Unwanted pet (Snupin) *Complete*

Part 4: I am not a pet owner

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. This story is purely for entertainment purposes, no money is being made from it.

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Lupin felt like a bludger hit him in the head.

The taste in his mouth was foul. Was he drinking last night? It felt like hungover, but could not remember drinking last night.

Feeling the pain in the crumbled position he stretched and yelp as his feet and hands slammed into the wood. Sniffing the air, Remus deduced that he is not in his own room.

His head was pounding. With still closed eyes, he swung legs to the floor and sat.

"Merlin" mumbled still trying to remember, his head felt like it was filled with cotton balls. Lupin sniffed air again - lavender, chamomile and ... cedar.

Snape! His eyes opened in panic. Remus found himself sitting on a tiny sofa in Snape's quarters.

With windows that faced the murky water of Black Lake, it was hard to determine the time of the day. The fireplace was still roaring, warming up the room and drying the dump air.

"Uuuuuuugggggghhhhhhhhh" throbbing in head enhanced, still disorienting him.

"You passed out in an armchair." Snape's calm voice floated from one of the armchairs. Clearing the throat, Remus snapped at his host.

"So you packed me in this wand box."

"I had to tend to my potions during the night, and I did not want to trip over you. Where do you suggest I place you? My bed?!" Replied Snape, still invisible to him.

"I should be grateful for not dumping me in the hallway, I guess." He mumbled.

"Indeed, you should. I would appreciate if you leave now. No need to come to my chambers tonight, I will bring potion to you." Snape dismissed him

At least he is as rude as he ever was, some things never change. "Thank you..." he growled and get up walking unsteadily toward the door.

"Where do you think you are going?" Snape rose from the armchair, with treating tingle in his voice.

"Leaving" Hissed Remus, he was felt sick and not willing to play Snape's mind games.

"Looking like that? At this time of morning? From my premises?" Snape's face almost had an expression of shock "Use the floo."

"In Hogwarts ..." he started but Snape cut him off

"Dumbledore connected our rooms and infirmary; I informed him about potion effect. Use the floo." Snape's voice was adamant.

Lupin shook his head, which retaliated in sharp pain and more throbbing, standing in the cold fireplace with the handful of floo powder he smirked.

"I am wondering...no...I would expect of you to use at least some of those 'decorations' on me."

Before disappearing he thought to hear Snape mumbling to himself " I was considering it, but then again you might enjoy it, really unsettling thought. "

Landing, not so elegantly, on the floor of his room confusion grabbed him. Did he hear right? Not even sure that Snape did say what he thought, he might have just imagined the words.

Getting off the floor, Remus headed straight to the bathroom. Hot water relaxed the muscles and soothed the nerves.

Let give a test to those heightened senses of mine.

Enjoying the warmth of hot tub, he let go of his hold. Sounds and smells hit him again. Intensity was somewhat diminished but his head started to spin once again...

... scratching noises in the walls and mouse squeals ...

... the smell of earth soaked with moist ...

... house elf humming while working ...

... remaining kids laughing playing wizard's chess ...

... lavender, chamomile, cedar ...

... Snape!!!

Lupin opened his eyes gasping for air. Looking at the cold darkness of obsidian eyes. He shivered; the floor was cold and wet. Floor!? With the hint of panic, he fumbled, to find something and cover himself. Snape stood up and tossed him a towel, wearing a grimace of disgust and annoyance.

"Who would guess, Remus Lupin is shy." smirked sarcastically

"As I recall Severus, the fireplace is in the room, not bathroom. What are you doing here?"

"Saving you." a hint of lament in the voice "You fell asleep in the bathtub."

"That still not answers to my question, not that I am not grateful."

"Albus is having a time of his life, apparently, using me as an owl. He sent me to convey his satisfaction with reaction to the potion, and...asked me...to check up on you." Snape didn't sound pleased.

"I am fine." He grumbled.

"Yes. I can see that." Snape's voice was a sarcastic sneer.

Snape's hands reached and grabbed him, pulling him up. For its frame, Snape was strong. Cotton balls filled Lupin's head again; wobbling toward the door, as he tried to uphold at least some mirage of dignity. Feeling highly embarrassed by the situation, tightening the towel around hips, he nearly collapsed again. Two strong arms gripped him again, as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Once more, for the second time, this day consciousness returned slowly to Lupin, filling his head with hazy fog. Still drifting in half sleep, he heard voices.

"It is good for your research Severus." Albus's voice was muffled by the floo "It will be good for you too."

"I am not a medi-witch Albus, and if I have to take care of that mutt all the time, my research... my real research... will suffer." Snape sounded displeased

"He is your research, the biggest and the most important one" Albus' voice had a tinge of impatience.

"What am I supposed to do with him? Train him, teach him how to fetch, take him to a walk 3 times a day? I am not a pet owner." asked Snape, Lupin shivered listening to venom spilling from Snape's words, feeling like a hard heavy rock is pressing on his chest.

"No, you are not, but your portion is an asset to our cause Severus, I do not have to remind you of that. Do I have to remind you that you owe me..." there was a coldness in Albus' voice now, one that he never heard before.

"I know that Albus. Very well, I will do that, but Albus... One day, my debt to you will be repaid." Snape sounded almost menacing

"To me...perhaps, but you are not doing this for me and you know it." calmly replied Albus

"Albus!" hissed Snape dangerously.

Is he really going to pick a fight with Dumbledore? Remus started to moan and conversation stopped. Snape was next to the bed. Remus felt soft cold hand on a forehead.

"Next time, I'm letting you drown" Severus was annoyed.

"Thank you." Remus grabbed Snape' hand and squeezed it before sinking into much-needed sleep.