Charlene Snape turned to Remus Lupin giving him a soft playful shoulder punch. "Now that he's gone, I can finally say it...Dick, is what I meant to call you." The woman said in a joking manner instead of her earlier irritated tone. Hearing this had merely made Remus laugh, now that she was free not to filter herself as she deemed fit.

The laughing slowly faded now becoming a breathy huffed sigh. Remus helped, Charlene unbox some of her supplies carefully. She removed several things from the boxes, which seemed to be miniature cabinets and shelves. Charlene, placed them all along the walls and removed her wand that was in her satchel bag. Even her wand was very decorated, the handle black, polished and specs of glittering stars along the wand, a charm with a resin star hanging from the bottom of the handle, made of spruce wood, 12 inches and slightly springy. With a quick wave of the wand the cabinets and shelves grew to full size. Remus opened the cabinets up and removed the variety of paints and boxes filled with carving tools and other form of art supplies from the boxes. The woman was not joking when she had mentioned how expensive these products were and were meant to be handled with the utmost care while stocking them on her shelves and many others in cupboards. The man knew better than to underestimate the small one's true wrath, as he had first hand experience to her actual temper. He knew she probably wouldn't bite his head off if something had broken especially by accidental means, but still he would rather pull teeth than to have her give him one those glares that would make any grown man's blood run cold. Like being cornered by a terrifying animal wondering when it would jump out only to devour you alive.

"So I assume you're not just here to teach art, huh?" Remus asked her.

Charlene stacked a handful of paint brushes into cups that would later be placed on to students individual desks. "Well don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the idea of finally being able to put my skills to use and not just as a hobby anymore...But yes, I was asked to come here for reasons other than teaching. And I assume you were called by Dumbledore for the same reason, right?" Charlene replied now turning the question back on him.

"Yes..." The man said. He thumbed a brand new easel, running his thumb along the leg as he folded them up and mounting them in special corner so they were neatly stacked together.

He seemed to be in deep thought while watching Charlene digging through a trunk and pulled out what looked like a nice hefty thick A5 black hardcover sketchbook journal, in fact the entire trunk was filled with them. She flipped down the pages enjoying the feel of the nice thick paper and admiring its quality. Charlene had gotten a handful of miniature desks placing them spread out in a circle with the front facing the middle of the room, another wave of the wand caused them to grow to their full sizes. These desks were clearly designed for art work in mind. A polished wood with adjustable surface so that you could slant it or have it flat, a slot for a jar of water for paints, slot to hold pencils and paint brushes among other tools, three small side draws and a slot to hold your paints or inks, wand and even the seats were adjustable for comfort while sitting. Charlene began dropping a sketchbook on each desk, making sure they were neatly centered in the desk and each slot was filled with the needed tools.

"You're truly spoiling your students with all these I see." Remus commented. He could tell a lot of these things were of high grade, quality. "Yes, well..." Charlene looked around sheepishly, not knowing what else to say about his assessment. "Students should be allowed to work with quality or even have the opportunity to have first hand experiences with them."

"A little excessive though...don't you think?"

"Dumbledore and I worked out a reasonable budget for these..."

Remus gave her that 'I find that hard to believe' glare. He suppressed a snort while continuing to pack.

"So tell me...have you ever dealt with one in real life?" Remus asked her, eyeing her careful movements.

"With what...?"

"You know..." Remus gestured to her as if it was obvious, which made it click for her that he had been referring to the real reason as to why she was here.

"Oh that...Yes...once...Many years ago. But it was brief, only saw it for a split second before my mentor had to step in and deal with it." Charlene replied. For a second Remus could have sworn he saw her zone out for a few seconds after saying this. It must have been a horrifying experience and he was happy she hadn't had to deal with the situation on her own. She shook her head and cleared her throat now. "So um...What's your cover here, or you just going to pretend to be here to assist with classes or something?"

"Actually Dumbledore thinks it would be best if I try again in the defense against the dark arts class."

Charlene laughed at this. "Oh god...Severus is-"

"Going to have my head...yes...I know. I'm dreading it already. But apparently It's less suspicious if I pick up from where I left off...Or at least that's what Dumbledore thinks. Honestly who am I to question him? I'm sure he knows what he's talking about."

The woman now frowned at this, her expression made her seem as though what Lupin had said, had done nothing but cause her to become extremely exasperated for some reason. The man raised a brow at this reaction of hers.

"Something wrong?"

"Its nothing...nothing at all..." Charlene replied in a sheepish manner.

Lupin looked at her for a moment. He obviously was not convinced it was just nothing. "Is um...this about...your-"

"Remus...leave it. And no...that is only...fraction of the problem..."

"I see..." Remus approached her cautiously, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Just remember...from one...outcast to another...you can talk to me. We're still friends, despite everything."

Charlene narrowed her eyes on him for a moment, almost as if in deep thought of it. "I promise nothing, Lu-Lu..."

"Huh...You say that and yet you still call me, Lu-Lu..."

Charlene shrugged. "Don't read too much into that...I'm still mad...I don't care how many years its been..."

Remus sighed, shuffling his feet awkwardly. He knew he couldn't change the past whats over. He knew he's had chance after chance to do so and not once had he taken action. But in this present he felt as if he should keep on trying. The man proceeded to help set up her classroom, making small comments here and there about the Art supplies or the designs of some things.

The classroom finally appearing like any old art classroom. Charlene and Remus, basking at their finished work.

"Look quite good...I say we've earned ourselves a reward." Remus commented, pulling out a bar of chocolate from his jacket pocket. "Care to share?" Remus asked, holding out the wrapped confection to the younger woman, offering her to take the first piece. Charlene looked at it for a moment in contemplation.

"You know very well my wife only eats dark chocolate, Lupin..." Severus commented as he walked in, his tone dry with mockery. Remus quickly retracted his arm, stuffing the chocolate back into his pocket like a child caught doing something they shouldn't have. Severus walked, behind Charlene pulling her tightly back to him, as if she was getting stone, ready to be snatched away. His arms tightly grasped around her waist. He looked down at her, his expression blank and unreadable. She looked back up to him, as if conversing with him only through her lensed gaze.

Remus adjusted, coughing awkwardly. "Yes well...whats a bit of chocolate between old friends...a little sugar never killed anyone..." He said, trying to avoid as much tension between himself and the Potions Professor as much as possible.

"It's fine...Severus...Lu-Lu was just helping me set up my classroom." Charlene noted, leaning back against her husband. Severus glanced around the room, his expression still unreadable.

"Yes...clearly I can see that...your studio at home still far surpasses this...but I suppose...it looks fine...for an art class..." Severus replied, dryly. Obviously unimpressed.

"Be nice..."

"That was me being nice."

"Severus...!"

"Charlene...?"

Charlene grumbled, leaning back against him. Giving him the subtle glare he knew all to well. He let out a soft grunt rolling his eyes at the woman, before his gaze landing back on Remus.

"So Dumbledore tells me you're back in the Defense against the Dark Arts class, hmm...Aren't you worried about how some of these student parents would feel with you being here...given the circumstances of last time...?"

Charlene reached around her husband's waist, discreetly pinching him beneath his cloak at the soft flesh beneath the layers of garment. This was met with his grip around her waist tightening as a warning, and soft expressionless grunt in order to keep up his stoic expression. Remus being unaware, stood up right, removing the chocolate bar once more and began unwrapping it himself before replying.

"Yes well...I assumed that would pose an issue before agreeing to come back but...given the circumstances, Dumbledore has assured me that he would handle that matter personally."

Severus' expression contorted into an unpleasant scowl, muttering an "Of course he did..." under his breath. Charlene felt him tense, against her. His grip on her waist now more prominent his he drummed his fingers up her hip, in an almost attempt to distress.

"Right...be that as it may...I'd advice you to still keep on your toes...I also don't need you distracting, my wife...when she's meant to prepare to teach soon. Do remember, you're here to do a job, make sure you do it." Severus shifted, pulling Charlene with him to the door, ignoring her soft protesting grumbles. She turned her head mouthing a 'sorry' to Remus who mouthed back an 'its fine' and gestured her to go on with her partner. Once they had gone, Remus took a large bite out of his chocolate. The treat breaking off with a snap. As he chewed his mind reeled over what his now colleague had said.

"Pfft...distract her? Me?...She's usually the one doing the distracting..." He grumbled, stifling back a chuckle. "Clearly he's forgetting all the trouble she's dragged us into..." Remus chuckled to himself as he looked around the newly set up classroom, admiring it and the work put into setting it up.

Halfway down the hall away from the now furbished classroom, Severus still walking with his wife gripped to his arm. He could see from the corner of his eyes that she was cross with him. He shook his head. "You can pout all you want...you know I don't want you alone with him..."

"He was only helping...Also you don't get a say in that. Besides, why are you so worried? There's not going to be a full moon for some time."

"That is not the point and you bloody know it..." Severus snapped. Charlene glared up at him. He looked ahead, refusing to meet her cold gaze.

"You can be a real dick sometimes..." She huffed, dropping her gaze to look at anything but him. Severus looked down once more, his composure dropping as if he actually looked hurt by what she had said. He growled, biting down on his bottom lip harshly. He's been called worst by many people over the years but to come from her had actually stung.

"You're so...arg!" He muttered out, not even able to find the words to describe her with the amount of brewing anger welling up inside of him. "You're too damn trusting of that fool...But fine...do what you want...You want to play fetch with that mutt by all means but when all things go to hell again don't come crying to me about it." Despite his words he still held her firmly to his side, as if she was about to run away from him at any moment. They continued walking down the empty hallway, only their echoing footsteps filling the now very prominent silence. Severus' anger slowly increasing more and more the longer the silence went on as if it was the silence itself mocking him. "God damn it, Nelly!"

"What?!"

"You could say something...! Anything!"

"Why should I? You've said your piece. What do you want from me? To kick and cry about it?! You being all bloody moody...and for what? You being a bitter prat over the one person that genuinely meant me no harm! Pfft...'Don't distract my wife'...utter bullshit...honestly..." Charlene snapped, doing a mock impression of her husband out of pure irritation alone. Severus' face began going beet red as he watched her going on her rant about his behavior. Her irritation clearly bubbling over with no real end to it. He stopped walked, pulling her closer, holding up one hand in surrender to her verbal onslaught. Charlene stopped talking, her cheeks puffed and red still from her rant. Severus sighed, lowering his head, pressing his forehead against hers.

"You are a glorious headache...Are you aware of that...?" He said, finally relaxing, kissing her forehead as if to appease her anger, while trying to extinguish his own simultaneously. "I am sorry...It was unwarranted..." He kissed her forehead again. Charlene relaxed against him, once more, now only appearing mildly miffed with him.

"Hrrmm...you're forgiven..." She muttered, still in a grumbley tone. Severus, let out of a soft breathy laugh.

"I swear...you'll be the death of me one day...But you will promise me one thing...you'll be cautious...and I mean it..."

It was Charlene's turn to let out a soft breathy laugh. "I promise...But you need promise not to be such a possessive nobhead."

"Arg...yes yes..." He huffed, eyes rolling once again and pressed a final kiss to her forehead before hooking her arms again with his so they could continue walking. "I truly did miss this...its going to be nice seeing you for more than just the weekends and holidays...Though I wish it were under better circumstances..."

"I agree..."

Both professors turned their heads to the sound of running down the dark empty halls. Severus kept his free hand on his wand as a reaction, meanwhile Charlene kept her hand in her satchel bag, looking for something other than her wand. Once the figure sprinted into the billowing candle light, revealing themselves, the two relaxed seeing that it was only Harry.

"Potter?!" Severus scowled.

Harry winced and paled seeing both Professor Snapes in front of him as he turned the corner into the hall they had been occupying. The timing could not have been any worst.

"What on earth are you doing roaming the halls at this hour?! Last I checked it was well past curfew!" Severus snapped at the young boy, which was met with Charlene tugging on his arm to settle him down. Harry stood there for a moment huffing and puffing, trying to gather his thoughts and breath back before answering. "I...had to check on my owl..." He manage to puff out.

Of course...Potter was checking on his owl...however Severus was still not entirely convinced, though it may have been possible given the circumstances of student's pets going missing. "That's not a an acceptable excuse, you had plenty of time to 'supposedly' check on your owl before the curfew bell rang. You'll be spending the next week in detention for this."

Harry was about to protest, but Charlene had cut him off by chiming in first. "Come now Severus, is that really necessary? The boy told me earlier he was worried for his owl and given how things have been lately I'm sure we could give the boy a pass on this one and let him off with a warning. I mean...How would you feel if you thought something happened to, Spooky?"

"Spooky?" Harry questioned. Snape had a pet of his own?

Severus glared down at his wife, giving her his signature 'Stop talking' look, which most would have headed but in this case Charlene returned that look with her own icy glare.

"Yes, Spooky. Its his cat." Charlene replied, much to Severus' dismay.

"Woman!"

"What? Come off it, Severus. You've had that cat for years now, I don't see what the problem is. Embarrassed over nothing...I swear..."

"You have no leg to stand on in terms of what you find embarrassing...Miss-can't-sit-in-a-crowded-room-full-of-people-by-herself!"

Harry so badly wanted to laugh at that, but sensing the his Potions Professor's rising temper he bit his tongue, trying very hard to suppress it. The mental image of Severus caring for any form of life and it still being alive for as long as it has, from how his wife made it sound was just as unusual of an image as him having a wife...It was so surreal to believe this Dungeon bat of a teacher could be so...domestic in any sense of the word. Seeing this grown man embarrassed over something as trivial as having a cat seemed almost other worldly. Harry didn't know if this woman was some sort of Godsent or if she was just that mental to be with someone like Severus Snape.

Severus face palmed himself, wanting nothing more than for this conversation to never have happened to begin with. "Moving on...Potter, detention..." He spat out through gritted teeth. Charlene tugged his arm again.

"Aren't you being just a tad too harsh about this?"

"You love, are too soft...No, young here should have known better. He had plenty of time to get his affairs in order before the final bell. And who's to say that what he says is even true?!"

"Severus...Come now..."

"Just because you bat those eyes does not mean I will bend to your every will...Fine...No detention, but that's fifty points from Gryffindore!"

"Fifty?!" Harry's jaw clenched at the outrages withdrawal of house points.

"Shall I make it a hundred, Potter? Don't try my patience boy..." Severus warned him. Severus would have taken house points and still given the detention if his wife wasn't here to twist his arm. He turned to her. "I'll meet you at our chambers...I'll escort Potter back to his common room." He gestured to Harry to move it. The boy didn't bother to protest, this honestly could have gone much worst if it had just been him and Severus in the halls. Charlene nodded to her spouse and released his arm so that he could walk Harry back to Gryiffindor tower. Snape pushed Harry forward, obviously his temper worn thin from the course of events that had just transpired.

In the mean time Charlene headed down to the dungeons, to her and Severus' chambers. It had taken a lot longer than expected since she didn't really have much direction of the castle, but it had made for a nice long quiet walk. Silently taking in the castle's beauty, even in the dark, what she could see was quite a sight to behold. She admired everything from the architecture to the charmed paintings along the wall to even the subtle hints of decor, such as the large vases and such that decorated the halls. It was all breath taking and also in its own way, overwhelming. The halls becoming darker and darker, the closer she had gotten to the dungeons or at least...she hoped was the dungeons.

After some trial and error, as well as stopping a few ghosts for directions she had managed to find it. Charlene stopped walking in the middle of the passage way. Her head turning to one portrait in particular. It was different from the rest along the walls. It was an eerie pitch black. She walked closer to it.

The woman removed her wand from her bag, casually walking up to the painting, pressing the tip of her wand to the blacked out canvas.

"Incendio...~"

With a flicker and spark, the portrait had been set alight without a second thought. Charlene stepped back watching as the fire consumed the portrait, the wooden, frames crisping and falling apart and the blacked out canvas disintegrating. The flame consuming it in its entirety. Once it had been reduced to a burnt crispy heap, to the point it was even falling off the wall, she had snuffed the fire out with the Auguamenti charm, she looked down at now wet remain with a soft satisfied expression. The woman turned casually on her heels and proceeded to walk on, in search of her and her husband's bed chambers as if she hadn't just set something ablaze a mere moments ago. The portraits around, whom had all witnessed this event take place all shared similar baffled looks and minor distress, many of which chose to silent about what had just occurred not knowing if it would matter or not given this woman's position as a new Professor.