Disclaimer/A/N: As I've said before, the characters are still J.K. Rowling's, but she obviously has a slightly different idea about Severus Snape - or, what I desperately prefer to think: what happened in book 6 was all a big fake to confuse us and everything will turn out very differently in book 7 - hopefully in favour of Severus. Well hope dies last and I have to stick to this theory, otherwise my story wouldn't make sense anymore. My fault, of course, that I didn't finish it before the Halfblood Prince, but anyway, although a certain person might not be "in character" anymore, please read and enjoy the party …
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Some people he met on the corridors were giving him surprised looks when he passed them. That was probably because he couldn't help smiling, a rare occasion for those who knew Severus Snape, most of all for himself, but he was simply too happy. Inwardly, of course, he was grinning about his prank, whishing he could see the Minister's face when the head of the British wizarding world would learn of this.
On his way to the underground he could just prevent himself from humming, so much were his emotions carrying him away. He was so excited that he only became aware that he didn't need to use Muggle public transport any more, when the train he had taken had been going for several minutes already and he was due for changing trains any moment. He could have gone home by apparating, and for a few seconds, while he was waiting for his next train, he considered this option, but hesitated to do so. Not only because he hadn't done it since he had lost his magic and would have preferred to do his first magical travelling in a quieter and less crowded environment to be better able to concentrate. And, should any complications come up, prevent panic reactions from Muggles, have perhaps some help from another wizard. He suddenly realized that the real freedom was to have the choice. To be able to apparate, or to chose the Muggle way of travelling, because he was still in possession of his season ticket.
Back in his flat he found everything as he had left it when Remus had collected him. As he hadn't taken all his belongings from Remus' place to the dungeon, there were still some things he had to get back, but he usually had so many clothes, that he could easily spare some of them. Due to his situation in the last years he had had enough time and money to buy more than he would ever need, and room enough to store everything, too. Being a perfectionist, he had also taken care of always having enough food at his place. But the fresh things were lacking now, of course. Therefore he didn't stay long, but went out again quickly to do some shopping.
He only bought a small amount of fresh fruit and vegetables, also milk and bread for himself. He had no idea about the food for the party yet. Nor did he know how many people he had to expect. He would have to ring up Remus and ask how many people he had actually "invited". But when he tried to reach him on his mobile phone, Remus didn't answer. He had probably left it at home when they had gone to the dungeon and was likely that he was still busy at the Ministry at the moment. Severus decided to try again tomorrow. As the party was in two days, he would still have enough time for preparations.
But he couldn't stand being idle either. Therefore he started cleaning and tidying his flat, an activity which left him with a headache in the evening. He had, of course, overdone it and hadn't taken into consideration that he would probably need some rest after the full moon and all the excitement which had come with it. Not being very hungry, he just managed to eat a toast and some tin soup, and that only because he wanted to be a sensible werewolf and not begin to starve himself right at the beginning.
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The next day in the morning, he still wasn't able to reach Remus on his phone, therefore he left his flat and made to visit his social worker personally. He had to be at home some time. And if not, he could still leave a note at his door or try to find him at the Ministry.
At the entrance to the underground station he hesitated. If not now, when should he begin to act magically in a proper wizard's way? He had to start apparating on a normal basis and he decided that it was just as well if he began with it right now.
Only, the stairs at the entrance leading to the station were a bit crowded, weren't they?
On the other hand, the more crowded the better, because a disapparating wizard wouldn't attract so much attention when there were so many people around that they didn't take notice of each other. And he also remembered, that it had always been easier to disapparate when moving.
So he walked on downstairs, concentrating, shutting the other people out of his mind. When he finally spoke the incantation, gripping his wand firmly in his coat pocket, it seemed as easy as it had always been.
As he had planned, he apparated in the park near the house where Remus had his flat. He waited a moment, looking around if anybody had noticed a wizard suddenly coming out of nowhere, but there was no bewildered Muggle to be seen. So he stepped out from behind the tree and walked on.
What a difference this was, he noticed happily. In contrast to being apparated by others, there was no nausea and he felt as if he had just stepped from a bus on his way to work. No, that wasn't true. That would often have been enervating and exhausting, standing in a packed Muggle public transport vehicle and having to breathe the little air which was left from the other passengers. This was much better. It was as easy as leaving the flat and going over to the neighbour next door. Severus realized that he was only beginning to feel the advantages of being a full wizard again.
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When he rang the doorbell at Remus flat, nobody answered the door. He should have guessed. While he was thinking about what to do, he heard somebody coming down the stairs from above. He didn't know anybody in this house except, well, it wouldn't be her, would it? But he had hoped in vain.
'So, it's you again,' her expression clearly signalling disapproval.
'Yes. Good morning, Mrs. Trafford.' He tried his best smile, hoping to get rid of her soon.
'He is not at home, is he? Stays away at night often, doesn't he?' she enquired, her demeanour showing both displeasure and curiosity.
'Well, he is very busy, and, naturally, as a social worker, he has to be very flexibel in his working hours,' Severus stated. He couldn't just tell her that this was not her business at all, as long as Remus paid his rent regularly.
'So? Well, he seems to be very dedicated to his job, … as a social worker, I mean,' she raised her brows, dragging the words in a way which showed clearly what she thought of Remus' profession, if she regarded it as a proper job at all, that is.
'Yes, absolutely.' Severus' smile froze.
'And, may I ask, what are you still doing here, if he is not at home?'
'Me? Oh, I was going to write him a note. You see, he has still got some things of mine I wanted to collect today. You do remember me telling you that my stay at his place was only of a temporary character?' He thought that it couldn't hurt to add that information. Maybe that was going to get her moving on and leave him alone.
'Well, I don't want to keep you. Good day.' she turned briskly and off she was.
Hastily, Severus scribbled a few lines on a piece of paper he had ripped out of his note-book, asking Remus to ring him up on his Muggle phone number, which he added to his note and, if he didn't manage to do that before the party, bring at least Severus' things to the event. He hoped that this wasn't too impertinent, because by now he was sure that Remus must be busy with a really important task. Something, if compared to Severus' problems, the latter would probably appear rather ridiculous.
When Severus put the note through the letter-box, he hoped it would flutter away behind the door a bit. Although the contents were not really compromising, considering their existence as wizards, he wouldn't put it past Remus' landlady to poke under the door to get to read his mail.
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As there was not much left to do, Severus went home again - by apparating, of course - and made himself comfortable in his living room. He chose a CD with sonates from Mozart and settled down in his favourite corner on the sofa with a cup of tea and and a cookbook.
That way, he hoped he would get some ideas for the party, but he got confused over the choice the book, which was quite a heavy one, suggested. In the end, he decided to go shopping at the market tomorrow and let himself be inspired by what would be on offer there. He could still prepare the salads and other things he had a certain routine in.
But he didn't give up reaching Remus at once. He tried to phone him in the evening and the next day in the morning. By now, he really became a bit worried. Therefore he went to Remus' flat once more, but without success. Then he tried the Ministry and asked at the reception desk for his friend, but as the person there - this time much more friendly than the grumpy man they both had experienced the night before the full moon - confirmed, his social worker wasn't to be found at his office either. When he asked for Harry, he was informed that he was out on a task which was highly confidential, but in any way, not in his office.
Disheartened and even more worried, Severus made for the market in his quarter to do the necessary shopping. While he wandered from stall to stall to choose from the rich offer, he couldn't get Remus from his mind. By now, not because he was frightened about giving a party and not knowing how many people and who he was going to expect, but because of his social worker himself. He was convinced that there must be something really serious he had been commissioned with. At first, Severus had thought about asking at his department directly, but information about running operations considering werewolves were certainly classified, so he didn't try in the first place. If Remus wasn't to be found at the Ministry he was out somewhere chasing after a wolf who had most probably overstepped the line. Severus only hoped, that it wasn't Tim, or if, that Remus would be the first one to found him before the aurors did.
Well, he would buy everything he could think of could be eaten at a party, would prepare it as good as possible and wait what the night would bring. Should nobody turn up - but that was hardly possible - Remus had really meant it and wouldn't have fooled Severus - but if there were too much things left over, he could still give some away to his neighbours, couldn't he?
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Back at home, he started preparing for the meal he was going to cook. He had planned to make a potato soup. As it was quite an amount of potatoes to peel, if you made a soup for many people, although he still didn't know exactly how many, it took him some time. As it was so much work, he wanted to finish this first. It could cool down afterwards and be warmed up when the guests came. The salads, on the other hand, should be as fresh as possible. But he started a second pot with water to boil pasta for one of the salads in. He also laid all the ingredients he had planned to add to it, on the kitchen table.
He next task was a dough for a bread. He had always found that there was nothing better as addition to a nice soup than a homebaked bread. He remembered the cook they had at home when he was a child, baking fresh bread every second day. He had liked that very much, but would have had never thought to ask for a recipe, a young boy as he was. And later she had left them, his parents had never told him why or where she had gone. Not that they had ever told him much.
Since he had been at Howgarts, he had tried to reconstruct the recipe, but in vain. Although the houseelves at Hogwarts had had very talented cooks and had actually helped him with his bread research project, but he had never found that specific taste. Maybe this had to do with childhood, tastes change when you become an adult, and they probably have to be connected with the circumstances you have lived in as a youth, he didn't know.
Now he was preparing a dough for a bread of which the recipe he had found in an old cookbook he had once bought at "Mouldy Leaves and Broken Spine", his favourite second hand book shop in Knockturn Alley. He had baked that before and found it quite tasty. He had been quite proud, actually, when he had found out that you could bake most of the baking recipies of the book the Muggle way, using yeast or baking powder instead of a rising spell.
He was in the middle of kneading the dough when the doorbell rang. He did a quick cleaning spell on his hands and went to open. What he found when he did, gave him quite a shock.
Remus was standing in front of him, white as a sheet, eyes with dark rings, unshaven, and when Severus wasn't mistaken, he was also shivering a litte.
'Come in,' Severus said in a low voice, so as if he was afraid to scare Remus away if he spoke louder.
The other didn't move, just looked at Severus with a face which showed that he must have experienced something terrible.
'Come in, Remus. Tell me what happened,' he urged him and when Remus still didn't react, he took him at the shoulder and pulled him inside. Severus closed the door behind them and steered his social worker towards the kitchen. The other let that happen without protest, moving along automatically.
'I can't, … I can't stay, Severus. Sorry, ' Remus suddenly said when they had reached the kitchen. He turned and looked at Severus, who had a bad foreboding about what might have happened, but didn't dare to ask directly.
'I'm sorry. Just came round to tell you. Don't want to spoil your party.' Then he turned away and looked down, gripping the back of a chair and seeming to concentrate hard on a spot on the floor. Severus could see that Remus was on the brink of tears when he went on with a hoarse voice.
'He's … dead. They've ….. they've killed him.'
'Who?'
'The aurors ….. with their bloody crossbows … just shot him.'
'It's not … Tim?'
Severus hated to ask, but had guessed right. Remus only nodded, still looking at the floor. His knuckles where white from gripping the chair and he was breathing deeply to fight the rising tears.
So it had happened in the end. What they had feared one way or the other. He had run wild and the aurors had hunted him down to prevent any damage in the wizarding and Muggle world. Severus felt helpless and uneasy, seeing his friend - and by now he regarded Remus as his friend - in such a state. He hadn't just come to tell Severus all about it and that he wasn't in the mood to spend tonight at a party. The man needed help, comfort, but Severus had never felt very confident about comforting people.
Right, he had been Head of Slytherin house, but not many students had really come to him in similar desperate situations, let alone wept in front of him. And as a head of house you weren't a father figure, at least that was the way Severus had interpreted his role at Hogwarts. His status as a spy, playing a follower of Voldemort for some of the student's of his house, had allowed him to keep a certain distance, to everybody. Well, to be honest, that had suited him. As he had always had problems himself with showing his feelings to others he had never felt very comfortable when dealing with other people's feelings.
And now there was a desperate friend standing in his kitchen, fighting his tears and obviously expecting something of him.
'I better … go then,' Remus nearly choking on his words, made as if to go.
Severus stepped forward to stop him and held him at the the shoulder. 'No, wait. You can't. I mean, not in this state…'
That was the trigger for Remus. Tears streaming down his face he looked at Severus and sobbed. 'He was so young … they just … why …. I…' then words failed him. He cried, his shoulders shaking, and Severus had no choice now but to hug him.
He cried for some time, now silently, only a sob could be heard from time to time while he was wetting Severus shirt at the shoulder. Severus stroke his back a bit awkwardly and dared not to ask any details at the moment about how it all happened. After a few minutes, Remus had recovered that far that he had himself under control again.
'Now you may call me a pathetic social worker with a helper's syndrome,' Remus snivelled, ' but it was so horrible. And after I had tried so hard. We all had tried to help him. And now … this.'
'No Remus, you are not at all pathetic. Everybody deals with problems differently. As for the social worker, well, some are more detached some less. Personally, I think you are doing a good job. You have even given me confidence, if that's saying you something. Not that I know enough other werewolf social workers to compare, but I've come to know some others as a squib.'
'Thank you, Severus.' He blew his nose. 'Care to know how it happened?'
'If it would help you to talk about it, yes. But do sit down, Remus, and let me make you some tea, ok?'
Remus nodded and took one of the chairs to sit at the kitchen table which was packed with things for the party. Severus had prepared two mugs of tea for them in a few seconds with a flick of his wand, placed one in front of Remus and sat down opposite him.
'It happened the night of the full moon, of course.' Remus took a deep breath, his voice was still a bit shaky. ' He'd gone to the Lake District, for whatever reason, we'll never know. And then …' he had to blow his nose again 'Then they got after him the same night and shot him. He wasn't dead at once, because when he was found, he had retransformed. As you know, you can only transform when you're alive.'
'Did you … see him?'
Remus nodded and took another deep breath to continue. 'They called upon me shortly after I had left you at your hearing. I helped to find him. They didn't know of course, if they had hit him properly. We found him only this morning. … I had to identify him.' He paused and let his head fall in his hands, elbows propped up on the table. He didn't look up when he went on in a low voice. 'He looked horrible. As if he had suffered much. Being hit by a crossbow silver bolt is … well …'
'They used a silver one?' Severus interrupted him incredulously. 'What for?'
'It's the law, Severus.'
'Bloody law!'
'Now, there is some reason behind that. It's not very safe to shoot a werewolf if it has gone wild. If you are not very precise and don't hit something vital … I mean if you hit at all, it's safer to use silver, because it will kill anyway, … in the end. Sooner or later.' Remus sighed sadly.
'Ome reason! They are all wizards!' He hit the table with his fist which caused Remus to start. 'Why didn't they use a proper spell? They are aurors! And if not a stunning spell, why not a killing spell, or even an unforgivable? That would be clean and easy, less cruel.'
'As you well know, an unforgivable killing spell would be illegal in that case, even for aurors.'
Severus snorted indignantly.
'I wish I could have spared him that. But he knew what he was doing this time, quite obviously.'
'You mean it was his last desperate try to commit suicide?'
'Probably. If you have overstepped the line and if you know that you are practically "on the list" of the Ministry, as a werewolf, I mean, it only needs not to report to the dungeons and run wild. Transform without the wolfsbane potion and that's it.'
'But how did they find him in the Lake District, then?'
'He was born there.'
'Oh. Sure. But still, there are means to stop a rabid werewolf another way than to kill it.'
'Yes, but you have to see that by law, as soon as you've transformed, you are not regarded as a human any more, especially if you transform without the influence of the wolfsbane potion.'
'But there's always a human being behind that. It's only one night which makes the difference!'
'Would you have argued that way before you became a werewolf yourself?'
'Well, … not exactly. … Perhaps. But I knew you, and I'd have never wished for you to die like that.'
'Thanks a lot.' Remus stood up. 'Now I've spoiled your party, I'm afraid, by telling you this, but … '
'No, that's all right, Remus. We are kind of in the same boat, aren't we?'
'Maybe, but now I don't want to keep you from your preparations any longer. I'll be off. I think I will take a bath and try to get some sleep. I am exhausted enough.'
'No, please. Remus. If you don't mind, I mean. I would prefer that you stayed nevertheless.'
The other looked down on himself. 'But I am far from presentable for a party, Severus. I desperately need to change and a bath beforehand.'
'That shouldn't be a problem. You can use my bathroom,' and when Remus was still looking undecided, Severus added 'and I will give you some spare clothes of mine.'
'Ok. Too many points against me. You won.' Remus managed a small smile. 'Maybe you are right and I should stay with people rather than alone at my flat, after all this.'
Remus turned to the door. When he was on the corridor already, Severus shouted after him.
'You know, not that you get the impression I am only acting out of concern for you. To the contrary, I am selfish enough to want you to stay to help me with my party. As it was your idea in the first place.'
Remus came back and popped his head through the door, now grinning. 'Well, in that case I'll stay as long in the bath as possible. If you don't mind.'
'Do so, Remus. Enjoy yourself.' Severus smiled, glad that he had managed to lighten the other werewolf's mood a bit. Then he went back to his bread dough to continue the preparations for his party.
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Half an hour later, Remus came back with a towel round his waist, looking much more relaxed.
'About the clothes, Severus, you said …?'
'Oh yes. You don't mind, choosing yourself something from my wardrobe? Take whatever you like.'
'Ok.'
'I didn't know you had jeans, Severus.' Remus said when he came back after a few minutes. He waas wearing a pair of black denims and a green cotton shirt.
'Oh them, yes. Well I've never worn them. I don't really know why I bought them, was a rather spontaneous idea, I'm afraid.' Severus shrugged his shoulders.
'Now, then. How can I help you?' Remus rubbed his hands.
Well, there are these vegetables to cut for the last salad.'
Severus handed Remus a kitchen knife. The other took a seat at the kitchen table, where he had quite a pile of different sorts of vegetables in front of him, and eyed them wearily.
'How do you want me to cut them, Severus?'
'Just cut them. Little pieces. No matter how.'
'Uhum. I thought you would prefer a certain, well … style. The pieces of the other salad over there, they look as if you had used a special way to cut.'
'No no, Remus. This is not potion making. You can hardly spoil it by cutting it in the wrong way. The sauce is the relevant ingredient, you know. Just go ahead.'
'I see.'
'You don't have to do it. Sorry, I mean, … I just thought I would keep you a bit … busy.'
'Oh, that's ok, Severus. I am glad that I can do at least something.' And he began cutting.
'You want to taste the sauce? Although the real taste will only come if you mix it with the other ingredients, but the general taste should be finished before you pour it onto the vegetables.' He handed Remus a small spoon with a bit of salad sauce on it.
Hm. Yes, delicious. Are you sure you didn't mix a potion here? Oh no, I am mistaken, it tastes to good for that.'
'And what is that supposed to mean? Although taste is not the relevant part of a potion and only because you have never had the chance to taste a nice one, doesn't mean that there are only horrible ones. Shall I name you some, and tell you about the brewing process?' Severus said grinning menacingly.
'Oh please don't,' Remus begged mockingly, 'I admit that I would be in for a lecture now, but do have mercy. It wouldn't make a difference, as I've never understood much about your favourite subject. As you well know, Severus.' Remus popped a piece of carrot into his mouth.
'Maybe I should give you a lecture. It's never too late for learning.' He frowned and crossed his arms before his chest. 'I am really sorry to tell you, Remus, but if you keep on cutting that way, we'll have to postpone the party until tomorrow.'
'Hey, you have a way to be friendly to your guests!' Remus protested laughingly and continued in a mock sneer 'I was wondering, though, you as a great wizard, potions, dark arts and all, aren't there any cutting spells? Don't you know some handy kitchen spells to peel and cut?'
'Cutting spells are not exact enough for potion ingredients. As for kitchen spells: I have only started to spend that much time on cooking after I had become a squib. Does that answer your question?'
'Then why didn't you buy a Muggle kitchen machine?' Remus started hacking away at another carrot vigorously.
'For one person? I have never had reason to cook and prepare food for a whole party. This is my first one. And I don't have to remind you that it was your idea, Remus?' He smiled. Although he considered them friends now, and Remus was his social worker, he didn't feel like telling him that during his time as a squib, cooking had been one of the means to keep him busy. Therefore, the longer it took, the better.
'My idea?. Yes, ok, but you owed it to us.'
Severus took another knife from the sink and sat down at the kitchen table as well. When he started slicing and cutting the rest of the vegetables from Remus' pile swiftly, the other shook his head.
'I can't see how you manage to do that without cutting your fingers, Severus. I'd never be able to do it that way. Come, let me do something else.'
'Sure. There are the plates and the cutlery to bring in the living room. In the upper cupboard over there.'
While Remus did as being told, Severus finished cutting the last leeks, put them in the bowl to the other vegetables and poured the beforehand prepared sauce over them. After having mixed everything thorougly, he disappeared into the bath to become a bit more presentable before his party as well.
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The doorbell rang when he had just finished dressing. On his way to the door he met Remus who was carrying a bowl to the living room.
'That's the last one, Severus. Everything finished to the minute.'
'Yes. Thank you so much, Remus. That was really helpful. Who can that be?'
'You'll know if you open, Severus. Come on, it's just a party, you know,' he added when he saw Severus' worried face.
When he did, Severus couldn't hide his surprise when he found Minerva McGonagall in front of him.
'Minerva. How nice to see you.'
'It's a pleasure. Severus, we haven't seen each other for quite a while, haven't we?'
'Yes, true. And I have to apologize for not answering your last letter. At first, there wasn't really much to write about, and when there was, well, it wasn't something to just write about a letter casually. You know all about it, by now, of course.'
'Yes I do. Oh, hello Remus!' she greeted the other werewolf who came out of the living room. They hugged.
'Good evening, Minerva. Long time, no see. But you haven't changed.'
'Thank you. And there I thought I would be the first one.'
'Oh, I wanted to make sure Severus didn't cancel the whole thing and came to help him a bit.'
'Now I think I understand whose idea it was in the end. I was already worrying you had changed completely, Severus.'
'No, no. Don't worry, Minerva. Only a bit of fur every four weeks.' Severus tried to sound lightheartedly, but as this subject wasn't 'light' at all, and Remus had left for the living room again, she looked at him seriously and lowered her voice.
'Is it allowed to ask how you are coping?'
He pulled her gently into the kitchen to prevent Remus to overhear their conversation.
'It is, Minerva.' He sighed. 'Well, I've only transformed once so far, but I don't think it will change much over the years. As you know already, I guess, it's absolutely horrible. Though, regarding the the social part, there are lot of others of your kind you come to know when you are a werewolf in London. Those I have met personally and spoken to were quite kind. It's a bit like a community. And Remus is helping very much, of course.'
'Yes, Remus. You were quite lucky, that he was there to help you. What a coincidence. What were you two doing out there in the first place, and on a full moon, may I ask? Or is it confidential?'
'The more people know, the less confidential it will become, I am afraid.' He groaned inwardly. Knowing Minerva McGonagall, she wouldn't give up that easily.
'Severus, is there something I should know? Remus doesn't look too well, tonight. I know, that the full moon was only a few days ago and has it's effects, but …'
'He had a drawback with another werewolf he is looking after, and took it very personal. You know how engaged he becomes when he is doing something, especially if it has to do with people, werewolves in particular. A young wolf got shot the last full moon. He had been to one of our meetings at Remus' place a few days before, and vanished shortly after. We think he let the aurors catch him deliberately to end his life. He couldn't cope.'
'Oh no! And now Remus thinks it was his fault, isn't he?'
'Yes. They called upon him to search for the wolf - Tim was his name - and when they found him, Remus was the one to identify him. It seemed as if Tim had suffered a lot before he died. Remus was in quite a state when he came here. He didn't want to stay for the party, of course, but I persuaded him. I think it would be kind not to discuss this with him tonight, or to avoid the subject of his work altogether.'
'Yes, of course. Poor Remus,' she sighed. 'He is always so concerned about others, perhaps more than is good for him, and then to be so cruelly disappointed… It's hard to imagine how he manages to appear so settled and calm on the outside. It must really be hard this time, if he let it show so much. May I ask, how is he like as a social worker?'
'Every part as you've just described him. Kind, understanding, but strict enough if need be. That's the reason I guess, why he was so popular as a teacher, back in Hogwarts. And one of the reasons why I chose him as my social worker.'
'But there is something else, Severus, isn't it? It's not that you hated each other before, well, despite your history at school, but it seems a bit strange to me that you appear to have built up a kind of friendship here. Not that I disapprove, far from that, don't get me wrong, but there is something …'
'We didn't have much of a choice, Minerva.' His face took a painful expression when he went on. 'Either that or … Look, Minerva, before you ask any further, or worse, start to discuss this with others, I will tell you. But you must promise not to tell anybody else.' He paused, clearing his throat.
He hesitated, because he wasn't sure if Remus would approve of it. They had sworn to keep quiet about how Severus had become a werewolf. He should at least ask Remus if they should share the information with Minerva. But she had always been one who was very concerned about Remus and a close friend. Perhaps it was good if a confident person like her was informed. If something should happen, whatever that could be, but with werewolves it would almost certainly be dramatic, it would be reassuring to have somebody like Minerva to help. Severus being a werewolf himself would not always be able to help his friend and social worker and the other way round. Having decided about that, he continued.
'The "third wolf" who bit me that night was a fake. Remus was the only werewolf present. I won't give you any more details, the less you know, the better.'
He could see how every colour vanished from his former colleagues face while the news were sinking in. Her lips formed a voiceless 'oh no'. If she had expected something unusual or weird, it obviously hadn't been that. She stared at him horrified.
'With him as my social worker, the secrect can stay between us,' he went on hastily, 'except from a few other people who helped us, like Harry and Hermione, and now you, of course. And, frankly, I wasn't keen on sharing all my frustration and anxiety with a complete stranger. And, true enough, there is no denying that it was also partly his fault that full moon. I am well aware that it means a lot of pressure on Remus. And I am afraid he had no choice to say yes when I asked him to become my social worker, although I didn't really beg him and let him decide.'
'Yes, indeed. I don't know if that was wise,' she confirmed, shaking her head showing her disapproval quite clearly. Recovered from the first shock, Minerva became quite practical again, as it was typical for her character. 'This must be an absolute nightmare for him. He is always so correct, always painstakingly working on not being a danger for others and then this. Honestly, you shouldn't have asked him, Severus.'
'Maybe you're right. I was very selfish there, but on the other hand, him being responsible for my good conduct and well being, he can experience first hand that I am coping. He wouldn't otherwise. And I do work hard on becoming a model werewolf, believe me.'
'Yes. I admit, you've got a point there. But still, poor Remus.' She shook her head sadly.
For a few seconds, Severus felt that he wanted to retort "and what about me?" but hesitated and then the decision was taken from him.
'Are you coming into the living room at all?' Remus voice could be heard from the said room. 'After I have taken great pains over setting the table and everything.' He came into the corridor. 'Are you talking about me?'
'I've just described you as a model werewolf social worker, Remus,' Severus said, hoping to sound noncommittantly, to hide the fact that he had just a more serious discussion with Minerva about him.
'Be careful, Severus. You haven't come to really know me. One step over the line, and you will, though. Then you will see your "model social worker" I am afraid,' the other said jokingly. But he did it in a strained sort of way, giving away that he wasn't really in the mood for joking about his job.
'Ok. As I don't know when the others will be coming, and as I have prepared a kind of buffet, let's go in and have something to drink and a little bit to eat,' Severus offered and led Minerva into the living room.
While they went, Severus was contemplating the fact that his former colleague had obviously been more worried about Remus than about him. Surely, it was a terrible thing that Remus had bitten someone, but to become a werewolf was as bad, wasn't it? And why, only why did people think that Severus would cope anyway, because he was so strong. Was it that? No, Severus, he told himself, it's not that at all. Let them tell what they want, they have never come to trust, let alone like you, and how? He had changed sides too many times, had been to reclusive, not open enough to build real friendships. How could he expect them to show more than a bit of pity? And here I am, supposed to give a party to all these people.
A little bit more of party feeling would be in order now, he thought. The only problem being, that as much as he was able to force himself to appear completely cool and undetached on the outside in dangerous situations (like as a double agent, constantly on the brink of his cover being blown, … well that had been quite a while now, hadn't it ?), pretending to be the relaxed and happy host looking forward to a party of which he didn't even know exactly who and how many were going to come, was quite another thing. All the more as he had never felt very comfortable about parties and had never known any reason to give one himself, of course.
And what, he couldn't help asking himself while he checked the table with the food things, what if nobody else came? Was that a sign that they really despised him? (You didn't care about that at other times, did you? he lied to himself.) And what, if many came? Would they come out of obligation, because they were curious how an ex-death eater was doing, or because they did care about him? Why did things have to be so complicated?
Luckily, before he could drive himself crazy, his trait of thought was broken by the door bell, and when he hurried to open Molly and Arthur Weasly greeted him enthusiastically.
'Great idea, this party, Severus, really.' Arthur beamed at him.
'May we congratulate you to your regained magic, Severus,' Molly said more formally.
'Not out here, please come in,' he looked around the staircase nervously and let them in.
'Arthur, please!'
It had momentarily become dark in the corridor. When the light went on again, Severus could see that Arthur was standing at the light switch, staring fascinated.
'Well, I cannot possibly live in a Muggle environment without using electricity, can I?' Severus explained, shrugging his shoulders. 'If you are interested, I can show you around. It's not very spectacular, though. Only light, kitchen equipment, my surround system … hairdryer and so on …'
Arthur Weasley was looking as if he was five years old, expecting Santa Claus coming round the corner every minute. Everybody who knew Arthur Weasley also knew that it was impossible for him not to be interested in anything which was only remotely connected with Muggle technology. But Molly was embarrassed about her husband's enthusiasm which she obviously didn't share and hissed something in his ear to call him to order.
'That's all right, we can do that later, when everybody has arrived and after we've had something to eat.' Severus smiled a bit unsecurely. Surely, it wasn't the normal thing to show guests, especially if you were not that close to them, every bit and piece of your flat. But he didn't want to be unpolite, and he had to admit that it wasn't usual for wizards to live in a Muggle flat with all the equipment coming with it, so others wizards would naturally be interested, or even, as in Arthur's case, overenthusiastic.
He didn't have the chance to show the Weasleys to the living room, but it wasn't the doorbell which interrupted him this time. A loud "plopp" indicated that a wizard had apparated into Severus' flat.
'Oh, sorry,' Harry said when he saw the faces of the persons present in the corridor. 'I thought it would raise less attraction if I apparated here directly. You know, in my working outfit.' He grinned, not at least embarrassed by his action which was considered very unpolite by most wizards. Even if you were family you wouldn't apparate in the middle of the living quarters of another wizard without warning.
'Really, Harry, will you never grow up?' Molly spoke out loud what Severus was thinking, but couldn't say because he wasn't supposed to as the host and Harry was grown up and not his student any more.
'Molly!' Arthur Weasly, who usually wasn't known to contradict his wife, but found her trying to teach the adult Harry Potter manners in Severus Snape's flat obviously a bit inappropriate, hissed.
'It's ok. I haven't found time to set up apparating warners. After having lived close to Muggles for the last year, it just didn't occur to me that I would need them. And it hasn't been long since I have been able to do magic again,' Severus heard himself saying to his own astonishment.
An uncomfortable silence developed for a few seconds.
'Right, then. Is everybody already here?' Harry, now looking as if he had suddenly realised his fault, tried to break the ice again.
'Only Minerva and Remus,' Severus answered and made a gesture towards the living room to invite the newcomers to follow him.
'Remus? Really! I have been looking for him everywhere. Did they get that stray wolf then?' Harry exclaimed and made for the living room.
To prevent him confronting Remus again with the horrible events of the last days, Severus gripped his sleeve and stopped him.
'Not now, please,' he whispered and when Harry looked at him questioningly, added, 'the wolf was killed. Don't mention it, Remus is quite down. I had a hard time to persuade him to stay at all.'
'Oh, right. I see.' Harry bit his lip while Molly was looking horrified and Arthur sighed. For the latter, having worked at the Ministry for years, such tragedies weren't that unfamiliar.
'Shall we?' Severus indicated the way to the living room and they all marched in that direction.
'Uhm, sorry, I didn't make it to your hearing, but I am not sure if I could have given it a better turn, considering your wand and all,' Harry began the conversation anew while they were entering the living room. 'I was on an urgent mission, at least the Minister thought it to be urgent.'
'Never mind that, I got what I wanted in the end, didn't I ?' Severus answered. It wasn't easy to thank somebody you didn't really like. He cleared his throat and spoke to all of them.
'Well, it seems that the latest venture of the Order has been very effective, considering my person. I have to thank you, all of you.'
They were all looking at him now expectantly.
'Don't worry, I am not going to make a speech.' He smiled to hide his insecurity.
'Thank Merlin, otherwise we would have to wait longer to be able to taste all these nice things,' Remus grinned and helped himself to a considerable portion of salad.
While Severus noticed satisfied that his friend seemed at least to have regained his appetite, hoping that his mood had improved in the same way, Minerva and the others looked a bit worried towards the happily eating werewolf and Severus. The latter was wondering why at first, but then he became aware that it was probably unusual for them to witness somebody making a somewhat unpolite comment on him and not getting a sarcastic remark at least.
But he didn't mind anymore, well, when it was Remus who did it. With some other persons, he wouldn't be so sure … But for his other guests, the idea that he and Remus had become friends obviously didn't occur to them easily.
He was spared further thoughts in that direction or any other awkward moments when the doorbell rang again. This time it was Argus Filch and, to Severus' great astonishment, Neville Longbottom.
'Nice that you have made it,' was the only thing Severus was able to say at the moment, he hadn't expected that of all persons, Neville Longbottom would make his appearance at his party. Although they were on friendly speaking terms, there was still a certain reserve.
'Not bad, Severus, not bad. And much nicer than your dark hole at Hogwarts, I dare say,' Argus commented on Severus' living quarters.
'There was nothing wrong with them. Actually, I found them quite cosy,' Severus tried to defend what he had indeed liked somehow, back at his time at the great wizarding school.
'Hi Neville!' Harry greeted the newcomer when they entered the living room. 'What was it that kept you behind? What did the Minister want this time? Must have been really important.'
'Yeah,' Neville said with a pained expression. 'Guess what! Some idiot gave clothes to some of the Ministry house elves!'
'No!'
'Yes, really funny.' Neville snorted and sat into an armchair next to Harry, who had made himself comfortable on the sofa, holding one of Severus' non-alcoholic drinks.
After his latest experience with Remus, Severus hadn't trusted those kind of beverages, especially not in connection with wizards, even more so as he was sure he had a somewhat different view of fun than most Griffyndors, and … well, he had never given a party.
'Fudge was the only one, of course who didn't laugh. Strange though,' Neville continued, shaking his head, 'who would think of giving them pieces of underwear, and on top of that, pink!'
'Brilliant!' Harry burst out laughing while Argus came back from the buffet, his plate laden with different sorts of food. 'Yes, who would?' he grinned broadly at Severus, telling him that way that he had a good guess about the culprit.
But nobody else noticed. The other guests were busy trying out the food on offer on the buffet, Harry was laughing too hard. Only Remus, who had not made up his mind yet about refilling his empty plate, was holding the item on his knees and looked questioningly at Severus.
'Did I miss anything?' Arthur enquired while he was looking around, trying to decide where to sit. Severus had enlarged the number of places to sit by magic and had ensured that they were all either sofas or cosy armchairs. 'Difficult to make a choice, Severus. Everything is really tasty.'
'Thank you, Arthur.'
Harry explained what the joke was about, causing Arthur nearly to spill his food when he started laughing as well. 'Never heard something so clever during my time at the Ministry, I dare say!'
'I can't see much fun in this, Arthur. Only think, the Ministry will have to pay them now, and … it's tax payers' money!' Molly insisted.
'Oh, Molly, I don't remember ever having paid any tax.'
'No, that's true, people who have hardly enough money to eat …'
'Was that meant to be a remark about my wages?'
Severus, far from being relaxed anyway, began to feel even more uncomfortable. As a host, you were supposed to create a pleasant atmosphere, and avoid any confrontations between guests, weren't you? But what to do with a bickering couple? Minerva came to the rescue.
'Molly, you should know about men and boys by now. Always delighted to get their minds distracted by little pranks, aren't they?'
'I wouldn't make too much fuss about all this, either,' Argus added. 'Don't you know that, nowadays, house elves have proper working contracts? They even get holidays. I think I heard somebody say that they would ask only for another day off or so, anyway. But Fudge is blowing everything up, of course.'
'But isn't it nice, that he hasn't got anything worse to deal with than house elves in pink underwear? May I remind all of you, that we had more serious things to deal with in former times.' Minerva smiled.
Harry was still grinning like a school boy who was impressed about one of his friends' pranks, while Remus had wandered off to the buffet again. And the subject still hadn't lost it's attraction for some of the other guests. Arthur showed his interest again when he asked: 'And can you trace the person who did it?'
Neville shrugged his shoulders. 'I suppose you could if you put enough effort in it. Too much effort for such a prank, if you ask me. I wanted to get here, so I told Fudge it was too complicated. Anyway, dark magic was used, so it won't be too easy. I hope the Minister won't insist upon investigating much further. I am not too keen on that, I can tell you. Excuse me, I think I will have a go at the buffet now, too.'
'Dark magic?' Harry suddenly gave up his schoolby attitude and became serious. 'But that'd be an offence if done in the Ministry!'
Severus groaned inwardly. This was not something he appreciated. From the distance of a few days, the whole thing seemed childish enough by now. He had only wanted to do the elves a favour, not to become the centre of interest at his own party. But he couldn't think of anything to prevent the situation from becoming more embarassing for him. He could only hope that his guests became too busy eating to discuss the subject any further and would finally find another topic of conversation.
Then he suddenly got help from an unexpected side.
---------------------#---#---------------------------------
'Tok tok tok.'
Everybody was looking around for the source of the noise.
'Another guest at the door?' Minerva enquired.
'No, an owl. At the window over there.'
Argus pointed towards the balcony window where a large dark owl was fluttering and knocking with her beak at the pane continuously.
Severus got up reluctantly. His first thought was that they had found out about his connection with this stupid prank and he scolded himself to have lost his usual reserve so easily when he had done it. It had only been possible because he had been so happy about his regained magic, wand and freedom, and … yes Severus, revenge, even a little bit, is sweet. If he would get any problems because of this he wasn't any wiser as a first year student. Well done, Severus.
But it wasn't a Ministry owl as he could see at once when she settled on his left arm after he had opened the balcony door.
When he had taken the letter from the owl's leg, he noticed a crest which looked very official but which wasn't familiar to him. He stared at it for a moment.
'Is it from the Ministry?' Harry asked.
'We are not curious, Severus. You can go out and open it in the kitchen, you know,' Remus offered, grinning.
For a moment, Severus even contemplated this alternative, but knew it would be ridiculous. He would have to tell them later, anyway. So he opened the letter and when he saw where it came from, he murmured 'Aberystwyth University'.
'I wrote to Erin Carringas, he is teaching at Aberystwyth and president of the League of Potion Masters and and I asked if my membership could be renewed, because I had my magic back,' he informed them.
After a few lines, his mouth fell open. He couldn't quite believe what he was reading. When he had finished, he looked up and found that everybody was looking at him, waiting for him to give them the contents of this unusual letter.
'Good news?' Minerva asked hopefully.
'Ehm … yes, well … I don't know … I did not expect this …' Severus was a bit lost for words.
'Care to tell us what it is about? Then we will give you some professional advice,' Remus offered goodnaturedly.
'Well, in this case it seems that you are the expert here.' Severus, still not knowing how to tell this openly in front of all the others, handed the letter to his werewolf friend.
'Wow,' Remus eyes became wide while reading. 'It seems that somebody must have found out that you haven't had proper presents for Christmas, haven't you? A position as professor for potions at Aberystwyth University for Wizards. Severus, there simply is no alternative to accepting this. I mean, after the Ministry has sacked you and all.' Remus smiled, honestly happy for him for having gained such a treat.
'Sacked? I thought it was me who had handed in my notice?'
'Where is this place Aberi… ?' asked Harry bewildered.
'Potter, geography!' Remus said with mock indignancy, imitating, of which he was probably not really aware of, excited as he was, Minerva.
'Mid-Wales, at the coast,' Neville informed them.
'Yes, it's a small but well known institution,' Minerva added.
'A lovely place. I went there with my parents when I was a girl. I had planned to go there with Arthur for our honeymoon, but … you know, the children came in the way,' Molly said dreamily.
Luckily, most of his guests were engaged in a conversation about this new topic, so Severus could talk about it with Remus more privately.
'But did you read what comes with this position?'
'Yes. Werewolf liaison person for the werewolf students there. Wonderful, they seem to have a very open minded policy towards werewolves.'
'Yes, fine, but do you think,' Severus cleared his throat, unsure what to say. For Remus, who couldn't count all the mostly not so well paid jobs he had lost in his life because of his condition, this offer must look like a miracle.
'Do you really think that I will be the right person for this? Tell me honestly, please.'
Suddenly it had become silent, and Severus wished he had asked Remus to come into the kitchen to discuss this, but it was too late. Everybody seemed to listen to their conversation now.
'Why not? You've got all the qualifications needed. You are excellent at potions, you have been head of house back at Hogwarts. Only, the students are older, but that's all the better, they should be more mature, you know. And they will be studying their subject out of their free will, because of interest.'
There he was speaking out loud what Severus didn't dare to say. As a teacher, he hadn't been excactly what you would call successful. Everybody knew that most of the students there had hated his subject and the way he had been teaching, and, even more important, he hadn't liked it very much either, to put it politely. Well, most of his students had passed their potions exams,hadn't they?
'Hey, you there! Impertinent …' Minerva shouted and directed her wand towards the owl who, while everybody had been distracted by Severus' letter, had taken the chance to get it's share from the buffet.
'No, please, Minerva, not in here!' Severus jumped to stop her performing whatever spell she was planning, causing the owl to flutter and screech angrily.
'The electronic devices, my surround system, you know, they don't go well with magic, sorry,' he explained to his former colleague.'
'Oh, I see.'
The bird spread it's wings, took off and came over to Severus where it landes on his shoulder.
'See, it wants a quick answer. You will have to write a return letter at once.' Argus stated.
To make a point, the owl ruffled it's feathers and hooted importantly.
'I didn't know that there was a vacancy, and I don't know if I'd have applied if I had known. I wish I had some time to think…'
'Severus, how many excellent potion experts are there in Britain, or let's say, in the world? And how many of them are not engaged? Not many, I would say. When they learned of your regained magic, they obviously saw their chance,' Minerva said and looked sternly at him over the rim of her glasses.
'I had planned, if I had planned anything at all, that is, to do a bit of private research, and brew potions to sell them for a living … ' Severus tried to gain some time. He didn't want this decision taken from him. They all knew how he had been as a teacher…
'Don't be ridiculous, Severus!' Minery snorted. 'This sounds much like retirement and You are far too young for that! Now, come on, don't hesitate any longer, or do you want to end up working for the Ministry again, testing the newest bubble bath potions before they are released for the market? I guess if you asked Fudge he would be happy to offer you such a job.'
'Minerva is probably right. This sounds like a great opportunity. But it's your decision, Severus' Arthur suddenly said.
Severus sighed. This was all to quick. He would have liked to have some time to settle, to get used to this new situation, but not jump headlong from the dull job as a registrar to that of a potions professor at university. But they were all right, of course. A job at university would mean to be able to do more research, the students were much older, they were of age and responsible for themselves and therefore you didn't have to look after them so much. With advanced potions, you could start let them do interesting projects … he was stopped in his musings by the owl who began to pull at his hair and hooted indignantly because it had to wait so long.
'Ok,' Severus said to himself and went over to his small writing desk. Without taking care anymore of his guests, he took out paper and a pen (he hadn't found time to buy parchment or a quill, but it was at least an expensive old fashioned ink pen) and began to write his answer which consisted only of a few sentences: that he was happy to accept at any time, would be eager to work as a werewolf liason person and would of course start to learn Welsh as soon as possible. He knew that as well as Muggles, witches and wizards of Wales were very proud of their culture of which the language had a big part and that the learning of the language was obligatory if you wanted to work in public institutions, such as university.
While he was writing he only half noticed what was happening around him. His guests were probably discussing his future prospects or whatever, he didn't listen closely. When he had finished his letter, he attached it to the owl's leg and let the bird out of the window. When he turned towards his guests again, he noticed that Remus had fallen asleep in the corner of the sofa. The events of the last days had obviously finally taken it's toll. And he didn't look as if we was having a good peaceful rest while sleeping. His grey face was still showing traces of the despair he had have to endure.
Nobody wanted to wake him, but because of his animal senses he woke up when Argus cleared his throat.
'Oh, I'm sorry… I'
'Well it's late,' stated Molly tactfully. 'Severus will have a lot of preparation to do in the next days. We shouldn't keep you up too long.'
The others murmered their consent and got up as if they had only waited for this signal. Severus felt somehow relieved when they one by one said all their good buys and told him how they had liked it, and the marvellous food. He was very tired himself and wouldn't have known how to entertain them any longer anyway. But he would have liked to know he could call his "party" a success or not.
In the end, only Remus was left. Although the others had offered their help to clear up after the party, only Remus had been insistent enough to persuade Severus to accept his help. That was as well, as Severus would get chance to talk to him while they were doing the washing up.