A/N: Hello everybody! Another fortnight another chapter, its not as long as
I had hoped for but it does contain the essentials. Thank-you for Tanya
(No, there is no need to beg for more, though I may not say no to a it of
grovelling) and QsDaughter (I guess it could be seen as a mistake or they
arranged to meet and got a drink ready for Severus:-)) for your reviews.
Do you remember in the front summary I said that I intend the fic to be about 100 pages long? Well, its now 99pages (38,000 words, if anyone's interested!) and I'm just halfway through the story, I'm not intending to write till the end of their academic year (July), possible April or May. Things should start getting interesting in next chapter.
Chapter Fourteen
Severus had just finished in the shower when he heard a knock at the door, tying a black silk dressing gown around himself Severus went to see who it was, upon opening the door Severus saw that it was Remus.
"A bit early for social calls is it not?" Severus asked.
"Good morning to you too," Remus said, "I was just passing and thought I'd escort you to breakfast,"
Severus narrowed his eyes, "Has Poppy put you up to this?" he asked.
Remus just smiled.
"Well, you had better come in," Severus said moving away from the door, "I am just getting ready,"
Severus led the way into the lounge and motioned for Remus to take a seat, then walked back into his own room to get dressed. After slipping into a simple black dress Severus tied his hair back into a single plait that fell to the small of his back, finally Severus pulled on his boots then rejoined Remus in the lounge.
Remus looked up as Severus entered, "That's the shortest time that I've had to wait for a woman to get ready," he commented.
"That could be because I am not one," Severus replied, "Shall we go now?"
"Of course," Remus said standing up.
They walked up to the Great Hall at a leisurely pace.
"How were the tests?" Remus asked.
Severus sighed, "I was prodded, poked and gave every known sample humanly possible,"
"Fun morning. When do you get the results back?" Remus asked
"In a few days," Severus said.
As it was the holidays breakfast and lunch was an informal affair where staff and students came and went as they pleased, only dinner remained a constant. In the Great Hall Albus was busy talking to Flora and the Gryffindor trio were conspiring. Severus took a seat next to Albus and greeted everyone present, suddenly Severus stiffened, and he pushed his chair backward and looked under the table.
"Something the matter, Seraphina?" Albus asked.
Severus looked up with a slight disgusted look and said, "I felt something on my lap. Its Snuffles,"
At the mention of his name Snuffles padded out from beneath the table, and sat next to Severus his tail gently thumping on the stone floor. Severus looked toward Remus who was seated to his right, Remus shrugged.
"Maybe if you feed him he'll go away," Remus suggested.
"Fine," Severus said with a sigh. Picking up a rasher of bacon Severus dangled it in front of Snuffles who eagerly accepted it and returned to under the table.
Severus pulled his chair back to its former position and was pouring himself a cup of tea when he looked toward the door about the same time he heard Snuffles low growl. In the door way stood the familiar shape of Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, Severus' old school friend and fellow Deatheater.
Lucius was wearing an expensive fur trimmed black velvet cloak over an Italian silk robe, an emerald set into a silver ring adorned his black dragon-hide clad hands, and gripped in his right hand was a silver snake head mounted on a polished ebony cane.
Severus gently elbowed Albus who stood up as soon as he saw the visitor; Lucius strode across the hall and quickly closed the gap separating the both of them.
"What an unexpected surprise, Lucius," Albus said in his usual cheery voice, "to what do I own the pleasure,"
Lucius smiled, "I just came by to discuss some points that the governors and I were debating about at the last meeting last week,"
"Really," Albus said, "In that case we had better go to my office to discuss things,"
Just then Lucius saw Severus and immediately said, "I do believe we have not been introduced, I am Lucius Malfoy,"
Severus eyed the outstretched hand cautiously before standing up to face Lucius, "I am Seraphina Snape, substitute teacher," Severus said whilst shaking Lucius' hand.
"Substitute teacher?" Lucius asked.
Severus looked over at Albus who gave a slight nod, "I am substituting potions for my cousin Severus,"
Lucius raised an eyebrow, "I have never heard Severus speak of an cousins before," he commented, "Speaking of which where is Severus?"
"On family business," Albus said, "Now you were saying about the points you wish to discuss." Albus said as he began to walk toward the door, forcing Lucius to walk with him.
Severus sat back down and watched as Lucius disappeared around the corner. A voice interrupted his thoughts, "You'll want to stay away from him his bad news," Flora said quietly.
Severus looked at the Herbology professor, "Severus has already told me much about him,"
Lunch was finished in a more subdue manner.
***
When Lucius left Albus summoned Severus, Remus and Poppy to his room they all gathered around his desk, Severus in the middle with Poppy to his right and Remus to his left. Albus wasted no time on the pleasantries, "You all know why I have called you all here," The trio mumbled in the affirmative.
"It would seem that Voldemort knows that you are no longer connect to him through the dark mark," Albus commented.
"Wait, how does the Dark Mark connect you to Voldemort?" Remus interrupted.
Severus looked at Remus and explained, "Voldemort created the Dark Mark using some a spell and some of his blood, the blood acts as a 'homing' device of sorts,"
"Can the Dark Mark be erased?" Asked Remus.
"Either death or a powerful, and as yet, uninvented spell, can break the connection to Voldemort; the Dark Mark is bound to the individual's body and mind," Severus said.
"Yes," Albus said, "Now Voldemort will think you either dead or free. Severus, what will Lucius tell Voldemort?"
"I believe that Lucius was only the primary scout, my absence at Hogwarts will raise suspicions especially since I am no longer connected to Voldemort. Also my presence here as Seraphina will raise a passing interest, and I expect that I will be questioned covertly by the children of the Deatheaters when they return. Once they have more information they would send more scouts to locate me, which would mean that they will come to Hogwarts or are already at Hogwarts," Severus said.
"We should be prepared for them," Albus said, "Are there any people at Hogwarts that you suspect to be working for Voldemort?"
"Most of the Slytherins especially the older ones who wish to prove themselves, and a few Ravenclaws," Severus replied.
"How about the Professors?" Remus asked.
Severus smiled wryly, "Not this year,"
"I will contact some of my people to keep an eye on the situation," Albus said.
"Will the Order need to be told?" asked Poppy.
"No, not yet it is still early days," Replied Albus. "Poppy how is your research progressing?"
"I have found nothing that is relevant about Severus' condition. Yesterday I asked my mentor, Dr Philips, about gender changing potions, but he too has never heard of it. Perhaps it was not the potion that had changed you, Severus. Did anything unusual happen to you prior to the incident in the classroom?" Poppy asked.
"No, I can think of nothing," replied Severus.
"What about the incident at Halloween?"
"That would have been over a month ago, I do not believe it to be connected,"
"It may do, Severus," Albus said, "It was the first time that you exhibited wandless magic, and I believe that you can still use it,"
Remus looked at Severus in surprise, "You can still use wandless magic? I did hear from the students that you did it once after a class, but that was it,"
"Albus and I decided that it was not the type of information that would be beneficial to me if everyone knew about it," Severus said, the words 'especially Voldemort' hung silently in the air.
"Have you analysed the potion yet?" asked Poppy.
"I have interpreted half of the results, and I intend to analyse the next half tonight,"
"Do you think the Dark Mark will reappear on you once you have taken the cure?" asked Remus.
"Hopefully the disappearance of the Dark Mark on this body will mean that it will not appear on your male body," Poppy said.
"This brings me to the next question: have you thought of what explanation you will give Voldemort when you find a cure for your condition?" Albus asked.
"No," Severus said, "I will have to when the time draws nearer, though I am not sure any explanation would be plausible,"
"We will think of something," Albus said.
***
The Christmas break flew by and soon it was the feast before the first day of the new term. Severus had finished the interpretation of the results with the help of Remus, and had not liked the results so had performed a second analysis with slightly modified conditions, the second set of results did not please him either so Severus resolved to perform a third analysis later in the week using a different technique.
As Severus sat at the Staff table he was aware that a lot of the students were looking at him and whispering to their neighbours. Having agreed with Albus that most of his 'Severus tricks' may lead some of the students to work out who Seraphina really was, Severus resigned himself to give them a watered-down version of his glare.
The chattering of the students died down as Albus rose and gently hit his goblet with a fork. "Now that I have your attention, may I take this time to welcome you all back to Hogwarts, I hope that you all had an enjoyably Christmas. I would also like to introduce a new member of staff, Professor Snape, cousin to our own Potion Master." Albus said, he looked over and motioned for Severus to stand.
Reluctantly Severus stood and took a small bow. The Slytherins clapped the hardest, whilst the Gryffindors (with the exception of Harry, Hermione and Ron) clapped hesitantly.
"It is unfortunate that Professor Snape was called away over the Christmas break on family matters, hopefully he will return to us quite soon, but in the mean time please make Professor Snape's cousin feel welcome here," Albus concluded and sat down.
The food appeared onto the plates along the tables and the feasting began, the pupils and professors talked amongst themselves, mainly regarding the Christmas break and the new professor.
*****
Do you remember in the front summary I said that I intend the fic to be about 100 pages long? Well, its now 99pages (38,000 words, if anyone's interested!) and I'm just halfway through the story, I'm not intending to write till the end of their academic year (July), possible April or May. Things should start getting interesting in next chapter.
Chapter Fourteen
Severus had just finished in the shower when he heard a knock at the door, tying a black silk dressing gown around himself Severus went to see who it was, upon opening the door Severus saw that it was Remus.
"A bit early for social calls is it not?" Severus asked.
"Good morning to you too," Remus said, "I was just passing and thought I'd escort you to breakfast,"
Severus narrowed his eyes, "Has Poppy put you up to this?" he asked.
Remus just smiled.
"Well, you had better come in," Severus said moving away from the door, "I am just getting ready,"
Severus led the way into the lounge and motioned for Remus to take a seat, then walked back into his own room to get dressed. After slipping into a simple black dress Severus tied his hair back into a single plait that fell to the small of his back, finally Severus pulled on his boots then rejoined Remus in the lounge.
Remus looked up as Severus entered, "That's the shortest time that I've had to wait for a woman to get ready," he commented.
"That could be because I am not one," Severus replied, "Shall we go now?"
"Of course," Remus said standing up.
They walked up to the Great Hall at a leisurely pace.
"How were the tests?" Remus asked.
Severus sighed, "I was prodded, poked and gave every known sample humanly possible,"
"Fun morning. When do you get the results back?" Remus asked
"In a few days," Severus said.
As it was the holidays breakfast and lunch was an informal affair where staff and students came and went as they pleased, only dinner remained a constant. In the Great Hall Albus was busy talking to Flora and the Gryffindor trio were conspiring. Severus took a seat next to Albus and greeted everyone present, suddenly Severus stiffened, and he pushed his chair backward and looked under the table.
"Something the matter, Seraphina?" Albus asked.
Severus looked up with a slight disgusted look and said, "I felt something on my lap. Its Snuffles,"
At the mention of his name Snuffles padded out from beneath the table, and sat next to Severus his tail gently thumping on the stone floor. Severus looked toward Remus who was seated to his right, Remus shrugged.
"Maybe if you feed him he'll go away," Remus suggested.
"Fine," Severus said with a sigh. Picking up a rasher of bacon Severus dangled it in front of Snuffles who eagerly accepted it and returned to under the table.
Severus pulled his chair back to its former position and was pouring himself a cup of tea when he looked toward the door about the same time he heard Snuffles low growl. In the door way stood the familiar shape of Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, Severus' old school friend and fellow Deatheater.
Lucius was wearing an expensive fur trimmed black velvet cloak over an Italian silk robe, an emerald set into a silver ring adorned his black dragon-hide clad hands, and gripped in his right hand was a silver snake head mounted on a polished ebony cane.
Severus gently elbowed Albus who stood up as soon as he saw the visitor; Lucius strode across the hall and quickly closed the gap separating the both of them.
"What an unexpected surprise, Lucius," Albus said in his usual cheery voice, "to what do I own the pleasure,"
Lucius smiled, "I just came by to discuss some points that the governors and I were debating about at the last meeting last week,"
"Really," Albus said, "In that case we had better go to my office to discuss things,"
Just then Lucius saw Severus and immediately said, "I do believe we have not been introduced, I am Lucius Malfoy,"
Severus eyed the outstretched hand cautiously before standing up to face Lucius, "I am Seraphina Snape, substitute teacher," Severus said whilst shaking Lucius' hand.
"Substitute teacher?" Lucius asked.
Severus looked over at Albus who gave a slight nod, "I am substituting potions for my cousin Severus,"
Lucius raised an eyebrow, "I have never heard Severus speak of an cousins before," he commented, "Speaking of which where is Severus?"
"On family business," Albus said, "Now you were saying about the points you wish to discuss." Albus said as he began to walk toward the door, forcing Lucius to walk with him.
Severus sat back down and watched as Lucius disappeared around the corner. A voice interrupted his thoughts, "You'll want to stay away from him his bad news," Flora said quietly.
Severus looked at the Herbology professor, "Severus has already told me much about him,"
Lunch was finished in a more subdue manner.
***
When Lucius left Albus summoned Severus, Remus and Poppy to his room they all gathered around his desk, Severus in the middle with Poppy to his right and Remus to his left. Albus wasted no time on the pleasantries, "You all know why I have called you all here," The trio mumbled in the affirmative.
"It would seem that Voldemort knows that you are no longer connect to him through the dark mark," Albus commented.
"Wait, how does the Dark Mark connect you to Voldemort?" Remus interrupted.
Severus looked at Remus and explained, "Voldemort created the Dark Mark using some a spell and some of his blood, the blood acts as a 'homing' device of sorts,"
"Can the Dark Mark be erased?" Asked Remus.
"Either death or a powerful, and as yet, uninvented spell, can break the connection to Voldemort; the Dark Mark is bound to the individual's body and mind," Severus said.
"Yes," Albus said, "Now Voldemort will think you either dead or free. Severus, what will Lucius tell Voldemort?"
"I believe that Lucius was only the primary scout, my absence at Hogwarts will raise suspicions especially since I am no longer connected to Voldemort. Also my presence here as Seraphina will raise a passing interest, and I expect that I will be questioned covertly by the children of the Deatheaters when they return. Once they have more information they would send more scouts to locate me, which would mean that they will come to Hogwarts or are already at Hogwarts," Severus said.
"We should be prepared for them," Albus said, "Are there any people at Hogwarts that you suspect to be working for Voldemort?"
"Most of the Slytherins especially the older ones who wish to prove themselves, and a few Ravenclaws," Severus replied.
"How about the Professors?" Remus asked.
Severus smiled wryly, "Not this year,"
"I will contact some of my people to keep an eye on the situation," Albus said.
"Will the Order need to be told?" asked Poppy.
"No, not yet it is still early days," Replied Albus. "Poppy how is your research progressing?"
"I have found nothing that is relevant about Severus' condition. Yesterday I asked my mentor, Dr Philips, about gender changing potions, but he too has never heard of it. Perhaps it was not the potion that had changed you, Severus. Did anything unusual happen to you prior to the incident in the classroom?" Poppy asked.
"No, I can think of nothing," replied Severus.
"What about the incident at Halloween?"
"That would have been over a month ago, I do not believe it to be connected,"
"It may do, Severus," Albus said, "It was the first time that you exhibited wandless magic, and I believe that you can still use it,"
Remus looked at Severus in surprise, "You can still use wandless magic? I did hear from the students that you did it once after a class, but that was it,"
"Albus and I decided that it was not the type of information that would be beneficial to me if everyone knew about it," Severus said, the words 'especially Voldemort' hung silently in the air.
"Have you analysed the potion yet?" asked Poppy.
"I have interpreted half of the results, and I intend to analyse the next half tonight,"
"Do you think the Dark Mark will reappear on you once you have taken the cure?" asked Remus.
"Hopefully the disappearance of the Dark Mark on this body will mean that it will not appear on your male body," Poppy said.
"This brings me to the next question: have you thought of what explanation you will give Voldemort when you find a cure for your condition?" Albus asked.
"No," Severus said, "I will have to when the time draws nearer, though I am not sure any explanation would be plausible,"
"We will think of something," Albus said.
***
The Christmas break flew by and soon it was the feast before the first day of the new term. Severus had finished the interpretation of the results with the help of Remus, and had not liked the results so had performed a second analysis with slightly modified conditions, the second set of results did not please him either so Severus resolved to perform a third analysis later in the week using a different technique.
As Severus sat at the Staff table he was aware that a lot of the students were looking at him and whispering to their neighbours. Having agreed with Albus that most of his 'Severus tricks' may lead some of the students to work out who Seraphina really was, Severus resigned himself to give them a watered-down version of his glare.
The chattering of the students died down as Albus rose and gently hit his goblet with a fork. "Now that I have your attention, may I take this time to welcome you all back to Hogwarts, I hope that you all had an enjoyably Christmas. I would also like to introduce a new member of staff, Professor Snape, cousin to our own Potion Master." Albus said, he looked over and motioned for Severus to stand.
Reluctantly Severus stood and took a small bow. The Slytherins clapped the hardest, whilst the Gryffindors (with the exception of Harry, Hermione and Ron) clapped hesitantly.
"It is unfortunate that Professor Snape was called away over the Christmas break on family matters, hopefully he will return to us quite soon, but in the mean time please make Professor Snape's cousin feel welcome here," Albus concluded and sat down.
The food appeared onto the plates along the tables and the feasting began, the pupils and professors talked amongst themselves, mainly regarding the Christmas break and the new professor.
*****
