As Sick as a Dog
Chapter 15 of 31
quaffswinegailyThe Dark Mark causes a bit of a reaction.
ReviewedAs Sick as a Dog
Disclaimer: All the usual legal guff applies.
Apparating back to the gates of Hogwarts was easy, but things went downhill from there.
Lupin started to shake uncontrollably as soon as they landed. Grasping his forearm, he collapsed, curling into a whimpering ball at Snape’s feet.
“Come on, Lupin, get up.”
“C... can’t.” The werewolf groaned through clenched teeth.
Snape crouched beside him. “Why not?”
“T... transforming,” stuttered Lupin.
“But it’s not the full moon.”
“I know, you moron,” Remus wailed.
“Fuck!” Snape stood up, trying to think what to do.
“Sh... shack.”
“The shack. Shit. Yes.” He started dragging Lupin’s quivering body across the grass. “Don’t you dare turn on me, wolf-boy.”
Remus moaned loudly as he bumped hard along the ground.
“I need help,” muttered Severus. Who could help them? Madam Pomfrey? The headmaster, perhaps.
Charmaine!
Propping Lupin up against a rock, Severus noticed a slight furring around his jaw-line. He needed help urgently.
“Expecto Patronum!” Casting the spell to send a desperate message, he was surprised to see a silver doe flow from his wand and bound across the lawn towards the school.
Charmaine’s Patronus returned soon after. “I’ll meet you at the shack. Fly, Severus.”
“Fly?”
He slapped his forehead. Why hadn’t he thought of that? Especially when the happy memory he had used to generate his Patronus was of Charmaine teaching him to fly. Of course, it would be quicker to fly, but he wasn’t sure he could take off with the extra weight if he carried Lupin.
Gritting his teeth, he hauled Lupin into his arms. “I’m taking you to Charmaine.”
Remus gave him a weak nod.
Snape held the wizard’s trembling body closer and pushed off from the ground. The pair wobbled in the air for a second. Severus closed his eyes and concentrated. Charmaine, we’re coming.
Magical energy intensified around them. Opening his eyes, he thrust forward, flying at speed towards the Whomping Willow.
“Flying. Jus’ like Batman.” Remus giggled shakily.
“Shut up, Lupin.”
Unable to fly down the tunnel, Severus had to resort to dragging Remus again. The werewolf was shuddering violently and started snarling with every jolt and judder. Severus pulled him into the lit room at the end of the tunnel and was horrified to see how wolfish the young man had become. Hurriedly, he carried him into the cage, dropped him on the floor and turned to leave.
A deep and savage growl came from behind him. Snape’s wrist was grabbed firmly, and he was hauled sharply through the half-closed door. Stumbling, he crashed to the ground as the cage door slammed shut.
“I hate you, Severus Snape. I’m going to kill you, you slime-ball.” Lupin threw back his head and howled.
Severus lay face down on the dirt floor, quaking with fear. His muscles tensed as a hand gripped his shoulder firmly, shaking him.
“Severus!”
The hand turned him over gently.
“Severus.” Charmaine’s concerned gaze travelled over him. “Merde! That was close, Severus. Are you all right?”
Tears of relief welled up in his eyes; brimming over, they tracked down his grimy cheeks. His lips quivered into a small, tremulous smile. “I’ve never been more relieved to see a teacher.”
“You’re an arse-lick, Snape,” Lupin shouted, crashing into the locked door and rattling the bars of his cage. “I smell your fear.”
“That’s enough, Remus.” Charmaine patted Lupin’s head through the bars. “He saved your skin just now. Settle down and stop being such a grouchy mongrel.”
Lupin backed off, baring his teeth and growling.
Charmaine held out a hand to Severus, pulling him to his feet.
“Come and sit down over here. You can explain to me what has happened whilst we wait this out.”
She led him to a couch against the wall, where they could sit and watch Lupin.
Severus slumped onto the couch, covering his face with his hands. As he did, his sleeve slid up, revealing his newly branded forearm. He heard the catch in Charmaine’s breath as she caught sight of the Dark Mark.
“Oh, Severus,” she whispered.
Snape hesitated, not knowing whether to keep his face hidden or to look at her. What would she think of him?
He felt her forefinger trace gingerly over the tattoo.
“I knew this would happen. I knew it,” she murmured, “but I didn’t want to face this truth.”
Severus peered through his fingers at her. She was examining the emblem on his arm. Taking his hands away from his face, he laid them on his lap. Cautiously, her finger ran over the skull and snake on his left forearm.
“I’ve never seen one this close, but I think your Dark Mark looks different to the others.”
“If you think mine is unusual, you should take a look at Lupin’s.”
“Remus took the Dark Mark, too?”
“Yes. I think it was the Protean Charm which triggered his transformation.”
“I never realised he took the Mark. He never told me.”
“I presumed he was still speaking to you. I thought you would know about the Death Eaters.”
“Severus, I’ve known about the Death Eaters for a very long time, and I always knew you would join them, but it still hurts to see this blemish on your skin.”
Her finger ran over the mark again, finally coming to rest close to the Unicorn’s Blaze. It shone silver, close to the upper edge of the Dark Mark, looking like a star emerging from behind a black cloud. “I hope this Blaze will give you some protection.”
Her voice faltered, and she caught her trembling lip between her teeth. Tears glistened on her lashes. With the knuckle of his free hand, Severus gently brushed an escaping tear drop from her cheek.
“I shouldn’t have done it,” Severus admitted.
“It’s done now.”
“I already regret taking the Mark. I was angry and hurting. You wouldn’t speak to me.”
“You betrayed my trust, Severus. You invaded my thoughts and broke your promise.”
“You left me.”
“You had Lily.”
“I wanted you. I needed you.”
Charmaine sighed, shaking her head. “No, this is all wrong.”
“I shouldn’t have done it. Charmaine, I’m so sorry. I love—”
“Hush. Don’t say any more,” she whispered, laying a finger on his lips. “You need to rest.”
“Will you stay with me?” he murmured, eyelids drooping and muscles relaxing.
“I’ll stay as long as you need me.”
A/N: sunny33 does my beta work. Where would my commas be without her?
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Latest 25 Reviews for A Man's Best Friend
353 Reviews | 7.7/10 Average
Damn so he came back cured of the love that he had,but stilled loved them as a friend.I am not sure I understand how he was cured from being dead...did he not really die cause of the Blaze? I loved the story,felt a little rushed at the end,but it was supposed to be a one shot right!! Great work thanks!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks for taking the time to read to the finish and review. I wrote this story three years ago, so perhaps would take more time on the ending now. Maybe one day I'll revisit it.
I think they could have been a triad. Do you ever write those stories? You would write a great one I know!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I haven't yet. Maybe one day.
i like the older Snape and I am sure Hermione does too!!Great story!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
He matures rather well.
If he had lived would Lupin have been thier third? I would like to think so...I LOVE this story!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Perhaps... or maybe not...
i love the way you incorporate canon and fanon!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thank you very much. I appreciate your reviews.
poor Severus and poor(Hermione?)
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Indeed.
I never liked Lily, a real friend would have forgiven!! I hate the fact Severus never recoved from her loss and went to his death alone on a dirty floor...Thank goodness for fan fiction!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Fan fiction just lets us explore other options.
i was not expecting the unicorn to hurt our Severus!! I think it is for the good in the long run!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Here's hoping...
Hermione?
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Really?
Response from deedeebug95 (Reviewer)
Hahaha!
oMG, this really could have happened this way!! Poor Severus this is breaking my heart
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
It's certainly a possibility.
like the start of this!! How dare they shave Severus' hair!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I know. Oily and lank though it may be at times, we do love his hair.
If the professor knew how the dance went, why would she not be prepared to be kissed by Severus? It seems odd that a professor would dance this dance with a student. Obviously she has some kind of magical sight that Severus can pick up on when he touches her. Legilimins? Could they have gotten away with a kiss on the cheek? She should chastise Snotter for trapping her and Severus and taunting him right in front of a teacher. I know I need to just buck and deal with the tragedy that is Silly Lily Evens the idiot girl who has no ability to judge character and Severus Snape. I still don't like it though. F the Gryffindors. I hates them all!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm sure they woudn't have let them go with just a kiss on the cheek.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm sure they woudn't have let them go with just a kiss on the cheek.
Lily is such a little airheaded dolt! She has no common sense! She knows Severus better than that! She should know he wouldn't say such a thing! And that Snotter deserves to be killed by Voldemort. The world is better off without his kind of riff raff. I know that sounds stinky, but I'm a fat, greyheaded, crotchety and cantankerous old broad so I get to say things like that.
"That little whiper snaper probably smokes dope like all them other little pimply faced reprobates! All those young people are are on dope, damn it!" 
That's the mood I'm in and it's late. So I'd better go to bed before I do or say anything else antisocial. 
If you knew the week I've been having you'd understand.
Some little wanker stole my car and got it impounded for driving with no licence and for possession. He also just happens to be married to my idiot, enabling daughter who makes excuses for the little A-hole. I have no idea who raised these damn kids of mine!
Just freeking kill me now before I ever have to live with with any of the ungrateful leeches. I'll have bed sores and a wet diaper all the time.
I could totally kick that drunk, skinny little ass of his if I wanted to, you know... he's a little putz and I weigh more than he does. All I have to do is knock him down and sit on his face until he suffocates. He just better hope I don't cough, sneeze or laugh while I'm at it! Oops! it's too late. There I went and said something else antisocial. Somebody make me go to bed! I have to work tomorrow so I can buy diapers and wipes for my spawn's babies.
If you have to have kids, for the love of god don't have girls! Drama Drama Drama! I'm just warning you now. Kids are over freeking rated.
It's time for sleeping pills. I can't believe how late it is and I'm still up bitching... 
Now you know why I read Harry Potter fan fiction. In my head magic is fixing everything right now and Snape thinks I am the sexiest thing he's ever seen!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I hope this manages to take you away from real life dramas, if only for a short time.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I hope this manages to take you away from real life dramas, if only for a short time.
What special gift does she have? Oooooo, I know! She must be a werewolf! No wait. She does't smell of dog. But maybe she just knows how to keep the smell away. Hmmmmm. Touching Snape's face would have been OK if he had been a 4th grader but, teenager? Does she uderstand teenage male hormone function? Or should I call it a disorder? Just kidding. When I was a girl I didn't know what not to do around boys. I don't think I got wise until my mid 30's. I'm thinking she must be at least that old, however or she wouldn't have been thinking the things she was thinking. Women at the bottom of the hill wouldn't notice such attributes. Interesting.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Teenage male hormones... does anyone understand them?
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Teenage male hormones... does anyone understand them?
Hmmmm. She wants to let Severus know that Lupin is a Werewolf? I sincerely hope she isn't the one behind the prank that almost killed the young Severus.
Why would Dumbledore want the two boys to work together? Training them for something? Are you saying that the speech on the first day of potions isn't Severus Snape's original work?
I am very surprised he would use someone elses speech, but I guess if she turns out to be someone he truely admires I suppose he might use it to honor her. Maybe it caught his interest so well that it inspired him for life and he uses it hoping to inspire other young people the way he was. I guess we will find out. Black is such an arse! No wait, worse, he's a vulgar dick head.
I take it we won't be super attached to Sirius Black in this story. That's fine with me. I read for the love of Severus Snape and the love of Snape/Granger romance.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Hopefully all will become clearer as the story moves on.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Hopefully all will become clearer as the story moves on.
Bummer! They shaved his beautiful long black hair. Hasn't the poor man suffered enough assault to his dignity? I wonder why they let him out of Azkaban for the funeral? Is it to humiliate him? Is he out of Azkaban but under house arrest with guards? It must be shocking to Hermione to see Snape sobbing. I guess you'll tell us how he survived the war. An ausicious beginning!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
This has got to be one of the most gorgeous convoluted twisty exciting mind bending epic stories I've ever read!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks very much. I'm delighted you enjoyed this and appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks very much. I'm delighted you enjoyed this and appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.
I started reading this just before bed time, telling myself that I'd only read a chapter or two then off to bed... its now 5:30AM and I just finished! I just couldnt stop reading! I loved it. I really enjoyed every word! Great job and I look forward to reading more from you!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm absolutely delighted. Thank you very much. Now, go and get some sleep!
What a fun roller coaster! Thanks for posting it where we can read it.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
You're most welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for taking the time to stop and leave a review.
Charming story! I've definitely never read anything like it. I love the Portkey idea, and how the story flowed between the past and the present. Thanks.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks for reviewing. This was my first ever long fic. I hope you enjoyed it.
I'm not sure if I loved the story more or the A/N! Fabulous write;)
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks very much. I really appreciate your review. A/N: must remember to give everyone squishy hugs for reviewing...
Thank you for a happy ending - Severus & Hermione wedded, and Remus brought back, as well as Remus finding another special person to love and share/continue a new life with! I can't believe you intended this first to be only a one shot - thank Merlin's Beard that you got carried away or we all would never have had this wonderful, creative adventure in our ff lives - big heartfelt thanks! Looking forward to more of your multi-chaptered works as well as all others!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
It was a one shot, but the darned thing wouldn't lie down. Normally I struggle to string more than a couple of words together, so this was a bit of a one off. Thanks very much for your encouragement. Cheers, qwg
Ah-ah, Quaffie. I told you quite a few chapters back that you couldn't kill off Remus and you told me to get some new specs or something of that ilk because your prologue dictated that the lovely werewolf had shuffled off his mortal coil or pelt or whatever. Hmmmph. I'd like you to know lassie that I have 20-20 vision....and hindsight and can see through walls too. I enjoyed this ending but I secretly thought that Remus was going to end up with Harry. No??? Anyway thank you for a wonderful story. I have thoroughly enjoyed both Remus and Severus' and indeed our banter over the last few months and look forward to hearing from you again in the near future. Best wishes, Love Ali xxxxx.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Fie on you, and your xray, 3D, perception... glasses... thingies. It was very tempting to set Remus up with Harry, or in a threesome, but Jo was looking a bit left out. And being a true Aussie sheila used to wrangling crocs and dingoes, I reckoned she'd be able to manage his scrawny, flea-bitten hide.And the bloomin' happy ending fairy took over...I'm away to sink into the slough of despond, or onto the couch, or anywhere out of this infernal summer heat. Thanks for all your edifying reviews.Cheers, qwg
So glad this was more than a one shot! I've loved every minute of it. I'm really loving this unicorn magic. You should explore it more in future stories. Beautifully written and one of my favorite fics.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm very glad you liked it. The story just kept expanding - in some part due to sunny33, who read the original, and never made a comment, but the look on her face just said 'crap ending, write some more' - so I did (but not exactly what she wanted).As for more unicorns - not sure if I trust the mutant horse much - we'll wait and see.Thanks for all your lovely reviews.Cheers, qwg
Yay for you! Your first long fic and it went out on top. This was an even better ending than expected. I have to have my happy ending, always, and I knew you would let Severus and Hermione end in that fashion, but I was so pleased to find that they were able to have their friend back, even if it was through a portrait. THEN, you went and did one better by bringing him back for real. I, for one, am pleased that this one-shot got carried away. Feel free to let that happen again ...
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Darn! The happy ending fairy got a bit over exuberant, didn't she? I'll have to go and think up something evil she can't tamper with. I hope you enjoyed the read. Really, it shouldn't have worked - a story about a time travelling poisoner, a dead werewolf and a hard drinking wizard with memory defecit. What a load of tosh!Thanks for all your wonderful reviews, they are much appreciated.Cheers, qwg