For Luck
by
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Snape/Lupin
Word Count: 988
Disclaimer: All the characters are Rowling's. All the smutty scenarios are mine.
Summary: Post-war. New Years Eve and a weary Snape just wants some wine and mince pies, but he rarely gets what he needs
"It's traditional."
"It's ridiculous."
"Severus, that mistletoe has been following you about for a week. It's nearly the New Year."
"I was given to understand the charm will fade before classes begin."
"You would rather have a sprig of magical mistletoe dangling over your head for another week than kiss someone and make it disappear?"
"Quite." Snape cleared his throat.
Remus eyed him suspiciously. He smelt a touch of nervousness, and, oddly, shame. He straightened, suddenly and painfully aware.
"Those conniving little wretches," he mumbled now, angry for Severus's sake.
Snape frowned. "What are you on about?"
"It's bad enough when their hexes and tricks are meant to tease, but when they do so to in such a way as to harm someone, it's out of line. I'll talk with them."
"Lupin, no one has been harmed. The bloody mistletoe is annoying, but it's not nargle-infested and hasn't even shed on me."
"Severus... we differ in our definition of harm. You may not find it harmful, but I find it mean-spirited and harmful to your self-esteem."
Snape considered this, then scowled.
"You are labouring under a misapprehension, Lupin, if you think a stupid prank will harm my self-esteem."
"I heard those little troublemakers talking at the burrow. Most of the magical mistletoe works as normal, but some... they charmed it so only someone who finds the person genuinely attractive can nullify the charm."
Severus finally spoke past gritted teeth. "I assure you, you are not telling me anything I don't already know."
"Who's kissed you then?"
Snape grew red. He also pursed his lips, clearly refusing to answer.
"Let me guess, Minerva offered a polite buss in order to break the charm."
Severus's colour increased, but he said nothing.
"So then. I imagine she realized it had to be someone who truly cared for you, so she tried it again, I daresay. Which was when you found ou--"
To his chagrin, Severus stood and began to leave the otherwise deserted staff lounge where Lupin had been glad to find another holiday hold out to spend the evening with. Everyone else was celebrating at Hogsmeade or with their family. The war and the trials were over barely four months ago and a celebratory mood was still pervasive throughout the wizarding world.
Severus had been exonerated, but was still under the watchful eye of the Ministry who allowed him to work at his old position so long as he allowed his wand to be scanned by an Auror on a bi-weekly basis. This was a condition that would apply so long as he wished to live in the wizarding world. He had dovetailed right back into his old position on staff as if he'd never left, refusing to acknowledge any of the barbed comments, whispers or hateful glances some gave him despite his acquittal. His perseverence had worked in his favour. Even the die-hard Snape-haters had come to simply ignore him instead of doing anything. Now his peace had been disturbed by one who would never wish him ill. Remus felt horrible.
"I'm sorry, Severus. I wasn't thinking. Please don't go."
Snape paused at the door, shoulders straight as an arrow, mistletoe quivering above him.
"Truly, Severus. I just... I hate the thought of anyone pranking you in such a way. It's... well, undignified at the least."
Snape turned then, his face a little less red and far less angry, but he sounded nettled as he spoke.
"I appreciate your... concern. But I consider it misplaced. I do not need pity."
"It's not pity, Severus."
"Call it what you will. It serves only to aggravate an already vexing situation -- one, I might add -- that I had come here to hopefully forget over a few glasses of wine and a mince pie or two."
"Then please, come sit down again. I'll heat up the pies." Remus turned and made good on his word, waving his wand over the tray of small pies on the lounge table and levitating one on a plate to the table by the chair Severus had been sitting in.
Severus eyed him and the now-steaming pie and finally drew in a deep breath and sat back down again. Remus handed him a fresh glass of wine.
They ate and sipped silently as the old year counted down and as they could hear the far off sounds of cheering and fireworks, Remus also heard the weary sigh across from him and lifted his glass.
"To the New Year."
"May it be an improvement on the last," Severus murmured, draining his glass. He sighed with satisfaction and then stood. "I guess I will see you at breakfast then."
"Severus, a moment, please." Remus set his glass down and stood, as well.
Snape waited, frowning as Remus approached, and then before he could do anything, felt his face cupped by two large, warm hands, felt himself being drawn to the other man and found himself being firmly and not unpleasantly kissed.
His gasp allowed a wine-flavoured tongue to slip between his lips and he closed his hands on those muscular shoulders and pulled him free.
"What? What is this?"
He sounded genuinely confused, not quite angry, but Lupin could hear the emotional storm brewing.
"A New Year's kiss, Severus. For luck."
Severus blinked, letting him go, and Remus smiled at him, a cheery and unaffected smile that made his eyes brighten.
"Good night, then."
Lupin turned and began to walk out. He paused by the door and looked back at the still pensive Snape.
"Oh, and you're very welcome."
Then he walked out.
Snape frowned, then looked up. The mistletoe was gone.
He considered this for a few moments, then picked up the nearly empty bottle of wine on the table and swigged the last of it down.
Issuing a sigh of satisfaction and relief, Severus looked back to the door and, finally nodding decisively, followed Remus out.
~FIN~
Posted: 30 Dec 2006