Tel\' Lindar (The Bard)

SSDD - you know what I claim and you know what I cain\'t. Yada yada yada!

Chapter 18

A Deal with the Baron or Shine your little lights


***

The final days before the beginning of school were upon them and the staff of Hogwarts was in a flurry of activity. Bronwyn spent most of her time in Snape\'s classroom, pretending all was fine. Her lesson planner perched precariously in her lap, with her schedule tucked neatly inside. Her class lists and her required topics sat on the table, spread between cauldrons. Due to the near annihilation of the entire race of Wizards, it had been decided to make Muggle Studies a required subject for all years. The block scheduling was proving to be a headache launcher for Bronwyn.

\"Gad! I\'ll have the ENTIRE school population over a two- day span! Good thing I have a huge room!\" She flipped back and forth between the Standards list and her planner. \"Wars, wars, plague and more wars.\" She scowled at the Potions Master. \"That\'s all the Ministry want me to drum into their widdle heads!\"

Snape had taken off his customary jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves. Graceful hands moved from cauldron to cauldron, stirring, adding ingredients, his lips muttering incantations over multi-colored hues and tones. \"I am sure you will find a way to infuse them with the required knowledge.\" He never looked up. \"With your background, I am sure you will make up some ridiculous ditty that will aid in their rote memorization.\"

Bare toes lightly scuffed across the pelt of the sleeping wolf beneath her stool. Covertly, from the corners of his eyes, Severus had watched Bronwyn fill in her planner, using a mechanical pencil. The Muggle writing utensil fascinated him and several times he had bitten his tongue for want of asking her to allow him to inspect it closely.

The area around the cauldrons was hot and Severus focused on the sweat beading on her brow, as well as the lovely droplets rolling down into her cleavage. She wore shorts and a low - cut tank top, granting him a most generous view of her charms. Unconsciously, she rubbed her hand beneath her neck, spreading glistening drops of moisture.

\"It\'s so hot in here. How do you stand it?\"

Snape\'s eyes were riveted on the cauldron in front of him, a potion for Poppy nearing its completion. \"If you find it stifling, I would suggest you use your own desk.\" With this, he did look up, staring at her through the steam. \"You do have one.\"

Bronwyn had the gall to look sheepish. \"I can\'t find it.\" she muttered.

\"I beg your pardon, madam. Please speak up and speak clearly. I cannot hear you over the hissing of my fires.\"

That was a lie. He could hear her perfectly. Truth was, Severus loved to watch her squirm. Which she was doing right now, quite well. Amadeus sat up, perked white ears peeking over the table.

Bronwyn took a deep breath. \" I said, I cannot find it.\"

Severus put down his wand and ladle and came around the table, getting just close enough to feel her stiffen. As he arrived just inside her comfort zone, he leaned over casually with one elbow on the table. He put his other hand on his arm, long fingers drumming indifferently. \"You have lost your desk?\"

Her head dipped meekly and she looked up at him through the fringe of her lashes . \"No, silly. It isn\'t lost. It\'s buried.\"

\"Oh.\" Severus puckered his mouth in thought. \"First, it was lost and now it is not lost, but is buried. Did I miss the funeral? When was the desk\'s demise and what was the cause of death?\"

The look on her face was priceless.

Amadeus lay back down, chuffing quietly before going back to gnawing on the stool leg.

\"Bronwyn, you will let in flies. Shut your mouth.\"

She snapped it shut with a loud ‘click\' of her teeth. Slowly, dawning caressed her face.

\"Ooooooooh!\" Her smile stretched from ear to ear. \"Snape Spoofs.\" She dipped her head again and wagged her eyebrows. \"I\'m rubbing off on you!\"

Snape twisted his body, his back now leaning on the heavy table, with his arms crossed. He leaned over, his face inches from hers. \"Madam, if you tell anyone I have a sense of humor, I shall have to call you o"
"

Bronwyn\'s eyes were large and she inhaled deeply. He smelled...

...different.

Good, but different.

Severus watched as her facial expression softened and he realized her thoughts dove inwards.

**Haldir had smelled of the earth, the air. He had smelled of rain and leaves. Severus smelled of sandalwood and smoke and wood. It was heady, intoxicating, oh, to wrap herself in it, in him...**

Her eyes jerked upwards, refocusing on his face. Severus straightened his back. The moment passed and he set his jaw.

\"Truly, Bronwyn, if you were a little more organized, your desk would not be missing.\"

Unsettled by her thoughts, her emotions, Bronwyn slammed her planner on the desk next to the tall Wizard.

\"It\'s not lost. It\'s not dead. I have family trees and instruments and worksheets and... and... and...\" she glared up at the smirking man, \"well, I have lots of stuff piled everywhere!\" Her mouth screwed up in a crooked frown. \"It doesn\'t help that that damn poltergeist went through my room like a hurricane blowing everything everywhere.\"

\"Peeves?\" Snape\'s expression turned to mildly angry. \"Peeves made a mess in your classroom?\"

\"He bloody well did!\" Bronwyn had crossed her arms over her chest, tucking fingertips over her breasts and into her sides. \"He blew stuff everywhere! It\'s a mess.\" She watched as the Potions Master pushed himself from his table and strode to the door. \"Where are you going?\"

\"To survey the damage.\" He threw the door open and strode across the hall. Bronwyn jumped from the stool, following after in a rush, her animal at her heels.

\"Severus, it\'s okay. I can clean it up...\" She almost ran into him where he had stopped suddenly.

True to her word, the bright, cheerful room looked as if a blustery windstorm had turned it upside down. Papers, most of them shredded, were everywhere, strewn haphazardly, with the largest pile on her desk in a corner of the room. Severus took in the meaningless destruction.

\"Are you certain Peeves did this?\"

Bronwyn peered from around him. \"Who else would it be? None of the students are here. I don\'t believe any of the professors hate me this much. It certainly isn\'t a funny prank.\"

\"No, it is not.\" He sighed heavily and slowly pulled his wand from its casing. With a flick, the papers flew into the air, shards and strips reuniting in the air. Quickly, they settled in neat, organized stacks.

\"Damn! You want to clean my chambers? My laundry needs to be done!\" Even after three months of living with these marvelous people, she was still shocked at the things they did without a second thought. *‘Elrond needs to come and visit, even for a day; see the wondrous legacy his sons and daughter left...\'* She watched in horror as a single sheet of paper landed at Snape\'s feet.

\"What is this?\" He leaned over to pick it up.

Bronwyn immediately saw what it was and attempted to snatch it. \'s \'s nothing. Just some silliness.\" Severus held it high above his head, looking up to read it. His eyebrows arched when he read what was on the sheet, before slowly handing it to her. She blushed under his quirky, Snapey smile.

\"Very silly.\"

With a whisper, he turned and left the room, leaving her breathless in embarrassment. She waited a few seconds, making sure the surly Wizard was gone before looking down at the wolf. \"He knows, Amadeus. Such a stoopid thing to print. I\'m in such deep shit.\" she murmured. \"What am I going to do?\" The wolf shoved his long - nosed head, under her questing fingers. She gripped his thick fur tightly with one hand, the offensive paper crushed in the other.

\"Madam.\"

Her face jerked towards the door. Severus stood in the doorway, that weird smile of his still on his face. He held out her planner and class rosters. \"I believe you have room on your desk now. You should find your room much... cooler than mine.\" He laid the teacher\'s journal on the nearest desk and retreated back through the doorway. \"That is unless you enjoy... perspiring in the steam.\" His voice was mocking and Bronwyn knew that he was having fun at her expense. Her eyes narrowed.

\"Neithadol!\" she hissed.

\"I know.\" he echoed back from across the hall.

Severus entered his rooms, the smile widening. Oh yes, soon and very soon, she would be ready; she would welcome him to her bed. The paper had said it all. The fact that she had printed it, said more than anything else.

HeartStats.

One of those silly, computer generated ‘tests\' she had played with so much while back at her cottage. This one she had said nothing about... just printed it.

HeartStats.

And it had found its way to his feet.

Heartstats.

The opening pairing was obvious. He expected it.

Bronwyn and Haldir

Will adopt twenty-eight thousand magical kids.
Pretend to chat t mit mightn\'t lead to pregnancy
Together forever whatever the weather

Whoopee.

But it was the next two that made him grin.

She did not ask once. But twice.

Bronwyn and Snape

Will have two stylish children.
Are prone to arm-wrestle in private.
Share an interest in Babylon 5.

Followed by...

Bronwyn and Severus

Might conceive twenty-eight thousand robot children.
Hope to write to each other far too often.
Are metaphorically attached

He picked up the forgotten mechanical pencil and inspected it closely. He twisted it, watching the lead lengthen and then retreat. Wonderful Muggle invention; the pencil. He set it down and reached for the bottle of leech legs. It could have been, after all, much, much worse.

She could have asked about Bronny and SnapeBaby.

***

n\'tn\'t care, everybody thinks I\'m a fool
I\'m aware, loving you ain\'t considered cool
I never worry what people say
You know my mind\'s made up, there\'s only one way
I don\'t care what people say - I want you, yes I do

I don\'t Care
Bad Company


***

Severus stood in the common room of Slytherin House. The house elves had been busy, cleaning and dusting the aging, gothic furniture.

The Bloody Baron hovered in the air across from him.

\"Allow me to make sure I have understood your request correctly,\" the Ghost of Slytherin House purred with a cocky smile. \"You wish for me to keep Peeves in line and keep him out of the Muggle Studies Professor\'s hair.\"

\"Correct.\"

The ghost stroked a transparent beard. \"I heard a wretched rumor while I was vacationing at Disney World in Florida.\"

Severus contained his shocked look. \"You went to... an amusement parkfor the summer?\"

The Baron looked at the Potions Master, shocked. \"Surely, you have heard, that the Haunted Mansion is really haunted.\" He leaned over as if to tell a great secret. \"The parties they throw in front of the paying customers are amazing and the ones after the park closes... well, the maids are comely and most willing! The view from the top of that insipid Princess\' castle is lovely. \" He winked rakishly.

\"I will endeavor to remember that when I pass this world.\" Severus intoned dryly. \"About Professor Powell...\"

\"I know, I know!\" The Baron waved him away, impatiently. \"Peeves has been pestering her, making her room a mess.\"

\"Her room was the least of it.\"

Indeed, it had been the least. Just hours after straightening her classroom, Severus had heard her screeching, cursing, music blaring at an ear-jarring decibel level. He rushed into the hall, to see the mischievous poltergeist hurling dung bombs at the diminutive professor. She had retaliated with her only weapon - her sound waves - but they passed through the spectral being, doing no harm. Severus managed to run off the pesky ghost and Bronwyn had allowed him to soothe her for a moment before stalking off to her shower.

\"You wish to impress the lass.\"

\"I have already impressed her.\"

The Bloody Baron grinned, his permanently groomed moustache curling. \"That\'s good. But I have heard she is a Muggle. Completely non-magical.\"

Severus schooled his face to an emotionless mask. \"Do not underestimate her abilities.\"

The Bloody Baron might be dead, but he heard the defense in his living counterpart\'s voice. His grin was snarky. \"Giving you a rough time in the duel to the bedroom?\"

\"You have no idea.\"

The ghost settled in a sitting position, one buckled shoe perched on a beribboned knee. \"I know you, Severus. I know what you were. You have taken what you have wanted in the past. Why not now?\"

Pools of liquid ink glittered dangerously. \"I want her willing.\"

\"Makes the duel more a challenge.\"

\"Exactly.\"

The Baron thoughtfully stroked a ghostly moustache, smoothing down the ends. \"I would expect something in return for keeping that pest away from her.\"

\"But of course.\"

He settled in front of Snape, hovering closely, the gleam in his eye, visible. \"I suspect she has no... allegiance to any of the Houses.\"

Snape\'s smile did not reach his eyes. \"No.\"

All pretense of humor evaporated from the Ghost\'s visage. \"She does now.\"

\"Salazar will roll over in his grave. A Muggle embracing his House?\"

\"He rolls in it anyway. Let\'s give him a proper reason to thrash about.\"

Now, Severus truly smiled. It wasn\'t pretty.

\"I will make sure she understands and accepts.\"

\"Good.\" The specter started to rise, when he suddenly had a new thought. With a whisper of sound, he floated back in front of the dark clad Head of Slytherin. \"Question.\"

Severus raised his eyebrows in response.

\"Will she be worth it?\"

Severus\' leer was frightening. \"She was married for a long time.\"

The ghost thought for a moment. \"Children?\"

\"Five of the little blighters. Two still living.\"

\"Hmmm.\" The Baron stroked his chin. \"Good hips.\" Severus steeled his facial expression even further. \"You know, I always preferred a woman with some weight. Easier to grab onto to. Softer than those skinny, bony things. You might want to talk to that Pansy Parkinson. She runs her finger down her throat to much to be healthy.\"

Severus did not even blink. \"I will consult with the mediwitch.\"

\"Married a long time? How old is she?\"

\"She was married to an Elf for 38,000 years.\"

The Baron had good cause to look impressed. \"One of the Valinor Elves?\" He got very serious, quickly. \"She is not one of those nasty house elves?\"

\"No. She was married to a tall, beautiful, poncy Elf with arrows and a bow.\"

\"Oh. It\'s herrrrrrrrrr!\" the Baron sneered. \"Happily married was she?\"

\"Excruciatingly.\"

\"Oooh!\" The Baron floated up towards the ceiling, preparing to go through. \"She should be kinky as hell.\"

\"One hopes.\"

***
And he looks at me in wonder
And he looks at me in fear
Wrestling with his anger
His pride and stony tears
To place me in his life
Will be hard and slow
Does he want it need it
I might never know
The boy feels strange

The boy feels strange
Melissa Etheridge

***

Severus came down to her rooms, shortly after his talk with the Slytherin House Ghost. He found her in her living area, printouts of the Storyteller\'s family tree spread all over the floor.

Amadeus immediately bristled and growled.

\"What are you doing?

\"Trying to find some leads. Don\'t step on that.\" She pointed to where Snape was standing.

\"Bronwyn, the next week is going to be particularly horrid...\"

\"I feel like we\'ve wasted the summer.\"

\"No, madam,\" he spoke sharply, \"YOU wasted the summer.\"

\"Thanks for the reminder.\" she muttered. Bronwyn sat back on her haunches and looked up at the tall Wizard. \"I just want to get a jump on this now.\"

Severus reached out a hand and leaning across the spread, pulled her up. \"Have you had another nightmare?\"

\"No.\"

\"Then let us assume for the time being, that things are quiet for the moment. I have a proposition for you.\" In a matter of fact tone, he informed her that while the other professors could deal with him on a one on one basis, Peeves knew she was powerless against him. Only one being in the castle could deal properly with the pesky prat and that was the Bloody Baron.

\"You will be protected by my House ghost when I am not close by, however, you must embrace Slytherin as your affiliate House.\"

She thought for a moment. \"So, in exchange for keeping Peeves from playing tricks on me, I have to root for Slytherin at the football in the air games...\"

\"Quidditch.\"

\"...Whatever and be lenient to your charges.\"

Snape brought his hand to his chest, pain etched over craggy features. \"Madam, I am deeply, deeply wounded, by your notion that I would ask you to be lenient towards any student.\"

\"Especially your own.\"

\"Especially my own.\"

Bronwyn tiptoed around lined up pages, her hand still tucked firmly in Snape\'s grasp. \"This Bloody Baron of yours could keep him off me and my classroom?\"

\"Yes.\"

\"I understand your founder was not fond of Muggles.\"

\"He was rather... old-fashioned.\"

Bronwyn snorted. She looked at Amadeus. \"Well? What say you?\"

The wolf, continued to lie on the couch, nose between his paws, eyes starring darts at the Wizard.

\"Thanks for the input!\" She looked around and finally glared up at the Potions Master. \"Oh... all right!\" she groused. \"One more Slytherin in the fold.\" She jammed a finger at his nose. \"Do not think, however, for one single solitary moment, that I will go any easier on them for anything! I\'ll root for them at games, but I\'m fair when it comes to classwork.\"

\"Bronwyn, I would expect no less.\"

She made her way into the kitchen. \"It\'s lunchtime. Wanna sandwich?\"

I want you naked, tied spraddled in that bed of yours... but I shall be patient...

Amadeus came off the couch, growling, before following her into the kitchen.

\"Certainly, Bronwyn. Do you have tuna-fish?\"

***

The Day of the Youthful Return dawned bright and clear and the castle was in a flurry of anticipation. Even Minerva was bustling around at a heightened pace.

Bronwyn, Amadeus, and Remus sat on the stairs, watching everyone come and go. Bronwyn had a large theater size bag of red licorice laces and she and Lupin were sharing them.

\"Everything down your way ready?\" Remus asked, watching Mr. Scrapton glide across the hallway yet again, his pate shiny with perspiration.

\"Yep.\" Bronwyn drawled, spinning a long string of the cherry flavored candy. \"Windows cleaned, year penciled in, lesson plans filled out, objectives notated, room bombed for spiders...\"

\"Bombed?\" Remus\' ebuggbugged. \"Do I want to know?\"

Amadeus yawned, tongue rolling out of the cavernous mouth.

\"Let\'s just say,\" Bronwyn began to use her thumbnail to clean her other nails, \"that I have sprayed so much, nothing alive will want to venture in my classroom anytime soon.\"

\"So, Snape should be hanging out there now?\" The Werewolf recoiled when she backhanded him.

\"Oh, so not funny.\" She wasn\'t paying attention to her animal, sitting one stair above her, smirking in mirth. She watched as the History of Magic professor crossed the hallway yet again. \"He\'s oilier than Severus after he\'s been over the cauldron\'s all day.\"

\"He\'s strange, all right.\"

\"Gives me the creeps.\" They sat quietly for a few more moments, watching Filch eye them before skittering off and Professor Trelawney wander, muttering to herself. When the hall was empty, Bronwyn leaned over. \"Guess you heard.\"

\"Guess I did.\" He reached his hand out, so she could place another piece of licorice in it.\"What possessed you to become an honorary member of Slytherin?\"

\"Peeves.\"

Remus chewed thoughtfully. \"That explains much.\" he nodded. \"I\'ll bet Salazar is turning in his grave.\"

\"Spinning like a top.\"

\"Sure you want to go through with this?\" Remus finished his lace and dug his hand in for another one. \"I am certain we can think of other ways to keep that rascal from pestering you so much.\"

Bronwyn was reaching into the bag as well. \"Nah, it\'s quick, it\'s easy. I already feel like I\'m attached at the hip with Snape, the poor man.\" She shoved the string into her mouth and chewed for a moment. \"Severus did go to the one ghost that can handle that creep and plead for my case. I suppose my cheering for his House a few times over the year isn\'t such a bad exchange. Honestly, it is obvious the man did not take Social Butterfly 101 in college. Maybe this is his way of trying.\"

Remus snickered and sucked in the lace. \"I don\'t care how much you try Bronwyn. Severus will never be a social butterfly!\"

\"If you are suggesting that I am incapable of acting like a chattering chit, then I thank you for the compliment!\"

Uh-oh.

Bronwyn and Remus looked at each other in mock horror and tilted their heads back behind them.

Sure enough, two stairs up, stood a very serious Potions Master looking down a rather long, hooked nose. Bronwyn raised the bag of candy in an obvious attempt to appease the unsmiling Wizard. \"Hi. Candy?\"

Severus looked disdainfully at the bag. \"I prefer the black ones.\" And with that, he strode around the pair and proceeded to descend into the dungeons.

The two reclining professors watched as Snape disappeared into the shadows.

Whoosh.

Mischievous eyes slid to look at one another.

\"Why do I feel like a student caught out after curfew?\" Bronwyn dipped in for yet another lace.

\"He\'s sharpening his skulking skills that have collected dust all summer.\" n whn whispered. \"He prides himself on the number of intertwined students he has caught.\" He was twirling the last lace. \"Sometimes, I think he is a voyeur.\"

Amadeus immediately went into coughing spasms, alarming both Werewolf and woman.

A gonging bell went off in one of the towers and Remus stood up slowly, stretching, before extending a hand to Bronwyn. \"Ah. They come. Enjoy the peace and quiet for an hour or two because it won\'t be quiet again until the Christmas break.\" He looked around the empty hall. \"Have you chosen your dinner companion for the evening?\"

\"Well, I assumed Severus would come by...\"

\"Do you think you can ditch him before dinner?\" Remus had a wicked glint in his eye and a rather wolfish smile. Bronwyn matched him glint for glint and tooth for tooth.

\"Why?\"

\"One of the most amazing sights in the world is to see the first years come across the lake in their boats. I know a wonderful spot up in the Astronomy Tower to watch them. We might be a little late for the beginning of dinner, but we shouldn\'t miss anything.\"

Bronwyn\'s smile was huge. \"Watch out for Severus to leave the dungeons without me and then come on down. I really want to see that!\"

***

\"Bronwyn! I cannot believe you are NOT ready!\" Severus stood in her doorway, in full scholarly regalia. (Black on unrelieved black.) He was glaring at the small woman in front of him, wearing a bathrobe and a turban.

\"I\'m sorry, Severus. I lost track of time and I\'m running a bit behind.\" She had her robe clenched around the neck and with her other hand, waved at the door. \"You go on.\"

\"I will wait.\"

\"No!\" she waved again, impatiently. \"I know you have important Head of Slytherin House responsibility... thingies...\"

\"I will wait.\"

\"Severus!\" she spoke as if to a small child and he bristled at her tone. \"I am going to be late. I do not wish to make you late as well. I am a big girl.\" She got behind him and proceeded in attempt to push him out of the door, grunting with exertion. \"I can find the Great Hall all by my little self. Go!\"

Severus crossed his arms and dug the soles of his shoes into the plush carpet of her chambers. \"Madam, if I did not know better, I would say you were trying to get rid of me. What are you and that pathetic werewolf up to?\"

Bronwyn stopped pushing and slumped her shoulders in exasperation. What was the use? He could almost read her mind anyway. \"Remus offered to take me to the Astronomy Tower to watch the first years come in over the lake. He said it was an wondrous sight.\" She turned her back on him, hands on her hips. \"Of course, you will say no...\"

\"That is a wonderful sight.\"

\"... and will raise a stink...\"

\"That was very nice of Remus to offer.\"

\"... and tell me I\'m being silly...\"

\"I would have suggested myself, however I do have duties as Head of House.\"

\"... and haul me into the dining room wearing my bathrobe...\"

\"Thank Remus for me.\"

\"... and everyone will lau... what?\"

Severus let out a deep sigh, shaking his head ruefully. \"You should learn to listen. I said watching the first years make their maiden voyage is an awe inspiring sight. You are correct in that I do have duties to perform, but thank Remus for me for taking you.\" He turned and strode out of the room. \"Do hurry, Bronwyn. Although it is preferred that you already be at the table, I think you will find it faster to come up the stairs behind the first years when they enter.\" He stopped and looked over his shoulder. \"I will save a place for you at the table. Shall I flush Lupin out for you and send him down?\"

\"Ah... erm... well...\"

\"I will take that as a yes.\" The Wizard slid around the corner, leaving Bronwyn in a state of upheaval. In the bat of an eyelash, Remus walked in quickly, looking over his shoulder.

\"What was that all about?\" he asked breathlessly. \"I thought we would have to sneak you out?\"

\"Apparently, Severus has me figured out to a ‘T\'. However,\" and with that, she unzipped her robe and threw it on a chair, her dress hem tucked into her low riding belt, \"he doesn\'t know everything!\" She pulled her dress tails out and headed up the stairs. \"Allow me to get my shawl and Amadeus\' collar and we will be ready to go.\"

Remus stared at the woman in appreciation. \"Bronwyn, if you are trying to make a statement...\"

\"I am.\" She was heading back down, shawl over her arm and a studded collar in hand. Amadeus was backing up, shaking his head, as if to deny her. \"Amadeus. Don\'t make me wrestle you to the ground. I am not dressed for it.\" She sat on the stairs and motioned for him to sit between her legs. \"It could be worse; I could be putting you in ear cuffs!\" She quickly fastened the collar on and standing up, threw the shawl over her shoulders. \"Well? What do you think?\"

\"I think you look marvelous and absolutely no one will have any doubt who you favor.\"

Bronwyn snarled slightly and breezed by the easy going Wizard. \"Favor? I think not!\" She ushered Remus and Amadeus out before uttering the password to lock her chamber.

***

Remus and Severus were right. The little boats, with a single lantern at each stern, coming across the water in the dark, were an amazing sight. Although she could not see the children in the vessels, she could imagine the awe they were feeling; so young, away from home and family for the first time, to see the fabulous Hogwarts castle lit up like a celebration.

\"So fe The The words floated on the wind.

\"What?\" Bronwyn turned to Lupin, his eyebrows knit as he looked closely at the arriving children.

\"There are so few. There should be twice as many. Three times as many.\" His shoulders slumped and although his face was hidden in shadows, Bronwyn could sense the pain etched on his features, could obviously hear it in his voice. \"We lost so many in the war.\" he hissed. \"Names. Meaningless lists of names.\" He turned back to look over his shoulder. \"Not so meaningless anymore. Not all were adults.\" His head was bowed and he cupped the hand that caressed his cheek.

\"Never meaningless, Remus. There were survivors. They are survivors. The Wizards will rebuild. There -\" she pointed with her other hand, down to the craggy rocks and foundations where the boats were beginning to dock. \"...are your building blocks.\"

He turned to look at her, his eyes better suited for the night sky than hers. \"Just as you are rebuilding, Bronwyn, beloved of Haldir.\" Her breath caught at that. How long had it been... \"Question is, where are your building blocks?\"

They both headed to the trapdoor, to begin their descent. \"My building blocks are my old friends and new ones. My foundation is my family and the mortar that will hold it all together rests in the hands of a very stern Potions Master.\" Remus threw the door open and they watched as Amadeus carefully picked his way down the narrow stairs. Before Bronwyn could begin her plunge to the next floor, Remus stopped her, pulled her to him.

\"Severus and I have had our differences in the past. Merlin knows he has much reason to hate me and I don\'t blame him. But I respect him; would trust him - do trust him - with my very life. He is hard, I know, but beneath that veneer of sneering Snapeyness, is the heart of a man who has known little softness.\" The Werewolf held both of her hands in his and he bowed his head to touch the knuckles to his forehead. \"I can imagine no better mortar to rebuild with than that crafted with his hands. I know you grieve your husband, Bronwyn, but please, find a little softness, a small place for that one in the dungeons.\"

***

Fire, fire, burnin\' bright
Turn on your love lava
Turn on your lava light
Fire, oh volcano, over you
Don\'t let your lava love turn to stone
Keep it burnin\'
Keep it burnin\' here at home
Oooo Hot

Lava
B52\'s

***


The two educators and the wolf scurried around the bottom of the stairs, giggling like lovers, when they came up behind the arriving First Years lining up on the stairs. Remus grabbed Bronwyn by the hand and walked up behind the shaking child trying to hide behind the small crowd.

\"Excuse us, son.\" Remus threaded his way between small bodies, Bronwyn in tow, who continued to hold his hand. Amadeus followed behind the two, head and tail held high. At the sight of the wolf, the students crushed each other into the stair railings, in attempt to get out of his way.

\"Professors Lupin and Powell!\" Minerva\'s voice was stern and it quelled childish whisperings. Both came to stand next to her and despite the seriousness of the Deputy Headmistress\' face, her eyes sparkled as twin impish grins smiled at her. \"You are late and...\" she gazed intently at the hands still clenched together, \"causing little tongues to wag!\"

A sudden gasp rose from the group and all three professors turned to see that Amadeus had sat down at the top of the stairwell and was facing the group, smiling as only a wolf can.

\"Uhm... Professor Lupin took me to the parapets to watch the First Years arrive.\"

Minerva leaned towards Bronwyn. \"Lovely sight, isn\'t it?\"

Bronwyn smiled and nodded.

Minerva ticked her head over her shoulder, causing her pointed hat to bob. \"Go on in with you. Please turn loose of each other.\" Remus immediately released Bronwyn\'s hands. \"And please contain your... Amadeus.\" She nodded towards the wolf, who at the sound of his name, looked adoringly over his shoulder to the tall witch. Minerva could have sworn he waggled hiebroebrows at her. \"Stop that.\" she murmured seriously. \"I am impervious to your charms.\"

Aye, so impervious was she, she stroked the noble head as he brushed by. Bronwyn smiled at the group of startled children and with a grace not often seen, lifted the shawl to cover her head. She turned as Remus opened the great door, the noise level inside almost deafen

Minerva returned to her charges. \"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of term...\"

Her voice drifted off as Bronwyn, Remus, and Amadeus entered the Great Hall and shut the door behind them.

\"Whoa!\"

The hall had been transformed. Gone was the openness of the room, four long tables now stretched to just in front of the head table. Remus pointed starting from the right.

\"Gryffindor. Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw, Slytherin.\" One by one he pointed out the tables. None were full and in fact the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables seemed almost empty. She realized as she took in the scene that the buzzing in the room had come to a halt and every eye was on the two of them.

And Amadeus.

She felt the hint of breath at her ear. \"Someone waits for you, m\'lady.\" Indeed, Severus\' eyes bore into hers from across the room, his expression unreadable in the distance. Remus started to turn her loose, to head down the oite ite wall. She clutched at him, eyes large.

\"I suddenly find my knees are made of jelly.\" She whispered quietly to the rangy Wizard. \"Would you be so kind as to escort me to my chair?\"

In answer, Remus tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and slowly proceeded to walk her between the Ravenclaw and Slytherin tables.

There was no sound as they approached the head table. That is, not until they reached the outlying Slytherin students.

Hissing.

\"Who does she think she is?\"

\"Does she think she is one of us? She must be delirious.\"

\"Fucking Muggle...\"

Bronwyn had made a bold statement, no doubt. And as she passed, each student who got a closer look at her knew whom she had aligned herself with.

Her deep-scooped dress, at first glance, appeared to be black, but on closer inspection, was the deepest green. It was cut to compliment generous curves, flowing tendrils trailing behind her on the floor, sleeves tight, fastening to the elbow with small buttons. Riding low on her hips, was a thin, silver serpentine chain, with a small pouch holding her wedding rings. Her shawl, as delicate as, finely spun silver cobwebs, lay against her hair and shoulders. A green-eyed snake coiled around her smallest finger, in mate with the one suspended on an almost invisible chain around her neck.

Bronwyn tightened her grip on the DADA professor. She felt Amadeus nudge her side.

The sound was one she recognized, knew well and as she passed the larger of the Slytherins, heard the missile launched. She shoved Remus forward, as she stepped back.

A large glob of phlegm landed where the Muggles Studies professor had been standing.

The Ravenclaws were thoroughly disgusted. ‘Ew\'ing and ‘disgusting\' where heard and the entire room was buzzing.

\"How... charming.\" Bronwyn muttered. Her eyes fell on the closest young man, a large not - to - bright - looking student, grinning cruelly. \"You did this?\"

\"Maybe. Maybe not.\"

Remus started to speak, but Bronwyn held up her hand.

\"You are?\" she asked, expectantly.

Small eyes narrowed and she could see the defiant set of his shoulders.

\"You might as well tell her, Goyle.\" This, from a good looking blond young man across from Goyle. \"She will find out tomorrow anyway.\" The entire table was snickering at her.

Amadeus rumbled low in his throat. Bronwyn touched his nose, signaling his silence. \"Well, Goyle is it? Next time my daughter comes to visit, I shall have her teach you how to ‘hock lugies\' properly. She does it so much better.\" Now the previously disgusted Ravenclaws were laughing and soon the hall was abuzz, repeating the Muggle Studies Professor\'s retort. \"In the meantime, if you insist on practicing this habit, I will have you practice over an empty wastebasket for an hour. Do I make myself clear?\"

She turned away from the group, in time to see Remus\' wand out, cleaning the mess.

\"Ten points from Slytherin.\" Remus spoke quietly to the table. The two turned back to face the head table, Bronwyn steeling her shoulders. Severus was standing up, his brows knitted together in consternation.

\"Whore!\"

Bronwyn\'s knuckles turned white where she grabbed Lupin to keep him from turning around. \"Remus. I will deal with this.\" Bronwyn slowly turned back to the table, the group of older students, huddled around the pale, blonde young man, snickeredat hat her.

Severus felt, saw, the sound waves spin eerily above her head. No music was heard, but vibrations could be felt. They settled above the Slytherin table, Bronwyn leaning over it, with a serene smile on her face. Several Slytherins - including Draco Malfoy - were swatting at their ears, as if to bat off a fly.

She stood up away from them, seeing their faces redden and as she turned and retucked her hand back into Lupin\'s elbow, the waves diminished, dissipated. Youthful bodies relaxed and angry, distrustful eyes followed the professors as they resumed their trek to the head table.

Severus was still standing, pulling the chair out for Bronwyn. \"I will take it from here, Remus.\" he grumbled darkly.

Remus stepped back. \"Your House needs lessons in manners.\" he hissed before inclining his head towards Bronwyn and heading to the other side of the table, where Hagrid had saved him a seat.

Bronwyn sat, as Severus behind her chair, pushed it in.

He had a lovely view down her dress.

Noticed the true color of her dress.

Noticed the jewelry.

Long, calloused fingers removed her shawl from her head and draped it on the back of her chair.

She settled at the table and opened her napkin.

\"Thank you, Severus.\"

\"Professor Powell.\" he replied solicitously. He sat back in his chair and leaned over. \"What was that all about? Why did my House suddenly lose ten points?\" He gestured to the wall, where the large vials containing house points showed Slytherin at minus points.

Amadeus waited until both had settled down and slid under Bronwyn\'s chair, nose peeking out from under the drape of her dress. He was growling low in his throat.

Her smile was almost genuine. \" They had some new... vocabulary words... they wished to try out.\" Bronwyn reached out for her glass of water.

\"What did they call you?\" Snape asked between clenched teeth.

\"I dealt with it.\" Bronwyn continued to smile, enunciating the s bes behind her teeth.

\"If my charges have insulted you in any way...\"

\"Don\'t make a scene.\" Bronwyn lifted her glass. \"I told them my room had not been put to order yet and Peeves had dumped out all of my lessons, therefore I was looking for some assistance in putting it to rights this evening.\" She took a sip. \"No one volunteered.\"

Severus reached out for his pumpkin juice. His smile withered as he glared at his students. \"Pity.\"

Before the two could go any further, the doors to the great hall flew open and Professor McGonagall entered with 27 first year students, following like reluctant ducklings.

***
tbc
***


Heart Stats...

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