by SnapeRulez
Chapter One: "The Wolfsbane Potion?"
He had been knowing who would be entering his office about two minutes before the knock on the door actually came. Regular, hurried footsteps, a sort of prowling walk that no human being-or entirely human being, that is- could hear and recognize as clearly as Remus Lupin could.
His sharp sense of hearing had told him that Severus Snape was walking down the corridor towards his office. Lupin´s equally sharp sense of smell had told him that Snape was carrying the potion with him. Well, no surprise there, what would he want here anyway?
"Come in," Lupin called. The door opened, and Severus Snape entered, carrying a smoking goblet, careful not to spill some of the substance in it. The smell was awful. Of course, Lupin had smelled that potion about a million times before, at least he felt he had, but it struck him everytime he was about to drink it just how terrible and disgusting it was.
"Your potion," Snape said, the usual expression of intense dislike and resentment on his face.
Wordlessly, Lupin took the goblet from Snape. He looked at it for a while, feeling the inner tension he always felt before drinking it, then looked up at Snape again.
"Thank you, Severus." It was perfectly clear from his tone that he wanted to be left alone, but Snape didn´t move.
"It´s pretty strong, this time, Lupin, and you should drink it immidiately. Take small swallows."
Lupin -feeling slightly taken aback because Snape was still refusing to call him by his first name- was on the verge of telling Snape that he knew exactly how strong that potion was, and that he really didn´t need advice, but he thought better of it.
After all, Lupin had always been really bad at potions, so maybe he DID need advice....
Lupin gave Snape another look that told him quite plainly to leave, and leave *now*, but still, Snape didn´t move. Lupin gave a soundless sigh. It was obvious that Snape wasnn´t going to leave him alone, not even if he asked him to.
He probably wants to make sure I really take it, Lupin thought, pity if he really thinks I am THAT thoughtless.....
He raised the goblet and took a small swallow. A bitter, horrible taste filled his mouth and throat. He took the goblet away from his lips, trying very hard not to choke and resisting the urge to spit it out again. There was only one word for it: Disgusting.
As he raised the goblet once more, feeling desperate and strangely nervous, he caught Snape´s eye. Something about the look in those black eyes made his hand stop abruptly. Lupin froze, the goblet held out in front of him, he stared at Snape.
Snape was watching him with more than interest. It was.....an eager look? No, not eager. Concern? No way....
It was as if he was waiting for something. Yes, that was it. He was waiting for something, a hint of triumph in his eyes.......
Lupin frowned, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Surely, he thought, surely he wouldn´t.....he´d never.......or would he?
Lupin didn´t know how much time passed while they were looking at each other. He didn´t know what exactly made him do it. A voice inside his head suddenly said: "No, he wouldn´t." and Lupin took the rest of the potion.
He regretted having drunk it the moment he set the goblet down. Snape gave a triumphant, superior smile, his black eyes gleaming excitedly. Lupin felt the colour drain from his face. His insides contracted strangely, and he was sure he would be sick any second.
"How do you feel?" Snape said, smiling contently, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Lupin didn´t answer. His insides were on fire. He was sweating all over.
"I.......don´t.........know," he replied finally, leaning onto his desk. He tried very hard to think of something he could do, but he just couldn´t concentrate on his thoughts. Well, that was probably what Snape had been playing at.....
"I think you should sit down," Lupin heard Snape say.
He sounded miles away. Lupin turned, one hand trying to pull out his wand, the other resting on his desk. The room had started to whirl around him. The last thing he knew was that his legs gave way and he fell, fell into an overwhelming blackness.