#|| 𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖘𝖊 : 004 People Will Not Want A Werewolf Teaching Their Children

[lupiinee]

"I picked you a flower bouquet."

— Felicity Fudge

❝ oh ! ❞

remus blinked as felicity held out a small bouquet of what appeared to be scottish wildflowers && a few magical flowers that he knew were specifically grown in the herbology greenhouses . but each colour COMPLIMENTED the other && there was a delightful aroma that rose from the flora . he had been under the weather for a few days , much to the dismay of his third years who had substitute from severus instead . but returning to class had meant he had come back to a chorus of complaints && worryingly still , severus studying a subject that remus was ... that remus had HOPED to give a more subjective && kinder viewpoint on .

still , it had been covered now && they couldn't waste time repeating subjects . && it was unlikely that remus would be able to persuade magical children regardless . that wasn't to say , remus was DISAPPOINTED . && perhaps he wore it too easily on his features . or perhaps felicity had just seen that he remained unwell .

hands reaching across the surface of his desk , taking the flowers from her && giving a soft smile , remus rose to his feet . reaching for his cane as he did so . ❝ these are beautiful , felicity , ❞ he said kindly . ❝ i do BELIEVE that you have a knack for this . ❞ his smile grew a little more . ❝ thank you , they shall brighten my office immensely . i dare say it's looking rather drab . ❞ // @historiavn

[lupiinee]

❝ tell me , severus , would you allow me into your school ? would any other wizard ? would anyone hire me to teach ? ❞ remus said , his eyes turning dark with frustration . the mention of shackles had hitched the rise in his chest . a burning HATRED for the wizarding community that sometimes reared itself in the moments before a full moon approached . pain && anger && the utter feeling of being completely betrayed , being completely ABANDONED by the community he so deeply coveted to be a part of . ❝ dumbledore has given me a lot more than i probably deserve , && i should be grateful . ❞

❝ AFTER ALL , the opinion of the masses is that my kind should be culled . that our heads should be mounted && our skins made into rugs . ❞ remus felt his jaw twitch , anger surfacing now instead of anything else . he stared at the ground for a minute , swallowing the feeling , && pushing it back down . it still bubbled , but remus now felt he was in control of it again .

❝ what i mean to say is , ❞ he said , pulling the blanket over his shoulders && readjusting it again , head hanging low between his shoulders . ❝ these shackles are here to keep me SAFE . to keep you all from being hurt by me . dumbledore entrusts that i do not let him down && i cannot ... i cannot be the source of any pain . i have caused too much already . ❞

remus closed his eyes , feeling wet on his face , though he was unsure if it was from the sweat or if he was upset . it could have been both . his head dipped further . chin now resting against his chest as he thought of it . he hoped dumbledore knew how much he WANTED to remain here at hogwarts && how he wanted ... nothing more than to be accepted .

his head lifted when severus made a point of assuring ( was assuring the correct term ? remus had never considered severus to be the reassuring type ) that he would not let anyone come to harm whilst remus was transformed . && remus met his gaze && nodded , believing him . ❝ i TRUST if something happens , you will ... make it painless . ❞ he said softly .

At the words of praise, Severus very nearly sneered. In the Wizarding world, Albus Dumbledore was revered, practically a saint. A man above reproach, incapable of fault—at least, in the eyes of the naive masses. Yet Severus knew better. He had seen the intricate machinery of the man’s mind, glimpsed the true nature beneath the benevolent facade.

A genius? Certainly. A formidable wizard? Undeniably so. But a good man? That was far more debatable. Not that Severus considered himself an authority on good men; they were a rarity in his experience, scarcely encountered in the circles he inhabited. Yet he knew manipulation when he saw it, recognized the art of maintaining appearances and performing acts "for the greater good."

Was this truly the best Dumbledore could offer Lupin, someone he supposedly cared for—though Severus had long doubted the old man’s capacity to genuinely care for anyone? Perhaps once, in his youth, Dumbledore had loved deeply. And perhaps that love had left him burned, irreparably scarred.

“You should never be grateful for shackles, Lupin,” Severus said coldly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. “Even you ought to recognize that much.”

The Order and their lofty ideals, their grand notions of noble causes. It wasn’t their foolishness that disgusted him—though that was certainly abundant—but their hypocrisy, their willful blindness to reality. They cloaked themselves in righteousness, weaving stories of heroism that bore little resemblance to the truth.

“Let him down? And how, precisely, would you do that?” Severus’s lips curled in disdain. “Do not trouble yourself, Lupin. Dumbledore knows full well you would sooner tear yourself apart than risk stepping out of line. That is precisely why you are perfect for this position.”

It was a position Severus had coveted for years, only to watch others take it, year after year, while he was left to endure insipid excuses.

He fixed Lupin with a piercing gaze, his voice dropping to a low, deadly tone. “If you cannot have faith in yourself, then have faith in me. Not out of sentiment, but because I am capable. I will not let you harm anyone. Not that I care, mind you—but because I will see to it.”

[lupiinee]

“ if there is a price to pay, i will deal with it when i'm dead. ” - viktor (for his hogwarts au) :3

❝ i asked if you were having pudding , ❞ remus said a slight furrow to his brow && tilting his head && then narrowing his eyes . using his own cane , the defence against the dark arts teacher leaned over && HOOKED the edge of the chair && yanked it out , before then gesturing at it , indicating that viktor ought take a seat .

waiting for a second , remus then poured the other man a goblet of wine , && passed that over too . ❝ i take it your work is going well then ? ❞ he asked , lifting a brow . // @dustoire

[lupiinee]

“Does that sound like its getting closer?” annabelle.

remus bent his head down . eyes flickering as he CONCENTRATED on the surroundings around them both . it took a second , but once he did hear it , he gave a nod . turning to look over at her , he reached forward && grasped her elbow . ❝ i want you to turn about && run far away from here , ❞ he told her , drawing out his wand . ❝ && whatever you HEAR , whatever you SEE , do not turn back . just keep running && don't stop until you get back to the castle . ❞ // @misunderstccd

[lupiinee]

“ can you cast a patronus? ”

— Felicity Fudge

❝ YES . ❞

carefully eyeing the dementors from afar , dark eyes scanning the perimeter of the bridge . it was late , && he had SUSPECTED that they might become more restless as the early winter night descended . whilst professor dumbledore forbade them from coming near the castle , he could not stop them from freely scouring hogsmede . && of course , as the children were enjoying their christmas delights , readying themselves for a couple of weeks away from classes , emotions were HIGH && it was a feeding ground for the creatures .

remus narrowed his eyes , standing tall as he watched the one he had cast away float beyond the reaches . it could not see him , but could sense that he && the ministers daughter were not the SUSPECT it was looking for . so it floated there for a moment , scaly hands outstretched but doing nothing before it then disappeared with the rags of its torn cloak drifting behind it like oil in water .

with that , remus exhaled a sigh of relief , && he tucked his wand back into his belt , turning to look over at young felicity , her eyes wide && almost in shock . he had been on a run to collect more chocolate from honeydukes , knowing he would need to restock for the other students . but , he patted down his cardigan anyway , before finding a few small squares leftover . ❝ ah HA ! ❞ he said , moving towards her && placing a gentle hand on her shoulder . ❝ not to worry felicity , it's gone now . but have some of this . ❞ he passed her the foil wrapped treat before then smiling . // @historiavn

[lupiinee]

he watched her carefully . remus had almost TRAINED himself to recognise micro-expressions in every single person that he had ever met , trying to figure out who he could trust , what they thought of him . so scared was remus of making the WRONG social move that he micro-managed everything he did . he was taking in her minuet changes before then tilting his head back && pulling his hand away , ensuring that he didn't draw too much attention to the bandage . clearing his throat , his expression tapered into a smile , then a chuckle as she commented that she had been DRAGGED back into the castle .

❝ yes , hogwarts tends to do that to a person , ❞ he said . his grin grew a little wider as she huffed && explained the previous professor had left her spitting hail mary's . something his catholic mother used to do when something offended her so greatly . ❝ i heard a few rumours that he wasn't well liked . ❞ he commented with ease . ❝ didn't want to ask too boldly in case you were a FAN . ❞ he added , lifting his features to examine her face carefully . after all , as bad as mr lockhart was , remus was aware that the man had quite the fanbase outside of hogwarts && in the wizarding world . && whilst remus didn't know him personally , he had read 'wandering with werewolves' && had promptly discarded the book after the first chapter , making his thoughts about the other very clear .

watching as miss palmer hoped up to sit on one of the student desks , remus gave a small nod . he figured that was the case . from the piles of essays about lockharts books that he had found && the multiple wrong class notes , remus was surprised anyone would have gained any sort of o.w.l or n.e.w.t grade in defence . ❝ i had a feeling that would be the situation , ❞ he exhaled , knowing now his workload had possibly just doubled . the defence against the dark arts class was notoriously cursed as a position .

he shook his head , moving a few papers . ❝ well , just like all teenagers then , ❞ he noted , knowing he'd figure out pretty soon who was && wasn't a troublemaker for the sake of it . he had grown up with JAMES POTTER as a friend though . so , it might be presumptuous , but remus fully imagined he would be able to deal with such behaviour .

❝ oh ! ❞ he hadn't expected the question to rebound back to him . ❝ i was a private tutor for a WHILE . ❞ two weeks before they found out about his lycanthropy , but he didn't share that with her . ❝ but this is my first official teaching post . i'm doing this as a FAVOUR for dumbledore . he asked me to return for a short while -- as long as i can . ❞ he smiled brightly before then grabbing a few tomes && moving towards a book case , stacking them together . ❝ do you ENJOY it ? ❞

𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄 ⎯⎯⎯ mostly a curse , especially when it came to situations where she knew to leave well enough alone . it was what made her a good journalist outside the castle walls , what made her paper successful ; she asked questions , again and again and again , never letting up until she got the answer that poured water on the burning fire of want ; knowing , it was a drug , one she chased and each run becoming more reckless than the last . her gaze , as a result , lingered on the bandage for a moment ( SHE WAS AN EASY READ , EMOTIONS AND THOUGHTS WORN CLEARLY ; HEAD TILTING TO THE SIDE FOR A SPLIT SECOND ) the thought of asking is pushed away , not the time , not the place , not her business . the rational voice in her mind spoke ; internally shaking her head before focusing back on the moment .

MISS PALMER , the urge to zone back out again hits instantly ; it was a title that still , after all this time ; she wasn't used to , nose wrinkles in response , playful as lips curve ❛ that's me , another fool that the castle walls have dragged back ❜ it was work away from work , down time - peyton has never been the type to sit still for long . her gaze flickers around the room , a small huff of amusement at the mention of the previous teacher ; INSUFFERABLE , INFURIATING , even under the circumstances of his departure , peyton is damn thankful for them ; it doesn't take a seer to know that the rest of the faculty felt the same , it was like sitting in a room with a troll - staying unnaturally still and praying that he never took notice in fear of seeing it as an invitation to conversation . ❛ ah , lockheart , less said about him the better - ❜

amusement all but dances in her eyes as attention brought to the bare room , glancing around - he wasn't wrong , it felt bigger now ; more spacious , though that wasn't a bad thing ❛ no need to apologise , i mean , sure ; the room is in dire need of some love , but it's already better than how it was . . . between you and me , i started saying more hail marys before walking in than at church ❜ her gaze lingers on the creatures ⎯⎯⎯ now that got her attention , visible excitement lighting in her eyes ⎯⎯⎯ no matter how much she's seen , how many miles travelled . . . the wizarding world was an extraordinary place ❛ i wouldn't worry , catching up will be . . . easy , after last year . you'll see what i mean when you get into it , but if you need help in that regard too - ❜ she points to herself , mimicking his actions , though peyton hops up on one of the student desks , legs swinging slightly . ❛ you have no idea , luckily a few of them have the smarts to be funny about it , others . . . not so much . ❜

fingers raise , beginning to count the years on digits ❛ fffffour years ? yeah , four . ❜ hands curling on the edge of the desk ❛ what about you ⎯⎯⎯ i mean , how long have you been teaching ? ❜

[lupiinee]

"Sounds like there's a maniac on the loose." Snape

there is a curl to severus' lips that puts remus on edge . he doesn't particularly like it , nor is he completely willing to agree with the statement . not because it was untrue . FRANKLY , remus is guilty for not seeing the madness in black earlier . but rather , because agreeing with severus particularly on this subject matter felt more akin to a betrayal of something else . something far deeper that remus could not quite put his finger on .

being the first two at the great hall for breakfast , remus had been quietly enjoying his eggs over toast , eyes skimming the middle section of the daily prophet . the front of the newspaper once again depicted black - manic && manacled , staring out from the photograph with a DANGEROUS expression that reminded remus very warily of a wild animal .

as severus had approached , remus had folded the newspaper in half so that he could acknowledge the other man && PERHAPS talk if the potions master deemed it non-egregious . but at severus' comment , PERHAPS NOT .

for a moment , remus was a little confused . black had escaped months ago now . this was not news . then , a FERVENT glance towards the other man , remus drew a steady realisation that whom severus was referring to , was none other than remus himself .

a small smile flickered across his face . remus had worse insults thrown at him . ❝ a little early to be insulting me severus , ❞ he said idly . // @rejectory

[lupiinee]

' Professor! I made you some christmas cookies, Happy Christmas.' She smiled holding out a christmas like bag of cookies towards him. / from hermione!

it's still a few days until the children break up for the holidays , but teaching has effectively ended . much of the professors weren't setting homework anymore && classes were becoming far more enjoyable before everyone left for home . well , most professors . remus was certain that severus && professor binns weren't changing their teaching tactics . his own class was finishing up for the week && remus was GRATEFUL that now he had time to rest . the impending full moon was merely a week away , && already he had started feeling the effects take hold of his body .

he had DECIDEDLY dismissed his last class a little earlier . watching as all the third years went off about , talking excitedly about the lesson they had just had && ready for the holidays . remus quietly began to clear up the classroom , ignoring the pain in his leg that was starting to give him bother . finally , with a slight flourish && flick of his wrist , he covered the tank containing pucks ( woodland sprites that liked nature && were often found protecting their forests ) && turning to see hermione standing in front of his teaching desk .

brows raising , he took in her appearance ( slightly TIRED && looking worn - that time turner must be in effect ) before then letting his head dip towards the bag that she was holding for him .

a soft smile permeated his lips . after a second , he reached over && took the bag from her . ❝ thank you , hermione . ❞ he said . ❝ that's very kind of you . would you care for some tea && maybe we could share them together ? ❞ he gestured up towards his office .

[lupiinee]

“Here, lean on me. I’ll help you walk.” - pomfrey

he didn't argue .

arm draped around the matron as remus clasped his hand tightly around his cane . he had over-exerted himself , he knew that . but at least the students && especially harry were SAFE . the owl he had sent across had been responded to almost immediately , professor mcgonagall assuring that madam pomfrey would be there to assist .

❝ i bet you thought you were finished dealing with me , ❞ he joked lightly . ❝ i will be FINE . i just need some food && my bed . ❞

[lupiinee]

❝ well that's the FIRST time i've ever heard of grindylows being called cute , ❞ he said with a chuckle , before giving a nod . ❝ but very well . come along , i shall show you the shallows they like to come to when hunting prey . it's how i CAUGHT this one . ❞ he gestured at the creature nestled in the glass case before tilting his head as the creature looked up at him angrily . clearly ANNOYED that he was still confined to such small quarters . remus gestured with his head , allowing annabelle to walk along side him , balancing on his cane && cage in hand .

❝ i've already eaten, but i wouldn't mind joining you. ❞ she answered simply. she didn't eat anything big enough, but she did eat something to hold her over for a little while. she may have some some baked goods from charlie hidden in her luggage but a few other students knew of it because she does like to share. ❝ as dangerous as they are... i find them pretty cute. in a twisted sense. ❞ she mused lightly after a short pause.

[lupiinee]

❝ well done everyone , ❞ remus said . ❝ that'll be it for today , but if you could all write me a roll of parchment about what we covered today && any further research on how to find redcaps , && have them READY for next lesson . ❞ watching the students gather their things && rise from their chairs , remus pushed some of his papers to one side && then lifted himself from his desk , moving over to the chalkboard && wiping away the chalk .

after a moment , he turned && nearly jumped out of his skin . behind him , as silent as a mouse , hermione had been standing . he didn't know how long she had been there , or if she had come from somewhere else with that time turner she had or had simply approached him . merlins beard . ❝ ah yes , ❞ he said . ❝ hello hermione . what questions do you have for me today ? ❞ he asked her , eyeing the stack of books that were bulging in her bag && the extra set sat in her arms .

he gave a smile . ❝ did you ENJOY that book ? ❞ he asked her , nodding to the one on the top . an interesting piece he had read several times himself full of fascinating old magic . // @volcre

[lupiinee]

tag stuff because i've been away for so long don't mind me

[lupiinee]

propping his elbow on his desk && leaning his head against his palm , remus took a shuddering breath . already feeling better for the potion . tea was next . but he would wait for severus to depart before he prepared anything . he was in no mood to be berated even further , though there was no way he was going to argue with severus . not in front of him at least . news of the boggart lesson had spread like wildfire && he IMAGINED that his old school acquaintance would be looking for a reason to apply tension .

jaw set , remus gave a tight nod . ❝ i am aware , severus . ❞ he said . ❝ i understand that it's not for my benefit , it is an obligation to dumbledore && to protect students . ❞ a pause as he curled his lips inwards into a purse . thoughtful && CONSIDERATE for a long second as the potion spread to other parts of his body .

❝ still , despite that being the reason , i do offer THANKS . i know it has not been easy to agree to nor is it an easy potion to make . ❞ there was obviously a lot more to it than just that , but remus left it there , fearing he might step on feet that sought to trod over him if an excuse was found . ❝ i will still be able to teach until the actual day , this morning has just been particularly difficult . ❞

he hesitated for a second . ❝ i was hoping you would be able to cover my classes that day . ❞

Severus was surprised when he instantly took the goblet from him with desperation, but easily concealed it with a scowl, watching as the other tried to swallow the potion down. Once again, he could feel the anger over this situation boiling away inside him like a potion itself.

It was already bad enough to have a werewolf working at this school, but if he was working with Sirius Black...Dumbledore was surely a fool. Then again, he couldn't forget that the headmaster had always played favorites with Lupin and his friends in particular. This must have been a punishment of sorts for Severus to brew potions in order to prevent Lupin from almost killing another innocent. He hadn't forgotten his near-death encounter to this day. At least this task could help him keep an eye on him and see if he could spot anything suspicious, more than the usual.

Dark eyes watched him carefully. ❝ I am merely following the request of our headmaster. I am not doing this out of a kindness or because we are friends. ❞ With this, he quickly snatched up the goblet from the desk. ❝ Since you are the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor now, it goes without saying that you must teach the students how to defend themselves, regardless of a full moon or not. ❞

[lupiinee]

❝ EXCELLENT . the treacle tart is very good tonight , ❞ remus said pulling some plates over towards viktor , brow lifted && watching the other man intently before sitting back . seemingly , viktor had been too lost in thought to realise that remus was addressing him && not severus . which was confirmed by viktors next words . a small smile flickered across remus' face . ❝ yes , well , he never made for great conversation in school either . i had no doubt in my mind that it would be the same now . ❞ he shrugged slightly before clearing his throat .

pausing for a moment , remus lifted his goblet to his lips && took a deep drink . ❝ certainly very COMPLEX , ❞ he admitted . ❝ i fail to understand why exactly professor dumbledore hired me , but , i do my best with what i can . ❞ he gave a sigh . ❝ i actually find it fascinating . ❞ he offered . ❝ now i won't pretend i entirely understand it , but muggles have a very similar structure . physics && all that . it's the building blocks && very foundation of both magic && the physical reality . it's FASCINATING stuff . ❞ a tilt of his head . ❝ don't sell yourself or the subject short . ❞

“ ah , yes , i do have quite the sweet tooth . ” an eyebrow perches on viktor's face , lips flickering into a smirk before he drops his head and , almost reluctantly , moves towards the offered seat . perhaps he ought to pay more attention to the changes in who he converses with . “ please , forgive me . severus is . . . a complicated conversationalist , i've noticed . ”

a silent nod as a thank you for the seat , and he sits . “ it is well , yes . and yours ? i have to assume your lessons are far more interesting to the students than mine . ” he takes a moment , jokingly scoffing to himself . “ mathematics in magic . i am shocked to have students at all . ”

@lupiinee | continued

[lupiinee]

❝ oh that old chestnut . ❞ remus said , tilting his head backwards . haunted eh ? yes he had heard that too . it had been a rumour that professor dumbledore had ENCOURGED throughout remus' tenure at hogwarts . && even now , no one thought to come near it . though remus had become quite bored of the rumour . knowing full well it wasn't violent spirits that had screamed during the night . but HIMSELF .

which is why remus had chosen to investigate . he had , assumed that perhaps black was using it as a hideout . knowing that his former friend had been in the castle not once but now twice , it stood to reason that black was hiding here . && given that black also knew that this wasn't haunted ... it made sense .

from casual observation though , remus DETERMINED that it was just he && mrs malfoy who were here . he doubted that she would remember him -- having been already in her 6th year when he arrived at hogwarts && wholly uninterested in the goings on of first years . though remus remembered her vividly moving down the hall with her sister && her partner -- lucius .

the shrieking shack REMAINED the same as ever . torn to shreds by remus' hands && a thick layer of dust covering everything but now illuminated by the cast of fire light remus had provided . ❝ well , i may not be an expert , ❞ he said idly . ❝ but we APPEAR to be the only two here . no violent spirits . which begs the question , why are you here ? ❞

narcissa malfoy had never been to the shrieking shack before.

a silver greyness touched the edge of the willow through which they had entered, and she saw that the colours within the shack itself were deepening, even as she watched, from blue-grey to a blackish purple. the change had come quickly, and narcissa couldn't deny that she was a little frightened.

her wand arm shook almost imperceptibly. when lupin spelled the light onto the ceiling, she was only marginally relieved ( and distantly impressed by his display of wandless magic ). the room looked as if it had been torn to shreds, repeatedly; there was something macabre about the place. wasn't dumbledore a little foolish, to have let this site fester for so long? was draco even safe there at hogwarts, so close to this frightful willow?

"you've never heard?" narcissa said with a cold calm, clenching her jaw to remain composed, "they say it's haunted."

@lupiinee

[lupiinee]

remus gave a tight nod . it's all he could manage . his eyes closed , exhausted && completely burnt out . but his body was shivering , uncontrolled && unbearably taut && DIFFICULT to move his joints . it felt as if there was metal rods had been stuck in every single part of his body && every time he moved it felt like he was being electrocuted . he hated this . he hated that the full moon made him feel like this . he had done his best to hide it through school . but without constant meals , without warmth , without access to anything like wolfsbane or other healing potions -- life had not been kind to him && his lycanthropy had taken its toll on him .

he hoped being here would allow his body to heal from all the transformations he had undergone without help . he had heard what wolfsbane could do . what it might do . he was so hopeful that maybe even just for a little bit , he might be healthy whilst here at hogwarts . that was the ... feeble hope .

listening to severus explain what the plan was , && how long they had left before his transformation . && what measures severus would take to protect the castle should the unlikely happen && remus lose his mind despite the wolfsbane && maybe escape . remus brought the blankets further over his shoulders . it didn't stop the shiver that spun through his body .

the question pulled his expressiion upwards . ❝ because ... because i could live the way i was living anymore . dumbledore has been the only person to ever ... ever treat me with kindness . you ... you don't know what it's like on the outside . i couldn't do it anymore . && he OFFERED me safety . protection . && i love teaching . i ... i just ... i didn't want to let him down either . ❞ he admitted softly && sadly . ❝ it doesn't matter . this position is cursed . i imagine i'll be no DIFFERENT && out within the year . ❞

What a path his life had taken—a cruel, mocking twist of fate, as though the universe itself delighted in its ironies. There had been a fleeting moment, once, in the innocence of his youth, when Severus believed he might carve out the life he had dreamed of—one marked by dignity and a shred of freedom. Such luxuries had never been afforded to a half-blood boy growing up in a house that seemed designed to crush him, to break his mother’s spirit while he watched, powerless.

Hogwarts was supposed to be his salvation, and for a time, it was. In its stone walls, he found an escape of sorts, moments of triumph in his studies, moments of rare companionship with the one friend he had dared to believe was genuine. But even those small mercies had proven ephemeral. Life, it seemed, was a relentless cycle of fleeting hope and inevitable loss. And now, decades later, with a war behind him and its scars still fresh, he found himself here—tending to someone who had shown him nothing but contempt.

Perhaps he ought to have taken some satisfaction in seeing Lupin reduced to this—frail, desperate, a shadow of the man he once was. But if there had been any brief flicker of amusement, it was quickly extinguished by the weight of everything else. Everything Severus had done. Everything he still had to do.

“You have less than two days,” he said, his voice low, measured, and tinged with weariness. “Forty-six hours, to be precise, before your full transformation takes hold. I will administer the potions and the tea twice more before then. Afterward, you will be chained, and I will…” He paused, exhaling a long, tired sigh. “...ensure the room is secured with additional protections. I will see to it that you are neither heard nor, should the chains fail, able to escape.”

A silence followed, heavy and laden with unspoken thoughts, before Severus broke it once more. “Why did you take this position, Remus? Was the old man truly so persuasive?”

The question lingered in the air, though he already knew the answer. Of course, he did. The same man had convinced him to walk this path, after all.