Quarrels
The dish soap and water was everywhere. The dirty dishes that still had last nights dinner on them could have been cleaned in an instant but were left sitting in the sink for the past half hour.
Remus knew they weren’t going to get along. Why did Dumbledore think making him and Snape live together with two young children would be a good damn idea?
The mind of Albus Dumbledore’s was a confusing and extremely irritating thing.
Remus just wanted to get the dishes done. That’s all he really wanted to do was get the dishes done. No, he did not have an ‘agenda to spite Snape’ as the raven haired man put it, in fact Snape said that a lot. That Remus wanted to piss him off just for the fun of it. But in fact Remus was walking on eggshells every time he was around Snape!
Obviously Remus couldn’t move the salt to the left of the pepper no it had to precisely be on the left! How foolish of him to even assume. And obviously the home was not ‘over labeled’ it just had about every damn jar labeled as well as have all of the garden labeled! How did Snape make this many labels?
And most Obvious of all the spell used to clean dishes in an instant was not enough for Snape! No they had to be hand washed so they were actually clean! The dishes were bloody clean with the spell!
Severus Snape had to be the most annoyingly particular man Remus had ever met. Everything had to be a certain way and when messed with shit hit the damn fan and Snape acted as if this minor inconvenience was a world war! Or that Remus was trying to anger him on purpose. No he was just trying to get the damn pepper!
The most recent one of the arguments happened this morning after they put the boys down for their nap. Thankfully they did not have to see two grown men argue over dishes!
“Lupin! I told you multiple times the plates have to be hand washed! The spell doesn’t clean them well enough.” Severus groaned. Yes, he had used the spell on the day where Albus realized how much he was struggling but to be fair. He was so unbelievably tired and had intended on cleaning them later.
“Snape, it’s just dishes and their clean why are you picking a fight?!” Lupin argued pointing to the sink.
“Me? You always want to pick a fight!” Snape countered and Lupin looked incredulous.
“I do? I do! It’s always you! You greasy git! Always giving me glares and scoffing at everything I do! Nothing I do is ever good enough for you, you act as if I do everything wrong!” Lupin yelled. Snape charmed the kitchen so none of the noise seeped upstairs and woke the boys. He could not imagine the shame he would feel if they witnessed the argument.
“Oh and those patronizing pats on the shoulder or the eye rolls you think I’m not paying attention to are just going to go unnoticed?” Snape pointed out and Lupin tried to not cringe. He only rolled his eyes at all the labels!
“Well- I- What is with you and damn labels! It’s quite plainly clear which spice is which Snape!” Lupin shouted and Snape stood back. He didn’t know why he labeled almost everything it just felt nice to have a clear and concise kitchen. He had always been like that. He knew it could be annoying.
“Oh quiet down, Wolf!” Snape exclaimed. Lupin’s face scrunched up and contorted with anger. Of course the only thing Snape could use to berate him, his lycanthropy. Lupin knew the man always had insults upon insults for him but the ones that used him being a werewolf was always a low blow. He hated it. And right now he hated Snape.
“Of course! ‘Wolf’ how could I have not seen that one coming, always got a comment about me being a lycanthrope don’t you Severus? Not an original thought in your brain?” He asked.
“Oh quiet yourself! You fool! It’s not as if your any more imaginative with your barrage of insults! Merlin’s beard if I’m honest all you do is critic my personality, my whole being! It’s not as if you are any better yourself!” Snape yelled. His voice never got so loud when he yelled. It was more of a raise of tone and his face told most of what he was trying to say.
“How so?” Lupin asked irritated but he was mentally preparing himself to hear whatever Snape had. Once someone got the raven haired man angry he just always took it too far.
“You’re a right damn coward! As soon as James and Lily died it was as if you disappeared off of the face of the earth! Were you so bloody scared and ashamed to face anyone? The only times anyone ever saw you crawl out of the cave you call a flat, was to go to a damn pub! And wash your worries away with alcohol! Revolting.
Remus always did his best to be a kind, calm person in the midst of all the chaos. And he was with most people, children especially. Cheerful but calm. Though since he’s been with Severus, he’s tried to keep that, try to keep being calm the man was hard to live with and this last jab put him over the edge. Coward? He knew. It wasn’t as if he thought every time he looked at himself. He knew he was a coward.
And the few times Snape had seen him at a pub too? Sure Lupin drank though that was casual his smoking habit were worse but he wasn’t about to admit that to the man who was currently verbally assaulting him.
“Coming from the deatheater! You were with you-know-who when they died! You were working against your friends! Lily trusted you and you worked with the man who killed her in cold blood! You are a disgrace of a man!” He yelled and he picked up one of the plates and was about to smash it into the wall until he felt two hand on his wrist. A panicked looking Snape whose eyes looked scared.
“No- no don’t- please don’t.”
Lupin put the plate down. He looked at Snape’s eyes and walked off. Heading up to his room. He didn’t like that look Snape gave him. He rather the man be angry with him than give him that look. That look that old more than his words. That he was scared and afraid..of Lupin.
Remus flopped onto his bed and scowled. Grabbing his pillow and putting it over his head as he groaned. He had a feeling he’d be out of a job soon if he kept this up.
What should he do now? Apologize to Snape? Well he would admit he had fault in the argument and his actions weren’t acceptable at all but he knew Snape himself had fault in it to. But he’d doubt he’d get the man to apologize. Maybe if they both ignored it it’d go away?
One thing he knew was he wasn’t moving from his bed until the boys woke up which wouldn’t be for another hour or two.
He closed his eyes. He remembered his father and what he’d say to him when he was upset. It always something along the lines of, ‘it’s ok, nothing will make sense now, but it will later, once you tackle your problem it’ll all be fine, Remus.’
Oh how Remus hoped to Merlin, God (though he was no longer religious or as), hell even Snape! That this conflict would be resolved. How he hated conflict but in Snape’s household it seemed almost impossible to avoid.
If Severus had heard what Remus thought about conflicts in the household he’d agree. Though not for the present. Watching Remus pick up the plate reminded him of his father when he’d get so drunk and angry he’d throw every glass object around.
Snape remembered the shatters he would hear as the cutlery, plates, one time it was even the toaster hit the wall. The yelling that pounded in his ears. The hatred the radiated through the house as anything hit the wall.
He knew it was silly as his father was a muggle and possessed no magical powers, though he thought perhaps..the walls would absorb that anger and that hatred. Maybe it was just him but felt hatred in almost every part of the house. All the anger, worry, panic, sadness, and fear that ran through the walls.
Most of all in the kitchen. As soon as he knew Lupin was up in his room Severus took off. He didn’t know where to go. Everything felt suffocating. He scurried through the hall before reaching his room shutting the door behind him softly. He took a breath.
The room he currently slept in was his childhood room. He was a bit embarrassed to admit that he gave the boys the master bedroom. Not that it was much bigger than his own. He just hated change and since he didn’t exactly have to he didn’t.
In this very moment he was show ashamed of himself. Not just because of what he said to Lupin which he’d never admit anywhere besides his own head and for the fact he was so panicked at the thought of Lupin throwing a glass plate.
Yes, it’s normal to have a reaction but to one where his own hands were trembling! Oh he felt like the biggest idiot in the world!
He knew a way to calm himself down but he really didn’t want to as it would further his embarrassment. He glanced around his room briefly even though it was just him in there and snuck into his wardrobe. It was a bit cramped in their between blankets, clothes, and shoes. It was a bit more comfortable when he was a child.
He felt like a right fool but he felt safer. That was what mattered to him in the current moment. He used to do this after his father was very angry, he’d hide under a blanket in the wardrobe so his father never found him.
He hid here again but with no blanket just the calmness of the wardrobe. He sighed at himself. He was a mess. And a dunderhead. Great.
He stayed in the closet arms wrapped around himself his face calming.
He felt like everybody was watching him right now, he felt like he was in a glass wardrobe and hundreds of eyes were pouring into his soul watching every action he took, judging him. He pulled his hair and took a few breaths.
He wished Harry or Draco was up so he could hold them for a bit. They were always calming in some chaotic and strange way. But they needed a nap and he wouldn’t take that away just because he was feeling upset. He was an adult. He could handle himself.
He spent some times in the wardrobe calming himself as he reflected on the argument. He knew it was mostly his fault, he started it, insulted Lupin and pushed the man over the edge.
He groaned thinking back to how panicked he was when Lupin picked up the plate. He doubted the man was even thinking about hitting him with it. It was just him being stupid.
After some time he got out. Shook himself and once again he was composed. He looked into the mirror and brushed his hair out gently.
He was fine. There was no need for all the panic he had felt earlier. He walked out of his room a much calmer man and went to the sitting room to read a potions journal. He waved his wand a cup of tea was now on a coaster. He’d be damned if he’d walk back into that kitchen again.
Approximately an hour later the boys were awoken from their nap and lunch was now in progress the two men had hoped that Draco and Harry would not pick up on what had happened earlier. Hoping to conceal it.
Though as good as the two men were at hiding, children were perceptive and immediately realized something was wrong as bacon sandwiches were being made and given to them.
At first they ate quietly but they watched as Severus and Remus avoided each others eyes, how Remus gripped the table tightly, and how Severus jaw tightened as he was angry.
After they were excused from the table the two boys went to the sitting room to ‘play’.
“What happened while we were sleeping?” Harry asked. As they watched Remus leave to put for a ‘jog’ they were pretty sure he was going out to put one of those white sticks in his mouth. They were still trying to figure out what that was.
Draco shrugged. “No idea. Bet it was Remus’ fault.” Though Draco liked Remus now, if there was ever an argument he’d always be on Snape’s side.
“No, Remus is nice. It probably wasn’t anyone’s fault! Don’t be mean Draco.” Harry argued and the other boy frowned.
“W-well either way I don’t like it. When they’re mean to each other. They just avoid each other and after a few days everything’s fine, but not actually. I want them to make up now.” The blonde boy murmured.
“Maybe they had an argument over the blocks?” Draco suggested.
“I don’t know, isn’t that what we do?” Harry added.
The two boys sat there and thought for a long time about the two men, why were they angry with each other? And how could they resolve it? They came up with one conclusion.
“Adults are confusing. Why can’t they just be friends? It’d make this so much easier!” Draco groaned as he laid down on the floor. Harry nodded.
“They make it so complicated! They just have to say ‘sorry’!” Harry added on before laying right next to Draco.
“What should we do to make them forgive each other?” Draco asked.
“Well we can’t make them since we aren’t them, they have to apologize to each other but they’re too stubborn to do it!” Harry sighed
The two sat in silence before Draco shot up with an idea he had a mischievous look on his
which Harry knew wasn’t going to be good.
“We could write letters pretending to be the other and than slide them under their doors and than they’ll read them and forgive each other!” Draco exclaimed and Harry’s eyes sparkled before nodding.
They got two pieces of parchment and a crayon.
Once the boys were done they admitted their work.
Draco pretended to be Snape and Harry Pretended to be Lupin.
“I think i’ve mastered Severus’ handwriting. It’s really loopy and looks wonky.” Draco pointed out. It was cursive.
“Remus’ handwritings is always slanted.” Harry added pointing to his own letter.
They grinned at each other before standing up and walking up the stairs being quiet so the two men wouldn’t hear them. Draco slid the parchment under Snape’s door and followed Harry up the stairs to the attic where they entered Remus’ room.
“Why are we in here?” Draco asked worried to be caught.
“I just wanted to see what he had in here.” The two looked at Remus’ room which was very underwhelming.
“I think he needs an interior designer. That’s what mummy had.” Draco said sounding out all the syllables in ‘interior designer’.
“Oh hey look! More white sticks.” Harry pointed to a small box that had the word ‘Marlboro’
“Huh..” The two wondered as they stared at the white sticks before they heard the door open. Downstairs. In a panic they set the letter on the bed before dashing out of Remus’ room in their own room. Panting. “Let’s hope it works!” Harry exclaimed.
“Oh it definitely will!” Draco smirked.
“What in Merlin’s name is this?” Severus said audibly as he stared at the piece of parchment that was slid under his door. The handwriting was almost eligible, it was so very slanted, it looked as it was drooping off the page. He read the letter and almost laughed.
The letter read:
Deer, Severus. I hope u can four give me for what I did, I four give u, buy the weigh. I’m sorry -Remus.
It seemed the body caught on to their argument. Snape sighed, assuming Lupin got one as well. He walked out of his rooms noticing two little heads spying on him. He decided to play along. “What a lovely letter Lupin wrote me.” He heard two giggles and he chuckled quietly himself. He walked up to the attic and saw Lupin.
The man had seemed to actually have taken a jog as he was sweaty. He wiped his face on the end of his shirt which revealed a part of his abdomen. Snape looked a way for a moment, face heating up slightly. He didn’t know why. It was just Lupin.
“Oh! Severus, did you, er- get..” he held up his own letter.
Snape laughed. “Yes, I believe they got tired of our constant quarrels.” He said holding out his own letter. Lupin scooted so Snape could sit down. Snape glanced from Lupin to the bed and sighed sitting down next to the man.
They exchanged the letters and Snape chuckled as he read what ‘he’ supposedly wrote Remus.
Dear, Remoose I am terribily sorry for what I said to you, I hav been thinkin a bout it all day.
-Severus
The two men bursted with laughter. “Oh-oh my Hah!” Snape tried to speak but failed. These kids were too much. He’d definitely be sharing these with Minerva, she’d get a kick out of it.
“Oh Severus I had no idea you were thinking about this all day!” Remus explained laughing and Snape smirked.
“Oh yes, Remoose, I have.”
After their laughter calmed down the men stared at each other.
“Er- I think..for the betterment of the children, we should..cease this quarrel. If they’re starting to catch on more easily. I just don’t want them to grow up with us always bickering.” Snape murmured. Remus nodded.
“Yes, I agree, children are very perceptive to those kind of thing aren’t they?” He asked rhetorically.
The two were quiet before Remus spoke up.
“I’m sorry for..what I said about you being a deatheater, I don’t understand what happened during the war but that’s not my place. And for trying to throw a plate at the wall..it sounds stupid now that I say it out loud. My apologies, Severus.” Remus said softly watching Snape in return.
“I..I apologize for my actions, I just like things a certain way so my apologies for all the unnecessary arguments that I’ve caused over the dishes. And for using your lycanthropy as a insult. I can imagine it’s not easy for you.” Snape glanced away a bit embarrassed of his early actions.
The two nodded. They weren’t exactly good at this sort of thing. Though they both had a feeling they’d have more practice with their future quarrels.
“I think we need to work on spelling with these two.” Remus said breaking the tension that was suffocating them both.
“Yeah..one of them spelt ‘Dear’ wrong.” The two chuckled about the boys before going down to the sitting room to play with them.
Harry and Draco were thrilled to see that the two men seemed to have reconciled. They grinned at each other and the two men pretended to be oblivious.
Everything was back to a somewhat order. It was thanks to the boys but for very different reasons. The sheer idiocy of the letters and knowing that the children could realize that something was wrong was enough for the two men to reconcile.
“So.. I’ve been thinking, there is a summer festival tomorrow how about we all go?” Snape asked.
“Yes!” The boys said together both very excited.
Little did they know that trip would end with a disaster.