"We work well together," Severus said, almost as if that was his defense. If it was possible, his knuckles would have gotten even whiter from gripping the scroll so hard. Admitting that he didn't know how to deal with friendship was never going to happen so he slowly unwrapped his fingers from the parchment and held it out.

It was a very muggle thing to do, conducting transactions and all sorts of friendly relationships with a simple handshake. It felt like an eternity. He felt so vulnerable.

"You're...interesting Lupin." The words, taken with the more than enamoured look in Severus's eyes could have been taken for something else entirely. Sirius was right. Severus did fancy one of the Marauders.

He just couldn't deal with it yet.