A/N: I aimed too high. I wasn't able to get to Ron and Hermione's return in this chapter. It got a bit out of hand, and I didn't want to rush the reunion. Next chapter though we'll definitely get there. I'll work in some more Snape and Harry interaction too in that one, maybe even a diary entry...


"I find it more than a little odd that neither of you have asked yet about why I did what I did during your third and seventh years respectively with Lupin," Snape asked with a raised eyebrow while he, Harry, and Percy were waiting on the rest of their party to floo into the study. "I believed he was generally loved where I definitely was not, and especially with Mr. Weasley's current situation of seeking employment..."

"He almost killed my brother," Percy just frowned back at the vampire in explanation. "Ron told the twins and they filled me in on what happened recently. He should have been arrested instead of fired in my opinion. He may have been a good teacher, but he put the lives of the students at risk. I'd never not take my potion if I were around children, not even if the world was literally ending around me. I may have come to terms with what I am and not reject it, but I'd never want to turn someone else, or outright kill them like Lupin was heading to do."

"I love Remus so much…but he was nowhere near perfect," Harry sighed and leaned back on the couch to put his feet up on the low coffee table, something he'd never do if Kreacher were in the room. With distance and even more trauma in his life, Harry could now clearly see the failings of Remus as well as Sirius…even his own parents. He didn't love them any less, but the saint-like status he'd raised them to had crumbled away and only the love they'd shown him and the limited interactions they had remained.

"All he had to do was wait five minutes, take the potion you gave him, then he'd still have had time to explain to you, or Dumbledore if you wouldn't listen to him, what was happening. It was a brash and dangerous oversight on his part…I'm not sure about arresting him since I'm a bit biased where he is concerned, but I see why you would have wanted him fired now…" Harry stroked the bag beside him with a much different perspective on what had happened his third year now that he could picture Teddy or even his baby in that situation instead of himself. He hoped he'd be reasonable in the moment if it were one of them, but he might also just set Remus on fire…his protective instincts were still at an all-time high and didn't seem to want to decrease any at all. It was fine if someone came after him, but his baby...it made his fangs itch in anger just thinking of it.

"I know we've been working towards me getting the job, but any objections from either of you? Now's the time. If you think it's a bad idea, then I'm out. I'll tell McGonagall to find someone else," Percy assured them firmly. "I know we've come up with safeguards, but I'm still a danger."

"The bloody moving staircases are more a danger than you," Harry chuckled. "Snape's brewing your potion, and we've come up with the checks…"

Snape gave a little dismissive snort. "I'm a vampire and am dangerous every day if I want to be; you're only dangerous one night a month. Lupin had a track record of making dangerous choices when he was in school where you have always been maybe overly adherent to the rules."

"Maybe?!" Harry laughed outright at that. "I love you Percy, but you have to admit you were a bit much your sixth year when you were so firmly in prefect mode."

"Merlin, I was such a prat," the werewolf laughed at himself all those years ago.

The floo flared and Harry had to keep himself from startling, the same as every single time she entered the room, reminding himself that this was Andy Tonks and not Bellatrix Lestrange. He caught Snape stiffen similarly out of the corner of his eye and felt slightly less bad about his continued reaction when she walked into a room if someone else was similarly affected. The trauma of Bellatrix ran deep in whomever had met her for any period of time, no matter how short.

"Hey, Andy…thanks for coming," Harry smiled and motioned for her to join him on the couch by where Kreacher and set up the things for tea.

"Merlin's beard, Severus! Is that you?" The woman visibly startled as she got a look at the other man in the room. "You don't look a day over when we were both at school! Did you accidentally take a de-aging potion?"

"For your information, I stopped aging at nineteen, so I'm decidedly older than when we were in school," Snape rolled his eyes and looked the very part of the irritated teenager. "And I'm a potions master, it's an insult to my profession to think I'd ever 'accidentally' take a potion. I'm a vampire for Salazar's sake."

While Percy and Harry both had gotten used to him and held in their laughter, Andy did not and loudly laughed as she settled onto the couch beside Harry. "Salazar's ghost, but you must have some kind of abnormal luck surviving things biting you between a vampire and that bloody snake!" She said, holding her sides.

"You are very amusing, Andromeda," Snape drawled sarcastically. "Neither experience was pleasant, and I'll thank you to not remind me."

"Sorry…I needed that laugh. There hasn't been much to make any of us laugh for a long time," she wiped the tears that were leaking from her eyes and stifled some continued chuckles. "You have to admit, it must be a really good story though…"

"Indeed," the vampire raised an eyebrow while Harry and Percy waited expectantly. They both wanted to know what happened, but both had been too polite to ask, a problem Andromeda Tonks decidedly did not have. "However, since I was wearing an idiotic white mask at the time, I believe that's a story that should remain untold…"

"Ah…" Andy nodded and began pulling parchment out of the very professional looking leather briefcase she was carrying in stark contrast to the jeans and t-shirt that seemed to have a bit of spit-up from Teddy on it. "Yes, probably best not to admit to any past crimes in front of your solicitor whether you were pardoned or not."

Snape crossed his arms and glared at Harry as he said, "Yes, however, somehow I never remember hiring you as my solicitor."

Percy chuckled as Andy shook her head in amusement; Harry just returned the glare though. "I only had her looking into your options, Snape. It's up to you if you decide to do anything. You were unconscious for most of this anyway, so it's not like I could give you a vote."

"Well, Potter's crusader tendencies are clearly misplaced in my regards," the man motioned to his face. "I believe the muggle phrase of 'don't rock the boat' is the best in my situation. The less I see the Wizengamut the better."

"You won't always be on probation," Andy spoke up as she lay several piles of parchment on the coffee table. "When you aren't, our world may be more welcoming to creatures as well if Harry has anything to say about it."

Percy frowned at that and the piles of parchment. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Tonks, but I don't agree with that assessment. The wixen world is staunchly leaning towards more restrictions for our kind than less, no matter what Harry's opinions are or even his 'crusader' tendencies."

"Yes, there is that proposed law you wanted me to look into and that I need to update you on," the woman handed one of the piles of parchment to Harry.

He nodded his head firmly. "Good, Hagrid and Flitwick are in. I was worried Professor Flitwick wouldn't want to get involved."

"It impacts him as well," Andy patted Harry's knee before turning to the others in the room. "I'm not sure you two have heard, but the Wizengamut…more like just a couple members of the old, prejudiced crowd are trying to pass a law to make those of creature status not able to work with or co-habit with wixen children. I believe they are adding in some provisions for house elves but not much else."

"That would take Filius, Mr. Weasley, Hagrid, and me out of Hogwarts," Snape frowned deeply.

"And would make it to where Teddy couldn't attend," Harry's eyes flashed luminescent in anger, thinking of more than just Teddy. "The law won't pass…I won't let it. Andy has been putting together a counter proposal to lift restrictions from creatures and crush that other bill. We're just trying to get enough people to sign on with it both in support and as prominent citizens of creature-status. Hagrid and Professor Flitwick were the first we approached since everyone knows they are part-creature; we wouldn't be outing them in any way to put them on the proposal in support."

Percy's face sank as a thought occurred to him. "Would that put Bill and Fleur's future kids in danger of being taken away? Bill isn't a werewolf, but if Teddy Lupin falls under the category he might…plus, Fleur is part-Veela."

"Since your sister-in-law is part-Veela, the children would probably be classified as part-creature as well under the proposed law," Andy explained with a frown. "If so, they wouldn't be taken away, but they also wouldn't be allowed to attend Hogwarts."

"Right, so put me on that list and ask Bill and Fleur. They will definitely sign, and as many war-heroes as you can get will help push it through. The twins and maybe Ron if he's recovered from his shock in learning what I am will sign in support," the werewolf nodded firmly. "I don't care if it outs me, I'll not have my future nieces and nephews in any danger…and I may want to have my own kids one day…"

Snape gave a deep sigh. "I suppose you can add my name in with those of creature-status…though I'm not sure how much good it will do you. Just make sure to hold off on spreading around who is a creature and who isn't until you absolutely have to."

Andromeda gave Snape a glare clearly communicating what she thought of him not having more faith in her than that. "Severus, I am quite good at my job, even if you weren't the one to personally hire me, and the list of prominent creatures will never get out unless I believe it will actually help…now, that ridiculous law isn't pressing right now as it will take months before it is even up for review. We are here to discuss Mr. Percy Weasley and his options for teaching this year…"

"If the law isn't even up for review yet, is there anything legally keeping him from teaching? What was the fallout from when Remus was found out?" Harry leaned forward and poured the woman more tea as he listened. "We can't exactly hide what he is like with Snape, but everyone on staff at the time did seem to know about Remus when he was there."

Andromeda smiled as she took the tea. "You are correct, there is no law currently that bans werewolves from any kind of employment. There are no laws protecting them though either, which means most people will not hire them out of prejudice. As for Remus, it wasn't the ministry that wanted him fired, it was the Board of Governors who had never been informed."

"How are we going to get them to approve me, even if McGonagall is desperate for a teacher?" Percy sighed. "Especially after what Lupin did…no offense," he added to Andy.

"None taken," she nodded. "You are correct in that; however, the Board of Governors did not fare well over the last war. Malfoy, Nott, and Flint are all now in Azkaban. And of course, Ted…" she trailed off having to clear her throat and hold back tears at the reminder of the loss of her husband.

Harry reached out and gave the woman's hand a little squeeze of support. She gave him a sharp nod, cleared her throat again, and focused. "Right, so not all is lost…Greengrass is still on the board and that family has historically been supportive of creatures, which is a reason why they were mostly neutral in the war. I've been asked to take over my husband's seat, and we all know where I stand in supporting my family," she gave Harry's hand a little squeeze and a smile. "Augusta Longbottom is still on the board as well as McMillan and both Patel parents."

"Do we know where any of them stand?" Harry asked both Snape and Andy.

"The Patels are an old wizarding family and have intermarried with creature lines in the past, so their support seems likely," Snape added into the conversation. "As for Mr. Longbottom's grandmother…your guess is as good as mine. I have had very little reason to interact with the woman."

"She fought for the light, but that does not equal support," Andy nodded in agreement.

"More like a tick in the against category," Percy snorted a laugh with no amusement behind it.

"Just knowing Ernie, I'd guess the McMillans are against us, but we all went through a lot last year, and he married Hannah who always seemed really nice…" Harry trailed off realizing that even if he and Ernie hadn't gotten along, they were completely different people since last they actually interacted.

"We also do not know who will fill the empty seats of those incarcerated," Snape reminded them. "I would think Narcissa would be an excellent choice to fill her husband's seat, but she's currently under house arrest."

"Do we even know about McGonagall and her views?" Harry cut in with a frustrated look on his face. "She didn't seem to protest Remus, but I'm not really sure how to read her currently. A lot of people I thought I knew…well, I'm having to re-evaluate a lot of my opinions recently…don't even get me started on the mess in my head concerning Headmaster Dumbledore."

"She didn't protest Lupin," Snape said as he thought over the issue but also with a nod at Harry's assessment of Dumbledore. "However, she always trusted Albus…what if we tell her about me?" He added with a musing look on his face.

"Do you believe it would help or hurt our chances?" He directed towards the solicitor. "In the terms of my probation, do they have to let me teach or could they just send me to Azkaban if they didn't want me?"

"Here you go…I've been meaning to get this to you for a while," Andy handed over one of the stacks of parchment. "These are the documents for your probation. Honestly, it looks like just a token punishment when the court didn't want to let a Death Eater go free…I would like to note that it isn't technically illegal to be a Death Eater though, and you were pardoned for your crimes as a spy, so this document and over all probation isn't actually legal in the strictest sense…especially since you were prevented from even attending your trial."

"So, they can't send him to Azkaban for being a vampire or for just not showing up to work?" Harry asked with a smirk. "Could he just not do his probation?"

"Not a good idea to chance it," Snape shook his head firmly as he looked over the papers. "I'd be willing to chance it getting out that I'm a vampire since there isn't currently any legislation keeping me from teaching, and it looks like I've already been approved for the term by the Wizengamut, but there are some crimes in my past I'd like to not get out on the off-chance they can find a loophole in my pardon. I think showing up and playing nice are in my best interests to keep anyone from looking too deeply."

Harry couldn't help the snort of laughter that even Percy and Andy mirrored. "You playing nice?! That'll be the day."

"Brat," Snape glared at him but with a small hint of fondness in the look. "My point was that if they can't get rid of me, and I'm a creature of a similar ranking and status as Mr. Weasley, then it would possibly keep them from being able to reject him as a teacher solely on his status…especially if it was known that I'd been a creature for as long as I've taught at the school."

"Possibly," Andromenda nodded slowly, thinking it over. "I think what works even more in your favor is just how desperate McGonagall and the remaining members of the board are right now though. We are less than a month away from term and Percy is literally the only option for History professor in this country. They would have to search internationally, and they just don't have that kind of time. Honestly, it's more a testament to Binns's poor teaching than anything else that Percy is literally it…well, that and everyone else who could teach the class have careers they are unwilling to give up, or died in the war…"

"Wouldn't it be the same with Snape?" Harry asked. "If he came out as a vampire, they would have to keep him or search for a replacement, and England doesn't have many potion masters."

"You don't have to be a potions master to teach Potions. The mastery is only needed for research or brewing at a high-level like a hospital," Snape corrected him. Research had been his goal when he completed his mastery, and teaching hadn't been anywhere near his first choice. "Slughorn wasn't a master, and there are plenty competent brewers that have the necessary credentials to teach; however, the timeframe of term starting would still make it difficult to fill the position."

"I say we all meet with the headmistress as a united front and see where she stands before unleashing the vampire," Andy smirked at the man who had been several years below her in Slytherin at school. His young face was really giving her flashbacks to her school days. "Let's write up a contract with all the provisions we plan to put into place to safeguard the students on full moons and then she can take that to the board for approval."

"I hope we aren't doing all this for nothing," Percy sighed but nodded as they wrote out the plan.


"I need a word alone with Severus before I leave," Andy smiled at Harry and Percy while she filed away the contract they had just finished in her briefcase.

"Er, sure," Harry stood and stretched his back with a satisfying pop before picking up the bag with his egg in it and following Percy out of the room. "Hey, I need to talk to you for a second before you leave too," he called back, getting a nod before he closed the door behind him.

"Is this about the Order of Merlin nonsense? If it is, please drop it," Snape growled at where his host had left the room. "Potter is an entirely new definition of naive if he believes anyone will ever give me an Order of Merlin."

"What? No, Harry's insistent, we'll definitely get you that at some point so let it go. No, this is about Harry," she leaned forward and gave the man a serious look. "What's with the bloody bag?! He's had that for over a month now, and he's so weird about it. He won't talk about it and no one but Teddy is allowed to touch it! Dora and I just can't figure it out. You have to know something. You've been living here with him, so you have to know, right?"

"Unfortunately, I don't," he scowled. "I do know Healer Morris knows what it is, and the elf does too. I haven't been able to figure it out though either. It can't be a cursed object if he lets his godson touch it."

"Definitely no," Andy shook her head firmly. "I believe I know Harry pretty well now, and he'd absolutely never allow Teddy around anything dangerous. I think he's even been studying warding just to keep Teddy safer in addition to a career path. I was thinking it might be potions he needs to take or a healing talisman from what he went through…Hagrid mentioned when we talked over a week ago that Harry had actually been hit with a killing curse during the battle…don't spread it around, but somehow he survived it yet again."

"I knew something had happened during the battle," Snape sighed and rubbed his temples. The mystery was eating at him. "Neither Lily nor Potter had any creature blood in their families as far as I know, but that would help explain his recent push with creature rights and odd behavior. Even if that were the case, I don't know of any creature inheritances that could survive a killing curse though."

"None can, not even vampires, and you lot would have the best chance," she huffed in frustration. Andromeda Tonks did not do well with mysteries either. She had to know what was going on, it was one of the main reasons she had chosen law as her career; she wanted to dig deeper into issues and discover the truth of everything she could. Not knowing, especially if it were something that could put one of her few remaining family members in danger was not acceptable, and Harry was family now, closer than if she'd known him for years unlike just a few months.

"Andromeda…this proposed law…if it passes, it will rip our world apart," Snape frowned in concern at what was going to happen to all of them. They'd just found some peace, and he wasn't willing to return to fearing for his life every second of every day.

"We won't let it," she shook her head firmly. "As Harry says, he didn't save us all for our world not to get better and fairer and more equal."

"He also said he was doing this so he wouldn't become the next Dark Lord and end up in Azkaban," Snape snorted wryly with an eyeroll at Potter's dramatics.

Andromeda wrinkled her nose before she gave a little amused snort as she stood to leave. "You know…if Harry did end up becoming the next Dark Lord…I might actually follow him…I should find that more concerning than I do especially after everything we just went through. Unfortunately, I think I would understand why though..."

"Merlin…I guess I do have an empty spot on my arm now," the man couldn't help the chuckle that broke through at the thought of Harry trying to gain followers. It was funny because it would probably be easy for the charismatic teen, and Snape might actually find himself willingly sucked in yet again. That was a terrifying thought.

Andy stopped and looked the man over with a kind smile. "You look good, Severus…I like you like this. Last I saw you, the weight of the world rested on your shoulders, and you were clearly in pain. This…this is the Severus I knew from school. Don't lose him again, will you?"

"Don't worry," he assured her with a little smile. "Potter and Healer Morris refuse to allow me to take all my potions again, so it'll be a glamour for me…unless I decide to just screw it all and join my students in being a teenager."

"I'll jot down a quick contract for a vampire too then, shall I?" She grinned and patted her briefcase. "Just in case…"

"I promise to not eat any student…unless they blow up my classroom…leave a loophole for that one just in case," he informed the woman to her amusement.


"Walk me out? I'm going to apparate from outside of your wards," Andromeda looped an arm through Harry's, causing him to stiffen slightly. She'd noticed that Harry didn't do well if he was not the one to initiate physical contact, but she hadn't figured out if it was something she should ignore or try to help him with. Everyone was suffering from so much trauma, and there just weren't enough people who could help them through it.

"Sure," Harry relaxed slightly and patted her hand before walking her through the front door.

"You wanted to ask me something?" Andromeda raised an eyebrow expectantly. She really did hope he'd tell her what the bloody bag was!

"Er…not so much…I just…well," he stammered seeming to try to gather the courage for something.

"Harry, love, you are family," she looked into his eyes with as much feeling as she possibly could muster to show she was sincere. "There is literally nothing you can tell me that I don't want to know or will not stand beside you through. You're my grandson's godfather, which basically means you're my son now too."

"Oh, er, thanks," Harry's cheeks flushed, and he gave her a wide grin. "Well, I just wanted to tell you to add my name to our proposed counter law."

The woman frowned in confusion. "Harry…Your name is already on it in support; it has been since I started it. It was your idea…"

"No," he took a deep breath and shook his head. "No, add it with the names of those with creature blood in support."

Andromeda stilled in their slow walk towards the edge of the property. "Oh…" she paused and nodded in quick understanding. "Did Remus…?"

"What?! No!" Harry let go of her arm to face her more. "No, it was sort-of an inheritance. No need for another werewolf contract for McGonagall."

"Ok…good. Do you want to tell me, or do you need some more time to process?" She asked, seeing his hesitancy. "You know Dora and I are here for you, whatever, right?"

Harry seemed to let go of a tremendous amount of stress and Andromeda just wanted to hug him so much, but she knew it wouldn't help, that he couldn't handle that much physical touch from anyone besides Teddy ever since the battle…or maybe earlier, but she hadn't known him then. Plus, it would put her too close to his bag, and that was clearly not acceptable to the teen.

"Thank you, but I just can't right now. Soon…I'm accepting it, but I need a little more time to wrap my head around everything, then…then we'll do a family meeting or something."

"I'd like that," she patted him on the arm with a smile. "I'll be back Friday before Minerva arrives."

"Thank you so much," he smiled broadly at her again, eyes shining with some unshed tears.

"You're just lucky I'm giving you the family discount," she smirked before stepping through the wards and out into London.


Percy was sitting alone in the library, a place where he felt the most at peace in the haven he'd found in Grimmauld Place. He had his eyes closed and was attempting to meditate, not that he'd ever done it before, but he figured now was as good as time as any to give it a go. Frankly, he wasn't sure if he was more stressed about coming clean to McGonagall or the return of his little brother in a couple days.

So far, Percy had the twins and Charlie on his side once Fred and George had filled in the dragon tamer. Charlie had immediately sent a long letter of support and also asking very enthusiastic questions about his transformations, eating habits, senses, and basically showing just how excited the older man was at having a creature in the family. They had all collectively decided to keep Bill in the dark for as long as possible because it was clear that Bill taking a side would effectively spell the end of their family. As the oldest son and the one most likely to cut ties with their parents because of his own werewolf tendencies and being married to a part-Veela, Bill was going to be one that drew the line in the sand, and none of them were quite ready for that just yet after the war they'd lived through. Ginny had been silent, which spoke volumes since she still lived at the Burrow and must have heard their parents' side of the story at the very least. The twins had said Ron seemed a bit weird about the news, but he hadn't seemed upset, so Percy was holding out some hope.

With McGonagall it was really only a perspective employer learning what he was though instead of family. However, he'd always really respected his head of house and wanted her respect as well. This job was also one he was very interested in. He'd almost convinced himself that he would be ok working in his brothers' shop for the rest of his life, but now that a job he was actually qualified for, that would challenge him, came up, he found himself actively having to keep himself from hoping. It wouldn't be the end of the world if he didn't get the job, but it would hurt a lot. Ron though…losing another family member…

"Here, take this," a voice beside him made Percy jump and almost literally have a heart attack.

"Merlin! I know you're a vampire but at least make a little noise when walking up on a person," Percy breathed out a dramatic sigh. Werewolf hearing was much better than a normal person's hearing, but the vampire was still way too silent for even him to hear approaching.

Snape smirked at him but still held out the vial of potion. "I learned very quickly that sneaking up on Potter would earn a sharp blast of magic against the nearest wall. Since it's not in my best interest to collect concussions, you're my only option for any fun."

"You sure you're not really a teenager?" Percy took the vial and recognized a calming draught. "Thank you, by the way," he nodded before downing the potion in one gulp and feeling some of his anxiety slip away.

"Not a teenager, but maybe a bit bored," Snape grumbled and sat elegantly in the armchair. "The bird doesn't speak English, the elf is unpleasant, and Potter has been busy with Andromeda working on finding someone on the Wizengamut who they can trust to push forward their proposed legislation. As much as I'm concerned about returning to the school, I'm also starting to look forward to the new term just for a routine and something to do."

"And students to terrorize," Percy snorted in amusement. He was starting to like Snape a bit, especially since he was much more approachable now that he wasn't a double agent, in pain, and constantly overdosed on potions.

"True," the man smirked back before his small smile tightened. "Potter's coming, it must be time."

A second later, the young man stuck his head into the room. "Hey, you both ready? Andy's here and McGonagall should be any minute."

With a deep sigh, Snape stood and cast his glamour on himself, hating it more every time he did it. It drained his magic and it felt like an oppressive blanket laying over his skin. He knew why he didn't like it, but he raised a questioning eyebrow at the irritated look that flashed across Potter's face at the glamour. Why Potter had a problem with him concealing his appearance, he really couldn't fathom. Potter was still a puzzle he just couldn't figure out.

"Well…McGonagall can't hurt me more than I've already been recently," Percy stood and lied to himself firmly.

"Don't worry, Perce," Harry stood aside at the door out and tried to look reassuringly at his new friend when Percy walked past. "We have back-up plans on top of back-up plans, and only a few of them require blackmail…"

"How were you not sorted into Slytherin, Potter? I swear you weren't like this as a student," Snape shook his head in bemusement as they all made their way down to the study.

Harry just snorted a laugh. "Of course I was like this, you were just a little too distracted to notice. I was only put in Gryffindor because Malfoy was a prat, and I asked the hat to not put me with him for seven years. Merlin, that would have been torture! Plus, Ron and Hermione were always there to reign me in a bit…they aren't here now though, and I'm in a house with the epitome of a Slytherin as a spy, a Slytherin who became a cut-throat solicitor, the person who literally ran the Ancient House of Black, and Fawkes who I swear was playing Dumbledore as much as Dumbledore played the rest of us. If Percy doesn't step up as the only true Gryffindor, then Ron might have to make good on his threat and lock me in the dungeons with Malfoy until I swear that lions are the superior animal over snakes."

Snape stopped in surprise mid-rant of Harry's and just stared at him. He gave his head a little shake seeming to try to physically clear his thoughts. "I'm sorry…I thought I heard you say that you were only not put into my house because you didn't like Draco?"

"Well, that and I'd just learned my parents' killer was from that house too, and after my relatives told me my entire life that I was no good and a freak, I didn't want to chance that they could be right and I'd turn out to be evil as well," he grimaced as Snape's look turned slightly murderous though clearly not at him. "I realize now Gryffindors aren't all good and Slytherins aren't all bad, but I can't say I regret going to a house where I found Ron and Hermione to help balance some of my more self-destructive tendencies."

"Merlin! This is you not self-destructive!" Percy laughed, accomplishing Harry's purpose in trying to take his mind off what was about to happen as they entered the study.

"Eh…less so anyway," he shrugged unconcernedly, following Percy and leaving Snape in the hallway.

"Salazar help us," Snape breathed out at where the two men had just been standing. "Potter in Slytherin…the school would have burned to the ground in his first year…"


Minerva McGonagall frowned in confusion at the room she found herself in. "I thought this was an employment interview? I suddenly feel like I've found myself at an intervention. What did I do?" She tried to smile and dispel the solemnity of the assembled group that contained her most famous student, one of her heads of house, a solicitor and member of the school board, and her perspective hire.

Andromeda chuckled and poured the woman a cup of tea. "Sit, Minerva. We both know that Mr. Weasley's interview is a formality. You know him extremely well already, and he's really your only option for the post regardless."

"Due diligence, Andy," the headmistress protested with a huff but took her cup of tea and sat. "I still neglect to see the point of why all of you are in attendance."

"There's actually a really good reason," Harry Potter spoke up and pushed a plate of biscuits closer to her, making McGonagall both instantly suspicious and worried. They were definitely setting her up for something, what she didn't know. Andy had assessed the situation perfectly, Percy was a shoe-in for the job, so what was she missing?

"Assuming it is your desire to hire Mr. Weasley, we are here to help you make the case to the Board of Governors," Andromeda began and pulled some parchment out of her briefcase.

"Aren't you a member of the board now?" McGonagall looked the woman over who was wearing a smart suit and clearly there in some kind of official capacity.

"I'm actually here as Mr. Weasley's solicitor in this instance," Minerva's long-time friend and former student said while she handed the parchment over.

Minerva read over the contract and then had to completely start reading it again when she realized exactly what it meant. "Oh, Mr. Weasley…" she sighed out sadly. "When? Do your parents know?"

"A little over two years ago," Percy seemed to shrink in on himself again. He took a steadying breath as Harry gave him a reassuring look. "Erm, yes, my parents know, but we aren't on the best of terms right now."

Minerva had to close her eyes and let the implications of what he'd said sink in. Molly and Arthur had always been friends of hers, but she was well aware of their views on creatures, especially after Remus Lupin re-entered all their lives. Minerva had been very concerned when Bill had been attacked that his family would turn against him…it seemed she'd been worried about the wrong Weasley son.

"Right, let's see what we have," she took in a breath, opened her eyes and looked over the contract yet again. "Severus will be brewing the potion, that's good…"

"I've had plenty of practice," the potions master added with a sneer.

"Ah, and Mr. Potter will be a second security check since he isn't technically a student," she nodded in approval at that. "I suppose after your graduation, we may transfer that to Filius or Hagrid…"

"I was thinking the Chamber of Secrets would be the best place for him to transform," Harry spoke up with clear hope in his tone that this seemed to be going well. McGonagall was almost offended at the lack of faith that she'd be accepting of the man, but she could admit that if Molly and Arthur had turned away from their own son, they were probably all distrustful at the moment.

"As I still have no guess where the chamber is even located, I will need you to take me there before I can approve it. Also, we will need a back-up option when we don't have a Parselmouth to open it," she nodded her head. It had been terrible what happened when Remus was at the school, most of all because it had set-back people's views of werewolves even more than they were. If they could convince the board, Percy Weasley would make an excellent History professor…frankly, no one could be worse than Binns though anyway.

"The Room of Requirement didn't survive the battle, but it may be able to be repaired, then it would be the best option for the future," Harry suggested. "Hermione would be a good one to look into it since I'm sure it'll require a lot of research."

"You're actually going with this?" Percy looked utterly surprised. "You don't mind a werewolf teaching?!"

The headmistress took in a deep, tired breath. It had been an exceptionally long summer and would continue to be even after the students returned to the school. Every day she promised herself that she would see the students through this, and that Hogwarts would survive. She'd been fighting that battle since even before Death Eaters walked through the doors.

"I won't lie to you, Mr. Weasley. We have a hard road ahead of us with the Board of Governors, but as long as there is absolutely no way you will put the students at risk on the night of a full moon, then I really don't see an issue all the other days in the month. We all just survived a war literally being fought in the halls of our school, our safe haven, a werewolf taking his potion seems utterly tame after that."

"The procedure is clear, and there are multiple safety checks laid out, take that to the board, and I will at least be there to speak in its favor," Andromeda smiled brightly that she wasn't going to have to curse her friend…which she would have done without remorse if Minerva had said anything against werewolves, especially anything that would disparage her grandson by association.

"Right, well…I can't offer you the job at this moment, Mr. Weasley," she stood with the contract in her hands. "However, assume that it is pending if I can get this approved."

"Thank you, Headmistress," Percy stood and quickly shook her hand, a large grin on his face at the best news he'd heard in a very long time.

"One moment, Minerva," Snape stopped her with a sharp clearing of his throat before she could floo away. "Andromeda…" he held out his hand to the woman.

With a mischievous smirk Minerva definitely didn't like, Andromeda reached back into her bag and pulled out yet another contract. The headmistress had to keep herself from groaning. This was just not her day. "I'm sure I really don't want to know," she remarked with a glare at her Potions professor who handed over the contract with a little shrug.

"Know or not, it's still true. I have it on good authority that I'm already approved from the Wizengamut though, so technically this doesn't need to go to the board," the man smirked at her.

This really, really wasn't her day. "Merlin…fine," McGonagall sighed, happy at least that Snape's appointment was over her head, and she had nothing to do with it. Not that she really thought he would do anything, but at least any fallout would not be her responsibility. "I suppose if you were going to eat a student it would have been Mr. Potter and long before now."

"Hey!" Harry protested but shared a teasing look with Severus, something the elderly woman didn't think she would ever see in her lifetime. Whatever strange situation was happening at Grimmauld Place, she was vowing to just stay out of it.

"She is not wrong," the man continued the teasing look with the student Minerva believed to be his least favorite.

"Right, erm, when were you turned?" She frowned at the alternate reality she must have found herself in.

"I'm nineteen," Severus deadpanned with a small grimace. Minerva's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't realized he'd been hiding something so drastic all these years…what that must have taken out of him to conceal it…

"Glamour?" Was the only question she could get out through her shock.

"Now it is," he nodded firmly. "Potions before, but my healer and Potter have banned them," he shot a soft glare to the unrepentant Gryffindor.

Minerva was done. She would handle this in October, or just pretend whatever was going on just didn't exist…yes, she liked that option. She already had way too much on her plate to figure out who had cursed who in this whole unbelievable situation. Andromeda would handle it, yes, that would be best.

"Right, well…as you said, you were appointed by the Wizengamut, so your contact does not need to go to the board. Glamoured or not, I'll see you before the students arrive," she nodded towards them all and flooed away as quickly as humanly possible. She vaguely heard laughter following her as she spun out of the room.


Up Next: Ron and Hermione will actually show up in this one, I promise...