Sorry for the late updates. The problem with writing a yearly fic is that I need to fill in the time gaps with fluff in between and even fluff takes time (which I currently lack) :(
Also, formatting messed up last chapter. First paragraph or so is supposed to be the last paragraph (no clue how that happened). Sorry if it was confusing.
This chapter is dedicated to Veronique Ruthven for giving me an awesome anime reference name :)
Old was not something Severus Snape had thought he would feel in his lifetime. He had expected his life to be over before forty and he surely did not think that he would be around for very long after the War.
But. To his surprise and frustration "old" was definitely a word now used frequently in his repertoire and as he huffed and puffed his way from the dungeons up to the blasted Defense Tower on the other side of Hogwarts he was starting to hate it more and more.
He didn't like the feeling of being old. Granted he was turning fifty next January and fifty was definitely over the hill but he had never thought being old meant unfit and more importantly unable. The whole "old" business had seemed to creep up on him quite suddenly leaving him at a loss of what to do.
Still, he mused that perhaps he didn't have it too bad. Having reached the Defense Tower with mild huffing and puffing a small part of his brain congratulated himself for having reached such an age record.
After all it could be worse. He could be dead first of all. Or he could be sickly and weak, without even the strength to stand but here he was. Huffing and puffing was acceptable in his opinion. Besides, one was only as old as one felt and Snape, as much as he would never admit it, felt pretty good.
He frowned, forget old, he was getting senile.
"Lupin?" he called, knocking on the door to the werewolf's office.
There was no reply and Snape could only assume that the man wasn't there yet. He sighed and let himself in. He had other things to do than to wait around for someone that wasn't even guaranteed to show.
The students would start filing in through the doors in a few hours and Snape wished nothing more than to go back to his dungeons and re-establish himself in his surroundings from a summer long absence….at least until Minerva came and dragged him out to meet the new batch of students.
Snape frowned again at this thought. He would admit that he liked Hogwarts but most certainly not because of the grubby, spoiled little brats that he was about to teach for the next eight years.
Maybe he should stay here for a while. Lupin was easier to deal with than an irate Headmistress. Besides, the trek all the way back down to the dungeons seemed like a hard and difficult one in Snape's eyes…not that he'd ever admit it.
Speaking of Lupin where the bloody hell was that man? He'd already missed this morning's staff meeting along with several others scattered throughout the summer due to…injuries…. It wouldn't have bothered Snape if it wasn't for the fact that he was left in charge of filling the werewolf in when he got here. If he got here.
Knowing Lupin, Snape wouldn't be surprised if the man had fallen off a cliff on the way over to be honest.
Snape sighed and took a seat by the fireplace. He surveyed the office silently, eyes taking in the rather disturbing dark creatures that lined the shelves in cages, bottles and tanks.
He sneered at the ever present Grindylow. Lupin had collected another one for the year again but really it didn't look that different. Not that Snape paid much attention to the tank's previous occupants before.
He and Lupin had developed a mutual understanding over the years. Calling them friends was pushing it but Snape had to admit there were worse things in this world than Lupin.
Like Professor Xavia from the years previously. Snape was all for scaring the daylights out of poor unsuspecting students but did she really have to go spewing out her pureblood crap left, right and center? Not only that but she walked around as if she owned the place and threw hissi fits whenever she didn't get what she pleased.
It drove Snape crazy and he was secretly ecstatic when he heard that Xavia would be spending a good long time in Azkaban after last year's fiasco.
It might have been the mutual hatred towards Xavia over the past decade that had caused Snape to view Lupin as more of an asset than a liability. Partnered with age, peace and a feeling of tranquil normalcy over the past few years and Snape might have considered Lupin a companion if he could stop cringing at the thought.
After all, Lupin was all Snape really had from his school days. Minerva and Poppy were too old and all the others much too young. There was still Black but he hadn't seen the man in ten years and he was hoping to keep it that way. The last he'd known, the man was off to Rome for a job as a reporter having discovered some crazy passion to travel and Lupin occasionally mentioned his name in forms of:
"Sirius says hi by the way."
Whether this was true or not was doubtful but Snape would give the werewolf points for trying.
Snape snapped out of his memories as the fireplace beside him flared and a man came tumbling out of the Floo.
Severus Snape regarded Remus Lupin silently as the former straightened and brushed the soot out of his forever graying hair. The years had been good on Lupin too, Snape supposed. He looked healthier than he did years ago and the advances to the Wolfsbane potion, although small, kept the pain minimal. By now Remus was able to work all days except the day directly after the moon. If they kept going Lupin might be able to live just as long as any other wizard of their time period. And if they went further….
"Would it kill you to smile once in a while?" Remus said, frowning at the sulking man in his armchair and effectively jolting Snape out of his inner musings.
"You're late," Snape told him and Lupin shrugged, picking up a few suitcases before walking off to his desk at the other end of the room.
"Had some things to take care of," the man said as he rummaged through his belongings.
Snape sat silently for a while, watching Lupin take out books, clothes and all sorts of other personal belongings and filing them away.
"So how was your summer Serverus?"
Snape sneered, "Not as exciting as yours I can assure you."
Lupin grinned, "You know about that too huh?"
"I'd imagine the whole staff knows by now. One doesn't expect to skip more than half the staff meetings without questions being asked," Snape drawled.
Remus' only response was to shrug again before continuing on with his past train of thought.
"Yes well. My summer wasn't too bad. Teddy got to meet some new people and I got to explore different lifestyles."
"Yes. With your drab and pathetic lifestyle, getting shot in the chest must have been a revolutionary experience."
If Remus caught the sarcastic tone in Snape's voice he decided to ignore it and after a beat Snape went on.
"Speaking of which. Where is that boy of yours?"
Snape refrained from calling the "boy" a brat or any other sort of term. Lupin could take anything Snape threw at him but he was downright volatile when family was involved.
Besides, if Snape really thought about it. The Lupin kid wasn't that bad. His mother's genes had no doubt saved his life when it came to potion brewing and Snape had a sneaking suspicion the boy had been raised in a way so that he was aware of the war and everyone, including Snape's, involvements in it.
It was hard to bash on a kid that did well in your class, was reliable and polite, was friends with your best student and, in ways that Snape was incapable or comprehending, seemed to look up to you.
Remus turned to the man at the fireplace with a raised eyebrow, "Teddy? He's on the train. Where else?"
Snape shrugged, "Considering your accommodations include a fireplace linked directly to your home I don't see why he would take the train."
Remus grinned, "Well. Maybe I don't want him to miss a Hogwarts Express experience."
Snape made a "hrmm" noise but all together stayed silent.
"So. You gonna sit there and mope or are you going to tell me what you're doing here?" Remus asked as he shut his now empty briefcase and pushed it to the back of his closet.
"Hrm well. You'll be happy to know Xavia will not be returning this year," Snape started as Remus took a seat at his desk.
"Delighted. Who's replacing her?"
"Another one voted in by the pure bloods. What's left of them anyways," Snape muttered and Remus sighed.
"One leaves and another takes her place."
"Actually no. The person who was initially voted in backed out at the last minute and gave us a replacement by the name of Lucy Heartfilia. Some Italian from some unknown little school in Italy. Claims to have moved to Britain in the past year or so. English is acceptable. Skills yet to be determined but when compared to previous years Minerva seems to approve."
"Have you met her?" Lupin asked, tilting his head slightly to the side in question.
"Met her this morning," Snape replied curtly, "Blonde. Fairly tall. Accent. Mid thirties…..Smiles a lot to the point of annoyance."
Remus snickered quietly as a displeased look passed over Snape's face.
"Yes well. Sounds friendlier than Xavia already. I'll try to keep an open mind. What about this person who was voted in?"
Snape waved a dismissive hand, "Not important. Probably got a better offer elsewhere."
"But won't the parents be upset?"
"Honestly Lupin I don't think it matters. Why is it that you must care so much?"
Remus shrugged, "Caring is my modus operandi. Anything else I should know? What's happening with the rest of the staff?"
"Nothing of interest. Jarrod is still as bland as ever and Bobo is still fawning over Croswell. Hopefully they'll realize it soon so the woman can finally change her ridiculous name."
Lupin looked mildly impressed before he shifted his suitcase in his hands and packed it away into his wardrobe.
"So. You never answered my question," Remus finally said, straightening to walking over to the door.
"And what question was that?"
"How was your summer?"
Snape rolled his eyes, "I slept. I ate. I read. I listened to the wireless. Why in Merlin's name does it matter Lupin?" he growled and Lupin laughed.
"And you said I had a boring lifestyle? You don't seriously expect me to believe that's all you did."
Remus grinned at the glare that was thrown to him before he was met with a barely audible yet surprisingly proud tone of voice.
"I created a new potion."
Remus grinned. Wonders really could happen. In twelve years he'd managed to do the impossible: engage Severus Snape in polite conversation.
"What's it do?"
Snape glared at him, "If I told you you wouldn't understand a word of it," the potions master replied and Remus shrugged again.
"Dumb it down for me."
Snape paused as if in thought and Remus leaned casually against his desk, waiting for the man to continue.
"It allows the drinker to be able to speak his or her mind. So far the tests have been positive,"
Remus raised an eyebrow.
"Ok….who's the drinker?"
"An assistant."
"You're not putting this into my potion are you?" Remus teased and Snape glared at him.
"Not yet but the thought has crossed my mind," Snape said bitterly before adding, "She's mute," almost as an afterthought.
"Your assistant?"
"I guess that makes more sense."
"Yes you bloody werewolf who else would I be talking about?" Snape snapped and Lupin shrugged.
"I dunno. Just asking. Did you test it on someone who isn't mute?" Remus asked, making his way to his office door.
"No."
Remus rolled his eyes. That looked to be the end of their ever so pleasant conversation. Still, it was better than nothing. As he opened his office door he gave a wry grin at the sulking man in his office.
"Come on. The students will be arriving any moment now."
Ted's experience on the Hogwarts Express had been quite pleasant and rather anticlimactic and by the time they got off, he and his friends couldn't wait to get to Hogwarts.
"We're supposed to ride in these?" Vic asked, patting the carriage seat before the trio.
He then paused to stare oddly at the Thestral it was connected to. The winged horse was rather small and it shrank away when Vic grinned at it.
"I'm gonna name you Etrigan Jr," he said with a nod.
Roy and Ted rolled his eyes as Vic reached over to pat the Thestral's head only to lurch back suddenly with a cry of pain.
"Ow!" he said, stuffing one finger in his mouth.
"What happened?" Ted asked Roy, noting that he couldn't physically see the Thestral himself.
"Little bastard bit him. Now come on or we'll be late," Roy said, mounting the carriage as Vic glared at the Thestral before them.
Ted hummed in amusement as he too got in. Thestrals were rare creatures that could only be seen if one had witnessed and accepted death. Vic and Roy, being sons of Death Eaters and raised in their care no doubt had seen plenty of death from their birth, a subject that Ted could accept but didn't want to talk about. No doubt Roy knew of this fact but he didn't want to tell Vic in case the younger brother didn't know what he saw could not be seen by everyone else.
Their trip up to the castle was relatively peaceful. Teddy was too busy thinking of all the things they'd do this school year and Vic was too busy sucking on his bitten finger. Besides, Roy didn't talk much anyways.
As soon as they got off they'd grabbed their trunks and started an excited dash to the Great Hall.
"Hey Teddy. How was your summer?" Patty Thompson, an energetic Gryffindor in the same year as the boys was sitting next to him with a grin on her face.
"My summer?" Ted asked before Vic interrupted from his other side, "It was great! We went to a Muggle fair and preformed in a theater. Oh and Ted got a computer!"
"How was your trip to Japan?" Teddy asked and Patty gave a huge grin.
"It was awesome! We went to Akihabara and we got so many neat souvenirs. The Muggle world is awesome! Right Liz?"
The three turned to Patty's older sister sitting opposite them at the table chatting with her own friends.
"Huh?" she said, offering the boys a smile before going back to her own conversations.
Patty rolled her eyes and gave a pout at her sister's dismissal and Teddy gave her a pat on the back to cheer her up.
"When's the food? I'm starving," Vic complained, looking down the aisle as if it were to suddenly appear before him.
Ted followed his gaze up to the teacher's table.
He spotted his dad at the other end of the teacher's table, talking pleasantly with the flying instructor Professor Logan as Professor Snape scowled into a wine glass on the other side.
Beside Logan was Professor Bobo, Teddy's Transfiguration teacher and right at the end was Professor Croswell, their History of Magic teacher and Head of Ravenclaw. The pair was busy talking with Professor Sloane standing behind them and Ted noted that the old Charms teacher had even whiter hair than he'd seen him last. He also looked older and Ted hoped he was still up for teaching a bunch of rowdy students. Ted also noted Professor Jarrod, the boring old Astronomy teacher and Professor Baille the Head of Hufflepuff house and the herbology teacher painfully ignoring each other as they sat at the other end of Snape.
"Who's the blonde one?" Vic asked.
"Bobo?" Ted said, confused for a moment before scanning the rest of the table's occupants to pick out another light blonde witch at the other end of the table.
"Never seen her before. She's probably Xavia's replacement," Teddy said with a frown. He didn't remember his father having talked of a replacement but surely with Xavia gone Hogwarts would need another one.
"We'll wait for introductions. She looks nicer than Xavia at least," Ted said lightly.
Vic gave him a grin and a nod before he leaned over Ted and began talking away to the ever excited Patty beside him.
In the meantime Ted watched the new witch scrutinizingly, trying to remember if he'd seen her before. Being in only second year, Teddy didn't know all the teachers of the castle seeing that certain elective courses were taught by teachers that rarely made appearances. Still, normally one would see glimpses of them, especially at holiday feasts and their names were spread throughout the students.
Still, shifting through his mental catalogue, Ted concluded that this teacher must be new.
And the only spot that needed to be filled was Xavia's former position as being a Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher for the students whose parents refused for them to be taught by a werewolf.
Ted frowned deeper as she regarded the new professor. This professor was younger, not as young as Professors Logan and Bobo but younger than Xavia had been; mid thirties at most. She seemed cheerier, smiled warmly at teachers who talked to her and her light blonde hair made her fair complexion and her bright blue eyes stand out. If you were to judge a book from her cover Ted would have thought her to be really nice…but Ted was always taught never to do that…
"Oi. First years at twelve o' clock," Vic said, elbowing Ted in the ribs so that the boy shriveled his head back to the main doors.
The large double doors opened and pouring in came a large bunch of first years.
"Wow. They like triple our member count," Teddy pointed out and Vic grinned.
"Well. Maybe after the war people felt the need to get it on," he said, innuendo evident in his voice and Teddy playfully shoved his friend away with a laugh.
"Still. This Sorting's going to take forever," Ted said with a sigh and Vic's grin faded to be replaced with a panicked expression.
"Yeah and then the teachers have to do their thing and we'll never get to the food!" the boy complained and Ted grinned again.
"Is that all you care about?"
Vic shrugged, "Gotta keep the tummy happy you know," he said, patting his own stomach.
Teddy refocused his attention back to the first years and managed to spot the small blonde head of Tomi in the crowd. He was talking with a girl beside him but when he looked up and spotted Tedy's bright blue hair he waved shyly.
Ted waved back as the first of the names were read out by Headmistress McGonagall. Ted was fast to tune the assembly out as he, Vic and Patty whispered amongst themselves about their summer.
He left out the whole Muggle attack at their house part but Patty and Vic still found it hard to reign in their excitement and enthusiasm as they swapped stories.
He paid mild attention when TK's name was called and was wholly expecting the result.
"Gryffindor!" the hat bellowed and the hall cheered once more.
Ted grinned as TK made his way over to the end of the table. He tried to scan up the table to see if Matt had been watching but unable to spot the older boy he turned his attention back to his friends.
The teachers said their introductions to the first years as Ted and Vic prattled away and finally, when Ted really didn't think there was anything else that could possibly be said about their summer Headmistress McGonagall announced the beginning of the Welcoming Feast.
"Finally!" Vic shouted as the table before them suddenly erupted with food.
"Dibs on the chicken!" the boy shouted, reaching over to grab a few drumsticks before anyone else got to them.
Teddy sighed as he watched Vic's usual excitement before passing the mashed potatoes over to Patty and digging in.
He'd just managed to finish off two plates before a voice behind him spoke up.
"Hey Teddy," an excited voice said eagerly
"Huh?" Ted said, mouth still full of potatoes as he turned to find TK staring intently behind him.
Quickly he swallowed.
"Hey TK. What's up?"
TK beamed at Ted.
"See? He knows my name. The Teddy Lupin knows my name," he said to a girl standing shyly behind him.
"I didn't doubt you," the girl replied a bit indignantly but she blushed when she noticed Teddy regarding her with a raised eyebrow. The girl was small and skinny, about the same size as Tomi really, shoulder length brown hair ran down her slender frame and dark brown eyes stared down at the ground.
"Oh yeah. This is Kari King. We met on the train," the boy said happily and Ted gave her a smile and a rather awkward hello.
"King? You mean like Travis King? The Quidditch team captain?" Vic piped up and Kari blushed.
Ted was just about to turn to tell Vic that King was still a pretty common last name before Kari spoke up.
"Yeah. Travis is my older brother," she said shyly and Vic beamed at her.
"That's so cool! Do you play Quidditch too?"
Kari ducked her head in embarrassment.
"No. I don't play. I'm not good at Quidditch," she said and Vic frowned.
Ted sighed. Travis King was by far the best Chaser in the school. Not only that but he was a born leader, always giving hints here and there and raising spirits after a loss. He'd been promoted to team captain in his third year making him the youngest captain at Hogwarts for about a century. Ted witnessed firsthand what Travis could do and had somewhat idolized him until it became clear through Travis' youth and enthusiasm that the boy was not much different than all Ted's other friends. He and Travis weren't very close, they didn't say hi to each other if they crossed in the halls and they few times they did talk they was over Quidditch. Vic on the other hand had matched Travis' energy and saw the other boy as more of a role model.
"What grade's Travis in now?" Ted asked and Kari shrugged, once more staring at the ground. Ted had a feeling the girl was often compared to her high status brother and quickly sought to change the topic.
"Fifth," another voice rang out and Ted looked up just in time for a boy to sit down calmly beside him, wedging himself between Ted and Vic.
"I'm in fifth year Ted," Travis said as he made himself comfortable and grabbed a chicken wing off Vic's plate.
"Hey!" Vic complained as Travis grinned at him through a mouthful of chicken. Teddy himself tried to compensate by giving Vic one of his.
"Hey pipsqueak. You trying out for Quidditch again this year?" Travis asked him and Vic shrugged.
"I dunno. Maybe. If we're not too busy," Vic said and Travis nodded.
"You should. Give you a few years and you'll be better than me," he said and Vic beamed at the older boy.
"So Sis. How's Hogwarts? See you've made a friend," Travis said, nodding to TK beside her.
"Tomi Kadokawa," TK said, "But just call me TK."
"TK?" Travis asked and blushed, "Well. No one can spell my first name correctly around here and my last name's hard to pronounce properly."
"You a Brit?"
"My father was British but my parents are divorced so I followed my mother's last name."
Travis paused, swiping another piece of chicken in the process much to Vic's displeasure.
"That reminds me of someone…." Travis said, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"Matt?" Teddy suggested helpfully and Travis snapped his fingers.
"Bingo! Oy, Matt!" Travis called loudly down the table. Teddy watched TK stiffen slightly at the mention of his brother's name. No doubt they had yet to reconcile face to face after the little display at the Fair.
"What do you want Trav?" Matt said, sounding annoyed at his friend's shouting as he walked down the aisle.
"Get your pompous prefect's ass over here," Travis complained and Ted gave Matt a wave as he passed by. The boy had his hair gelled back for the first day of school and the Prefects badge was pinned proudly onto his robes.
"Hey Teddy. Hey Vic," Matt said, before he turned to TK and froze.
"Hey bro," TK said in false cheeriness and Matt gave him a rather strained smile.
"Hey Tomi."
Ted fidgeted a bit awkwardly in his seat but Travis seemed to interrupt.
"You never told me your brother was coming to Hogwarts this year," the boy accused and Matt shrugged.
"I was busy," he said before he gave Kari a polite smile.
"You Travis' sister? He's mentioned you a lot," Matt said and Kari blushed again.
"Now you might want to get back to your seats before we all get in trouble," Matt said before looking at Travis.
"And that includes you Pompous Quidditch Captain."
Ted and Vic shared a snicker as Travis feigned a pout.
"Fine. See you guys around. If you need me I'll be on the Quidditch pitch," Travis said, getting up with a grin and patting his younger sister on the head.
"Matt?" TK asked hesitantly and Matt crouched down to look at him.
"We'll talk later OK? Tonight. At the Owlery."
Tomi beamed at his brother and shot Ted a joyful look before rushing off with Kari back to their original seats.
"Come on Trav," Matt said, dragging his friend the other way.
Ted turned back to Vic at the table.
"Are you done yet? I want to see if all our stuff got to our room ok," Teddy said and Vic nodded before shoving a few last treats into his mouth and getting up.
The trek back to the Gryffindor common rooms were relatively quiet only to Teddy's dismay he'd never asked Matt for the password. It looked like he wasn't the only one. Several other Gryffindors loitered in the halls, having left the Feast early but not having the sense to ask for the new password.
Teddy sighed.
"Come on. Let's just go to the Tower."
Vic nodded as he ran ahead, leading the way to the Astronomy Tower where Ted and his friends usually met up throughout the year.
With Roy in Slytherin it would be weird for a people in rival houses to be seen constantly hanging out with each other. The roof of the Astronomy Tower was the boys' safe haven from those around them.
Ted himself loved it. It was the highest place in the castle and he loved the scenery from his position at the edge of the tower with his legs just dangling off. From his view he could make out a large part of the school grounds. Before him was the forever ominous Forbidden Forest with Hagrid's Hut and the Whomping Willow slightly to the left and the greenhouses almost directly below. And if Ted were to turn his head to the right he'd be greeted with the gentle, calming waves of the lake where the Giant Squid would occasionally make an appearance. And if you looked farther down you could just make out the Quidditch pitch on the other side of the grounds. It seemed like the perfect spot to get the best of all worlds at Hogwarts.
"Ahhh," Vic said, breathing in a lungful of fresh air, "Nothing beats the air around here."
Teddy grinned at his friends and lay down to stare at the stars.
"They never get this bright at home," he said, pointing to the sky and Vic grinned.
"Yup. I-
CLANG!
Vic jumped a foot in the air and Teddy almost fell off the roof as he scrambled to get his bearings.
The noise had echoed through the grounds only to waver and fade away as fast as it had come, leaving two very confused and anxious boys. It was impossible to pin point the source of the noise or even the cause from a meeting so brief yet Teddy found himself searching anyways.
As he scanned the deserted Hogwarts grounds as Vic peered through the Astronomy window below them.
The complex was empty and silence engulfed the duo once more. Teddy's eyes took in the trees of the Forbidden Forest swaying silently in the gentle breeze. The lake could be seen rippling softly in the breeze and everywhere else was empty. All the students and teachers were no doubt still in the Great Hall or up in their rooms by now.
Ted took one look at a confused and still shocked Vic before expressing his confusion.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ted cried, voice resonating throughout the silent grounds.
"I think it came from somewhere by the lake," Vic said, pointing in a vague general direction.
Teddy gave him a quizzical glance, "If you haven't noticed Sherlock the lake's huge," he said sarcastically. Never the less he roamed his eyes searchingly through the complex. In the dark he couldn't make out anything truth be told and he sighed.
"Wanna go down and look around?" Vic said and Teddy shook his head.
"It was probably just the squid. What else could be at the lake anyways?" Ted said, trying to get himself comfortable.
"Aw come on Ted. Where's your sense of adventure?" Vic protested but he plopped himself down on the roof again anyways.
"So yeah. I forgot what I was talking about," Vic grumbled, "When's Roy getting here?"
"Now."
A voice called from below them and Ted looked up to find Roy pushing himself through the window and climbing up onto the roof beside them.
"Hey bro. Play a song would you?" Vic asked and Roy took out his harmonica with a shrug.
"What song?"
Vic paused before his face broke out into a grin, "Play it Sam. Play As Time Goes By."
Roy smirked at his brother and Teddy got ready for a peaceful night of stars and music.
Oh how he loved Hogwarts.
Again, sorry for the not so exciting chapter. At least we got to see some of Snape and a re-introduction of the more important teachers.
Neville as herbology teacher would have screwed up the already precarious boy girl ratio in this school (I know. Testosterone seems to be dominating) :S Plus. There'd be way too many Gryffindors...I might think about adding him into Teddy's later Hogwarts years (if I ever decide to go that far).
Last note: Review please :)
