A/N: I am going with the Fanon view of what constitutes a "Master" in this fic because it suits my purposes. But as there is much ignorance of English ways in fanfic writing, I wish to take this opportunity to clear something up. JK Rowling is English, so are the books and the society in which they are set. In England a Master is merely the term for a male teacher at a private school. One can also gain a Masters degree in a subject, but that is not the derivation of the term. It is only in recent years that one has had to have a degree in order to teach. That said, I am now going to use it in the wrong way.

A/N2: There is a song in this, but it is NOT a songfic, it's just part of this chapter, sung by people. And I profusely apologise to Bob Dylan for messing with his words so much, but it had to be done.

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"Obviously I cannot tell you WHO did this, but that is how it was done. It is possible that whoever created this atrocious concoction, didn't realise what they were doing. They may have thought that by adding the werewolf blood to the sweet, it would make someone turn into a werewolf for the minute of two that the Canary Cream usually lasts. Even so, it would still be a werewolf that was created, even if just for a short period of time. I am afraid that the transmogrifying virus supercedes the temporary structures of the Weasley Twins' prank sweets, the transformation is permanent. With the Moonbar and Wolfsbane potions, the condition is a lot more manageable than in the past, the boy should be fine. How are his parents coping with the situation?"

Albus sighed, "Naturally they are concerned that this happened in school and mortified that their son has to live with this. They did, however, state similar thoughts as yourself - that with the new potion the prognosis was a lot more 'normal' than in the past. They've decided to register him with the Ministry, I offered them the opportunity to delay that until he leaves school, as we did with Remus, but they are a little more straight-laced than Remus' parents were."

"How is the boy faring with his schoolmates? He has returned to classes now, I take it?"

"Yes he has. His classmates are a little wary of him. He has two close friends who seem to be sticking by him and there are a few who are courting his friendship. I believe that they think it would be 'cool' to have a werewolf as a friend."

"Well, it's better than feeling ostracised."

"Quite. Now, on to other business."

Serenity sighed, she knew this was coming and hadn't come to a conclusion yet. Remus had gently pressed the point at dinner the night before and she found herself more and more unwilling to disappoint everybody. She was still uncertain as to whether remaining at Hogwarts was the best thing for her but she had no research set up ready which would provide an escape route, if she decided that she needed one. Well, if she was going to buckle, she wasn't going to make it easy.

"Other business? I think we're finished, aren't we? I will arrange for more Moonbar and Wolfsbane to be delivered on a regular basis. I have left a sizable stock in the Hospital Wing and Madame Pomfrey has my firecall address, should Mr. Caruthers need my further assistance. I am afraid that there is little more I can do to help. I am not a private investigator and I don't know these children, so I cannot identify the culprit for you. You will have to do that yourselves."

"You're stalling Serenity. You know exactly what I was referring to. I cannot and would not bully you into staying but you know that you would be more than welcome. We desperately need a Potions Professor and I would prefer one that is capable of doing the job. When you were Professor here, our Potions grades were the finest in the world. Our students who went on to Universities and Apprenticeships were already far more capable than would be expected of someone already a year into such studies. Since you left we have had a progression of adequate to appalling people who would just about do because we had no other choices. I am not merely thinking of the school's status and the children's studies either. There is the broader picture of Potions work in general. There are very few Potions Masters left and you have been the only person since the war to be awarded Master status, but you had already been awarded that nearly two decades earlier, as such, it was a product of your new identity as opposed to good educational provision. There needs to be provision for the future of the subject, we need good Potion makers, we need more Potions Masters. It is all well and good that the other Masters have offered their services to the Universities, but what is the good of that if no-one is capable of attaining the grades to get onto those courses. I am told that only one apprenticeship has been awarded since the war, yet twelve are available."

Serenity buckled visibly as the situation was laid out before her. She had known that the Potion makers' population had been whittled down to a scant few, but she had not realised that the situation was so dire. Albus was highlighting the problems, for sure, but the facts were stark. The man was still talking.

"There are also personal considerations. I do not believe that you have committed yourself to any other projects as yet and it would do you good to spend some time here. The wizarding world now knows who you are, they have your past charted and mapped, so running away from it will not be of any use to you."

"I wasn't running away Albus and I am not doing so now. You state it as though I should be at Hogwarts and nowhere else, that there is no other viable option. I have whatever opportunities I choose to take. Right now I could get funding for any project I wanted. Hell, with what they paid me for the De-were Project, I could fund my own research institute."

"But would it make you happy?"

Serenity snorted, a habit she had never truly been able to divest herself of.

"And I was oh so deliriously happy when I was here."

"You were not alone."

"Yes I was! Albus, I am willing to substitute teach until the end of term. During that time I will CONSIDER your request. That does not mean that I am going to accept the position, just that I will think about it. I won't leave you in the lurch here, but I won't promise my life away either."

Albus was already beaming like a Cheshire cat. He fidgeted a little and tried to find something to occupy his hands as he fought the urge to rush and sweep the woman into an embrace. He wanted to welcome her home and secure her to him like the family that she was, but he knew that it would not be appreciated. Her neckline had risen again since the article in the Prophet, a clear sign that her barriers were up. Although, it had to be noted that she seemed far more at ease with herself now than she had seemed before. Something in the way she held one's gaze longer perhaps?

"Well, that's wonderful Serenity. I shall take all that I can get. I have to warm you that I shall be trying my damnedest to get you to stay longer."

It was Serenity's turn to laugh.

"I wouldn't have expected anything less Albus. Now, can we go and get some breakfast? I am starving."

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"If I could have your attention please; I have a few announcements to make."

Dumbledore waited until the noise quietened down before addressing the assembled students. He cast a quick eye around for anyone looking guilty or uncomfortable, but there were entirely too many students looking exactly like that for him to make any conclusions, unless the infection of Mr. Caruthers had been a massive cross-house conspiracy, which was highly unlikely.

"First and foremost, Professor Snape has managed to identify the means by which Mr. Caruthers was infected with the werewolf virus. I would like to offer this opportunity for anyone who has information about this act, to step forward. The door to my office will be open all day and for the sake of expediency I have removed the password. Please come and see me if you have any knowledge or suspicions regarding this matter. If we do not resolve the matter ourselves, then I shall have no choice but to turn the matter over to the Aurors. As this concerns the seemingly wilful harming of a student, I will allow them into the school and I will allow them access to everyone's personal belongings. Rest assured that they have the ways and means to determine who was responsible. If the matter goes that far, then I shall not be intervening in punishments either. There is no specific law governing infection by a non-werewolf, so the sentence for wilfully infecting another stands at a life sentence to Azkaban, you would be wise to avoid this. Step forward today and the circumstances of how we deal with this could be different.

"Secondly and on a much happier note. Professor Snape has agreed to stay with us until the end of the term, with the possibility that she will take up a permanent position with us. Be on your best behaviour for her. She is perfectly capable of terrifying you into submission, but as we want her to stay, I suggest you attempt to persuade her that it is worth her while. Now eat!"

When the sounds of general breakfast chatter and clatter failed to sound, the Professors all gradually looked up to the collection of dumbstruck students. Eventually the silence was broken as the Slytherins began to whoop and shout.

"Welome back Professor Snape."

"Whoohoo, ProFesSor!"

Eventually a song struck up which began at the Slytherin table, but rapidly spread across the entire hall, it was obviously well known throughout the school, although the fourth line appeared improvised as Mr. Ferramor, the current Slytherin leader, and his mates were the only ones singing it.

"Hey! Mr. Tangerine Man, make a draft for me,
I'm so sleepy and I don't want to dream of you.
Hey! Mr. Tangerine Man, bodge it up for me,
Professor Snape is home now and we're huntin' you.

Though I know that lesson's boredom has returned into sand,
Vanished from my hand,
Left me blindly here to stand no longer sleeping.
My weariness amazes me, I'm branded on my feet,
I have a dream to meet
And your fucked up empty head's too dead for dreaming.

Hey Now, Professor Snape, teach a trick to me,
I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to.
Hey Now, Professor Snape, show a draft to me,
In the asphodel scent morning I'll come followin' you.

Take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin' ship,
My senses have been stripped, my hands can't feel to grip,
My toes too numb to step, wait only for my boot heels
To be wanderin'.
I'm ready to go anywhere, I'm ready for to fade
Into my own parade, cast your dancing spell my way,
I promise to go under it.

Hey! Mr. Tangerine Man, sweat a fear for me,
I'm not sleepy and Hogwarts' army is coming for you.
Hey! Mr. Tangerine Man, scent your stink for me,
In the jingle jangle morning I'll come huntin' you."

After the initial shock of such a ridiculously positive response had worn off, Serenity found her head in her hands in embarrassment; she was seriously unused to such attention. Remus was beaming and grabbed Serenity's hand in silent support. The smile faltered a little as she snatched the hand back, but as she didn't look up or react in any other way, he staunchly refused to take it personally.

Minerva and some of the other teachers looked ready to go into shock. Obviously Professor Snape's reputation had not preceded her this time; the poor students didn't know what they were in for.

Albus couldn't help it. He collapsed into laughter, giant merry waves of genuine happiness and enjoyment. Parvus Secutus had been the most abominable teacher that the school had ever had the misfortune of hiring and considering they had had Voldemort stuck on the back of the head of one and another had charmed his own mind away to try and cover his lying egotistical arse, that was really saying something. Albus was rarely a vindictive man, but he had already put out feelers to stop the man from gaining employment in any field that Albus considered to be of merit or necessity. He consoled himself with the thought that he was protecting others from the man's incompetence but he knew that vengeance and anger were a part of his motivation too. He often felt that he was partly to blame for the misguided actions of former students and professors; if only he could have done more to help them, but here sat the potentially largest screw up of his career proving that although you couldn't get them all, you could make waves with some. He may not have picked up on the bullying and loneliness of Severus Snape the child, but he had done everything in his power to help him claw back his life and this song, this day, this woman was vindication of that journey. It was proof that if the person 'wanted' to better themselves, then anything was possible. It contrasted starkly with the laziness and sheer gall of people like Secutus, who had had every opportunity and chance available to them but hadn't been bothered to make the effort.

Albus had to force himself not to clap when the song came to an end. He had already incited them to revenge, he had better not make it worse. Minerva had spent at least five hours shouting at him about that outburst since it had happened and although he wouldn't take it back, he knew that he couldn't encourage them any further. He smothered his chuckles as he felt the prickly stare of his Deputy Headmistress piercing his amusement and concentrated firmly on trying to chew his breakfast through his grin.