RP: Old nemeses

[shh_severus]

Date: 14 October 2005
Characters: Severus Snape, Nymphadora Tonks
Location: Tonks' place
Status: Private
Summary: Snape makes good on his promise to Remus, and seeks out testimonials on his behalf for his trial
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_tonks]

It was the rare evening at home, to be certain. As it was, Tonks had been spending most of her evenings at her store in various preparations. Alright, so this had been far more work than she ever could have imagined. But still, it was rewarding work -- and something much better suited for the late evenings when it wasn't so damned hot. She really would have to work on her cooling charms, that was for certain

[shh_severus]

Oh, brilliant. She was covered in ink. What the hell Remus had ever seen in her beyond the Gryffindor-bonding and the pert tits was beyond Severus. He glanced left and right, and then allowed the cowl to fall back enough to reveal his face. His hand was on his wand, ready to take her down, or at least Obliviate her, if necessary.

"Miss Tonks," he said curtly. "You look as though Peeves has moved into your home and begun dumping ink upon you. Or perhaps you have caused yet another potion to explode upon your person?" Severus well remembered the accidents she had caused in his classroom, and made a mental note to mock Remus for shagging someone young enough to have been in Snape's classes.

[shh_tonks]

Tonks blustered for a moment, only stepping out of the way to let the man pass. What Remus saw in this... well, for lack of a better word, complete and utter asshole was beyond her. She shook her head, shutting the door behind herself and barely managed to avoid shutting her finger in the doorjam. Tonks cursed under her breath, following Severus into the living room.

"Your knock made me jump and I spilled ink, alright." She watched him move towards the couch and wasn't about to warn him about the ink spill on the couch. Or that it was right where he was about to sit.

"And to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

[shh_severus]

Severus, however, gracefully maneuvered past the ink spill. He had not taught miscreants for fifteen years for nothing, and he was more than adept at avoiding such pratfalls.

He arched a brow at her and sneered, "Oh, I merely missed the sweet and melodic sound of your voice, and your ever so vibrant hair." He looked around, curious in spite of himself. His curiosity had always been a downfall. "This is where Gilen comes, is it? When he is away from Remus'?" The only time I go farther than Remus' bedroom?

[shh_tonks]

Tonks had no desire to offer Severus a 'spot' of tea. Or a spot of anything for that matter. Not when he came in here all self-important and proceeded to insult her as he did. That simply wasn't done as far as Tonks was concerned. She let herself shrink back to her natural height. She chose a chair across the room and settled herself in it, arms crossed over her chest.

"I'm aware you didn't ask this for yourself, and I --" She broke off. No, she would have helped him anyway. That damned owing him due to saving her life... thing. Tonks ran a hand through her hair with a sigh. "If that's what you ask, then... yes." She paused. "Have you told Remus that you saved his life?"

[shh_severus]

Severus gritted his teeth. "He does not know, nor might it be entirely necessary to bring it up. He was out cold, likely due to badly-made pain potions after the full moon, during that final attack on the Burrow. Molly Weasley had already blown my cover, and she shrieked to me that--" he stumbled for just a moment-- "that an Order member was still inside." Which was not quite true-- she had shouted that Remus was inside, and Severus, in spite of his hatred for the man, in spite of the years of ill will between them, had gone in and pulled him from the burning wreckage. He'd left the man's unconscious body with Tonks before going to Susan's to seek refuge once more.

"Remus does not know that it was I who took from the building," he repeated. "But as long as you can tell whatever tribunal might be convened that I stopped a Death Eater from cursing you to your grave, that should suffice."

[shh_tonks]

Tonks' jaw dropped ever so slightly. "After all this time, you haven't told him? What the hell, Snape?" she asked, shaking her head. "He knows someone saved him that day but not why or who. I've never told him, nor has Molly but for Merlin's sake -- he's your," she blanched slightly, "lover. He has a bleeding right to know!"

She had every intention of telling whoever was going to set up this trial the entire story.

"I'd tell him if I were you. Before he finds out at the trial." Then again, to tell Remus would be the right thing to do. Tonks wondered if Snape had ever done the right thing in his life.

[shh_severus]

"It's not his business to know that I saved his life," Severus snarled, the vein at his right temple beginning to pulse horribly. "He's so sodding noble, he'd feel indebted to me and I cannot have that. I cannot have the--" he broke off abruptly, remembering who he was speaking to. But it was true: to have the man he loved feel indebted to him was not a prospect Severus enjoyed. He did not ever want to have to question whether Remus was doing something because he wanted to or because he felt obligated to.

He shot her a pointed look. "He doesn't have to find out at the trial, Miss Tonks. I have more than enough information to clear my name without that becoming known. Are we clear?" Once a teacher, always a teacher, at least in terms of tone and carriage.