Year 3 Part 4 (chapter 14)
Word count: 1.6k
Warning: Mentions of alcohol and werewolves
Today is the day Severus has waited for a long time - the day he gets to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. It's only for this one day, but he will take it.
Because the full moon will approach soon, Lupin has to take a day off. He feels too ill to teach.
Severus can't exactly say that he's sorry about his colleague's situation - because he's not. Not the slightest.
In fact, this is something to celebrate. Thank Merlin it's the weekend once this day is over, which means he's allowed to have a glass of firewhiskey. Perhaps two.
Firewhiskey aside, Severus will enjoy every second of teaching today. Potter and his fellow Gryffindors are NOT going to ruin it. Or so he can hope.
As he dramatically enters the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, he slams the door shut and seals all the windows with a flick of his wand so no sunlight enters the room.
That seems to catch the students' attention.
When he reaches the teacher's desk, he turns around to face them. "Turn to page three hundred and ninety-four" he tells them, not explaining why he's here instead of Lupin.
After recovering from their shock and surprise, they all start to find the needed page.
As Severus observes the students, he notices that Draco and Y/L/N are sitting next to each other as always.
The boy still has his arm bandaged... It's been over two months. Dramatic much?
As the Potions Master walks around, making sure that the students are turning the pages, Potter gains his attention.
"Excuse me, sir, but where's Professor Lupin?" the boy asks. Of course he's asking that.
"That's not really your concern, is it, Potter? Suffice it to say that your professor finds himself incapable of teaching at the present time. Turn to page three hundred and ninety-four" he repeats, already getting annoyed with the students.
As Weasley is taking his sweet time with finding the damn page, Severus loses his patience as he decides to do it for him with a flick of his wand. The boy seems to wake up by that.
"Werewolves?" the red-haired boy questions, looking confused yet surprised.
Granger questions it, too. "But, sir, we've just begun learning about red caps and inky punks. We're not meant to start on these for weeks" the girl states.
Severus scowls. Insolent girl, does she really think that Severus Snape would teach about werewolves for fun? She clearly isn't using that brain of hers.
"Quiet" he demands, wanting no more students to interrupt his lesson.
"When did she come in? Did you see her come in?" Weasley asks Potter, sounding confused and crazy.
Severus decides to ignore it and moves on with the lesson. "Now, which one of you can tell me the difference between an animagus and a werewolf?" he questions.
Y/L/N and Granger both raise their hands immediately. Granger seems too eager, however.
Severus gives Y/L/N a look that says "I already know that you know the answer, I need to see if the others have the slightest idea and can use their barely-working brains".
She seems to understand as she nods and puts down her hand. The Gryffindor girl still has hers up, though.
"No one? How disappointing" he says. He can't say that he didn't expect it - the dunderheads never seem to have any common sense.
Of course, Granger can't contain herself.
"Please, sir. An animagus is a wizard who elects to turn into an animal. A werewolf has no choice. With each full moon when he transforms, he no longer remembers who he is. He could kill his best friend if you cross his path. Furthermore, the werewolf only responds to the call of its own kind" she explains.
Draco can't help but goof around. "Owooooo!" the boy howls, making Crabbe and Goyle laugh who are both sitting to his right.
Severus sighs. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy... That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Ms. Granger. Are you incapable of restraining yourself or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?" he questions, looking irritated.
"He's got a point, you know" Weasley quietly says to Potter. Well, at least he agrees.
"Five points from Gryffindor" Severus declares as all the Gryffindors sigh.
"As an antidote to your ignorance and on my desk by Monday morning, two rows of parchment on the werewolf with particular emphasis on recognising-" he starts before Potter rudely interrupts him.
"Sir, it's Quidditch tomorrow" the boy exclaims.
Well, that's no excuse, Potter.
Severus puts both of his hands on the boy's table, leaning close to his face. "Then I suggest you take extra care, Mr. Potter. Loss of limb will not excuse you" he says, glaring at the boy.
"Page three hundred and ninety-four" he states for the third time, turning around towards his desk.
"The term werewolf is a contraction of the Anglo-Saxon word "where". It means man and wolf..." he explains as he finally starts the lesson after being interrupted so many times.
An hour and a half later, it's over. Severus is done teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts... It was nice while it lasted.
Well, Potter and his friends made it almost unbearable, but he managed.
Y/L/N did a splendid job - all her reading last year seems to have paid off.
"Class dismissed" he declares as all the students leave the classroom.
"Great lesson, professor. You were much better than Professor Lupin" Draco says, scowling when mentioning the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.
The boy doesn't seem to like Lupin... Severus is proud of his Godson.
The boy turns around to leave with Crabbe and Goyle. "Are you coming, Y/N? I'm sure Professor Snape wants some time off from the students" he says just before walking out the door when he notices his friend isn't following them.
Y/L/N chuckles. "I won't be here long. You guys can just go ahead to the common room" she says, giving them an assuring smile.
Nodding, the three Slytherin boys leave the classroom. The girl turns around, facing her Head of House.
"I really enjoyed your lesson today, sir. If only you could teach both Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts" she tells him, giggling.
Severus smirks. "Yes, if only... I'm glad that you enjoyed the lesson even though it took a while before we started..." he mutters, sighing in annoyance.
She slowly nods. "Yes, it was rather rude of Potter interrupting you" she states, agreeing with him.
"By the way, I suppose there is a reason why you changed the topic today, isn't there?" she suddenly asks.
Severus looks surprised - could she know the hidden message?
"And what might the reason be?" he questions as he raises an eyebrow.
Y/L/N looks a bit hesitant before answering. "Because Professor Lupin is a werewolf, isn't he?" she asks, waiting for his answer.
Severus sighs. "Correct, he is. However, and this is very important - no one can know, understand? I promised the Headmaster to keep this a secret. I provide him with Wolfsbane Potion every month" he reveals.
The girl nods at that. "Don't worry, professor. The secret is safe with me" she says, giving him a smile.
"I know that I can trust you, Y/L/N. Do not tell Draco either - everybody will know if he knows" he says, looking serious. She nods, agreeing with him.
"Now, you should probably head to the common room. I'm sure they are waiting for you" he reminds her.
"You are right. See you on Monday, sir" she says as she waves before leaving the classroom.
Once she's gone, Severus sits down on the chair and sighs in relief. It's the weekend, now he can enjoy a glass of firewhiskey. Which he deserves.
--
On Sunday morning in the Great Hall, Severus groans. He might have had one glass too many both Friday and Saturday evening... His head hurts.
Thankfully, nothing a potion can't fix. He will drink one after breakfast.
As Lupin is still absent, Minerva has decided to sit next to the Potions Master.
"Good morning, Severus. I am sure you have heard what happened yesterday during the Quidditch game? You weren't there, I suppose it was because Slytherin wasn't playing?" the Transfiguration teacher questions.
Severus sighs as he nods. "Yes, Minerva, I heard" he simply says, trying to ignore his headache.
The Dementors interfered with the game between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff when they attacked Potter. The boy fell off his broom...
Luckily for him, the Headmaster saved him in time. His broom didn't survive, however, and was split into several pieces of wood.
Perhaps now he will focus on his studies? Most likely not.
"You never come to the matches unless Slytherin is playing... Does it bore you, or can you simply not take it when we win?" she asks as she smirks, referring to Gryffindor's victories.
Severus huffs. "You don't always win..." he mutters, looking irritated.
The two Head of Houses always compete about who will win the Quidditch games.
Slytherin used to win all the time... Before Potter started at Hogwarts. Minerva has been smug about it. Too smug for Severus' liking.
He then smirks, too. "Well, how will Potter play now that his broom is broken?" he teases, raising an eyebrow.
The Head of Gryffindor sighs. "I do not know... Hopefully, he will find a replacement soon" she says, looking hopeful.
Severus chuckles in disbelief. How is Potter going to get a new one? By someone giving it to him?
