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James Potter stood hesitantly outside of J. Pippins Potions.
He had a very good reason for being here. The best of reasons in fact.
And he had as much right as the next person to enter the shop, his relationship with a certain employee should not have the power to keep him paused several steps away from the front door.
But still, he found himself continuing to hover even after a good ten minutes, guilt gnawing uncomfortably at his insides.
It’s for Remus, he told himself, again, firmly.
For Remus, who was being stubborn and self-sacrificing and letting his self-loathing get the best of him. Making it so he saw any and all attempts of help as nothing more than pity rather than those who loved him just trying to care for him.
He had heard Lily and Remus talking that morning, in the kitchen of the Order’s base, how Remus and Sniv… how Remus and Snape had gotten into an argument the week leading up to full moon – and full moon had been a week ago now – when Snape had handed him seven days’ worth of Wolfsbane potion.
“He can’t afford to make it Lily!” James had heard Remus sniff from the kitchen, “He could have found a nice flat by now, but all his wages are going into sourcing ingredients for my fucking potion. And I can’t even help with that now!”
James didn’t hear what Lily said, she spoke too softly and James didn’t want to get too close in case his presences was picked up by either Remus’s sensitive nose or ears, but he guessed it was along the same lines as what he, Sirius and Peter had been trying to say for ages now, that Remus would find another job and that, as always, he had their support, and if he needed any money…
Which of course had always been the point where Remus had stalked off.
He hadn’t walked out on Lily though, so obviously she had been smarter than the rest of them and not breathed a word regarding assisting Remus with his current money problems.
James had left Remus in Lily’s more than capable hands before apparating to Hogsmead without really thinking out his next steps. It was only as he arrived at J. Pippins Potions the first time, three hours ago, and saw Sni – saw Snape serving customers did his brain catch up to his feet and he had immediately turned away.
He had done several laps of the village, going over his options, which were feeling incredibly limited.
Either keep trying to force Remus into taking money from him and the constant arguments that ensued.
Or, he tries to help Remus via different channels.
Trying to give the Lupins’ money was out of the question. They took his offer of financial support about as well as their son, though with a great deal less cursing.
So… Snape.
Who was apparently already brewing Remus Wolfsbane potion? And had been doing so for awhile…
This information… caused James to reflect far longer than he was proud to admit.
He knew Remus and Snape were mates – how the ever living fuck had that happened? It just didn’t make sense – but it had always been just easier to think of it as a weird sex thing, rather than them being actual mates. That once Remus got Snape out of his system, whatever weird mate connection would naturally dissolve and Remus could go on and find his real mate – it was rare but not unheard of for people to have more than one mate in their lives, and it really was just easier to believe that Remus had two, or three, or just hundreds mates waiting for him, rather than accepting one of James best friends was doomed for eternity with Snivellus.
But it was about eight months now since he and Sirius had first discovered the two of them snogging outside the Willow – and that was including the time Sniv-Snape had disappeared. To become a Death Eater was Sirius frequent guess much to Remus annoyance and fury – and they seemed…
They went on bloody dates!
Remus had introduced Snape to his parents!
They definitely had sex outside of their heats… or maybe this was the more important fact, Snivellus had stayed with Remus during his rut!
Sure the git could be a masochist and probably a sexual deviant, but no amount of sex could be worth putting yourself at the mercy of a werewolf in rut?
Could it?
And he brews Remus Wolfsbane potion… out of his own pocket.
With some assistance from the Lupins, yes, but ultimately, the potion was coming majorly from his wages and all of his time and effort.
That… that has to mean something… right?
That Remus wasn’t just being lead along on a merry dance for Snape’s sadistic pleasure or for some malicious plot for You Know Who.
Maybe Snape actually…
Liked Remus. Cared for Remus.
Enough to brew him an expensive and extremely complex potions purely because…
James dragged his hand threw his hair feeling a tension headache build between his eyes.
Bloody hell, life had been so much easier just thinking Snape was a greasy wannabe Death Eater arsehole. Now James was having to revaluate nearly eight years’ worth of thoughts and interactions and not at all liking the picture that he was now being forced to look at.
A picture that showed that Snape might never have been as evil or as wretched a human being as James and Sirius had always made him out to be.
Looking back he was seeing less a Death Eater in training and more a quiet, clever kid who read as if it were oxygen to him, a kid who were clothes that were too big and threadbare, a kid who was a loner; not necessarily by choice but by circumstances, and desperately wanted friends.
A kid who looked a lot like Remus, only this kid wore green with dark colouring to Remus’s Gryffindor red and soft browns and grey.
James pinched the bridge of his nose, desperate to banish the image of two boys who were worlds different from each other yet nearly a mirror image
Bloody hell, this was a mess.
He took the final steps and entered the shop.
Unlike earlier, where customers had been milling around or actively being served, the shop was now empty of everyone put Snape, who was sitting behind the counter, seemingly lost in the book he was reading over, quill in hand.
“Be with you in just a moment.”
Oh, so not quite so lost, but even if Snape was aware someone had entered the shop, he had not yet seen who for his head was still lowered over the book.
A small but still nasty part of him wanted to walk straight up to the counter, so the moment Snape looked up, he’d immediately see James, up close and in his personal space.
With disgust, James shoved that part of him to the far reaches of his head and continued to hover in the middle of the store and waited. And watched.
He could probably count on one (maybe two at a push) hands the number of times he has seen Snape since graduating but each of those times, one of them had been quick to leave as soon as the other had arrived, so this was his first chance to really look at Snape since they had finished school.
He looked… different.
Still dressed head to foot in all black but his clothes appeared to actually fit him and while still looking hand-me-down and worn, they were in far better condition than any of his non-school clothes ever looked. And if he was honest – oh, who was he kidding… honest? As if mocking Snape about his clothes hadn’t been part of their daily teasing routine – Snape’s school clothes had been a sad old sight too.
It was really his hair that threw James off the most.
Instead of still having the awful greasy look to it, that if you were to touch it your fingers would come away covered in oil, his hair looked soft and clean. Like he had actually washed it. His skin, from what James could see from the distance he stood, also appeared to have cleared up, with his cheeks holding a healthy shade of pink instead of being either a ghastly white or inflamed red from acne.
“Apologies, how can I…”
Snape had finally finished whatever he had been doing – looking over orders, checking account details, who knows – and looked up, his expression not necessarily friendly or welcoming – James thinks, and there is still the faintest pinch of jealousy in his gut, that the only times he’s probably seen Snape truly smile was with Lily. – but it wasn’t the immediate cold scowl James remembered from school.
Or at least, it wasn’t until Snape’s black eyes met his and realisation had kicked in.
“Potter.”
James fought back the desire to wince, not because of how Snape said his name – a sneer – but at how Snape’s eyes were darting around, searching for a trap, searching for Sirius and Peter… and maybe even Remus, to come and attack him.
Seeing Snape, of all people – who was meant to be the bad guy. It had made perfect sense in James head for Snape to be the bad guy while James was the good guy – to act wary around James, nearly a year after them leaving school, sent another spike of guilt, of shame, tearing threw him.
It’s for Remus, he reminded himself firmly
“Good afternoon Snape.” He greeted with his best and most charming smile.
Snape scowl only seemed to deepen and he said nothing in return, causing James to sigh.
It’s for Remus.
“Look, I don’t want to take up too much of your time, but I was hoping that we might talk about Remus.”
Ah, now that got a reaction, even if it was one that again made James question the very laws of the universe.
Scowl immediately dropping to an expression of pure panic, Snape was around the counter and in James personal space in seconds.
“What is it? Is he hurt? What’s happened?”
“He’s fine.” James said, taking a staggered step back – he really hadn’t expected Snape to get so much in his personal space, his panicked omega scent was almost overwhelming James senses. “Honestly, he is fine. I just… when do you knock off? Maybe…”
“Potter, I swear, if you don’t tell me what’s going on this moment, I’ll…”
“Severus?”
The two young men – both who might or might not have had their hands upon their wands – attention was pulled to the door at the back of the store that had opened and old Mr Pippin was stepping out to stand behind the counter, looking more confused than worried to find his employee snarling at a customer.
Snape took a measured step back, breathing hard.
“Apologies Mr Pippn.” Snape responded not even glancing at James when James offered up his own apologies to the shop owner.
“All is well, all is well, but if you wish, do feel free to take your break now Severus. My back needs stretching after sitting for so long and I don’t mind handling the lunch rush customers.” The old man smiled, “Do give my best to Mr Lupin.” He let out cheery chuckle, “I know I said he was a distraction to you coming in as he does, but I did not mean he needed to send his friend to collect you instead.”
Snape looked like he might protest his cheeks burning bright red before grumbled to James ‘let's go’, while politely saying goodbye to his employer.
Once they were outside of the shop, Snape was once again looking about them warily, searching for a trap lying in wait.
“It’s just me.” James said, trying to keep his annoyance under control – It’s for Remus. – “and I really just want to talk…”
“About Remus.” Snape snapped back, hackles raised while James tried to get his head around hearing Remus’s name coming out of that angry mouth. How did… how did Remus stand it, to hear have Snape speak to him in such a way?
“Yes. Look, can we go somewhere...” another snarl, another scowl filled with deep distrust, “somewhere like the Hogs Head and talk? It’s about Remus and his furry little problem.” The scowl slipped a little then, replacing with a faint hint of confusion and maybe even curiosity.
“Hogs Head.” Snape finally agreed and James was torn between sighing in relief and wanting to throttle the aggravating man beside him.
They walked in silence to the old, run down pub. James was startled when upon entering, how many of the patrons greeted Snape – in a gruff sort of fashion, though some even went as far as to asking how Remus was – as they walked to a booth at the back of the pub after they had purchased their drinks– Snape seemed to have two thoughts about this, his eyes briefly glancing up at the backstairs that led to the lodging upstairs, but seemed to change his mind.
Once they had sat down with their drinks, James watched in surprise as Snape pulled out his want and mumbled “muffliato”, as spell James was certain he had never heard of before.
“What did you just do?” James demanded suspiciously, looking around him for any sign of whatever dark magic Snape had just casted.
“Cast a spell, obviously.” Snape replied with a roll of his eyes as he stowed his want back into his robes pocket.
“No shit, arsehole. I meant what kind of spell did you just cast?”
“One that will mean that no one will overhear us talking about Remus and his “furry little problem”.”
“I’ve never heard it before.” James replied, still sceptical as he looked around them at the other patrons of the pub. A pair of old grizzly looking wizards at the table closest to them were muttering to each other about hearing a faint buzzing sound.
“Of course you haven’t.” Snape snorted as he lifted his butterbeer to his lips, “I invented it.”
James's gaze snapped back to Snape, who met his disbelief evenly and without flinching.
James opened his mouth to argue but Snape beat him to it.
“I don’t have all day Potter. Either tell me what is wrong with Remus, or I’m leaving. I have far better things to being doing with my time than spending a moment longer than I have to with you.”
It’s for Remus. It’s for Remus. It’s for Remus. It’s for Remus. It’s for Remus.
“Right.” James said threw gritted teeth. “I’ve heard you’ve been making Remus a certain potion for his problem, except now he’s…”
“He's being stupid and stubborn about accepting the potion because he fears my brewing of it is putting me out of pocket. What of it?” Snape’s dark eyes flashed dangerously, “If you’re here to try and talk me out of brewing it, you can go straight to hell because I will not, Remus’s pride be damned!”
“That’s not why I am here at all, you wanker! I’m here because I want to pay you to keep brewing it!”
“I… what?”
At any other moment, it was would have been truly delightful to see that he had caught Snape off guard and on the back foot, but in this moment, James isn’t in the mood to fuck with Snape, he’s here for Remus, for his health and sanity. He might not like or trust Snape, and he certainly does not approve of Snape dating Remus, but Snape can brew the potion that can make all the difference in Remus life and that, that is more important than settling any old scores or indulging in petty teasing.
“I want to pay you to brew Wolfsbane Potion for Remus. I will pay for the ingredients, for your time and effort, everything for the rest of our lives.”
For a long moment, Snape does nothing but stare at James.
“Remus… he doesn’t know about this, does he?” Snape asked finally, still looking mildly stunned.
James huffed.
“Of course not, he’d say no.”
Snape nodded and without a word, pulled out a notebook and pen – one of those muggle pens Lily was always going on about being better than a quill – and started writing down a long… list? Yes, James is certain he’s writing out a list of ingredients, quantities needed and their costing. He even wrote out James thinks the suppliers or location of each ingredient… did all that information just live inside Snape’s head?
Probably.
“The ingredients, obviously. The quantities needed. And the costs that I have been able to haggle them down to with suppliers.” Snape confirmed as he hand over the sheet of paper he had spent several moment scrawling Remus salvation all over.
“Is this for just one month?” Snape nodded and James whistled threw his teeth and he saw over the top of the sheet of paper Snape start to look anxious as if he feared James would back out. “It’s not a problem. I’m assuming it’s a potion you have to brew month by month? You’re not able to brew six months’ worth at a time?” Snape shook his head, his expression pinched with exasperation.
“Most of the ingredients, at best, last barely three days before spoiling. Even when placed in deep freeze storage. The potion itself spoils entirely the moment the full moon of the month it was brewed in has passed. It is infuriating.”
Sounds it… and for someone like Snape, who seemed to live and breathe for his potions, for one so important to have such a massive flaw that could not be remedied – and if Snape was apparently inventing his own spells (!), than he was definitely thinking, if not already actively trying, to tweak and improve upon the Wolfsbane Potion – must be a huge sore spot for the potion freak.
James felt a sudden unfamiliar jab of… embarrassment, the uncomfortable realisation of his own entitlement. He had gold to melt down. It was no skin off his nose if expensive ingredients spoiled even when stored correctly, he could just buy more. While others, like Snape, like Remus, did not have such luxury.
Snape was not being a freak over being frustrated that his hard earned money was spoiling during brewing of a time sensitive and extremely important potion. James was just being a wanker for thinking he was.
“Alright, so month by month. When do you need the ingredients, to start brewing in time? And what,” he looked down at the paper, reading it carefully over, “What order do you need them in? Or can they be bought all at once.”
“Oh…” Snape blinked, looking startled as he reached for the paper again and start scribbling tight notes by each ingredients.
“No, the ingredients can’t all be bought at once, due to spoilage. And…” and Snape was off, talking a mile a minute. James tried to not let his head spin as Snape, in ever increasing detail, explain when each ingredient was to be purchased and then the exact time they were to be added to the potion, how long the potion had to be left to steam and then put on ice and then simmer, how many stirs were needed on each given day, and…
James just trusted the former Slytherin knew what he was doing since Remus hadn’t died yet.
“Ok, ok,” James stared down that comprehensive list Snape had written out, his heart feeling light and worry free for the first time in ages. This was doable, this was… James was doing something for Remus that Remus desperately needed, especially now that it wasn’t so easy for the four of them to meet up and spend full moon together as animals. “How do you want to go about…”
“I am happy to purchase, if you are comfortable providing the funds each months. I know what I am looking for. But I could show you, I suppose.” That would mean spending more time together and James did not know how much more of each other either of them could stomach.
“I’ll deliver the funds to you each month.”
“And I’ll write you up receipts for your records.” Snape replied in such a matter-of-fact way that James blinked. He hadn’t even thought about having Snape writing him receipts, hadn’t thought of even bothering keeping track.
He saw Snape roll his eyes, his face twisting in disgust and could almost hear his thoughts of calling James an ‘spoilt, rich wanker who wants for nothing’.
And probably far, far worse.
Clearing his throat and his discomfit, James nodded.
“Thanks.”
They sat in awkward silence, James people watching while Snape kept adding little details to his sheet of paper – he had had to flip it over and start writing on the other side – before Snape muttered.
“Remus will be upset we’ve talked about this behind his back.” James looked back at the dark haired man and saw genuine worry reflecting in his black eyes.
“Let me handle Remus.” James said with a small, knowing smile, “I’ve had years of practise handling his moods,” and yet, somehow Sirius moods have always been worse than even a hormonal Alpha werewolf, “you just focus on brewing his potion. You do have somewhere, safe, to brew it right?”
“Yes.” James rolled his eyes at the terse reply.
“Just checking. Because if you didn’t, I’m sure we could work something out for that as well.”
“I… thank you, but the set-up I have at the moment is functional.” James wondered how much it actually was. Oh he didn’t think for a second that Snape was brewing in unsatisfactory conditions. Snape had always been a… what was the word Lily like to use for Sirius, oh, a prima donna about his work bench in potion class back in school, but James couldn’t help but wonder how much, of what little space Snape had – because surely Snape was brewing the potion in his own living space, for fear of the potion being discovered anywhere else and awkward questions arising – was sacrificed each and every month to brew this potion.
A lot, James was guessing and felt the need to push, to offer a better, larger alternative, but he keeps his mouth shut for once in his life when it comes to Snape because he can see how wary Snape is right in this moment and knows that any additional offers will be met with waspish responses, if not, Snape straight up leaving.
“Is there anything else you need,” He asks instead and Snape sits back, giving his question serious thought.
“Nothing I can think of at the moment.”
“Alright, well if you do think of anything more, send an owl.” Of what little space was left of the paper, he wrote his parents address, ripping it, and handing it to Snape, who simply stared at it as if his brain had finally caught up to what was happening, who he was talking to and about what and it was malfunctioning.
James rather understood the feeling.
“I’ll talk with Remus.” He promised again. “He just… he doesn’t like feeling like a burden, to anyone. But this potion…”
“It’s too important for him to let his pride get the best of him.” Snape finished, a firm resolute look to his black eyes.
“Exactly. He’ll come around. I think… us, the both of us, working together, to do this, for him, will make him more incline to… let go of his pride… and guilt and all the messy emotions he's feeling.”
Snape did not say anything, but James swore he saw an almost hopeful look cross the other man’s face.
“Thank you Snape.” James held out his hand.
“I’m not doing this for you.” Snape replied but shook James hand all the same. “It’s for Remus.”
James suddenly got the strong impression that a lot of things Snape did these days, were for Remus.
Was that a good or healthy thing, for either of them? James wasn’t entirely sure, but it did feel like an insane amount of pressure to put of Remus. And the entire school had seen how much stress keeping Snape on the side of good and light had caused Lily, and Remus had enough stress in his life without Snape dubious morality needing to be constantly monitored.
But Snape at least seemed to be less… intense with Remus than he had been with Lily. And he did… he did seem different, less dark these days somehow, despite still being as prickly as ever.
They separated ways not long after, an agreement to meet in a week’s time to exchange funds and any further information. As they parted, James swore he saw a genuine smile flash across Snape’s face as he turned to head back to J. Pippins Potions.
It was weird, and he found himself still pondering over as he apparated back to the Order’s home base.
“And where have you been?”
James heart rate picked up as he turned with a beam to Lily leaning on the kitchen’s doorframe.
“Being the best of friend Remus could ever wish for, solving both his Wolfsbane Potion issues AND his relationship issues.”
“James.” Lily tone was a warning and James immediately pouted.
“I didn’t threat Snape. We just talked and have come to a mutual agreement. I fund the ingredients, his time and effort, and Snape keeps making the potion until the end of time. It was… surprisingly easy to convince him.”
He grinned widely at Lily, expecting to see her share in his excitement but instead, he saw her looking almost dejected, shoulders slumping.
James heart started to race in panic.
“D-do you think he’s not going to do it? Or do something to fuck up the potion.” If he does, James will hex the bastard into next week.
“Absolutely not! Sev would never do something like that. It would go against his very nature to mess up a potion, even if it were to be given to his worst enemy.” Lily reply was hot as she pushed passed him into the kitchen to set the kettle on the stove.
“Then… I don’t understand Lily, this good thing. Remus getting his potion is a good thing and…”
“Of course, Remus getting his potion is a good thing. The best thing. And I’m glad Sev is the one making it because I can think of no one better to brew Wolfsbane…”
“Then what’s wrong?”
Lily bottom lip wobbled.
“I don’t know.” She finally admitted, “It just… for years, I have tried to get you and Severus to be in the same room and not fight, to no avail. But Remus, you both… I am happy, so happy, you’ve put aside your differences to help Remus. I just… I don’t understand why you couldn’t have…” she trailed off as she buried her face into hands. “Forget it. I’m not making any sense. But I am happy, I’m so happy Snape will continue to make Remus’s potion but not be out of pocket for it.”
She was as happy as she was unhappy and it hurt to see. And James did not know how to fix it. Except to wrap her in his arms and tuck her head beneath his chin.
“I’m jealous.” Lily whispers against his chest, “I’m jealous that you thought of going to Sev for help with Remus, and I didn’t. I’m jealous that it worked. I’m jealous that you have made more progress with him in a matter of hours than I have in months…years. I’m jealous that you both can put aside your differences for Remus but never could for me. I’m just jealous. I know it’s stupid and childish and I have no right to be, but I listen to Remus talk about Sev and he is talking about Sev, the Sev I knew! Not the Snape he showed the school, but Sev! And I miss him. I miss Sev so much James. And I’m so jealous Remus can talk and be with him whenever he wants, but I can’t, because everything is still so ugly and messy between us.”
She’s crying now, her grief tangible. But instead of feeling the usual wave of anger and outrage (or his own jealousy) over Lily crying yet again over bloody Severus Snape, James feels simply lost.
“Maybe we could, ah, go on a double-date.” James finally spluttered out, “you, me, Remus and-and Snape. I… I don’t know, maybe…”
“Maybe.” Lily agreed softly, as she dabbed her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater. “I’m sorry, you have done something amazing for Remus. You and Sev both, and I’m having a pity party for myself over years old mistakes.”
“It’s alright.”
“It really isn’t but sweet of you to say.” She kissed his cheek. “So,” she clapped her hands as she gave herself a shake, her previous sorrow almost completely disappearing, “tell me about the agreement you and Sev have come to.”
Unsure exactly where to start, except for at the beginning, he handed her the sheet of paper Snape had written out while he told her all about the impromptu business meeting, they had had.
Lily’s eyes were bright as she read over the page of Snape’s cramped but neat writing, her face grinning as she listened to James's talk, and chuckling when James, half-heartedly, complained about something Snape had done that hadn’t made any sense to him and yet to her, appeared to make perfect sense.
It was a pleasant way to spend their late afternoon and it meant they were a united force when talking with the other Marauders, who were predictably less than pleased by James taking matters into his own hands with going to Snape.
But it was easy enough to ignore Sirius and Peter, their nonsensical arguments of James not looking at other options – there were no other options that was the problem! No one was brewing Wolfsbane potion and those who did were charging a small fortune for the smallest of vials or, worse, were substituting ingredients that were leaving desperate werewolves either feral or with serious health issues. Snape was their only option and best of all he had an personal invested interest in brewing the potion because he was Remus’s mate – and focus entirely on Remus who at first was more unhappy about James ambushing Snape at his workplace than anything else. Before shifting to being upset that James was sticking his nose in Remus’s relationship before finally demanding to know in detail exactly how the meeting had gone, had James bullied Snape in anyway because Snape wanting to make Remus his potion was apparently a feign concept to Remus.
“He wants to do it Moony.” James said firmly as he watched Remus paced up and down the living room, dragging his hands threw his sandy hair, “and now he can without the both of you worrying about the cost.”
“And the payment agreed upon is fair? He’s not trying to sell himself short…”
“We were very thorough when going over money. I believe the agreed upon sum is fair, but we have also agreed that at any point, the amount can be negotiated. ”
Remus pauses, rubbing a hand over his face, but his expression become determined.
“I’m going to talk with Sev.” He says, no room for argument in his voice. And then he was out of the room before any of them could stop him.
“You’re out of your bloody mind trusting Snivellus with your money and to not fuck up the potion.” Sirius yells as soon as Remus is gone.
“Pads,” James replied calmly, though internally he felt a sudden wave of sympathy towards Remus having to deal with Sirius constant bombardment of hate towards Snape, “if you have a better idea, or have suddenly become a potion master in the last ten minutes, this is the best option we have. You don’t have to like it,” when Sirius opened his mouth to argue further, “but at least accept that this is helping Remus. Snape has been making Remus this potion for months before now, and nothing untoward has happened. All I have done is made it easier, financially, for him to continue doing so.”
“It’s a trick!” Sirius hissed, eyes bright and desperate, “He’s a fucking Death Eater Prongs! He’s not doing this out of the goodness of his heart. Why can’t you…”
“Sirius, enough!”
Sirius reeled back as if James had struck him. Even Peter looked shocked.
“Look, I get it. I get not trusting Snape. I don’t either. Expect with this. I do trust him with this. For all the other shitty things he might be doing with his time, I do know he cares for Remus, that he wants to keep Remus safe. And if I can pay him so he can continue to help keep Remus safe, then I’m bloody well going to pay him. It does not mean I like or trust the git. So just… leave it alone Padfoot. This isn’t up for discussion.”
And with that, he and Lily left the room. There was a new muggle restaurant that Lily’s parents had told her about, and Lily was suddenly eager to try it out, saying James deserved a reward for what he had achieved today.
In truth, James admittedly felt he had achieved very little. It wasn’t like Snape would have stopped making Remus Wolfsbane potion if James hadn't met with him today. All James had done was make it a bit easier for him. Because James had money while neither Snape nor Remus did not. Which made everything he had done today feel rather small in comparison to Snape who had been doing this while it was causing significant impact to his financial situation. But even so, James had been able to help, just a little so he graciously took Lily’s offer.
And as they ate dinner at the Italian restaurant, he found himself hoping that whatever relationship issues Remus and Snape had been suffering over this might now be on the way to being resolved.
They were.
After a brief squabble, the two had fallen upon Severus once nearly made bed and proceeded to spend the rest of the night making up for a week’s worth of miserable silence from both respective sides.