Author's Note: Do I think the following is possible? Most likely not, but this isn't canon book or canon movie Snape, though Snape is more like the movie one.
Headmaster Dumbledore knocked on the office door and opened it. Severus knelt on the floor, tending to the dog's open wounds. Albus winced in sympathy. That abrasion did not look healthy; though he was sure that his potions professor would do the best she could to save the limb.
The dog looked uncomfortable with the attention it received, which seemed odd since dogs were sociable creatures. So, the discomfort must be from his injury and being held in one place instead of being able to roam free. He must be reading more into the dog's tense posture than was truly there.
Although, upon closer study, he thought he saw something more than mere distress in the dog's eyes.
Something almost human.
No, it couldn't possibly be…really, the idea was unthinkable. It couldn't be him.
Could it?
The sound of his name being called repeatedly in a worried voice brought him from his thoughts. "I'm sorry, Severus. What is it?"
"That's just what I was asking you, Headmaster Dumbledore. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, just sympathizing with the poor creature. How is his leg?"
Rising, Severus went to get some medicated bandages and knelt back down. Rewrapping the limb, the professor answered in an even tone. Having taken care of many patients, the professor knew that they read more in the tenor of voice than in the words.
Dog or not, she didn't want to worry him. "Much better than I was expecting after a night of medication-even if the dog does have magical roots. But there are some things about the injury that bother me. In a few days, I shall ask Madame Pomphrey to see him."
The dog jerked and started trembling at the words.
"Easy, boy," Severus soothed. Firm, almost melodically, she spoke and rubbed him until he stopped his shaking. "What in the name of Merlyn was that about? Do you think this dog understands what I am saying?"
Though he had some suspicions, Albus thought it best that he remain silent. For if he was wrong, an innocent life would be harmed. "I cannot say for I don't know much about this breed of dog."
And if he was right, an old grudge may just be healed.
"You? Admitting to ignorance of something? Now, that's a first," she muttered suspiciously. Something about the headmaster's attitude rang false to her. There was some mystery here that he wasn't going to let her in on.
"I am glad to hear that the dog is on the mend. You really should name him, you know," he suddenly said, deciding to ignore her comments.
"I'll take that into consideration," Severus replied, still wary of him. Brushing off her hands, she rose and replaced everything she'd used to tend the wounded creature.
"I have something to ask you to do," he started.
Severus groaned. "Fine."
"Just like that?"
"I have learned that it is useless to fight you. So, I'll do whatever you want." Severus was resigned-and unwilling to have a repeat of last night's performance. The memory still brought chills to her body.
"With no complaints?"
"I'm not promising miracles, sir." Albus laughed and told Severus what he wanted of his potions professor.
Defense Against the Dark Arts.
The "cursed" class was arguably the most favorite class for Harry and his Gryffindors-especially since Professor Lupin had come to teach. The windows were wide open, letting in the sunshine and they talked quietly amongst themselves, wondering when their professor would arrive.
Like an ill wind, a chilly air swept through the classroom and they shuddered, knowing an omen of bad happenings when they felt it.
Windows snapped closed as Professor Snape strode down the path in between the desks and turned to face them, an unpleasant look on the thin face that faced them.
In other words, the professor looked much the same as always. "Professor Lupin as you can see, is not here," the professor stated, glaring darkly at the class. "I am sure he will be missed. As I was not prepared to take over and have no desire to search through his belongings to find his lesson plans, we shall play a game of Wizarding Trivial Pursuit."
A stern look silenced any cheers that might've erupted from the news. If any had been bold enough to do so that is. "This is Professor Lupin's class, therefore, the magical charter dictates that I must follow the rules he established. While I will not favor any student here, beware when you are in my own. Do not press your luck."
Beetle black eyes glared at the class warningly, focusing on Potter, Granger, and Weasley a beat longer than the others. "The teams will be randomly chosen. Points will be rewarded or deducted from the team directly, regardless of house." Pointing to each student, they were assigned them a number from one to four and split them up into four teams.
While they gathered into their assigned groups-and wasn't it ironic that Harry and Draco found themselves on the same side? Professor Snape set up the six categories on large canvas flags. "Does anybody beside Miss. Granger have an inkling of an idea about how this game is played?"
No one moved, not knowing if it was a trick question or not. Finally, a Slytherin student raised her hand timidly.
"Well?" the professor snapped. "Do you have an response or are you merely stretching?"
"The teams are asked questions and they answer them until they miss one, then another team is given the question. If they answer it correctly, their turn begins. The game is won when one team gets all the tokens for all the categories and answers a question from a random category correctly."
"Succinct and correct. Five points to Slytherin," Severus murmured. "The categories will be: Potions. Defense Against the Dark Arts. Charms. Muggle Studies. Quidditch. I require that for those two categories answers must come from all and not just those raised among muggles and the Quidditch players. I want no complaints about it being unfair because certain teams have an advantage."
This was said as the professor looked directly at Draco and Harry's team, then over at the team Hermione and Seamus were on. "And our last category shall be Transfiguration."
Hermione raised her hand and waited, impatiently for the professor to call on her.
"What is it?" Snape snapped.
"How will we determine who goes first? Will we have team captains? If so, how do we decide who they are?"
"Captains," Severus repeated. "If you must have them, you must have them." With a sigh, the dark eyes studied them and picked four relatively neutral people to lead. "Team one will begin and will be followed by the second, on to the fourth. Is that clear? Or must I use words of two syllables to make myself understandable?"
As no one wanted to answer that, the game began.
Remus Lupin opened his eyes and looked around the infirmary blearily. The pounding in his head was relentless. Headmaster Dumbledore leaned over him slightly and he jumped, startled by the sight.
"And how are you?"
"Am I dead?" he asked.
"Not quite," the Headmaster smiled at him.
"Well, I should be," Remus croaked. Every muscle in his body ached with a pain that was new, yet old. The professor enjoyed a very intimate love/hate relationship with the wolfsbane potion. He loved the way it kept him from being a danger to others.
He hated the after effects of it, though he supposed he would acclimate to it soon enough.
"That good, huh?"
Remus stared at him for a moment, befuddled. "That's a joke, right?" he croaked.
"Not a very good one, I suppose." Albus sighed. "You and Severus are harsh critics."
"What?"
"Never mind, dear boy. Do you feel up to speaking?"
"Aren't I?" he asked, confused.
The Headmaster twinkled. "In a round about manner, yes."
"Why?" he sleepily questioned, closing his eyes briefly.
"Never mind, just sleep." Albus rose and walked out, worried about this reaction to the potion. It was new and he would need to inform Severus of it.
