Meetings

Snape was surprised to see Kanda stood by the Great Hall by the time he arrived,

"And I'm the one who doesn't sleep?" he greeted the man who smirked at the statement,

"I always train first thing in the morning - or at least I try" he answered as they began to walk up to the Headmaster's office.

"What kind of training?" Snape questioned, intrigued. Kanda shrugged,

"I go for a run and then I drag the others into practicing sparring. Just because we can use magic now doesn't mean I'm going to let them turn into weedy academics" he huffed. The admittance had Snape thinking and Kanda glanced at him occasionally as they continued down the corridor in silence.

"Liquorice wands" Snape told the gryffin and the pair headed up the stairs.

"Come in" Dumbledore's voice came from the other side of the door and Kanda stared at the sight of the old man seemingly buried in his own paperwork - it was almost as bad as Komui's desk.

"Ah, one moment" Dumbledore waved his wand and the paper's shifted to stack at the side of the desk, revealing the man's baby blue robes.

"Mr Kanda, Severus. How can I help you this fine morning?" his eyes twinkled and Kanda wrinkled his nose slightly.

"We have a couple of requests to do with the apprenticeship" Kanda began and the pair explained to the headmaster their case for both changing their own circumstances and the introduction of their war friends. After the end of the mini speech, Dumbledore laced his fingers together on the desk and looked deep in thought.

"I shall discuss this with the other members of staff at this evening's meeting. Would that be agreeable Severus?" Snape nodded and Kanda relaxed slightly - it wasn't a definite answer but it was progress.

"Thank you professor"

"Quick question before we go" Snape butted in and Dumbledore and Kanda looked at him in question.

"Kanda says that he and the other apprentices do physical training"

"And?" Kanda pressed,

"I was simply wondering if it would be worth some of, at least the older years, being taught more physical defence - even if it's just dodging curses" Snape hinted. Dumbledore and Kanda looked at each other in thought.

"I am presuming that all of your friends, muggle and magical, receive similar training?" Dumbledore asked and Kanda nodded,

"It's usually slightly tailored to our different weapons but the basis is the same. Why?" he tilted his head.

"Because I think, though the apprentices may be too preoccupied to offer said training, maybe one or two of your visiting friends may be able to pass on their skills? Obviously such lessons would have to be optional to prevent backlash but I believe it may be a good idea" Dumbledore proposed.

"Does that mean that you're allowing their visit then?" Kanda inferred and smirked at the headmaster's nod,

"Thank you Headmaster, I'll let them know. And I'll ask if any of them would be willing to teach Martial Arts - though I have an idea of who would be good" Kanda mused and Severus watched the man think until a chime went off in the corner of the office.

"Well, now that has been organised, I believe it is time for breakfast" Dumbledore ushered the two men out of the office and towards the Great Hall where the trio parted ways - Snape and Dumbledore for the teachers' table and Kanda to the apprentice dorms. The pair were the first to arrive and Snape had a pressing issue to discuss.

"Albus. Are we going to mention the prophecy to Lupin? I presume that the wolf refers to him - and he'll probably want to know about, Black." Dumbledore sighed, showing his age for a moment as he recalled the events of the past week.

"Yes. Yes, Remus will need to be informed. He won't like the thought of harming someone but perhaps it may be prevented, or created under more agreeable terms that way. And hopefully the news of his friend will ease the burden. Don't worry my boy, I shall tell him tonight after the meeting. I shan't make you bear the honours" Albus patted Snape's arm and the younger man breathed a sigh of relief,

"Thank you Albus" before moving back to his original seat as the rest of the teachers filed into the hall.

"Before you start, I will be holding a full staff meeting this evening to discuss the apprentices. After what happened to Miss Lee, I believe it would be best to skip the basics and increase their protection as well as inviting assistance." Dumbledore announced to the staff as the students began to file slowly into the hall.

"Of course Albus. We will be there" Minerva agreed and the others slowly added their support.

"Excellent. With that sorted, let's eat" and he began to tuck into the pancakes that had appeared on his plate.

.