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Severus Snape found himself waking up once again in the hospital wing at Hogwarts. The trouble was he couldn't remember what had landed him in the cot this time. He snuck out to find out just what Lupin did every month with his absences. What caused the other boy to look wan and haggard like he'd lost his job like Severus’ old man.
He remembered bits and pieces. The full moon shining brightly over the Black Lake. Throwing a stone at the knot on the Whomping Willow. A dirty tunnel. Growling and snarling. Heat at his back. A huge Stag jumping overhead. And then nothing much else.
Beside his cot sat the Headmaster looking deep in thought at a vial of silvery liquid in his wizened hands.
“Memory is a strange thing, Mister Snape.” The former Transfiguration professor spoke as if to no one. And perhaps he was no one.
“Sir?” He croaked, his mouth dry and still full of the dust from the tunnel.
“What one is cannot exist without what one was. The essence of a thing is in how we remember it.” Dumbledore waved over a cup and filled it with water, wandless and without incantation. “Drink. Slowly. Madam Pompfrey stopped you from dying only days ago. Would be a shame to waste her efforts to have you asphyxiate.”
Severus snorted. He was sure the Headmaster was concerned. Really. What a farce. “What happened under the Willow? What did I almost die from?”
“A werewolf, Mister Snape. He was contained where he should have been safe from prying eyes. I don't believe you stumbled upon him by chance.” Albus Dumbledore stared directly into his eyes as he recalled the conversation with Sirius Black that led him to snoop around that night. “How lucky then that Mister Potter was there. He rescued you.”
Severus winced, of course the stag was Saint Potter. Then, the werewolf was obviously Lupin. “Will I be expelled then?”
The Headmaster seemed momentarily surprised. “Whatever for?”
Severus looked down at his bandaged arms and hands. He felt the bandages all around his torso and up to his neck. “Let's be honest here, Headmaster. I'm damaged goods. I was already a poor boy from a poor family before becoming a chew toy for a werewolf. I'm a halfblood in Slytherin with negative social standing. I'm a loose end that needs tied, yeah?”
“That might be true on the surface. But I have no interest in expelling anyone tonight. No one can know this event occurred but that doesn't mean justice of a sort can't be meted out. Sirius Black will face consequences. As will you for being where you ought not be. Mister Lupin's secret is now just as much yours. Need I ask for a vow to silence you about what happened, or will your own self interest suffice?”
Severus nodded begrudgingly. “It's as you say. My storehouse has burned down. Now I can see the Moon.”
A twinkle developed in the older man's eyes. “It's a shame. Someone so clever is wasted on Tom.”
Severus Snape wasn't sure who Tom was but he wasn't going to ask. “Will you require anything else from me?”
The Headmaster stood up, perhaps in answer. “Get some rest, Severus Snape. Terms almost over and you have been excused from the rest of your end of term classes and tests. Your mother will pick you up at King's Cross. She has been made aware of your condition.”
Weeks pass and he goes home to Spinner's End. His mother was furious that the Headmaster had endangered her son. After Tobias had died of liver failure a few years ago, Eileen Snape nee Prince had turned over a new leaf and began to use magic in the house again. Just little things at first. But by the time Severus got home she had made an entirely new basement, one part gaol to lock him up on full moons and the other half was a potion's lab. Other little things around the house were improved. New furniture. Fixed pipes. It was obvious she had been busy.
Not only that but she was wearing robes like a witch again. Severus suspected that she had made up with her family. He doubted they knew of his new condition. She had put him in contact with a promising potions master that was supposed to be working on something to help werewolves. He was soon an apprentice and test subject after taking his OWLs and then NEWTs early. Truthfully he hadn't wanted to go back to Hogwarts after all that had happened there.
The change never got easier but in time he accepted it as part and parcel of his existence. Moons come and go and seasons pass. He keeps in infrequent contact with Lucius Malfoy and Lily Evans alike. They both congratulate him on passing his Mastery. Lucius asks him for a potion to help with his and Narcissa’s fertility. Lily marries James Potter as Severus always knew she would. It stings, of course, but at least he was able to attend the wedding. Her smile as she walks down the aisle will make for a bittersweet memory.
The Headmaster also asks him to consider applying for a position at Hogwarts but Severus declines. He is much too busy researching. His apprenticeship left much undone after he helped create the Wolfsbane Potion. It was a start to be sure to have his mind during the monthly change, but he wanted to cure himself and others of the affliction. Permanently.
He mostly kept to himself, occasionally filling orders from clients through the owl post, as he researched day and night. His mother would sometimes drag him out to get take away. Or even shop in Diagon Alley. He suspected she was worried he was becoming a recluse. She framed it as doing her a favor as any self respecting Slytherin would. He didn't mind the infrequent excursion. If only to stretch his legs and get out of his own head.
Even more time passes; he proves unsuccessful at his goal of curing his Lycanthropy. Babies are born and tensions rise as a shadow war takes place. Attacks become more frequent. Lucius had thankfully ceased asking him to consider becoming more involved. Of course where his potions and poisons went was of no concern. He made them untraceable by design. He was thankful to have not needed Lucius’ connections. The price tag on any help would have been too high. Masked men were being killed and detained by the Aurors every day.
Eventually he leaves the country to continue his research across the pond. His mother maintains the house in his absence. She never remarried, preferring to keep breeding cats and kneazles, and sometimes hybrids of the two.
The war ends while he's away. Dumbledore dies in the process. For the second time defeating a megalomaniac intent on world domination. The papers say they both went up in flames, as well as all the Death Eaters bound to the Dark Lord with his tattoo. Lucius being one of them. Narcissa was left to raise Draco alone. Of the Marauders only Remus was left. James and Sirius both died protecting Lily and her son, Harry. Apparently Pettigrew was a traitor who tried to kill them in their own home. Thankfully his capture by Albus Dumbledore led to the end of Voldemort, who the world now knew was formerly Tom Riddle.
Lily remarries a few years later. He doesn't attend this wedding as he's too deep both in his research and in the jungles of South America. He sends his regards, of course. The groom is an auror that worked with both James and Sirius, named Kingsley Shacklebolt.
A year or so later she sends a Christmas card containing a picture of their happy family, with a new baby Heather. Harry looks like a small clone of James with Lily's eyes. He's already six years old. How time marches on. Severus saves the photo in a scrapbook he keeps with pictures his mum sends him of her and her cats, the latest is an arrogant looking ginger tomcat with a face only a mother could love. Also a few moving photographs of Draco riding his toy broom.
He makes some unusual friends, Newt Scamander and his wife Tina who are always gushing about their grandson, Rolf. Newt's idea of retirement consists of returning magical creatures to their original habitats after securing a safe zone free of muggle interference. The magizoologist is curious about his transformation and waits with him through a few full moons. Somehow those are the most calming ones he's ever had. Tina only comes back for the aftermath.
Newt does help him with inspiration for his cure. An offhand comment about becoming an Animagus to blend in with more dangerous creatures. He recalls the Stag from those many moons ago.
He modifies the Wolfsbane Potion to mimic the affects of the Animagus transformation potion. Notably, the process is streamlined so as to not need to hold a mandrake leaf in one's mouth for a whole month.
The potion is successful at last after many years. His wolf is stabilized and the transformation becomes voluntary. No longer is it some painful half human and half monstrous wolf that plagues him once a month. Now he looks into the mirror and sees a large black wolf with a pale white face and obsidian eyes. His tail hits Newt's legs in appreciation. The other, older man smiles and says, “I always knew you'd succeed.”
A warmth suffuses him and he even smiles, though on a wolf the expression looks a little more threatening than intended. Newt isn't frightened of him and even pats him on the head. “Well done, Severus. Well done. What do you plan to do next? Perhaps something can be done about Vampires? A cure or maybe some kind of replacement blood that doesn't harm anyone? Let's file your success and show Tina your new form.”
Tina didn't much care for the huge black wolf either. But Rolf thought he was the best, and kept wanting to ride him around like a horse.
His first stop after getting his paperwork done on the new potion was to deliver a dose personally to the door of Remus Lupin. He was living in Grimmauld Place alone, presumably Black left it to him somehow. The last Marauder was certainly surprised to see him but maintained his manners enough to invite him in for tea.
“I forgave you long ago, Lupin.” Severus begins as he watches the other man fidget with the tea. “Not that you were directly responsible, but that night was… haunting and harrowing. The scars will never fade. Healing is about more than base flesh. Hence why I am here today.”
Severus sat the vial down between them on the table by the tea set. “This potion is a cure. Unlike my previous work with my former master. You will still transform, but the process will be voluntary, like an Animagus.”
Severus demonstrated and proceeded to lay down on the settee with his front paws crossed. Remus Lupin looked upon him, completely shocked. “You're brilliant. Merlin, Snape, this is amazing.”
Severus changed back to take a sip of the now steeped tea. No milk or sugar. He summoned a slice of lemon to garnish the edge. Tina turned him on to the idea. It certainly cuts down on the bitterness while leaving the tea from becoming too sweet. “No one else should suffer. Of course I will have an exclusive contract with the Ministry and St. Mungos to teach their potioneers and receive compensation for services rendered. That is a boon to be sure.”
Remus snickered into his own cup. “Naturally. Should I prepare or?”
Severus waved his hand towards the vial. “No time like the present, Lupin. It's a little disorienting at first but you will basically have a chat with your inner wolf and make peace. I'll be here the whole time.”
After an hour of howling and whimpering the only thing left on the floor is a somewhat smaller sandy brown wolf, no he was actually a coyote. Sev had seen a few during his travels. He chuckles briefly before summoning a mirror so that Lupin could see himself.
“I guess this means one can have other canid forms other than the typical wolf.” Sev posits as Lupin turns around and around excitedly.
A few minutes later, Remus Lupin is back in human form. “I really appreciate what you have done for me today, Severus. I had wondered why you didn't come back to Hogwarts. I felt so guilty for passing on my curse. Even unintentionally. Sirius and James didn't understand. I didn't know how to make them. And I was too afraid to lose their friendship to say something.”
Severus nodded slightly, his mouth in a half smile. “I know. And like I said, I forgave you because you were merely the weapon. Black pulled the trigger. What are you going to do with your life now?”
Lupin smiled brightly. “I was considering taking the Defense post at Hogwarts. To watch over Harry.”
Severus frowns. “Has it already been that long?”
“I know. His first year. He's probably excited to make some friends his own age. You could always take over for old Slughorn.” Remus jests, picking up a book he must have been reading before Severus showed up on the stoop.
Severus shudders. “A fate worse than death. I thought you didn't hate me anymore, Lupin.”
“What's a little good natured ribbing between former enemies?”
Severus showed himself out not long after. He had other errands to run. He visited both Lily and Narcissa whilst he was back in the country. Both were still as beautiful as ever. His mum was happy to have him home again after the years apart. She was beginning to ask him slyly if he had met anyone while on his travels. Of course he had but not in the way she implied.
After his contracts were up at St. Mungos and the Ministry of Magic, he stayed on in an advisory capacity as he continued to work in his lab at home. Mum had expanded an old watershed in the back to become a pretty substantial greenhouse. She supplied him with the ingredients and he made potions for a select clientele.
Every year he was invited to the annual Slughorn Christmas party. And every year he declined. Except for the last year that both Draco and Harry were at Hogwarts. Perhaps if he went once and was as much of a grump as he knew he could be, his former teacher would stop asking him.
The decorations were obnoxious as he knew they'd be. Albus Dumbledore would be proud. He stayed near the shadows by the wall and watched the young people mingling with alumni. Slughorn brought over a young woman with riotous chestnut colored hair that was supposed to be contained in a French braid. Her dress was a pleasing shade of green that reminded him of the Amazon forest. Her whiskey colored eyes were darting around for someone else. She wanted to be here as much as he did. Which is to say, not at all.
“Miss Hermione Granger, not related to Hector Dagworth-Granger, this is Master Severus Snape. He invented the cure for Lycanthropy. And so young too. A prodigy like you, my dear.” Slughorn disappeared after making the introduction.
She smiled tightly at him. “Sorry to bother you, Master Snape. I'll leave you be just as soon as I'm sure he's not watching.”
Severus snorted. “Are you looking for someone, Granger?”
“More like hiding from someone. Cormac just won't take a hint.”
Severus saw the one she spoke of about to turn their way. He led the young woman behind a curtain, out of view. Propriety be damned.
“Dab hand at potions? Were you hoping to convince me to be the Master to your apprentice?” Severus was intrigued. Something was different about this young woman.
They were snugly ensconced behind the curtains so that she had to look up at him from almost against his chest. “Sir I wouldn't presume.”
“Speak plainly, Granger.”
She blushes and bites her lips. He can't help but stare. He almost misses her answer. “I would love the opportunity. If you'll have me.”
He wouldn't normally entertain taking on an apprentice. In fact he really shouldn't. Especially when he wanted something more from her. “After your NEWT scores come in. Meet me at my home in Spinner's End. Mum will let you in.” Severus hands her a little black card with his address in white. “We can talk more at that point about duties and expectations. You will also have the opportunity to decline should you receive a better offer.”
Granger took his hand in hers and shook on it. She was clearly muggleborn. He should have known. “Thank you for even considering me, Sir.”
Severus lightly stroked the back of her hand with his thumb as he leaned around her to look beyond the curtains. Her breath hitched in her throat. “The coast appears to be clear, Miss Granger. The lout has moved on.”
She seemed like she might want to say something more but seemed to think better of it. In the end he left the party after wishing both Draco and Harry well.
That night he told his mum to expect a young woman to call on him in a matter of weeks. If she got the wrong idea, he wasn't going to correct her.