The Wolf Walks In

"For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack"

-Author unknown

It was well past nightfall when Remus awoke. He was too sick to care that he had overslept. Dragging himself to his feet, Remus continued through the Forbidden Forest at a slow stagger. He was drawing closer to Hogwarts, oh so close! But at his present halting gate he wouldn't make it that night. Remus could only hope that he would be strong enough to continue on the morrow.

Only an hour into his determined if ponderous journey that night, Remus was startled to see a flickering light through the trees. Though he approached the light slowly and with all the caution he could manage, Remus couldn't help but hope that the campfire he could glimpse through the trees meant a friend was near. If it belonged to centaurs they wouldn't help him and if it were a goblin fire they would probably eat him if he gave them half a chance. However if it was Severus camped out to gather some potions ingredient, or Hagrid, out late to help some other injured beast, then he would be sure to get some help.

When Remus nosed carefully into the clearing to see Severus Snape, he could scarcely believe his eyes. There sat the Potions Master, cross-legged beside the fire, calmly pruning the leaves from several small branches of recently collected Rowan. The fact that Severus was a touchy man, an ex-spy, and presently armed with a silver knife did not even enter the weary wolf's mind. So happy was he to see his reluctant friend that he staggered straight into the clearing emitting a series of joyful barks.

With a fluid grace, Severus rose immediately to his feet. One look at the seemingly mad wolf caused him to clutch the knife in one hand while he quickly drew his wand with the other. It wasn't until Remus took note of the wand pointed at him and saw Severus open his mouth to speak a spell that Remus realized the trouble he was in. Of course Severus didn't recognize him! The Potions master had no reason to suspect that Remus was stuck in his wolf form so far from the full moon. Knowing he'd only get one chance, Remus did the only thing he could think of. Dropping down to the ground, he rolled over on his back, waved his paws in the air in a comical fashion and whined plaintively. He was the perfect picture of "aren't I the cutest doggy?"

The odd but undeniably submissive actions of the wolf before him shocked Severus enough that he didn't give voice to the spell. Staring intently at the wolf, Severus circled it warily until he could get a good look at it. He kept his wand pointed at the beast, but he didn't understand why the creature was behaving so strangely. Remus let his tongue loll out of his mouth and grinned in a friendly way. Still whining, he thumped his tail on the ground, wagging it like a dog. When Severus refrained from attacking him, he rolled carefully onto his belly and crawled around until he could face his startled friend. Staying on his belly, he smiled again, wagging his tail madly while he gave another piteous whine.

"Has no one ever informed you, you detestable, vermin-ridden beast, that wolves do not wag in that ridiculous fashion?" the irritated man snarled.

Thanking all the gods that the man standing before him was far too surly not to complain about something, Remus carefully shook his head in a very human gesture. The eyes of the man before him widened in shock for the second time that evening. Stepping slightly closer to the wolf, Severus studied his appearance more carefully. Noting the slight graying around the wolf's ears and muzzle, his tense stance relaxed slightly.

"Lupin?" he asked, his tone unbelieving.

At the sound of his name, Remus could not hold back a joyful bark as he nodded his head enthusiastically. As Severus placed his wand back in his sleeve, Remus tried to stand. The excitement at seeing a friendly...well...a familiar face had masked Remus' illness for a moment. As he tried to stand, his weakness caught up with him. Stumbling, he fell heavily onto his side. The sudden concern that flickered over the other wizard's face was an unexpected surprise to the weary werewolf.

"Remus!" Snape snapped, his voice hinting at both shock and concern. Kneeling next to the prone wolf, Severus once again drew his wand, this time to voice a simple diagnostic spell. As he gathered the information, he began to mutter to himself.

"Stupid...foolhardy...Gryffindor," Severus hissed through his teeth. "What in the many circles of hell have you done to yourself now? That side is infected...as I'm sure you are well aware. You're too skinny by half. Damn it Remus, your paws are bleeding...what did you try to do, walk all the way from London?"

Despite his pain, Remus was instantly cheered by the comfortably familiar grumpiness of the wizard fussing over him. Lifting his head, he gave Severus a wolfish grin and proceeded to lick the startled man's entire face. As Severus sputtered, his grin grew wider.

"For fuck's sake man! Have some damned pride, at least! That is even less dignified than tail wagging. I'll thank you to keep your disgusting tongue to yourself," he snapped.

His disgust might have been more believable if Remus hadn't caught the slight blush creeping over the pale man's face as he said it.

I must be feverish. If I didn't know better, I'd think the man cared. But that can't be true. He's talked his way out of every invitation I've extended, the stubborn git.

As Severus moved from Remus' side to put out the campfire and pack up his few belongings, Remus watched the other wizard from where he lay on the forest floor. His disgruntled friend moved quickly but with his usual grace; Remus had often thought Severus would have made a good wolf. The Potion master's silent and fluid motions were lovely to study. Giving a small sigh, Remus tried to keep his thoughts from wandering. It was true he was starved for company; he was people hungry, he realized. Remus was also well aware that he was hungry for the dark haired man in ways that the other wizard was bound to find highly inappropriate.

Well, he thought with another small sigh, Severus has made it clear during the past few years that he does not wish to spend more time in my company than absolutely necessary. I dare say I'll survive, if not happily. That is, if I'm not stuck in this blasted wolf form for the rest of my bloody life. At any rate, I expect that Severus will levitate me to the castle, foster me off on Poppy or Hagrid, and then spend as little time in my presence as necessary to find out what's gone wrong with my condition.

So sure was Lupin in his convictions that he was completely gobsmacked when Severus walked up to where he lay and lifted him easily into his arms. Even in his present form, Remus could not help but take comfort in the unexpected embrace, though he could not contain a small whine as the pressure of Severus' arms caused his side to flair in pain.

"I know it hurts," Severus said in an uncharacteristically gentle voice. "Brace up, man. We'll be at Hogwarts momentarily and get that infection squared away."

With that said, Severus Snape apparated one confused werewolf to the gate's of Hogwarts. He then proceeded to confuse the wolf further by carrying him by hand into the dungeons and straight into Severus' rooms. Once he lay Remus down on the sofa in his sitting room, Severus floo'd the Headmaster.

"I've got a...problem Albus. Would you be so kind as to gather up Poppy and Hagrid and come to my rooms?" Some habits die hard, if at all. Even though Voldemort was dead and gone, Professor Snape still refrained from getting specific when speaking on the floo. It was simply too easy for a nosy wizard to listen in.

Albus understood his young friend all too well, yet he couldn't quite ignore his own curiosity. "May I ask what the matter is, my boy?"

"I am entertaining...a sick friend," Severus replied brusquely.

"A friend who requires both Hagrid and Poppy's expertise?" asked Albus, with a sharp look at his Potions Professor.

"Indeed," was Severus' short reply.

"Odd time of the month for such a problem," Albus said, his voice heavy with innuendo.

"Indeed," Severus repeated and then continued in clipped, impatient tones, "If you are quite through satisfying your reprehensible curiosity, my...friend is in a great deal of pain. Perhaps your insufferable questions could wait until you've all arrived?"

The anger flashing in Snape's dark eyes only fueled a spark of surprised amusement in the Headmaster's. However, he replied quite calmly, "Yes...yes, you are quite right, my boy, forgive me. Tell your friend we shall arrive shortly to see to his ease."

"Insufferable Gryffindor!" Severus hissed as the flames lost their green sheen. Turning towards the injured wolf on his sofa, he continued. "Don't you imbeciles ever realize that there are times when words are not what are needed?" he snapped.

Intently regarding the flashing black eyes of the angry wizard staring at him, Remus calmly tucked that bit of information safely away for future reference. Stalking away, Severus passed out of sight of the wolf lying on the sofa, but Remus could still hear him...the sound of his determined steps...the opening of a slightly squeaky cabinet door...the soft clink of glass objects tapping together. In a moment, Severus returned to the sofa to kneel at Remus' side.

"I don't want to risk any healing measures until I have the chance to consult with both Hagrid and Poppy. Your condition makes healing a bit more complicated than if you were in your human form. However, there is no reason you need suffer in the meantime." Holding up the phial he clutched in one hand, Severus continued, "This is a simple pain relief potion. It's not very strong...I don't want it interfering with the diagnostics...but it should ease you somewhat. If you have no objection?" Severus finished with a questioning rise of his eyebrows.

Instead of a human nod, Remus could not resist raising up to lick Severus' chin while he uttered a soft whine. The effect this gesture had on the startled Potions Master was everything the werewolf desired. Blinking, Severus blushed lightly. When he spoke, his usual smooth tones had an odd, not-quite stuttering cadence.

"A...simple nod...would have been...sufficient. The way you behave, one would think we were..." Severus snapped his mouth shut so fast that Remus could hear the click of his teeth coming together. After giving Remus the potion, the flustered wizard rose quickly to his feet and spent the remainder of their time alone pacing restlessly, just out of sight of the bemused werewolf.

'One would think we were...' what, exactly? Friends? Or, dare I hope, lovers? I hope to Merlin that I'm not stuck like this, because if I get half a chance I'm going to find out exactly what the stubborn man meant by that. I swear it! I'm not about to let him wave off my advances with vague excuses ever again. I show him any attention...even in this wolf form...and he blushes like a school boy. I know he prefers men, but he's never given me any inkling that he might prefer me. If he does, why the hell has he been ducking my invitations?

Remus' silent if impassioned musing was interrupted by the arrival of the other wizards. Albus and Severus observed quietly while Hagrid and Poppy examined Remus and consulted together about the best line of treatment. Once that was squared away, they questioned Albus about where Remus should stay.

"A good question indeed," began Albus, a glint in his eye which belied his calm manner. "I'm sure Remus would be quite comfortable either in the infirmary or Hagrid's home, so I suppose that it depends on which you think would be more convenient."

"Nonsense!" an impatient voice interrupted. "Lupin shall stay here."

The shocked eyes of two wizards and one wolf turned to the Potions master. Albus simply regarded his young friend calmly.

"Lupin's injuries are only one of the problems we have to deal with," Severus explained in clipped tones. "Or have none of you noticed that he's a wolf despite the fact that the full moon is nearly a fortnight away?" he sneered. "I need to figure out just exactly what the trouble is...and I'll be damned if I'll waste my time traipsing all over creation to do so."

A twinkle in his eye, Albus replied in a voice that was wickedly matter of fact, "Well of course, my boy. We all know how much you care for Remus. It's perfectly understandable that you would want to keep him with you so that you can look after him."

Now it was the Potions master who was shocked. Remus was both surprised and pleased to see the same blush creep over the pale wizard's furious face. He couldn't hide a wolfish grin as he watched the object of his affection sputter in rage.

"Have you lost your mind, old man? I did not say that he...that we...that I...cared for him!"

Albus only chuckled as he said, "No, my dear boy, you most carefully did not."

In a flurry of robes, the furious Potions professor stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him. Albus was content to sit in a nearby chair while Poppy and Hagrid worked on the injured werewolf. His bruised and bleeding paws were carefully healed, as was the cut down his side. Hagrid left briefly to fetch an elixir from his hut that was effective on wolves, and he assured Remus that it would take care of the infection.

At last the work was finished and Poppy spoke to him kindly. "It wasn't as bad as it looked, Remus. The biggest problem is that you're starved and exhausted. You need to take a few more doses of that elixir of Hagrid's, and I've left written directions for Severus next to the bottle. Other than that, you only require rest and proper food. You should not need any more treatment from us, but please do call on us if you have further trouble."

Wishing he could thank the kind nurse and groundskeeper properly, Remus settled for an affectionate wagging of tail and a human nod of his canine head. Hagrid and Poppy both gave him a friendly pat before they left Snape's rooms, leaving Albus and Remus alone. Albus moved his chair closer to the where the wolf lay on the sofa and regarded him fondly.

"I doubt our angry friend will be returning very soon. I know you must be tired, Remus. I thought I would keep you company until you drop off to sleep."

Remus was indeed tired and he appreciated the kind wizard's company, but he couldn't stop himself from wishing he could speak. Exhausted as he was, he regarded the wizard sitting near him with questioning eyes.

"I see that something troubles you enough to keep you from your rest. Perhaps I can ease your puzzlement somewhat. I'm sure Severus thinks at the moment that I've done him no favors, but don't you think his reaction was a bit strong in regards to me implying little more than the two of you being friends?" Leaning toward Remus, Albus continued in a conspiratorial whisper, "I do think the man protests a bit too much, don't you?" Chuckling at the wolf's surprised expression, he continued, "Severus isn't used to such things. It's no surprise that the poor boy doesn't know how to act. I've found that my friendship with Severus has required a lot of patience over the years. I've also found that it was well worth the effort." Giving the tired werewolf a friendly pat, Albus said, "Now try to get some sleep, my boy."

Despite the thoughts whirling through his mind and the hesitant hope in his heart, Remus could no longer keep his weary eyes open. With a soft sigh, he closed his eyes and slept.

He woke once during the night, as strong yet gentle hands lifted his head to dose him with more of Hagrid's elixir. He could not stop himself from giving one of the hands a soft lick. To his surprise and pleasure, the small sign of affection did not drive the touchy man away. In fact, he felt Severus' hand give his neck a short caress before the man rose to withdraw. Whining softly, Remus wished he could tell the man not to leave. He had spent so much of his life alone and now, tired and sick, he could scarcely bear it.

"Go back to sleep, Remus," a low voice commanded. Then, in a voice so soft Remus wasn't sure he would have heard it had he not been in his wolf form, "I'll be nearby."

Raising his head enough to watch as Severus settled into the nearby chair, Remus gave a sigh of relief as he dropped back to sleep.

It was early the next afternoon when Remus at last awoke. For a moment he was disoriented by the unfamiliar room. Catching sight of Severus sitting and reading in the nearby chair, Remus remembered where he was and the events of the night before. Still groggy, he was content to lie where he was and study the other wizard. Severus was more at ease than Remus had ever seen him. The Potions master had leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes moving quickly as he read. His black boots and wool trousers were familiar to the werewolf, but this was the first time Remus had ever seen the normally over-dressed wizard in his shirt sleeves. Though the white linen shirt was buttoned clear up to the neck, Remus nevertheless found himself enjoying the unexpectedly casual sight.

Merlin's hairy arse! I miss my hands! If I had hands I'd see what I could do about loosening a few of those buttons.

Lost in his daydreams, Remus allowed his gaze to rake over the reading wizard. His eyes made a slow, deliberate journey over the man, from Severus' face with its softly intent expression of concentration to the strong, graceful hands which held Severus' book. Remus' eyes had just strayed to the man's black, trouser-covered crotch when an irritated clearing of Severus' throat brought him abruptly back to the present. Raising slightly embarrassed eyes back to Severus' face, he broke into a wolfish grin when he noted that, though Severus was scowling at him, the other wizard looked more uncomfortable than angry. His grin widened as he noted the slight blush which flickered to life over Severus' cheeks. Remus thought he was well on the way to becoming addicted to the sight of that blush.

"If you are quite finished with your inappropriate staring, the house-elves have brought you something to eat," Severus fairly snarled as he waved at two large bowls on the floor near the hearth. One sniff had Remus' mouth watering as he picked up the savory aroma of lamb stew. He was surprised at how hungry he was. However, he had one need more urgent. Unsure of what to do, he looked inquisitively at Severus and uttered a soft whine.

"If you have any other business to take care of," Severus said wryly, "I can floo you to Hagrid's hut. He's left the door there open and there is a house-elf stationed there who can return you. Later...if it is still necessary, you may take yourself outside. For the time being Hagrid and Poppy both insist you rest as much as possible."

Tumbling off the sofa and rising shakily to his feet, Remus gave Severus a friendly tail wag as he walked to the floo. With little trouble his full bladder was taken care of and he returned to his friend's sitting room. As he hungrily tucked into his lamb stew, his thoughts whirled. Would he be stuck in this blasted wolf form forever? And if he wasn't, what in the world was he going to do about the prickly wizard he had fallen in love with?