Unwanted pet (Snupin) *Complete*

Part 19: Let me be here for you

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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Sitting on the bed, the book opened in the lap, but Remus could not read. Every nerve in his body was on fire, aching. Snape needed time, and he was willing to provide it. Indecisiveness was nerve-racking. Snape was not as cold as he believed - he had compassion, hidden deep inside.

Suddenly, the gasping sounds came from the armchair. In two steps, he was next to Snape. Snape was pale, large specks of sweat on his forehead, gasping like fish out of the water. Not knowing what caused this, Lupin froze for a moment. Is it a medicine, maybe argument caused his heart to fail? He scooped Snape's face in his arms.

"Relax, stop fighting, and just breathe. Do you need Poppy or Albus?"

Still gasping Snape shook his head.

"Is it a potion?"

Another shaky shook of a head, so miniscule that he wouldn't catch it if he didn't have his hands on Snape.

"Breathe slowly."

Snape was in a state of shock, Remus finally realised.

"Trust me." He whispered. "I know you wouldn't believe me, but... I never hated you. . . Never thought badly about you. However, you were my rival, you had better grades. Everything seemed to come easily to you. Grades, chess, duelling,... I was jealous of you. Never tried hard enough to stop my friends. Nevertheless, after . . . after what happened I tried, I really tried to get near to you, to be your friend. I was wrong. I should have done that before."

Gasping subsided into small, shallow breaths. Snape's eyes looking at him in disbelief.

"We were kids then, not very smart. I did not know much about you then. Is it too late? I know a thing or two about loneliness Severus. I know about the inability to trust, fear even. No one can go alone through life. We all need at least one person we can trust."

He pulled back, Snape's breathing returned to normal.

Kneeling next to the armchair Lupin sat on his heels, carefully observing Snape. This was a unique opportunity, looking as the swirl of emotions pulling back behind a cold mask.

"Why are you so convinced that I do not have that ...one, was it,... person? More to the point, why are you so convinced that I have the desire to have YOU as my friend? You are not of any use to me."

"Friend is not useful, they are just there when we need them, Severus."

"Maybe from Gryffindor's point of view, Slytherin's however, have no use of useless attachments, like friendship." Snape was defensive now and looking at him Remus realized that at this moment continuation of conversation was pointless.

"Very well, Severus, but I am warning you - I won't give up on this. I do believe that you are in dire need of a true friend."

"And YOU are that friend?" Snarled Snape. "What am I in dire need of is some peace and quiet. If your concept of ... friendship ... can provide me with that. . ."

Without a word, Remus stood up and walked away.