April And Snape's Deal

Sirius strode into the room, drying his wet hair with a thick bath towel. Looking at his long-time friend, he asked, "What are you promising?"

April recovered quickly. "You took way longer than five minutes," she chided, tongue-in-cheek. "I got Remus to promise to drag you out of that bathroom if you take any longer."

Sirius grinned sheepishly before settling on the couch opposite them. "So, Moony," he turned serious. "You have news for us?"

The werewolf nodded. "I spoke to Dumbledore earlier this morning."

"What did he say?"

"He'll make the announcement at breakfast later. All classes are suspended for the next few days. And no communications with the outside world. No owls and no Floo network."

"Yes!" Sirius punched a fist into the air.

"All staff members who can conjure a Patronus will be divided into four groups. Each group will take charge of training one House," Remus continued. "The first to third years are exempted."

"What?" Sirius stood up abruptly, the towel falling to his feet.

"The headmaster figured that their grasp of magic will not be strong enough anyway. But he did add that if their Defense Against Dark Arts professor - meaning you - feel that any one of them show potential, they can join the fourth years in their lessons."

Sirius sat down again, appeased. "We need as many kids as we can get," he muttered.

"I think Albus is doing the right thing," April spoke up. "Time is essence now and it's better spent with the older kids who are more likely to succeed."

Sirius did not want to admit that Dumbledore was probably right. He decided to steer to a topic he thought was safer. "Do we get to choose which House to take care of?" When he noticed Remus' hesitance, he added, "Spill the beans! You're not going to tell me I'm stuck with the Hufflepuffs, are you?"

"You're with the Gryffindors," Remus said slowly as he smoothed a piece of parchment he had been clasping in his hand. Sirius impatiently snatched it over and examined the list. The grin was soon wiped off his face and he started a string of incoherent curses under his breath. "How can he do that? Has the old fool gone senile or something?" he yelled.

He thrust the parchment to his girlfriend whose eyes widened as she read:

            Gryffindor – Professor McGonagall, Professor Black, Professor Sinistra

            Hufflepuff – Professor Sprout, Mr Moody, Professor Vector

            Ravenclaw – Professor Flitwick, Professor Lupin, Madam Hooch

            Slytherin – Professor Snape, Miss Flamel, Madam Pince

April went through the list for the second time before returning it to Remus. She finally understood what triggered Sirius' outburst.

"I don't want to work with Sinistra. April can swap teams with her," Sirius declared.

Remus shook his head slowly.

"If Sinistra refuses, I'll swap with April! She'll work well with McGonagall."

"Dumbledore doesn't allow swaps, Padfoot," Remus said quietly. Before his friend could cut in, he explained, "I've tried, believe me, I did. I offered to change places with April but he'll not hear of it. I also offered to swap with Pince so that April will not be alone with Snape, but Dumbledore said the groupings are final."

"What do you mean alone with Snape?" Sirius asked suspiciously. "Why would she be alone with Snape when there's three in each team?"

Remus cleared his thought nervously. This is going to be unpleasant, he thought. "Madam Pince needs to be in the library most of the time since the students need to do their revisions when they're not undergoing training."

"Then why must it be Pince? Why bother adding her to the list at all? What about Pomfrey? Or Mundungus? Or Arabella?" Sirius stood up again. His fists were clenched tightly.

"Mundugus and Arabella will be stocking up the chocolates. They're not Hogwarts staff so they're less likely to be followed by the Death Eaters. Pomfrey has to distribute the chocolates to the students and of course, to standby at the Hospital Wing in case there're any accidents."

Sirius racked his brains. "That Muggle teacher?"

"A squib." Remus anticipated the next question and pre-empted him. "Hagrid and Trelawney need to train with the headmaster."

"Then Slytherin is short of one teacher. I'm sure McGonagall and I can manage. We can spare Sinistra! I'll tell Dumbledore! If he dares to refuse, I'll give him a piece of my mind! I'll tell him –"

"Cool it, Sirus," April cut in calmly.

He stopped and stared at her as though he could not believe his ears.

"If Albus thinks I should work with Snape, that's what I'll do."

"This is not the right time to be wilful." Sirius grabbed her by her shoulders and barely resisted giving her a good shake. "You must not be alone with Snape. I trust you still remember what he did to you the last time that happened?"

April rolled her eyes, much to Sirius' annoyance. "Albus will not pair us up if he thinks Snape will hurt me. Besides, I'll not be alone with him. There'll be plenty of students around."

"Those Slytherins! That's even worse!" Sirius freaked out. "You're not only with the chief devil but surrounded by his little snakes as well! I'll speak to Dumbledore at once! I'll make him –" He stopped abruptly when April started to giggle. "What's so funny?" he demanded angrily. He looked to Remus for support and was even more agitated when his friend was obviously trying to hold back his laughter too. "Care to share the joke?" he barked, beginning to wonder if his two companions were put under some kind of spell.

"I'm sorry, Padfoot," Remus said, trying to keep a straight face. "I'm concerned with the pairings too. But I –" he cracked a smile. "I can't help but feel that you're over-reacting."

"That's an understatement," April quipped. "You're fussing like a mother hen."

Sirius shot her the dirtiest look he could master.

April turned sombre. "Snape has been actually quite civil to me lately. And he has already apologised for what happened in the dungeon."

"Apologise? Old Snape?" Sirius snorted in disbelief.

"And more importantly," she carried on, "I think Albus is giving me a test and I plan to pass it with flying colours."

"You're out of your mind." Sirius thundered. "Moony, are you going to sit there grinning like a fool or are you helping drum some sense into her?"

Remus cleared his throat as he stood up slowly. "April, if you feel uncomfortable working with Snape, we can try talking to Dumbledore again."

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me," she replied casually.

"Don't worry? How can we not worry? This time, you'll be stuck in the dungeons with that snake while the rest of us are too far away in other parts of the school to help you!"

"Sirius, don't fuss please."

"I promised you I'll never let you out of my sight again and I intend to keep my word. I'll not allow you to be alone with Snape! Not ever!"

"Please, Sirius. I'm not a kid anymore," she said irritably.

"Then stop acting like one! Why must you be so eager to prove yourself to that old fool? That's not a good reason to put your own life at risk! This is not a game, April Flamel."

"Can you trust me please?"

"I trust you. It's Snape I don't trust!"

She pursed her lips into a stubborn line. "Then you have to trust that I can take care of myself and that I can handle Snape."

Sirius badly wanted to remind her of her inability to do just that barely a couple of weeks ago, but he knew that would lead to a huge argument.

The couple glared at each other, seething with anger and frustration.

Remus decided to break the tensed silence. "Let's go. Dumbledore will be making the announcement any time now and there're other details we need to find out."

To his relief, the two obeyed without another word and let him lead them to the Great Hall.

*

Remus found himself seated between Sirius and April at breakfast.

Sirius was still in a terrible mood and refused to look at Dumbledore, not even when his name was mentioned in the headmaster's speech a total of three times.

April, seated on Remus' other side, was listening intently to the headmaster's instructions. There was very little that the werewolf had not already told them, except how the students would be scheduled. Each session would take two hours. The fourth and fifth years would take the first and second slots in the mornings respectively, while the sixth and final year students would split the afternoon slots. Students found to have potential might be called back for additional lessons in the evenings. The younger students would be given assignments by their professors and were required to submit completed essays by the end of the school week. Prefects were told to make sure that the older students practice the Patronus Charm during their own free time.

Remus turned his attention to the four long tables in front of him. There was fear and shock in every face -even the Slytherins' - as they were told about the impending threat and how Hogwarts would be cut off from the outside world with immediate effect. Some had even started sobbing as though they were already at their deathbeds, but most gradually began to draw courage from the headmaster's inspiring and encouraging speech. Remus noted that the elderly man did not reveal when the attack was likely to take place. The students were just told that they had to be prepared and stay vigilant for "as long as it takes".

They're too young to go through this. Remus felt almost angry on the students' behalf. He wished fervently that everything would work out fine and life would soon be normal at Hogwarts again.

*

The first lesson started almost immediately after breakfast. April shivered slightly as she waited for the fourth-year Slytherins to file into the dungeon, and began to regret not choosing a thicker set of robes. A nagging voice at the back of her mind reminded her that she was nowhere as brave as she pretended to be in front of Sirius and Remus.

She frowned impatiently when she noticed that the Slytherins obviously felt no sense of urgency. They were taking their time to saunter into the classroom and settle into their seats. Snape was leaning against the wall at the back of the classroom, arms folded and looking bored. Madam Pince was nowhere in sight.

It did not take April long to realise that Snape was expecting her to begin the lesson. She cleared her throat a little nervously and began to give a brief explanation of the effects of being in a dementor's presence. Even before her second sentence was completed, a loud yawn from a student led to roaring laughter from the rest of the class. She tensed, unsure of whether she should continue. Suddenly, a silky but no less authoritative voice sliced into the laughter.

"Mr Rivers, did you not sleep well last night?" Snape stood beside the offending boy who immediately looked both shocked and afraid all at once. "Do you not know the consequences of not being alert in my class? Ten points from Slytherin."

The boy squirmed uncomfortably. The class became so quiet that April could hear her own uneven breathing.

Snape swept to the front of the room and addressed the class, giving each and every student the full benefit of his cold, piercing glare. "I expect every one of you to pass the selection test. No one in my House will be a disgrace to me. Those who cannot master the simple charm are no better than even the Hufflepuffs and therefore do not deserve to be Slytherins."

When he was satisfied that his message was understood and would be obeyed, Snape gestured for April to continue.

*

April's lessons with the fifth, sixth and final year Slytherins passed in similar manner. Snape would, to her surprise and the students' shock, firmly put the Slytherins in their place and April was able to conduct the classes without any major hitch or show of disrespect.

She wanted to thank Snape, but couldn't find a chance to catch him alone. He would arrive for each lesson after the students did and leave before they depart. He was not at lunch, and now at dinner, she was disappointed that he was not present either.

Sirius was still not speaking to her since their disagreement in his quarters that morning. She stubbornly made a conscious effort to ignore him as well, and sat at the opposite end of the staff table as a form of silent protest. Her new seating plan also drew her away from Remus. She felt a little guilty for shunning Remus too, but she wanted to be alone to think about Snape's peculiar behaviour that day. She had never seen the Potions Master reprimand his precious Slytherins. He had always turned a blind eye to any misbehaviour from them. She should know. When she was understudying Snape for Potions not too long ago, he even subtly encouraged the Slytherins who were making her feel ill at ease. So why the sudden change of heart?

This was precisely what she decided to find out immediately after dinner. She would pay Snape a little visit and demand the truth from him.

*

April did not feel as confident when she slowly opened the door to Snape's office.

He turned around sharply when he noticed her presence. "Miss Flamel, do you not have enough manners to knock before you intrude?" he bellowed.

She curbed an urge to wince, and raised her chin defiantly. "I did knock, but there was no reply."

His sneer was in place. "So you decided to let yourself in without permission?"

"I'm sorry," she said earnestly.

Snape was clearly taken aback by her apology, but his face soon grew hard again. "What can I do for you, Miss Flamel?"

"I just came to thank you for what you did today."

"I don't remember doing anything," he returned smoothly.

"The lessons would not have gone so well if you had not delivered your little warning," she insisted.

"Ah, yes! There is no need to thank me for it was no intention of mine to make your life easier in any way. I was merely making sure that the school would be reminded that purebloods are superior in the execution of all forms of magic."

"If you say so." April's voice made it clear that she did not agree with him.

"Is there another reason why you're still lingering here?" He gestured as though he was swatting away a fly.

She decided to ignore the obvious hint that she had outstayed her welcome. Peering at the ingredients arranged neatly on the table, she allowed a smile to play on her lips. "Are you by any chance preparing the potion that'll make one feel light-hearted?"

His facial expression betrayed his surprise.

"Do you really think I've learnt nothing from observing your class?" She smirked. "This is such a good idea. This potion will reinforce whatever happy memories the students have and make their Patronus even stronger!"

"Are you done with your rambling? If you are, I ask that you take your leave."

Again, she ignored him. "Did Albus ask you to make this?"

The look on his face told her the answer and she regarded him with newfound respect. "This is a wonderful idea," she enthused.

"Is there anything else?" Snape was beginning to feel uncomfortable under her scrutiny.

The corners of her mouth curled upwards. "I would like to make a deal with you, Professor Snape."

His eyes were instantly wary.

"If you intend to feed the students with this potion, you'll need help to brew it."

He opened his mouth as if to protest but she cut him off. "Unless you intend to work without meals and sleep everyday, I don't see how you can complete the task in little more than three days. I can help you. I'm well-trained in alchemy after all. And I'm confident that I'll be more of a help than a hindrance."

Snape looked at her suspiciously, but she could tell that he was considering her offer. "Why would you want to help me?" he asked finally.

"Because I want a favour in return."

He sneered.

"I take that as a no?" she blurted in her impatience.

"Let's hear what favour you're asking for," he said with an air of laziness, though she could tell that he was giving her his full attention.

"Will you teach me to brew the Wolfsbane potion?"

Surprise flickered in his eyes once again. He had expected her to make some silly childish demands, such as begging him to let her out of training the Slytherins. "For that werewolf friend of yours?"

She nodded. "Please, Sn – Severus." Snape started at the sound of his first name. "Remus has been a good friend and I want to do something for him in return."

Snape scoffed. "Did that boyfriend of yours send you? He's afraid that I'll stop making the brew for his dear werewolf? He must have felt that it's safer to depend on you than on an enemy."

"You're not an enemy, Severus. And Sirius is definitely not in this. In fact, he'll probably rush here and drag me away if he knows where I am right now." She felt braver when she noticed the coldness in Snape's eyes slipping away. "This is just something I thought of five minutes ago. You've known Remus longer than I do. If you put aside your prejudices, you'll realise what a lovely person he really is. I just wish to do something for him while I still can. It'll still be you whom Remus has to depend on in the long term."

Curiosity got the better of Snape. "Are you getting somewhere in a hurry?"

"Do we have a deal?"

"Wolfsbane is an extremely complicated potion. Not everyone can brew it."

"I'd like to try. I know I'm still a novice, but it'll help to learn from the best."

"Flattery will get you nowhere." He tried to look condescendingly at her. "If you want the taste of failure so badly –"

"You'll teach me?" She could barely contain her excitement.

"One lesson. Nothing more."

"Thanks, Severus!" April was so relieved that she threw her arms around Snape and kissed his cheek. He pushed her away and stepped back, slightly shaken.

She giggled. "That was just my way of thanking my new teacher."

"Miss Flamel," he took another step back and struggled to regain his composure. "You've not answered my question."

April's eyes darkened. "I suppose you want to ask about the letters I've been receiving?"

Snape did not admit it. But neither did he deny his interest in the information she seemed willing to offer.

"I want to make another deal with you, Severus."

He raised a brow. "You're really pushing your luck, Miss Flamel. And what makes you think I'll agree?"

"Because you're curious. Because you want to know for sure that the letters do not put the school or anyone in it in jeopardy. Because despite your cold exterior, you care a lot for Hogwarts." She observed him quietly, before adding her final chip. "And because you do not like to owe anyone favours or apologies. If you help me this time, it'll make up for the painful curse you cast on me weeks ago. So how's this, Severus? Do we have a deal?"

Snape regarded the young woman for a long time, thoughts racing through his mind. Finally, he nodded and replied with more sincerity than he ever felt for a long time. "Yes."

***

OutofAzkaban / Ms. Padfoot / black-cat-on-the-wall / starangel2106 / Lisande / Lil Lupin / nunnya buiznes / LILRKCHK / potts / moe / SailorSakuraChi: Thanks for reviewing! The dementors will arrive at Hogwarts in the next chapter.

Diosa Alexia: Er…all I can say is, not all the couples in my three fics will have happy endings. But of cuz, I can't reveal which is/are the unlucky couple(s)!

MalletWielderofDoom: Cute name! You're right – the 'Super Couple' had a fight.

ice-cold-star: I've replied uNoeWho in one of my reviews. If you need to 'discuss' story ideas, send me an email at blacklupinfics@yahoo.com.sg

love-that-dog: I don't like the casting for the movie. Prefer Johnny Depp as Sirius and Matt Damon/Ralph Fiennes as Remus.

Sallymander: The promise thing? Oh, Remus promised to take care of Sirius if something bad happens to April.

padfoot-dreamer: Yay! You're officially up to speed with all three of my stories! When are you updating yours?

uNoeWho: I can't tell you what's April hiding, of cuz! ;)

fra: Sirius will not die in this fic.

Tanglise: Ron was thinking about both Harry & Hermione. :) I'll probably not include much Ron/Hermione romance in this fic. Unless I do a sequel…

ANNE( v )79: Hope the Author's Alert works for you this time. :)