Prologue
What?
Is there something the matter, Severus? Professor Albus Dumbledore asked gently.
-I am sorry headmaster, but may I ask for you to repeat that? Severus Snape asked, suddenly frantic. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. Snape was known for being sour, sarcastic, vicious, venomous, severe (like his name) and all around, one nasty Potions Master. But never to Dumbledore.
Professor Remus Lupin will be taking post as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Dumbledore said calmly, first only making eye contact with Snape as though to make it seem personal, and then he turned his head to the others teachers, in the same way that he began a speech. It was a habit of his.
Remus Lupin? Remus J. Lupin ? Moony of the Marauders? Could it be? Oh, this is just wonderful. One of Potter s friends back to get me 20 years after graduation. One of the four people I least expected to ever see again. Snape flinched. No, one of the four people I least WANTED to see again. Then the four names that he hated only enough to remember came floating back to his memory. Sirius Black, James Potter, Peter Petigrew and the werewolf: Remus Lupin.
Some of the other teachers that sat at the staff room table looked at Snape curiously. Well after all, Snape did look as though the world was coming to an end. But why , was the reason that they were all staring. He even knew it.
Severus? Dumbledore s calming voice swam back to his ears, and awoke him from his distracting thoughts.
Oh err- yes, everything is fine. Snape said, still sounding rather troubled. Dumbledore looked quite confused.
All right, the meeting will end here. Lunch will begin in the Great Hall at noon. Everyone is excused to leave. Dumbledore said. At his words all of the teachers rose from their seats and made for the door. Dumbledore managed to get to Snape before he left his seat, though.
Severus, may I have a word?
*******
Sulking miserably, Snape sat at his desk in his office arranging papers, and organizing potions. It was the day that all of the students would arrive for the beginning of another year. Snape was quite punctual as always, but decided this time to arrive rather early incase he accidentally ran into Lupin. He didn t know why, but there was this one little worry about seeing Lupin again that was driving him mad. Every time that Lupin came to mind (which was now becoming more and more often) he would feel miserable, and panicked almost scared. It had nothing to do with Lupin being a werewolf. It wasn t that the werewolf frightened him, but it was something about Lupin himself. With or without the bite.
Stupid Werewolf.
Maybe it was that he just didn t want to face Lupin again after the incident that involved James saving his life? Lupin was involved with that too, but it was once again not what bothered him about Lupin. Perhaps it was the satisfaction of knowing a very deep dark secret and being forbade to tell anyone. Lupin and him had always been much closer after that. Not like friends, but as enemies. Well, sort of.
Trying to focus on his day plans for all his classes, Snape ran his hand through his hair, and held his chin lazily with his other. He suddenly jumped as he heard a knock on his door, and tipped over a bottle of ink. He placed it right side up, and turned his attention to the door entirely. He had suddenly forgotten about Lupin.
Yes? Come in. Snape called miserably. The door handle turned, and in stepped Dumbledore. Oh great, Dumbledore. The last person he wanted to talk to after his encounter with him after the staff room episode. They had spoken about Lupin.
(( Severus, I know it may be hard for you to accept this, but he will returning none the less.
Yes Headmaster. But do you think it wise to be allowing a werewolf on Hogwarts grounds? Around children? In a school?
Yes, I trust him. But I need to ask you a favor.
Yes?
With you being the Potions Master I may ask you to concoct a Wolvsbane potion for Lupin this year?
Yes, of course. ))
Headmaster. Snape acknowledged Dumbledore s entrance. Dumbledore nodded.
Severus, we need you at the Great Hall. The students will be arriving soon. He said simply, before closing the door. Snape flinched again. He would have to face Lupin now.
He pushed back his chair, finished up organizing his papers and went down to the Great Hall.
*******
Welcome! said Dumbledore, his voice echoing throughout the hall.
Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out before you become befuddled by our excellent feast
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued.
As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business.
It s about time too. And lets hope they finally find Black and give him what he deserves
They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, Dumbledore continued, and while they are here with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave the school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises or even Invisibility Cloaks.
Snape suddenly shot a nasty glance at Harry from where he sat. He had always had suspicions that Harry used Invisibility Cloaks to do mischief. Like back in Harry s first year when a certain student s lamp was found in the restricted section of the library. They had never been able to find the person. Because the spoiled brat was invisible!
It is not in the nature of the Dementors to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to Prefects, and our Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs foul of the Dementors.
On a happier note, Dumbledore continued.
Snape looked up immediately.
I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year.
Snape swallowed, and looked around eagerly. He knew exactly what was going to be said next.
Firstly, Professor Lupin, who has kindly considered to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Snape s eyes had fallen upon the stranger who was wearing an extremely shabby set of wizard s robes, with light brown hair, calm gray eyes, and such a composed smile. Remus Lupin, the werewolf.
Snape just stared. He hadn t seen Lupin since his very own school boy years at Hogwarts. Him and Remus were both students then. Snape s eyes fell upon Potter again. Him, Granger, and Weasley were clapping. Clapping for Lupin. He suddenly felt a pang of jealously, as his eyes dared to shift back dangerously to Lupin.
Damn him. Stupid werewolf.
He sensed someone looking at him, and saw from the corner of his eye, sure enough someone was looking at him. It was Potter staring at him.
He suddenly snapped out of his gaze, and concentrated on the speech once more. Why was it that Lupin was driving him mad? Angry with himself, he ceased from looking at Lupin until the end of the feast.
*******