Chapter Two: Forgiving and Forgetting
The infirmary doors looked opposing now that he stood in front of them. They seemed to tell him that you'd only cause heartache if you go in now. His determination wavered for just a moment until he became angry with himself and his determination returned, ten fold. Opening the doors he revealed two curtained off beds and he made his way over to the nearest bed. He slipped through the closed off curtains and listened for Poppy's office door to open. When it didn't he turned to see Black staring at him like he went completely mad.
"Snivallus…what are you doing here? I would have thought that you'd stay away from me for a very long time."
"I came here to make peace Black, no matter how much I detest you, this needs to be done. For Lupin's sake… and Potter's." Sirius was shocked by the admission of calling a truce to protect the two. While Sirius thought over the offer he took a glance at Severus's clothing. There was no concealing cloak, no black long sleeves but dark navy T-shirt and some form fitting jeans.
"I would have thought that you were just about everything that's black Snape. I can't promise that I can let go of old habits but I can try to act civil, for Remus and Harry's sake. What I'm wondering is, why you're suddenly calling this truce. You could have called it years ago you know." Sirius said with his trademark grin. It infuriated him, that grin of his, prison might have dulled their shine but one day in Poppy's care got them back to their normal shiny selves. Severus hesitated for a moment, debating whether he should tell Black or not. In the end, he decided to give him a hint.
"Because now I have nothing left to hold against you. Your greatest prank has final been fulfilled after all these years. See you around," He turned and pulled back the curtain, "Oh and Black."
"Yeah?"
"I won't stop expecting you to pull pranks when you're all better," He said with a smirk of his own. Severus heard Black's barking laugh even through the thick infirmary doors.
The next day during classes Sirius was released from the infirmary with a stern warning from Madam Pomfrey to stay out of trouble. Sirius moved with a light strolling pace that allowed him to travel up to the Headmaster's office at a pleasant memory lane way. The Gargoyle that blocked the way didn't move to the side, which caused Sirius aggravation.
"Pumpkin Pasties, Lemon Drops, Licorice Wands, Bertie's Boxes of Every Flavor Jelly Beans, Blood Pops, Acid Pops…what in the bloody hell is the password!"
"Mars," said a smooth voice. Sirius turned suddenly at the voice as the Gargoyle jumped to the side. Sirius came face to face with Severus who had a frown upon his.
"What are you doing up here, Black? I thought you were in the infirmary healing. If you got out of bed without Poppy's approval…"
"Relax Snape, Madam Pomfrey gave me free rein with a warning to stay out of trouble or I'll open my wounds again. Which I really don't want to happen. I came up the Headmaster's office to talk to Albus about Remmy."
"Remmy?"
Sirius rolled his eyes "Remus, we like to call him Moony or Remmy. Depended on the day. Would never let us call him Rem though. Always got angry for some reason." Silence lapsed as both men moved up the staircase to the office. "What's a Mars?"
"The Headmaster says that they're a Muggle candy. I don't know what type Black I've never had one." Severus said with a slight sneer upon his face. Sirius stuck his tongue out behind Severus back as he opened the door to reveal Albus and Remus having tea but staring at the door. Remus choked on his tea while Albus patted Remus's back smiling at Sirius behavior.
"What can I do for you two?"
"Well, Headmaster…" both started at the same time. They turned to face each other with identical frowns.
"You go first…" both said.
"No, I insist that you go first…"
"No really you go first…" at this point both men where glaring daggers at each other. Albus was smiling even more madly, and poor Remus just found this more pathetic then when they just had rows.
"Guys I think it doesn't matter who goes first. Albus um…back to what we were discussing. I think that we should look at Siri for a possible candidate. He knows just as much about the Dart Arts as I do while he also knows how to hold the attention of anyone in a room."
"I think you might be right. It's something to think over. Now Sirius, what did you come to me for?"
"Um…Headmaster, I'd like to know it the papers have finally gone through."
"Papers? Ah, you mean the adoption papers, give me a moment. I think I received something from the Ministry regarding them this morning." Papers suddenly were lifted as they floated around the room. Some were sorted into piles, while others stayed in the air as if seeking a hiding place. "Here it is. The request for the adoption of a one Harry James Potter. Lets see, the letter reads:
Dear Headmaster,
In regard to Mr. Black's adoption request we ask that he wait for a year before taking Mr. Potter. We, of the Ministry, would like to know that Mr. Black is finically set, as well as his housing arrangements, along with this we would also like to be checked at St. Mugo's for his mental health. Mr. Black may visit Mr. Potter whenever he chooses at his current guardians home.
Sincerely,
Margaret Nanut
Head of Wizarding Social Services
Post Script: Enclosed is a separate letter for Mr. Black make sure that he receives it."
Severus looked over at Sirius to see the man's fists clenched, and his face stark white with anger. Severus only saw that look once when he was younger, when he had called Lily a Mudblood.
"Here is the enclosed to you Sirius," Albus said.
Sirius's took the letter only to rip it open and read it out loud, "
Dear Mr. Black,
We of the Ministry regret the twelve years of false imprisonment in Azkaban. For this we offer fifteen-thousand gallones, a new wand built custom to you, and your old job back. We of the Ministry are again sorry for the hardships that you've faced at our expense.
Sincerely,
Minister Cornelius Fudge
Madam Bones
Head of the Auror Department"
Sirius's rage increased so that Severus felt as if he was suffocating from it as it radiated off of Sirius. Remus, noticed that something was off and rushed over to Severus's side. Just as Severus was about to collapse to the floor, Remus caught him. Sirius's anger faded to an ebbing spark in all the confusion, which allowed Severus to gasp for a steady breath.
"What the hell just happened to Severus, Remus?" Sirius asked with confusion evident in his eyes. Severus's eyes shot open as his breathing steady out and he sat up.
"I think I now understand what you meant by emotions affecting you. That was, overwhelming. I believe I need something to eat. Also, a Dolorem Relevium potion would not go amiss." Severus mumbled as he rubbed his temple to relieve the pounding headache. He then attempted to stand up slowly only to be pushed into a chair by Remus.
"You are going to sit and relax. We will have some food brought to us and some chocolate. Then we will start explaining things to Siri.
"Chocolate?" Severus raised an eyebrow at Remus. Remus laughed lightly.
"It helps with the emotional backlash. Similar to the Dementors." Severus sighed but nodded in understanding.
"Alright. I prefer dark chocolate." Remus shook his head,
"Sorry, but you can't have dark. It doesn't agree with our system...like with dogs," A house elf popped into the office with a tray of sandwiches and tea. Remus made a small plate for Severus and placed it in front of him.
"Now eat." Remus said in a stern motherly manner. Severus got that sort of tone from Minerva and Poppy most of his life. Getting it from Remus, however, was a cold shock to his system after that bout of anger.
"Severus did you tell Siri?"
"No, I didn't tell Black, but I have a feeling that you two will want me to be the barer of bad news. I'm right aren't I, Albus?" Severus said with a scowl back upon his face. Albus's eyes twinkled madly as he nodded his head at Severus's question. This pulled a moan of protest from Severus's throat as he nibbled upon a Honkydukes bar of milk chocolate. Sirius stood with a befuddled expression upon his face the whole time only to get increasingly curious with each second.
"Just what is it that Snape's supposed to tell me? What is he ill or something?"
"It happened while you were unconscious, Black. Passed out on the ground bleeding. Potter and Granger didn't know what to do, they were frozen with fear. I was... scared... to be facing a werewolf alone but I couldn't let anything happen to Potter. Next I knew, my body was moving on its own, protecting the children, drawing the werewolf away from them and the castle. I ran and ran; only to stop to catch my breath once, that one stop was my failing sadly. When I opened my eyes the werewolf was there... " Severus shuddered at the memory and shifted his gaze to the floor. "I gave up. It bite me. Like I told you yesterday, Black, that your greatest prank came full circle." Severus said with a growl mixed in towards the end. Sirius stared at both Remus and Severus for a moment before bursting out laughing. Severus, at first, wanted to punch him for laughing. But, Severus then realized he could feel Sirius confusion. That confusion then faded, only to be replaced by sorrow of the highest degree. It shocked Severus, to see Black laughing in pain, laughing so hard that tears started to drip down his skin. The laughter tapered off to a whimper after a couple of minutes only for Black to be crying with choking sobs every now and then. Severus didn't know what to do, and apparently neither did Remus or Albus. Sirius stood in the center of the room crying softly for Severus's fate alone, a crying that was heart wrenching to witness. Severus couldn't stand watching Sirius cry any longer and moved at the same time as Remus to do something. Severus got there first however and smacked Sirius across the face causing Remus to freeze. The slap was not too hard, but enough to shock Sirius and stop his crying. Severus then, working on instinct, embraced Sirius in a hug. Remus unfroze at this and joined by hugging both men.
Albus stood back and watching this all unfold and thought 'I think Severus becoming a werewolf will do him some good in the end.'
The three pulled away from each other with Severus and Sirius staring uncomfortable at one another, while Sirius held his cheek lightly. Silence lapsed for a moment before Albus coughed to get their attention.
"Sirius, I hope that you will keep this between the three of us. It would be best no one knew that Severus is a werewolf. Remus, my boy, we can finish our discussion another time. Now you two go and catch up between yourselves." Albus eyes held their usual amusement. The Remus and Sirius looked at each other and shrugged while turning around to leave the office. Once the door closed Albus turned to Severus and gestured for the Potion's Master to take a seat.
"What, exactly, did you call me up here for, Albus?" Severus watched him with wary eyes and a frown. Albus smiled and sat behind his desk folding his hands.
"I need to know who you have in mind for when you are…how shall I put this…incapacitated…out of action…laid up…you understand what I'm getting at Severus?"
"Yes, Albus, I do. Let me think it over, and get back to you by the end of the week. If that's all, I'd like to get down to my rooms to finish grading some papers." Albus nodded his head and allow Severus to leave the office with a forlorn look upon his face.
To him, the week crawled by with a snail's pace, but it had it's shocks as well. The morning of after the meeting, Albus decided to announce at breakfast that Black would be a co-partner in teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts with Lupin. The Gryffindors cheering drowned the shocked mutters and whispers around the hall for a moment. The cheering was vociferous and unrelenting to Severus's ears before it died down, leaving them ringing for a few minutes after ward. Half way through the week, Severus was categorizing his potion cupboard and smelled a peculiar scent. Bittersweet almonds to be exact, at farther investigation he found it to be a dried flower, a flower that was now much more toxic than before, the flower Monks wood. Severus drew back holding his breath and ducking low. By the time he was back in the classroom the impulse to run out into the hall and not stop running until he reached Hagrid's Hut had waned considerably. Severus shook his head on how silly he was acting and determinately stride back into his supply closet. However the moment he was beyond the threshold for the door the instinct to run surfaced again. Severus fought the instinct and called a house elf by the name of Basil.
"What is it that Master Severus wishes of Basil?" the little elf asked with wide eyes.
"Basil, I need you to collect all of the Monks wood, carefully with gloves, and stick them in glass jars. I can no longer touch them. Other wise I would have done this myself."
"Basil will do as Master Severus asks, Basil will be back with glass jars and gloves," the elf said with a pop of disappearance afterward.
The next shock came two days after the Monks wood incident; it was just before the third year class would start when Potter walked in. This was the first time that Severus saw Potter after that one eventful morning. Potter was the first one into the classroom, no Granger, no Wesley, no one else for at least…quick glance at the clock…. an hour. At this his eyebrows rose in question, before going back to the papers on his desk. Potter sat at the desk staring at him on and off for the whole hour, and when the rest of the class finally did arrive Potter became a little more discreet in his staring. There where no explosions, no major fights, just absolute silence. Instead the emotions coming off the class were monstrous. Which was a little unnerving by the end of class, and just about the time that Severus snapped the bell signaled the end of class. As the last student left Potter walk cautiously up to Severus's desk.
"Professor Snape, can I ask you something," Potter asked with an innocent look.
"I believe you already have, Mr. Potter," Severus replied with a quirk of his mouth. At Severus's response Potter's eyes widened with shock at the fact that his most stoic professor's humor.
"I…. Um…. well that is to say…I wanted to know how you knew my mum…" At Potter's question, Severus stopped clearing the papers off his desk and stared at Potter. His mouth slightly open.
"Who told you that I was friends with your mother? Was it Black or Lupin?" Severus said with a killing glare firmly in place.
"It was Professor McGonagall actually, sir, she said that dad and you would always fight but that she thought a great deal of it was over the affections of my mum," Potter said with his eyes cast downwards. Severus sighed and vowed to buy some catnip later.
"Yes, I knew your mother. We grew up together on the same street, and I was the one to tell her that she was a witch originally. When we got sorted, that's when the trouble started. Your father took an interest in the pretty red haired, green-eyed Ravenclaw and our rivalry started. I regret many things, Harry, but the one thing I regret the most, is losing my temper and forcing your mother away…. Do you have another class to get to after this one?"
"No, sir. Potions was my last class of the day. I can come back later if that's better?" Potter said with a sheepish look. Severus studied the boy.
After a quick decision Severus said, "Be here at eight o'clock sharp." He then turned away to write the next classes assignment upon the board. Potter, though startled, walked out of the classroom, glancing back only once and smiled slightly.
By the end of the week Severus was at his wits end. There was only one person that he trusted in his potions lab that wouldn't eventually blow it up. The question though was if she would take over his classes for him. With a put upon sigh Severus knelt by the fireplace in his private rooms.
Taking one last calming breath he threw the floo powder into the fire ….
Lonecannan: ^_^ Are not I evil…if ya can't figure it out 'tis a cliffhanger. I'm in the process of writing the third chapter. P.S. I'm not repeating the disclaimer you want to see it go back to the very first chapter.
10th Doctor: Yes you are evil, and crazy.
Lonecannan: what?
10th Doctor: What?
Lonecannan: WHAT?
SilverLyra: Ignore that madness. She hasn't been sleeping...or had tea in a couple of days.
Jareth: That's not madness, that's cluelessness.
Lonecannan and 10th Doctor: HEY!
SilverLyra: They're not clueless just...eccentric. (shrugs)
Jareth: (raises eyebrow) Really?
SilverLyra: You hold no power Here!
Jareth: Aww. Kill my fun. (Flies away)
SilverLyra: Wait...Come back! Take me with you!
Lonecannan: Note: SilverLyra has become my Beta for this story. Thus this chapter has been edited for corrections.
SilverLyra: (smack) your and you're (smack) while and well (smack) learn where they go (smack)
Lonecannan: ow Ow Ow OW! Ok ok stop hitting. (pouts) I need some chocolate.
Edit update date 01/14/2013