Disclaimer All Characters from the HP series belong to J K Rowling. I have merely borrowed them because they are so cool. (Everyone keeps saying I have to give them back.)

Neville Sets a Record ~*~

It was the same dream again. She followed the long, snaking corridor once more. Something was waiting. She came to the next was closer and became aware of a noise somewhere up ahead. A rush of wind...a great flapping sound. She slowly rounded the corner to continue on...

Lorien was awake. The anxiety from the dream lingered a little as she got up. She wondered about the end of the corridor. She was never one to put much stock in dream interpretation, but maybe she'd ask Trelawney about it.

Yeah, right.

On the way down to breakfast she realized that she was still anxious. Not from the dream but from the knowledge that the students would be arriving today. She looked forward to being busier than she had been the past couple of days, and she was excited to watch the new students arrive at school for the first time.

Most of the staff were already present when she arrived in the great hall. Minerva had informed her that it was a tradition at Hogwarts for all the faculty to gather for breakfast on the day the students returned. She looked along the table and spotted Remus sitting near the end. She slipped quietly into the seat next to him.

"Hi," she said.

"Good Morning."

He looked past her and she turned to follow his gaze. Dumbledore and Snape had entered the room together, apparently engaged in conversation. The headmaster said something to Snape and he nodded in reply as they headed to the opposite ends of the table. Snape threw himself into the chair next to her and leaned forward on the table.

Lorien decided to be cordial. "Good morning, Professor." She smiled at him.

For a long moment he regarded her without expression, and then spoke in a quiet, but civil tone. "Good morning, Mistress Lorien."

He glanced at the man seated next to her.

"Good morning, Severus."

"Lupin," he acknowledged the Defense professor.

Dumbledore stood at the head of the table.

"Good morning all, and welcome back to those that have joined us once again after the summer break. I hope everyone is well and looking forward to a productive and interesting year."

The headmaster raised a glass of pumpkin juice.

"To Hogwarts. May we learn as much from our students as we hope to teach them."

Conversations broke out across the table again as the headmaster sat down.

"Professor Snape. May I ask you a question?" Lorien asked in a polite way.

He looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"In your experience, do you find that you have better success with belladonna or with bloodroot in a sleeping draught?"

'That's a safe question to break the ice,' she figured.

"Are you inquiring about my professional findings or personal use?"

'Oops!'

"Professional findings."

"For standard sleeping tonics I happen to prefer the nightshade. I find that it has a more reliable effect, assuming...one has prepared the formula correctly. The obvious side effects of an incorrectly made potion can prove...unfortunate."

"Are you familiar with the use of Pipereracea? " Lorien ventured further.

"Surely you aren't referring to black pepper?" He wore a slight sneer.

"No, kava," she said.

His expression neutralized. "I admit I am not." Snape appeared to look mildly interested.

"It's very reliable, and quite a bit safer than belladonna."

"I see. And are you speaking of your professional findings or personal?" Snape asked, the tiniest glint in his eye.

"Both." Lorien always needed the kava root the night after the dream came.

"Interesting." Snape stood, his gaze drifting to Lupin.

"It's ready when you are," he said.

"Thank you. I'll come to the dungeon shortly," Remus replied.

Snape merely nodded. "If you'll excuse me." He turned back to the witch. "Mistress Lorien." A slight nod.

"Professor." She inclined her head slightly.

Snape swept out of the hall.

Remus was gazing steadily at Lorien, a small smile playing across his lips.

"I didn't realize you were such great pals," he said.

Lorien laughed as she rose. "See you."

"Bye." He grinned after her.

Harry, Ron and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table awaiting the arrival of the first year students to the great hall.

"It's so exciting!" Hermione spoke up.

Ron looked questioningly at her. "What?"

"The Sorting, Ron. Don't you remember ours?"

"Yeah, kinda makes me queasy to think of it, though."

Harry mentally agreed with Ron. What the first years were about to undergo had been a nerve-wracking experience. He vividly remembered having the Sorting Hat perched on his head.

Harry's eyes went back to the head table. The three friends had been overjoyed at seeing Professor Lupin seated once again among the instructors.

Hermione's gaze followed Harry's. "I'm glad Remus is back," she spoke quietly.

"Me too."

Ron, who had been leaning over to listen to Fred and George, leaned back to whisper to Harry and Hermione. "Hey, check out the witch next to Sprout. Fred says she's replaced Pomfrey."

All three pairs of eyes traveled to the young, blonde woman who was currently engaged in conversation with the Herbology professor.

Fred leaned into the conversation. "Not bad, eh, gentlemen?" He grinned broadly. "I think I feel sick."

Hermione rolled her eyes as Professor McGonagall stepped in front of the head table.

'Well, she's better looking than Madame Pomfrey,' Harry thought.

Professor Dumbledore stood as the sorting was finished.

He opened his mouth to speak but then his eyes went to the Gryffindor table. George Weasley had his hand raised.

"Mr. Weasley, do you have a question before we begin?" Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled.

"Yes, sir."

"And what would that be, George?"

"I was wondering, sir. Is... the Forbidden Forest off limits this year?" George asked innocently.

Laughter erupted throughout the great hall.

Dumbledore smiled.

"Why, yes. Yes it is. Thank you for bringing it up, Mr. Weasley."

Fred gave George a high five. "Brilliant."

Dumbledore continued.

"In addition, I have two other announcements. I am pleased to say that Professor Remus Lupin has rejoined us to once again teach Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Enthusiastic applause rose from three of the tables in the great hall.

"And finally, that while Madame Pomfrey is away on leave, Mistress Lorien Desjardins will be providing medical care for the school. With that, let the feast begin!"

And the feast began, and ended, and before long prefects were leading exhausted first years to their respective dormitories.

The first day of classes found Lorien pacing in the medical ward. Nothing had happened for most of the morning, and although she didn't really want to see anyone injured, she was anxious to get into the swing of things. The time dragged on with no action until finally noon rolled around.

Lunch came and went and she went back to the ward and re-organized some bandage material. She tried to read for a while, but she found her gaze drifting time and again to the sunshine outside. She paced again for a short while and finally told herself she was being ridiculous.

She sat back down and re-opened the book she had been trying to read.

Boom!

Lorien's head snapped up.

It was a distant, muffled explosion.

She pondered the origin of the noise when a thought struck her. With a quick look at the time, she grabbed the parchment with the class schedule on it.

She traced her finger along the lists.

Potions.....Tuesday afternoon... Slytherin and Gryffindor fifth years.....she knew what the noise was. Poppy had indeed informed her well before she left.

Lorien was waiting at the door to the hospital ward when the teenage boy arrived a few minutes later, drenched and reeking of Merlin-knew-what.

"Hello, Neville. Come on in."

After dinner that evening, Lorien had just returned to the hospital wing when Remus poked his head into the office.

"Hi."

"Hi, Remus."

"How was your first day?" he asked.

"Pretty quiet until this afternoon," she replied.

"Really, what happened?" Lupin folded his arms and leaned casually against the doorway.

"Neville Longbottom," was all she said.

" Potions?" he asked.

"Yup."

"Bad?" he inquired.

"Yup. Set a record today from what I gathered," she explained.

"No!"

"Yup. All time high. Most explosions in the potions lab," Lorien told him.

"Poor kid. It's a terrible subject for him, and he's terrified of Snape." Remus understood that not everyone had a gift for potion making.

"He really needs more guidance," Lorien said.

"Why don't you help him?" Remus suggested.

"Me?"

"I hear you brew a mean sleeping potion," he said slyly.

"I don't know. I suppose someone should help him. One of these days he might take out half the classroom." Lorien looked genuinely concerned. "I'll talk to him tomorrow."

"Good. Lorien, can I ask you something?" He was serious now.

"Sure. What is it?" She wondered.

"I need a favor." He looked serious.

"What is it, Remus?" she asked.

"You know the full moon is this weekend?" he said quietly.

"Yes," she replied.

"Well, I figure that I probably will not be in any shape to teach classes on Monday," said Remus.

"And?"

"How do you feel about covering a couple of classes for me?" He finally got to the point.

"You're kidding," she said.

"Nope."

"I don't know, Remus..." Lorien thought it might be more than she could handle.

"It'd be a big help. They wouldn't get behind," Remus tried to convince her. "Just this once until we can work out the rest of the coverage for full moons for the year."

"Well, if we clear it with McGonagall," Lorien said.

"Already done." Remus grinned.

"Well, Professor Lupin, it looks like you've managed to promote me to Defense instructor and Assistant Potions master all in the same night."

"I'll get you Minerva's job by Christmas," he teased. "Seriously, Lorien, thank you."

"You're welcome," she said as he started to turn to go. "Good night, Remus."

"Good night.....Professor," he called from beyond the door.

Lorien thought hard about Lupin's suggestion that she tutor Neville in potions, and she decided that she would approach the young Gryffindor on the subject, but there was another conversation she knew she should have first.

Wednesday morning at breakfast, Lorien watched to see when Snape left. She got up as she saw him leave the hall and rushed to catch him. She caught up with him on the way to the dungeons, and fell into stride beside him.

"Professor Snape."

He glanced sideways at her. "Mistress Lorien. Something you wanted?"

"Yes. Is there a convenient time that I might speak with you at some point?" Lorien walked quickly to keep up with the dark robed wizard.

"About?" he asked.

"A student," she replied.

"I assume you are referring to Mr. Longbottom."

She nodded. "I am."

He remained expressionless and then answered. "I see. All right. Seven. My office."

"Thank you, Professor." Lorien left him as he headed for the Slytherin dorms.

After dinner that night, Lorien went to her own room and reached for an ornate box that sat on her bookshelf. She sorted through its contents, removed a small blue silk pouch, and tucked it away inside her robe. At ten to seven she headed to the dungeon.

When she stood outside the door to Snape's office, she took a deep breath and then stepped forward to knock on the door.

"Enter."

Lorien stepped through the door and closed it behind her. Snape was at his desk, quill in hand. He did not look up.

She walked closer to the desk. "Thank you for seeing me," she said as she waited.

He finished the last line of what he was writing and then set the quill down.

"Please, sit." He motioned to a chair. "Now, what is it you wished to discuss?"

"I'd like to tutor Neville Longbottom." Lorien jumped right in.

"Really? How typical of a Ravenclaw," he observed wryly "And you needed to inform me of this?"

Lorien nodded.

"Indeed. Tell me, Lorien, why would I care if you decided to spend your time trying to assist Mr. Longbottom?" Snape asked cynically.

"I felt I owed you the courtesy of telling you first, as he is your student, not mine," she replied evenly.

"I see. Why you would want to waste your time with such an exercise in futility is beyond me, but if that's what you wish, then by all means, go right ahead."

"Thank you." Lorien remained sitting.

"Is there something else?" Snape asked, an impatient edge to his voice.

"Yes," she said.

"What?" he asked a little sharply.

"I wanted to give you this after our conversation the other morning." She placed the light blue pouch on the desk."

"What is it?"

His tone was neutral, but she could see the spark of curiosity in the black eyes.

"Kava root. I thought you might be curious," she said.

Snape picked up the bag and examined it's lumpy brown contents.

"I must admit that I am intrigued," he admitted.

"Good." She smiled.

"And what made you decide to do this?" His voice was low but held no menace.

"I was just trying to be nice," she replied as she stood and moved to the door.

"I see."

"Good night, Professor," Lorien said as she opened the door.

"Good night."

He spoke once more as she stood in the open doorway. "Lorien."

She turned. "Yes?"

"Thank you," he said.

She merely smiled at him and closed the door.