Pairing up

Minerva stood outside of the apprentice dorms waiting for the quintet to arrive. It was almost decided as to who would train each apprentice and how it would be a mix of the chosen subject and practical magic. Poor Lupin had been a mix of emotions when Albus had informed him of the prophecy. There was relief that Sirius was guiltless, anger about Pettigrew being the traitor and the fear that he would inflict his curse on another. He had refused an apprentice before the matter had even been discussed. If he were to share his quarters, such an individual would need to know about his condition and he didn't know what to do if that was the case.

"Ah Professor. Have they decided?" Allen greeted the woman as they approached their quarters.

"They have. Please drop your things and follow me to the staff room." she told them and they rushed to their bedrooms to drop their bags and rejoined her by the portrait where she guided them to where the rest of the teachers sat waiting for their arrival.

"Ah come in, come in." Dumbledore waved them in.

"We have looked at your strengths and weaknesses and have come up with pairings that could assist with both sides. Obviously we can rethink the outcomes if you disapprove. Is this alright with you all?" he looked over his glasses as the apprentices all looked at each other with agreement.

"That's fine sir" Alma answered and Dumbledore nodded and stood from his chair.

"Well, as to be expected, we have put Lenalee Lee with Sybill Trelawney in Divination. Is this acceptable for you Miss Lee?"

"Yes sir" Lenalee walked over to where Trelawney was patting the seat next to her and the pair began to quietly discuss living arrangements.

"Timothy Hearst will be with Pomona Sprout in Herbology" Timothy shrugged and headed over to the Hufflepuff Head and the others heard mutters of 'finesse' and 'patience' for reasons of selection. Allen coughed away his laugh.

"Allen Walker will be with Filius Flitwick in Charms" Allen smiled and headed towards the smaller man, shaking his hand and quietly discussing the future.

"Alma Karma. You will be with Minerva McGonnogal in Transfiguration" Minerva smiled as Alma sat beside her and asked about the reasoning behind his selection.

"And finally Kanda Yuu will be with Severus Snape in Potions" Kanda suppressed the grin that had threatened to take over his face as he sat beside the Potions Master who nodded politely but before they had chance to talk, Dumbledore spoke once more,

"And if everyone is happy with the selection, I will bid you goodnight. Mr Kanda one moment"

"Headmaster?" Kanda stood as Dumbledore approached.

"We have also discussed the introduction of the muggles and we believe it to be for the best if they were to provide help with both the research on future concerns and the possible introduction of a physical class."

"Thank you Headmaster. Shall I send an owl tonight?"

"No need. I intend to meet them myself"

Kanda and Snape stared at the man's offhand remark while looking at his robes.

"Change first" Snape snarked and Kanda choked slightly but Dumbledore chuckled and nodded,

"Of course I shall. I will get the coordinates for apparation from Minerva and head there tomorrow. I presume they will all be within this HQ?" he turned to Kanda,

"They should be - if not, someone can find them"

"What are the names of the people you suggested to visit?"

"How many can come?"

"Well, if we allow them to use your old quarters, up to five"

Kanda thought for a moment, before coming to a conclusion - he probably should have included the others in the conversation but he was choosing with them in mind, and they'd already left the staff room.

"Alyster Krory, Lavi, Johnny Gill, Howard Link, and Chaoji Han. The latter two would be my suggestions for fighting instructors" Howard had fought demons with no Innocence and so was a good all-round fighter. Chaoji, for how much Kanda found his idolising annoying, was a good tank fighter and had kept his bulk and strength after the Innocence had gone. Both would be able to split training to what would suit different groups. Krory, Lavi and Johnny were all massive nerds who found too much joy in looking for answers. They would be perfect for searching the library.

Dumbledore nodded and patted his shoulder.

"I will visit them tomorrow morning. I'll let you both get settled in the dungeons then" and the man waved as he walked away.

"So, are you good with cats?" Kanda asked Snape who blinked.

"Is that everything?" Severus looked at the small briefcase sized trunk and robe thrown over its owner's arm in shock.

"This is everything." Kanda agreed.

"Very well. Well you've been here before but there's a small kitchenette, the potions lab, a study, my bedroom and lastly, this is your room. Both bedrooms have an ensuite" and Severus led the man into a secondary room which had been added a few hours before. It was decorated in a simple blue and cream colour scheme with a double bed and drawers, a small desk in the corner next to a door that Kanda assumed led to the ensuite.

"Thanks"

"I'll let you get settled then"

"Alright. Come on Mugen, you get settled too" and said cat very quickly ran over to the bed and settled himself on a pillow.

"I need to get you a cat bed" Kanda grumbled.

'No you don't'

"Yes I do. You are far too comfortable on human furniture"

'What's yours is mine'

"Not everything. You are not having my food. And I need to fit in the bed too"

Severus watched the exchange, perplexed but, figuring it was a kneazle thing, gave his excuses and headed for the potions lab. He had an order for the hospital wing to complete after all. But instead of lighting the fire and starting, he simply slumped on a stool over the workbench.

It was confusing and Severus was cursing Albus slightly. Asking if he was fond of the man and then rooming them together. What was the old coot playing? He was happy that Kanda was chosen as his apprentice. Wasn't he? He didn't know anymore - he couldn't concentrate. So instead of trying to brew something in his state, he simply returned to the living room and grabbed a book, allowing the words on the page to calm his rushing brain until Kanda emerged again.

Back in his bedroom, Kanda lay back on the bed and wondered about the reasoning of why Snape was picked as his teacher. He was good at potions, at least better than the others, but was that the only reason? Dumbledore had said strengths and weaknesses. What was the weakness that Severus could help him with? Well, there was only one way to find out and it was sat in the living room.

'He's nervous'

Kanda looked over at the Kneazle who had, after some persuading, shifted to the bottom of the bed.

"About what?"

'I don't know. You living with him?'

"I guess I can go see if he's okay with it. I never actually asked"

'Oh he's definitely okay with it'

"How do you know that?"

'Just a hunch'

Kanda glowered at the cat suspiciously and then, realising how stupid he probably looked, huffed and headed back into the main room where he paused.

Severus had clearly been reading at one point by the book laid across his chest as he napped on the sofa, legs hanging over the edge of the arm. Kanda couldn't help but notice how much younger the man looked when he slept and, with a smile he slipped back into his room, shutting the door quietly behind.