Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter universe. It was created by J K Rowling. Any characters/places you recognise are just being borrowed. No profit is being made from this.
A/N As usual thanks for the reviews, favourites and follows.
Thanks to Mae M.G who allowed me to use an idea from her story Until I Find A Better Part of Me, which you can find in my favourite stories. I'll explain at the end, so not to spoil part of the chapter.
Chapter 8 – Summer Ends and New Term Begins
Severus barely gave himself time to take a shower. If he had not been covered in dirt, blood, and he dared not think what else, then he would not have even done that. However where he was going he dared not go smelling as he did.
He threw his wardrobe door open, grabbing a set of new clothing, he dressed with haste. Swearing as he pulled a button off with clumsy fingers. "Stop Severus," he said to himself, "take a deep breath. You must be calm when you go".
He took his time with the buttons, ensuring they were all in place. Black would likely be with Remus, and he needed to look like he was his usual detached self, so no one would suspect anything.
He cursed his trembling hands. The Dark Lord had kept him at his side for a few days, 'ensuring his loyalty' before the term started. At first he had been brewing potions, but once the list was complete and a steady hand no longer required, his 'Lord' had taken the time to remind his spy of what would happen if he failed. Several rounds of the Cruciatus curse had temporarily affected his motor functions.
However, his concern at this moment, was the fact that he had been unable to make Wolfsbane for Remus. His plea to his 'Master' that Dumbledore expected it to be provided, had fallen on deaf ears and, in fact, had probably ensured his extended stay, till dawn after the full moon, at Voldemort's side.
Finally dressed he paused to think. Where should he go? Black was not suppose to leave Grimmauld Place, but Severus knew that Hermione, Potter and a large number of Weasley's were staying there. Would Dumbledore have allowed Remus to remain there, transformed, without Wolfsbane? Unlikely. However, the night was now over. Where would he have gone to recover?
Severus decided to check Remus' home first. It was likely he would not be alone, so Severus grabbed a few phials of healing potions and hoped that it would suffice as an excuse. Black would probably be too busy insulting and berating him to question his appearance anyway. Taking a final deep breath he apparated.
The first thing he was aware of when he reached there, was a wand pointed at his chest. Hermione Granger at the other end.
"Severus," she said, throwing her self into his arms, "you are ok. Remus was getting worried." Severus flinched as she hit some of the bruises he had on his body. "You are OK, aren't you?"
"Hermione," he said, pushing her away gently, "I will be fine. Now where is Remus and what are you doing here?"
"He's in bed. His change was...difficult," she paused as he stiffened. "Severus," she said, recognising his body language for what it was, "don't feel guilty. He doesn't blame you. He knew you would come as soon as you could, that's why he asked to come here." She gestured to the bedroom door, "he is waiting."
Severus moved towards the bedroom door. "How badly is he injured?" he asked.
"I'm not sure. As soon as we arrived he retreated to the bedroom," she replied. "Sirius was quite beaten up as well. That's why I'm here instead. I offered, knowing it would make things easier for you both."
"I've some healing potions, let me see to him, then I will return you to Grimmauld Place." he responded as he opened the door, all the while trying to figure out how to ensure that Remus would never be without his Wolfsbane again.
It was morning of the day the students were due to return to Hogwarts, when Severus was finally called to see Dumbledore. Severus has been beginning to get frantic.
During his last debrief with the Headmaster he had mentioned that he thought that the Dark Lord may interfere again with the brewing of the Wolfsbane. "I have no wish to have Black yammering at me, should it happen again," he had said, hoping he had injected the right amount of disdain into his voice. "We will need to have an alternative brewer available to continue, should I be called away whist brewing."
"Ahh, Severus. Lemon drop?" Dumbledore greeted him. As usual he declined as he took a seat. "I've been thinking over the Wolfsbane issue."
Severus maintained a stony countenance, hoping the older man had come to the same conclusion as himself.
"We could take the brewing away from you entirely," Severus held a bated breath, "but should Voldemort think your use to us is lessened, he may believe your use to him is also less. No, my boy," Dumbledore continued as Severus breathed out, hoping the old man had not noticed. "Instead, we will find someone in the school, for you to train and take over some of the stages if you are absent."
"One of the other teachers?" Severus questioned, though he was fairly certain this was not the case. "Forgive me, Albus, but many of them have not touched a cauldron in years, if not decades, and Wolfsbane is hardly an easy potion to brew."
"Indeed, Severus," Dumbledore replied with a frown. "Even if that were not the case, they have their own classes to attend to. No, I was thinking of someone who has brewed Polyjuice in the past few years. No mean task, I am sure you will agree."
Severus groaned for the Headmaster's benefit. Internally glad he had reached the same solution as himself. "A potion that went wrong, Albus," he said. He could not be seen as accepting this too easily.
"Incorrect. It worked for Misters Potter and Weasley. Miss Granger was merely unlucky in her choice of hair." Dumbledore met his gaze. "Come now, Severus. I'm sure you reached the same conclusion as I. Stop this nonsense. You are well aware that Miss Granger is the only choice." Severus nodded stiffly, hoping it looked unwilling. "Very well," the Headmaster said, clapping his hands together. "I will leave you to arrange the details with Miss Granger. Is there anything else?"
Severus knew a dismissal when he heard one. "No, Headmaster," he said, standing up and making his way to the door.
The Headmaster had obviously thought ahead when picking Hagrid's temporary replacement, Severus mused, as he sat relaxing after the Sorting Ceremony. Even if it was apparent that he had not had any choice in the appointment of the Defence Against Dark Arts 'Professor'. He could feel his mouth moving into a sneer just thinking about that Ministry sycophant.
It was fortunate really that Charlie Weasley was currently recovering from a bad injury. He was not yet fit to go back to being a dragon tamer, but he could fill in for the missing half-giant. Though not a full member of the Order, due to his life being away from Britain, he was close enough. Recruiting him to help Hermione in collecting ingredients in the Forbidden Forest, should Severus, himself be unavailable, could be done without answering awkward questions, which may have been required if Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank had substituted as originally planned.
"Miss Granger," the voice snapped loudly, from behind her and Neville. "You seem to have forgotten everything I told you last year. I am the teacher, not you. Remain behind after class."
"Yes, Sir," she replied softly. As he walked away, Hermione took a glance at her bag, ensuring that it was indeed open. It was, so it could not be a letter for delivery. Maybe she really was in trouble, although, in her defence what Neville had been about to do would have resulted in a rather large explosion. "Or perhaps he just wants to say a proper hello," she brightened at that thought and smiled gently.
"Something amusing, Miss Granger," the voice drawled from the front of the classroom.
"No, Sir," she quickly responded, schooling her face.
With a glance at the Sytherins at one side of the classroom, Severus knew he had a reputation to uphold. "5 points from Gryffindor, for lying, Miss Granger. We will discuss this further," he finished ominously. "Now," he snapped, "all of you, back to your task."
After the class ended, Hermione packed her bag slowly. Ron and Harry seemed to be taking their time as well. She knew they were just looking out for her, but she needed them to leave, so she could speak to Severus freely. Catching their eyes she motioned for them to leave and mouthing, "Just go. I'll be fine." With great reluctance, they left, closing the door behind them. Within seconds she had cast a locking spell and warded the door, before throwing herself towards Severus.
After the 'Debacle' as she had begun to call it in her head, both Severus and Remus has shown her some basic warding, something not usually covered until NEWT level. They had spent the night with her, discussing options for protecting her parents. Jean and Paul Granger were aware that there were 'troubles' in the Wizarding world, but Hermione had not told them the extent, or how closely involved she was with the crisis. Her parents had resolved not to read the Daily Prophet after the stories written about their daughter the previous academic year, dismissing the paper as 'a rag', so only had the accounts from Hermione to rely on.
The first thing the wizards had decided on was that Hermione needed to be honest with her parents. Her fears that they would remove her from the magical world were brushed aside. "You are too involved now," Severus had explained. "Removing you now would be suicide. It would take away the only protection you have. We will just need to ensure that they know and understand this."
In the end it was only Remus who stayed with her, as she began explaining the situation to her parents. As honest as they wished to be, they felt the fewer who knew of Severus' involvement in Hermione's life the better. Her parents had naturally been astonished by Hermione's story and there had been many recriminations over her decision to withhold information from them. However once they recovered from their shock and anger, they listened closely to Remus' arguments, encouraging them not to pull Hermione from Hogwarts, and the magical world. They had been won over, though drawn a promise from Remus that he would come by regularly to update them, particularly in cases where news could not be committed to paper and sent by letter.
Apart from the few minutes they had had after the full moon, where they had both been worried about Remus, Hermione and Severus had not been able to spend time together since that night. Yes, they had seen each other at Grimmauld Place, but it had been in passing, and usually in the company of others, meaning they could not even share a small smile in greeting. "I've missed you," Hermione said, her voice muffled in Severus' robes as she held on to him tightly.
"I can not imagine why," he responded drily, as his arms tightened round her for a few moments. He pushed her away gently. "I will need to give you detention tonight. We have some things to discuss and do not have time now." He picked up her bag and passed it to her, "Now make sure you are vocal about the unfairness of the detention and get to your next class," he said pushing her gently towards the door. As Hermione began to unravel the wards and dismiss the locking spell, he spoke again, "I missed you too."
With a last smile, Hermione schooled her face and then reached out to open the door. "Miss Granger," the sinister voice of her professor carried across the room and into the corridor where his next class were listening, "you will be serving your detention with me tonight. Ensure you are here immediately after dinner."
A/N Mae M.G used the idea of having Charlie teaching at Hogwarts whilst recovering from an injury. She tells me it has been used by others, but her story (mentioned at the beginning) is where I took my inspiration when Charlie 'asked' to join the story.