Chapter Four

As Remus stepped inside the entrance of Hogwarts castle, Minerva McGonagall came out of the Great Hall to greet him, hands extended to grasp his own warmly.

"Remus, I was so pleased to hear from you. How are you doing? I was very sorry to read that the Wizengamot ruled against you. Shocked might be a better word. I really expected better now that Voldemort is finally gone, but I suppose change happens at its own pace."

"I'm afraid this is one change that may never come, Minerva. People have had the danger of werewolves drilled into them since they were children. For many we're the equivalent of the Muggle bogey man. We're the slavering monsters who live under the bed and will eat them if they don't behave. Except that we're very real and the majority of us aren't quite the horror we're made out to be. Unfortunately, most people can't separate the fact from the fiction, and they don't really want to try."

"I'm sorry. Are you going to appeal?" she asked.

"I don't know. Under current circumstances, I see no way I can win, and I don't want to make things worse than they already are. I could try to trade on my status as a war hero, I suppose, but I got the impression that it wouldn't really help much. Besides, if I point out what I lost during the final battle, Andromeda can just turn around and claim the same loss as well as point out that neither of us would have suffered that loss if Dora hadn't felt compelled to follow me into danger. Something I really can't argue with."

Remus sighed and shook his head. "No. A prolonged and nasty battle in the courts would be horrible for everyone, especially Teddy. Right now feelings are too raw and suspicions too high. Hopefully, once I get my life in order, find a job, a permanent living situation; I'll be in a better position to challenge Andromeda again. As long as Teddy is being well cared for and loved, that's what's important for now."

"That's very generous of you, not that I'm surprised by that. You've always been kind and generous, even to those who didn't deserve the courtesy. I don't think that I'd be as forgiving in your place." She shook her head and released his hands from her grasp. "However, I doubt you came here to revisit this painful situation. What can I do to help you? You said you had a request to make of me."

"Yes." He nodded, quite ready to move on to a new topic, though not necessarily a happier one. "It's about Severus."

"Severus? Do you know what happened to him?" Minerva's tone was anxious. "I was so surprised when we went to retrieve his body, and it was gone. Now no one seems to know for certain whether he's alive or dead. I feel very badly that we spent most of this last year at odds. If only he'd told me the truth!"

Her expression darkened in disapproval. "Though I do understand what a difficult situation he was in and why he chose not to confide in me. When I found out what was really going on I gave Albus' portrait a piece of my mind. Not that it changed anything, mind you, but it did make me feel a bit better. I haven't been back to speak to it since."

Remus smiled at the indignation in Minerva's voice. "Severus was there when I…awoke after the battle." He still didn't know exactly what to think about that strange period of time. If he wasn't really dead, then what did happen to him? "He was the first person I saw, and I can't quite shake the feeling that he did something that brought me back."

"My goodness!" exclaimed Minerva in surprise. "Why didn't you tell someone?"

"He asked me not to. I don't think he wanted to risk a confrontation with anyone at the time. Everyone still thought he was a traitor, after all. Myself included, I'm sorry to say."

She nodded. "That was probably wise. Most people wouldn't have believed you anyway before his body was discovered to be missing. They'd simply have thought you muddled and mistaken after what you'd gone through."

Remus smiled his agreement. "I was muddled; very much so, and for quite awhile, I did think I might have been mistaken. However, as time has passed, my memories have become a bit clearer. I know Severus was there."

She sighed. "I've wondered many times what happened to him. I'm glad to get your confirmation that he was alive after the battle. I wanted to believe it, of course, but with no proof one way or the other, I knew it easily could be no more than wishful thinking on my part."

"I want to try to find him," Remus exclaimed. "I need to know the truth about what happened to me, and I have a feeling that he may know something about it." As well as a few other things that he felt it prudent not to mention.

"How do you plan to go about it? If Severus wanted to be found, I'd have thought that someone would have run across him by now. It's been months. Where do you plan to look?" asked Minerva.

"I'm not really sure. Do you know if anyone has actually tried to find him?" he asked.

Minerva paused thoughtfully for a moment before shaking her head. "You know, I don't think anyone has really. I have this feeling that someone went to his house and determined that it was empty, but I think that was as far as anyone went. I suppose, even once the truth was known, he wasn't popular enough for any extensive search to be made, particularly since no one was truly certain that he was alive. Or if so, that he wanted to be found."

"Well, I'm quite certain he's alive, though whether he wants to be found or not is a question I can't answer. If he doesn't, that will make my task all the more difficult, but I'm going to try anyway, which brings me to why I came here. Did he leave any belongings here at the school? If so, could I possibly go through them? Anything he left behind might give me a clue as to where to look for him."

Minerva nodded and began to move toward the staircase that would lead down to the dungeon. "He left Hogwarts in rather a hurry and everything he had here was left behind. It really didn't turn out to be much though. Our new Headmaster had everything put into storage for lack of a better solution. It's all downstairs."

Remus followed her to the stairs and down. It seemed quite natural to him. He always associated Severus with the dungeons of the school. It was quite simply the place he'd made his own. As Remus descended the familiar staircase he asked, "How is the new Headmaster working out? Were you upset when they didn't give the job to you?"

Minerva shook her head. "No, I never wanted the job. I'm a teacher, Remus. That's what I love to do. Administering the school and dealing with parents, politicians and board members is very trying. Quite frankly, I'd rather not have the hassle of it to contend with. Our new Headmaster is doing just fine. So far things are going very smoothly this term. Though there is still a bit of repair work going on."

They reached the lower floor, but instead of turning down toward Severus' former quarters, Minerva turned in the other direction and led the way to an unassuming door off the main passageway. Pulling a ring of keys from a pocket, she unlocked the door and pushed it open.

The room smelled faintly musty as unused storage rooms below ground level often did. When Minerva lit a small lamp that hung by the door, Remus could see that the room held quite a few boxes and bags of various shapes and sizes. He doubted that all he was seeing belonged to Severus though, and he was quickly proved right on that score.

Minerva pointed to a single old-fashioned cardboard suitcase and a box, overflowing with books. "I believe that Irma added a number of Severus' books to the library's collection with some sort of commemorative plate inside the front cover. His cauldrons, vials, stirring rods and the other potions' paraphernalia that he'd amassed over the years were left for Horace to make use of. Severus would be welcome to have everything back, of course, if he ever cares to reclaim them. The rest of his belongings are here. I'm afraid there isn't much. You're more than welcome to sift through everything and see what you can find."

Remus smiled. "Thank you. I'll get right to it."

Minerva smiled in return. "Do you have any idea what you're looking for?"

"Just some indication of where he might have gone or at least what he was thinking about. Though I doubt it will be as easy as finding a forwarding address. You mentioned his home, earlier, said someone had gone there?"

"Yes," she said. "Spinner's End, I believe it's called. It was his childhood home. I don't think he was terribly fond of it, but it was his and as far as I know he returned there when school wasn't in session. The place was deserted, but I don't think anyone searched it thoroughly."

"Did he ever mention anywhere he might go if he had the chance? Or did he talk about somewhere he'd been on holiday that he particularly enjoyed? Anything you can think of might help." He knew it was unlikely that she knew anything really useful, but Remus wanted to be sure he explored every avenue of information that was open to him.

She gave that some thought. "No, I can't say he ever mentioned going anywhere in particular on holiday, but Severus wasn't one to discuss his plans or wishes." She smiled. "I do remember once, when the subject of where we would go to retire came up, that Severus said that if he had a choice he would go somewhere warm. Of course, we were snowed in at the time and the heating system had been malfunctioning for days. Peeves having his jollies, as I recall. I can assure you that anywhere warm held great appeal for all of us just then."

"I imagine that it would," Remus said sympathetically, remembering quite well how cold and drafty Hogwarts could get in the dead of winter even without Peeves' intervention.

"Anyway, I wish I could stay and help you, but I have some papers I need to grade before class."

"I won't keep you then. Thank you for all your help, Minerva."

She nodded. "I hope you find him, and if you do, tell him… Tell him we all wish him well."

"I will."

"All right, simply close the door when you finish. You don't need to worry about locking up. I'll attend to it later. Good luck, Remus." With a final fond smile, she squeezed his arm briefly and left the small room, closing the door behind her.

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Severus stood behind the high counter at the back of his shop and put a delivery order together. As he worked, he discussed the potions and their recipients so that the dictating quill at his side could take it all down for the delivery girl when she arrived….iif/ishe arrived. Getting reliable help hadn't been all that easy here, unfortunately.

With a sudden frown, he bit back a comment he'd been about to utter. Remembering to refrain from adding extraneous commentary to his instructions took some restraint on his part. The first time he'd made out a delivery list, he'd simply commented to himself as he'd always done when working and then been highly annoyed to discover that every stray utterance had made it onto his written list. Of course he should have known it would, he wasn't unfamiliar with the workings of dictating quills, which only increased his annoyance. Using them so often was going to take a bit of practice.

After all, while the delivery girl needed to know that an invigoration draught was to be delivered to Gladys Widget on Hedgebox Lane, she didn't really need to know that he thought the woman was a hypochondriac who dosed herself with potions and powders because she needed something to pass the time, however true those observations might be.

As the bell rang at his front door, he lifted his head from his work and pushed up the glasses that had slipped down the bridge of his nose. The glasses had turned out to be a very simple and effective piece of disguise, but they were always sliding down his face, even with his substantial nose to keep them in place. It was rather aggravating. How did people who really needed the darned things manage anyway? Minerva never seemed to have any trouble. There had to be a trick to it. He'd figure it out eventually.

A young boy of about ten stood framed in the doorway of the shop, eager brown eyes taking in every detail of the narrow crowded room before he came in and closed the door behind him.

"Morning, Mr. Prince," he exclaimed as he crossed the room to stand looking up at Severus with a cheeky grin on his round face.

Severus reached out and stilled the quill at his side. "Mr. Copter. What can I do for you this morning?"

"My Mum sent me for another one of your headache potions. She's feeling poorly again, but she said your potions work wonders."

Severus frowned. "Your mother should see a Healer. This is the third time in a week you've been in here for pain potions. If she's in that much pain, there must be a reason for it."

"My Mum's okay really. It's just that all the family's here visiting from England. That's eight more kids and three adults." Thaddeus Copter's grin widened as he brushed sandy brown hair off his forehead. "They're staying for a month. I think I'll be a regular customer for awhile."

Severus nodded with understanding and some sympathy. Merlin knows, family could be trying. "You're already quite the regular. Perhaps I should include a calming draught for your mother as well."

"I'm sure she'd appreciate that. Thanks." The boy wrinkled up his nose. "What's that stink? It smells like you're boiling dirty socks in here."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "I have a potion simmering in the back room. What you smell is the belladonna. The disagreeable odor will dissipate soon. I'm still in the early stages of the brewing."

"Belladonna. Isn't that stuff poisonous?"

A look of approval flitted through Severus' eyes. Many of his third year students back at Hogwarts seemed to have trouble remembering that fact, though they shouldn't have if they'd been paying any attention at all. "It is indeed poisonous."

Thaddeus looked up at Severus, clearly impressed. "I didn't know you made stuff here that would kill people."

"There are many ingredients in potions that can be harmful if not properly handled. That is why potion making is an art best left to those with wit and intelligence. Potions are not to be taken lightly, not even those intended to help.

"However, while belladonna is indeed a poison, its deleterious effect is counteracted in this case by essence of murtwort. No potion of mine is lethal unless I choose to make it lethal." He peered down at the boy's now somber, thoughtful face.

"I'd like to learn how to make potions," said Thaddeus.

"You must be almost old enough to be going away to school," said Severus.

"Next year," Thaddeus said eagerly. "I'll be eleven in a couple of months."

Severus nodded. "If you continue to be interested, you should study potions at school then. Do you know where you'll be going to study?"

"I think they were going to send me to Beauxbatons, but now that Voldemort is gone, Mum says maybe I can go to Hogwarts if they get everything back in shape again. I'd really like that, I think."

"I'm sure that they'll get the castle put back together properly by next year. I believe that the school is open at the moment. The damage from the battle wasn't that extensive. At least, not from what I heard," he added hastily. "It's a good school. I'm sure you'll do well there."

"Is that where you went to school, Mr. Prince?" asked Thaddeus.

"Yes," Severus said softly. "A long time ago now."

Thaddeus had begun to move around the shop looking closely at the various bottles and boxes on display. Now he turned and looked eagerly back at Severus.

"Maybe I could start early instead of having to wait until next year. Couldn't I be your apprentice or something? You could teach me."

Severus snorted shortly. Oh yes, that was all he needed, a curious apprentice prying into his affairs. "I would never hire an ignorant apprentice, and I do not have time to waste teaching potions to small, impatient children. I have a business to run here. No, you go to Hogwarts and let them teach you how to handle potions materials. Come back with some knowledge and understanding and we'll see."

Disappointed, Thaddeus nodded. "Well, if you don't need an apprentice at the moment, could I do anything else around here? Tidy up maybe? Run errands? You wouldn't even have to pay me, unless you wanted to, of course."

Severus cocked an eyebrow and considered the boy thoughtfully. "And just why are you so eager for employment here that you'd be willing to forego compensation unless I felt overly generous?"

"I really am interested in learning about potions…" The boy hesitated for a moment.

"Annnnd…" Severus stared pointedly at Thaddeus. Plainly there was more to the boy's sudden desire to hang around. Why wouldn't he just come out and say so?

Thaddeus flushed and continued reluctantly, "And I'd sort of like a reason not to be home so much at the moment. Some of my visiting cousins are real prats. What do you say? Isn't there anything I can do around here? I promise I'll work hard."

"Hmmmm…" Severus paused to consider the nervous, hopeful boy. He could use a hand with some of the drudgery. He never thought he'd miss having house-elves cluttering up the place but they did have their uses, and, truth be told, he wouldn't mind a bit of company now and then. Thaddeus, with his friendly manner and quick mind, was by far the most pleasant company he'd found since he'd come to this rock away from home. At times he almost reminded Snape of…

The castle shone bright in the autumn sunlight. A slim figure in Gryffindor colors stood near the door in the great front courtyard, shaggy brown hair framing a pair of clear amber eyes. Remus Lupin smiled at Severus and held out a book. "You dropped this outside the Great Hall. I thought you might need it for class."

Severus reached out his hand to take the book, his cool fingers brushing against Remus' warmer ones…

Severus cleared his throat and banished that train of thought most firmly. "Very well. You can start by sweeping out the storeroom. You'll find a broom in the far corner. We'll discuss remuneration once I see what sort of worker you are. Don't make me regret taking you on."

Thaddeus' face lit up like a candle, and he hurried toward the door that led to the back. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Prince. Don't worry, you won't regret saying yes. I'm a hard worker. I'll do right by you, you'll see."

"See that you do," said Severus as Thaddeus vanished behind the curtain that separated the shop from the storeroom in the back. Once the boy was out of sight and Severus could hear the sounds of enthusiastic sweeping, he allowed himself a small smile, thinking that this could work out quite well.

His eyes strayed to the clock on the wall. Late again. If his delivery girl didn't arrive soon, she would definitely find herself summarily replaced. A highly motivated worker in the hand was worth much more than a lazy, slow employee who wanted to work only on her own schedule. With a smirk of satisfaction, he returned to making his list.