I have realised my mistake with Teddy Lupin and updated things as to keep facts correct... This story is basically a draft that will keep being edited to perfection.
23 June 2017
Severus Snape, headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, sighed and threw the piece of parchment he was looking at on the desk. He was supposed to assist the Ministry in the planning for the 6th Triwizard Tournament that was being held at Hogwarts for the second time since 2002, but the guest schools were being difficult.
He got Drumstrang to participate once again but his other options were limited. The American schools were involved with another similar tournament being held and Beauxbatons still refused to set foot on Hogwarts grounds. Damn that woman Maxine for being almost as paranoid as Igor Karkaroff was.
If Severus didn't find a willing school, this year's tournament will be cancelled, and he will be damned if that happened. After the fights and cases he had to go through for this to be reinstated was well worth it as the magical communities all around the world were more connected than ever. To throw all that away in just one go was no option.
A sudden knock on his office door startled him out of his thoughts and he quickly put his mask of indifference on.
"Enter." Severus drawled. He visibly relaxed as Minerva McGonagall's face appeared. This was one woman he would always show his real emotions too. They had a rocky start and even rockier recovery but now years later their friendship was stronger than ever. She learned never to doubt him ever again.
"Severus, I just wanted to let you know all students has left the castle and the teachers are starting to leave." She informed him.
"Thank you, Minerva. Wish them a happy holiday from me please. I still have a lot to do here and I fear I won't be in time to greet them as usual." Severus sighed once again and picked up the previous parchment he was studying. McGonagall studied him. Ever since his recovery and freedom from two masters, Severus Snape has de-aged and was looking more his age with each passing year. Yes, he may be 54 years old now, but he carries it immensely well these days.
"Are you alright? You look stressed and not to mention tired?" Minerva sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk and looked at him. Severus glanced at her for a moment, put down the parchment once again and gave her his undivided attention.
"It seems we are having difficulty finding a willing school for this year's upcoming Triwizard tournament. I fear if we do not find one before end of July, we will be forced to cancel this year and I refuse to let that happen." Severus said, growing more and more agitated as he spoke. Clearly this was important to him.
Minerva sat in deep thought for a while but finally turned to him.
"I know that this is very important to you. I mean it was only possible because of you. However, I believe you are making this a bit bigger than it is. Yes, now it seems terrible but before end of July you will have that school. Now remove your mind from the problem and relax. School is over for this year. Enjoy it."
Severus sighed for the umpteenth time that day and said: "You are correct. I have been giving this too much thought. Thank you, Minerva."
Minerva smiled and leaned back into the chair.
"Now boy, I will have to get going but we will see each other Sunday at the Weasleys. You are still going right? Molly would have your hide if you failed to show up again"
Every year since after the war and his trial, Severus Snape has been invited to dinner or lunch with the Weasleys. Not just them but friends of theirs as well. Sometimes and only sometimes he would join Harry Potter on private lunches. He may tolerate the man-child now but in no means are they best friends. Severus rarely attends these family group meals but occasionally Molly gets him around the table.
"Yes, Minerva I will be attending this time. Merlin knows I've skipped too many."
Sunday evening came much too fast for Severus' liking. His bad mood had nothing to do with those surrounding him, but still the subject of finding a school that would be willing to participate.
As he entered the Burrow, the Weasley matriarch took notice of him and came over for one of her signature hugs she wrestles him into.
"Severus, you came! Oh, I'm so glad you could join us for a change. Heavens knows you never join us."
The man in question flushes with guilt and silently swore he would attend more dinners, even if it is only for Molly's sake. Every time a school year ends Molly invites everyone over for a dinner to congratulate the children on a wonderful year. These dinners are held for not only family but friends as well.
Severus made his way over to where Minerva and Arthur were chatting over the school year.
"Severus! So good to see you. Come take a seat. Minerva was just about to tell me about the plans for this year's tournament." Arthur pulled up a chair for him and gestured to it. Severus sent a glare to Minerva for mentioning the tournament and sat down.
"Unfortunately Arthur, it seems as this year will have to be cancelled."
"WHAT! No Triwizard tournament this year?" Three voices shouted out.
Everyone turned silent at the exclamation and stared at Severus waiting for a reason. Severus glared at the three voices for bringing the topic under everyone's attention. At the front door stood Teddy Lupin, son of the late Remus and Nymphadora Lupin as well as Luna Scamander neè Lovegoods' twins, Lysander and Lorcan Scamander.
"That's not fair! This year is being held at Hogwarts and I could finally show my boss I'm not some wet behind the ears lad. All aurors were being drilled on what to do if things went sour." Teddy Lupin groaned miserably and sank down in an armchair close to Severus. It has come to no surprise that one of the rules for the new tournament is that aurors be present to prevent any funny business.
All the other adults in the room looked at Severus with questions in their eyes.
"Sir, is this true? The Triwizard tournament will be cancelled this year?" asked Harry Potter, beloved saviour of the wizarding world.
Severus glared once more at the three troublemakers for mentioning it and turned to Harry.
"Yes, Mr Potter it would seem so. I can't find a willing school that isn't already busy this year and as we all know the Triwizard tournament can't happen without three schools in the game, hence the term TRI."
"Is Beauxbatons still afraid of their past experience?" asked Molly.
"Yes, it would seem so. I have contacted every known school and none of them are available except Drumstrang. Even the school in Africa is busy with some other thing."
No one said anything, solemn over the possibility that a symbol of community will be cancelled. Suddenly a sharp inhale was heard and the soft voice of Lorcan Scamander so much like his mother's cut through the silence.
"I might… I mean to say is we, Lysander and I might be able to contact mother."
Lysander looked at him with wide eyes, knowing exactly what that means.
"I'm sorry Mr Scamander but what has Luna have to do with the Triwizard tournament. Isn't she and your father of searching for some other animal?" Minerva asked, her gaze slightly judgemental as if the very thought of a magizoologist regarding the tournament is preposterous. Lysander hesitantly looked at his brother and answered for him.
"Mother is away yes, but like any other teacher will return to her post before the 1st of September for the new year."
"I'm sorry? Did you just say teacher?" Minerva asked, shocked. It was the very first time that anyone has heard of this. Luna Lovegood a teacher?
"Yes, Mother took on a job about 10 years ago, but the thing is no one was supposed to know about this. The school she teaches at is extremely private and I guess elite in its selection of students because no one has heard of them until they contact you if you have the qualities they are looking for. We have been there because mother and the headmistress are friends, so we were allowed its location, but we were sworn to secrecy." Lysander shuffled nervously and Lorcan couldn't look anyone in the eye.
"You both are treading on dangerous waters here! You were aware you shouldn't ever mention them and yet you just blabbed everything out!"
Everyone in the Burrow looked to the speaker.
"Teddy? You know what they are talking about? You know of this school?" Harry, much like everyone was shocked that he was being so serious and angry. No one has ever heard Teddy Lupin being so rude and angry before. But here he was, and apparently also had knowledge of this secret school. Harry looked slightly hurt at not knowing anything about this. Teddy always tells him everything!
Teddy flushed and his hair changed to bright pink, as if in embarrassment for his outburst.
"Yeah… I know of the school and I know the headmistress. She is my aunt. Well not in blood but ever since I could remember she has been in my life and there during holidays. Gran always sends her whiskey in the mail. Sometimes when I'm not here we go visit her at the school."
He looked at the Scamander twins and all of a sudden, his shoulders sagged.
"I don't want this year to be cancelled and I'm sure she wouldn't either. I'll contact her and ask her to meet with you Headmaster Snape. But only a meeting. If she agrees to that you are lucky." Teddy turned and headed outside. Lorcan and Lysander went after him but not without grabbing a piece of parchment and quill.
Several minutes went by as everyone was too shocked to mention anything. Slowly Molly moved to the kitchen to occupy herself. Harry was still rather shocked. Severus on the other hand had mixed feelings. A secret school no one knew about except 3 of the most unlikely people and with apparent intimate knowledge. Not even 15 minutes went by that the three in question came back inside with a letter. Teddy handed the letter to Severus with a blank look. Severus took the letter with questions on the tip of his tongue because no way could any owl travel that fast. He kept quiet however when he saw Teddy shake his head. He looked at the letter and started reading.
Headmaster Snape.
It has come to my attention that the Scamander twins has spilled the secret. Please reassure them I am not mad, and this was bound to happen sooner or later. Their mother however will be a different matter that even I cannot protect them from.
Teddy has explained to me your problem and though I am hesitant I will only agree to a meeting with you and select officials to discuss the situation. Please note that if I do decline, I will be forced to obliviate everyone present as to keep the school private once more. I am sure it won't come to that as we here at Sparrow and Nightingale have been talking a while about becoming public.
I will be able to meet with you on the 30th of this month. I will come alone to Hogwarts but if I do feel threatened in anyway, I will swiftly apparate out of there and believe me I can take down the wards easily to do that.
Please have someone meet me at the bridge at 10 sharp.
Headmistress
The Sparrow and Nightingale school for Witches and Wizards
Severus looked up from the letter. He turned his head to the Scamander twins.
"It would seem that you are forgiven for spilling the beans so to speak." Their faces broke out in relieved smiles.
"However, your mother was informed, and she may not share the same sentiments as this headmistress."
The twins' smiles fell immediately, and they paled a few shades. Teddy let out a loud laugh and clapped their shoulders. Both boys left the room in a daze, likely fearing the lecture they will surely be getting. Severus' smile dropped and he turned to Minerva. He handed her the letter and leaned back into the chair taking a sip of whiskey that Arthur provided him at that moment.
"Well, what does it say? IS this for real? Will you be meeting with them?" Harry fired each question rapidly looking between Minerva and Severus and the letter, curiosity burning inside of him, obvious for everyone to see.
"It would seem Mr Potter, that we have a meeting to prepare for." Minerva said handing the letter to him.
Soon all everyone has read the letter and it was eventually Bill that spoke up.
"Doesn't it strike you odd that there is another wizarding school out there that no one has ever heard of? I mean they would have at least been registered at the Ministry since opening and if so been made public. They are an option of education for our children. How are they secret?"
When Bill finished everyone was wondering the exact same thing and as one turned their heads to the only man who hasn't lifted an opinion. The Minister of Magic himself.
"Surely you would have known about this school Kingsley?" asked Arthur.
"Nothing is hidden from the Minister and if such a school exists you would have to demand inspections or been made aware when they registered?"
Minister Kingsley pursed his lips in a thin line. He looked tensed, but not in a way that would show he is disturbed by the news of a new school. No, he looked almost defensive.
Severus studied the man in question.
"You know them. You have known about them since the beginning but have kept them a secret almost as long as those three children have."
Kingsley sighed and if possible tensed even more.
"Yes, I know about them. I am in constant contact with the headmistress."
Molly and Minerva gasped at his revelation. No one could believe their ears. Why would Kingsley keep this a secret as well?
Has he been bribed? And if he is keeping this a secret, could they possibly be dangerous?
As if sensing their thoughts Kingsley quickly started explaining.
"I did not deliberately kept this from you or the public. The school has certain... secrets that has to remain hidden. It is not a dangerous place but a place of refuge and protection for certain individuals."
"Protection and refuge for what exactly?" asked Severus once more.
"I cannot say. Not that I'm refusing but as I'm sure those three boys are under the same charm we literally cannot say anything. We are forbidden to do so. But I assure you, if the headmistress has agreed to even meet with you that means they are ready for the world to know." Kingsley stood up and headed for the door.
"This headmistress, who is she Kingsley?"
He stopped and turned to look at them.
"Once again I cannot divulge anything. But I promise you that you have nothing to fear from her. She is willing to come alone on your ground so I would take that as a token of good faith"
With those last words he turned around again and swiftly left the Burrow. A sudden crack could be heard and then everything was silent once more.