Before Third Year Starts
It was a day before the year started, and a the teachers came to start getting all settled in. Usually, this was around the time when they would meet their new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Snape, Sinistra, McGonagall, and Burbage were all in the staffroom, having some coffee or tea after a days work of preparation. "I'm surprised at some of the students that are going to be in my class," Burbage said. "A couple of them are Muggleborns apparently. Could probably help teach me a thing or two."
"I don't understand that," Snape said. "If you grew up in the Muggle world, why would you need to take that class?"
"Well, I've been in contact with Miss. Granger over the summer about the classes she wants to take for her third year and I inquired about her interest in Muggle Studies, and she says that it would be fascinating to study how wizards perceive muggles and the muggle world," McGonagall said.
Burbage thought about that for a moment, "Well, hopefully my class can enlighten her. From what I hear, she is the brightest witch of her age."
"She is indeed," said Sinistra. "Though when it comes to astronomy and the use of it in Divination she does seem to have a bit of a... reluctance to accept it. But I hear that she is going to be taking Divination, if I am not mistaken?"
McGonagall nodded. "But Divination and Muggle Studies are in the same time slot, how will she be taking them both?" Burbage asked.
"We're working on it," McGonagall answered, but wouldn't say anything more about it. Snape looked at her with a bit of a wonder before turning back to his book.
Sinister had finished her tea and stood up to go and get more. "So, anyone know who the next defence teacher is going to be?"
"Dumbledore would be hard pressed to find someone worse than Lockhart," Snape said. "Or anyone who can rattle me more than him as well."
McGonagall, who was sitting next to Snape, quickly picked up her drink and took a big swig of it.
Snape noticed the way she did it and gave her a look with narrowed eyes. "Who is the new teacher?"
"Someone very well qualified," McGonagall continued, drinking her tea and avoiding saying the name. Even Sinistra and Burbage could tell that the news was going to upset Severus and was watching intently on the interaction. "Don't get upset."
Snape raised his eyebrow, waiting for McGonagall to finally announce the name.
"Remus Lupin. You remember him, don't you?" And she stood up, heading towards the coffee and tea.
"What?!" Snape practically screamed. Sinistra and Burbage kept their eyes intently on the two of them like they were watching the most intense show they've ever seen. "I take my statement back. More irritating than Lockhart..."
"I knew you wouldn't take that very well," McGonagall said mostly to herself.
Burbage and Sinistra both had gone to school the same time as Snape, though a few years behind him, they knew there was a rivalry between Snape and a group of students (one being Remus Lupin). They didn't know it caused this much hate within Snape, though.
"Listen, I'm sure you two can work as respectable colleagues instead of juvenile... miscreants like you guys were in your school days."
Snape shook his head. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Speaking of Remus, Dumbledore does want to talk with every teacher prior to the start of term about a certain... condition of his," she directed towards Burbage and Sinistra who both nodded and left the room. "Listen, you two have a past and that is all it is."
"And I'm ready to put it behind us," Lupin said from the doorway. Snape turned around and glared at him. "A new start as colleagues, what do you say?" He held out his hand.
Snape looked down at his hand, then back up at his face before departing the room himself. Lupin sighed.
"I'm sorry about him, but you know how he gets," McGonagall said.
Lupin nodded, "Well, last time we saw each other we were on opposite sides in battle. Maybe things can change. It's nice to see you again Professor McGonagall."
"Call me Minerva, and it is good to see you again as well Remus. Keeping out of trouble, I hope?" She said with a smirk.
Lupin laughed, "I try to as best as I can." They both smiled at that, remembering the old days. "Well, I best go put my stuff away, Professor Dumbledore wants me to ride the train tomorrow with the students, you know, with..."
"Sirius." A shadow crept over Lupin's eyes at the name. McGonagall knew not to press it too much. They were the closest of friends and thinking of him after what he had done, even all these years later, could not be an easy thing. "Well, whatever the reason, I'm glad you are here. It's about time we had a defence teacher who actually knows what they are doing."
Lupin couldn't help but smile at that. "Yeah, I've heard the last few teachers have been... interesting. I'll do my best."