A/N: Thanks to my beta reader, Jestana. She's going to keep me on the HP straight and narrow. I don't own any of the characters herein. They belong to J.K. Rowling. I'm just having fun.

Chapter Three: the Staff Meeting from Hell

The next afternoon, Dorian went to the staff room a little early. He wanted to be able to choose his seat. He knew this was not going to be an easy meeting, and he wanted to be comfortable.

Shortly after Dorian settled himself in a corner of the room, the first staff members came in. Professor Hooch walked in, talking to Professor Sprout, and Professor Vector. Next came Professor Flitwick. Professor Sinistra came in with Professor Snape. Looking at Professor Snape, Dorian shook his head. 'Did I really look that bad then?' he thought to himself. Finally, Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore arrived.

"I would like to call this staff meeting to order. I have a couple of announcements. First, Remus Lupin will be returning to take over Care of Magical Creatures while Hagrid is on a leave to take care of personal business." Dumbledore looked up when he heard the murmur of approval. Remus was generally liked by the staff. Dorian looked over at his younger self and saw the disquiet on his face. He realized that the DADA position was still unfilled, and was wondering who Dumbledore was going to pick to fill it.

"Secondly, we have a new professor to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. He has had plenty of experience, and I have known him for many years. May I introduce Professor Dorian Grey." Dumbledore motioned to the corner where Dorian sat. Most of the professors hadn't noticed him before this moment. It was as if he'd had a Notice Me Not charm on him to that point. Dorian stood and bowed slightly.

The other staff just stared at him. None of them knew him, and although he looked somewhat familiar, no one could place him. Minerva was the first to speak.

"Professor Grey? I don't think I've met you before."

"No, you haven't. I've traveled quite a bit. I've taught in the colonies, and also in Europe." Due to the potion, Dorian's voice had a hoarseness to it that helped disguise it, and it was a little higher in pitch than Severus', which made it, hopefully unrecognizable as the Potion Professor's.

"I have kept tabs on Dorian for the last several years. His record is impressive." Albus was hoping to head off any major problems from the staff. Unfortunately, it was a forlorn hope, and the problem came from a somewhat unexpected source.

"Headmaster, do you think at this time it is wise to bring in someone that most of us are totally unfamiliar with? Wouldn't it, perhaps, be better to bring the werewolf back in to teach DADA, and leave Care of Magical Creatures go for now?" It was Severus Snape who spoke.

Dorian looked at him in surprise, although he should have expected it. Knowing himself as he did, he knew he had been extremely paranoid at this time. However, he needed to make friends with his younger self if he was going to accomplish what he was here to do.

"I understand your reservations, but I have known Albus for over 35 years. He has seen me in action, and knows all of my qualifications." He shared a rather amused look with Albus. "I have taught in the colonies, and also in Europe. I have been involved in the fight against Voldemort in a mostly . . . covert capacity. I can assure you, I have nothing but the most honorable intentions toward all students and staff here at Hogwarts." Dorian mentally crossed his fingers at the last. There was one student he did not have honorable intentions for, but it would have to wait until he got back to his own time.

Severus appeared to have been silenced, but not convinced.

"In addition, Severus, since you are concerned about Professor Grey's intentions, he has also agreed to fill in teaching your classes on the few occasions when you cannot be here. His skill at potions is considerable. I think you would find a kindred spirit in that realm." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes were dancing with amusement.

"That I will have to see for myself. I will not trust a complete stranger in my lab without some sort of demonstration of ability." Severus was outraged.

"After you, Professor Snape." Dorian gestured toward the door.

"One moment, gentlemen. Are there any other questions or concerns? Very well. We are finished, ladies and gentlemen. Dorian, could you stay just a moment? Severus, I will send him down to you in just a little while."

Severus nodded and left in his trademark billow of robes. The others left shortly, after welcoming Dorian to Hogwarts. He cordially shook their hands, and thanked them for their good wishes. When all the staff was gone, Dorian collapsed back into the chair he had occupied at first. Dumbledore seated himself in the chair next to it.

"I really was a paranoid git, wasn't I? Time dulls the memory, I suppose." Dorian sighed loudly.

"Well, we did kind of spring you on them. Severus' reaction is not unexpected, given the fact that he is still spying for the Order. What are you going to do to convince him to trust you?"

"Well, first I am going to demonstrate that I know monkshood from wolfsbane." Dorian laughed at the thought. "I'm sorry, it has become a joke between Harry and me, referring back to his first day of class with me. I asked him the difference, not knowing he'd never seen a potions book in his life until he picked up his supplies from Diagon Alley. At the time, it was humiliating for him, but over the course of the War against Voldemort, we made our peace. He told me about that first time, and we laughed about what an arrogant ass I was. We are good friends in my time. He is like a younger brother to me."

"Ahh. I'm glad to know you resolve your problems. It is one of my concerns now, the tension between Severus and Harry. There is so much Harry can learn from him, but Severus is not willing to look beyond the Potter looks to see Harry as he really is."

"That is one of the reasons I'm here. To help Severus get beyond James. I remember quite clearly some of the discussions I had with Dorian about Harry, about James, and about things in general. I wondered why he knew so much about things he couldn't have been here for, but at the end when he told me who he really was, it all made sense. You know, this can get really confusing, talking about myself as both Severus and Dorian." Dorian pinched the bridge of his nose. He was starting to get a headache.

"When you get down to the dungeons, why don't you ask Severus for a headache potion. It's probably just the tension of meeting everyone today." Dumbledore's cheeriness was beginning to wear on Dorian. Now he remembered why not having him around all the time had been a relief is some ways.

"Yes. I think I better go on down. It doesn't do to keep me waiting." With that, Dorian pushed himself out of the chair and moved toward the door.

"Just remember, don't billow too much. I believe Severus has a patent on that." Dumbledore's laugh followed Dorian out the door and down the hall.