Disclaimer: None of the recognizable characters belong to me. They are the property of J.K. Rowling. I'm just moving them around on my private chessboard.

A/N: Thanks to my betas, Jestana and Silvana, for their promptness in reading this for me.

Chapter Five: The Waiting Game

The next two weeks went by too quickly in some respects, and too slowly in others. Dorian was trying to make up his syllabus, going by the stated goals the Board of Governors put forth, but also trying to keep in mind the poor quality of most of the recent DADA instructors. It seemed as if he would have to try to teach four years of DADA to the sixth years. Remus had been the only decent instructor in the last four years. The only bright spot in all this was that, with Harry's DA classes, some might not be as hopeless as others.

He continued to work with Severus, trying to gain his trust. Dorian knew that the Potion Master's time was at a premium as he tried to set up his own lessons, gather the ingredients that could only be bought at the last minute, restocked potions for the infirmary, and attended to his work as a spy for the Order. Voldemort always seemed to call more often before school began, giving orders on what Severus was to observe and keep an eye out for. Dorian tried to ease some of the time pressures by taking care of the potions for Poppy.

Dorian had been told that Remus had figured out who he was. He should have realized those heightened senses of his would come into play. Dorian was not as happy that Mad Eye Moody had been told the truth, but he realized the danger of Moody looking for the truth if he got some piece of it figured out. Moody's magical eye had always bothered Dorian, but now he cursed it.

On the bright side, Remus' knowing allowed Dorian to talk to someone freely. Albus was busy running the school, and leading the Order. Remus was available, and when the loneliness began to get to Dorian, he could go to Remus' quarters and spend some time relaxing. He even took the glamour off a couple of times so Remus could see what he truly looked like. It was a great relief to him to be able to do so.

The slow part was the time until Dorian would see Hermione. He knew it wouldn't be his Hermione. This one was too young, and hadn't had some of the experiences that made his Hermione who she was. But, she would be the foreshadowing of who she would become, and he would be around her intelligence and curiosity.

Dorian continued to miss his bonded horribly. To be separated from her was physical and mental torture. That was part of the reason Dorian kept himself so busy. He wanted to be too busy or too tired, to really think. His dreams, however, were full of Hermione and their time together. He woke up almost every morning with a mess on the sheets, and needing to take a cold shower.

Dorian hoped that once Hermione got to the school, the echo of her personality would be enough to ease some of his discomfort. He wouldn't touch her, but the resonances of her energy might help.

Albus also awaited the beginning of the new school year with unusual eagerness. Dorian's presence would be unprecedented, and Albus couldn't wait to see what would happen between Dorian, Harry, and Severus. He wasn't aware of Dorian's relationship with Hermione. He only knew the man was married. Dorian never mentioned who his wife was. Albus hoped Dorian could ease the situation between the student and his Potions professor. It was getting almost intolerable, the tension between the two.

Eventually, September 1 came. The professors were seated at the High Table, watching the students arrive. Harry walked in with Ron and Hermione, as usual. Dorian's heart beat too quickly waiting for his first glimpse of her. As she came in, arm in arm with the boys, he sighed, and leaned back in relief. Her presence soothed his nerves, and gave him some relief for the anxiety he had felt for the last two weeks.

He then had a chance to look at Harry. He seemed in better spirits than at the end of his fifth year, if Dorian recalled correctly. He was talking cheerfully with Ron and Hermione, continuing their talk of the summer. The anger he had worn all last year, like a cloak, had been discarded, at least for the time being. Harry looked up at the Head Table, and nodded to Albus, who nodded back cheerfully. The threesome sat at their normal seats, and chatted with whichever Gryffindor came by, and the ones who sat near them.

After the feast, Dumbledore got to his feet to make his customary speech. After the usual warnings, which included forbidding most of the products from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, Albus announced the new teachers. This year, Dorian Grey was the only new professor.

"I would like to announce the appointment of Professor Dorian Grey. He will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He comes with many years of experience in the field. He has taught abroad, and has been active in the fight against Voldemort. I expect you to respect him, and show him the same willingness to learn you show your other professors. Professor Remus Lupin is returning to us as our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, while Hagrid is on personal leave. Now, all students are dismissed to go to their dormitories." With that, Albus sat down.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione waved at Remus, and he waved in return. The three then looked curiously at the new professor. He had an air of authority about him that they found familiar, but looked pleasant in a stern sort of way. Hermione felt a tug inside of her toward him, which confused her. He was obviously older than Remus and Professor Snape, yet she wanted to get closer to him. She mentally shook her head, and the three left the Great Hall.

Dorian sat in his place, watching the trio leave. He had seen the confusion on Hermione's face, and blamed himself for not taking this possibility into account. She was the other half of his bonding, and it was trying to establish itself with her. He would have to seal that portion of himself from her before classes started, or the emotional tug on her would increase, and that would be disastrous.

A/N: I forgot last chapter, but thank you to my beta Jestana, and my new beta, Silvana.