AN: Hello all! Things are settling down once more. We are so sorry to not have been posting as frequently. When one of us is busy, the other is free. So, we haven't written as much as we'd like. We are continuing on with our revised fanfiction, but I just started working on that again, so it may be a little while until we upload (as marauderfascination has to find time to read through and approve the edits). We also will be posting a new story...so watch out for that. I plan to post the first couple chapters today or tomorrow. Enjoy!

Severus threw open his chamber door to find a livid werewolf and zombie.

"What are you two doing here?" the dark man asked, scowling. "You could've been seen!"

"Last year, you were all upset at us for coming to you under an invisibility cloak," Sirius said, coming up behind him. "Now, you're upset we didn't."

"Last year, the worst we had to fear was a barmy old headmaster or a possible death eater scion." Severus rubbed his eyes. "Now, we are up against two seasoned death eaters." He shook his head. "I repeat: what are you two doing here?"

"We have some concerns about your current decisions, Severus," Remus said, patting the man on the shoulder.

"Some concerns?" Regulus asked, throwing his hands in the air. "Some concerns? Are you completely batty, Snape? Putting Siri in charge of the student body? Bellatrix as Muggle Studies professor…?"

"I have my reasons…" the dark man dropped into his seat. "None of which you have an authority to question."

"No, no way," Hermione said, bursting through the doors, Draco hot on her tails. "You are not going to have Sirius Orion Black as deputy headmaster of Hogwarts."

"Oh, but I already have," Severus said, quirking a brow. He glanced over at the blond who followed her in. "Dragon, weren't you in charge of Siria this evening?"

"I got distracted," Draco said, scowling.

"By what?"

"My mother."

Sirius's eyes widened. "Where is my daughter?"

"Like I said, with my mother."

"Are you bloody insane?" Regulus asked, eyes widening in horror.

"Hey," Remus placed his hands on his hips, "at least we know Narcissa won't try to break down the Great Hall doors while still holding the infant."

"Precisely," Hermione said, arms crossed. "Brilliant, Regulus, just brilliant. I now must come up with a new specter to explain the occurrence in the dining hall this evening."

"What occurrence?" Harry asked, huffing as he made the last step into the office.

"You mean, you didn't notice Lupin's fight with the door?" Severus asked, brow furrowed.

"Oh no, we noticed," Draco said, sighing. "However, we've learned long ago not to question anything the three of you are doing."

"And I am to be included in this?"

"Yes, because apparently it is well within your reason to elect Bellatrix LeStrange—deputy death eater extraordinaire—to teach Muggle Studies." Hermione moaned, placing her head in her hands. "That's like asking Hitler to teach Judaism."

"No, I think it's worse," Regulus said, huffing. "Because I highly doubt Hitler would be teaching said subject at the same school where an infant lived." He turned to his brother. "Maybe I should take Siria and get out of here."

Sirius sighed. "As much as I'd love to have my daughter separated from me for such a long amount of time, I'm going to say no."

"Sirius…"

"At least here, I know where she is and if she's safe. There's no telling what they could do if they had me convinced they had her in their custody."

Severus shook his head. "Look, I understand you all will never understand my reasoning, but it is actually very sound…"

"And that is?" Draco asked.

"I was told I must hire Bellatrix," Severus said, scowling. "Would you rather her a) be in charge of deadly potions, b) be in charge of deadly spell casting, or c) be in charge of a class the includes no magic what so ever?" He sighed. "I'm hoping some of her planning might lead her to a better understanding of muggles."

"You actually believe she will do lesson plans?" Sirius asked, smirking.

"I got you to do some."

"Okay, fine," Hermione held up her hand, "I understand why Bellatrix is muggle studies professor. But why in the world did you put Sirius in charge of discipline, student schedules, all the heads of houses, teacher-parent communications…"

"I'm in charge of what now?" Sirius asked, mouth dropping. "I want to be offended, but I…I don't think I can handle all those responsibilities."

"You will be fine, Padfoot, I ensured it," Severus said, rubbing his temples. "Besides, I'm sure Lupin and Black Jr. will be of much help."

"And Minerva surely will be willing to lend a hand when needed," Remus turned back in time to see the professor in question walking in, "right?" He did a double-take. "Minnie?"

"Good evening all." Minerva scanned the room. "Don't mind me. I'm just a professor coming to check-in with my superiors for my assignments tomorrow."

"Huh?" Sirius asked, mouth pinched.

"Well, you have my class schedules, do you not?"

"Uhm….uhm…"

"Because, the professors never receive them until the first day, when classes are settled."

"Which is a highly ineffective process," Hermione said, scowling.

"Which is necessary when students come asking for last minute switches or the use of a time turner to attend all available classes," Minerva said, smirking down at the girl. She glanced back at the four grown wizards. "And after that, I do believe I need a better explanation for him." She pointed to Regulus.

"Uhm…Well…"

"And the answer better not include Severus experimenting with cloning potions."

"Why, oh why," Severus started, holding his head in his hands, "would I clone Sirius Black? He is the last person I need two of."

"Yes," Remus cheered, "the experiment is better than the friend."

"Remus Lupin is the second-to-last person I need two of."

"Who would you want two of?" Harry asked, sitting in one of the chaise.

"That is between me, myself, and I."

"So, you'd clone yourself?" Draco asked.

The potions master tilted his head. "That would actually be very useful."

"Look," Sirius sighed, rubbing his eyes, "it's a late night. We all have an early day tomorrow. Minnie, the quick rundown is that Regulus survived his encounter with the inferi-laced lake and was preserved until I fetched him out the day of the invasion."

"Alright," Minerva said, nodding.

"He's currently my babysitter until I have successfully helped Harry destroy the last of the horcruxes Riddle made."

"Well, currently," Regulus said, tapping his finger on his arm, "Narcissa's the babysitter."

"Don't remind me," Sirius said, sighing. "The rest you can deduce from the current set-up, and your invitation to Spots and Dora's wedding…"

"Which has now been pushed back, Sirius," Severus said, leaning back in his chair. "Dora and I agreed it is not in the best interest of any here for her to come live in Hogwarts at the moment, and she thinks she has a lead on some information concerning one Hufflepuff heirloom."

"We know where that is," Hermione said, huffing in frustration.

"Yes, but we do not know the legal ramifications necessary to extract it without having to commandeer a dragon and burst through the roof of Gringotts."

"Well, I'll say, Severus," Minerva shook her head, "you have quite the imagination."

"I have quite the headache, and they are sitting right there."

"Needless to say," Sirius herded the teens toward the door, "time for all good little girls and Gryffindors to go to bed."

"But I'm…" Hermione started, only to have the door slammed in her face.

"Good night, Mione." Sirius turned to the rest of the crew. "Anyone else needing tucking in?" They all shook their heads. "Alright, I have to go save my daughter and rework the entirety of the school schedule."

First thing the next morning, Draco ran up to the deputy headmaster's office, pushing right past the long line of students waiting for their schedules.

"I'd like to add on Muggle Studies, please," Draco said, grinning maniacally.

Sirius glared. He pointed to the crowd of students in front of him. "Get in line, pal. I have over three hundred different corrections to make to current student rosters." He glared down at the parchment for a second. "Wait, you didn't take the muggle studies O.W.L."

"So?"

"So," Sirius scrunched his nose, "you can't take N.E.W.T. level muggle studies without having passed the O.W.L.s."

"Put me in the third year class."

"Can't. It meets during your oh-so-necessary potions mastery internship."

Draco's eyes widened. "Fourth year, then."

"That is during your N.E.W.T. level herbology course you need to graduate."

"I already took the curriculum," Draco muttered under his breath.

Sirius slammed the roster book closed. "Draconus Lucius Black, you are not getting into muggle studies at this moment in time. I have students who need to schedule remedial O.W.L.s, others that need to start their third-year course work, and yet others who no longer feel safe in their muggle studies class." He scowled. "Now I have one student who is begging to be put in there."

"So, you see," Draco's eyes sparkled, "it's a win-win for everyone."

"No," Sirius said, shaking his head. "It's a you-do-as-I-say-or-I-ground-you for everyone."

"You have that power?"

"Am I not your guardian, head-of-house, and deputy headmaster?"

Draco puffed out his bottom lip. "Please?"

"No, now go meet up with your mother to discuss your interning needs."

"But I…" The blond sighed. "Fine."

Draco marched down to the dungeons, mumbling under his breath about stupid potions mastery requirements. He pushed open the door and stopped short. There, in the middle of the classroom, stood Narcissa, wand in one hand, and a bouncing Siria in the other.

"What is she doing here?"

"What a nice way to greet your mother," Narcissa said, turning on the spot. She flicked her wand and the desks all settled.

"Well, I just assumed she'd be with Reg…Remus," Draco said, pausing to collect his thoughts before he said something stupid.

"He has a doctor appointment, Dragon," Narcissa tsked. "You—of all people—should know that."

"I of all people?"

"Well, you do spend most of your days with mudbloods and half-breeds, do you not?"

Draco's fists clenched. "Don't you DARE call them that!"

"Oh, darling, what have they done to you?"

"Draco, dear," Hermione called, waltzing into the classroom and kissing him on the cheek. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

The blond blushed. "I tried to sign-up for muggle studies this morning."

"Well," Hermione huffed, "didn't I tell you to take that class back in third year? How do you plan to relate to any of the students at Uni next year?"

"Uni?" Narcissa asked, nose scrunched.

"University." The bushy-haired Gryffindor turned back to her boyfriend. "And how do you plan to survive dinner with Gram and Gramps?"

"I have lived with Aunt Dromeda and Uncle Ted," Draco said.

"That was for a week," Hermione pursed her lips, "and they still live like wizards, Draco."

"You lived with Andromeda and her mudblood?" Narcissa screeched, throwing her free hand in the air. Her face reddened and a few strands of hair fell from their place.

"Where did you think I would go?" Draco asked, glaring. "I live with Sirius—sure—but he does have some stuff he needs to get done without me there…So, I spent a week with Tonks and her family." He crossed his arms over his chest. "You want to know what? I actually enjoyed their family better."

Narcissa gasped. "How dare you?"

"And Uncle Ted is loads of fun."

"Why, I never…!"

"…And I told Aunt Dromeda that I wished she were my mum instead of you."

Hermione gasped. "Draco, how dare you?"

The blond whirled around, jaw dropped. "You're on her side?"

"You don't say that about your mother! She gave birth to you!"

"So?"

"So?" Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Do you know what it's like to give birth?"

"Do you?"

"I had to see the videos in primary."

Narcissa's brow furrowed. "What are videos?"

"I'll explain later." The Gryffindor girl rubbed her temples. "Apologize to your mother right now."

The two blondes stared at each other. Draco's eyes narrowed and his mother's forehead knit in concern.

"Did she just order you around?" the woman asked, readjusting the babe on her hip.

"She does that a lot."

Hermione huffed, crossing her arms. "Because you don't know how to act like a proper human being."

"He gets it from his father," Narcissa said, sighing.

Draco shook his head. "Mother, I am sorry for what I said to Aunt Andy and to you. Would you like some help getting the classroom ready for the students tomorrow?"

"Yes," the woman said, nodding. "With young Siria, I can hardly do much."

Hermione left the two to their task and went to find her headmasters. It did not take long, as one currently sat at his desk rubbing his eyes while the other glared down at a piece of parchment.

"How do we only have two students left in muggle studies?" Severus asked.

"No one feels safe with Bellatrix," Sirius replied, eyes narrowing as he stared at his friend. "She does have a tendency to torture people when angry, mad, tired, annoyed, bored, or a little ecstatic."

"So…all the time?" Hermione asked, leaning against the door frame.

"Miss Granger," Severus closed his eyes, shaking his head, "what are you doing here?"

"Well, I am going to be a teacher here one day. I thought I'd get some behind-the-scenes action."

"That's very presumptuous of you."

"Are you saying you would take a ghost over anyone with a beating heart and an education degree?"

"No," Sirius said, holding up a hand to stall the argument, "Severus is not saying that at all. We all know that you will get the position once you receive your diploma."

"You're speaking for me now?" the potions master asked, arms crossed.

"Well, you tend to be curt when you need to be kind."

"And that is your concern?"

"As you best friend, cousin, and coworker?" Sirius nodded. "Sev, let me teach you a little something about friendship…"

"I've had friends, Black."

"Lily." Sirius's brow furrowed. "And she dropped you like yesterday's Daily Prophet after you made one little slip-up. Not what I call friendship."

"We'd been drifting apart."

"I set Remus up to kill somebody and we're still loyal to one another twenty years later."

Severus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Your grand lesson on friendship?"

"Oh, yes," Sirius smiled, "that. You see, friends recognize each other's weaknesses and help soften up those rough edges when needed. Used to do it with James all the time."

"And why didn't he do it with you?"

"He left that to Remus, and Remus is very passive-aggressive."

"And who was in charge of Pettigrew's edges? He dropped the cauldron on that one."

Sirius shrugged, blushing. "We might have forgotten about those."

"And you wonder why he turned on you."

"Neville never turned on us and we forget about him all the time," Hermione interjected, raising her hand.

"That's true," Sirius said, eyes dropping to take a second look at the class list. His head popped up. "By the way, where is he?"

"He might be hiding for his life," Hermione said, nibbling her lip.

"Why in the world is he doing that?"

"He may have said a few choice words to Bellatrix that didn't go over well."

Severus's head flew up. "Wait. Where is Bellatrix?"

"Where do you think? She's looking high and low for Neville."

"Shouldn't she be planning for classes?"

"What classes?" Hermione asked, pointing to the roster in Sirius's hand. "She has two students." She furrowed her brow. "Out of curiosity, which two students?"

"Draco and Harry," Sirius said with a shrug. "I found a way to get them in. Mostly because Bellatrix's schedule was very flexible." He turned to his friend. "Can we force students to take a class?"

"When it's taught by a homicidal maniac?" Severus quirked a brow. "Go for it, but then you're in charge of all the parent pushback."

"You don't think parents will back the decision?"

"I have never been more certain in my life that they won't."

Sirius rubbed his face. "Why don't we just force Slytherins to take it? They need it the most and it will be harder for Bellatrix to torture her own house."

"She's still going to do it."

"Yes, but then the pushback is on her, isn't it?"

Severus shook his head. "You still have the problem that Slytherin parents won't agree to have their children learning muggle studies."

"Do we have to tell them?" the marauder asked, head tilted and eyes wide.

"Yes and stop begging. It wasn't cute earlier this summer and it's not cute now."

"But Spots…"

"No."

Sirius turned to Hermione. "Come on, 'Mione. Tell him it's adorable."

"From a six-month-old little girl?" the Gryffindor asked, hiding a giggle behind her hand. "Yes. From her thirty-seven-year-old father? No."

"Can we help you, Miss Granger?" Severus asked, glaring.

"Again, just thought I'd shadow for the day."

"Fine." Severus grabbed a stack of envelopes and letters. "You want to help? You can stuff all of Black's parental conference notices and address them."

"You have conference forms already?"

"After the announcement we just made, I am positive the deputy headmaster will be up to his wand in parental complaints and concerns."