Unwanted pet (Snupin) *Complete*

Part 44: In the cage with the wolf

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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Snape followed Lupin with Dumbledore at his heel. Charming one armchair along the way to place it for the old wizard in the front part of cage room.

"Albus you just sit here and try to react as fast as you can if something goes wrong."

The old wizard nodded silently.

Severus took off his cloak and neatly folded it placing it on the ground. Unbuttoning his right sleeve, he removed wand holster with his wand still in it and hand it to the Albus. Fixing his sleeve back he looked at old wizard.

"Wards will let me move through them, but I still have to open the cage door. I do not know if the link will work, be ready."

"Do you expect trouble?" Asked Albus

"No, if nothing I expect him to be more ... human ... then he was in past weeks. But this is all theory. If my assumption proves to be correct, you may retreat to your quarters."

"Are you sure?"

"If I am not in the danger in a first half an hour, I will not be in danger at all." He stepped to the cage entrance and turned "Albus, did you ever witnessed the transformation?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"It is...disturbing...sight. Even for me. If you do not think, you can handle it..." he stopped as Albus raised his hand.

"I am grateful for your concern my dear boy, but I will be alright. I witnessed transformation with and without potion before. I presume that this one will be less violent."

"I would not bet on that." Sighed Snape, he was still taken aback by the fact that his potion did not relieve most of the painful and violent aspects of transformation. Silently he nodded and entered the cage, closing the door behind.

Remus, still frozen on the spot, did not move. He was looking at Snape with pleading eyes. Suppressing the fear, Snape snapped at him.

"Nothing you do or say would change this, Remus. Grow a spine already. If I were you, I would remove my clothes, that is if you do not want it in shreds. I believe that there is no need to tell you how little precious time you have for that."

His words had an impact on the frozen man in front of him. With apology and sadness in his eyes, wearing a look of the condemned man, Lupin started to remove his clothes. His back turned to Snape.

He chose this moment when to develop at least some notion of modesty, though Snape still fighting the desire to run from the cage.

This is not the time for wavering. He sternly reminded himself. Lupin curled in the furthest corner of the cage, as far away from him as possible.

Soon Lupin started to shake, falling to the side. Snape could see his jaw tightly clenched in an attempt to hold of screams. Lupin's body started to contort violently accompanied by a loud, and familiar, crackling of the bones.

Severus forced himself to keep a calm expression on his face, detached look in his eyes. Feeling torn between notion to flee and the notion to approach Lupin and at least attempt to help. Using all that he could conjure up of his will to stay motionless.

As transformation approached the final stage, Lupin abandoned his valiant attempt to remain silent and screamed. Screams filled the room and Snape's face grimaced, he could bear the sight but that scream was a reminder of his own personal failure. Looking at the twisted form in front, not human but still not an animal, he was certain that long list of thing that haunted his nightmares was now even longer.

Finally, screams turned to whimpers and howls. The werewolf was lying on the floor, still facing the wall. Snape moved, praying that his feet carrying him toward the transformed Lupin and not to the cage's exit.

"Lupin. Remus," he called softly in a low voice. Animal's ears turned towards him but body retracted to the wall. Gaining a bit of confidence from that movement, he proceeded toward the wolf "Remus, are you alright?"

He was now only a few steps away. Suddenly werewolf stood up, straightening to its full height. Severus Snape was by no means a small man, but werewolf was higher than he was.

Suddenly, beast exploded in a blur of a motion scrambling against the wall than rushing past him, nearly knocking him down, toward the opposite end of the cage. Snape jerked, and then spun around, turning his back to the animal and facing Albus, stretching one arm in motion that should signal Albus not to react.

He turned to face a wolf again, werewolf had the appearance of the terrified animal. He made one careful step, holding his arm stretched in front, palm facing down. He slowly advanced, as if he is trying to approach an untrusting dog.

I do hope that you do not hold this against me Lupin. "Remus, I know you are here. I would not harm you, and I know you would not harm me. Let me prove it to you. Let me come near to you." He whispered in a calm voice.

Lupin was still fixating him, eyes full of terror.

"You will not harm me. I have trust in you. You did not bite my hand, and you will not bite me."

Beast crouched then made one small slow motion toward him. He nodded approvingly and made another step forward.

"Just, let me touch you. Remember how you fell asleep on my hand. This is no different. Just prove to Albus that you will not harm me. He will go and I can read you a book. I took a liberty of choosing another book for us, another great Muggle novel." The werewolf looked at him with curiosity and made another step forward.

With a corner of an eye, he noticed Albus standing up, wand at ready. Fighting a need to warn Albus, hoping that old wizard will not disturb the beast or force it to the scared reaction he continued to talk.

"Just relax Remus, I know you are with us, I can see it in your eyes."

Werewolf twitched his ears and cautiously stepped toward him, outstretching his snout to sniff the offered hand. Snape felt that his breath is hitched in his chest, the rush of blood humming in his ears as heart pumped insanely. Pushing through the rising and now almost overwhelming panic and fear, he made another step forward. He reached a link in his mind, hoping that link would suffice if anything goes unplanned his first line of defence.

Beast was close now, close enough. He froze as wet snout touched his hand. It was a familiar feeling. Then unexpected emotion of reassurance and safety washed over him, emanating from the link. His eyes widened. The link did not work that way, he could feel the faint echo of strong emotions, but this was different. A direct message and somehow Wolf or Lupin did send him those feelings.

So this is the one of those 'others possibilities' scroll hinted. "I understand. I am not afraid of you. Now, let me touch you, Remus." He whispered.

Beast slowly slid its huge head beneath his hand, nuzzling it.

Severus was fascinated, the fur was sharp and he could feel skin beneath it. He stroked werewolf's head, one low growl escaped but tail waggle. Just like a dog. He continued petting the beast.

"Do you want us to read now Remus?" He asked and the beast nuzzled his head against him, bumping at his chest "Alright, then let me get it."

Snape did not even notice that he was smiling, grinning, would be a better description. Fear that he felt all these years alleviated. He walked to the place where Remus left his clothes, signalling Albus that he can go. With the slight discomfort, Snape noticed that Albus have an odd smile and twinkle in his eyes, but Albus's eyes were twinkling every so often and he decided to dismiss it.

He pulled a book and duvet from the hideout and walked back to the place where werewolf lied down. He placed the duvet on the ground and sit on it. Remus/wolf snuggled next to him, placing a head on the duvet, pawing on the ground for him to continue with stroking fur. Just like a dog.

"All right, all right. This is one of my favourite Muggle books. Written by Franz Kafka 'The Trial'." The wolf settled comfortably next to him. Placing one hand on the beast's back, he began to read.