Harry Potter and his whole world belong to JK Rowling. I am borrowing a few characters from her.

Potions

Harry and Hermione said goodbye to Ron and Ginny, who were still crying with mirth and nearly ran toward the dungeons. As it was, they were barely in time for Potions.

"That was bloody brilliant," Dean whispered as he entered behind them. Seamus wasn't there.

Hermione was still giggling slightly, even though she was usually very much against disturbances in the halls.

Harry's amusement had faded as soon as they'd entered the room. His eyes had fallen on Snape as he, Dean and Hermione took a table together.

Harry didn't dare tell Hermione, but the only person he blamed more than Kreacher for Sirius going through the veil was Snape. Remus knew, but Hermione never would. He could just imagine her reaction.

Harry felt a surge of anger boil up as Snape turned to face the class. Oily-haired and sallow faced as ever, Harry noticed that Snape was carefully not looking in his direction.

He glanced around the class to see who else was in with them. Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson were the only two from Slytherin. Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan from Hufflepuff and Terry Boot and Michael Corner from Ravenclaw were also there. Harry glared at the back of Malfoy's head. Snape was closing the door to the dungeon when Parvati and Padma Patil came running into the room. Parvati had a large red welt on her cheek and Padma had what looked like a burn on her hand.

"Sorry, Professor," Parvati said softly as she entered and sat beside Dean. Padma said nothing as she joined the Ravenclaws.

"Tardiness will not be acceptable in this class," Snape sneered. "What has happened to the two of you?"

"Some prat set off fireworks in the Entrance Hall," Padma said quietly, angrily. "Parvati and I both got burned."

Hermione looked at Harry, eyes huge. Harry felt a surge of guilt, even though the fireworks going off had been a complete accident.

"Be that as it may, had you not been late for class, you would not have been in the Entrance Hall. Five points each from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw."

Harry seethed silently in his seat as Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson both shook with silent laughter.

"Now, Advanced Potions," Snape said quietly. "I must say that I am amazed to find…ah…certain individuals in this class."

He did not look Harry's way, but Harry knew that he meant him. He glared at him again and imagined himself using Ginny's Bat Bogey Hex on him. The thought brought a small smile to his face.

"In this class, you will learn all sorts of complex potions, ranging from the Polyjuice Potion to even perhaps the Wolfsbane Potion that our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher required every month," Snape continued, sneering slightly when mentioning Remus. Harry was very close to snapping. Hermione's hand shot into the air. "Of course, we unfortunately won't be able to test that potion, as it is very dangerous. Improperly brewed, it could poison Professor Lupin. We all know what a tragedy that would be."

Hermione put her hand down and Harry could almost see steam billowing from her ears. Dean and Parvati were both glaring daggers at Snape. Harry glanced around the room and saw that the Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs were also staring at Snape angrily.

"Yes, it would be a tragedy," Harry said quietly. Snape ignored him. Harry raised his eyebrows slightly. Usually Snape would have been all over him for daring to say something like that in his class. Malfoy shot a nasty look in Harry's direction. Harry only met Malfoy's eyes frostily. Snape had continued on, not witnessing this exchange. Harry forced himself to pay attention.

"Today's Potion is on the board." Snape waved his wand lazily. The ingredients flickered across the board. "You have three quarters of an hour."

*

Harry groaned as they packed up their cauldrons later. His potion hadn't looked exactly as Snape had said it should, but he supposed it was close enough. He had scooped it into the flask and taken it to Snape's desk, so he'd find out the next class how he'd done.

Snape, as usual, had prowled around the desks, making snide comments about everyone's potion but Malfoy's. He'd also left Harry alone, which had to be a first. It was fine with Harry.

He and Hermione were nearly out the door when Harry heard Snape.

"Potter, I want a word."

Harry groaned inwardly and stopped. Hermione told him she'd wait outside. Malfoy smirked at Harry as Harry moved back into the dungeon. Being in close proximity to Snape was bad enough. Being alone with Snape was worse.

"Sit, Potter," Snape spat. Harry thought about refusing, but then sat. He looked at the blackboard which still had the potion on it. He refused to look at Snape. He could feel Snape's black eyes boring into him. He heard Snape lean forward.

"If you think for an instant, Potter, that you are going to float through this class as you did all your other Potions lessons, you had better think again. If you receive less than an 'A' on any of your assignments, you will receive detention. If you fail more than one potion or assignment, you are out of this class. Do I make myself clear?"

Harry gritted his teeth. He forced himself to look at Snape.

"Crystal, sir," he spat. He started to rise from the chair. He turned his face away from Snape.

"Potter." Harry stopped. There was a strange note in Snape's voice. He couldn't resist. He glanced at Snape.

Snape had his teeth bared and looked like he was fighting some horrible inner demons. Harry raised his eyebrows. Snape let out a growl and then said in a rush,

"I am sorry about your godfather, Potter."

Harry stared at Snape as though he'd grown a second head. He wouldn't have been more surprised if Snape had announced he was joining a Muggle circus.

Snape and Sirius loathed each other. That much had been evident last Christmas when they'd nearly started duelling in the middle of the kitchen at Sirius' house.

"Close your mouth. You look like an idiot."

Snape's harsh voice brought Harry back to reality. He closed his mouth, but continued to stare in shock at Snape. Snape narrowed his eyes.

"We are finished. You may go."

Still too stunned to think straight, Harry left the room. Hermione was still waiting for him. They headed toward the Entrance Hall.

"What did Snape want?" she asked quietly.

"To tell me off as usual," Harry answered. She scowled. "And to…say he was sorry about Sirius."

Hermione stopped in her tracks. "What?"
"That's basically what I thought," Harry said with a small smile. Hermione stared at him as they went through the front doors.

*

Harry wasn't in the best mood when he reached the portrait of the Fat Lady later on. He'd been burned by an Ashwinder in Care of Magical Creatures (a pale grey serpent with glowing red eyes that rises from the embers of unsupervised fires) and had spent the last hour in the hospital wing. Malfoy had sneered that Harry wouldn't be so eager to see Hagrid stay as professor any longer, now that he'd been injured in class. Harry had resisted the urge to hex him.

As soon as the class had ended, Hagrid had turned up in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey had almost given him a Calming Draught to stop his hysterical tears. He apologized to Harry over and over again.

All in all, Harry was very happy to see the day end.

"Quidditch Cup," he said dully. The Fat Lady beamed at him and swung aside.

He glanced around and found Ron working on his homework at one of the tables close to the fire. Hermione and Ginny were setting their books on the table as well. Harry headed that way. There was a large group of girls standing around one of the tables, giggling and talking noisily.

"All right, are you?" Ron asked without looking up.

"Yeah, Madam Pomfrey fixed me right up in about a second, but then thought she should keep an eye on me. What's with the girls?"

At this Ron did look up. He glared at Harry. Harry raised his eyebrows.

"I have no bloody idea. Parvati and Lavender started shrieking about something as soon as they got back here." Ron scowled and glared at the group of girls. "They've been driving me mad for the last ten minutes."

Harry chuckled as he pulled his Potions homework out of his bag. He'd just started to work when Parvati and Lavender made their way to the table. Both had their hair done up on top of their heads, and were wearing garish make up. Harry and Ron both stared. Hermione raised an eyebrow at them.

"Divination with Firenze tomorrow? Or has Dumbledore hired another horse?" she asked acidly.

Parvati scoffed. "He's a centaur, Hermione, not a horse! And anyway, it's not for Firenze."

Lavender was smiling strangely. She had her lips pulled away from her teeth and seemed like she didn't want them to touch. It looked like she was baring her teeth at them. Ron opened his mouth to say something, but Ginny elbowed him hard in the ribs.

"Then who is it for?" she asked.

"Professor Lupin. Haven't you noticed? He's gorgeous!"

"I can't believe we didn't notice back in third year!" Lavender added, not moving her lips. It was hard to understand her.

Hermione was staring at them thoughtfully.

"He's a bit…well…old for you two, don't you think?"

Both girls giggled. "He's distinguished!" Parvati squealed.

Hermione nodded. "He is handsome, I will agree with that."

Ron and Harry both stared at her. Her face was flushed slightly.

Ginny giggled behind her hands. "And he smells nice all the time," she added. Hermione nodded.

"Ooh," Lavender said, still not moving her lips. "I haven't been close enough to smell him! What does he smell like?"

Hermione pursed her lips, her eyes sparkling. "Leather. Leather and pine soap and so many other things."

"Mmmm," Parvati sighed dreamily. Ron made a gagging noise behind his hand to Harry. "Want us to do your hair and makeup for class tomorrow, Hermione?"

Hermione laughed. "No thanks, Parvati. Like I said, R…erm…Professor Lupin is a bit old for me."

"Suit yourself!" Lavender said airily as they moved away. Hermione buried her face in her book. Harry could tell that she was laughing silently by the way her shoulders were shaking.

"What was wrong with Lavender's mouth?" Ron asked.

Ginny burst out laughing. "She had lipstick on and was trying not to smear it." Ginny's eyes were sparkling with laughter. "She didn't want any to get on her teeth."

"Good lord, poor Remus," Hermione giggled.

Ron snorted. "You weren't saying poor Remus when you were agreeing about how 'handsome' he is!"

Hermione giggled harder. "I've always thought that Remus is exceptionally good looking." She sobered suddenly. "Always. He's such a nice person, and he really does smell nice," she added with a grin. "I think it's sad that he'll always keep people at bay a bit. He thinks he's protecting them, but really he's protecting himself."

Ginny sighed softly. "People are starting to see, though, that not all werewolves are bad," she said to Hermione. "Look at my mum and dad. They accept Remus for who he is, not what he changes into once a month. Something he can't control."

Hermione smiled sadly. "Ginny…your parents are wonderful, amazing people. They're willing to give everybody a chance. An orphan who has the most dangerous wizard in a hundred years after him." She pointed at Harry. "A werewolf. A wanted criminal and alleged murderer." She paused. "A Mudblood."

Ron spluttered angrily. "Don't call yourself that!"

Hermione sighed again. "I'm making a point, Ron. Your parents are incredible people. Your whole family is incredible. Not everyone is like that."

"Everyone in this room has accepted Remus for what he is," Ron spat angrily. "Nobody is holding it against him."
"Everyone in this room had him as a teacher three years ago. Everyone here knows what a great teacher he is. What a great person he is. I'm willing to bet that the first, second and third years are terrified of him." Hermione looked sad. Harry glanced around the room, wondering if any of them were afraid of Remus. He remembered Mark Evans screaming a few nights ago. He shook his head.

"I feel bad for him," Ginny whispered softly. Harry looked at her and saw that she had tears in her eyes.

"Hey," he said softly. "At least he's back here, doing what he loves. And he gets to be with us as often as he wants." Harry grinned. "What could be better?"

Ginny chuckled. Hermione grinned at Harry.

The gaggle of girls had broken up now and Harry found the common room much quieter. He opened his Potions homework. He found himself wondering what Remus' childhood had been like. He forced himself to focus on his homework. Of all of his classes, Potions was the one that he had to work the hardest in if he wanted to even think of becoming an Auror.

Hours later, Harry groaned as he sat back, his homework finally finished. His back ached from sitting hunched over the table and his eyes felt like sandpaper. Hermione had finished already and was sitting by the fire, stroking Crookshanks absently while reading the enormous book that she'd been reading back at Order headquarters. Ron set his quill down right after Harry did. Both of them looked at Ginny. She was still doing her Transfiguration homework.

"I'm hungry," Ron said absently as he closed the lid on his ink.

"Well, we didn't go down for dinner," Harry replied, carefully rolling his Herbology homework and placing it in his bed. "I wasn't all that hungry earlier. I sort of am now." He glanced at his watch. "It's only seven. Do you want to wander down to the Great Hall?"

"I'm sure there won't be anything there. We should just go straight to the kitchen."

Harry grinned. "Well, let's stop in the Great Hall first. At least look like we're doing it properly."

"Would you just go already?" Ginny snapped. "You're distracting me. And bring me something to eat as well. I'm starved."

Ron grinned at his sister as he and Harry stood. Hermione closed her book and stood to come with them. Harry reached into his bag and pulled out the mirror.

"I want to give this to Remus and let him talk to Sirius. I've sort of been hogging it."

They left the common room and were halfway down to the Great Hall when they all heard footsteps behind them. They turned and found Ginny thundering down the stairs.

"I finished my homework and decided to try to catch you up. Besides, Harry, you and I need to talk about setting Quidditch tryouts." Ginny's eyes danced with excitement as she said this. Harry felt his insides squirm. He figured it was from nervousness at actually running a Quidditch practice or else from excitement for the same reason.

They reached the Great Hall. To Harry's relief, they found that there was still some food on the tables. Remus was sitting up at the head table, talking amiably with Professors Flitwick and McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey, the school matron. Harry approached him as the others found chairs. Remus smiled at him as he came closer.

"What can I do for you, Harry?" he asked quietly.

"Well, I realised that I've been a bit rude," Harry answered. He held up the mirror. "I came to see if you want this for a while."

Remus stared at him in wonder. A smile spread slowly across his face. He reached out to take the mirror. "Are you sure, Harry?"

Harry nodded. Remus took the mirror, looking like he'd just been given the best gift ever.

"It's only a mirror, Remus," Madam Pomfrey said, confusion in her voice. Remus glanced at McGonagall. She smiled at him, but said nothing.

"Thank you, Harry," Remus said quietly. "Let me know when you want it back."
"Keep it as long as you need, Professor," Harry answered. He left the head table and walked back to his friends.