Summary: Remus is the only marauder at Hogwarts for Christmas Hols, forcing him to spend time with a very different Severus than he’s used to. RL/SS

Disclaimer: Not my characters, just using them as I wish :D

Warning: This contains Slash. If that bothers you, don’t read it.

Just What I Needed

Remus walked back into Hogwarts after seeing his friends off for the holidays. Entering the old building he let in a deep breath, allowing it to fill his whole lungs before slowly releasing. The silence and calm of the now nearly empty castle comforted Remus, allowing him to look around and take in everything from the stairs where he was perched on a far side of the castle. It was the first time in six years that he was the only marauder that had stayed for the break, and though he felt guilty for thinking this, it was a nice change.

Not that he didn’t love the marauders and everything about them, but now and again a boy needs his space, some time to think without being accused of daydreaming. Light flooded down in shafts from the tall windows following the ascent of the stairs, and Remus peered up at the dust floating lazily through the air, the warm golden light warming his delicate face. Someone’s cat had snuck from the dormitory, presumably Hufflepuff considering the location in the school, and it had stretched out in an arch on the spread of light near Remus’ foot. His hand was about to reach out to pet the cat when a loud crash echoed around the stone walls from below on the stairs, causing the cat to jump up and dash up and away.

Moments later a familiar sour face appeared in the hall near the stairs, it’s owner brushing dirt and leaves from his black wool coat angrily as he marched past. He stopped his stormy air when he noticed the tawny boy still sitting on the stairs; light falling gently along him and making him glow even more than usual. (Why is he here? Shouldn’t he be clinging to that damned Black he’s so fond of?) The boy wondered, scowling slightly.

“Hello Severus.” Remus said when the other boy continued to stare at him, an unreadable expression on his face.

“Hello Remus.” Severus said quietly, unable to take his eyes away from the golden boy despite his mind telling him to get as far from him as possible. “You all alone for Hols?”

Remus nodded, noticing a leaf the other boy had missed in his shoulder length black hair. Standing he hopped down the stairs and up to the thin boy who was still staring without breaking his gaze. He took the leaf out of the hair, which was surprisingly softer than it appeared to be. Severus stiffened at the closeness of the other boy, making Remus laugh.

“You had a leaf, in your hair.” He held it up to demonstrate. Severus took the leaf and shoved it in his pocket swiftly and started to turn to go.

“We’re the only ones in our year still here you know.” Remus said quietly hoping the other boy wouldn’t leave him alone.

Severus stood with his back to Remus for a moment before answering. “So?”

Remus came to stand in front of Severus again, a small smile on his face despite the nervousness growing in his stomach. “So, I was thinking if you didn’t want to sulk in the dungeon by yourself you could walk with me?”

Severus nodded slowly, still staring at Remus as if he thought this was some sort of sick joke, but followed the smaller boy back towards the entry hall. He couldn’t really say why he was doing this; it seemed the stupidest thing he could be doing. But the little voice in his head that often got ignored told him he knew exactly why he was willing to take a walk alone with Remus Lupin.

After putting his brown coat on Remus and Severus headed out some side doors to the expansive grounds of Hogwarts. They went down by the lake, and began the long walk around its edge toward the Forbidden Forest. There was a light covering of snow on the ground that crunched beneath their shoes, their breath coming out in wispy clouds before disappearing into the starchy cold air.

“Why do you always wear brown?” Severus asked as Remus took out a pair of tan earmuffs and set them sturdily upon his small ears.

Remus laughed happily, making something flicker in Severus’ stomach, before answering, “It’s my favourite colour.”

Severus tried not to laugh. “But brown isn’t even a real colour!”

“Neither is black.” Remus said with fake defence in his voice making Severus break out a big grin.

“Who ever said black was my favourite colour?” Severus pretended to be interested in the lake instead of the pair of yellow eyes that he knew were shining in his direction.

Remus shivered suddenly, and wished they hadn’t walked quite as far out, realising how thin his coat was. Severus saw him shiver, but mistook it as fear of the forest.

“You afraid Lupin?” His eyebrow arched as he moved in closer to the shorter boy.

“Not of the forest. I’m just cold.” His eyes darted towards Hogwarts before they rested on Severus’ black pools. Remus observed that Severus had very long thick eyelashes, thanks no doubt to his middle-eastern heritage.1

“You want to go back in then?” Severus asked, not succeeding in hiding the hurt in his voice. Remus caught it but nodded anyway. There was no point losing his fingers and toes as he could see.

Re-entering the warm school, Remus shook his coat off, shoving his mittens and earmuffs into a pocket before handing it to a house-elf to hang up for him. Severus took his off as well, several leaves falling out as he did, and flung it at the house elf without looking to make sure it was received. Remus tried not to stare as Severus’ sweater momentarily rose up in the act of unravelling his scarf, exposing a pale stomach.

Smoothing the shirt back into its proper place Severus found Remus gazing at him, his perfect mouth open a hint. When he was caught staring, Remus quickly looked away, red creeping onto his face.

-/-

The rest of the day was spent in the library, both boys deciding to work together and get all of their homework out of the way so they wouldn’t have to worry over the break.

At dinner as they sat at the solitary table set up to eat at both boys tried to ignore the knowing look their headmaster was shooting at them.

The week before Christmas passed quickly for the two boys who were hardly out of each other’s sight. The morning of found them rushing out to the hall that they’d been meeting at every morning after they’d opened their presents.

-/-

Remus began walking down the hall, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Severus was following him, and headed to the Learning Centre, a common room for all four houses to support inter-house friendships. It would later be shut down as Voldemort gained power and animosity grew too strong among the students.

They walked in to find it completely empty, and both boys flung themselves onto a couch, Remus sitting farther away from Severus than either would have liked.

“What is your favourite colour?” Remus asked, setting up a board game similar to the muggle game Clue only that it was two players.

“You really want to know?” Severus asked, digging through the box of players until he found Salazar.

When Remus nodded, he set his piece on the board and took his time answering. “Gold.”

Remus sat back staring at him in shock for a moment before starting the game. They played several rounds of it, Remus getting more and more amused at Severus’ lack of propriety as he continued to lose to the werewolf. Finally he through his piece to the floor, cards scattering as they were tossed into the air as his sign of defeat.

“You’re insufferable you know.” He muttered as Remus laughed quietly beside him, making the couch squeak.

“That’s why you love me though.” Remus said before he could stop himself, and internally he cringed.

Severus merely laughed. “Where’d you get the idea I would love a Gryffindor?”

Remus gasped and flung himself against the back of the couch before falling over dramatically into Severus’ lap, feigning hurt feelings.

“You’re so mean to me.” He sighed, knowing full well that he wasn’t who was mean to Severus. The darker boy stiffened at the contact, especially so close to an area that liked Remus very much.

“Would you like me to be mean to you?” He asked finally, hiding the thrill of having Remus Lupin in his lap.

Remus stared up at him, his bangs spilled around his face, a silly grin across his graceful mouth. “Only if you aren’t serious when you are mean.” He dared to reach his finger up and tap Severus’ nose.

“What are you doing Rem-“Sev was interrupted as Remus laughed very loudly.

“Remmy. Call me Remmy.” Severus rolled his eyes at this before sighing. “Fine.”

“Sevvie?” Remus asked, causing Severus to pretend to gag at the nickname.

“What now?” Remus ignored the harsh tone in his new friend’s voice.

“You really shouldn’t hide in the dungeons so much. When we were outside the sunlight brought out the highlights in your hair, it was really pretty.” He laughed at his own words as Severus adjusted his legs, making Remus’ head move around.

“Don’t ever call my hair pretty again Lupin.” Remus laughed again as Severus glared at him.

“Stop the whole angry Slytherin act, won’t you?” Remus said, reaching up and smacking Sev’s arm lightly.

“It’s not an act, and my hair’s not pretty. Why do you insist on wearing ribbons in your hair like some girl?” Severus asked, running his hand over the beige ribbon that held Remus’ fine hair back in a small ponytail.

Remus didn’t answer at first. It wasn’t the first time someone had commented on the ribbons in close succession to being like a girl. Did EVERYONE know he was gay?

“Why do you let your hair get so oily and stringy? It can’t be that hard to get some shampoo?” Despite Remus’ hurt feelings about the ribbons (which he thought were classy and completely ungirly) he allowed a smile to sneak onto his face.

Severus looked down at Remus’ smiling face and got the sudden urge to knock him to the floor. Remus noticed there was a strange look in the other boy’s face and took the opportunity for his advantage.

Lifting his head up he brought Severus’ down at the same time until they met, Remus’ lips ghosting over Sev’s before applying pressure. Black eyes flew open to find amused amber ones staring back at him. He tried to pull his head away, but the werewolf’s grip was surprisingly strong. Instead of fighting it, he got into the kiss, pulling Remus up so that he was sitting in his lap facing him. Remus’ arms found their way around Sev’s neck pulling him even closer to the Slytherin. Suddenly he yanked his head away and smiled at Severus.

“So you DO like me, don’t you.” He growled happily as Severus’ face burned red.

“Pureblood Slytherin Sev likes poor little werewolf me.” He whispered toying with a strand of black hair that fell in front of Severus’ face.

“Well when you put it that way...” Severus said, pretending to push Remus off him, making them both laugh.

Remus leaned into Severus, resting his head against the other’s shoulder and sighed happily.

“Happy Christmas, by the way.” Remus pulled out a wrapping bow and stuck it sloppily on Sev’s head before placing a matching one on his own head.

“What-“ Severus began before he was interrupted quickly by Remus.

“Shut up and kiss me already.” Remus demanded, pulling Severus back to him by his shirt collar.

I don’t mind you comin’ here
And wastin’ all my time
’cause when you’re standin’ oh so near
I kinda lose my mind
It’s not the perfume that you wear
It’s not the ribbons in your hair
I don’t mind you comin’ here
And wastin’ all my time

I don’t mind you hangin’ out
And talkin’ in your sleep
It doesn’t matter where you’ve been
As long as it was deep, yeah
You always knew to wear it well and
You look so fancy I can tell
I don’t mind you hangin’ out
And talkin’ in your sleep

I guess you’re just what I needed
(just what I needed)
I needed someone to feed
I guess you’re just what I needed
(just what I needed)
I needed someone to bleed

I don’t mind you comin’ here
And wastin’ all my time time
’cause when you’re standin’ oh so near
I kinda lose my mind, yeah
It’s not the perfume that you wear
It’s not the ribbons in your hair
I don’t mind you comin’ here
And wastin’ all my time

I guess you’re just what I needed
(just what I needed)
I needed someone to feed
I guess you’re just what I needed
(just what I needed)
I needed someone to bleed

I guess you’re just what I needed
(just what I needed)
I needed someone to feed
I guess you’re just what I needed
(just what I needed)
I needed someone to bleed
Yeah, yeah, so bleed me

You’re just what I needed
You’re just what I needed
Yeah, you’re just what I needed
Yeah, yeah yeah

A/N: Hehe, just felt like writing this. It’s for a contest on http: BeastofFire dot deviantart dot com (minus the spaces and stuff) which is a slash club (join it if you’re on DA)

The lyrics are from The Cars “Just What I Needed” which is one of my FAVOURITE songs EVER

Oh, and REVIEW!!!

1 Yes, in my mind Sevvy is middle-eastern. Why? Simply because I want to, and plus the description we get of him makes me believe he is.