Hey guys sorry about the long wait but if I don't leave a note on the fics then check the bottom of my profile in case it takes a little while for me to upload anything. Again sorry but here's the chapter where Salena meets Lupin and they sort of get off on a good start.
Let me know whatcha think then give me any ideas you may have for future chapters, cuz right now I'm getting a bit of writer's block.
Read and review plz, and thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Two and half months later:
Salena had finally recovered from the toxic poison in her system. Her powers were normal again, and her body finally relaxed from all the tension of her near rape from Lockhart. There came nightmares from time to time…but she brushed it off as her personality toughened. She became stricter with the students since someone 'accidentally' set word out about her and Lockhart, including Snape. Some students would think of her as a tramp, so in return she took points away from all four houses whenever she heard or found out about the rumors. Snape knew when to back off, but sometimes he'd get carried away.
"Naomi, where's my necklace? The one with the cobra's head pendant?"
"I think you left it in your drawers' mistress…"
"Yes but which one smarty?"
"The big one I think…with the mirror." Salena looked around and found the necklace; she snapped it on, and looked back at the near-asleep snake.
"You know what to do tonight?"
"Stay out of the way, and get some rest. Right mistress?"
"Absolutely. Be a good girl for me ok? I might be back late tonight…" Naomi nodded and fell asleep on the large bed as Salena walked out towards the Great Hall to await the sorting ceremony. As she strode down the hall she accidentally bumped into someone. She almost fell back but the man caught her hand and pulled her back up.
"Thank you sir…" she said and the man just smiled. Once she got a good look at him she smiled back; she'd ran into Remus Lupin, the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, and one of Snape's most hated rivals from school.
"You're welcome miss…may I ask your name? I don't believe we've met…"
"Yes I'm Professor Sardinia, I'm a Flight and substitute teacher…you must be Professor Lupin, the new DADA teacher?"
"Yes I am…word's gotten around here fast hasn't it?"
"Indeed so hah hah, would you like to accompany me to the Great Hall? The students will be in there soon…"
"I would love to Ms. Sardinia…um may I ask your first name?"
"It's Eleanor; most of the teachers here call me Elly…"
Lupin laughed and followed Salena to the Great Hall, where the two seats on either side of Snape at the teacher's table were empty. As they sat down Snape nodded at Salena but glared fiercely at Lupin; Salena stomped on his foot and he winced looking at her in question.
"Behave yourself…" she whispered so only he could hear her. He sighed and sat down quietly as the students filed into their seats. She spotted Harry and his friends in their usual seats and gave a slight wave to them and the Slytherin table where Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkinson sat. They all waved back at her smiling; Snape nudged her and whispered close to her ear.
"You really don't have to give the students anymore reasons to try and suck up to their professors thanks to a small wave and smile." Salena smirked and waved to some Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs then pinched Snape's arm under the table getting another wince and whimper.
"I do as I please Severus…so shut up and watch the ceremony!" she glared with her eyes glowing bright green at him and he backed off.
As the final student was sorted Dumbledore gave his speech introducing Lupin and warning about the escapee Sirius Black and the dementors roaming outside the school grounds; this made Salena laugh slightly, earning her looks from Snape and Lupin. She shook her head at them pretending to listen until the speech ended and the feast continued.
"So Ms. Sardinia, how long have you been working here at Hogwarts?" Lupin asked as he continued eating his near-finished meal.
"This fall will make it three years Professor Lupin…it's been such an adventure teaching so many of these kids."
"Did you attend Hogwarts during your school years?"
"Oh no, I was homeschooled, you see my father was once a teacher at Hogwarts but he resigned and decided to teach me and my brother at home."
"I don't think I've heard of a teacher named Sardinia here…"
"Oh he resigned a few years before your years I think…" Salena's face felt hot to the touch so she hid her face in her sleeve pretending to wipe off some food residue. 'Keep it together old girl, got to make sure we don't blow our cover now in front of the new guy.'
"I see…"
"Yes…" Soon the students started leaving the hall toward their dorms giving Salena the chance to finish eating in a little peace when a slight hissing under her feet caught her attention. She looked down and saw Naomi, the size of a garden snake, giving her a weird look.
"I don't trust this man mistress…he reeks of dog all over…" Salena just gave Naomi a slight push under her chair giving the small snake the chance to climb up into her dress pocket. Naomi snuggled in quickly but the movement caught Snape's eye.
"What is that snake doing in here?" he whispered as she got up from the table. He followed her out into the corridor close to the Slytherin dorm where nearly all the students were inside.
"Give her a break Severus she gets bored very easily…and what's got you all worked up? You glared at Professor Lupin like you would a dog or a demon…"
"Not really your concern is it Miss Salen—" Salena's hand clamped over Snape's mouth as some Ravenclaws and Gryffindors rushed through the halls next to theirs. She pulled him through the secret tunnel to the Potions classroom, and let Naomi sit down on the tables after locking the door.
"Severus what in God's name is wrong with you?!!! Do you realize you could've blown my/our cover in front of the kids?!!" Snape bowed slightly and looked up at Salena slightly scared from her fierce look.
"Forgive me Eleanor; it was not my place to do something so foolish."
"Would you please drop the formality already; I know you're a gentleman but there's no need for your manners!!"
"Well excuse me for trying to be a good citizen to a lady like you!!!" they started shouting back and forth at each other for several minutes not noticing the six pairs of eyes staring at them.
"You're such a git you know that?!!!!"
"And you're such a drama queen you know that?!!!!!!!"
"That's enough; both of you!!!!!!" Salena nearly jumped into Snape's arms at the sound of Dumbledore's loud voice. The walls nearly shook with the booming sound echoing everywhere in the classroom, almost knocking over some empty viles.
"Headmaster…" Snape was stopped when Dumbledore held up a hand staring at Salena. Professor McGonagall had the same expression on her face as Dumbledore, along with Professors Flitwick, Hagrid, and Lupin. Salena felt her face grow hotter with every eye on her and Snape realizing she'd just acted like a snotty teenager, but what really troubled her was how all these teachers got in the classroom without making a sound?
"We could hear you both down the hall, some of the students were wondering what all the fuss was about…"
"Sorry headmaster, Severus and I just had a small fight…"
"Small fight…sounded more like a callout…" Flitwick rubbed his ears as he spoke, Salena's face turned beet red; Snape's just stayed calm.
"Forgive me headmaster, it was I who started the fight…I let my temper get the best of me."
"Don't lie to your teacher Severus it's rude…I'm the one that let my temper get in the way Albus."
"Well it seems both of you were at fault here, therefore you owe each other an apology…get to it."
Salena turned and bowed to Snape, he did the same to her, they both said "Sorry.", and left for their rooms, until Salena's ears caught Lupin's voice speaking to Dumbledore.
"Those two always bicker Remus, you'll get used to it after a while…"
"I suppose I will Albus, they quarrel as if they're married…" laughter hit Salena's reddening face as she continued to eavesdrop.
"Almost like you and Sirius Black did in school, when you weren't picking on Severus…"
'Lupin and Black…friends? There's an odd mix…'
"Does he still hold onto that Albus?"
"I'm afraid so Remus, but with Eleanor around he's hardly bothered with anything besides her…"
'Bothered with me…?'
"Sounds like they've become fast friends…"
"Well you're close Remus, but with the countless arguing they sound more like enemies than friends." McGonagall's laughter caught Salena's attention, she felt anger from the 'quarreling', but she also felt a small saddening feeling from the part where she 'bothered' Snape.
'Bother him, I bother him?' Salena walked off to her room; Naomi was nowhere in sight, Salena took off her jewelry and clothes, changed into her night robes, and laid down on the bed, clutching her mother's necklace.
'Mama, Father, Samuel, Austin…I miss you all so much, maybe if I hadn't killed Morrison in that cave I'd still be with you in our time. I thought I'd like it here, but it's too painful to walk around a place without my family, our family together like we used to…' Salena felt tears falling down her cheeks; her heart ached at the empty feeling of her home life being taken from her. She cried herself to sleep, not bothering to remember why she'd gotten upset earlier.
Dream sequence:
Salena found herself in a raggedy old building covered completely in dust and cobwebs all over. It was pitch black inside; in front of her was a staircase that looked as if it could collapse if someone walked up. A low growl came from the lowly lit room at the top of the stairs; taking complete caution Salena made her way up the steps and peeked through the door crack. Something tall, hairy, and terrified stood near the window, nipping at its own flesh with monstrous fangs and teeth.
'Is that…a werewolf?' the werewolf moved a little and gave off a loud howl making Salena jump back and almost fall down the stairs. The darkness soon started lighting up a little and the room felt chilly, inside the werewolf began to shift form, the hair disappeared from its body, the claws and teeth changed to normal, but the scratches and scars stayed all over the body. The werewolf changed into a man with sandy-brown hair, tanned skin, until he turned his head and Salena instantly recognized him as…
'REMUS LUPIN?!!!!!!!!!!' suddenly the vision vanished and Salena jumped up out of her bed.
'Remus Lupin is a werewolf?' she took a glance at the clock seeing it was eight-thirty, breakfast was over already, but since Salena didn't have any classes today, she decided to take a trip to Diagon Alley and check out some of the new ensembles at Madame Malkin's. All her work was done for the time being, she just needed to be careful since Black was out there somewhere.
"Morning mistress…" Naomi greeted her slithering onto the bed.
"Morning Naomi, where were you last night?"
"I fell asleep in your pocket remember? But when you eavesdropped on Dumbledore and the other teachers I crawled out and kept watch on Harry Potter and his friends. I caught them eating those animal candies…"
"Must've been interesting…"
"It was quite funny…especially when Potter ate one of those spicy kinds."
"The ones that make smoke blow out of your ears?"
"Yep…"
"Wow, silly kids…any clues on Black?"
"Not yet…he's causing quite an uproar among the students…the first years are afraid he'll sneak up and kill them like he did that rat man."
"You mean Pettigrew? I don't believe that…"
"Believe what mistress?"
"That Black would betray his own friends…let alone kill them…"
"Oh come on mistress the evidence supports it all…"
"Naomi a severed finger doesn't prove anything…not yet at least, plus no one really knows if Pettigrew's dead or not."
"But mistress…"
"Save it, now let me get dressed and if you're good this morning I'll take you to Diagon Alley with me and maybe Hogsmeade later this week."
"Yay!" Naomi bounced happily on the bed and slithered under it as Salena gathered up her light blue dress and shoes. After dressing she grabbed her purse, shrunk Naomi, and placed her wand into her pocket before flooing to Diagon Alley. She ended up in Madame Malkin's dress shop chimney which had been cleaned recently.
"Ah Ms. Sardinia welcome back!"
"Good to be back Madame Malkin, I heard you'd gotten some new additions to the shop?"
"Oh yes of course, right around that corner." Salena saw a beautiful red gown in the window and checked the rack for her size when a voice called out to her.
"Eleanor Sardinia is that you?" Salena turned around to see Narcissa Malfoy strutting over to her side.
"Oh hello Narcissa how are you?"
"Fine just fine, oh I see that dress you're looking at…"
"Yes well it did catch my eye before the rest…what brings you around here?"
"I came to pick up Lucius's robes; one of our dogs tore off the sleeve so I brought it here to be mended."
"Oh how dreadful…" Salena's voice had a hint of sarcasm but Narcissa didn't seem to care.
"You're not teaching today?"
"No…it's only the beginning of the year so I don't have much to do. The only concern I have is that Sirius Black running free around these parts."
"I know, I can't believe he's the first one to break out of Azkaban in so long…"
"You mean it's happened before?"
"Oh yes, no one's broken out of Azkaban in decades and now Black is the first? That's just odd even for him?"
"Because he's your cousin?" Narcissa's head snapped up at that question.
"How did you…?"
"Severus told me…he said your family disowned Sirius when he ran away from home, because you couldn't accept the fact that he was in Gryffindor not Slytherin."
"……That's true….my family was always in Slytherin, and when Sirius was placed in Gryffindor it kind of made things terrible for him."
"I could imagine so, I'm going to check out would you walk with me?"
"Yes of course." Both ladies checked out with their things and walked down to a small fruit stand and grabbed a passion fruit and a peach for snacks. As they continued to talk they shared a few fond memories making each other laugh.
"No way!!"
"I'm serious, Lucius almost died when he walked in on my sister and brother in-law when they went at it on our bed."
"He must've been horrified…"
"Oh no he was sickened with grief; he had the bed disinfected five times before we slept in it again!"
"Five…?"
"Yeah every time we tried he kept jumping out swearing up and down that he could feel Trixie's essence everywhere on the sheets." Salena couldn't contain the laughter of the thought of Lucius's face on something like that.
"I must say Eleanor, I've never had a conversation like this since I was in school…it's nice to have a private chat once in awhile."
"I completely understand, the last time I talked about something outside school I was fourteen and out with my brother and sister-in-law."
"That long? Your parents must've been strict with the rules like mine…"
"Well almost, my father had a thing for obedience, but my mother sometimes let us get away with almost anything as long as we made up for it later." Narcissa giggled and glanced at her watch.
"Oh dear I have to get home; Lucius will be wondering where I've been for the last two hours."
"Yes I have to get back soon as well; it's almost lunch at the school. I'll be sure to tell Draco I ran into you…"
"You do that…good-bye Eleanor!" Narcissa hurried away waving at Salena as she waved back until she disappeared behind a corner.
Naomi's head poked out of the purse making Salena get nervous and slid her back into the pocket until she hid in a dark alleyway then took the pint-sized snake out with a smile.
"You alright Naomi?"
"Yes mistress…I'm tired though, can we head back now?"
"Yes Naomi we'll head back, don't want Snape thinking I've run off now do I?" both laughed lowly and apparated back to the outside gates of Hogwarts.
"Back at last…wait why's it so…….cold?" Salena's breath came out little puffs as she saw more than half the grounds covered in ice and frost. 'DEMENTORS!!' without second thoughts Salena hastily groped around for her wand until something swooped down behind her grabbing at her robes. She turned around and saw two dementors flying around her, and then a third joined in trying to suck the soul out of her.
She gave off a loud hiss but that didn't do much since they continued to swoop around her. She finally found her wand and pointed it at them.
"Expecto Patronum!!!" out of her wand came a silver raven that flew off at the three dementors and scattered them away from her. Naomi poked out again but slunk back as Salena shook her head and walked through the castle gates, and the front door.
'That was close…' she shut the large door behind her and hastily walked back to the teacher's entrance to the Great Hall where everyone would be gathering for lunch. As she walked in Salena took a few moments to straighten herself up and sit down beside Snape and Lupin.
"Where've you been?" Snape whispered to her as they ate.
"Out shopping…had a little run in with Narcissa, and some dementors but it was nothing." Lupin stared at Salena nearly choking on his pumpkin juice.
"You ran into some dementors?"
"Yes, but don't worry; there were only three outside the gates."
"The gates are you insane?! There could've been more out there!"
"Severus lower your voice…you want to cause a scene?!" Salena whispered deadly but Snape didn't seem scared.
"I wouldn't be talking like this if you weren't so careless."
"Since when do you care if I'm careless…you think I'm like Potter or something?"
"No….well yes but…I don't know…" Snape's mouth twitched at the words but Salena just ignored it.
"Then find out yourself; let me do my job and you do yours…" Salena finished eating and left the table in a rush. She looked around the corridors and made a quick jog to the Quidditch field; when she got there she spotted Marcus Flint and his chasers practicing on their brooms. One of them spotted her and gestured towards Flint; they landed their brooms and ran to her side.
"Is there something wrong Professor Sardinia?" Flint asked.
"No Mr. Flint, I was just out on a stroll when I caught you lot playing. You missed lunch you know…"
"We did? Damn we stayed out too late…!"
"Language Mr. Flint…5 points from Slytherin; I'm sure if you hurry you'll have enough time to finish before the hall is cleaned up."
"Really? Thank you professor…"
"Better hurry, no time for dilly-dallying…" all four raced off towards the castle; Salena gave off a huge sigh and took Naomi out of her pocket. The huge snake slithered happily on the cool grass but Salena gave her a slap on the back catching her attention.
"Quit goofing off you silly snake. We haven't got time for your little antics."
"Sorry mistress, just couldn't wait to get out of that stuffy pocket! Is there something you need me to do?"
"Yes I need you to keep a close watch on the castle, now that Sirius Black has escaped there's no telling where or when he could show up here."
"Am I not doing that already?"
"Yes you are but I need you to increase your skills, starting with that Lupin fellow. He seems to have been close friends with Black…"
"He doesn't really seem all that suspicious mistress…"
"Yes I know but we can't take any chances."
"Right, I'll start immediately!"
"Report back to me when you're finished, and I want exclusive details on everything you find."
"Got it!" Naomi slithered down through the bleachers out of Salena's sight. Salena took a good look around, and walked back to the castle not bothering to speak to anyone she passed, until she collided once again into Remus Lupin.
"Sorry Professor Lupin…"
"No it's fine; I was looking for you anyway."
"Looking for me?"
"Yes, I was wandering if I could have a word with you for a moment?"
"Of course…" she followed him into his classroom and took a small seat on one of the desks.
"What can I do for you Mr. Lupin?"
"Please call me Remus…I don't mean to get personal or anything, but what exactly is your relationship with Severus?"
"I think you know my answer to that…"
"Not really my business?"
"Nope…"
"I thought so, you two seem to be good friends."
"We're friends but we're not close…not exactly."
"I see, how long have you been here?"
"Three years why?"
"Just wondering, I forgot what you teach here again?"
"I'm a flying teacher, and I substitute when other teachers are unavailable."
"Seems like you have your hands full most of the time; I wonder how you manage it?"
"It's not easy but it's not difficult either."
"I see…"
"Is that all Remus?"
"Not exactly…I meant to tell you that I have to agree with Severus."
"About what; oh you mean the dementor attack this morning?"
"Yes, you did make it sound like you were very careless. Dementors are very terrifying creatures that suck the soul from you after draining out all your sadness."
"I'm not a child Remus I know what a dementor can do; and I know I got lucky that time since there were only three, but I won't be next time. I have to go now, enjoy your day with Harry's class."
"Very well, see you around then." Salena hopped off the desk and left the room. As she walked down the corridor she spotted Snape heading in her direction. He didn't look happy, as usual.
"Eleanor, could I see you in my office for a minute?" Salena nodded and followed Snape to his office and took a seat in front of his desk.
"What is it now Severus?"
"I wanted to ask you what the hell you were thinking when you were attacked?!"
"Would you please stop that, I know I got lucky but the past is the past so let it go."
"Let it go? You could've had the soul taken from you! You could've been hurt!"
"But I wasn't! What you're my guardian now or something?"
"Dumbledore asked me to watch over you, and I gave him my word; but with you wandering around like a little kid it's nearly impossible to keep track of you!" Salena stood up angrily in front of Severus's desk and glared straight into his dark eyes as hers turned a brighter green and her mouth grew fangs.
"If you have that much trouble watching me then do everyone a damn favor and stay out of it! Don't forget who you're dealing with Severus Snape!" Salena hissed angrily and stormed out of the office slamming the door behind her.
'Damn that man, thinks he's my bodyguard. I need to rest…' Salena made her way out to the garden and sat down near the little pond outside the greenhouses. As she began to calm her nerves she felt a vision coming, this time it was a serious one.
Dream vision:
Salena found herself standing in an alley in Hogsmeade, where it seemed to be busy but something didn't feel right.
'I wonder what this is about.' She looked around closely before she spotted the one and only Sirius Black following a short, chubby, slightly bald man around until he turned and spotted Black. They entered the alley and Salena took a good close look at the two until the other man spoke up.
"Sirius…" Black looked enraged at the man.
"Why Peter? Why did you do it?!"
"You…"
"You betrayed Lily and James!" Black shouted but not enough to draw attention.
"Sirius please…"
"Peter they're dead because of you! What about Harry?" just then Pettigrew pulled out his wand and pointed it at Black.
"You betrayed them! You betrayed Lily and James!! You told Voldemort their secret! It was all you!!!!" there was a flash of light, Black was blown back and Pettigrew disappeared, all but his finger remained. A squeak from a rat was heard and the little rodent scampered down into the sewers where the blood from the finger was pouring. The last thing seen were tons of people surrounding Black and several wands pointing.
'Whoa…I have to tell Albus!' she quickly walked inside the castle finding the gargoyle to Dumbledore's office.
"Blood Pops." The gargoyle moved aside letting her pass up the spiral staircase. As she entered the office she heard a small song from behind the office door. It sounded like a phoenix, but phoenixes were rare around here weren't they? She walked up and knocked on the door; the sound of movement caught her ears.
"Come in…" Salena opened the door slightly seeing Dumbledore, Lupin, and Snape all seated in front of the headmaster's desk.
"Oh I can come back later professor…"
"No it's alright Eleanor; we were just talking about you." Salena quirked an eyebrow then glanced at Snape.
"About me huh? Alright Severus what did you tell him?"
"Nothing…why would I say anything about you?"
"Excuse me?!"
"You asked…"
"Don't start you two…now Eleanor it seems you've been acting a bit…strict lately."
"Strict?"
"There's been a lot of talk around here about that little dementor attack earlier today. The students think you're being careless…"
"They're not the only ones…"
"Shut up Severus!"
"See what I mean?!"
"I have to agree with Severus Ms. Sardinia, you do look rather tensed." Remus spoke calmly.
"I am not tense!!"
"Eleanor..." Salena blushed and bowed at Dumbledore.
"Sorry headmaster…"
"Eleanor is there a reason you're acting this way? Is something troubling you?"
"No sir…not really."
"Then why the attitude?"
"I don't really know sir."
"Does this have something to do with what happened last year?" Salena twitched at the question, and her face turned beet red.
"I'd say that's a yes…have you seen a counselor?"
"No sir, I don't need to see one."
"I'd recommend it Elly, what happened last year seems to have gotten a slight hold of your life."
"No it hasn't…" Remus looked slightly confused.
"Albus I'm afraid I don't understand…"
"It's not really your business is it Lupin?" Salena growled.
"Eleanor…" Dumbledore warned then turned to Lupin. "I'm sorry about this Remus…but you see last year our DADA teacher took a liking to Professor Sardinia. She didn't return his feelings so; well you could say he stalked her. She pulled a prank on him and it kind of got him teased by the staff and students. Afterwards he tried to…assault her, and used Veritaserum on the Weasley twins since they helped her….lucky for her Severus caught wind of it and stopped him before he could do any further damage."
"I was drugged headmaster!" Remus's face turned to shock looking directly at Salena's eyes full of tears. Salena regained her composure but the tears didn't fade; she bowed at Dumbledore then turned.
"Sorry headmaster, but I have to go." Not hearing their remarks Salena rushed out the door, hiding her face with her hair, straight into her room. She locked the door and leaned against it as tears began to fall down her cheeks.
'That old bastard…spilling out a private secret in front of me…' she fell to the floor burying her face in her knees. She sobbed lowly into her skirt; all the while she kept thinking about her family.
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Sorry bout the wait but u know how it is…next chapter may finish or continue on in the P.A.B.. either way though Salena will get more stern and end up saving Snape's arse from humiliation again.