Dickon's Lesson

The Astronomy Tower

The following night 8:00PM:

Severus was one of the first students to come to the top of the Astronomy Tower for Professor Marsh's lesson that night, and he waited respectfully until the professor had finished adjusting the lenses on the telescopes, holding his star chart and glow-in-the-dark notepad in his hands. Dickon turned around and pointed to the low stone benches that ran about the outer edge of the tower. "Welcome to my class. Mr. Snape, you and the Slytherins may sit there," he pointed to the benches on the right side.

Severus moved to sit where the astronomy professor indicated, and just then the rest of the Slytherins and Gryffindors came up, sounding like thunder upon the stairs. Peter, Sirius, James, and Lupin were together in a knot, snickering about something. Lily came up with Cindy and Alice, Mary seemed to be snubbing her, and she gave Severus a dirty look as she passed him. Severus pretended not to notice, MacDonald had always been a snooty stuck-up bitch, and there was no love lost between them.

Lily took a seat nearest Severus's side of the bench and winked at him behind her pad.

Severus crooked his mouth in a tiny smile in return. Then he turned about and faced Richard Marsh, he didn't want to be disrespectful, and this was Marsh's first class of sixth-year Slytherins and Gryffindors. Severus prayed it would go well, he wanted to make a good impression.

Dickon stood in the middle of the group of students, who were arrayed in a half circle about him. He looked more . . .scholarly than when Severus had met him at his house, he was wearing a small pair of spectacles, which he removed after perusing a folded chart. They hung about his neck from a sparkling silver chain. His dark hair curled slightly about his ears and his large hazel eyes fixed upon his class with a curiously eager expression. He was dressed in midnight blue velvet robes that billowed when he walked, and upon the left breast was a silvery nebula and five sparkling stars surrounding it and a crescent moon beneath. Severus knew that particular emblem was one that only a Master Astronomer could wear. The sleeves of Dickon's robes were gathered tight against his wrists, for ease of movement when using a telescope. The sleeves bore silver trim, as did the hem. His boots were simple calfskin, dyed midnight blue.

Upon his belt were a wand holder, a few pouches of Illuminating Dust, and several scroll cases. He smiled quietly at the students and said, "All right, it looks like we are all here and after I take attendance, we shall begin our studies. My name is Professor Richard Marsh, I hold a Mastery in Astronomy, and the stars are my passion. One which I will hopefully instill in you as well. I have office hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6:00, any problems with homework or questions about a lesson you may see me there and I shall try to assist you as best I can. If you are totally stumped, I may assign you a tutor, if necessary." He cleared his throat and looked down at the sheet of parchment in his hand. "When I call your name, please raise your hand and say,"Present, sir," so that I may learn what face goes with which name. Avery, Marvin . . ."

After everyone had been called, Dickon explained they would be looking at the constellation called the Pleiades. "That star group has a Greek name. Who can tell me another name they are known as?"

Severus and Lily raised their hands.

Dickon looked around at the others before turning back and pointing at Severus. "Mr. Snape, enlighten us."

"They are also known as the Seven Sisters, sir."

"Correct. Very good, Mr. Snape. Five points to Slytherin."

"Does anyone know the legend about the Seven Sisters?"

Some more students raised their hands, and Dickon called on Cindy. "Miss Graves, let us see if you know your mythology."

Cindy did not disappoint him. "The Seven Sisters were the daughters of Atlas, a titan, and Pleiad, a nymph of the sky. One day the great hunter Orion saw the Pleiades as they walked through the countryside, and fancied them. He pursued them for seven years, until Zeus answered their prayers for delivery and transformed them into birds (doves or pigeons), placing them among the stars. Later on, when Orion was killed, he was placed in the heavens behind the Pleiades, immortalizing his pursuit of them."

"Excellent, Miss Graves. Five points to Gryffindor." Dickon praised. "Now then, many of you will notice that over half the constellations in the night sky have some kind of legend or myth attached to them from early civilizations. This is because for time out of mind, man has gazed at the heavens in awe and tried to explain what he saw there. But in some cases, the legends contain a grain of truth in them. It's so with this one. There really were seven sisters, only they were not daughters of immortals, but seven sorceresses, who had mastered a most unusual magic—that of celestial fire. Somehow they managed to call down the very fire of the stars into their hands and use it to fuel certain spells, like the Star Trace, and also make things with it, like the Illuminating Dust I carry in my pouch." He indicated the silver pouch at his waist.

"Sir, what does the Illuminating Dust do?" asked Lily.

"I'm glad you asked, Miss Evans. Illuminating Dust is what aids an astronomer in seeing stars beyond those normally visible in the sky, or stars which are covered by clouds. It is one of an astronomer's most valuable tools."

"Can you show us how it works, sir?" Lily asked, her eyes shining with the prospect of seeing something new.

"All in good time, Miss Evans," Dickon said cheerfully. "Let me finish my story first."

"The sorceresses were very smart and this was at a time when women, I'm sorry to say, were not valued as much as their male counterparts. Some of the sisters' colleagues resented them for harnessing celestial starfire, and they persecuted them unjustly, trying to convince the Council of the Wise that they practiced dark magic. It was not so, but the Council wanted to keep the peace, and so they ordered the sisters to cease experimenting with the starfire and return to more suitable studies for young women."

"Humph!" snorted Alice. "I bet I can guess what those were."

"Yes, well, the sisters refused and the jealous colleagues banded together and drove them out of their home, pursuing them across Europe. They fled and rumor has it they found a perfect spot on the top of a mountain to continue their studies undisturbed. No one knows if they are still there and they took the secret of summoning celestial fire with them. But they did leave behind a recipe for creating Illuminating Dust, though the batches they first created with the starfire are prized beyond belief. I have one such pouch."

Gasps flew around the room. "I won it by chance, and it is one of my greatest treasures." Dickon said simply. "Much was lost when the Sisters fled and it is my dream to one day rediscover the secret of harnessing starfire. But that is neither here nor there. Sometimes the stars position or brightness can affect certain rituals and magic performed during certain times of the year. Such as the Winter or Summer Solstice. It is said that if you were to perform a Ritual of Purity during the Summer Solstice, when the constellation Virgo and the Pleiades are in ascendance, your spell would be three times as potent . . .The same goes for certain kinds of potions, the amount of starlight affects certain brews . . ."

Everyone was scribbling rapidly during the lecture, apparently fascinated by Dickon's knowledge and love of his subject. He was a good lecturer, presenting the information in an interesting manner that made the students want to learn more, and was not just a dry recital of facts and figures. He also called on several students and gave out points for right answers, but didn't take away points if someone answered incorrectly.

Severus made a mental note to ask Dickon in private what were some of the potions that could be enhanced by starlight.

The lesson went well up until they started using the telescopes to look at the Pleiades and Casseopeia and Orion.

Severus had a telescope on the far right of the tower, close to Lily and Cindy, he was on Lily's left and Cindy was two telescopes down from her. They had to share, because there weren't enough telescopes to go round, and Lily ended up sharing with Millicent Bulstrode and Severus with Remus. James ended up with a tall Slytherin named Mark Myron and somehow Sirius and Peter ended up next to Lily and Millie.

One partner was supposed to look through the telescope at the stars and tell the other one where they were in relation to the moon and the North Star. They were also supposed to compare the brightness of each one and record the approximate rotation of each. Severus volunteered to look into the telescope, since he knew Remus was wary of seeing the moon, even when it wasn't full.

This was the first time since the Shrieking Shack that Severus had been in close quarters with Lupin, and he was a bit nervous, but he quickly hid his discomfort. No way would he let a Gryffindor see how scared he was. To his surprise, Lupin greeted him cordially and did not make any snide remarks or stupid jokes. He was serious and focused upon the lesson and that was just what Severus liked in a lab partner.

Only once did Lupin stray off the topic, and that was to whisper in Snape's ear that he was sorry about what had gone on at the Shack. "I know you probably think I'm some sort of monster that ought to be locked away, but please believe me Severus, I had nothing to do with that prank. I'm sorry it ever happened."

Severus stiffened. Then he said, coldly polite, "Thanks, Lupin. Pity your friends don't feel the same way."

Lupin sighed. "They're . . .immature. But someday they'll grow up. I hope. Do you forgive me then?" There was a wistful longing in the werewolf's eyes. Then he looked down at his feet.

Severus turned away for a moment, considering. He could tell that Lupin was sincere, and that what had gone on had affected him badly. That he could show such regret put the lie to the fact that he was a monster. Then he looked back and nodded slowly. "Don't mention it, Lupin. Write down, luminosity factor 1.345 . . ."

But while he and Lupin were focused upon their assignment, others were not. Sirius and Peter were more interested in using the telescope to look at other things besides the stars. The stars were boring. It was far more interesting to use the magnified magical lenses to peer up normally impenetrable objects . . .such as girls's skirts.

Sirius whistled as he angled his scope down and peeked at Mary MacDonald. "Hmm . . .not bad, Wormtail. A little on the skinny side, but . . .potential . . ." Then he angled it further and looked up Millicent Bulstrode's skirt. "Ahh . . .for a snake she's got a nice arse . . .very nice . . .I really like this class . . ." He removed his eye from the end and pointed it up at the sky just as Dickon came around to monitor them.

He frowned when he saw their results. "Less talking, Mr. Black and Mr. Pettigrew, and more working, or else I'll separate you. Five points from Gryffindor."

He turned away, and Sirius made a rude face at him while his back was turned.

Pettigrew was whining. "C'mon, Siri, I want a turn. No fair, you hogging the telescope all the time."

"Keep your shorts on, Peter." Sirius said, then he turned and walked over to James. "Oi, Prongs, know what else you can see with the telescope . . .?" He whispered in his best mate's ear.

James snickered and clapped Sirius on the back. "Padfoot, you're something, you randy old goat! If Marsh ever catches you . . ."

"He won't, he's on the other side of the tower." Sirius shrugged. "Want to try your luck?"

James shook his head. "Sorry, mate, but Tuney would skin me."

"How would she know? She isn't here."

"But Lily is and if she ever saw me looking up another girl's skirt or whatever, I'd be toast." James said. "Besides, I'm not really interested in other girls that way since I started dating Petunia."

Sirius threw up his hands. "Unbelievable! She's turned you into a prude."

"Aw, dry up, Padfoot! Go on, go back to your star charts." James waved him off.

Sirius turned and started back towards his telescope.

Meanwhile, Pettigrew had taken the telescope and had angled it much the same way Sirius had, and was gleefully looking up the girls' robes, using the magnification viewer on the scope. At first he looked at Bulstrode and agreed with Sirius' assessment—she was a fine witch. Then his focus shifted to the red-haired, too smart, Slytherin lover who was currently dating Snape.

"Mmm . . .oohh . . .she's even nicer than Bulstrode . . ." Peter moaned, nearly going into anaphylactic shock. "Oh, I could really enjoy touching and squeezing . . ."

Sirius walked over to him and hissed, "Whatcha lookin' at, Wormtail? Something that makes you drool?"

Peter nodded, still ogling.

Lily was bent over her scope, peering up at Orion and calling out numbers to Millie.

Pettigrew had his eye plastered to the lens which was angled right at Lily's well-rounded bottom.

Severus happened to glance over at her and saw Pettigrew hunched over his telescope, practically leaving a puddle of drool on the floor, and his eyes traveled upwards . . .

Why that sodding little bastard! He's looking up Lily's skirt. Right at her backside, the miserable skulking rat! Severus felt his temper soar and before he could think better of it he shoved his telescope at Lupin and lunged at the little voyeur.

"You bloody bastard!" Severus spat, his hands yanking the startled Pettigrew up by the back of his robe. "What do you mean, looking up my girlfriend's skirt, you sick little pervert?"

"Hey, Snape, let him alone!" Sirius yelled, trying to pry Severus away from Pettigrew, who was gasping and choking.

Lily turned around, her face scarlet. "He was doing what?" She felt horribly embarrassed and furious and violated all at once. "Oh my God!"

Severus loosened his grip enough so Pettigrew could speak. "It was Sirius's idea! He started doing it first! He looked up Millie's skirt and Mary's too."

Severus slammed Peter up against the stone wall of the battlement. "I don't give a damn! His eye wasn't looking up Lily's skirt—yours was! You're lucky I don't push you right over the tower and see how well you can fly without a broomstick, you disgusting sneak!"

He was so furious that he was shaking Pettigrew like a terrier would a rat, his eyes blazing and his hand itching to curse the other something fierce. But some small sense of self-preservation stayed his hand.

Sirius went to tug at Snape's arm again, and Lily grabbed him. "You are a filthy pig, Black! You belong in a swamp with the rest of your kind, you lowlife scum!"

"Just what in Merlin's name is going on here?" Professor Marsh demanded. He came to see what all the uproar was about and discovered Severus trying to throttle another student and Lily looking as though she wanted to join right in. "Mr. Snape, release . . .uh . . .what's your name again?"

"Pettigrew," Lily supplied. "Peter Pettigrew, sir. He's one of the Marauders, a group of troublemakers, sir. He was . . .was using his telescope to . . .look up my . . .skirt . . ." she admitted, her face tinted scarlet.

"And for that I'm going to throw him off the tower!" shouted Severus hotly.

Dickon quickly stepped between them. "Mr. Snape, control yourself." He turned about and frowned down upon Peter, who was cringing and whimpering.

"Don't let him hurt me, sir! He's evil, he knows black magic! Don't let him hurt me!"

"Shut up, you sniveling coward!" Severus growled.

"Gentlemen, enough!"

Though Professor Marsh spoke without raising his voice, his tone crackled with authority, snapping like a whip.

Severus flinched and grew still, his whole body poised for flight or for a slap.

Peter stopped whining, looking up at Dickon fearfully.

Dickon gave him a severe look and when Sirius would have said something, glared at him as well. "Mr. Black and Mr. Pettigrew, what do you have to say for yourselves? You ought to be ashamed, treating my equipment in such a fashion, using it to degrade your fellow students."

"But, sir . . .it was just a joke," Sirius began. "We were only having a bit of fun."

"Fun, Mr. Black? I don't think Miss Evans or Miss Bulstrode found it funny in the least."

Millie clenched a fist. "Professor, can I sock him one in the mouth? Or kick him where it hurts?"

"Regrettably, Miss Bulstrode, I cannot allow it." Dickon said. "What I can do is to give both of these troublemakers detention on Saturday morning and take thirty-five points from Gryffindor."

Sirius' eyes bugged out. "Thirty-five points! But Professor Marsh, it's no fair. What about Snape? He ought to get in trouble too for almost throwing Peter off the tower."

Regrettably, Dickon knew that Black was right. He could not let Severus get away with such behavior, even if he was justified. It was not school policy. He frowned at the young Slytherin. "You will see me after class, Mr. Snape, where we shall discuss this incident. And that will be fifteen points from Slytherin."

"Yes, sir," Severus said sullenly. He was still longing to kill Pettigrew for humiliating Lily that way and he was angry and upset that he had caused Dickon to take points from him and yet he felt the older man was being unfair, since he had been justified in attacking Pettigrew. But he knew better than to protest in public. That would only get him in worse trouble.

Sirius opened his mouth to say something, but James caught his eye and shook his head warningly. Sirius took the hint and muttered, "Yes, sir."

"You and Mr. Pettigrew will no longer be partners in this class," Dickon declared firmly. "I am separating you permanently." He called over two other students and switched them. Peter was reassigned a telescope on the other side of the tower and he partnered Sirius with a hulking boy called John Goyle. "You have five minutes to complete your work, Pettigrew and Black, or else you'll receive a zero for today's class as well as your detention. Clear?"

Both boys muttered an agreement and went back to work.

"Mr. Snape, finish up," Dickon said in a somewhat gentler tone. "You too, ladies."

They all turned back to their telescopes, Severus' temper was still smoldering.

Remus sighed. "When will they ever learn?"

"When somebody pounds some sense into their empty heads," Severus replied, then adjusted his lens.

* * * * * *

Professor Marsh's office:

Severus stood before Richard's desk, feeling as if he were about to get smacked or worse. His temper had cooled somewhat and now he was more apprehensive and nervous than angry. He wondered what Dickon would say to him and he felt ashamed that he had gotten into trouble with the man on his first day in class. Way to go, Snape. You've really shown him how good a student you are. Lost fifteen points and will probably end up doing some kind of detention, hope you're proud of yourself. He's so impressed. I wonder if he'll tell my mother? Merlin, I hope not. But what if he does? She'll be so disappointed. He hung his head, digging a toe into the plush cobalt carpet.

Richard sat behind his desk, wishing like hell he didn't have to do this. He understood completely why Severus had attacked that skulking little voyeur and he couldn't blame him for losing it. But at the same time he knew that Severus needed to learn how to control his temper, and letting him get away with violent behavior was not a good thing. Given his father's history, Severus needed to start learning self-control now. I just hope he won't hate me for doing this. He waved his wand at the office door, and several Silencing Charms were activated.

The Astronomy office was decorated in cool blues and silver, it had several tapestries of constellations hung on the walls and single window that looked out upon the night sky. It was located upon the fourth floor. The furniture in it consisted of a walnut desk, chair, a small divan, a bookshelf crammed with books and spellbooks, plus niches for scrolls and maps, and lots of lights.

Dickon took a moment to compose himself and then addressed his wayward student. "Mr. Snape, quit looking at the carpet, it won't help you. Look at me."

Reluctantly, Severus dragged his gaze upwards. As he had expected, Dickon's hazel eyes held disappointment and somehow that hurt worse than if he had been screamed at and insulted.

Dickon met his gaze steadily. "You understand that you should not have lost your temper that way, don't you, Mr. Snape?"

"Yes, sir, but I was provoked. That pervert—"

"Would have been dealt with by me, I assure you," Dickon said crisply.

"But you weren't around, and I couldn't just stand there and let him keep going," protested the Slytherin.

"I understand that, Mr. Snape, but choking the life out of the kid is unacceptable."

"Did you have to take points, sir? It's not fair—"

"Neither is causing a disruption in my class, young man," Dickon interrupted. "There were other alternatives to you strangling him, Severus Snape."

"Yeah, I could have hexed his eyeballs out." Severus said sarcastically.

Richard scowled. "What you should have done was to come and find me, not started a brawl. Why didn't you?"

Severus flinched and whispered, "I don't know. I . . .got mad and I just . . .reacted."

"Exactly. You allowed your temper to rule you, Severus. And that is why I took points and am scolding you now. Because you need to start learning how to control your temper now, lad." He reached out to touch Severus lightly on the shoulder and the boy cringed.

"Stop that!" Dickon admonished softly. "You ought to know I'm not going to hit you. Didn't I promise you that?"

"Y-yes, sir. But now you're angry with me . . ."

"I am not angry so much as upset." Dickon corrected. "And even if I were furious with you, that still wouldn't give me the right to smack you. Trust me to keep my promise."

Severus swallowed hard. "Okay, sir."

"I am, however, quite disappointed with how you behaved," Dickon continued. "As I said before, you need to start controlling that temper, before it controls you. Like it did your father." Richard hated making that comparison but it had to be said. He didn't want Severus to become what he hated.

Severus paled. "I'm not my father, sir! I'm not!" His voice cracked on the last word.

"I know, lad. You have hardly anything of him in you, except your tongue and your temper. Oh, and his nose, if you'll pardon me," Dickon said, giving him a tentative smile. "But Severus, if you keep giving into it, someday you could end up like him. And I know damn good and well you don't want that, now do you?"

"No, sir. Not ever! I'm sorry, Professor."

"Aye, lad, I can see you are," Dickon said, slipping back into his native Yorkshire speech patterns.

Severus began to worry at his bottom lip for several minutes, his hands clenching inside the pockets of his robes. "It won't happen again, sir." He took a deep breath. "Are you . . .that is . . .will you be telling my mother about this?"

Dickon looked startled. "Why, no. I don't need to tell her every little thing that goes on here, and usually detentions are private, handled by teachers without input from the parents. Whatever happens here between us, Sev, stays between us."

Severus heaved a sigh of relief. Eileen had enough to deal with without adding fuel to the fire. Still, losing those points rankled. "Sir, is there any way I can earn those points back?"

"Maybe. I need someone who will get up Saturday and help me clean the telescopes." Dickon said.

"I'll do it, sir."

"Good, but this is the only time I'll allow it. You misbehave again and the points will remain gone and I'll give you detention the same as I would any other student. This time, I'll let you off with a lecture."

"Thank you, sir."

"I want you to think long and hard about what I said about controlling your temper," Dickon continued. "If you would like, I can offer you a few pointers. I don't have a short fuse, but my mother does, and she fought all her life to stay in control. She used a lot of meditation and breathing techniques. Visualization too. Would you like to learn something of them in your free time?"

Severus nodded. He discovered he didn't like it when the elder wizard scolded him, it made him feel guilty and ashamed. In an odd way, Dickon's lecture bothered him worse than if he had picked up a ruler and walloped him. Severus knew how to handle that sort of thing. But disappointment from a man he respected was a whole other story.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, lad. Just try harder," the professor said quietly. "Come, let me show you my quarters. My meditation books are there, I can get you a basic one to start." He undid the Silencing Charms and led the way from the office.

* * * * * *

Dickon's quarters were a mixture of modern and medieval, Severus soon discovered. The large living area boasted a gray sectional couch in butter soft leather, but had an area rug with moon and stars and a constellation of Sagittarius in the center of it done in lush jeweled tones of blue, green, gold and black. Above the fireplace was a crystal wall clock shaped like a diamond with the inscription upon its base Time waits for no man, though the stars have nothing but time on their side.

In front of the couch was a folding snack table upon which perched a teapot and a plate of cinnamon scones.

Bookshelves lined the walls on either side of the fireplace and walls were painted a soft shade of blue and cream, with tapestries of fairies dancing under a full moon and a Pegasus flying. But there was also a poster of something called the Horsehead Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy, both taken with a high resolution telescope.

Caddy-cornered to the sofa was a large easy chair covered in green and blue plaid with a green throw pillow on it. In front of the chair was a pair of brown sheepskin slippers. On top of the chair snoozed a small black cat.

The cat woke when Dickon and Severus entered, yawning and stretching.

"Hello, Eclipse," Dickon greeted him.

The cat purred and jumped off the chair to twine himself about the other's ankles. Dickon knelt and scratched Eclipse under the chin and the cat purred loudly, emerald eyes half closing in bliss. "Come and say hello to Sev."

He looked over at Severus. "Do you like cats?"

"Yes, sir." Severus knelt and clicked his tongue and held out a hand.

Eclipse trotted over to investigate, sniffing his fingers and then rubbing his back against the boy's wrist.

Severus gently stroked his back and Eclipse promptly threw himself against Sev's knees, purring ecstatically.

"He likes you, all right," Dickon chuckled. "And that means you're of good character, since Eclipse is the best judge of character I know."

"Is he your, uh, familiar?" Severus was scratching the black cat behind the ears now.

"Yes. He's an Egyptian temple cat, and his kind have long been guardians of magical and sacred places. When I'm not at home, he will protect my property."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "He didn't look like he was protecting anything when we came in."

"Ah, but a temple cat can sense evil for a great distance, and if we had been dark wizards trying to break into my quarters, you would have seen a very different side of Eclipse. Right, old fellow?"

Eclipse gave a soft mew.

"He has a bit of magic of his own." Dickon said, then made a soft noise and Eclipse quit shedding all over Severus and jumped to the astronomer's shoulder, meowing. "And right now he's hungry."

A wave of his wand produced a plate of salmon and cheese bits and a bowl of water.

Eclipse hopped down, and began to eat daintily.

Severus noted that he was sleek with a wedge-shaped head and large triangular ears, slender legs and paws and a long graceful tail. He was quite beautiful.

Severus remained gently stroking the cat while Dickon went and found the book he wished to give him. "Here, Sev. Basic Meditation and Controlled Breathing. This should get you started."

"Thank you, Dickon." Severus rose and took the book.

"Care for some tea and a scone before you go back to your dorm?" queried the professor, waving him to a seat on the sofa.

"All right," Severus agreed, sensing that this was Dickon's way of a peace offering.

The two sat and ate the soft fluffy cinnamon scones and drank Sleepytime Tea while Eclipse rubbed against their ankles and purred soothingly.

A fire burned in the grate and gave off the most unusual smell.

Severus sniffed. "Why do I smell . . .apples and cinnamon baking?"

Dickon laughed. "Ah, you've caught me out. I burn applewood logs in my fire as well as scented pine cones. I like the way they smell much better than ordinary wood."

"It reminds me of Mum's apple pie," Severus said wistfully.

"Me too." Dickon said, and rested a hand ever so gently upon the boy's shoulder.

This time Severus stayed still and did not draw away.

"Dickon, what will you do to Black and Pettigrew?"

"I can't tell you exactly, that's privileged information, but trust me, it won't be nice. They need to be taught a good lesson." Dickon's mouth tightened.

"They're always in trouble," Severus said.

"I gathered that already." The professor said. Then he continued eating, feeding Eclipse a few crumbs when the cat jumped into his lap. "Well, so much for my first week here. I guess I didn't do too badly."

"No," Severus agreed. "Nobody fell off the tower."

Dickon chuckled. "Very true."

Severus admitted to himself that for once it was nice to have an adult at school that would actually talk to him about something other than schoolwork, and he almost mentioned Regulus and Sirius' problem to Dickon before reconsidering. It was Regulus' business after all, and he doubted if Reg would welcome Dickon butting his nose in, however well-meaning. But he did wish he could get Dickon's advice on how to help his friend.

He found himself dozing off, the fire was warm and the couch cozy.

"Sev, wake up," Dickon shook him awake. "Time to go back to your room. You can't stay here, it's not permitted for staff to have students sleep in their quarters unless they're family and you're not . . .yet."

"Night, Dickon," murmured Severus sleepily and then after one last scratch of Eclipse's ears, he left for his own bed.

* * * * * *

Sirius slouched into Dickon's office Saturday morning, grumpy and irritated. Looked like the new teacher was another boring stiff that couldn't take a joke. Uptight Yorkshire prig. Peter was right behind him, looking about nervously, like he wanted to hide under a table. Sirius stuck his hands in his pockets and acted like he was just here for a routine assignment.

Dickon remained standing behind his desk, his arms folded, a look of extreme disapproval on his features. "Well, gentlemen, I assume you know why you're here, but let me go over a few key points, the first one being that your behavior was atrocious and something that you should be ashamed of ever doing in the first place. My telescope was meant for one thing—to see stars and the sky, not teenage girls' backsides and legs. . ."

The professor continued scolding, hoping he was getting through to the two. Sirius looked bored and Pettigrew nervous, but neither of them seemed remorseful and that bothered the older wizard. Well, perhaps an afternoon doing equations would impress upon them the error of their ways, as well as teaching them something useful.

He conjured two desks with chairs attached to them with a snap of his fingers, making Sirius stare. Clearly this Marsh fellow was no slouch as a wizard, for only the most powerful could do wandless magic silently that way. "Sit."

The two obeyed, and Dickon handed each one a two foot roll of parchment and a quill and ink. "Now then, lads, you are going to write."

"Lines, sir?" squeaked Pettigrew.

"No, not lines. I have something much more complicated than mere lines."

"Like what?"

"Equations, Mr. Black. Astronomical equations."

"Huh? You can't be serious!"

"I assure, I am very serious," Dickon snapped. He pointed his wand and wrote in the air in glowing letters six equations. "You will complete and solve these and then I shall give you another set. You have three hours. Begin."

Peter squirmed in his chair.

"Something wrong?"

"Sir, I . . .I don't know how to do them. We were never taught this."

Professor Marsh shook his head. "What kind of idiot did you have, that never taught you basic equations?" He came and stood before them. "All right, I will do the first two with you. Watch closely now . . ."

By the end of three hours, Sirius' hand was killing him, his brain felt as if it were about to explode, and he would have been happy to jump off the Astronomy Tower rather than do another equation again in his life. This was worse than writing three hundred lines, worse than scrubbing the Trophy Room, worse even than scrubbing the toilets. It was sheer torture and Richard Marsh was a sadist.

I'm never going to fool around in his class again. Or at least I'll make damn sure I don't get caught. Pettigrew, this is all your fault! Why did you have to pick Lily? Stupid rat. He shook out his hand and finished writing, finally!

Marsh collected the papers and dismissed them, and Sirius went to find James and Remus and go flying. Flying with his friends was the very best thing and it kept him from thinking too much about Reg and the rest of his family. When he complained about Marsh's detention, James laughed and said he was lucky McGonagall never gave him detention, for she had made him spend hours conjugating Latin words and learning their meanings.

"Now that was torture!" James laughed.

Sirius fetched his broom and said nothing. McGonagall could learn a few things from Marsh about detentions as far as he was concerned. He couldn't wait to go flying, he had the afternoon from hell. "Oi, Wormtail. You coming?"

"No," moaned Peter. "I want to get some sleep. I'm still seeing numbers in my head."

The others laughed a bit then left Pettigrew alone to snooze. One thing Sirius did know—Professor Marsh was not the pushover he seemed.

What did you think of Dickon here? Did you like what he did to the boys?

***the Miliie Bulstrode here is a relation to the Millicent Bulstrode of Harry's time, she's an aunt of Millicent's on her dad's side.

Next: Severus receives a warning from some of the older Slyhterins who are DE--stop seeing that Mudblood Evans or else!