Honor:

Chapter 5:Cautious Reaquaintance

4123 words

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The Potions professor moved down the dim corridor, robes billowing behind him and casting odd moving shadows on the cold stone walls as he passed. Looking up, as he approached his quarters, he noticed the new Defense professor leaning casually against the wall with his arms crossed in front of his chest and one foot crossed in front of the other. Remi watched him approach, smiling at him in an odd way.

"Why are you smiling at me in that manner, Remi?" Severus asked, before he uttered the password for his rooms, just loud enough for Remus to hear it. The door swung open and Remus pushed off the wall to follow his friend inside.

"Because, after watching you stride down the hall in those robes, I can understand why some of the students are referring to you as the 'Great Bat'." Remus grinned up at Severus as he settled into one of the chairs by the fire. They stared at each other for a moment, then Severus raised an eyebrow.

"Indeed. That would facilitate my efforts to control the students in my presence." Severus removed his robes and hung them in a cabinet by the door, before he sat in the chair across from Remus. He reached forward to grasp the bottle of wine and fill both glasses. After filling them, he handed one to his friend, sat back in his seat, cradling his glass between his hands. He studied his friend, as Remus tasted his wine, closing his eyes to savour the flavour of it as he let it slowly roll across his tongue, before swallowing.

Remus leaned his head back and kept his eyes closed for a bit. Severus' eyes traveled from the wavy collar-length tawny golden hair to the calm masculine face. He looked appreciatively at the broad shoulders, across the wide chest and down the trim torso to the long legs stretched out toward the warmth of the fire.

'He's filled out well since seventh year. The changes are… very appealing. The changes at the moon don't seem to have had an obvious physical effect…yet. I will have to see what I can do to at least forestall that." Severus sipped his wine.

Remus opened his eyes too late to notice his friend studying him. Taking another drink of his wine, he gave a small sigh of appreciation. "I had forgotten how good the wine from your vineyards is."

"If I had thought of it I would have had Annalisa send you a few bottles. The crops have been very good for the last several years. Mama considers it her personal responsibility still to make sure everything is handled just so. Luckily, Annalisa has a talent for anticipating her. "

Remus nodded, looking far away for a moment. "Yes, I remember that about her." Looking at Severus, he continued. "She obviously passed the same trait on to you."

"Which has been fortuitous since looks would not have helped in the art of potion making." Severus eyed his companion, almost daring him to respond. Remus stared back, and cocked his head a bit to the side.

"Sev, how many times have I told you in the past to not talk that way. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and there are those who would find you appealing." He smiled, verbally volleying the conversation back to Severus, who only responded with a raised eyebrow and a slight upturn to the corner of his mouth.

The men sat back, sipped their wine and watched each other, momentarily lost in their own thoughts. The fire crackled in the quiet room, throwing flickering lights and shadows on the rug. Remus glanced to the side, as something caught his attention near Sev's feet. Suddenly, as if out of thin air, a large black cat appeared on the arm of Severus' chair. The cat leaned down and stretched its full length, then stood up, and looked at Severus expectantly. When he did not respond to her, she leaned over and butted her head into his chest. Severus stayed still, watching her as she looked up at him again. It seemed this was a game they played. She leaned in a second time, butting him hard and rubbing her head firmly against his chest. Severus chuckled and began scratching her ears. Soon, a very loud rumbling purr could be heard in the room.

"And who might this be, Sev? Haven't lost your love of cats I see."

"This is Puck. She followed us home from Hogsmeade last year. I had come for my meeting with Albus about my new position and Tori had insisted on accompanying me. We were coming back, that day, from purchasing potions ingredients and other supplies. I'd sat for a moment to watch the sun set, and the little imp took the opportunity to crawl into one of the pockets in my robes. I was already carrying so many shrunken packages; the added weight went unnoticed, since she was still a kitten."

Severus gave Puck one last scratch, and then reached to refill his glass. He motioned toward Remus, who handed over his glass for refilling. While Severus was busy with the wine, Puck leapt to the back of his chair, settled down and looked over Severus' shoulder as he sat back.

"Imagine my surprise when later that evening, while we were sitting here enjoying tea, I looked down to see her smaller self sitting in my lap…as if she owned it. Tori was quite amused by her antics and became immediately attached to her."

Remus chuckled at the mental image of a surprised Potions master. "She's beautiful and quite large for a domestic cat. Why the name Puck?"

"Ah yes. Tori named her, saying she reminded him of the Shakespearian character. I took her to Hagrid the next day. He looked her over and pronounced her a very healthy part-Kneazle kitten. It seems her domestic feline lineage is dominant in her appearance. The Kneazle instincts and intelligence however, made themselves evident quite early."

"She does seem to have that certain awareness in her eyes."

"She seems very comfortable in your presence Remi."

"I'll take that as a good sign."

Severus reached up and scratched Puck under the chin with a single finger. She stretched her neck out to expose more area to the rubbing digit. After a moment, she turned and gave his hand a lick as he pulled it away, causing both men to smile.

"Tori fell in love with her and insisted I keep her. She went home to Italy with us. When I returned for the new school year, he insisted again, that I bring her with me…so I wouldn't be lonely."

The two men locked eyes for a moment, as they each contemplated what the term "lonely" meant to them. Puck rubbed against Severus, bringing him out of his reverie.

"Would you care to join me in a game of chess?"

"I would be delighted …it's been a long time. I look forward to beating you." Remus replied with a grin.

"You seem to be feeling a bit over-confident this evening Remi. The wine must be addling your brain. Maybe I should relieve you of your wineglass." This was uttered with a straight face, but there was a twinkle of mischief in Severus' dark eyes. He then picked up the box holding the chess pieces and began placing them on the board. "You will be white for this game, then we can switch colors for the next one."

"That is acceptable." Remus nodded then stood to remove his robes and hang them in the cabinet next to Severus'. He reached up, loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar, before sitting back down and leaning forward, elbows on knees, toward the chessboard.

Both men bent over the chessboard, ready to play. Remus picked up his wine, took a sip, set it down and reached for a pawn to make his first move. They played back and forth for the next hour, control of the game, shifting back and forth several times, as each took their time contemplating their strategies.

Puck had disappeared briefly but made her return known by jumping up and settling on the table next to the chessboard, looking very much like a referee.

Remus looked up at the movement, startled, then smiled. He tentatively reached out a hand toward her. Puck leaned out and sniffed his hand for a moment, then rubbed her head into his palm. Remus looked at Severus, and his smile broadened as he began to stroke his hand over the half-kneazle's head and down her back.

"It appears you have been accepted." Severus responded as he looked back and forth from Puck to Remus.

"Well, that can only be a good thing then. I won't have to worry about her preventing me from visiting you in your quarters."

"Indeed." Severus looked at the chessboard. "I believe it is still your move. That is… unless you concede." Severus gave Remus a challenging look.

"Not on your life, Sev!" Remus replied as he reached for his knight to take his move. Puck meowed at the loss of attention, and jumped into Remus' lap, causing Remus to sit up suddenly. Both men looked at Puck in surprise, and started to laugh.

"Hmm, Remi, that is a first. Puck has never showed an interest before for sitting in anyone's lap but mine. She won't even sit on Tori's, no matter how much he coaxes her."

Remus scratched Puck's ears as she curled up in his lap. "I will take that as the highest compliment then."

"It also seems that Puck has decided that we are finished with our game as well."

"Yes, I would agree." Remus replied, humor in his voice, as he petted Puck, who was purring very loudly now. "We can always continue the game another time."

"That would be acceptable." Severus reached for the wine bottle. "Would you care for more wine?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I would." Remus passed his wine glass to Severus. "The wine is as good as I remember. Are there any new wines yet? I remember your brother was working on that."

Severus handed back Remus' glass and set the bottle back on the table. "No. Unfortunately, he as yet has been unable to introduce a genus of grape that will produce the flavor and bouquet he is seeking."

"That is unfortunate indeed. But if there is anyone who can do it, it is your brother, Ettore."

"I must concur. Ettore has always loved the vineyards as much as Mama. It's been said that wine is in our blood, but I believe it is true more for him, than it is for either Dona or for me." Severus sipped his wine, momentarily savouring the flavor. "Would you care for some cheese and fruit to accompany the wine?"

"That would be splendid!" Remus smiled.

"Mama owled me a package from her last trip to Italy. She stopped into the Zambini estates while she was there. The house elves store the cheeses for me."

"Wonderful!" Remus' mouth watered at the memories of tasting those cheeses on his last trip to Italy. "They always procure the tastiest cheeses from the local farms."

Severus snapped his fingers and a house-elf immediately appeared. Puck opened her eyes, but didn't move, as she watched the small creature with interest.

"What can Posie do for Professor Snape, sir?" Her large eyes flicked briefly to Puck and Remus, then back to Severus.

"Please bring a tray of the Italian cheeses, accompanied by a selection of sliced fruit."

"Would the Professors also like bread?" She asked, bouncing a bit on her toes.

Severus glanced to Remus for his input. He nodded back in the affirmative. Severus returned his gaze to the little house-elf in front of him. "Yes, a small loaf then."

"Yes sir, Professor! Right away Professor!" The elf snapped her fingers and was gone.

Puck laid her head back down and closed her eyes, but her ears still moved in response to the sounds around her.

Both men sat and sipped their wine silently for the next few minutes, as they watched the fire and Remus gently stroked his fingers along Puck's back. Suddenly, Puck's head came up, immediately followed by the reappearance of Posie. She was carrying a tray filled with an assortment of cheeses and fruit, and a small crusty loaf of bread, still warm from the oven. She set the tray on the table next to the chessboard, then snapped her fingers. In her hand, appeared a small bowl, which she sat on the table near Remus, as she looked at Puck.

"For Puck, Professor." She looked at Severus, and he nodded. "Do the Professors require anything else?"

"Not at this time, Posie, thank you." Severus responded.

"You are welcome, Professor." Posie then disappeared with a pop.

Remus looked from the small dish on the table, to Severus, with a questioning gaze. Puck left her warm spot on Remus' lap to lean over and sniff in the direction of the dish.

"Remi, place the dish on the floor please." As Remus leaned down to place the dish on the floor, Severus continued. "The elves always provide a small treat for Puck when they bring me food or drink. It is a habit that began not long after Puck began residing in my quarters." He glanced down to see Puck tucking into her treat. "It seems she wanted to play with the elves whenever they entered my quarters to do their chores, and they were a bit intimidated by her. Now, she seems to expect the treats, and they seem to enjoy providing them." Puck had just finished her treat and was washing her face. Severus smiled at the sight. Remus chuckled as he reached down to scratch Puck's ears.

"She certainly knows how to get what she wants."

"That she does. And she ignores Albus, which drives him mad!" Severus commented with a smirk.

Remus chuckled a bit at the mental picture of the Headmaster trying to get Puck to come to him. Then his expression became more inquisitive. "How do you feel about being back here as a professor now? The fifth, sixth, and seventh years were first, second, and third years when we graduated." He asked, as he leaned back in his chair. He crossed his arms and gave a small shiver.

Severus realized the temperature in the room had dropped a bit. He waved his hand at the flames and they rose higher, as he turned back to Remus. "I would be more comfortable if the age difference was greater, but I can handle the students." He waved his hand, summoning small plates and napkins from his small kitchen.

"It feels good to be back here again, and I am looking forward to teaching," Remus sat forward and helped himself to some bread and cheese from the platter, "but, it still seems surreal that we are staff now. The last time I was on these grounds, I was still a student." Taking a bite of the cheese, he made a satisfied sound.

Severus placed a plate of fruit, cheese, and bread on his lap, as he nodded in agreement. "I find it a bit more difficult to refer to the other staff members by their given names. We referred to them as our elders and superiors for 7 years." He placed a small piece of cheese in his mouth and chewed slowly.

"There is that. Then there is the adjustment to being addressed as Professor ourselves. I wonder what Lily would say…" Remus immediately became very quiet, realizing what he had said. A look of pain filled his eyes as he looked at Severus.

Severus didn't immediately reply. He took a sip of his wine, swallowing the last bit of cheese he had been savouring, then set his glass down. "I miss her too, Remi," he replied, his voice quiet and filled with emotion, "every single day." His eyes reflected back the sadness and pain he saw in Remus' eyes.

"The last time I saw her was on Harry's first birthday. She was so happy. She loved being a mother." Remus leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hand together against his chin. "It seemed to come so naturally to her. I visited when I could, which wasn't as often as I'd have liked to, but we owled often."

"We owled each other as well. Sadly, I was only able to visit her twice during my apprenticeship. She wrote often and I responded as often as time allowed. I'm still surprised Potter let her write to me." He uttered the last part in a disgusted tone, scowling down at his hands.

Severus looked up when Remus let out a snort, then a short laugh. "Sev, think about it. This is Lily we are talking about. Do you really believe anyone could persuade her against something she set her mind to? James would just throw his hands up and walk away, defeated."

Severus though a moment and opened his mouth to say something, then hesitated as if he had changed his mind. Instead, he placed his plate on the table and patted his leg, encouraging Puck to jump into his lap. He petted her for a moment then looked back up at Remus. "No, I don't, especially considering what she did to protect Harry."

Remus silently nodded in agreement, as he reached for more cheese and his wineglass. "Sev, did you ever have the opportunity to see little Harry? He has Lily's eyes and unfortunately, James' awful hair."

"No, I was never able to make it back again, after she gave birth. The trip I had arranged, had to be cancelled when my father died. She did owl me pictures of him. He looks too much like his father."

Remus released an exasperated sigh. "Sev, he actually looks like Lily and James equally. It's that messy Potter hair that makes you think of James. Besides, a child's appearance changes, as they get older. He may end up looking more like Lily."

"If you say so. Hopefully, the boy inherited Lily's sense and didn't take after Potter, or I will resign my position before he starts his first year."

Remus smiled, looking into his glass, as he twirled the stem between his fingers. "I tried to get custody of Harry, after…" Remus hesitated, "after they died, and … Siri went to… Azkaban."

A muscle twitched in Severus' jaw at the mention of his old enemy, but he ignored it. "I didn't know. What happened?"

"Albus sided with the Ministry against me. If he had vouched for me, I believe they would have given in, despite my condition. Minerva had offered to share the legal responsibility, so he would be cared for on the full moons. He could have lived here at Hogwarts."

"What was the reason for the refusal then?" Severus asked, clearly curious.

"Something about Lily's sister being Harry's only living relative and blood wards required to keep him safe."

"That's ridiculous. He would have been just as safe at Hogwarts. I don't believe that the Dark Lord is completely gone, but the school has the strongest wards possible."

"I agree Sev. I even researched it. Blood wards are strong, especially in families, but they can be transferred. I couldn't find all the information on it but what I did find indicated that Albus could have transferred the family connection to someone in the Wizarding world. Besides, the school has the strongest wards possible. Why raise him with Muggles? And Albus has forbidden anyone to visit him!"

"What?" Severus sat up suddenly, much to Puck's chagrin, as she passed him a dirty look. "There is no logical reason for that. Someone has to check on the child."

"I know. I've approached Albus about this several times by owl, and again in person, when I was interviewed for the Defense position. It would have been very convenient when I was schooling at Uni, since I was near London. He refused me every time, giving no explanation as to why. He just kept insisting the boy was fine and it was the best place for him!"

"Lily would be very upset that Harry is being raised by Muggles, even if it is Petunia. They weren't very close the last few years. That husband of hers seemed a right bastard! I suggest we approach Albus together. We may be able to sway him to at least allow us to check on Harry. Harry is how old now… two years?"

"Yes, he would have turned two in July."

"Petunia became quite odd about magic after she married that Muggle. Lily expressed her concern more than once. I wonder if the child will be told about his family and heritage, or that he's even a wizard."

"Albus seemed to think so, but I have my doubts." Remus rubbed his hands over his face, then ran them through his hair. "James would be livid. He detested Vernon Dursley. I met the man only once, briefly…and he made my skin crawl!"

"That settles it then. We will speak to Albus tomorrow after classes." Severus' expression was thunderous, as he thought of Lily and what she would say about where her son currently was living.

"Agreed. Sev… I could really use a shot of firewhiskey right now."

Severus nodded. He picked Puck up and set her on the floor, then walked to the drinks cabinet. He pulled out two tumblers and poured two fingers of the amber liquid in each. He returned to his seat, passing Remus one of the glasses before sitting down in his own chair. He sat for a moment, then raised his glass toward Remus, in toast.

"To dear friends, lost and gone…but not forgotten…" Severus spoke, his voice laced with emotion.

Remus raised his glass, and added, "And to the part of their souls that live on in their son, Harry. May the God and Goddess keep him safe." His eyes were glassy with unshed tears.

They tapped their glasses together and tossed back the fiery liquid. Both men sat quietly, allowing the burn slide from their lips to their bellies, to ground them and settle their emotions.

Remus glanced at Severus' clock. It was pointing to 'Time for bed.'

"It's a bit later than I realized. I should be going. Classes start tomorrow and morning comes quickly." Remus stood and stretched, then retrieved his robes.

"That is probably advisable." Severus stood and stretched himself. As he watched Remus put on his robes, sad to see Remus' form hidden again from his view. Remus, in turn was watching Severus out of the corner of his eye.

'He looks better than he did five years ago…still has a nice arse too. I wonder if he still has feelings…' Remus thought as he turned to face Severus again. "Sev, this was a very enjoyable evening. Thank you, the wine and accompaniment were delicious. Both Puck and the chess game were entertaining, and I enjoyed our conversation very much. Maybe we can do this again, later in the week perhaps? In my quarter this time."

"I enjoyed the evening as well, Remi. Your quarters will be fine. Shall we say…Wednesday evening?"

"Splendid. Maybe you could bring another bottle of that lovely wine…please?" Remus gave Severus a very large grin—one that Severus remembered very well. "I'll provide the accompaniment."

Severus shook his head, then smiled at the other man. "I think I can spare another bottle, however, I'm saving the rest for Christmas hols. I'm not sure when Mama will be sending me more."

"O.K, O.K. I'll make sure to get my liquor cabinet appropriately stocked as soon as possible. And there's that tea that you like." He smiled at Severus again.

Only if there's ginger biscuits to go with it." Severus raised an eyebrow.

"Ah yes…the ginger biscuits…must not forget those." Remus replied, still smiling. "Well, I'm off then."

"Remi, remember which book I pulled to release the door to my quarters, if you ever need to enter alone."

'Potions and Blood Magic', I remember. And the password to my quarters is 'Godiva'.'"

Severus rolled his eyes. "Another chocolate password, Remi? You're becoming predicable."

"Maybe I should have made it…. lemon drop, perhaps?" Smirked Remus.

Severus growled at that. "Good night, Remi. I will see you at breakfast."

"Good night Sev. May the Goddess bless your dreams." Remus said in a conciliatory tone.

"And yours as well, Remi." Replied Severus as he closed the door behind Remus, and headed back to his room for the night.

TBC…

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