tone was changed now. “I thank you for that. Most sincerely.”

“You are welcome.” If the werewolf wanted to discuss ‘feelings’ next, Severus was going to lock himself in the bathroom for the remainder of the evening.

“Then I suppose it’s time to make this marriage official,” Remus said quietly, laying a hand on Severus’ thigh.

“I suppose it is,” he agreed, nodding. He placed a hand over Remus’ and leaned in for a far more passionate kiss than the one they had exchanged at the alter. Severus traced the lines of the werewolf’s lip with his tongue, before sliding between them to taste his mouth.

“Do you wish me to put out the light?” Severus whispered, laying his cheek along Remus’.

“Just dim it,” the werewolf responded. “I want to see you.”

“Of course.”

The light was dimmed. Severus returned his attentions to Remus, peeling off each layer of clothing with delicate precision until the werewolf was bare beneath his eyes. He allowed his eyes to trace the lean lines of shoulder, chest, stomach and thigh. Severus’ eyes lingered for a moment at the mass of scar tissue along Remus’ hip and thigh before he ran his fingers over it nearly reverently. These were what had made Remus what-and who-he was.

“Let me?” Remus asked, a plaintive note to his voice as his hands ran over the fabric of Severus’ robes. The potions master nodded, eyes closed as the robes and under things were stripped off of him. There was a sudden moment of ridiculous self conscious but it was gone in a moment. He watched Remus’ eyes imagining he could trace their path over his body.

The exchanged a few more slow, tender kisses, Severus stretched out over Remus with their legs tangled together in a lazy heap. Neither spoke, only a brief word of questioning from Severus to assure that Remus was ready. He had no wish to rush this. It was slow and leisurely and oddly enough the most satisfying physical encounter of Severus’ life.

There was, he reflected afterwards, quite a difference between sex and making love. He sighed, nuzzling Remus’ neck once before rolling off of him and pulling the sheets over them.

“Tired?” Remus asked, curling close to the Potions Master and resting his head on his chest.

“A bit,” Severus agreed, wrapping an arm hesitantly around Remus. “It’s been a rather long day.”

“But a good one,” Remus said. He yawned and draped an arm casually across Severus’ stomach, sprawling across him like a large dog.

‘”Yes…it was,” Severus said slowly. All in all, it had been. “This evening better than the rest, I am inclined to believe.”

“Oh, I’ll agree with that. Put out the light now?”

“Of course.” Severus complied, shifting to grab his wand from the bedside table. He settled back down, deciding he could easily grow accustomed to the warm weight of Remus against him. And on top of him. And a bit beneath him in the leg department. Merlin, the other man took up more than half the bed!

“For what it’s worth,” Remus went on with a yawn, “I’m glad it was you.”

“Oh?”

“Mm-hmm.” The werewolf’s words were thick and muzzy with sleep. “I’m not in love with you.” Of course not. Severus was under no delusions that ‘love’ played into this arrangement.

“But,” another wolfish yawn, “I think I will be. With some time. Goodnight, Severus.”

There was a soft silence as Severus lay in bed, slowly stroking his fingers over Remus’ back as he turned those words over in his mind. Yes. All things took time, but all things were possible. And looking back, he saw that there was certainly a foundation for it. It was…a pleasing thought. Severus smiled in the dark, and pressed a kiss to the top of his lover’s head.

“Goodnight, Remus.”

Not a fairy tale ending, but a happy one all the same.

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