Revert To Type
Disclaimer: I own little to nothing of what it is named/referred to and am making even less from it.
Chapter 23.
"Right – well you'll need to state who's to be the primary care giver, what living arrangements would be and what provisions you can make for her education etc." Arthur said leaning back in his chair by the fire in Severus' quarters. Severus spoke up and Remus let him explain their thoughts such as they were.
"We thought it would be best for Lupin to take on that role. As he's presently under the employment of the school we would propose that he advise the Headmaster of his intentions, but to work until a permanent replacement for Minerva's role could be found."
"I didn't think it would be fare to just walk out on the school." He added looking to their representative who was writing notes along the side of those he had brought with him.
"No – not at all. I think that that decision shows what might be termed 'social responsibility'. What are your plans for the short term?"
"Well obviously we'd continue to live in the castle, and I was talking some of the staff who seem more than keen to take an active role in minding her when we were teaching. Hagrid for one…"
"I will not have her being exposed for any length of time, to someone who massacres the English language with such panache while she's in the process of learning to speak it!" Severus said vehemently.
"Actually…" Arthur intervened. "I was talking to Molly last night, and well I don't know if you know but she minds our two Grand-kids Monday to Friday. They're both boys but Mathew's three and John's about two and a half so they're about Anna's age. Anyway, Molly just wanted you to know that she'd be more than happy to lend a hand. In fact, if I'm being honest I think she'd love the chance to look after a girl." He finished with a grin. Remus couldn't help but smile in return. It was the best solution he could think of, a female figure who had more than a little experience with children. He looked towards Severus who scowled for a moment before relaxing his features slightly.
"That's very thoughtful of her." Severus conceded. "I think we might at least consider her taking her up on her offer. At least it gives us something more solid to propose in our statement."
"More wine anyone?" Remus asked bouncing out of his seat and topping up the two glasses that sat on the small table between them and in front of the fire.
"Anyone would think you were trying to get me drunk." Arthur said leaning back into his seat after retrieving his glass.
"He's only like this when he's not drinking himself." Severus said dryly. "He's a lightweight."
"That's a lie." He said in mock insulted tone. "Wolfsbane and alcohol don't mix." He added for Arthur's benefit. "Not that it mixes with anything else much better." He added jibing at its maker. Severus merely lifted an eyebrow.
"When is the full moon?" Arthur asked.
"Sunday." Severus replied dryly.
"Ever get the feeling that someone corporeal is staking the obstacles in your path?" Remus asked lightly. "Anyway I'll cope, not much we can do about it. Now getting back on track." Remus continued. "We own a two bedroom flat near the center of wizarding London but we were thinking that it would make sense to buy a little house near to the castle, somewhere with a garden. That way we'd be close enough that we could visit the castle at weekends seeing as Severus can't leave for extended periods of time due to his obligations as Head of Slytherin."
"That makes sense." Arthur agreed taking more notes. "I'm not going to ask you much about your financial position but just enough to get the jist. You inherited a family legacy Severus?" The Slytherin nodded.
"More than enough to live relatively comfortably for the rest of our days."
"And of course there's you salary from the school."
"Not huge but hardly insignificant."
"Right and Remus -"
"Sirius left me pretty much all the monetary assets and Grimmauld Place. HQ I donated to the Wizarding National Trust about six months ago – they're going to turn it into a museum about the two wars against Grindlewald and specifically the Order."
"That's interesting." Arthur said looking up.
"Well let's put it this way; there are way too many unpleasant memories tied up there for me to ever want to live in it. Even if this one would agree." He added lightly elbowing Severus lightly in the side.
They ended the informal meeting not long after that and Arthur left promising that he was going to try and arrange to visit Anna in St Mungo's over the weekend and that he would see them first thing on Monday morning. Saturday was quiet. They worked on writing up their personal statement, which actually came together far more easily than Remus was expecting it to. When that was done and dusted, he copied it about three hundred times and put versions in every conceivable place he could think of. He stashed several in Severus' quarters and a couple in his. Gave one to Albus to store for them and then sent a copy to the Burrow. Severus just sat back and watched him patiently while he ran around like a mad thing.
"How can you be so infuriatingly calm?" He asked throwing himself down in the chair opposite his desk in the study.
"It's a talent." He replied without stopping the rhythmic scratching of his favourite marking quill. He sighed but didn't say anything else.
"Do you think that they'll let Arthur see her?" He asked after a while.
"I have no idea. It depends entirely on whether they're more interested in being anal or in getting in the good books with the general populus." As if on cue there was a knock on the external door into the study. Remus got up and opened it, preparing to let the student in and make a hasty exit, he really didn't enjoy watching Severus snap at his pupils, but was surprised to see a House elf standing there.
"Hello – can I help you?" He asked.
"The Headmaster, sir is asking that Muzzily is giving Professors Snape and Lupin this." The small creature answered pulling a copy of the Daily Prophet from behind it's back.
"Thank you…Muzzily." He replied distractedly as he took the paper from the elf not able to tare his eyes away from the headline. He dismissed it and shut the door before turning back to face Severus.
"It's out." He uttered barely above a whisper.
"What is out, where?" Severus asked.
"FAMILY FUEDS" He began, reading the front-page headline out loud. "In a shock turn of events this reporter can reveal not only the sole couple to correctly complete their application for sole guardianship of the individual who used to be Hogwart's Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, within the allotted time span, but also who will represent both parties, the applicants and the Ministry (acting as guardians for the child's best interests). In a case that has been peculiar from the beginning it should hardly be surprising that one of the most unusual couples known to the wizarding world are applying to placed in charge of this unusual child. "It seems that Professor Albus Dumbledore allowed individual 246.01 (who we believe has been referred to as 'Anna' within the confines of Hogwarts) under the care of the Head of Slytherin, Severus Snape. The Professor was put on trial in the eighties in relation to his activities in accordance to You-Know-Who's supporters and is rumoured to bare the dark mark even now. It is Professor Snape, along with his Werewolf mate, of all people that have managed to complete the application process successfully and they will be attending a hearing beginning this Monday."Their success in completing all the necessary paperwork is likely down to one Arthur Weasley, Head of the Misuse of Muggles Artefacts department within the Ministry and father of seven who has already been acting as their Council and will be co-ordinating their bid at the Hearing. This could be interesting as this reporter can reveal that the Minister's own undersecretary, Percy Weasley, is to be conducting the case for the Ministry."
That was as far as Remus got.
"Oh Merlin." He sighed letting the paper fall to his side. Severus remained stonily silent. Despite the spectacular falling-out between the third son and the rest of the family, it had seemed that they were beginning to get on together once more, or had least developed the ability to be civil to each other. Remus suspected this wouldn't help matters. Severus held out a hand for the paper and Remus handed it over watching as his partner scanned the article. He was so absorbed in his study that he jumped at the sound of an owl tapping his beak against the window high up in the stone wall, which was letting in the watery autumn sunlight. Severus stood and let it in and fed it a treat as Remus untied the roll of parchment from the bird's leg. Unrolling the handwritten note he scanned it briefly.
"It's from Arthur." He said out loud continuing to read. "…assuming you've read the Prophet already, condolences for the reporting style…be assured that the news that the Boy is once more pandering to Ministry pressure has done nothing to soften my resolve to represent you, unless you would rather I did not… Have arranged to see Anna on Sunday afternoon and have enclosed something that might lift your spirits."
"That would be this then." Pointed out Severus picking up the clipping that had fallen onto the desk from the roll. "Which would appear to be…" He paused turning it over in his hands. "The editorial of the latest edition of Witch Weekly." He continued sounding a touch sceptical. Remus watched his face as he read however and picked up on it as soon as the impassive mask slipped just a fraction. "As apposed to some institutions which I could refer to, I would like to remind our readers that both Professors Snape and Lupin are respected and decorated war heros, to coin a phrase, who both have experience working with children, and wouldn't possibly be embarking on this application without a passion about seeing that the child gets what is best for her. I for one would like to take this opportunity to wish them the best of luck in their endeavour and hope that they, and Anna, receive a fair hearing."
"Well at least not everyone's against us." Remus pointed out.
"Somehow, I don't think the opinion of this particular journalist is going to change the world." Severus replied scathingly. "However we shall just have to hope that the public representatives are all avid fans." He added, cocking an eyebrow and the corner of his mouth twitching ever so slightly.
Remus woke up on Saturday, more than aware of the fact that the following night would be a full moon. As was always the case, even the smell of the goblet of Wolfsbane that appeared on his bedside table that morning was enough to turn his stomach. He sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bet slowly adjusting to being on the vertical once more.
"Morning." Said Severus from the doorway. Remus looked up only to find his partner irritatingly awake, dressed and compus mentus. "You look rougher than usual." He commented walking across the room and sitting on the bed next to him.
"Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment shall I?" He retorted sharply before they slipped into silence. He hadn't meant to snap, after all he could hardly blame how he was feeling on Severus but the Slytherin's familiar hand on his lower back was comforting though and sighing quietly he leaned his head on the other man's shoulder. "Sorry – guess I didn't sleep very well."
"Understandable I suppose." Came the typically deadpan response. They sat in silence for a few moments more before Severus spoke again. "However you do have to drink that." He said gesturing towards the still smoking potion and Remus couldn't help but chuckle.
"Yes mother." This earned him a scowl but was well worth it none the less. He did however hold his breath and down the liquid, using all his self-control to keep it down. After he had had a shower, dressed and was feeling much more human he sat down to brunch in the living room.
"I was thinking…" Severus said as he stretched across the table for another slice of toast. "that it might make more sense if you were to stay down here tonight." He continued lightly, but Remus wasn't so easily fooled. Though they hadn't ever discussed it outright, ever since they had become friends. Remus had made a point of ensuring that they were in different places on the night of the full moon. Even when they lived with each other, during the summer months he would return to the shrieking shack for the duration. It wasn't as if Severus avoided him, in fact, when he dragged his sorry self back to civilisation he was unusually compassionate, but Remus could hardly be surprised that he found the wolf itself more than a little intimidating. And now this…
"Are you sure Severus?" He asked quietly trying to catch his eye but failing to draw his attention from the paper spread in front of him.
"Well you can't leave the school on a Sunday night and I could hardly live with myself if you trashed one of the guest suits upstairs."
"But…"
"Enough buts." He was cut off sharply
as the other man looked up and straight at him "I don't want to leave you to do
this alone this month. Isn't that
enough?"
"If you're sure." He answered once he had found his voice and overcome the sudden lump in his throat. Severus, who had returned his attention to the prophet, looked up and treated him to one of his rare genuine smiles.
"Moony – Just go and get your doggy bed or whatever it is you sleep in. I may be willing to let you sleep in my rooms in your canine form but I have no intention of letting you steal the covers. I put up with that enough the rest of the time." What Remus was certain that Severus hadn't quite realised was that the 'doggy bed' he was referring to, actually compromised a set of Severus' own robes and various other pieces of clothing that he had pilfered over the last year or two. He would have to wait to see what the verdict on that was but somehow he suspected that the pernickety potion master wouldn't ask for them back.
A/N: awwwww grin
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