He was easily the most popular first year to come to Hogwarts since Harry Potter. Some would even say he was more popular than the boy who lived. All the girls thought he was the most important male at the school, and all the boys seemed to resign themselves to playing second fiddle to this wonder boy. He had a mess of solid black curls and the darkest gray eyes that were highlighted with threads of olive. His skin tone was a healthy brown and, when added to his eyes, gave the impression he was Arabic. He had a handsome, round face and soft laugh. He had everyone at his mercy before he even spoke.

The proper order of his name was Reiner James Lupin but his name varied depending on who you asked and what house loyalties they claimed. To Gryffindor House and most of the Hufflepuff, he was James Reiner, named after Professor Lupin's best friend, James Potter. In those Houses, he was known as either JR Lupin or Lupin Jr. To Slytherin House, he was Reiner Jay Snape or simply Mini Snape.  But it was the ever-wise Ravenclaw that would give him the name to end all battles: he should henceforth be known Puppy. Puppy was at eight pounds, and one month old, the most important person at Hogwarts. He relished the attention too.

Another addition, and one that was lesser known, was that of a large black dog. He spent most of his days with Hagrid, and at night went to Lupin. No one paid much attention to the dog, except Harry and Ron. Hermione was too busy fondling over Puppy. The dog, of course, was really Sirius Black and Harry loved having his godfather so near. It had been Dumbledore's idea to have Sirius so close, as one of his own measures against Voldemort and his Prince.

The Dark Prince. Harry stifled a shutter when he thought of the name. Professor Snape had explained to them all that the Dark Prince was a ruse Voldemort had employed to promote a sense of fear among the world. He said only in recent months had one of the elite Death Eaters from the first war stepped into the shoes. He had yet to discover the identity. Harry wasn't sure if he believed Snape fully on that or anything else. He trusted Dumbledore, and knew that the Headmaster would never put him in danger. But what Harry didn't know, and what he was certain Dumbledore wondered too, was why did Snape seem so comfortable under the scarred façade?

"Mr. Longbottom!" It was that cold voice that interrupted Harry's musings and brought him back into Potions class. Professor Snape was in his element. He was leaning dangerously close to Neville's face with a look of utter disgust and shock. The teal colored potion was supposed to be gold. It was also supposed to be thin and runny, but somehow Neville had managed to make it a gritty blend.

"How…on…earth?" Snape said coolly. He seemed amused. He looked up and waited for an answer.

"I did everything you said." Neville stammered. "Everything…"

Behind him, Draco was laughing. Crabbe and Goyle, ever the followers, were enjoying their leader's mirth. Snape glanced at them from the corner of his eye and nodded. He then turned back to Neville, clearly planning something devious. "Well." He said softly. "I'm sure we can discover what happened to this…"

He called to Lavender. The girl paled and rose steadily towards him. Snape sneered at her. "Now, this potion is supposed to be a guard against unfriendly spells. However, if Mr. Longbottom has failed in this manner I imagine we will have some dire consequences. So Miss Brown. I want you to drink this."

Lavender looked at the potion then back to him. "This potion, Professor?"

"Yes, Miss Brown. His potion. You seem to trust him enough to father your children, you can trust him to protect you against any," Snape took a moment to pause "difficulties you might face."

Draco was almost on the floor with laughter. Crabbe and Goyle were merely waiting, watching. Harry knew Ron and Hermione were biting their lips in concern. The whole class was paying rapt attention to the scene.

"But sir…should I test my potion? That seems only right."

"No. I want you to test his."

"But sir."

"Now," Snape said. "Miss Brown."

"Leave it be." Interrupted a voice from the dungeon door. Everyone turned attention to the figure at the door. It was Sean Aciman, the second Auror guardian, and self-dubbed newest coat of arms at Hogwarts.

"You don't have a right, Aciman." Snape warned. He looked angry.

Sean lifted his chin. "I am pretty sure the Headmaster wouldn't want you poisoning your students."

"I was conducting my class."

"You know that potion is ill made. If you want to test it, do it on yourself or on that devil's son Draco."

Draco stopped laughing and glared at Sean. He looked at Snape who seemed to warn him against action with his eyes. Now Harry began to feel concerned.

"Yeah, Malfoy." Sean continued. "I knew your uncle Silas. Nasty thing what happened to him. Especially by his own kind. I see Crabbe and Goyle too, with Nott over there in the corner. Yeah, I dealt with all of your filth before."

"You will mind your tongue, Sean." Snape's tone was lazy but Harry could tell he was barely keeping his composure. Snape was renown for his hatred of Aurors. "Or something's bound to happen."

"Don't you threaten me you callous…" Sean began but stopped. He was aware of the children in the room. "If I had my way, Dumbledore would know the truth about you."   

"He happens to trust me."

"He uses you because you're available. He had to make deals with the devil to save lives. You just happen to be one useful devil."

"Is there a point to you being here?"

"I've come from the Headmaster's office. He wants you to dismiss class and come up to his office."

"Why?" Snape's voice changed.

Sean's face darkened. "You have a visitor."
          "Clean up your work and we'll continue it later." Snape announced. "There will be a short quiz next class period to take the place of this assignment. Two points taken from Brown and Longbottom."

He didn't explain, or even wait to see the class vacate. Snape just swept out of the room with Sean close on his heels. Sean was glaring at the back of Snape's cloak as if Snape were hiding Lord Voldemort under it. Harry peered down the hall as long as he could before turning back to Ron and Hermione.

"Can you clean up?"

Ron was about to answer before he clutched his left arm as if he were pained. He said he had injured it last summer during a game of Quidditch with Charlie. It had never been the same. Hermione began to soothe it. "Go on, Ron. I'll clean up. You go ahead to Harry."

"But what about you?"

"I'll help her." Seamus offered. He began to straighten the scales on the table.

"Tell me everything?" Ron asked as they walked outside the dungeon.

Harry nodded. "Of course. You'll get some ice on that?"

"Oh it's nothing." Ron said carelessly. He was still rubbing his forearm. "Talk to you later then."

Harry lingered just long enough to watch Ron turn when he reached the end of the corridor. He was heading away from Gryffindor. He shrugged. It couldn't be anything bad. After all, it was Ron.

Now Harry knew there were dumber things in the world than trying to sneak into the Headmaster's office. He just couldn't think of any at the moment. He was currently thinking about how he'd do that when he heard Kaiya's voice cut through the air like a whip.

"Choice!"

Harry slipped into the alcove next to the empty classroom. He wedged himself against the wall and the door and wished he had taken the time to retrieve his Invisibility Cloak. He needed to learn how to plan things out. He shifted to see inside. Sean was there, so were McGonagall, Lupin, Dumbledore and Snape. Sirius was there in dog form and Kaiya had just entered through a back way. As soon as she saw Choice, she ran to him in sheer joy.

Choice Blade was, at Harry's best guess, in his early twenties. He was sitting, slouched over, shirt opened, with his hands on his knees looking like he had just pulled Hogwarts across the globe on his back. He had a lean, powerful frame but his body looked so overworked and worn that he looked liable to collapse at any moment. His shaggy unkempt hair fell over his worn features and only added to his sad expression. His eyes were deep cobalt and wildly sad but when he saw Kaiya, his face lit up. He stood up as she ran toward him. He inclined his head and kissed her long, deep and hard. Harry barely noticed Lupin taking a step away from the rest to glare. He had never seen such jealousy before.

"How's my son?" Choice asked her.

Kaiya smiled. "Strong."

"My son." Remus blurted out protectively.

There was a long tense moment between the men. Snape, who had his eyes on each one, stepped forward. Harry noticed Snape place his hand on Remus' arm and was surprised Remus didn't flinch. Harry thought he heard Sirius growl. Snape ignored it and turned his attention to Choice. "What's wrong?"

"I've come to warn you, Severus." Choice said turning his attention away from Remus while still holding onto Kaiya for dear life. "Lord Voldemort is making plans to move against the Dark Prince."

Snape didn't react at first. He seemed to consider this, gripping the back of the chair tightly and working his eyes searching the grain work. "Does he suspect the Dark Prince of treason?"

"He never gave any indication of it." Choice replied. "This appears to be purely a political move."

"I don't understand."

"Someone has approached Lord Voldemort with the arrangement. He promised to deliver to break the Magical world and help rebuild the Death Eaters."

"And in return?"

"He wants the Dark Prince's blood. He wants him unmasked, broken, and humbled."

"Exact quote?" Severus asked lightly.

Choice shook his head. "No. See no outside of Voldemort and Jack the Ripper has ever seen him."

"The Ripper has seen him?" Severus asked, his mind already working.

"What does this mean Severus?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well," He replied. "It could be good or bad. If the players involved play it just right, such civil strife in the Dark World could cause no end of trouble."

"And if not?"

"If the Dark Prince makes a mistake…" The Potions Master shook his head. "Then people could die."