Relations and Relationships
Everyone gasped in horror, hut it was the teacher's table that was most interesting. Severus Snape stood up just as the Bloody Baron did. He just stood there, his eyes grew very large and his mouth hung open.
"But, I, you, how?" he finally got some words out. "This can't be," he muttered to himself. Then with a slow, long breath he fainted. Only to sit up in confusion a minute later, look at the Bloody Baron (who now had his robes back on) and say loud enough for the whole hall to hear, "Grandfather?"
"What are you talking about Severus?" asked Lockhart. The Bloody Baron's eyes went an even darker shade of red as he stared fixedly at Lockhart. It looked like he was about to breathe fire.
"Dumbledore who was kneeling next to Snape said, "I think Professor needs some rest."
"No, wait," Snape cried out in protest. HE quickly got up and turned to the Bloody Baron. "Are you Grandfather?" he said under his breath.
The Bloody Baron, seeing that there was no need to lie now said, "indeed, I am."
"I can't believe it." He said. By now, everyone in the room was as silent as a mouse and was listening intently.
"Well believe it."
"I-"
"Shutup. I have been following you closely, Severus, and I believe that this would be a good time to tell you how embarrassed I am to be your grandfather. You have shamed your whole family.
"But what did I do?"
"This, this defense you are holding, has no need. For you are truly aware of what-"
"I don't know what you are talking about"
"DO NOT INTERRUPT ME. Do you not remember the vowels that you took at the age of ten; you solemnly swore that you would find a wife and continue the Snape family," (giggles could be heard around the hall.) "Also, you have forgotten that you should keep the Snape family charm where ever you go." (This time the hall was filled with snorts of laughter that were obviously trying to be hidden.) "But when I watch you, I see plain rudeness."
It was now Snape's turn to go red. Very red.
"I think that it is time to go now Severus," said Dumbledore. Snape did not object. The Bloody Baron, fuming, vanished through the wall and was not seen at the feast again.
As soon as everyone gripped what had just happened, the whole hall was filled with the exited buzz of students chatting. Dumbledore quickly quieted them down.
"I would like to say to you all that Professor Snape has had a very big shock and it would be wise for everyone not to mention it in his presence. I think that I can trust you all with this request."
Before sitting down he added, "Inchito Lorentus." All the tables were covered with food though Harry barely noticed. He was too busy thinking about Snape.
"I can't believe that that was Snape's grandfather," said Bill.
"I can't believe Dumbledore won't let us say anything, how unfair," moaned Ron.
"Oh, but really you do see Dumbledore's reasons, don't you?" it was Hermione. "I mean I know that Snape's really awful and all but it must be horrible to be in his position right now, without a whole bunch of students tormenting him."
"Hermione, you are so daft." Said Ron.
"Hmmp."
*
The next night, in the staff, Professor Dumbledore addressed the staff.
"I know that some of you have already met Arianna, but for those who have not had the pleasure, here she is." The teachers all shook hands with her and told her how pleased they were to have her there.
"Father, may I be excused, it's just that I have a lot of work to do tonight for preparation for my classes."
"Certainly, it's no problem."
"Thanks. Goodnight." Arianna left the room.
"Now, where was I," said Dumbledore, "Oh yes, I would like to tell you that Remus Lupin will be staying with us throughout this school year." As the words were spoken, Lupin stepped into the room. "What good timing," said Dumbledore.
"Am I late?" asked Lupin.
"Not at all," said Dumbledore. "Now please take a seat."
Remus sat down, looking slightly embarrassed.
When the meeting had ended and everyone had filed out of the staff room, Dumbledore asked Lupin if he could wait behind.
"So how is everyone?" asked Dumbledore who was referring to Black and everyone who was hiding under the Whomping Willow.
"We're doing fine. I heard that your daughter is roaming around the castle."
"Yes, unfortunately you missed her at the staff meeting. But there will be another time to meet her. Goodnig- I almost forgot, you can sleep in the castle. You will have your own room back. I hope that you'll be happy to hear this."
"I am, thankyou sir."
"Goodnight Remus."
*
"You promised that you'd tell me what happened while I was away," complained Hermione.
"Okay, okay," said Harry. So Harry and Ron spent fifteen minutes filling Hermione in.
"I can't believe that I missed so much. Boy, do I wish I was here early."
"Yeah, that's great Hermione, but can we go to sleep now?" said Ron.
"No, you can't"
"What!"
"We need to talk to Sirius about this," she said.
"We told you before that we already talked to him."
"But you didn't tell him about the tunnel in Snape's room, and what about what happened tonight?"
"Fine then, we'll right a letter. But it's only going to take five minutes," said Harry. An hour later, they had finished.
"Finally," said Harry as he picked it up to read for the last time.
Dear Snuffles,
Hi, what have you been doing lately? There have been a lot of strange things happening in the castle. At the feast today we found out that the Bloody Baron is really Snape's dead grandfather. He stood in front of the whole school and told Snape off for not keeping the family honour. It was hilarious. A few days ago we were in Snape's room because Dumbledore told everyone in the castle to stay in the teacher's dormitory (that was just after they found the unicorn.) Anyway Snape was just about to walk in when Ginny screamed (we found out later that it was because of a rat.) Then a few minutes later, Snape walked in again and we were forced to hide in the cupboard. Ron and I were about to be discovered except that we fell back through the cupboard wall. We fell through a tunnel and landed outside. Then we met you
That's about all. Send me something soon,
Harry
"We can send it tomorrow morning," said Harry. "All I want to do now is sleep."
*
"Arianna, I would like you to meet some one," said Dumbledore."
"Really, who?"
"I can't tell you that now. But when you do meet him you mustn't tell anyone."
"Okay, I promise."
"I can't really take you there as I have some important matters to tend to. So I have asked Remus Lupin to take you there instead. You haven't met him yet. He just missed you at the staff meeting," said Dumbledore, half- chuckling to himself.
"Sure thing. So when am I going?"
"Now."
"Now?"
"Yes, he should be here any minute now. Ah, Remus. There you are. Meet my daughter Arianna, Arianna meet Remus."
Arianna and Remus looked up at each other. As soon as their eyes met, Lupin felt his knees give way. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Right then, she had her long, light brown hair out. It had natural blonde streaks in it that caught the light and shone like the setting sun. Her face had perfect features, with long eyelashes and deep blue eyes. She had a slim waist and held herself high. She didn't look like she was boasting, like Lockhart, but she seemed to radiate a force that took her apart from the rest.
"I, er, let's go shall we?" he said.
"Um, okay." As they walked out of the room Dumbledore stood there with a big smile on his face. "Who would have thought?" he said to himself.
Outside Lupin was guiding Arianna through the grounds and toward the forbidden forest. Arianna who was as entranced by Lupin as he was by her asked, "Are you sure it is safe to go into the Forbidden Forest."
"Don't worry, trust me," he said. Arianna did, even though he was a stranger to her, she felt that he was trustworthy.
As they made their way towards the Whomping Willow, Lupin took a big stick from the ground and with it prodded a knot near the roots. At once the tree froze and they were able to enter into the shrieking shack. When they opened the door. A few people stood in front of them. Sirius was one of them. Arianna reached for her wand, but Lupin put a hand on her shoulder and she stopped. Lupin introduced everyone and explained everything to Arianna. About how two years ago he found out that Black was innocent. Then Black told her about their suspicions about Voldermort,
"I would love to help you," she said.
"We knew that, we knew that you would help your father."
"I didn't know my father was part of it."
"But I just told you!"
"Oh," said Arianna, embarrassed. The reason that she hadn't heard him was because she was too busy watching Remus. She just couldn't keep her eyes off him.
"Well I think that that's about all. Just remember not to tell anyone. Okay? The only people who know about us are Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Severus Snape, Bill Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, your father, and you."
"I understand, I won't tell anyone."
"Good," said Sirius. Arianna and Lupin left the shrieking shack after that.
"That was hopeless," said Sirius when they were out of earshot.
Everyone gasped in horror, hut it was the teacher's table that was most interesting. Severus Snape stood up just as the Bloody Baron did. He just stood there, his eyes grew very large and his mouth hung open.
"But, I, you, how?" he finally got some words out. "This can't be," he muttered to himself. Then with a slow, long breath he fainted. Only to sit up in confusion a minute later, look at the Bloody Baron (who now had his robes back on) and say loud enough for the whole hall to hear, "Grandfather?"
"What are you talking about Severus?" asked Lockhart. The Bloody Baron's eyes went an even darker shade of red as he stared fixedly at Lockhart. It looked like he was about to breathe fire.
"Dumbledore who was kneeling next to Snape said, "I think Professor needs some rest."
"No, wait," Snape cried out in protest. HE quickly got up and turned to the Bloody Baron. "Are you Grandfather?" he said under his breath.
The Bloody Baron, seeing that there was no need to lie now said, "indeed, I am."
"I can't believe it." He said. By now, everyone in the room was as silent as a mouse and was listening intently.
"Well believe it."
"I-"
"Shutup. I have been following you closely, Severus, and I believe that this would be a good time to tell you how embarrassed I am to be your grandfather. You have shamed your whole family.
"But what did I do?"
"This, this defense you are holding, has no need. For you are truly aware of what-"
"I don't know what you are talking about"
"DO NOT INTERRUPT ME. Do you not remember the vowels that you took at the age of ten; you solemnly swore that you would find a wife and continue the Snape family," (giggles could be heard around the hall.) "Also, you have forgotten that you should keep the Snape family charm where ever you go." (This time the hall was filled with snorts of laughter that were obviously trying to be hidden.) "But when I watch you, I see plain rudeness."
It was now Snape's turn to go red. Very red.
"I think that it is time to go now Severus," said Dumbledore. Snape did not object. The Bloody Baron, fuming, vanished through the wall and was not seen at the feast again.
As soon as everyone gripped what had just happened, the whole hall was filled with the exited buzz of students chatting. Dumbledore quickly quieted them down.
"I would like to say to you all that Professor Snape has had a very big shock and it would be wise for everyone not to mention it in his presence. I think that I can trust you all with this request."
Before sitting down he added, "Inchito Lorentus." All the tables were covered with food though Harry barely noticed. He was too busy thinking about Snape.
"I can't believe that that was Snape's grandfather," said Bill.
"I can't believe Dumbledore won't let us say anything, how unfair," moaned Ron.
"Oh, but really you do see Dumbledore's reasons, don't you?" it was Hermione. "I mean I know that Snape's really awful and all but it must be horrible to be in his position right now, without a whole bunch of students tormenting him."
"Hermione, you are so daft." Said Ron.
"Hmmp."
*
The next night, in the staff, Professor Dumbledore addressed the staff.
"I know that some of you have already met Arianna, but for those who have not had the pleasure, here she is." The teachers all shook hands with her and told her how pleased they were to have her there.
"Father, may I be excused, it's just that I have a lot of work to do tonight for preparation for my classes."
"Certainly, it's no problem."
"Thanks. Goodnight." Arianna left the room.
"Now, where was I," said Dumbledore, "Oh yes, I would like to tell you that Remus Lupin will be staying with us throughout this school year." As the words were spoken, Lupin stepped into the room. "What good timing," said Dumbledore.
"Am I late?" asked Lupin.
"Not at all," said Dumbledore. "Now please take a seat."
Remus sat down, looking slightly embarrassed.
When the meeting had ended and everyone had filed out of the staff room, Dumbledore asked Lupin if he could wait behind.
"So how is everyone?" asked Dumbledore who was referring to Black and everyone who was hiding under the Whomping Willow.
"We're doing fine. I heard that your daughter is roaming around the castle."
"Yes, unfortunately you missed her at the staff meeting. But there will be another time to meet her. Goodnig- I almost forgot, you can sleep in the castle. You will have your own room back. I hope that you'll be happy to hear this."
"I am, thankyou sir."
"Goodnight Remus."
*
"You promised that you'd tell me what happened while I was away," complained Hermione.
"Okay, okay," said Harry. So Harry and Ron spent fifteen minutes filling Hermione in.
"I can't believe that I missed so much. Boy, do I wish I was here early."
"Yeah, that's great Hermione, but can we go to sleep now?" said Ron.
"No, you can't"
"What!"
"We need to talk to Sirius about this," she said.
"We told you before that we already talked to him."
"But you didn't tell him about the tunnel in Snape's room, and what about what happened tonight?"
"Fine then, we'll right a letter. But it's only going to take five minutes," said Harry. An hour later, they had finished.
"Finally," said Harry as he picked it up to read for the last time.
Dear Snuffles,
Hi, what have you been doing lately? There have been a lot of strange things happening in the castle. At the feast today we found out that the Bloody Baron is really Snape's dead grandfather. He stood in front of the whole school and told Snape off for not keeping the family honour. It was hilarious. A few days ago we were in Snape's room because Dumbledore told everyone in the castle to stay in the teacher's dormitory (that was just after they found the unicorn.) Anyway Snape was just about to walk in when Ginny screamed (we found out later that it was because of a rat.) Then a few minutes later, Snape walked in again and we were forced to hide in the cupboard. Ron and I were about to be discovered except that we fell back through the cupboard wall. We fell through a tunnel and landed outside. Then we met you
That's about all. Send me something soon,
Harry
"We can send it tomorrow morning," said Harry. "All I want to do now is sleep."
*
"Arianna, I would like you to meet some one," said Dumbledore."
"Really, who?"
"I can't tell you that now. But when you do meet him you mustn't tell anyone."
"Okay, I promise."
"I can't really take you there as I have some important matters to tend to. So I have asked Remus Lupin to take you there instead. You haven't met him yet. He just missed you at the staff meeting," said Dumbledore, half- chuckling to himself.
"Sure thing. So when am I going?"
"Now."
"Now?"
"Yes, he should be here any minute now. Ah, Remus. There you are. Meet my daughter Arianna, Arianna meet Remus."
Arianna and Remus looked up at each other. As soon as their eyes met, Lupin felt his knees give way. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Right then, she had her long, light brown hair out. It had natural blonde streaks in it that caught the light and shone like the setting sun. Her face had perfect features, with long eyelashes and deep blue eyes. She had a slim waist and held herself high. She didn't look like she was boasting, like Lockhart, but she seemed to radiate a force that took her apart from the rest.
"I, er, let's go shall we?" he said.
"Um, okay." As they walked out of the room Dumbledore stood there with a big smile on his face. "Who would have thought?" he said to himself.
Outside Lupin was guiding Arianna through the grounds and toward the forbidden forest. Arianna who was as entranced by Lupin as he was by her asked, "Are you sure it is safe to go into the Forbidden Forest."
"Don't worry, trust me," he said. Arianna did, even though he was a stranger to her, she felt that he was trustworthy.
As they made their way towards the Whomping Willow, Lupin took a big stick from the ground and with it prodded a knot near the roots. At once the tree froze and they were able to enter into the shrieking shack. When they opened the door. A few people stood in front of them. Sirius was one of them. Arianna reached for her wand, but Lupin put a hand on her shoulder and she stopped. Lupin introduced everyone and explained everything to Arianna. About how two years ago he found out that Black was innocent. Then Black told her about their suspicions about Voldermort,
"I would love to help you," she said.
"We knew that, we knew that you would help your father."
"I didn't know my father was part of it."
"But I just told you!"
"Oh," said Arianna, embarrassed. The reason that she hadn't heard him was because she was too busy watching Remus. She just couldn't keep her eyes off him.
"Well I think that that's about all. Just remember not to tell anyone. Okay? The only people who know about us are Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Severus Snape, Bill Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, your father, and you."
"I understand, I won't tell anyone."
"Good," said Sirius. Arianna and Lupin left the shrieking shack after that.
"That was hopeless," said Sirius when they were out of earshot.