AN: God, it's been a month since I updated! I'm so sorry. First I was on vacation, than I was recovering from being on vacation, and then I had writers block. And then all the sudden out of nowhere, I'm riding in the elevator today, and this pops in my head. So here you have it. Don't worry, updates will come more often.
Winter Hols were finally over, and school was back in session. James and Lily were officially a couple, and while this spared Sirius and Remus from all the sexual tension that occurred when the two were in the same room, it did mean that James and Lily made out at every opportunity they could.
The four were currently sitting in the only class they had together, which was World Studies. While the class was interesting, at least in Lily and Remus's opinion, James and Sirius refused to ever admit that any class was interesting, the teacher was horrible. Mrs. Loderly, the teacher from hell.
She could inspire fear with just one look in your direction. She was short, plump, and she waddled. Her gray hair was always straggly and loose, reminding the students of the creature from Roman mythology, Medusa. Her eyes were a piercing blue, which could make a student piss in his or her pants, in fact it had happened on one or two occasions. But the most fearsome thing about her was her smile.
Mrs. Loderly was old and bitter. She didn't have a lot to smile about. In fact, the only things that made her smile were her cats and making the students miserable. So whenever she smiled her students knew they were to be afraid. And today, Mrs. Loderly was smiling. Very widely.
"Today, my dears, we will be starting a new project. You and a partner will be assigned a country, and I expect you to prepare a presentation on your country's culture, politics, history, customs, and any other relevant information. This will be due a week from Friday."
Collective groans sounded from the students. Their semester finals were quickly approaching and two weeks would not be enough to finish such an extensive project. It may not sound like much, but Mrs. Loderly's standards were unusually high. In fact, there were only four students with O's in her class. Remus, Lily, Severus, and Katherine.
"Now, I will be placing you all with your partners today… Mr. Potter and Ms. Evans," The couple smiled at each other and moved so they would have seats together. A series of other pairs were called, until only Remus, Sirius, Severus, and Frank were left.
"Ah, Mr. Lupin and Mr. Snape, and Mr. Black and Mr. Longbottom."
Sirius's mouth dropped open and he gaped for a minute. Frank looked worried about his partner, while Severus just managed to look displeased greatly. Remus walked over to Sirius's seat and tried to soothe him. However, the dark-haired boy would have nothing of it.
"What do you mean Mr. Lupin and Mr. Snape?" As Sirius shouted at her the teacher just smiled widely. She knew she had hit a nerve and she was enjoying every second of it. Mrs. Loderly spoke to Sirius as if she was speaking to a two-year old.
"Well, Mr. Black, I mean that they shall be working together." Sirius spluttered indignantly and glared at the teacher.
"I know that, it's just that I always work with Remus! It's like a rule or something!" His voice was slowly but surely rising, and the class was waiting, anticipating the battle that was sure to take place.
"Mr. Black, I assure you that while you and Mr. Lupin may always be together, it is not a rule in my knowledge. Besides, I believe it would be good for you two to spend some time apart. Unless, of course, you can give me a legitimate reason to partner you two?" The last part was said with a sickly sweet smile accompanying it. At this point Remus was pale with fear, while Lily and James were both shaking with anger. Sirius scowled darkly; he knew what she was playing at, but he refused to give her the satisfaction.
"Well," he ground out, "I don't particularly trust Snape with Remus." Mrs. Loderly's eyes narrowed.
"Ah, but you see Mr. Black, you are not Mr. Lupin's guardian. I'm sure that he can fend for himself, and perhaps he would not need so much help if you allowed him to take care of himself every once in a while." The last remark was said scathingly, but before Sirius could respond the bell rang, marking the end of class. James and Lily dragged Sirius out of the room before he could make another remark, but not before he managed to spit into the teacher's coffee. Thankfully, Mrs. Loderly didn't notice.
…………….
It was lunchtime and Sirius still hadn't calmed down. Remus was attempting to soothe him by rubbing circles in his palm under the table, but it was to no avail. Eventually, the thick tension broke and Sirius bolted upright, nearly spilling his milk all over James.
"That's it! I'm going to Professor McGonagall to straighten this out. I'm sure she can override that bitch's decision."
Lily smacked Sirius's arm, resulting in a rather loud noise to come from their table.
"Don't be so loud! You can't say that about a teacher, Sirius. It'll get you into more trouble than it's worth." Sirius scowled, grabbed his bag, and stalked off.
Now Professor McGonagall was a quiet, orderly woman. She ran a tight ship, and she was tough; after all she had to be, otherwise who else would balance out the headmaster's craziness. She thought she could handle anything. Of course, that was before she met Sirius Black.
She did admire Sirius, don't get me wrong, it was very hard not too. And his heart was in the right place. He was just a tad… brash. At least twice a month, usually more though, the boy ended up in her office. And more often than not, it was because of a Remus Lupin.
Sirius's love for the ill boy was truly sweet. But he was a little overprotective. Oh, who was she kidding, he would set an army on anyone who even dared to touch his love. Yes, Professor McGonagall knew of their relationship. Which is why, when Sirius Black came storming into her office that cold January afternoon, she had one guess why.
"Professor McGonagall, Mrs. Loderly has been an inconsiderate old bag!" The elder woman smiled and shook her head.
"A good afternoon to you too, Mr. Black" Sirius dismissed this comment anxiously.
"Well, what are you going to do about it?"
"First off, I'm going to tell you not to insult your teachers, at least not in my presence. Second, may I ask what she did to inflame you so much?" Sirius's face was set into a scowl, which soon became a pout.
"She separated Rem and I for a project." The professor rolled her eyes, though no one could tell as her spectacles hid the gesture.
"I hardly think that makes her a, what was it again? Oh yes, an inconsiderate old bag. Besides what do you want me to do about it?" Sirius shrugged wildly.
"I don't know! Tell her to put us together! Fire her! Who cares, I just need to stay with Remus!" Professor McGonagall smiled gently.
"Mr. Black, please, give it some time. You two will still spend all your of time together, nothing is different. Perhaps a little change will be good for you." She smiled hopefully, but her smile quickly turned into a frown as Sirius stomped out of her office, muttering things about teachers who were bloody useless. The professor smiled once more. That was Sirius Black for you. Completely passionate and totally unpredictable. She wouldn't have it any other way.
AN: Mrs. Loderly is based after this one teacher I have. God, she's creepy. Thankfully, she likes me. Mrs. Loderly is just a very exaggerated version of my teacher. And a lot meaner. Anywho, review or I will set the teacher from hell after you!