Two days.
Severus had a relatively peaceful two days back at Hogwarts before Potter started his nonsense.
Severus had given his customary speech to the fifth year Slytherin and Gryffindors. He stressed the importance of OWLS and told them the minimum scores he would accept past this year.
He thought perhaps Longbottom looked just as relieved as he was that this would undoubtedly be their last year together.
His eyes flicked over the class as they began copying notes for the days brew, judging which ones would continue to be his problem after June.
Certainly not Longbottom or Finnigan. It would be a surprise if Thomas pulled an O on his finals, but not impossible. Patil and Brown would never continue with a class they deemed 'disgusting' even if they did have the required grade.
Parkinson would never pass, same for Bulstrode and Davis. Greengrass would if she wished to continue on. Zabini was a faint possibility. Weasley would never. Theodore would certainly get full points, as would Draco and Potter.
Although...
"Perhaps you would prefer to copy my notes in detention?" Severus asked them quietly. Neither had transcribed a single word, and were instead in a heated debate of some sort.
"No sir," Draco said immediately. Potter ignored Severus altogether and chose to continue scowling at Draco.
"See me after class," Severus sighed once it was obvious that Potter would continue the argument the moment he stepped away.
Day two.
It was day two.
What possible problems with Draco could Potter already be having?
Severus kept a careful eye on the boys, as they were meant to be partners in class, while they brewed. They continued whispering harshly to one another, Potter's eyes were flashing and Draco's cheeks were pink. The potion they turned in was not their best work, a clear result of the discord between them.
Severus waited behind his desk and resigned himself to once again play peacekeeper in Potter's relationships. Truthfully, he had long since resigned himself to having frequent enough after class discussions with Potter since his first year that he had rearranged his classes to ensure that Potter's potion class on Tuesday's and Thursday's were the last ones for the day.
Both boys now stood in front of his desk as their peers filed out. They were on opposite corners of his desk, neither looking at the other, though Draco's hand kept flinching towards his pocket every time Potter moved.
Severus thought it seemed as if Potter were purposefully doing it, but as it was rather amusing...
"What is the problem here?" Severus asked.
"Draco is courting Luna!" Potter immediately snarled. "Luna Lovegood. He's courting her!"
Severus raised surprised brows at his godson, only mildly disappointed to not have been told this before now.
"Are you truly?"
"Yes." Draco's chin lifted in a stubborn manner and his eyes were steely as they met Severus'. "I asked her over the summer and she accepted yesterday. I had planned on telling you this weekend-" here he scowled at Potter, who shuffled his foot and smirked at Draco's flinch "-but I'm not going to apologize and I'm not going to end it just because Harry's a jealous prat."
"I'M NOT FUCKIN JEALOUS!" Potter yelled at Draco.
"Then what is the problem?" Severus asked calmly, ignoring both Potter's reprehensible language and his tone. It occurred to him in that moment that perhaps he should have been firmer about Potter's language years ago, but it was a moot point now.
"He is courting Luna," Harry spat. "Luna, Sev. Luna."
"And Harry obviously wishes he was instead," Draco sneered unhelpfully. Severus held a hand up to silence his godson and focused on Potter.
"Why is this a cause for concern? Miss Lovegood is perfectly safe with Draco. Are you aware that there are customs surrounding a traditional courtship? Miss Lovegood is hardly in any danger of being infringed upon in any type of manner if Draco is following those traditions."
"Which I am," Draco said quickly. "Mother went over it all with me again this summer before I asked Luna."
Which was a true relief to Severus. If Draco was courting Miss Lovegood under the traditional guidelines, then there were a series of rules he was required to follow, thankfully one that prohibits sexual contact before a formal engagement was established. Even then, it was frowned upon before marriage, but young couples got carried away all the time.
As Severus is now all too aware of.
He desperately hoped that Draco and Lovegood would wait, as Severus did not want to fulfill Lucius' role of discussing safe-sex with Draco. Though, if need be, since Lucius was forced to currently disown his son, Severus would step up as his godfather.
"I don't like it," Potter fumed. "I don't like it one fuckin bit."
"Because you're a jealous p-"
"Call me a jealous prat one more fuckin time and I'm going to kill you," Potter hissed.
"That is enough." Severus slammed his hand on the desk in irritation. "Draco, dismissed. Harry, do not move."
Draco turned his nose up in the air and stalked out of the room, slamming the door harshly behind him.
"Sit," Severus ordered Potter curtly. He waited while Potter hesitated, his eyes flickering around the room once, until the child finally threw himself in the chair.
Severus kept his expression entirely neutral as he asked, "Are you jealous?"
"No." Potter scowled once more. "Well... maybe. Sue says I am, doesn't she? But it's not what you and Draco fuckin' think."
"What do we think?"
Potter huffed and slumped down in his seat, smoothing the armrest repeatedly with his thumb. "He thinks I want to be with Luna, so he thinks I'm jealous of him. Which is fuckin daft, yeah?"
Severus prayed that he was not about to make an erroneous guess as he considered other sources for Potter's jealousy. The jealousy that he was, once again, showcasing through anger. Severus could scarcely judge him for that, as anger had always been his own preferred way to handle himself, but he would like Potter to grow to be a healthier adult than he was.
"You are jealous of the relationship, not of Draco himself."
Potter jerked his chin in a short nod and Severus silently patted himself on the back.
"Harry, you are not without your own charms," Severus smirked as he considered the many students who gossiped about his ward. "If you do not wish to be with Frederick, why not pursue a new relationship?"
"I don't want a new relationship," Potter sneered. "It'll be the same thing each time, yeah?"
"Hmm." Severus waited, unsure what the true issue between Potter and Frederick had been, though he was hopeful that his curiosity would now be satisfied. He had not believed it was purely for Fredericks safety during the war, as Potter was hardly that selfless to make himself miserable for someone else's safety. "What specifically is the difficulty that you are hoping to avoid within your romantic relationships?"
Potter opened his mouth to reply, then hastily shut it and scowled instead. "Nevermind," he said shortly. He got to his feet and pointed an accusing finger at Severus, "If Draco hurts Luna then I'm bringing you his body."
Severus had snorted, rolling his eyes at his dramatic and overtly reticent ward, but he debated internally if he would help Potter hide the body of his godson.
He probably would.
Not that Potter would need it.
By their next class on Thursday, Severus thought that the boys must have sorted it out without too much violence. Or, at least, not enough violence that he was informed of his students dueling in public. Potter was entirely pleasant to his partner during that class, and Severus even caught him talking with Miss Greengrass in the corridor afterwards.
So, perhaps, Potter was even taking his advice and moving on from Frederick.
Potter had been laughing and giving Greengrass a smile that others refer to as 'charming' and Severus privately refers to as 'James''.
It wasn't often that Potter resembled his deceased father, but when he was propped against the wall of the corridor, smiling and running a hand through his dark locks of hair, while he chatted up a pretty young witch, the resemblance was uncanny.
And, to Severus' never ending amusement, when Potter smirked at Greengrass and shook her hand, Severus couldn't help but think it was a bit reminiscent of himself.
***
Severus was barely restraining himself from tapping his foot impatiently during the first staff meeting of the year after classes on Friday.
It was meant to start at seven, and it was already ten after and Albus looked no closer to beginning to meeting than he had when Severus arrived promptly at five til.
"*Hem, hem.*"
Albus looked up from his jolly conversation with Filius at Dolores' forced cough. "Yes Dolores?" he asked her, his tone polite but his eyes quickly losing their glimmer.
"I was wondering if we could get this meeting going or if we were going to have the prefects patrol all night Headmaster," Dolores said with her saccharine voice that grates every nerve in Severus' body.
"Merlin no, it's Bones and Potter on this evening," Pomona murmured, causing Minerva to grimace and Filius to chuckle.
"Of course we can begin," Albus said cheerfully, as if he were not taking orders from the new ministry lackey Fudge sent to dethrone him.
Not that Severus was against Albus' removal from Hogwarts, and the Minister was technically on Severus' side, but by principal he placed a bare amount of trust on any government figures.
"How are our newest students?" Albus called across the room, causing the other teachers to break out in opinions on the first years. Severus said nothing, as he had no helpful opinion to add. The first year students were as woefully inept as the ones that came before them and as surely the one after them will be. Minerva raves about a first year who was able to transfigure her matchstick in to a needle on the first try- which Severus found outrageously rude since she had never complimented Potter on that same feat when his had even been wandless and silent.
"And how are you settling in Dolores?" Albus asked the newest professor, if one could call her such a thing. Severus had spoken with a tearful Miss Granger who informed him that Dolores was not allowing them to use their wands in the classroom, insisting that enough education on theory would allow them to utilize the spells 'when needed'.
Severus assured Granger that it was likely only due to Dolores' inability to cast the spells herself, as she had always been a brainless idiot. He also found himself agreeing to critique Granger's spell work if needed- an offer that had slipped off his tongue too easily.
Apparently, sharing a breakfast table with someone for the past couple of summers had made Severus soft towards Granger. An entirely irritating concept.
"As well as can be expected," Dolores smiled, a pointed thing that was disturbing to witness. "There are quite a few things that I've written to Cornelius about of course, he likes to be informed of the many ways that the children's educational experience can be improved."
"Does he?" Minerva murmured, her eyes flinty as she stared a hole in the side of Dolores' head. Not that Dolores seemed to take notice, as she was having a silent stare off with Albus. Albus was frowning bemusedly and Dolores was still smiling.
"He also shared a concern of my own- what have you done to protect the students from the Dark Lord Crouch?"
The muted whispers went silent as the other professors all zeroed in on Dolores and Albus. Severus took a hasty sip of his tea, unwilling to allow his lips to so much as tremble at the ridiculous moniker.
"I do not believe that Barty Crouch is a threat to our students," Albus said politely. "I also do not believe that Voldemort will attempt to harm any students while they are here under my protection. Though I have strengthened the wards surrounding Hogwarts so he doesn't get an opportunity."
"It would be hard for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to harm anyone considering he's dead," Dolores said sweetly. "And I'm afraid that the Minister agrees with me; as, uh, impressive as your magic once was, it clearly was not enough to prevent numerous attacks on the students in prior years."
Minerva sucked in a shocked breath, outraged that Dolores would insult Albus in such a way. Filius looked as if he shared the same sentiment as Severus, this was entirely worth losing an hour or so of his free time. Albus was so rarely challenged in public, it was refreshing.
Invigorating really.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean Dolores," Albus said calmly. "There have been no numerous attacks during my tenure as Headmaster."
Dolores' smile grew at that, as if hoping for that precise response. She dug in frilly pink handbag on her lap and pulled a parchment out with a victorious smile.
"Ahem, four years ago there was a professor killed on these grounds while he attempted to steal the philosophers stone-"
Potter, of course.
"Then basilisk attacks on multiple and the death of another professor-"
Also Potter.
"Sirius Black was hiding on the grounds for months before he turned himself in. Peter Pettigrew also lived within this castle for years before that-"
Not Potter directly, but certainly still his fault.
"Then last year, a professor was disguised as a questionable new hire, a student was kidnapped by a madman, and it was only thanks to Severus here-"
Dear Merlin- had she just batted her eyelashes at Severus?
Still Potters fault somehow.
"-that the student wasn't killed. Did I forget anything?" Dolores folded the parchment and tucked it back in her handbag. Severus had only a small glimpse at the writing that made that list, but Susan Bone's elegant script was hard to miss.
She forgot the death of Crouch Senior, but Severus would hardly bring that up as it was, once again, entirely Potters fault.
Albus at least had the grace to look slightly abashed, though Severus didn't miss the hard look in his blue eyes when he flashed them momentarily in Severus' direction.
Albus too must have kept track of who was to blame behind each of those problems.
"Those were terrible mistakes that have long since been rectified," Albus said coolly. "Aside from May, of course, when Voldemort-"
"But you do admit they were mistakes?" Dolores cut Albus off and leaned forward with a nasty look in her eyes.
"I believe he just said that," Minerva scoffed. "Perhaps you should clear your ears Dolores."
Dolores brushed Minerva's comment off with a simpering little giggle. "Well, since we can all agree that mistakes have been made, you can surely see why the Minister is increasing the protection of the students."
"How so?" Albus asked, his left hand tense as if the typically impassive man was fighting the urge to curse Dolores like an impulsive teenager.
"The Minister has personally assigned aurors to reside in Hogsmeade and patrol Hogwarts periodically."
"Oh." Albus relaxed at once, a true smile returning to his face. "What a delightful idea!" he said genuinely. "And which aurors will be patrolling?"
Dear Lord, please not-
"Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt volunteered for the position."
The auror in the Order who believes Potter to a killer, and the auror who had the audacity (and bravery, he could admit) to foolishly ask Severus out on a date.
Severus almost couldn't decide which was a worse choice- but then he realized Dolores said 'volunteered' and decided that Nymphadora was the worst of the two.
He was too civilized to hit his head on the stone wall behind him, but only by just. Severus must have made some type of face though, because Minerva raised a brow at him and he mimed pouring a drink.
A drink that Merlin himself knows Severus needs.
'Tomorrow?' Minerva mouthed.
Severus nodded.
It was easy to be something like friends with Minerva. Minerva brought alcohol, they gossiped, occasionally played chess, they discussed their miserable careers, and they went back to work the next morning with hangover potions that Severus brewed.
Easy.
"Excellent!" Albus' smile grew and the twinkle returned to his eyes. He undoubtedly believed that having more 'Order members' inside the castle would somehow behoove him. "When will they begin?"
Dolores looked put out by Albus' earnest cheer. "Immediately," she said curtly. "The Minister already established them housing in Hogsmeade until Crouch Junior is apprehended."
"I think it's an excellent idea," Filius piped up. "We can't have too much protection when it comes to the children, can we?"
The other teachers murmured their agreement. Only Severus was carefully considering how little protection the castle used to require before Potter's arrival.
Sometimes he fondly remembers the days that an exploded cauldron was the worst of his problems. But then he considers Potter's bashful joy when Severus informed him that he had legally named him his ward and decides that the chaos is well worth it.
Usually.
"They're trying to kill me Minerva," Severus groaned Saturday night. He graciously accepted the refilled glass of whisky she slid him. "I do not believe I am meant to survive the next two years."
"Two and a half," Minerva corrected him with an amused smile. A very unappreciated amused smile. "Is it truly so bad Severus?"
Severus looked up sharply from his uncharacteristically slumped position on his sofa. "I had to assign Potter, Bones, Nott, Granger, and Frederick Weasley detention at three o'clock this morning Minerva. Three o'clock in the morning. And do you know who alerted me to their presence outside on the grounds? Auror Nymphadora Tonks."
Minerva's smile only grew at that. "Why was I not informed before now of one of my lions being out of bounds?"
"I had it handled," Severus scowled. "I assumed you would rather sleep than deal with a dispute caused by, isn't this surprising? Bloody Potter."
Minerva laughed, "What excuse did they offer? I was under the impression that Harry and Fred were still on the outs."
"They are," Severus rolled his eyes, comfortable enough with Minerva that he didn't feel the need to keep up his usual facade. "From what I could gather, reading between the lines of their blatant lies, was that Miss Bones was attempting to force Potter and Weasley to talk to one another, and decided that the middle of the night was the most inconspicuous time to do so."
"And Theodore and Hermione went along as well?"
"They did not," Severus looked up at the ceiling and sighed heavily. "They were caught exiting a broom closet when I returned the others to their dorms."
And Minerva, the prudish old witch that she shows to the rest of the castle, laughed until Severus saw her eyes glisten with unshed tears.
"They're- they're- terrible," Minerva said. She took a few steadying breaths and attempted a more stern expression. She failed, but it was a rather noble attempt. "How do you survive the summers Severus?"
"Sheer determination," Severus said both sardonically and entirely truthfully.
"I have no idea why Albus chose Bones, Potter, and Granger for prefect positions. They only memorized the rules so they can quote them to us when they're caught breaking them," Minerva said.
"That is precisely why Nott got an extra detention," Severus told her. He finished off his drink and summoned the bottle. "He informed me that Potter and Bones were not technically breaking the rules, as there is no curfew for prefects."
"He is not incorrect," Minerva said carefully. "Were they behaving unruly when Nymphadora fetched you?"
"Potter and Bones were having an extraordinary screaming match, which is what I technically assigned detention for," Severus said drily. "Weasley was slumped on the ground looking like a kicked crup as he plucked up handfuls of grass."
"Oh Fred," Minerva sighed sadly. "I admit I didn't care for the two of them together at first, I was afraid of the repercussions for the rest of the castle. But I thought they seemed happy together, certainly Harry seemed more relaxed around Fred and Fred was a touch more mature thanks to Harry. I was beginning to believe that they would last. Harry really won't tell you why they broke up?"
"He won't," Severus sighed. He rubbed his eyes wearily, the conversation and the alcohol beginning to wear him down. "I believe Bones knows, but God knows that girl will never betray Potter's confidence. I told Potter perhaps he should move on, find someone else, but I think he still cares for Weasley in some way."
"Pity. I hope they can figure it out." Minerva shook her head and poured them both another drink. "Last one then?"
"Last one," Severus agreed, accepting the last cup out of the bottle Minerva supplied gratefully. They both examined the chessboard that was abandoned around the second drink and made a few half-hearted moves.
"Why you?"
"Pardon?"
Minerva cleared her throat and her eyes had an almost Albus like twinkle in them. "Why did Tonks summon you as opposed to myself or Pomona when she discovered the students?"
Severus hastily moved his eyes back to the chessboard, a futile attempt to hide his embarrassment. "I did not ask."
Though he was quite certain it had something to do with the offer of drinks that Nymphadora brought up. An offer he immediately turned down with as much firm force as he could muster in the face of his surprise. The last thing Severus needed was a further entanglement with the aurors department. Particularly not when his ward was Harry Potter, the youngest serial killer in Britain with plans of taking over the Ministry.
Minerva hummed thoughtfully and used her knight to capture Severus' queen. "Perhaps it may be time you take your own advice Severus."
"What advice is that?"
Minerva waited until Severus looked up, holding his gaze with her kind maternal smile.
"Move on," she said gently. "Find someone else."
Severus, no doubt due to the excess amount of alcohol he consumed, thought of Minerva's words once he was alone once more.
Moving on was fine for young men such as Potter. Potter was hardly a poison to those he cared for. Potter was not required to live the rest of his life atoning for his sins. Potter had not singlehandedly caused the death of someone he loved, an unrequited love certainly, but that didn't lessen the hold on Severus it had. Severus looked at the photo of Lily that Potter gifted him in his first year and felt a swell of emotion.
Minerva could say what she wished about Severus taking his own advice, but if Severus had managed to end the life of such a pure and unique soul as Lily Evans, he hardly needed to inflict himself upon others.
Potter though...
Severus scribbled a hasty letter to Lupin, reminding the man of his duty to Potter before he drifted off in a fitful sleep.
One that was, thankfully, not interrupted by his erratic ward or an overly flirtatious and misguided auror.