The announcement stunned the entire room into momentary silence, with the exception of a few audible gasps. Even Snape's few friends on the staff looked shocked by the news, particularly since Remus had so obviously been set up as the heir presumptive, sitting right there next to McGonagall.
Flitwick had actually choked on his tea, and Hooch was slapping him soundly on the back as he tried to catch his breath.
Pretty much everyone else was looking from Remus, who smiled back as placidly as he could, to Severus.
Remus wished he'd caught Severus's initial look of wide-eyed disbelief on film, because it didn't last long. Just now, he was scowling warily, as though waiting for all of it to turn out to be an elaborate joke. Poor Severus, Remus thought, a little sadly. I wonder if he's ever really let himself enjoy a moment. Even werewolves, after all, had their good days. But not, apparently, overgrown bats.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore had hardly paused for the staff's reaction, continuing right on as though he had just announced the day's weather. He briefly covered the other changes in staffing assignments - Cordelia Klemm (one of Snape's former Slytherins who had lately taught Ancient Runes) would be taking over Potions, Remus would be teaching Ancient Runes, Gretchen Grubbly-Plank would return as the permanent COMC instructor and Fierenze the Centaur would remain at Hogwarts for at least another year to teach Divination - then sent everyone on their way.
"It is far too fine a day to waste listening to an old man ramble. That will be all for today, I think. Thank you for your time, and do remember that we are scheduled to meet again on Friday at nine. Severus, Remus and Cordelia, I'd like you to stay behind a moment to discuss the details of your new assignments with myself and Minerva."
The other staff members milled about a bit before leaving, murmuring amongst themselves. A few stopped to welcome Remus back, and a few brave (or foolhardy) souls attempted to congratulate Severus, who hadn't yet stopped scowling. Snape accepted most of the proffered felicitations with curt nods and the occasional grunt. But when Sprout, who had always shown an inexplicable soft spot for Snape, toddled over to offer Severus an unsolicited hug along with her warm congratulations, Remus noted that Severus did manage a few words and small smile for her.
The scowl returned full-force however as Severus crossed the room to where Minerva and Remus were standing.
"I would have thought that today of all days we would have gotten an actual smile out of you, Severus," sniffed Minerva.
"And I would have expected much wailing and gnashing of teeth from you. What a day for surprises."
"You may not believe this, you insufferable young man, but I have more than once supported your application for the Defense position."
"Hmm. More than once, you say? So you actually supported me over Lockhart and Umbridge? I'm touched."
"Yes, I actually did, in both cases. And this time as well, if you must know. Though you're already starting to make me regret that."
"Really," sneered Severus, crossing his arms. "I'm supposed to believe that Lupin here wasn't your first choice?"
"As a matter of fact Severus," said Dumbledore, who had wandered over to their little group in his usual unobtrusive manner. "Minerva was the one to champion your selection this time - over all of the other candidates. Spoke rather eloquently on your behalf, as I recall."
Remus had the pleasure of seeing that fleeting moment of surprise on Severus's face for the second time that morning.
"Headmaster, I..."
"I'm sure you have some questions about all of this, Severus, and I do promise that we shall come to those in a moment. However, let us get the tedious administrative details out of the way first. I'm sure Cordelia and Remus would like to be on their way."
The details were worked out.
Severus would hand off his Potions lesson plans to Professor Klemm, who would in turn pass off her Ancient Runes plans to Remus to use as a guide. And Severus, to Remus's surprise, managed to decline access to Remus's old DADA plans with only a minimum of condescension.
The Slytherin affinity for the dungeons made the classroom and office space allocation simple: Severus would keep his private potions laboratory and current office space. The Potions classroom would remain in the dungeons, but would be moved closer to Klemm's current office, which she would also retain. The DADA classroom remained where it had been since Remus's schooldays, but a passage would be created to allow Snape to travel to and from his office quickly. Remus was free to choose any open classroom and office he liked. He chose to take his old office back, and promised a decision on classroom space by Friday.
That done, Klemm went on her way, and Remus also made to leave.
"Oh do stay, Lupin," said Snape silkily. "I suspect that you're involved in this somehow."
"I wasn't aware of any conspiracy, Severus. But I'll stay if you wish."
"Now, Severus," said Dumbledore mildly, "I believe you had questions for me?"
"Just one. Why now?"
"Well, I do usually announce the new teaching assignments at the first staff meeting of the year..." replied Dumbledore, with a twinkle.
Snape's eyes narrowed in irritation. "You know what I mean - your choice of Defense instructor."
"I had rather hoped that you would not find much reason to complain about my staffing choices this year, Severus."
"He's complained every year since he's been here. Why should this one be any different?" said Minerva, tartly.
Severus glared at her. "It's not a complaint. It's a fair question. That you haven't answered."
"Well, as I explained, I felt that we needed a trusted person with a commitment to the students of this school. Which, if I am not greatly mistaken, is an accurate description of you."
"And unless I am greatly mistaken, that would have accurately described me every other time I have applied for this job. And yet that has never been nearly enough in your estimation. Not even when the alternative was Dolores Umbridge. I might understand the sudden change of heart if you were in a similar situation this year – but you clearly had other viable options. I myself saw to it that you had him available, in the interest of averting another disaster. Yet this time you chose me instead. So I repeat: why now?"
"I'll ask you this: Why do you think I have declined your application in the past?"
"I have been made to understand that my... history... with the Dark Arts has kept you from selecting me, in spite of all I have done since."
"And in part, that is correct - I have indeed had my concerns about putting you in a situation involving constant exposure to Dark Magic. Especially considering that you have also had to continue the practice of Dark spells to maintain your cover."
"You didn't have full confidence in my loyalties, in other words."
"Not so, Severus. I have had full faith in your loyalty from the day you joined us - as your assignments for the Order have borne out. But I did feel that you had not yet learned to insulate yourself from the potential damage caused by additional exposure to Dark Magic, nor had you shown much sign of overcoming the damage that had already been done. Quite simply, you were at risk, and I could not afford to lose you. "
"Please explain the difference to me."
"Severus, you of all people should be aware that extended exposure to the Dark Arts can seriously damage the soul of even a very good man."
"So just imagine what they must have done to a soul such as mine," Severus replied bitterly.
Dumbledore sighed. Remus guessed that he'd had several similar conversations with Severus over the years. "I did not mean to suggest that I think you have been damaged beyond repair. I have, in fact, long hoped that you would begin to show signs of having healed. Or rather, that you would finally allow yourself to heal."
"So I've finally served my penance after all this time? Is that what you've decided?"
"There was no penance, Severus, except perhaps in your own mind. But I have lately become convinced that you can cope now with the demands this job will place on you."
"I... I just don't understand what's changed."
"You have, Severus."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Remus told Minerva and I all about your motivations for developing that potion against my orders - in the middle of his own job interview, I'll have you know. I'll be honest – I was surprised to learn what you'd done. One of the reasons I did not ask you to continue with the research on that potion was that I feared it was too much to ask to make you clear the way for your rival. But it seems I underestimated you."
"So you think because I went ahead and helped Lupin without your sanction that I've changed in some significant way? I hate to shatter your illusions, but I'm the same manner of man I've always been. That is, a Slytherin. I saw a way to improve our chances of winning and I pursued it. That's all."
So it seemed that Minerva's earlier observation about Snape had been right - Severus's need to cling to his bastard-persona was apparently more important to him than even his own ambitions. Dumbledore had expressed deep concerns about Severus's temperament in the discussions over the DADA post, and at the time had seemed less convinced than Minerva and Remus that this was the right decision. They'd had finally convinced the Headmaster to agree to just let Severus have the chance to prove that he could do it - especially since otherwise his qualifications really couldn't be better.
Remus wasn't about to let Snape spoil this for himself. It was time to speak up.
"I don't think you give yourself enough credit, Severus. You were ready to give up something you wanted very badly to me - a man whom you detest – not so much to win the war, but because you felt it was the best way to help the students learn to defend themselves."
"I wasn't exactly giving up anything. I had no reason to believe that I would actually get this position. If I'd thought I had the minutest chance to have the job for myself, I'd never have helped you, Lupin."
"Are you trying to talk us out of this, Severus?" asked Dumbledore. But Remus was relieved to see that the Headmaster was looking faintly amused.
"No. But I you should be fully aware that I still am who I am."
"That is, indeed, what Minerva and I were hoping for. We are also quite heavily invested in winning this war, as it happens."
Severus blinked, taking in the implications that statement. But he continued to press. "I want your assurance that I will be allowed to teach this class as I see fit."
"Have I ever interfered with your teaching?" Dumbledore asked innocently.
"On a near-constant basis." Severus put up a placating hand as Minerva opened her mouth to protest. "As is your prerogative, I acknowledge. But I would like your acknowledgement that this is not Potions – that it is about far more important things than OWL scores and House points. If I am to be fully successful at teaching these children everything they need to know, I must be allowed full control over my classroom. I must not be forced to soften my methods. Either you trust me to handle this or you do not."
"It sounds as if it is you who does not trust me," said Dumbledore quietly.
That seemed to give Snape pause, but only for a moment. "I just want you to be aware of where I stand. I will resign rather than give anything less than my all to this class. If you want a softer touch, I suggest you take Lupin instead, before it's too late."
"That is something I did have to consider - that some students will continue to have difficulty working with you. Actually, Minerva and Remus had some fine suggestions as to how we might get round that." said Dumbledore, thoughtfully. "But we'll come back to that in a moment. First, I need you to realize that this is not a job I have bestowed upon you as some sort of reward for good behavior. My choice may have been influenced by your helping Remus, but mostly I was interested in appointing you on the strength of your knowledge and experience, and also precisely because of your rather... demanding method of teaching."
Minerva continued, "After their experiences with Dolores Umbridge, most of our students are woefully behind in their knowledge of Defense. Except for the few that participated in Potter's student association, of course. I believe we can trust you with bringing them up to speed quickly."
"And what about Potter?"
Minerva raised an eyebrow, and Snape shrugged. "It always comes back to him, doesn't it? So I might as well bring this up now - the boy refuses to learn if I am the one teaching him. And in spite of what he seems to believe, he doesn't know every damned thing."
"I believe that Harry is the one who needs your instruction the most, though he may not be ready to understand that. And you, Severus, need to put aside your feelings and find a way to teach the boy what he needs to know."
"And after the Occlumency disaster, you still think I can do that?" Severus seemed oddly vulnerable, looking from Dumbledore to McGonagall for response.
Dumbledore paused, looking thoughtfully at Severus, and then nodded. "I do. Especially since you will not be left to handle him by yourself this time."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning that I think this should be a team effort. We all realize that Harry has inherited much of his father's stubbornness - he will not simply accept you as a mentor, nor can we rely on him to come around on his own. We must find a way to persuade him gently, using resources that may seem... counterintuitive at first. People Harry already works well with. "
"Which brings us back to Lupin."
"Except that my knowledge is mostly theoretical rather than practical," Remus interjected. "Harry already has more practical experience than I do - and will very soon be beyond what I can teach him. You're the one he needs to talk to."
"And you're going to persuade him to start coming to me for help? Not bloody likely - he couldn't even bring himself to do that when he thought his beloved Godfather's life was at stake."
Remus shook his head. "And there was a dear cost to him, to all of us, because of that lack of trust. He'll see that in time. He'll have to. Because now it's all our lives at stake."
"All of us here understand the importance of this, Severus," said Dumbledore, "and we will do what we can to make this work out. I promise you - you'll have the support you need. I do appreciate that you generally prefer to work alone, but I must ask that you work closely with us to achieve the desired results with Harry."
"I… think I can do that. But what of the rest of the students? I imagine that Potter isn't the only one who will be seeking Lupin out instead of me." Severus smirked at Remus. "Might build yourself quite the little side-business there, Lupin. Be sure to save a spot for Longbottom."
Remus smirked back. "He's already down for Tuesday evenings. Moral support for the Wednesday morning practicum with you."
Snape snorted. "The boy's already stood up to some actual Death Eaters and lived to tell the tale. He should be able to survive me. But at least you've had some success with getting through to him in the past - I afraid I can't say the same."
"He just needs some confidence, Severus. And a bit of practice. That's mostly what he got out of Harry and Hermione's student association, which apparently had some success with him as well." Remus rather doubted that Severus would somehow miraculously develop the patience to do this by term-time, but he hoped some of his advice might sink in.
But the need for patience was apparently was not the part of his statement that Snape picked up on. Severus turned back to face the Headmaster to ask, "And what of this student association of Potter's? Do you expect it will now continue with faculty sanction?"
Remus and Minerva exchanged a glance. They had anticipated no small amount of resistance from Snape at the prospect of allowing Potter to run what amounted to a rival classroom.
"We had rather hoped that it would," said Minerva, "Considering the positive results."
"You consider having a group of wayward students breaking into the Ministry to confront a band of Death Eaters by themselves to be a positive result?"
Minerva glanced uneasily at Dumbledore before she continued. "I certainly don't condone the rash action, but you can hardly argue with the children's results. And it was such an excellent experience for Potter - taught him leadership, and…"
"I have no intention of interfering." Snape cut her off, sounding weary.
It was Minerva's turn to look surprised.
Snape sighed. "Most of the children will view me as an adversary - which as you've noted suits our purpose. While that might bring out the best in some, it may produce the very opposite result in others. The student Defense group provides the opportunity for them to practice their skills in a neutral environment. If that makes them more prepared, so much the better."
Snape paused, a wry smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Perhaps it might be better to let Potter think he's defying me, though. He'll put that much more effort into it."
Dumbledore chuckled softly. "I'm glad that you've chosen to be philosophical, Severus. It's true that this group should probably be working in conjunction with the professor in the subject area, but…. Well, perhaps that will come, in time."
"Perhaps."
"Well then, it seems as though we have a viable plan of action. Not a bad morning's work. Shall I send for some tea and biscuits then?"
As Dumbledore called up Dobby to arrange for the tea service, Minerva turned to Remus and said, with obvious pride, "Potter did have remarkable success getting through to Longbottom, didn't he? Perhaps he should go into teaching."
Snape shuddered. "Bite your tongue, Minerva."
There was a flash in the office's fireplace, and a note appeared in the grate. Dumbledore summoned it to him.
"I might have preferred hearing all of this before the announcement was made publicly." Snape said quietly to the others.
"For that you may justly blame me, Severus," said Minerva. "I wanted to surprise you."
"Because you know that I enjoy surprises."
Minerva, to Remus's surprise, actually giggled. "Because I know how much you detest them. Forgive an old Gryffindor her bit of mischief."
Severus rolled his eyes, but he'd finally begun to relax just a bit.
Only for a moment though, for Dumbledore interrupted, looking concerned. "Excuse me for changing the subject, but it seems we have a situation. Harry Potter has gone missing from the Dursleys'."
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tbc...