Severus...

I stalk through the halls of the school, looking like the imposing teacher I've always portrayed, with my robes billowing out behind me.

Yes my robes billow. I like it that way. I've heard theories about how I make my robes act the way they do. Everything from spells, hexes and charms. But the truth of it is, I practiced for years to get my robes to do what they do. I've developed it into a subtle art form. Much like I do my Potions work. My robes are an extension of my own body, much like my wand. And I revel in it.

Students in the lower years practically flee from me in fright when they see me. The Sixth and Seventh Years are so used to seeing me as such that I don't think it bothers them anymore. Not that I don't try.

Oh, I've heard all the names. Bastard, arse, git, snarky Slytherin. But my absolute favorite (and I won't hesitate to hex your eyebrows off if you tell anyone I admitted this) is "The Greasy Git". That one makes me laugh (in the privacy of my own quarters, thank you).

- - -

What?

I am quite capable of laughter. I just choose not to show it.

- - -

Which is why I found it odd that Harry bloody Potter was staring at me in my Seventh Year Double class just after lunch.

Not that him staring at me is odd in any way. He's always staring and I always take points, much to my satisfaction.

It was the way he was staring at me that I found odd.

Of course I called him on it.

"Mister Potter, perhaps if you paid more attention to your work instead of lolly gagging about, you may, for once in your pathetic little life actually brew a decent potion. 10 points from Gryffindor for not paying attention."

I patted myself on the back when I saw his temper flair in his eyes. But he kept his mouth silent.

How sweet it is.

He went back to his work, much to my disappointment and actually brewed his potion correctly. I guess killing Voldemort was good for something.

I continued my walk around the room, thankful that Longbottom hadn't blown anything up yet.

Against my better judgment, I took to tutoring the hapless lad over the summer since he was so set on studying Herbology when his schooling ended. I heard from Dumbledore that he was to be Sprout's teaching assistant the next year and he needed an O in Potions to secure the position.

The headmaster accused me of being soft on the boy after terrorizing him for so long. If that were the truth, I'd have to stop terrorizing all the "Gryffindorks" as my godson is so fond of calling them.

I found myself looking at my godson, surprised to see he was staring at me, just as Potter had been staring at me earlier. I frowned.

What the hell was going on?

Glancing around the room, I saw Granger and Weasley staring at me as well, like I was some insect under a microscope. It was unsettling, and nothing unsettles me – except Voldemort but he's dead.

"What are you lot staring at? Get back to work or so help me I will take away all your points and give you so many detentions with Filch your children's children's children will be serving them!" I shouted, pleased to see them all scrambling back to their cauldrons.

- - -

The headmaster called me to his office just before dinner.

"What is it, Albus? I'm busy."

"Severus, my boy! Sit down!" he greeted. "Peppermint stick?"

"Albus, I don't know why you persist on offering me sweets. You know I hate them." I sighed wearily. "Just being polite, my boy." Albus grinned, his eyes twinkling.

If I didn't love the old codger, I'd A-K him and be done with it. That twinkling drives me insane.

"What do you want, Albus?" I sighed again.

"I have a plan for an extra-curricular activity for the Seventh year students. It would look great on job applications in the future."

"What?" I wondered, curious.

"I wanted to start up The Dueling Club again."

I resisted the urge to groan.

Not that tripe again. My thoughts turned to the 5 years before when we had that lout, Lockhart teaching.

"Why?"

"Why not?" Albus responded.

"Albus, it was a disaster 5 years ago. What makes you think it'll work this time?"

"Because I will have you and Remus teaching it."

- - -

Not many people in my lifetime had the power to make me speechless for any length of time.

Albus had done it in less than a minute.

- - -

I stared at him in shock.

Then I exploded.

"What the bloody hell makes you think I'd want to be anywhere near that werewolf, much less teach a class with him? Are you out of your mind?"

- - -

Ok that was a lie.

To be blunt, I thought Remus Lupin to be one of the most sexiest men I'd ever laid eyes on. Have thought about him since my own school days. And even after The Incident, I still desired the man.

Fool I be.

- - -

"I'm quite sane, thank you." Albus stated. I noticed then that the twinkle in his eyes was absent. His blue eyes were as hard as steel and twice as deadly.

At the moment I didn't care.

"Albus, I refuse."

"Severus, I don't care."

My mouth dropped open in shock.

Again.

This was too much.

He continued.

"You're a grown man, Severus Snape. Start acting like one. If Mister Potter and Mister Malfoy can get past their differences, I see no reason why you and Professor Lupin can't get past yours."

"Wha-!" I sputtered, indignantly. "How dare you, Albus! The man did try to kill me! Or have you forgotten?"

"I haven't forgotten. I may be old, but I'm not senile."

"Could have fooled me." I muttered under my breath. I think he heard me anyway.

"And if I recall, it was Mister Black who lured you down there. Remus was only going on his instincts. It wasn't his fault, Severus and you'd best remember that."

Now Albus was scowling. Not good at all.

He always had a way of making me feel like I was 16 again.

"Albus. The man hates me." That hurt me to say, for some reason. "Why would he want to work with me on something of this magnitude?"

"Because he knows you are both the best ones for this." he stated. That damn twinkling was back. "I will be making an announcement about it at dinner. The class will take place during their second free period of the day, just after lunch, starting on Monday. I expect you and Remus to come up with a lesson plan and present it to me tomorrow during the staff meeting."

"Does Lupin know about this?"

"Yes, I talked to him this morning. He was quite taken with the idea." Albus smiled.

Crafty old man.

"Fine, Albus." I sighed once more, feeling the beginnings of a headache pounding at my temples.

"I know you can do this, Severus. I have great faith in your abilities. And who knows? Something good may come out of it."

This last statement sounded a bit to cryptic for me.

I gained my feet and left.

- - -

Why did I just get the feeling I'd been hit by a Bludger?


...to be continued...next will be Remus's pov...