Multi-Chapter Fic:
Summary: Remus returns to Hogwarts as DADA Professor for Harry's Seventh year. He and Snape are set to work on a potion to cure Lycanthropy, needing the experience of a Werewolf and a Potions Master. But as Snape learns some things about his potions partner, he finds he wants to delve a little deeper. SS/RL.
A/N: Okay people! Bear with me here…it'll get better. I already have the first four chapters written (after this, so technically it's five) and will put them up soon. I like Severus Snape, he's an interesting character and great to write and work with, and Remus Lupin was always one of my favorites. Nobody ever really does Remus and Severus fictions, so here we go. It'll get better later on in chapters that I've written as I begin to piece the story together and grasp the concept.
Sherlock Snape
When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state
(Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
Shakespeare
Prologue: Surprise, Surprise.
Remus Lupin, a decidedly tired, but caring soul, was startled awake by a soft rat-a-tat-tat on his bedroom window. He sat upright in bed, muttering curses for being woken so early in the morning. He glanced at the clock hanging above the small fireplace. Six o'clock in the morning. He groaned, but hauled himself up out of his bed and stumbled wearily over to the window. He opened it up and let the large barn owl into his bedroom at 12 Grimmauld Place, which he had taken over as his home after Sirius's death a little over a year ago.
Sirius's death had been hard on them all, but none so much as Remus and Harry Potter. Harry had wallowed in his sorrow for the better part of his sixth year, but was distracted from depression by the burdens on his shoulders. The burden of the safety of the wizarding world and Muggle-world alike. Voldemort was still at large, but several attacks had followed the one on the Ministry of Magic. Just last spring, there had been a major Death Eater attack on Hogsmeade. It was extremely disturbing for everyone, Hogsmeade being so close to Hogwarts, and in turn, being so close to Harry.
The Attack was on a day that was meant to be a Hogsmeade visit, but got canceled due to the weather. Hogwarts had been burdened by a thunder storm. While this was acceptable for Quidditch, it was not, for this. It seems, too, that exceptions are always being made for Quidditch. The weather, had in fact forced everyone inside, and shops to close. There fore, when the Death Eaters arrived, they found empty streets and stores, but faces pressed to windows, eyes wide with terror. They had left with after only trashing and looting several stores, a very un-Death Eater thing to do. They may be the Dark Lords puppets, but they weren't pirates.
And Harry, to top it all off, was still having dreams. Severus Snape, stubborn as always, had refused to take up teaching Occlumency again, but Dumbledore had decided to take drastic measures. He had threatened Severus his teaching position if he did not take up the lessons again in Harry's seventh year. Now, Severus, being prideful and all, and felt very belittled by this. But, he figured his job and capability of survival was more important then his pride, and had complied. So, in two weeks time, when Harry started his last year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he would learn to fight off Lord Voldemort to a greater extent then before. In fact, if all went well, he would even be able to penetrate Voldemort's mind with the use of Legilimens.
Remus sighed and walked over to where the owl was sitting impatiently on his bed. He removed it's letter from the throng that was tied to it's leg, gave it a few owl treats, and watched it fly back out into the dawn. He frowned as he turned back to the letter. It bore the Hogwarts Seal, and on the front was addressed to:
Remus Lupin,
3rd Bedroom, Second Floor,
12 Grimmauld Place, London.
Why would anyone writing from Hogwarts be fool enough to mention 12 Grimmauld Place? What if the bird had been intercepted? He shook his head at the dangerous mistake, but broke the seal an pulled out a piece of yellow parchment. Written on it in green, spindly lettering was:
Dear Remus,
I would like to ask you a personal and Hogwarts favor. As you may know, our last Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, Halle Forester, was caught in the crossfire of an attack just two weeks ago in a Wizarding Village outside of Zurich, Switzerland while visiting some relatives over her Summer vacation. It seems that Lord Voldemort is beginning to make his mark on the rest of the world as well. I fear that no Wizarding community on Earth altogether is safe anymore if it is widely known. As a result of this, Professor Forester is in St. Mungo's, healing the best she can, although her memory has been erased. And so it happens that we are as of yet out of the use of a new Professor for the upcoming year.
It would give me great pleasure (as, I am sure, many of the staff here at Hogwarts and their pupils) if you would return once again to teach the position. We would all greatly appreciate it, but if you do not want to, that is fine as well. But let me warn you; Parents are no longer going to bother about you affliction, they are simply (as well as are we) intent on finding anyone at all to teach their children at this time. You are highly qualified and recommended by the Board of School Governors, and in fact, by many parents who have heard their children's account of your teaching methods.
That is all that I can offer for you, as well as first hand supply of Wolfsbane Draught and access to your duties as Second Godfather to Harry. Please send your reply as soon as possible. If yes, come to Hogwarts in one weeks time so we can prepare your lesson plans and such. If no, you may carry on with your daily life as usual.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
PS: There is also something else that may be attainable at Hogwarts for you, if willing to participate.
Remus re-read the letter one more time before sitting heavily down on his large bed. Teach? Again? He wasn't sure if that was such a good idea, even if the people didn't mind. But Albus was right. It did have it's benefits…and he had loved teaching. Well, one thing was for certain. This was definitely surprise.
"WHAT?!" Severus Snape was slightly red in the face and a vein was going of in his left temple.
"Severus, calm down." Came the collected tone of Albus Dumbledore, whom was sitting across from him in his desk chair and the only other inhabitant (besides Severus) of the Headmasters Office.
"I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING ALBUS?!"
"You know as well as I do that Remus Lupin is a completely competent and credible teacher, Severus. The fact that he suffers from Lycanthropy has nothing to do with his teaching, which is the only thing that matters."
"BUT HE IS A DANGER TO THE CHILDREN!"
"You know Severus," Dumbledore's voice came a little cooler then before. "It seems as if the children's safety is the last thing on your mind. No, in fact, it seems you are basing you judgment sorely on you dislike--childish dislike a might add, simply because he was the friend of you school-boy tormentors--of the man. It is foolhardy of you to let that get between the relationship you two might have." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled mischievously.
Snape stared at the man. Surely the old dog must have finally lost his sanity? "Re-relationship?!" He asked, completely flustered. "What kind of relationship?" His eyes narrowed as Dumbledore simply smiled that smile that said 'I-know-something-and-you-don't'. Snape started up again, "And I assure you it has nothing to do with a 'childish grudge'."
Dumbledore's smile widened. "Of course not, dear boy. Now, I do believe it's time for dinner. You may go."
Severus wanting to strangle the old man, with his mockingly maniacal glint to his eyes. He wanted to strangle the old fool for being so obviously annoyingly secretive and incompetent. But he couldn't. After all, Dumbledore was the one man that trusted him, treated him with respect. His mentor and employer. He settled for simply scowling at the broad, wrinkled smile, before he crept out of the door and towards the Staff Room for Dinner.
One thing was certain: Remus Lupin coming to teach at the school again and Severus Snape being expected to make amends with him was definitely a surprise.
A/N: Thanks for reading! This is my first ever attempt to write a long fiction, so give me a chance. I have two going at the moment (both slash fictions) and I write in each every day, so hang on there. Review and NO FLAMES! Give me your suggestions and opinions, thanks!