Chapter 4-Professor Remus J. Lupin

Severus had realized long before Lupin had that the person he would meet would be his adult self. In fact, he had realized it the moment Dumbledore had informed them of the person who would remind themselves of themselves. He wasn't surprised that he wasn't nervous or excited to meet his future self. After all, it was just himself but older. The thing that made him nervous was the fact that he would be meeting Remus's older self. Remus at their age now intimidated him enough as it was (though he hated to admit it). He couldn't imagine how this older, smarter Professor Lupin would make him feel. At least with Remus he could mask his nerves with cold silence; with this teacher, he could no longer do that.

Malfoy took him to McGonagal's office, who was Deputy Headmistress and handled all the schedules, the next morning rather than straight away. She also informed him of the classes and tests that he and Remus solely would have to sit through. He glanced over his and immediately tasted something sour in his mouth. The first person he would have to meet was indeed Professor Remus J. Lupin. Swallowing hard, he startled slightly when a hand was placed on his shoulder. He looked up into Malfoy's dark grey eyes. The boy smirked.

"I can't imagine what you must feel, about to meet your own self," he said. "Everything I've ever known about time-travel says that a person is never supposed to see themselves. What's happening now is going against everyone of those rules."

Severus nodded. He, too, had been thinking the exact same thing since the moment they arrived in Dumbledore's office. Suddenly his eyes widened and he swore softly.

"Er, Draco," he said slowly. "What day is today?" Malfoy shrugged.

"It's the twenty-third," he drawled uncaringly. A string of curses and hexes ran through Severus's mind. He was supposed to have met with Lucius Malfoy in Hogsmede to discuss some kind of proposition the man had. He groaned but for some reason had a sudden calm about missing the meeting. Instead of worrying any further, be shrugged uncaringly himself before sighing.

"Never mind, it doesn't matter," he said in answer to Malfoy's questioning face. "Anyway, I should head to Defense. There's no need to hang around."

Malfoy shrugged and headed off for the stairs as Severus made his way down the corridor that held the Defense Against the Dark Art's class. He found it with ease and entered just as Remus was leaving. They collided into one another and a loud smack echoed the hallway.

"Ow, sorry, Severus," he said and smiled. "Professor...er, Lupin asked me to find you. You're late, you know?"

Severus sighed and nodded. "Yes, I realized, Remus. Let's get in so that I'm not any more late than I already am."

Standing, Remus offered the Slytherin his hand which Severus took. The Gryffindor helped him to his feet and the two of them entered the class once more, Severus following Remus to the very front of the room. The teacher at the desk looked up and Severus blinked as he took in the man before him. He didn't realize he was stairing until Remus elbowed him. Clearing his throat, he took a seat a few chairs from Remus's and looked up at the man. Professor Lupin watched him for a moment before smiling.

"Since Mr. Snape has kindly joined us, we may now start the test," he said and Severus found himself listening more intently than he ever had in his life. What was this man doing to him? Did he spell him?

Lupin picked up his wand from his desk and flicked it first at the desk in front of Remus and then at the desk in front of Severus.

"You may begin," he said. "You have one hour to complete the test. Oh, and Mr. Snape. I'll see you in detention tonight right after dinner."

Severus wanted to smack the smirk right of of the man's face but bit his lip hard and began the test.