Unwanted pet (Snupin) *Complete*

Part 51: The contract

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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For the longest of time, Severus was standing still, staring at one point, barely breathing. Hands clenched into fists so tightly that his wrists turned white. Minutes passed but he did not move.

Finally, after more than a quarter of the hour, he leaned on the table.

Almost as if he was in trans, he started to prepare ingredients for a potion, working automatically. The first stage of simmering started and only then, he walked at the armchair at corner tossing himself in it, burying his face in his hands.

Damn you old man, release my bind or let me die.

Breathing heavily he pushed all the fillings at the back of his mind, going through series of breathing and concentration exercises. Finally, he stood up and approached the simmering cauldron, focusing on his work. Before leaving his laboratory, he summoned a parchment and crossed another written line

Test reaction to cuts with silver in human form.

Talk to Dobby

Finish the paper; make sure to cut off Albus and his future meddling!

Break the Link

Stop administering the second potion

It was well past midnight when he managed to retreat to the room. He had enough time to steal a couple of hours of sleep. Next morning he found a parchment rolled on his pillow and grunted.

"Not this again." He sat straight snatching a parchment and looking at it as it was done something nasty to him. Scowling at himself for his lack of alertness around Lupin he rolled parchment open.

I will sing your bloody contract. Arrange it with Dumbledore for this afternoon. R.

He smiled, his mind worked furiously as he jumped from the bed and strode to the bathroom. Finally, the plan he devised was set in motion.

Later that day, he entered into Dumbledore's cabinet. Remus was already there, swaying nervously back and forth on his feet. Dumbledore was annoyingly cheerful as he always was when things progressed the way he wanted them to.

"Albus, Lupin." He greeted them curtly and placed 3 scrolls on the table. "I already put my signature on them."

"Remus are you absolutely sure, you want to agree to this?"

"Yes. Not that I have much of a choice, I would rather have at least some measure of comfort in this ordeal." Lupin reached for the first scroll, taking a quill from the inkpot on the desk.

Snape raised his hand, gracing a Lupin with the look he usually reserved for his most dense of his students.

"I suggest that you read the contract first, before signing it."

"No need. I trust you." Blurted Lupin placing his signature on the parchment, Albus followed his example he waved his head but stay silent.

Gryffindors and their trusting nature.

When all scrolls had all 3 signatures on them and each of them took his copy, he nodded his head.

"If this is all..."

"Severus this is truly the final stage?" Asked Albus interrupting him, he frowned.

"At present conditions, yes."

"What conditions?" Asked Lupin.

"Should there be more tests?" Spoke Albus at the same time.

"Given more time, there would be some additional testing. However, our research paper is due to submission in 3 weeks' time, and by the next full moon, the term will be over. In the prospect of that, time is limited for future research."

"And what would further research include?" Asked Albus suddenly serious, he glanced at him and sat on the nearest chair folding his hands on the knee. Waiting for them to follow his example.

"Well, first, I would test reactions by denying a Wolfsbane Potion to Lupin for a couple of months to test how he reacts without it and to see how permanent the effect of altered Wolfsbane he is taking now is. I would also test the reaction to regular Wolfsbane vs altered one, to see if there is any difference."

"And how much time would that demand?"

"Considering the time of withdrawal effects and building up of the potion in the system, and the fact that we are bound by the lunar cycles...A year, maybe two."

"That is a long time indeed." Agreed Albus. "Is all that testing necessary?"

"No. It is prudent but not necessary. I cannot guarantee what will happen in those situations at this point."

"What are you suggesting?"

"At the present, Lupin should continue with altered Wolfsbane Potion."

"My contract with Hogwarts ends with the end of this term. Gringotts Goblins, already employ me to another task." Sighed Remus.

"That is of no consequence," Albus turned to Lupin. "Your contract clearly states that you will be provided with the Potion as long as you need it. Terms of contract extend beyond your actual employment as a professor."

Lupin raised his head looking at Albus with his mouth open and he could not but smirk.

"You signed another contract without reading it. As expected from you Lupin. One day you are going to sign away your soul." Lupin looked at him smiling sheepishly. "If this is all, I would like to retreat. Poppy asked for restocking of certain potions."

"Yes, this is all Severus. Thank you." Albus smiled at him, Remus just nodded and he walked away.

Soon the life will return to normality, I will be free of Lupin. Who would have thought that I would miss Henry this much?