Disclaimer: NOT MINE! NOTHING IS MINE EXCEPT FOR LOKI, THOR, VECTOR, LEO,
AKIRA, KAZUKI, AND RIN! AND OTHER OCS IN FUTURE CHAPTERS! THE HOUSE-ELVES
BELONGS TO ME TOO!
First time attempting to write a Harry Potter fic so be kind and R&R. And no one beta-ed this so don't mind my grammar mistakes.
Warning: This will be SLASH! Meaning 2 guys in THAT kind of relationship!
Spoilers: Books 1-4, ignore 5
Pairings: Main - Severus/Sirius Others - Harry/Kazuki and Leo/Draco
Languages:
"blah blah blah" - English
'blah blah blah' - Japanese
------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Going to pair off students from different Houses?
(Posted 12/18/03 - Thursday)
------------------------------------------------------------------
"What is the meaning of this sudden meeting, Albus?" McGonagall asked, sipping warm tea while sitting on the right side of the Headmaster. "The first day of class hasn't even ended yet. I hope there's nothing seriously wrong for you to gather all the professors."
"Not at all Minerva, nothing to worry about," said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling in overdrive. "Severus, Aries, how about a lemon drop? Or would you prefer a different flavor? Young Snape gave me some extraordinary samples. There's cherry, orange, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, black current, grape, banana, butterscotch, and more."
"I'll pass," Severus said from the left of the Headmaster.
"I'm fine," said Sirius who was sitting next to Severus. "So who called this meeting anyway?"
"That is I want to know too," said McGonagall.
"It was my nephew's doing," said Severus. "Only he should actually be here for the meeting that he called for his own purpose."
"Can't blame the guy for being late," Sirius said with a laugh.
"Is my presence required for this meeting?" said Binns, the sole ghost professor in Hogwarts who taught the History of Magic class. "I want to revise my lecture a bit before my next class."
"He should just go," thought Severus. "Not that anything he changes would keep the students awake."
"Auror Snape wants every free teacher to listen to his proposal and offer opinions," said Dumbledore.
"Must be important then," squeaked Flitwick.
Severus snorted.
"You know what Thor's planning," Sirius accused, pointing a finger at the Potions Master. "Tell us."
"No," Severus simply said.
"Git," Sirius murmured under his breath.
"I heard you."
"And what are you going to do about it?"
"Hex you into St. Mungo's, that's what."
"Excuse my tardiness," Thor said, bursting into the staff meeting room in a dignified manner and interrupting what would have been an ugly fight between two grown wizards. "One of the staircases moved and I had to take another route."
"Oh yes," said Trelawney, the Divinations teacher, in her misty voice. "I have foreseen your lateness. Would you like me to read tea leaves for you? Maybe a palm reading - "
Thor gave her the Snape glare and she shut up.
"No harm done Auror Snape," Dumbledore said, ignoring the batty woman. "Please, speak."
"My pleasure Headmaster, and please, call me Thor."
Dumbledore nodded. "Then by all means, call me Albus."
"Alright Albus," said Thor. "Anyway, I have something to discuss in depth with everyone. I may not have been here for very long but it is apparent that the House rivalry in this school has gone too far. A healthy amount of competition is good and well but this goes beyond that, which brings us to my proposal."
"Well?" prompted Severus. "I have an afternoon class to prepare for."
"Don't rush me or I might leave something out," said Thor. "My proposal's main focus is to lessen the hate between the Houses so the first step we need to do is pair students from different Houses for the first term and see how it progresses. Create projects for them to work on together. Let them form friendships without other people condemning them. Take away the long tables and fill the Great Hall with smaller ones. Allow the students to pick who they want to eat with or spend time with. This is only a small part of my proposal but since this issue will not be easy to fix, we will have to take it slow."
"You have a longer proposal?" asked Dumbledore.
"Of course," Thor said, pulling out packets of papers from his bag and passing it along the table. "Here is the full proposal that I wrote up last night. Feel free to read at your own leisure, though for the sake of the students, you should read it at as soon as possible. I'm open to feedback so either leave me a note at my office door or see me in person."
"This is quite impressive," McGonagall said, skimming the pages. "This is a very detailed piece of work and I see the proof that supports everything. I must admit I had doubts with you being on the staff because of your relations with Severus but I have never seen a more objective view on the school."
"I take that as an insult, Minerva, and I have seen much better proposal before," said Severus, secretly proud. "But it is true that the strong House rivalry results in serious fighting, physically and magically so I support Thor in pairing them off."
"Thank you, Uncle, and this is only a rough draft," said Thor. "But that is because I have not observed long enough to perfect it yet. Give me two weeks and I'll give everyone a new version."
"Nicely written," remarked Hooch, the flying instructor. "How did you make all the letters the same size and equally spaced?"
"Muggle invention," said Thor. "A device called computer."
Hooch nodded approvingly; glad she didn't have to strain her eyes reading another's handwriting. Binns was reading over Sprout's shoulder, as he could not touch material things. The door opened and Rin walked in, dirt stains on each knees.
"Ah, that was a fun class," Rin said, sitting down. "I think I'll like teaching the fifth years the most."
"Here's your copy," said Thor. "How was your visit to the Forbidden Forest?"
"Forbidden Forest?" inquired McGonagall. "What's this about, Albus?"
"Hmm," Dumbledore said, stroking his beard. "Professor Rin requested permission to bring his class into the Forbidden Forest to teach then about acromantulas and I gave it to him."
The response was predictable. Sprout, Binns, and some other teachers gasped and Flitwick fainted outright.
"What did you say?" yelled McGonagall. "Have you lost your mind Albus? These are children you're letting into that dangerous place. Imagine the letters we'll be getting from the parents and the Ministry will not be pleased once words travels to them."
"As you see for yourself, Professor Rin is here so I presume the class went well and safe," said Dumbledore. "Isn't that right?"
"Yes, we had an enjoyable time in the forest, except for Mr. Weasley who seems to have a phobia with spiders," said Rin. "It was a good thing I paired him with Mr. Mizuno. He saved Mr. Weasley at least three times from being attacked."
"Leo is nearly impossible to scare," said Thor.
"I bumped into the nicest centaur too," said Rin. "His name is Firenze. We chatted a bit before he had to go."
"He's one of a kind, that Firenze," said Dumbledore. "It's rare to meet such an easy-going centaur."
"I completely agree Headmaster. We even set up another time for us to talk some more," said Rin. "It turns out we have much in common and have many questions that needs answers to. Today is really a lucky day for me."
Severus rubbed his temple as he felt a migraine forming.
"So you've made a new friend and he's a centaur," he said. "I have no qualms about it but can't you try making friends with normal people for once."
"But Father, he'll make a great friend," said Rin. "Unless you're ashamed of me because I'm abnormal."
"I didn't say that," said Severus.
"You hinted it," said Sirius.
"Stay out of my family's business," hissed Severus. "You shouldn't butt into someone else's conversation."
"Hey, I was just stating the truth," said Sirius. "And this is a teachers' meeting. It should be you leaving your family's business out of this room."
Severus snarled as the migraine became more intense. "I shouldn't be wasting my spit and breath on you."
"Like I want to hear you speak," said Sirius.
"No fighting please," Flitwick said, awakened from his faint.
"Oh, I have another idea to discuss with Professor Green and you, Uncle," said Thor, who didn't listen to their bickering. "It's plain for the students to see how much you two dislike each other so I was thinking that it would be beneficial for the students if you both assisted my Auror Training class."
"Wonderful idea," Dumbledore said, clapping his hands.
"Why would I want to?" said Severus. "I'm pressed for time as it is. I'm too busy to help."
"I wouldn't mind but you heard your precious Uncle Snape," said Sirius. "He's not going to help."
"Uncle," Thor said in low tone. "Didn't you say you would help me no matter what because I'm family?"
"Okay, I'll help but if it doesn't go well, I'm stopping," said Severus.
"Are you alright, Father?" Rin asked, finding it strange that the Potions Master gave in so easily and quickly. "Your face is a little pale."
"I'm fine," Severus said, even as the pain in his head got worse.
"No, you don't look fine," said Sirius, face grim. "You're trembling."
"I'm fine," said Severus. "And I'm not trembling."
"You really are Father," Rin said, worry creeping down his voice. "Let's get you to the Infirmary."
"I'm not going when there's nothing wrong with me," said Severus.
"Don't be difficult," said Thor. "Your face is wan and I don't like the sheen of cold sweat on you."
"What are you talking about?" said Severus, his voice wavering. "I'm telling you I'm fine. I'm a full-grown adult and I know when I'm ill or not."
"Severus, go to the Infirmary," said Dumbledore. "Let Poppy do a regular check-up on you so it would put me at ease."
"Go, go, go," said Flitwick, bouncing in his seat. "It is better to be safe than sorry."
"It's for your own good," said McGonagall. "We don't want to hire a substitute for you if you make a mistake in your brewing and injure yourself, which makes you incapacitated and cannot teach."
"The living is so lucky," said Binns. "The ability to get sick and heal is amazing."
"I see your bleak future," Trelawney said, her magnified bug eyes squinting at Severus. "This is a deadly illness you have. If left untreated, you will not only die a horrible death but pass the disease to your closest family. Oh, the horror I see!"
Severus sneered. "I'll go if it would shut you all up."
That got him a few indignant glances. He stood up and swayed unsteadily when a wave of dizziness hit him. Sirius noticed first and got to his feet in time to catch Severus when his legs gave out. Rin cried out in surprise but relaxed that his father did not cash into the hard ground. Thor was tightlipped, emotions such as worry and concern slipping behind his usual expressionless mask.
"Professor Green, don't just stand there," Thor said in his Auror's voice. "Carry him to the Infirmary now."
Sirius, in shock, acted accordingly, but the thought of using magic and levitating his bundle didn't cross his mind. The DADA professor shifted and held Severus with one arm behind the back and the other under the knees. Rin would have commented on how cute they looked if his adopted father didn't look so weak. Sirius left the room with Rin and Thor.
"This meeting is dismissed," said Dumbledore. "And remember to finish reading the proposal before our next meeting two weeks from now."
After that, he left for the Infirmary as well. The professors went their own separate ways but in their minds, they hoped Severus was fine. By the time the Headmaster reached his destination, Madam Pomfrey had already ordered Sirius to put Severus down on one of the beds and kicked him out. Rin and Thor were allowed to be with Severus during the examination because they were family members.
"Aries," Dumbledore said, putting a comforting hand on the agitated professor's shoulder. "He'll be fine."
"You don't understand Headmaster," said Sirius. "You didn't see how he clutched my robe and moaned in pain while I was carrying him here. It's not his personality to let people see him vulnerable but he was pathetic- looking. How can it possible for him to be so sick in such a short period of time?"
"I'm as puzzled as you are," said Dumbledore. "We have to wait patiently for Poppy's report."
Madam Pomfrey finally came out.
"You can see him at the moment but only for a minute," said Pomfrey. "He's resting."
Sirius went in but Dumbledore remained outside with the school nurse.
"What was wrong with him?" asked the Headmaster.
"Dark Arts," Pomfrey said simply and Dumbledore inhaled sharply. "I didn't know what to do to remove the pain but his son and nephew did. They talked in their own language in the beginning, then mumbled in another language and circled around his bed. I saw it myself, how after the mumbling Severus' face gained back color and he stopped shivering. Do you think it is Who-Know-Who's doing?"
"I'm not certain," said Dumbledore. "But I'll do everything in my power to protect Severus from anymore harm."
"I'm glad," said Pomfrey. "Severus doesn't deserve going through so much hardship. It's about time someone cared for him."
"I have always cared for Severus," said Dumbledore.
Pomfrey giggled. "I don't mean you Albus. You can't be blind to the affection blooming between Severus and the new DADA professor."
"You mean Severus and Aries? Together?" Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling again. "Hmm, this is an interesting development. I wouldn't have imagined."
"Call it a woman's intuition," said Pomfrey.
Rin and Thor came out from the Infirmary.
"You're not staying with Severus longer?" asked Dumbledore.
"Father's health has returned so I letting him have quality time with Professor Green," said Rin. "Luckily Thor and I knew a counter for the magic used on my Father."
"I'm going to hunt the culprit down and hurt him," said Thor.
"I see," said Dumbledore. "So you're not disgusted with the possibility that Severus might have a relationship with Aries?"
"Not one bit," said Rin. "If Father's happy, I'm happy."
"You don't need to give them pushes in the right direction," said Thor. "We, meaning Rin, Loki, his friends, and I, have it under control."
Meanwhile, inside the Infirmary Sirius was sitting in a chair next to Severus. Severus was deeply asleep after drinking a sleeping potion that he brewed himself. Sirius was doing nothing but studying the unconscious person. He felt relieved just by watching the chest move up and down rhythmically.
"Thank Merlin he's safe," thought Sirius. "Thor said it was Dark Arts that caused this. It must be Voldemort. I'll kill him. I swear I'll kill him. I'll kill him for killing my best friends, for making my godson into an orphan, for hurting the people that are important to me. What the? Since when did the greasy bastard become someone important to me? Damn that Voldemort."
Somewhere far, far away, the Dark Lord sneezed.
"Are you ill, master?" said Peter Pettigrew, also know as Wormtail, who was bowing low.
"I am the most powerful wizard of all times," hissed Voldemort. "Are you trying to insult me by implying I am weak enough to get sick?"
"Of course not, master," Wormtail said nervously. "Master is the most powerful. There is nothing that can harm you in any way."
"Good answer," hissed Voldemort as he touched his snake, Nagini, lovingly. "But not good enough. Crucio."
Wormtail writhed and screamed until his throat was raw.
"Now be a good servant and find the information I want," hissed Voldemort. "If you make another mistake, your punishment will be far worse."
"Yes master," Wormtail said meekly before making his exit.
"Soon Severus," Voldemort said, eyes glowing red in excitement. "Soon you will be by my side again. Very soon."
------------------------------------------------------------------
A.N. - In celebration of the end of my finals ~~~TA DA! An update!
And for future reference, the Groups (the important ones) for Care of magical Creatures are listed below:
Group 1 - Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Loki Snape
Group 2 - Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy
Group 3 - Theodore Nott, Kazuki Shimizu
Group 4 - Akira Touya, Blaise Zabini, Seamus Finnigan
Group 5 - Leo Mizuno, Ron Weasley
Group 6 - Dean Thomas, Pansy Parkinson
First time attempting to write a Harry Potter fic so be kind and R&R. And no one beta-ed this so don't mind my grammar mistakes.
Warning: This will be SLASH! Meaning 2 guys in THAT kind of relationship!
Spoilers: Books 1-4, ignore 5
Pairings: Main - Severus/Sirius Others - Harry/Kazuki and Leo/Draco
Languages:
"blah blah blah" - English
'blah blah blah' - Japanese
------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Going to pair off students from different Houses?
(Posted 12/18/03 - Thursday)
------------------------------------------------------------------
"What is the meaning of this sudden meeting, Albus?" McGonagall asked, sipping warm tea while sitting on the right side of the Headmaster. "The first day of class hasn't even ended yet. I hope there's nothing seriously wrong for you to gather all the professors."
"Not at all Minerva, nothing to worry about," said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling in overdrive. "Severus, Aries, how about a lemon drop? Or would you prefer a different flavor? Young Snape gave me some extraordinary samples. There's cherry, orange, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, black current, grape, banana, butterscotch, and more."
"I'll pass," Severus said from the left of the Headmaster.
"I'm fine," said Sirius who was sitting next to Severus. "So who called this meeting anyway?"
"That is I want to know too," said McGonagall.
"It was my nephew's doing," said Severus. "Only he should actually be here for the meeting that he called for his own purpose."
"Can't blame the guy for being late," Sirius said with a laugh.
"Is my presence required for this meeting?" said Binns, the sole ghost professor in Hogwarts who taught the History of Magic class. "I want to revise my lecture a bit before my next class."
"He should just go," thought Severus. "Not that anything he changes would keep the students awake."
"Auror Snape wants every free teacher to listen to his proposal and offer opinions," said Dumbledore.
"Must be important then," squeaked Flitwick.
Severus snorted.
"You know what Thor's planning," Sirius accused, pointing a finger at the Potions Master. "Tell us."
"No," Severus simply said.
"Git," Sirius murmured under his breath.
"I heard you."
"And what are you going to do about it?"
"Hex you into St. Mungo's, that's what."
"Excuse my tardiness," Thor said, bursting into the staff meeting room in a dignified manner and interrupting what would have been an ugly fight between two grown wizards. "One of the staircases moved and I had to take another route."
"Oh yes," said Trelawney, the Divinations teacher, in her misty voice. "I have foreseen your lateness. Would you like me to read tea leaves for you? Maybe a palm reading - "
Thor gave her the Snape glare and she shut up.
"No harm done Auror Snape," Dumbledore said, ignoring the batty woman. "Please, speak."
"My pleasure Headmaster, and please, call me Thor."
Dumbledore nodded. "Then by all means, call me Albus."
"Alright Albus," said Thor. "Anyway, I have something to discuss in depth with everyone. I may not have been here for very long but it is apparent that the House rivalry in this school has gone too far. A healthy amount of competition is good and well but this goes beyond that, which brings us to my proposal."
"Well?" prompted Severus. "I have an afternoon class to prepare for."
"Don't rush me or I might leave something out," said Thor. "My proposal's main focus is to lessen the hate between the Houses so the first step we need to do is pair students from different Houses for the first term and see how it progresses. Create projects for them to work on together. Let them form friendships without other people condemning them. Take away the long tables and fill the Great Hall with smaller ones. Allow the students to pick who they want to eat with or spend time with. This is only a small part of my proposal but since this issue will not be easy to fix, we will have to take it slow."
"You have a longer proposal?" asked Dumbledore.
"Of course," Thor said, pulling out packets of papers from his bag and passing it along the table. "Here is the full proposal that I wrote up last night. Feel free to read at your own leisure, though for the sake of the students, you should read it at as soon as possible. I'm open to feedback so either leave me a note at my office door or see me in person."
"This is quite impressive," McGonagall said, skimming the pages. "This is a very detailed piece of work and I see the proof that supports everything. I must admit I had doubts with you being on the staff because of your relations with Severus but I have never seen a more objective view on the school."
"I take that as an insult, Minerva, and I have seen much better proposal before," said Severus, secretly proud. "But it is true that the strong House rivalry results in serious fighting, physically and magically so I support Thor in pairing them off."
"Thank you, Uncle, and this is only a rough draft," said Thor. "But that is because I have not observed long enough to perfect it yet. Give me two weeks and I'll give everyone a new version."
"Nicely written," remarked Hooch, the flying instructor. "How did you make all the letters the same size and equally spaced?"
"Muggle invention," said Thor. "A device called computer."
Hooch nodded approvingly; glad she didn't have to strain her eyes reading another's handwriting. Binns was reading over Sprout's shoulder, as he could not touch material things. The door opened and Rin walked in, dirt stains on each knees.
"Ah, that was a fun class," Rin said, sitting down. "I think I'll like teaching the fifth years the most."
"Here's your copy," said Thor. "How was your visit to the Forbidden Forest?"
"Forbidden Forest?" inquired McGonagall. "What's this about, Albus?"
"Hmm," Dumbledore said, stroking his beard. "Professor Rin requested permission to bring his class into the Forbidden Forest to teach then about acromantulas and I gave it to him."
The response was predictable. Sprout, Binns, and some other teachers gasped and Flitwick fainted outright.
"What did you say?" yelled McGonagall. "Have you lost your mind Albus? These are children you're letting into that dangerous place. Imagine the letters we'll be getting from the parents and the Ministry will not be pleased once words travels to them."
"As you see for yourself, Professor Rin is here so I presume the class went well and safe," said Dumbledore. "Isn't that right?"
"Yes, we had an enjoyable time in the forest, except for Mr. Weasley who seems to have a phobia with spiders," said Rin. "It was a good thing I paired him with Mr. Mizuno. He saved Mr. Weasley at least three times from being attacked."
"Leo is nearly impossible to scare," said Thor.
"I bumped into the nicest centaur too," said Rin. "His name is Firenze. We chatted a bit before he had to go."
"He's one of a kind, that Firenze," said Dumbledore. "It's rare to meet such an easy-going centaur."
"I completely agree Headmaster. We even set up another time for us to talk some more," said Rin. "It turns out we have much in common and have many questions that needs answers to. Today is really a lucky day for me."
Severus rubbed his temple as he felt a migraine forming.
"So you've made a new friend and he's a centaur," he said. "I have no qualms about it but can't you try making friends with normal people for once."
"But Father, he'll make a great friend," said Rin. "Unless you're ashamed of me because I'm abnormal."
"I didn't say that," said Severus.
"You hinted it," said Sirius.
"Stay out of my family's business," hissed Severus. "You shouldn't butt into someone else's conversation."
"Hey, I was just stating the truth," said Sirius. "And this is a teachers' meeting. It should be you leaving your family's business out of this room."
Severus snarled as the migraine became more intense. "I shouldn't be wasting my spit and breath on you."
"Like I want to hear you speak," said Sirius.
"No fighting please," Flitwick said, awakened from his faint.
"Oh, I have another idea to discuss with Professor Green and you, Uncle," said Thor, who didn't listen to their bickering. "It's plain for the students to see how much you two dislike each other so I was thinking that it would be beneficial for the students if you both assisted my Auror Training class."
"Wonderful idea," Dumbledore said, clapping his hands.
"Why would I want to?" said Severus. "I'm pressed for time as it is. I'm too busy to help."
"I wouldn't mind but you heard your precious Uncle Snape," said Sirius. "He's not going to help."
"Uncle," Thor said in low tone. "Didn't you say you would help me no matter what because I'm family?"
"Okay, I'll help but if it doesn't go well, I'm stopping," said Severus.
"Are you alright, Father?" Rin asked, finding it strange that the Potions Master gave in so easily and quickly. "Your face is a little pale."
"I'm fine," Severus said, even as the pain in his head got worse.
"No, you don't look fine," said Sirius, face grim. "You're trembling."
"I'm fine," said Severus. "And I'm not trembling."
"You really are Father," Rin said, worry creeping down his voice. "Let's get you to the Infirmary."
"I'm not going when there's nothing wrong with me," said Severus.
"Don't be difficult," said Thor. "Your face is wan and I don't like the sheen of cold sweat on you."
"What are you talking about?" said Severus, his voice wavering. "I'm telling you I'm fine. I'm a full-grown adult and I know when I'm ill or not."
"Severus, go to the Infirmary," said Dumbledore. "Let Poppy do a regular check-up on you so it would put me at ease."
"Go, go, go," said Flitwick, bouncing in his seat. "It is better to be safe than sorry."
"It's for your own good," said McGonagall. "We don't want to hire a substitute for you if you make a mistake in your brewing and injure yourself, which makes you incapacitated and cannot teach."
"The living is so lucky," said Binns. "The ability to get sick and heal is amazing."
"I see your bleak future," Trelawney said, her magnified bug eyes squinting at Severus. "This is a deadly illness you have. If left untreated, you will not only die a horrible death but pass the disease to your closest family. Oh, the horror I see!"
Severus sneered. "I'll go if it would shut you all up."
That got him a few indignant glances. He stood up and swayed unsteadily when a wave of dizziness hit him. Sirius noticed first and got to his feet in time to catch Severus when his legs gave out. Rin cried out in surprise but relaxed that his father did not cash into the hard ground. Thor was tightlipped, emotions such as worry and concern slipping behind his usual expressionless mask.
"Professor Green, don't just stand there," Thor said in his Auror's voice. "Carry him to the Infirmary now."
Sirius, in shock, acted accordingly, but the thought of using magic and levitating his bundle didn't cross his mind. The DADA professor shifted and held Severus with one arm behind the back and the other under the knees. Rin would have commented on how cute they looked if his adopted father didn't look so weak. Sirius left the room with Rin and Thor.
"This meeting is dismissed," said Dumbledore. "And remember to finish reading the proposal before our next meeting two weeks from now."
After that, he left for the Infirmary as well. The professors went their own separate ways but in their minds, they hoped Severus was fine. By the time the Headmaster reached his destination, Madam Pomfrey had already ordered Sirius to put Severus down on one of the beds and kicked him out. Rin and Thor were allowed to be with Severus during the examination because they were family members.
"Aries," Dumbledore said, putting a comforting hand on the agitated professor's shoulder. "He'll be fine."
"You don't understand Headmaster," said Sirius. "You didn't see how he clutched my robe and moaned in pain while I was carrying him here. It's not his personality to let people see him vulnerable but he was pathetic- looking. How can it possible for him to be so sick in such a short period of time?"
"I'm as puzzled as you are," said Dumbledore. "We have to wait patiently for Poppy's report."
Madam Pomfrey finally came out.
"You can see him at the moment but only for a minute," said Pomfrey. "He's resting."
Sirius went in but Dumbledore remained outside with the school nurse.
"What was wrong with him?" asked the Headmaster.
"Dark Arts," Pomfrey said simply and Dumbledore inhaled sharply. "I didn't know what to do to remove the pain but his son and nephew did. They talked in their own language in the beginning, then mumbled in another language and circled around his bed. I saw it myself, how after the mumbling Severus' face gained back color and he stopped shivering. Do you think it is Who-Know-Who's doing?"
"I'm not certain," said Dumbledore. "But I'll do everything in my power to protect Severus from anymore harm."
"I'm glad," said Pomfrey. "Severus doesn't deserve going through so much hardship. It's about time someone cared for him."
"I have always cared for Severus," said Dumbledore.
Pomfrey giggled. "I don't mean you Albus. You can't be blind to the affection blooming between Severus and the new DADA professor."
"You mean Severus and Aries? Together?" Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling again. "Hmm, this is an interesting development. I wouldn't have imagined."
"Call it a woman's intuition," said Pomfrey.
Rin and Thor came out from the Infirmary.
"You're not staying with Severus longer?" asked Dumbledore.
"Father's health has returned so I letting him have quality time with Professor Green," said Rin. "Luckily Thor and I knew a counter for the magic used on my Father."
"I'm going to hunt the culprit down and hurt him," said Thor.
"I see," said Dumbledore. "So you're not disgusted with the possibility that Severus might have a relationship with Aries?"
"Not one bit," said Rin. "If Father's happy, I'm happy."
"You don't need to give them pushes in the right direction," said Thor. "We, meaning Rin, Loki, his friends, and I, have it under control."
Meanwhile, inside the Infirmary Sirius was sitting in a chair next to Severus. Severus was deeply asleep after drinking a sleeping potion that he brewed himself. Sirius was doing nothing but studying the unconscious person. He felt relieved just by watching the chest move up and down rhythmically.
"Thank Merlin he's safe," thought Sirius. "Thor said it was Dark Arts that caused this. It must be Voldemort. I'll kill him. I swear I'll kill him. I'll kill him for killing my best friends, for making my godson into an orphan, for hurting the people that are important to me. What the? Since when did the greasy bastard become someone important to me? Damn that Voldemort."
Somewhere far, far away, the Dark Lord sneezed.
"Are you ill, master?" said Peter Pettigrew, also know as Wormtail, who was bowing low.
"I am the most powerful wizard of all times," hissed Voldemort. "Are you trying to insult me by implying I am weak enough to get sick?"
"Of course not, master," Wormtail said nervously. "Master is the most powerful. There is nothing that can harm you in any way."
"Good answer," hissed Voldemort as he touched his snake, Nagini, lovingly. "But not good enough. Crucio."
Wormtail writhed and screamed until his throat was raw.
"Now be a good servant and find the information I want," hissed Voldemort. "If you make another mistake, your punishment will be far worse."
"Yes master," Wormtail said meekly before making his exit.
"Soon Severus," Voldemort said, eyes glowing red in excitement. "Soon you will be by my side again. Very soon."
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A.N. - In celebration of the end of my finals ~~~TA DA! An update!
And for future reference, the Groups (the important ones) for Care of magical Creatures are listed below:
Group 1 - Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Loki Snape
Group 2 - Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy
Group 3 - Theodore Nott, Kazuki Shimizu
Group 4 - Akira Touya, Blaise Zabini, Seamus Finnigan
Group 5 - Leo Mizuno, Ron Weasley
Group 6 - Dean Thomas, Pansy Parkinson