Audrey enjoyed settling back into life at the castle in the weeks leading up to a new school year. Her first year back as a teacher, not a pupil. Her things arrived the same day she arrived, and it took a while to arrange all her rune engraved relics among the space in her room and office. Most importantly, she was glad to reunite with a familiar face. Her cat, Lorsden, leaped from his carrier and immediately got busy making imaginary biscuits on the thick quilt that covered her bed. She gave him a scratch between the ears. Of course he hadn't missed her.
She didn't see much of Snape. She supposed he hadn't volunteered to be a welcome wagon, rather he was commandeered into it. No matter, she was more comfortable spending time by herself. She had grown used to it. Moving away from England to travel abroad for the Ministry was a lonely time. Sure she had made a few short-lived friendships, but pouring over runes and investigating abandoned wizard ruins was time consuming. Not to mention risky. When one of her few old friends, Kingsley Shacklebolt, had recommended her for the post at Hogwarts, she was relieved at the idea of being around people.
The other obvious reason was, she felt safe here. It had been a haven for her as a child, so it was fitting that she came to this place for protection. After all, Lucius Malfoy always seemed to have a hand in ministry business, so it was refreshing to distance herself. Even if that meant moving closer, ironically. She felt insane at the thought that she moved halfway across the continent and back to a job she had never considered for herself, just to live under Dumbledore's protection. Unfortunately she knew all too well how badly she needed it.
While she hadn't seen much of Snape, Audrey had been pleasantly surprised to find the other professors much more welcoming. She quickly grew close to Minerva McGonagall. Her straightforward, no-nonsense attitude was comforting compared to all the fake smiles at the ministry. Although she had never been her professor, she still remembered seeing her in the halls back in her school days. Now as her coworker, she hoped to learn some tips for classroom management. Because she had no clue where to begin disciplining kids.
The night that the students would arrive, Audrey threw on a gown of deep purple beneath her black Hogwarts robes. She also tied her hair up into a ponytail with a gauzy purple scarf. Her golden hoop earrings sparkled satisfyingly in the candlelight of her room. She had just finished freshening up when there was a knock on her door.
"Professor Snape! What a surprise! How are you?" Audrey rambled small talk out of habit.
"I'm well enough. Are you heading down to the feast? I will accompany you."
"Dumbledore slipped you a note, huh?"
"Something like that." Snape cracked a small smirk. Wow the man actually had a slight sense of humor. From what the other teachers told her, he was just as surly as she had guessed. He was dressed in black robes, just like he wore before. However this time, they seemed pressed and starched fresh. She plucked a strand of cat hair from his lapel without thinking.
"They better have plenty of hot food ready, I'm starved." She said a little too quickly, before taking the lead down the hallway.
"Oh the house elves always outdo themselves on feast days."
"Really? What's your favorite?" She noticed her question caught him by surprise by the pause before he answered,
"Steak and kidney pie."
"Mmm sounds heavenly. It smells like it too." They had rounded the corner to the great hall. It was back to its usual splendor. The floating candles were all lit, and banners swayed over each table. She felt odd going up to the big table in the front.
"Here, you can sit by me. You can ask me questions more conveniently here."
She waved hello to Minerva before she headed out to great the first years. Suddenly, a horrible thought struck her.
"I won't have to…they don't expect a speech do they?"
He burst out laughing.
"No, Dumbledore takes care of all the pleasantries. Tonight we have the good luck of not having to interact with students whatsoever."
She smiled at his dry sense of humor.
They continued remarking on the upperclassmen as they trickled in. Professor Sprout hurried over to whisper some news down the table. She leaned between Audrey and Snape, "The dementors boarded the train to screen the students! They say Harry Potter fainted from the shock of it!" She hustled away in a fluster.
"What in the world! They really think Black could have been stowed away on the train? How could he have made it through King's Cross? His face is everywhere."
Snape's expression turned dark, but he was looking at something over her shoulder.
"I wouldn't put it past the bastard. He is relentless and sick when he has a target in mind."
A man took the seat to her left, damp with rain and looking quite pale.
"Hello there Severus. Yes you must have heard about the unfortunate holdup on the train. Luckily I had plenty of chocolate handy."
"Lupin. Can't say I'm pleased to see you again. I'm even less surprised to hear Potter fainted, with his weak constitution. He must get it from his father." Snape smirked bitterly. Lupin leaned on his elbow across the back of Audrey's chair, still looking at Snape. He ignored Snape's strange comment.
"Say Severus, why don't you introduce me to our lovely coworker her."
Snape placed a heavy hand on her shoulder.
"This would be Professor Audrey Millwood. And Audrey, I would keep my distance from this miscreant if I were you."
Audrey was feeling flushed with how close they both were. She had also just taken a heaping bite of steak and kidney pie when Snape spoke. She turned to Lupin,
"-Ow do youdo pro-essor?" She swallowed quickly, nearly choking. That's when she noticed the tell-tale halo around his irises. This man was without a doubt, a werewolf.