Disclaimer: Harry Potter is copyright by J.K. Rowling. I own nothing.
Hey everyone!
So it's been…oh, about three months since my last post. I know, I know, it's becoming a habit, but life is continuing to make it harder to update quickly. Dance (concert's coming up in December), school (exams are around the same time as concert, so that's a double smack down), work (more flexible than the aforementioned, but still requires a bit of time), and many other activities are all struggling for my time. All are quite unfair to fan fiction, but thus is life, both beautiful and frustrating at the same time. But anyway….
This chapter has somehow become the longest one yet! I'm not quite sure how it happened, but I am glad that I can at least present something of substantial length to you readers. Also, this story has finally reached the 50 reviews mark! Thank you so much to all that have read and reviewed so far. I am honestly grateful!
To clarify any confusion about this chapter, I will remind you that this story is AU. Dumbledore is not gay in this one (sorry, I've always been rather fond of the ADMM ship). He's also not dead. The events from HBP on do not always align with this plot. I've decided that for the sake of this story that the scene on the Astronomy Tower at the end of HBP did occur but Dumbledore was not killed. Severus feigned truly returning to Voldemort and pretended to be a traitor. He was proven to be a spy for the Light at the end of the war and did not die in the Whomping Willow. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask :).
I hope everyone enjoys!
saiyanwizardgurl
Chapter 7: Filling the Staff
It was as if Poppy Pomfrey knew which of them would answer the door. "How dare you not tell me that Severus was staying here?!" she began, storming into the cabin, her wand only inches from Dumbledore's long, crooked nose. The Mediwitch, although a very kind and gentle woman, was very stern and strict when it came to her patients. And because she had treated Snape time and time again after he returned from Death Eater meetings, Pomfrey regarded him as one of her closest and dearest patients.
"Poppy, please, calm down—" began the headmaster.
"Why should I calm down?" she said, loudly cutting him off. "Calming down would suggest that everything was fine! And we are far from being fine, Albus Dumbledore! I understand that Severus doesn't want to be bothered by the general public, but you have no right to hide him from me—"
"I am hardly hiding him," replied the older wizard, pushing the Mediwitch's wand out of his face. "As I stated before, Severus requested that he be left alone. It has taken me a while to realize that I must completely respect that request whenever it is made, but I have realized it. It's high time that we all realize it. He is old enough to make decisions for himself!"
As if she suddenly remembered that he was in the room, Pomfrey peered around the headmaster in search of the wizard currently up for discussion. As soon as she saw the pale face shadowed in black fringe, she scurried around Dumbledore and stood in front of Snape, who had risen from his chair during the commotion. "Severus."
Snape stared back at her, his face expressionless and his stature guarded. Pomfrey stared right back with tears in her eyes. Finally unable to hold it in any longer, she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his thin torso. "Oh, Severus, I've been so worried about you!" The younger wizard gasped, clearly surprised as such an outward display of affection. After a moment of hesitation, he awkwardly patted her on the head.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore and McGonagall were having a heated discussion at the other end of the table. "You told her?" whispered the headmaster.
"I didn't!" hissed back the deputy headmistress. "She followed me here!"
"Surely you could have checked that you were not being followed?"
"I did check, but I didn't think that she would go to such lengths just to see where I was going!"
"I can hear everything you're saying," hiccupped the Mediwitch, who was still clinging to Snape.
Dumbledore sighed. "We aren't trying to hide anything from you. Please, just sit down. And give Severus some room. You're making him uncomfortable."
Pomfrey looked up and saw that although Snape still had a hand on her head, he had averted his eyes from her. She slowly relaxed her death grip on him and backed up to sit down at the table. The younger wizard took the seat next to her just as the headmaster sat down across the table. "Shall I make some tea?" asked McGonagall, breaking the silence.
"If you would," said Snape, much to everyone's relief.
Dumbledore conjured a handkerchief and handed it to the Mediwitch. "There, there, Poppy. Severus is okay. Calm down."
"Thank you," she said, dabbing her eyes. "I'm sorry. It's just been such a long time since…."
"I know," replied the headmaster with a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I understand. It wasn't until recently that Minerva and I started seeing Severus again. You must have missed him."
"Yes," she sniffled, wiping her eyes one last time. "Is he eating properly?"
"I'm right here, you know," said the younger wizard indignantly as he leaned forward into her field of vision. "You can ask me."
"I won't get a truthful answer from you," retorted Pomfrey.
"He just ate," laughed Dumbledore, holding out a hand to keep Snape in his seat and exceedingly grateful that they had not yet cleared away their plates. "And he rested the whole day. It will take some time, but he will get back to a normal schedule."
"As I'm sure you are aware, Poppy, it doesn't happen overnight," said the Deputy Headmistress, placing a cup of tea in front of each person with a flick of her wand. "Just give it some time."
"Bloody hell," muttered the younger wizard, folding his arms across his chest.
"Perhaps you ought to talk to Severus," cut in the headmaster, his eyes twinkling madly. "He has been a lot more honest with himself recently. I'm sure he will answer any of your questions truthfully."
The Mediwitch glanced over at Snape and smiled. "Severus?"
The younger wizard's eyebrows rose. "Yes?"
"How have you been recently?" she asked before taking a sip of her tea.
"Well," he began, uncrossing his arms and placing his hands on either side of his teacup, "since we are being honest here, I suppose I would say that I have not been very well, but we—that is to say, Albus, Minerva, and I—are working on it."
"I see," said Pomfrey with a smile. "And I take it that eating and sleeping are on your agenda?"
"Of course," he replied, sipping his tea. He waved his hand towards the empty plates in the middle of the table. "The evidence of that is before you."
Dumbledore sent the plates and silverware back to the kitchen with a wand wave. The Mediwitch hesitated slightly before continuing. "And do you have any…plans…for the future?"
"If that is your not-so-discreet way of asking me if I am returning to the staff," said Snape as he leaned back in his chair, "then the answer is yes."
"Excellent," she said, beaming.
McGonagall was smiling as if Christmas had come early. "That just leaves you to find someone for Muggle Studies," she said to the headmaster.
"No," he replied, swirling around his tea. "We still need a Defense teacher."
"I beg your pardon?" said the Deputy Headmistress, clearly confused.
"But Severus just said he was returning to the staff," said Pomfrey, equally puzzled.
"He is returning to the staff," confirmed Dumbledore. "He's returning as Potions Master."
"What?!" exclaimed the Mediwitch.
"Hmm," said McGonagall thoughtfully. "Horace will be happy."
"Yes, he will," said the headmaster, beaming.
"May I ask why?" said Pomfrey, still bewildered.
The younger wizard did not feel like repeating what he had said earlier, so he turned to Dumbledore, who immediately understood. "Severus feels that his year in the Defense Against the Dark Arts post has fulfilled his desires for the time being. He finds more joy in the…what was it? The calming sound of a simmering brew?"
"Correct," said Snape.
"What in Merlin's name does that mean?" asked the Deputy Headmistress.
"I have not a clue," replied the headmaster, "but I am told that it is something that wand-wavers like ourselves can hardly fathom."
"Well, whatever that means," said McGonagall, "at least you know that you have a highly capable brewer to keep the shelves in the hospital wing stocked."
"Oh, yes, that will be a relief," said the Mediwitch. "Merlin knows that Horace does a good job of it, but I find that Severus' potions were always a bit more effective."
"Quite right," agreed Dumbledore. "Now then, I have several candidates in mind for Muggle Studies, but I am at a loss for Defense—"
"Just as long as it's not another Lockhart."
"My dear Minerva, while I do admit that Gilderoy was probably not the best person for the job—"
"He was a complete dunderhead, Albus!"
"I didn't have much choice, Poppy; the job was not very popular at the time."
"But surely you had other options?"
"None which I would have dared to take—"
Everyone in the room pretended not to notice the faint blush that had crept up the younger wizard's cheeks, for which he was extremely grateful. They carried on the conversation without missing a beat, but he saw their eyes connect for a moment. He usually would have glared at them all, but he was decidedly all right with their reactions. When he felt the temperature in his face return to normal, he decided to speak up. "May I offer a suggestion?"
The headmaster, who was just about to defend himself from another onslaught of criticism from McGonagall and Pomfrey, paused and turned his head. "Of course."
"Perhaps," began Snape, "and I cannot believe that these words are coming out of my mouth, but perhaps you should consider…." He paused and sighed before continuing. "Lupin."
"Ah," said Dumbledore thoughtfully, as if the younger wizard had said something utterly innovative.
"Are you quite sure you're all right?" asked the Deputy Headmistress at once. The Mediwitch giggled.
Snape smirked. "No, but out of all of Albus' recent selections for the Defense post, Lupin has been the least disastrous."
"I was always under the impression that you didn't like Remus," said Pomfrey.
"I don't like him," said the younger wizard immediately. "But I don't really hate him either."
"My, aren't we being mature?" said McGonagall. "Putting aside our differences."
"I am 38 already, I hope I would be mature," Snape shot back.
"Not even to a wizard's prime yet, my boy," chimed in Dumbledore. "I'm glad that the staffing situation turned out rather well. This is the easiest it's been in nearly a decade."
"You still have to ask him first," reminded the younger wizard. "Him and Slughorn."
"Oh, I don't think we have to worry about Horace," said the Deputy Headmistress. "He'll gladly let you take the job off his hands."
"Yes, but Lupin has a son now," he shot back.
"That shouldn't be a problem," said the Mediwitch. "It's not like he won't be able to visit them. Or they can come to the castle."
Snape held up his hands in surrender. "All right. Since you are all superbly confident, you may as well tell them straight away."
"I'll write them later tonight," said the headmaster.
"Albus," said McGonagall, "the term is starting soon. Perhaps earlier notification would be best."
"Every second you wait, you're denying Horace retirement," said Pomfrey. "You could simply Floo them first and send the official letter later."
"I would need a fireplace—" started Dumbledore.
"That is a fireplace," cut in the younger wizard, pointing to the hearth.
"—That is connected to the Floo Network," he finished.
"And that is a fireplace that is connected to the Floo Network," said Snape. "I have yet to use it, but I do know for a fact that it is connected."
"There you have it, Albus," said the Deputy Headmistress. "No use waiting."
"As long as Severus is fine with me inviting Filius and Pomona," he replied, looking at the younger wizard.
"Of course, but why?"
"I've recently taken to conferring with the Heads of House about new appointments," said the headmaster.
"Since when?"
"About two years ago," cut in McGonagall. "The first time was before your appointment to Defense Against the Dark Arts, so naturally we could not have you vote on your own appointment. And all subsequent incidences were after you had left."
"I see," said Snape thoughtfully. "Well, on with it, Albus. The Floo powder is in that box."
In all my recent years at Hogwarts, thought Dumbledore, I have never seen such a proactive Severus. He reached for the box above the fireplace, opened it, and took out what would be the first pinch of Floo powder for that evening. "You're quite sure about all this, Severus?" he asked, his hand hovering in front of the fireplace.
"Do it before I change my mind," replied Snape, but he looked confident in his decision.
Smiling, the headmaster threw the Floo powder into the fire. It blazed green. "Horace, might I have a word with you?"
After a few moments, the fire began spinning until the round figure of Horace Slughorn nearly toppled out of the grate. "Terribly sorry, Albus, I was just finishing—this isn't your office."
"Indeed, it is not," he replied with his eyes twinkling. "This is Hagrid's—or should I say, Severus'—cabin."
"Severus?!" exclaimed Slughorn, looking around for the man in question. When he spotted him at the table, he smiled warmly. "So this is where you've been, my boy! I hope you are recovering?"
The younger wizard noted that his former Head of House had said "recovering" instead of "doing well." He has become quite perceptive in recent years. "As best as can be expected."
"That's good to hear," he replied with a smile. His response sounded genuine.
"Horace," cut in Dumbledore, hoping to get to the matter at hand, "we were just discussing Severus' future plans, and he has decided to rejoin the staff."
"That's wonderful!" replied Slughorn. "That only leaves Muggle Studies. Have you talked with Alberta yet?"
"Yes, and she seems very interested—"
"Why does everyone think that I still want to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts?" cut in Snape.
The Mediwitch tried to contain her laughter. "You're an excellent actor."
"And there are about sixteen applications in the headmaster's office that suggest it," added the Deputy Headmistress quite seriously, but a smile was beginning to creep up her face.
"What did you have in mind, then, if not Defense?" asked Slughorn, a bit confused.
"If," began the younger wizard slowly, "you are still interesting in returning to retirement, I was considering resuming the Potions Master's post."
Everyone was silent. The only noise was the soft crackling of the fire. Slughorn stared at Snape with a blank look on his face for a moment, repeatedly blinking. Quite suddenly, he rushed forward. "Oh, Severus, I'm delighted to hear that, simply delighted!" he exclaimed, taking the younger wizard by the hand and shaking it vigorously. "You don't know just how happy this makes me!"
Snape looked as if he wanted to swat the man away, but he simply chuckled and gently pried the other wizard's hands from his own. He took a deep breath. "I am glad."
Slughorn suddenly had a bright look in his eye. "Why am I just standing around? I should be packing!" He turned to the table and reached for the box of Floo Powder.
"Surely there's no rush, Horace?" asked Dumbledore.
"You don't understand, Headmaster. There is a Potions Masters' Convention during the start of term that I have been dying to attend. And I wanted to visit my sister. I was going to beg for you to let me go, but if Severus is interested in taking my position, I can confidently leave everything in his capable hands. I will, of course," continued Slughorn in Snape's direction, "be sending you proper congratulations very soon."
McGonagall also made an attempt to delay his departure, but the smile on her face showed that she was not putting forth much effort. "But we're about to have a Head of Houses meeting to consider the candidates for the other teaching posts."
"Severus was probably a better Head of House than I ever was," he replied with one foot in the fireplace. "I leave it to you, my boy." And with that, he was gone.
"That went well," said Pomfrey, clearly amused.
"Indeed," agreed the headmaster. "Shall we continue on, or was that enough excitement for one night?" he asked, turning to the younger wizard.
"Just get on with it," he replied.
Dumbledore threw another pinch of Floo Powder into the fire. "Filius? Pomona? We would like to discuss this term's teaching staff, so please join us, if you would."
After a few seconds and a flurry of spinning fire, the Heads of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were standing before them. "Hagrid's cabin?" said Sprout. "An interesting meeting place."
"Do have a seat, you two," said the headmaster, conjuring two more chairs. "First off, Severus has agreed to rejoin us."
"How fortunate," said Flitwick with a smile as he sat down. His face was barely visible above the table. "I assume you've taken over all of Horace's duties?"
"It does appear that way," said Snape.
"So, Muggle Studies and Defense, then, Albus?" said the Charms professor.
"Correct," he replied, beaming.
"You didn't take Defense, Severus?" asked Sprout.
"Of course he didn't," said Flitwick. "He just said that he is taking up Horace's duties. His presence here indicates that he is now Head of Slytherin house. If that is the case, then Horace is returning to retirement. And, if I may say, Severus, I always thought you looked a bit miserable when you were teaching Defense. Of course, that wasn't a particularly great year, but you seemed happier when you were in Potions."
"You think too much," said the Herbology professor.
"And you don't," he retorted, accepting the teacup that the Deputy Headmistress offered him.
"If we might get back to the matter at hand," said Dumbledore. "As Filius has said, we are still looking for teachers for Muggle Studies and Defense Against the Dark Arts. I have already interviewed a number of candidates for Muggle Studies, and I believe Alberta Windershaw will be able to fill the position quite nicely."
"Wasn't she in your house, Filius?" asked McGonagall.
"Yes," he replied. "A very brilliant Muggle-born witch."
"She was a wonderful student," commented Sprout.
"Excellent," said the headmaster. "What do you think, Severus?"
The younger wizard was silent for a while. "I have never met her, so I have nothing to go by," he said slowly. "But the rest of you seem confident enough in her ability, so I suppose I will vote 'yes.'"
"So we have our Muggle Studies teacher," concluded Dumbledore.
"And Defense?" asked the Charms teacher.
"Severus mentioned Remus Lupin," said the Deputy Headmistress.
"What? Are you sure you're quite well?" asked the clearly surprised Herbology professor.
Snape looked like he wanted to hit her on the head. "Quite sure. I merely suggested Lupin because he was the best out of Albus' recent selections, although that's not saying much."
"Severus is right, Albus," said Flitwick. "The past few have been awful."
"I know, I know," replied the headmaster, leaning his head against his hand. "You have to keep in mind how difficult it is to fill a cursed position."
"Even so—"
"And there were times where the decision was out of my hands. I will take the blame for hiring Gilderoy Lockhart, but there's no way in Merlin's name I am taking credit for Dolores Umbridge!"
"Calm down, Albus," said McGonagall soothingly. "Let's just decide if we all agree on Remus."
"You already have my opinion," said the younger wizard. "Do not make me repeat myself."
"I would love to have Remus back," commented Sprout. "He's such a dear."
"I approve," added the Charms teacher.
"As do I," said the Deputy Headmistress.
"Very well," said Dumbledore, taking another pinch of Floo powder and throwing it into the fire. "Let's all hope this call will finish off our staffing problems for this year. Remus Lupin, Mangotsfield, Greater Bristol." With that, he stuck his head into the fire.
On the other end, a sandy-haired man was holding a baby with electric blue fringe. The infant was making gurgling sounds at a woman with pink hair, who had changed her nose to look like a pig's snout. When the fireplace blazed green, all but the baby turned their head. "Professor Dumbledore!" exclaimed Tonks.
"Please, Nymphadora, call me Albus. I'm hardly your professor."
"Only if you stop calling me 'Nymphadora,'" she countered.
"Is there something wrong?" cut in Lupin, tilting his head in confusion.
"Oh, no," said the headmaster jovially. "I was just wondering if I could borrow you for a minute. I would like to discuss something with you."
The werewolf looked at his wife, who caught a glimpse of the older wizard winking. He's up to something, she thought, but it must be something good. "Go on then, love," she said, taking little Teddy out of Lupin's arms.
"All right," he said standing up slowly. Dumbledore's head was absent from the fireplace, but the blaze was still green, so he stepped in. "This isn't your office," he commented once on the other side.
"How incredibly astute of you," said Snape, but with far less bite than usual.
"Severus?!" exclaimed the werewolf. "It's been a while."
"Has it?" he asked sarcastically. McGonagall smacked him on the back of the head. "So it has," he corrected himself, slightly disgruntled.
"I'm sure you would like to return home as quickly as possible," said the headmaster, "so I will get to the point. We were just discussing possible candidates for Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Severus suggested that we approach you."
"Keep me out of this," said Snape. "And kindly keep your mouth closed, Lupin."
The werewolf had not realized that his jaw had dropped. "Sorry."
"Please consider it," begged Pomfrey.
"We would love to have you back," added Sprout.
"Hogwarts needs capable teachers now more than ever," said McGonagall.
"We've all unanimously agreed on you," chimed in Flitwick.
"And we will, of course, make accommodations so that you are still able to be with your family," concluded Dumbledore. "You don't have to rush your decision; you can discuss it with your wife."
Lupin was silent for a long time, astounded by the sudden offer. He looked around the room at everyone until his gaze rested on Snape again. "Thank you." At some point, his vision had suddenly become blurry.
Snape noticed the tears forming in the other man's eyes and hoped to avoid an emotional crisis. "Don't take it to heart."
The werewolf chuckled and made a hasty swipe at his eyes. "You're making that a bit difficult."
"No, I am not. Just pretend that I am someone that you do not like very much. Not that you really have to pretend; I am hardly fuzzy or cuddle-worthy."
Everyone laughed. "How can I not feel overwhelmingly grateful to someone who is willing to put in a good word for me," continued Lupin, "especially if it is you?"
"Simple," said Snape, leaning back in his chair. "You keep in mind that this someone is a bloody git on a good day and that he can reduce an entire classroom of seventh years to tears on a particularly bad day. I feel today is an unusually good day. Shall we keep it that way?" he asked, looking around the room.
Lupin and the others could only nod.
A.N. Thank you for taking the time to read; please take a little more time to leave a review!
