Severus settled back in his chair, watching Remus go before he turned back to his reading. Think like an animal... No wonder bloody Potter could get this so easily, he thought to himself, glancing at the empty chair left pushed out. He sighed, hooking his foot in the rung and tugged it back into place.

No trace of company now. Severus didn't need anyone.

Even so, he was glad for the company the next day, a stack of textbooks waiting for them both. Severus had even gotten himself invited to Slughorn's little circle after Dumbledore filled him in on his student's achievement, though he declined the invitation. Lily would be there. The excuse had been that he needed to work on his submission to the journal.

Slughorn left him alone after that. Left them alone. Sirius, however, was loudly vocal about Remus's staying behind. "Don't bother trying to tutor that slimy git," he called loudly. "He's hopeless!"