There is a Time By Sheila B Rated: NC17 Summary: A sequel to Hands Clean. Narcissa is in Ministry custody awaiting trial. Remus Lupin returns to Hogwarts as the DADA teacher, but not before Dumbledore makes him spend the summer in hiding with Snape, and Snape's gorgeous ward. Pairings: D/Her, D/Lupin. Mentions of D/Nar. Email: Disc: I don't own them.

**

"This is your room, "said Severus Snape. "The bathroom is down the hall. We have one evening meal together, the rest of the time you're responsible for your own food and drink. "

"We?" Remus nearly asked. He set his bags down on the bed and waited to see if his host had any more to say.

"I suppose that's it, "said Severus. "If you need anything, the house elf will be glad to provide it. " he stalked away.

For a man in hiding, Remus slept well. His bed at Snape's cottage was more comfortable than any bed he'd slept in since childhood. He was quite cheerful when he went down to the kitchens the next morning, to make his breakfast.

A shapely young woman with a thick head of shiny chestnut curls was making pancakes in a fry pan, and wearing expensive men's silk pajamas and a matching robe. So Snape DID have a sex life after all.

"Uh-Pardon.."Remus began. The girl jumped and turned around, her brown eyes wide.

"Professor! What-what are you-"

"Hermione!" Of all the sick, perverted-Snape was sleeping with a student? He blushed at the idea of Miss Granger and his colleague together. Hermione was definitely not the bushy haired, buck toothed little girl he remembered from two years ago. "So, er-how long have you and Professor Snape been-um-*cough*"

Hermione looked confused, then started giggling.

"No, NO, oh god no! "she leaned against the sink and tried to get her breath back. "I mean, eww. Not unless he was the last man on earth. I'm seeing his godson."

"Oh, I see, " Remus was relieved. Hermione filled a plate with pancakes and commandeered the maple syrup. She balanced them on a tray with two glasses of juice, and levitated it.

"I'm taking these upstairs, Cheers!"

Severus had a well stocked pantry, with a little freezing charm on all the perishable food. Funny, Severus had never struck Remus as someone who ate all that much, but he'd probably had to do some shopping with the new godson in the house. He ate half an orange and some of Hermione's pancakes before going back upstairs to shower.

He gathered his second set of robes, his soap, and shampoo and a toothbrush and headed for the bathroom. A knock on the door received no answer, so he figured it was empty. Remus turned the knob and entered, closing the door behind him.

"Ahh! " someone cried.

"Ahh!" Remus dropped his things all over the floor. The bathroom's other occupant was a boy of about seventeen, sleek, firm, blond, dripping wet and completely naked. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around himself, looking at Remus with distrust, and a little fear.

"What d'you think you're doing?" the boy demanded.

"I'm very sorry! I knocked, I guess you didn't hear-"

" I asked him to put a lock on these doors. Who are you? Are you his boyfriend?"

"No, I'm-"

" You're that werewolf! Oh, ick. Don't touch me, okay?" the boy sniffed. "I don't understand why Severus would let you stay here, but just keep away from me!" He pushed past Remus and ambled back to his own room. Remus had an urge to watch him walk away, which was quickly squelched.

To have thoughts of that nature while a guest in someone's house , thoughts about his host's son, was wrong. Also, he was sure he'd had this boy as student once, Remus didn't remember everyone, even if he'd tried. But pale, platinum blond boys with big grey eyes stood out.

If it was him, he'd certainly grown up.

**

"Draco, you remember Professor Lupin, don't you?" Severus asked. Draco Malfoy. Son of Lucius Malfoy, Remus did remember him. Draco was taller, had filled out a bit and had a deeper voice but he was the same child who'd faced down a boggart impersonating his father. Remus had read in the Daily Prophet that Lucius Malfoy was dead, although the reporter had been vague about the circumstances. Remus was privately glad Draco had gone to Severus. Severus might not have the best social skills, or the sunniest disposition but essentially he was a good man who cared for Draco.

"I think so. He's a werewolf. "

"He'll be your new DADA teacher come the fall, "said Severus. Remus watched Draco for a reaction, the boy had a completely impassive face. He picked at his food morosely.

"I have some really exciting things planned, "Remus began. He smiled at Draco, trying to be friendly and make Draco feel comfortable. It didn't work. Draco couldn't possibly feel comfortable around a teacher who'd seen him naked just that morning. Draco took a sip of his wine and winced.

"Is your throat still bothering you?" Severus asked. Draco nodded.

"Can you make me some more of that potion? This cold isn't going away."

"Certainly. But you know, if this keeps up I'll have to take you to a mediwizard." Severus sounded so fatherly, it was a tone Remus had never heard him use before.

"I'm done, "Draco said listlessly. "Can I go?"

"Go on, "said Severus. "I'll call you when the potion is ready." Draco wandered out of Snape's tiny dining room.

"So Severus Snape is a parent? Neatly managed. I suppose you went out and bought a book on how to parent a troubled teen?"

"I bought three. Some chapters have been helpful, although Draco is a unique person and far from a textbook case in any area. Other adults tell me he's a dicipline problem, I however have never had any trouble with him."

"He still holds himself aloof."

"He needs space and privacy, more than anything and I give that to him, "Severus said shortly. "I don't walk in on him while he's showering."

"It was an accident!"

"The Muggle psychologist Sigmund Freud said there are no such things as accidents."

"I think you're really getting into this parenting business. I know you don't like me, but even you can't believe I'd lay a finger on him."

Severus looked down at his food and frowned.

"He's-been through a lot. It's my job to protect him, and I'm going to do it. "

"Well, "Remus snapped. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to my room, where I won't have the temptation to oggle any more little boys!"

Severus spent the rest of the evening reading a repulsive Muggle book, "Parenting for Dummies" in his study. Truth be told, living with Draco was not as easy as he wanted Remus to think it was. Once the shock of losing his parents was over, Draco had shown some spectacular displays of temper, once trying to slit his wrists and once throwing a house elf through the wall.

Severus allowed Hermione her weekend visits, not only because he figured he had no right to tell Draco not to have sex, but because the girl got Draco out of his hair for a few days. Their fighting, and passionate lovemaking (the cottage had very thin walls) gave Draco a sort of outlet for his pain. If he was good all week, he could invite her to stay on weekends and that was two days and a night of relief for Severus. Draco always seemed happier after a visit from his girlfriend.

Severus was also trying desperately to find a way around the Voldemort situation. The Muggle book helped him focus his thoughts. They still hadn't got the collar removed, Draco liked to wear high necked shirts to avoid anyone staring at his throat. Severus was sure it had influenced Draco's erratic behavior and suicide attempts.

Severus was attempting to contact silversmiths, blacksmiths, or any alchemists he knew. Anyone who knew about metal. So far, he'd had no luck. No one seemed to have heard of this collar, not even the people in the underground bondage clubs in Knockturn Alley. Merlin, that had been embarrassing.

Draco poked his head in the door.

"Hermione wants to go clubbing. "

"Which clubs and when do you plan on being home by?"

"1 am and it's the Sunflower, in Diagon."

"Don't drink too much."

"I know! I know!"

"I'll have your throat potion ready when you get back."

**

TBC