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It was nearly curfew when Severus, a fourth-year student, left the library for the night and made his way down to the Slytherin dormitories when he heard heavy footsteps fast approaching behind. Believing it was the Maunders trying to pull off one more prank before going to bed, Severus whipped around his wand at the ready.
His wand was trained on Black, who was alone, heavily sweating and gasping for air, "Sn...Sn...Snape."
"Go away mutt." Severus snarled, scanning around for the rest of the gang.
"It's Avery and Mulciber!" Black spat out.
"What about them? I don't have time for your nonsense." Severus turned back and began to make for the dungeons.
"NO!" Black shouted, grabbing Severus by the forearm, "they've kidnapped Lily!"
"What!? We have to find McGonagall and Dumbledore!"
"We don't have time!" Black roared, "Hurry!" Severus followed Black outside of the castle to the Whomping Willow. Black cast a spell to briefly stun the tree and Severus followed the pureblood boy through a small tunnel which led to the inside of the Shrieking Shack. Severus heard a creak upstairs immediately ran up the staircase and into the open room with his wand at the ready.
"Let her go you bast..." The words died on his lips as Severus found himself alone in a dusty room with peeling wallpaper. Suddenly, he felt someone blast him from behind, knocking him down flat on his stomach. Looking behind him, he found Sirius Black's wand trained on him as the boy smirked from the doorframe.
"Accio Snape's wand."
His wand flew out of his hand, and Black snatched it mid-air. He slammed the door shut as Severus made a break for it.
"Open the door!" Severus slammed his shoulder into the wood, trying to break it down.
"I will, on one condition. Stop hanging out with Lily."
"Open the door!" Severus roared slamming his body into the door; then he heard a growl that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Turning around, there about ten feet away was a twelve-foot tall werewolf, starring at the boy with hunger in its eyes.
The days following Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban were chaotic. Black was still at large; there had been numerous sightings, of course, by Muggles and wizards all over Britain; various homeless Muggles had been arrested, mostly thin alcoholics who bore a passing resemblance to the escaped convict.
Cornelius Fudge suffered the significant backlash for informing the Prime Minister, John Major, but the biggest outrage of all was the announcement that the ministry would be posting Dementors around Hogwarts, despite protests from parents and staff.
Severus remembered the Dementors all too well from his short stint in Azkaban because his trial kept being pushed back. Azkaban was pure hell, one day the prison would be hot as a desert and another as cold as the Arctic. The cells were cramped, dark, filthy, damp and as uncomfortable as humanly possible; the place made it seem as though all the joy and hope in the world had been suck away.
Dementors, dark creatures that were kept alive by feeding on bad memories, were too reminiscent of the Dark Lord. Lord Voldemort loved to use people's worst memories to torture them into madness for the sick thrill of it. The realisation that he would have to walk past the Dementors every time he needed to leave the castle made him want to vomit. They could leave the most cheerful and happy person cold and without hope. Hagrid was just starting to return to normal after his brief stay in prison; therefore, Severus knew that Black would be deranged after twelve years of captivity. The Black family was already prone to mental illness, and Black had a manic streak as a teenager when he attempted to have the wolf kill him. Severus was still white hot with rage that the bastard had gotten away with it too. Nothing more than one detention for precious Black, while Severus himself had been threatened with expulsion. Then his nemesis went and became a Death Eater, selling out James and Lily to the Dark Lord, when he'd been attacking Severus for years, calling him a Death Eater before he'd even taken the mark. Sirius Black was nothing but a hypocrite.
Albus was looking at him with grief and pity in his eyes while Severus was rechecked his hand. Severus hated it; he hated the pity; he hated that Dumbledore knew how badly the Dementors affected him; he hated being so weak and helpless; and above all else, he hated others perceiving any weakness in him.
"The curse is trying to grow, I can still hold it back, but for how long I can't be sure. I could amputate your hand."
"No, I would very much like both of my hands." Changing subjects, Albus said, "I am sorry, Severus, but there is nothing I can do about the Dementors. I will not allow them on school grounds. I'm afraid I have some other news you will not like either."
"Out with it," Severus said bitterly.
"Severus given recent events, I do believe it would be prudent to have someone at the school who knows Black personally."
"No, no, no, no," Severus repeated getting angrier.
"Severus whatever issue you have with Remus you must resolve it and forgive him."
"NO."
They'd argued about appointing Lupin to the Defense position many times over the last few years, but it seemed he had finally lost the argument to the dying man. The Wolfsbane potion, brewed by Severus of course, would keep the wolf's transformations safe, and he would lock himself into the Shrieking Shack for extra security precautions.
To Severus, the werewolf still made his skin crawl, especially when the full moon approached. The Headmaster and the Order seemed to tolerate his affliction, but they'd never been face to face with the beast, trapped inside on room staring at its crazy eyes and jaws dripping drool. The rest of the Marauders had found the prank just bloody hilarious, and Albus wanted to bring that to a school filled with defenseless children, most of whom knew nothing about werewolves.
"The wolf and Black are thick as thieves," Severus warned, "I bet you ten galleons he'll assist Black."
"Severus this is no longer up for debate. " Dumbledore told sternly,
"Tell me that when that beast tears your little golden boy's throat out." Severus groaned. Everything was going to hell; first Dumbledore being cursed, then Black escaping, and now he was going to trapped in the school all year with Dementors outside the castle and a werewolf inside the castle.
Severus also decided to inform the Headmaster of outing with Miss Granger and his suspicions of her father's neglect. He also included suspicions that Potter was being neglected by the Dursleys, but it was fruitless. Whenever anyone, even Minerva, brought it to his attention he would also say Potter was the safest in Surrey with Lily's sister.
Severus waited at platform 9 ¾ quarters, along with members of staff and few witches and wizards who were secretly appointed by the Ministry, to patrol the platform and assist parents and students. The Dementors were scheduled to check the train at various intervals throughout the trip, in case Black secretly boarded. Severus thought this was over cautious and potentially harmful to the children. Even Sirius Black wasn't crazy enough to board the Hogwarts Express. He was also angry that Lupin had been asked to ride the train to Hogsmeade. It was a full moon that night, and if Sirius Black were foolish enough to board the train, it would be because he would be assisted by his oldest friend.
"Good to see you again, Professor," Nymphadora Tonks, an Auror-in-training and a former student said, hugging her Former Head of House, Pomona Sprout, before greeting Professors Flitwick and McGonagall.
"Good to see you, Professor," the tall, dark auror, Kingsley Shackelbolt, shook Flitwick's hand. The Charms Professor smiled at his former Raven who was quickly making his way through the ranks of the aurory.
"Tonks!"
"Is that you?" The Weasley twins ran over hugging Tonks.
"Are you teaching this year?" Fred asked.
"Please tell, its potions?" George smiled.
"Yes, please tells us," Fred asked.
Severus cleared his throat, and the twins stared wide-eyed, "Sorry to disappoint you, gentlemen," he smirked, and the twins quickly left to get up the train.
"Professors, do you need help?" Percy Weasley walked over looking more smug and self-centered than usual, showing off his polished Head Boy badge.
"That won't be needed Mr Weasley, best join the Prefects on the train," Filius said. The boy looked offended and walked away huffing and muttering under his breath to board the train.
"First years!" Minerva called out, "First years! Over here!"
A group of first-year students walked over to Minerva; some stared terrified at Alastor and Severus who both glared down at the children.
Minerva split the children grouping them with Severus, Pomona, Filius, Charity, Alastor, Kingsley and Tonks, the students paired with Alastor and Severus looked utterly terrified.
"Silence..." Severus snarled as he led the group of first years to an empty compartment. It felt strange to be back on the train; he hasn't been on the Hogwarts Express since he had graduated fifteen years ago. He sat down in his own seat, closing his eyes and trying to get some rest; it was a nearly impossible task as the students were loud and insufferable. He didn't know for how long he slept, but he was suddenly jolted awake when the train shook violently. Luggage was thrown off the racks, and the light went out as the small children whimpered around him.
"Quiet, or you spend your first day in detention," Severus ordered as the door slide open, and a Dementor hovered in the doorframe, towering over them threateningly. The air seemed to grow ice, and all joy seeped from the world, one of the students whimpered and fainted. The Dementors glanced around the compartment and set its sights on Severus, probably sensing his Dark Mark; it moved into the compartment, getting a little too close for Severus' liking, so he cast his Patronus to repel the Dementor. It wasn't corporeal, he didn't want anyone to see his doe, but it was strong enough to resist one creature.
The Dementors immediately retreated. Once it left, Severus attend to the fainted child, checking to see if she was okay. He had a reputation for being an arse to the students, but he wouldn't just leave an unconscious child on the floor, he did have a duty of care that he took seriously. He helped her up the seat and gave her calming draught and a large piece of chocolate.
"Are you okay?"
"I think so," The child was still a little shaking. The train began to move again, continuing the trip to Hogsmeade. Once the train arrived, Filius and Minerva helped Hagrid with escorting the first years to the Black Lake, the students and even Hagrid trembled as the Dementors hovered in the distance like a crude decoration in the night sky.
Lupin felt light-hearted seeing so many familiar faces. Most of the staff had taught him when he'd been to school and Sybill, Sinistra, Pomona, Minerva, Filius welcomed their former student with open arms. As for Severus... Well? He didn't like anyone, but especially a Marauder.
Looking at the Gryffindor table, Lupin felt a wave of nostalgia remembering his school days. James, flirting with Lily only to get shot down; Sirius snorting Pumpkin juice out of his nose from a joke Peter told. He smiled at Harry; the boy was the spitting image of his father.
Severus, as usual, paid no mind to the sorting ceremony; instead, his time was spent glaring at Lupin. Losing the job, he coveted to the wolf just added insult to injury, but at least Lupin was more qualified than Quirrell or Lockhart or anyone of the professors from the past ten years. The students would finally learn something this year.
Hagrid, now teaching Care of Magical Creatures, beaming with pride from his position at the Head Table. The announcement had led to cheers from Hermione and her friends until the soft-hearted half-giant pulled out his napkin to cover his tears. Even Minerva was trying to cover up her proud smile under a stern exterior.
After the feast, as the students drifted off to bed, the staff made their way to the staffroom for their first meeting of the year. Lupin quickly summarized his witnessed encounter between the Dementors and certain students. It seemed that Hermione Granger and Harry Potter had suffered particularly bad reactions to them. The staff gasped in shock when Lupin further relayed that Harry claimed to have heard a woman screaming in terror.
"Neville fainted as well," Pomona added, Severus wasn't the least been surprised with that piece of information.
"I'm afraid that there nothing I can do," The Headmaster said.
"Yes Headmaster, because it's not like we have trained people on staff who could handle dark creatures or dark wizards; and why Dementors instead the fucking aurory?" Severus spat bitterly.
After Severus' outburst, Professor McGonagall left briefly to bring Miss Granger into the room.
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore smiled and offer her a piece of chocolate, to which she took and sat down.
"Miss Granger." Minerva her voice was filled with pride, "had signed up for all electives." The entire teaching staff, except for Severus, smiled indulgently at the girl.
Granger lowered her head in embarrassment, "Now, normally, this is impossible, due to scheduling conflicts," Minerva's hands gripped her cub's shoulders beaming with pride for have such a gifted, smart witch in her house, "however, Miss Granger has proven to be a very responsible and mature witch with great potential." Hermione grew more embarrassed by Minerva's praise as her Head of House pulled out a small gold object from her pocket.
It was a time turner. If looks could kill, Minerva and Albus would be dead from Severus' glare. Miss Granger may be more responsible than most seventh years, but she was still a child, an underage witch, and trusting her with such a powerful object was foolhardy. If she had been a Slytherin, Severus would have forced her to drop Divination and Muggle Studies without a second thought of indulging this absurdity.
"Miss Granger, we are trusting you with great responsibility, but there are rules related to the Time-Turner, and if any of the teaching staff find you break any of these rules or misusing the object, we will take it away, and you will be suspended," Minerva said sternly.
"I understand ma'am."
"Rule one: No one can know that you have a Time Turner, not even your best friends.
Rule two: This can only be used for class.
Rule three: Remember that no one can see you and the past you at the same time.
Rule four: You cannot go back more than one hour at a time.
Do not disappoint us."
"I won't Professor McGonagall; I swear," Hermione stared in the Professor's eyes as the gold chain was placed around her neck.
After the meeting, Severus confronted Lupin, "listen here," he hissed, "if you ever forgot to take your potion and put a student's life in danger again, I will leak your condition to the press and make sure you never work again." Remus had always refused to believe that Sirius had intended for Severus to die, but the man's threat indicated that seventeen years later, Severus Snape still disagreed with that assessment.
Hermione sat between Dean and Harry at the breakfast table. Generally, the students sat with their own houses during meals, but Luna had taken it upon herself to sit with her Gryffindor friends, sitting with Ginny and Neville. The former looked exhausted having been plagued with nightmares of Tom Riddle.
"Good morning everyone," Luna smiled dreamily.
"Ooh, good, we're starting some new subjects today," Hermione said happily, as she buttered a piece of toast and poured herself a glass of milk.
"Of course you'll be happy about that," Seamus teased.
"Hermione, they've messed up your timetable," Dean said, looking over her shoulder. "Look — you have classes during weekends. And late in the evenings too! You have both Arithmancy and Muggle Studies on a Sunday. There aren't any classes on weekends!"
"I've fixed it with Professor McGonagall," Hermione said calmly, quickly coming up with a lie. "They couldn't fit them into my timetable, so the professors agreed to give me private lessons."
"Why are you taking Muggle Studies?" Neville asked. "Weren't you raised Muggle?"
"Sure, but I think will give a unique perspective on how Wizards view Muggles," Hermione explained.
"Of course they're willing to give you private lessons..." Ron muttered bitterly overhearing their conversation while sitting with his brothers.
"I'm sure they could fit you right in if you wish to take more electives, Ronald," Hermione deadpanned, causing Seamus to chortle and spray his pumpkin juice on the table.
"That's gross," Ginny said disgusted.
Ron's face flushed and stabbed his sausages violently while muttering under his breath. He turned to his brothers for support, but they didn't offer any.
Once breakfast was over, Hermione and Parvati walked to Muggle Studies. The class was filled with muggle artefacts in glass cases or hung on the wall. There were pictures of famous muggles and events, like Queen Elizabeth II and the current British Prime Minister John Major. There were also pictures of Sir Winston Churchill, The Beatles and the first Moon Landing.
"Good morning class, welcome to Muggles Studies, I am Professor Burbage." Professor Charity Burbage was a small woman with blond hair. Unlike other Professors, Charity wore muggle clothes instead of robes. She had taken the job four years ago when Professor Quirrell took his sabbatical.
"Now, I'm sure you all think Muggles studies will be easy," she said while handing out textbooks, "but it won't be. Muggle Studies is critical, especially if you want to work in the Ministry. The most important classroom Rule is that there will be no wands or magic in this class."
"No wands?" Parvati asked.
"Yes, what better way to learn about muggles then to live like Muggles," Charity smiled, "I believe that muggles aren't that different from us. We are all human, and we all have individual gifts that define us. Now, everyone, I want you to think of something that you excel at."
After their lesson on daily tasks Muggles performed without magic, the bell rang, and the class was dismissed.
"Parvati, I need to ask Professor Burbage something. I'll meet you at Care of Magic Creatures," Hermione said, averting her gaze. She hated lying to her friends.
"Okay, but don't be late. Hagr... Professor Hagrid is probably scared to death."
Hermione made her way up to North Tower, hiding in a broom closet. As her friends passed by, she could hear them through the door.
"What Rubbish!" She heard a different version of herself.
"Come on let's see Hagrid, it's his first day, and he's probably terrified," Harry said.
Hermione took the time turner out of her blouse and turned it once. Stepping out, she met up with her friends on the staircase and entered the Divination classroom.
Severus had his fifth year Slytherin and Gryffindor class. He was in the middle of explaining the importance of O.W.L's, hoping the Weasley twins would be unsuccessful in obtaining the requisite O grade so he could finally be done with them. While gifted potioneers, the boys could not focus long enough in class to provide anything of quality.
"Focus Weasleys!" Severus snarled.
Further reprimands were cut off when the Bloody Baron came in through the walls frightening the class.
"What is it, Baron?!" Severus asked, furious that his class had been interrupted.
"Mr Malfoy is in the hospital wing," the Baron said in his dull voice.
Severus rose from his chair and order his students to finish their potion bases, keeping his concern for Draco. "Baron stay here and make sure they finish." He smirked seeing them shiver.
His mind was racing, as he strode to the hospital wing, thinking up worst case scenarios. Did Draco shoot his mouth off? Did Potter hex him? Were Lupin and Black somehow involved? As Severus arrived, he saw the Headmaster and Minerva outside talking to Hagrid.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Headmaster," Hagrid said glumly, looking down.
"Hagrid from what you said it was an accident," Minerva said trying to get Hagrid to relax.
"What happened?" Severus walked over, causing Hagrid to flinch.
"Professor Snape, it was an accident. Malfoy didn't listen to what I said and..."
"How is he? What is his condition?" Severus snarled.
Minerva snorted, "The boy fine, he made it sound much worse than it actually is. Poppy cured him in an instant."
"Typical, he always was a spoiled ponce," Severus huffed, "but you did not hear that from me."
"I guess you'll be looking for another Professor?" Hagrid asked sadly, feeling like he let Dumbledore down.
"Accidents happened Hagrid, and Mr Malfoy is quite alright according to Poppy," Dumbledore said, "but I would like you to focus on classroom safety for both students and your creatures."
Severus walked into the hospital, allowing the doors to bang into the walls, announcing his entrance. His godson was crying like a baby, his two brainless gorillas, Crabbe and Goyle, as well as Parkinson were there. Miss Parkinson was bawling as if the boy were on his deathbed.
"Writing your last will and testament Draco?" Severus drawled.
"Godf...Professor. The vicious beast of that oaf nearly killed me." Draco snarled.
"My poor Drakey," Parkinson crooned, and Severus had to bite back his disgust.
"Wait until my father hears about this!" Draco roared seeing Hagrid in the doorway. Severus could hear Hagrid whimper, trying to explain the situation through the door while he sobbed. Draco seemed to take delight at Hagrid's pain and Severus, with a heavy heart, felt he might have lost his Godson.