Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter characters or terms. Anything familiar belongs to J.K Rowling. This is pure imagination.
A/N: Please read and review. I'd like to know what you think and if you'd like me to continue this story. I already have an ending figured out, so if all goes well and people seem to like it, a sequel will follow.
Blind On Fearless Love.
Chapter Two: Start of Term Feast
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It had been 3 days since Severus had stumbled through the doors of Grimmauld Place, bleeding and aching. Much to his own comfort he was now back at Hogwarts, breezing through his familiar dungeons with a silent smirk cracking his stern face. His cheek still felt sore after the beating and a slight hint of purple and black remained. While it had been somewhat nice to lie back without much concern at the Orders headquarters, it felt ten times better to slip back into his authoritative role and prepare for another year. He shrugged off the thoughts of having to deal with OWL students and NEWT students, particularly the Weasley twins who this year will be partaking in the NEWT exams, and instead he thought of dining at the staff table amongst mouth-watering foods and of course, putting arrogant, rule breaking Gryffindor students in their rightful place - the desk in front of his desk in detention!
Severus slipped in through the gilded Great Hall doors and quickly glanced around at the empty student tables. He scowled when his eyes lay to rest on the table with a Slytherin flag above it, as right next to it a Gryffindor flag hung above another student table.
What in Merlin is Albus thinking? his mind growled, as he strode towards the staff table, He knows the competition between both houses, he knows neither of the students get along with each other and still, he seats them side by side with nothing more than a thin walkway between them.
Putting on his best scowl, he slipped around the back of the staff table, nodding courteously to each Professor that took the time to acknowledge him and took his seat to the left of Dumbledore. Nodding to Albus, he signalled towards Professor McGonagall's empty seat.
"Gone to accompany the first years, is she?" he asked, twirling a napkin between his long fingers, "A bit early, to say the least."
Dumbledore smiled softly. "Not just yet, my boy," he said, drawing his attention towards the Great Hall doors, his eyes glistening, "More accompanying a new addition to the staff."
Severus cocked an eyebrow. "New addition?" he demanded.
Dumbledore nodded towards the giant gilded doors and rose from his seat. Severus drew his gaze to the end of the hall and froze, his jaw slightly dropping. If he had just Apparated back from a traumatising, torture filled session with Voldemort, he may have believed his eyes to be deceiving him, but seeing as his senses were fully intact, he scowled heavily. Walking in step with Professor McGonagall was the last person Severus Snape wanted to see, especially at Hogwarts - Remus Lupin. The gentle werewolf, dressed in his neatest suit and cloak, smiled widely up at the staff table. Severus narrowed his eyes. There was no way Lupin was after getting the position as DADA Professor because that had gone to someone from the Ministry.
"Professor," Snape asked in a hurried, silky voice, "Is there any particular reason as to why Lupin is here. After all, the position for Defence against the Dark Arts Professor is occupied and I am not aware of the resignation of any professor."
Dumbledore ignored Severus' request and opened his arms towards Remus, beaming from ear to ear and motioning for him to take a seat. Remus smiled, sliding into a seat alongside Severus and nodding at him. He glared back.
"Headmaster -"
"You'll find out why we have the joy of being accompanied by Remus this year as soon as the students come in and," Dumbledore leaned back into his seat, eyes twinkling, "here they are now."
A stream of students led by Hagrid, ranging from the ages of 12- 18, burst into the Great Hall, chattering loudly and squeezing around the form of Hagrid to grab the most convenient seats at their house table. They bustled around each other, shouting "Bye!" and "I'll see you by the lake tomorrow!" Remus craned his head a little higher and grinned when he recognised the lanky, red headed Ron Weasley stroll proudly into the hall, his chest puffed slightly to show his shiny prefect badge. He was followed by a bush of untidy black hair that was Harry Potter and a smiling Hermione Granger. Remus raised his hand slightly and waved at them. They stared back in shock, elbowing each other into the ribs and nodding their hellos. It wasn't just the trio that recognised Remus; a few other students remembered the tired, scarred face of their former Defence against the Dark Arts professor. The Slytherin house in particular and a few students from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw muttered angrily to each other and sneered up at the table. Remus blushed a faint hint of red, while beside him; Severus smirked smugly and nodded towards his own house. No one had forgotten the removal of Remus Lupin from the school over a year ago, when it had been leaked out that he was a werewolf; Draco Malfoy and his fellow students in particular, who were the bringers of the news after their head of house had "accidentally" let slip the condition of their DADA professor.
"Are you feeling any better, Severus?" Remus asked, the corners of his mouth drawing into a gentle smile.
The Potions Master curled his top lip and clenched his fist tightly under the table. "You may refer to me as Professor Snape from now on, as that is my deserved title. Likewise, I shall refer to you, if at all I shall be unfortunately required to do so, in the exact same manner."
Remus nodded and grinned to himself. Oh Moony, he thought as he smiled down at the oncoming stream of small, excited looking black clad first years that had spilled into the hall, this is going to be an eventful year - a very, eventful one. What have you gotten yourself into? He clapped politely when Michael Argent was sorted into Ravenclaw and when Jodi Agree was sorted into Gryffindor. But sure it can't be that bad, it's not as if you'll have additional stress this year, it's a small few jobs if needed, that's all, he continued to tell himself, grinning slightly when an excited boy by the name of Ormande Wilkos practically fell from the stool with the excitement. Ormande was sorted into Slytherin and Remus couldn't suppress a smile when he heard Professor Snape groan lightly. Anyway Remus, the money will come in handy and that's what's most important. At least now Sirius and I can get that new couch, the old one is gone beyond repairing charms.
"Another year has begun!" Professor Dumbledore said, rising from his chair and motioning to the entire hall. Remus jerked from his thoughts and looked up. "Firstly, to all first years - welcome. And to all those who are returning for another year at Hogwarts- welcome to you too. Iam sure you will once again unite as a warm and pleasant student body to show our newcomers a helpful hand when needed. As a family, here at Hogwarts, we have seen out fair share of misfortunes," at this, quiet mutters and sympathetic glances were directed towards the Hufflepuff table. The memory of Cedric Diggory remained freshly ingrained in each mind. "But together, proud and strong, we have stood the tests of time and come out on top."
A quick round of applause erupted in the hall. Dumbledore held his hand for silence and beamed proudly at his students.
"Now, I know a few have recognised new faces at our staff table tonight," he continued, "If you can give a warm, heart filled welcome to a familiar, kind hearted face - Remus Lupin! Who will be taking up the position as assistant Keeper of keys and ground at Hogwarts and caretaker, alongside our very own Professor Hagrid and Mr Filch!" Remus blushed a heavy scarlet and nodded weakly to the not so loud applause. He averted his gaze to his empty plate, shrinking under what he knew was the mocking glare of Severus Snape. His keen sense of hearing allowed him to pick up a few nasty comments from the Hufflepuff students and his eyes flashed with shame.
"Welcome to the team Professor!" Hagrid boomed, loud enough for some students to hear, slapping him on the shoulder and grinning mad, "We'll 'ave a right handful of laughs down in them grounds. Aint nothin' like company when tacklin' them Flesh Eatin' Slugs."
Remus forced a quick smile for the sake of gratitude. He didn't want to seem ungrateful. He was far from that. Remus was delighted with the chance of making some money. He needed it - and bad. The welfare benefits had been cut dramatically since last year, and the situation at Grimmauld Place was getting rougher. With Sirius remaining an escped convict, Remus was left with the burden of finding a job and his 'furry little problem' helped in no way.
"Yes, professor," Severus sneered, emphasizing heavily on the 'professor', "welcome to the team."
Severus grinned smugly down at his own house table. A feeling of revenge and satisfaction had nestled in his mind. Here he was, Professor, Head of House, Potions Master and complete genius and there the wolf was "assistant care taker".
Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat once again, drawing the attention of the restless students back to him. "Secondly, on direct orders from the Ministry of Magic," and at this Dumbledore's voice became firm and strained, "I have appointed Dolores Umbridge as Defence against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts this year and -"
A small, squat woman, dressed heavily in pink and awfully resembling a toad, rose from a small stool that had been positioned behind Dumbledore's large chair. The hall fell silent as students and staff alike followed her form as she walked to the front of the hall. Crossing her hands in front of her hips and smiling around the hall, she cleared her throat in a high pitched tone.
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore," she said in a soft voice, "but I think I can manage from here." All eyes flickered to the Headmaster, who for a split second, glowered over his half moon glasses and then took his seat, leaning down to mutter something to Professor McGonagall.
"My name," the lady in pink continued, "is Dolores Umbridge, your newly appointed Defence against the Dark Arts Professor as ordered by the Minister for Magic under Educational Decree Number Twenty-two."
Silence followed until Professor Umbridge cleared her throat, which issued an awkward applause. She smiled and returned to a seat at the far end of the table.
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"Umbridge!" Severus spat, pacing up and down in front of Professor Dumbledore's desk late that night.
He had tailed Dumbledore to his office after the feast and quizzed him on the irrational, decisions he had taken this year.
"First the werewolf and now Umbridge?" he continued, coming to a halt and glaring down his nose at Dumbledore, "and more to my amusement, you hire the wolf as a caretaker?"
Dumbledore smiled slightly, a faint twinkle playing in his eyes. "As it stands, Severus, the Welfare pay for registered Werewolves has dropped at an alarming rate. I don't fancy seeing any member of the light suffer economically, not at all if it can be prevented. The simple answer to such a problem was to hire Remus under false pretences."
Severus cocked an eyebrow and took a seat in front of Dumbledore's desk. "False pretences?"he questioned, confusion etching at his features.
"Why of course. Remus won't actually be working here, there's no need at all for that my boy, Hagrid and Mr Filch are perfectly capable of executing a fine job by themselves. Remus will simply be registered as currently working here, but will actually reside at Grimmauld Place. Once in a while of course he will make an appearance in the castle, but simply to lead on that he works for his earnings."
A seething jet of annoyance ravaged at his insides. So now the wolf was getting money for nothing. While every other Professor worked for their keep, the wolf got away scott free.
"Severus I know you dislike Remus Lupin," Dumbledore said, peering at the Potions Master, "but times are difficult. It's now that we need co-operation and understanding, more than anything."
Severus grunted lightly and sighed. "I know, Albus," he said softly, lowering his tough exterior briefly. Times were hard, especially for him. He had the stresses of keeping with his classes and guiding an entire student body to success. He had the strain of the Dark Lord slowly suffocating him as suspicion began to arouse. He needed to be on the double every meeting, one step ahead every time he was called and he needed his wits and strengths about him. His mind barriers could not be broken; he could not allow a single slip up - not unless he wanted to destroy hope for the Wizarding world.
On top of all of that, Severus worried about the faith of Slytherin students. Would each one fall into the downward spiral of murder, brutality and loneliness that came with the imprint of the infected Dark Mark? He worried most about his 6th and 7th years. They were in their prime now, ready to be called and most likely, they were willing to be called. His 5th years, which contained Draco Malfoy, were one year away from being accepted into the ring. They were most likely being encouraged by the older students. His 4th years would be considering their options, but Severus new, he knew they would be drawn in by the fantasy of it all. He had. That was how he got involved in this mess. The wild fantasises of power, dominance and revenge that had been fed to him by Lucius Malfoy - the same ones that were probably being fed to Draco Malfoy, who in turn would feed them to uneducated students. It was a lonely life that of a Death Eater child, and Severus' insides squirmed at the thought of the fresh faces that had been sorted this evening. Who amongst them would choose the wrong path? Which ones would fail at the cross roads?
"Reminiscing does nothing of any good to the mind, my boy." Dumbledore whispered.
Severus nodded and stood. His mind buzzed with every emotion possible. Straightening up, he returned to his strict, formal figure.
"I bid you Good-night, Headmaster," he said, nodding stiffly and turning on the spot.
"Good-night my boy," Professor Dumbledore replied.
Dumbledore sighed deeply and leaned back into his gilded chair. His eyes felt heavy and once again, he felt like a very elderly wizard.
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Leaning heavily into a rickety chair in his temporary rooms, Remus Lupin sighed with dejection and gazed into the hearth of a crackling, ember filled fire. His tattered old jumper let just enough draft in to make him shiver, even against the fires blaze. He leaned heavily into his hand, his fingers entwining in his limp greying hair and he tugged gently. He felt sick and uneasy. The full moon loomed menacingly in his mind and he dreaded the transformation. Even after 29 years, he still whimpered as the silver light of a full moon engulfed him and turned him into a monster. The ripping, burning sensation of human flesh being ripped by his own claws from his body, the splintering, pulling ache of bones growing and twisting. He flinched as a quick stab of pain ached his mouth, reminding him of the sharp, glistening fangs that pierced through his gums. Emotions overcame Remus and he sniffled, dabbing at the corners of his prickling eyes.
"Remus you old fool," he muttered, closing his eyes and sighing heavily.
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Quite a sad chapter actually, particularly the last few pieces where we see the real strain of war and illness on three men.
Anyway thank you so much for your reviews on chapter one, it really encouraged me to keep going with this. Thank you also to the people who added my story to Alerts and Fave. Story and so on.
Please continue to read and review.
Nesbitt