Whoa! I did not expect this many attention towards reviews/alerts/favorites! Thank you!
Anyway, I'm glad you're into this already. I hope this is better and it will get longer - hopefully, but it is five pages, but better than nothing!
The last Black member of the family was floo'ing over to Hogwarts in the headmaster's office. Albus was dealing with his Phoenix to groom and care for, which was a rare sight to see. The plan in his head was going in like crazy to review to make sure it all goes well. He walked to up the man and-
"-I am not a fool, Sirius." He spoke.
He jumped at the surprised of the powerful wizard, "-wh-what are you talking about, Albus?"
His eyes twinkled, "I have seen the way you look at one of my close students."
Sirius frowned, "He's not a student."
"I said close students, meaning to me he still a student no matter how old he is." He turned around with hand up of Phoenix's food.
Sirius nodded slowly, "Then you are referring to…" He was curious how good the man knows.
Dumbledore smiled, "Severus does deserve someone, and I was hoping you'd get him before your godson was involved. I take it you'd like to have a job with Minerva on the assistance in her Transfiguration class."
Sirius was shocked to see how powerful and Slytherin the man is. They always say the man is powerful to stop Voldemort, yet, he chose not to because of the prophet has come true during their last battle.
"Yes?" Sirius was confused how the plan knew what he was up to, "Was it that obvious?"
Albus chuckled, "It's common sense, my boy. I saw the way you looked at Severus during a few detentions and knowing you are highly attached to your Animagus form, you will be likely to release your heat you have suppressed for nearly a decade and a half."
The man looked away, "Sorry, I know I'm not supposed to and war was the first priority and-"
"I know and no one is blaming you. Have fun courting him, but absolutely refrain yourself calling him Snivellius. He does not like to be called names." The grandfather insisted.
Sirius nodded, "Of course. Would it be okay if I came for your advice to get him around my finger?"
"Are referring to keep him happy at the end of your plan?"
Sirius smiled, "Yes."
"Then, I will help. Your quarter will be cross from his and you can move in tonight. I shall talk to Minerva about her assistance position is now filled." He explained.
Sirius nodded, pleased to see his plans going well, and possibly glad to have the man on his side. Things were turning out well, but he had a feeling Severus may be difficult with him.
"How's Harry?" The mutt asked.
Albus smiled, "He feels happier to be free. The scar on him has healed completely."
He lit up, "That's wonderful! Is he available?"
The headmaster nodded, "Yes, today is students' day off to celebrate the victory of the light side of the war. Tomorrow, we shall be returning to normal activities of our lives."
Sirius lit up at the sound of it and decided to hunt his godson in the meantime. He wanted to give Severus some time to sink in that he will be in Hogwarts as a staff member. Albus returned to nurturing his familiar for the day.
Black walked around and heading over to the dormitory of Gryffindor. He spotted the Golden Trio, happily free, and laughing their heads off. They were free to have a childhood for the rest of their years here and seek out for normality in their lives. He hurried over to them and picked up his godson in a matter of second. The savior panicked and tried to get out of his arms, yet, his best friends were surprised, but giggling to see who it was. Harry was rather confused and turned around to see a man he recognized. He blinked and realized he should have known.
"Sirius!" The boy exclaimed.
He smirked, "I better be Sirius! It's good to see you, kiddo! You freed everyone!"
He huffed, "So did Professor Dumbledore, he helped."
Sirius understood and set his godson down, "He has enough credit for being a powerful wizard. Now, I'd be happy to say I'll be working here."
Hermione greeted her eyes with the man, "What will you be teaching?" A hint of hope in her eyes for someone new to teach something particular.
"Dumbledore believes I should assist Professor McGonagall."
The kids were worried, but they figured there wasn't much to worry, and trusted the headmaster's hiring anyway. Despite of the outcome each year, they managed their lives fine.
"Well, you do have a talent to Animagus form." Hermione commented.
Ron nodded, "Yeah, no one can control it that easily, even for Professor McGonagall." He grinned.
Harry chuckled, "At least we will look forward to her class rather than Snape."
Sirius frowned at the part when they were displeased with the Potion Masters. He wanted to tell them the other plans…just not out in the opening.
"He cannot be that bad. Severus is a good man and he has helped during the war." Sirius commented.
Ron stared at him, horrified, "You cannot possibly be that blind to see the greasy git's evilness!"
The animagus crossed his arms, "Can you prove that he is evil?"
Hermione smirked, "It is nice to see someone defending Professor Snape. They always think he's evil." She turned to the portrait and announced the gillyweed password.
They all headed inside and found themselves alone in the common room. Harry was confused with his godfather's responses towards their potion master. Perhaps he misread the man's view…then again, it was his father who bullied him. He has no idea how Sirius treated him back then.
"Care to explain why you're defending Snape?" Harry looked up at his godfather.
He sat down across from them, "I'm thinking of courting him since I never got around it and your father usually ruins the moment." He shrugged.
Harry was startled, yet, curious about his godfather. Hermione smiled and Ron grossed out. This was an interesting reaction for once and he expected them to have a fit.
"Courting him? You act like you are a Veela." The boy who lived stated.
Sirius chuckled, "Since I have been an animagus for nearly twenty-one years, I developed heat as most creatures and animals do. I have suppressed my heat for almost sixteen years now and it isn't wise to be holding it off for so long. I have to court Severus soon or someone I will be stuck with for the rest of my life."
Hermione turned white as a sheet, "H-ho-how long does courting takes? You do realize the danger of your heat with us in the room, right?"
Ron agreed, "She's right! You should be in the room with that greasy git!"
Sirius glared, "Off with the names calling, mind you? When you insult one's mate, you're putting yourself in danger in the dominate mate's protectiveness and possessiveness." He warned, quietly.
Harry blinked, "But…aren't we in danger?"
Sirius shook his head, "No. It would have to be someone older than you three. Severus has always interests me."
Hermione eased down and considered this. Ron was still crept out, but he was glad that Harry wasn't actually related to the man. Harry shrugged and did not see a problem with this.
"I think Professor Snape deserves someone. Are you planning on a romantic date?" Hermione was fascinated already.
Ron turned green, "You both are insane. The man is probably into a walk in the cave for a date and stare at bats."
Sirius glared harshly at the red head, "Watch it with the sarcasm."
"Sorry," Ron sighed, "Maybe you'll make him actually smile and be nice to us. That would be nice." Trying to find some sort of positive way of looking at this.
He grinned, "I will need help from you trio. I want him to feel like family when he has me. I know how stubborn he is and strongly need of independent, but he can't be independent if he is submissive."
Ron grinned slyly, "He's submissive? He's going to be the one call mumsy?"
Harry blinked, "Ron? I doubt he'd be the wife-"
"-Harry, wizards can carry babies like witches." Hermione told him immediately.
Harry blinked, startled by the idea of Wizards' capability to be pregnant, and wondering what else he doesn't know. At least he was glad to know homosexuals weren't a frown upon in their society and it was better off that way.
"Now, will you support him in his time of needs?" Sirius looked at them.
"Are you serious?" Ron commented.
"Yes, I am Sirius."
They all snickered and Hermione knew best not to mess around with someone who is an animagus, especially during their heat. Although, she found Ron's humor was lightening things up for them. Perhaps this might change Ron's behavior now and that Sirius will be helping out more. Harry was interested for the change and see how this will turn out for them. Perhaps by next year, things will be better for everyone for once.
He pulled them into a group discussion of his plans, but he did not entirely let them know a hundred percent of what he may be up to now.
…
Severus was focusing on preparing his lessons. Yet, his day wasn't better than it was last week. Despite of the changes, he refused to step out of line for a mere dark person who is officially gone permanently. He knew he was free from being a spy, but no one besides Albus knew.
Teaching his potion classes were rather annoying, but stressful day for him. He would have to look out for students who weren't very well in their lessons and prevented them from harming themselves or everyone else. He found himself annoyed when the Weasely attempted to make comments during his lectures and took points. He wanted to see if 'Potter' would do the same, just like his 'father' would. He noticed Granger slapped the boy for speaking in class and severely disappointed in him.
Other than that, the day wasn't a happy one for him. He walked to his quarter with collected assignments he had his students working on for two days. He stood in front of the portrait and about to speak the password-
"Ah, Severus." The familiar voice caught his attention.
The potion professor froze and turned to see the Potter's best mate. His lips snarked at the 'enemy' and glared at the Gryffindor.
"What do you want, mutt?" He hissed.
Sirius walked up to him calmly, "A greeting, of course." He smiled happily.
His brow rose, "Then, hello mutt." He waited a mere second before walking back to the quarter of his own.
"Severus, I'd thought you would be happy to hear that I am your quarter neighbor!" He grinned.
Severus tensed up at the news and snapped back at the foolish Gryffindor. This wasn't good and he swore there wouldn't be anyone to put up with nearby his home.
"Then, best not bother me…at all." He said.
Sirius frowned, "You sound like you had the worse day ever, Severus. I have some good tea that'll make your day. Come into my quarter."
Severus wanted to go against it immediately, but he can't. He couldn't refrained himself away from someone he strongly dislike.
"If I do, will you leave me alone?" He hissed.
Sirius smiled happily, "Deal!" He mentally added on for today, but he did not want to push it. Courting a mate is not simple as others thought it would be and he needed to do this properly.
Sirius invited the man in and Severus observed the room. He noted the organized and well kept hidden of personal things. Other than that, the colors were similar to Slytherin and dark colors of Gryffindor. The rest of the places of Sirius' quarter were inviting and all connected.
"Help yourself on the couch, Severus. I'll make the tea. Do you prefer sugar or cream?" Sirius gathered the cups and the teabags.
Severus glanced at the dark couch, noting it was clean as he sat down, "Neither, I prefer plain."
Sirius perked up, liking someone who wants flavor of the tea instead of adding on 'stronger' flavor. He approved to someone who will be his mate and he was glad the man was calm with him. Hopefully, this would be a calm acceptance. He made the tea and carried them over to the living room…which was across from the kitchen. He sat down next to the man, minding the amount of space between them, and Severus accepted it.
Before the man drinks it, Sirius watched him chanted something, and drinks his own tea in observing his future mate. Nothing was happening to the tea, so he took some signs that he was being careful, and he waited.
"You know I do not have skills in potions, right?" Sirius thought to throw it out.
The man shrugged, "Never trust a former bully's friend…no matter how annoying they may be."
Sirius mentally cursed at James and swore that he will never allow that to happen. For now, he nodded and respected the potion professor to keep him in line. He kept sipping and Severus took a small sip. He noted there was nothing wrong and nothing had happened. They drank in silence, kept each other's company, and relaxed to forget all their trouble.
"The tea is different," Severus commented, "It's White tea, I take it?"
The animagus nodded, "Yes, I found it helps my health and perhaps yours as well. I imagine all the stress you have to put up with the students…or prats, whichever comes first to you."
"Prats…they're always prats to me. They do not even know how to properly read between the lines." He scoffed.
"They do have quite a short attention span…or they're just really immature."
Severus jerked his head to the host, "It is either you have lost your mind or you found your maturity coming into your brain."
Sirius would have tell him to be respectful, but they haven't gone anywhere to the next level of their status. He decided to allow the man to slip out of this for once.
He hummed, "Humoring, aren't you?" He grinned, "Now, about that conversation nineteen years ago…"
The potion professor blinked at him as if he went insane, "What conversation? Last time I checked, Potter and you harassed, teased, and humiliated me!" He hissed.
Sirius shook his head, "No, that was James. I was there…and I shouldn't have let him get away with it." He sighed, "I'm sorry for what he did to you and I wished I have known better. I would have protected you better."
His brow rose, "Listen, you mangy mutt! I had enough with what you both put me through and I will not need protection back then and not now!" He marched up.
Sirius caught his wrist and bored into the man's black iris, "I'm afraid you don't have a choice or understand where this is going, Severus. Sit down." He waited.
Severus glared at the animagus, struggled to tug his wrist away from him, and couldn't restrain himself against the childhood classmate. Sirius noted he was trying to remain independent and he would have none of that. He held onto his Severus and hoping this won't be difficult.
"What." Severus hissed, found himself aggravated when he could have easily left.
Severus could not understand why he was not leaving with all of his strength and ignored the man right now. Why could he not fight this? What was changing now? He did not understand the mutt here…or the potential purpose here. He was afraid to repeat his Hogwarts years by being in the room with this…man.
A knut for your thoughts?