Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The letter arrives
"Harry dear," said Mrs. Weasley, poking her head into his and Ron's bedroom, where the pair of them were playing wizards chess watched by Hermione, Ginny and Crookshanks, "Could you come down to the kitchen? Professor Snape would like a word with you."
Harry did not immediately register what she had said; one of his rooks was engaged in a violent tussle with a pawn of Ron's, and he was egging it on enthusiastically.
"Squash him-squash him, he's only a pawn, you dolt- sorry, Mrs. Weasley, what did you say?"
"Professor Snape, dear. In the kitchen. He'd like a word."
Harry's mouth feel open in shock. 'What was Severus doing here?' He looked at Ron Hermione, and Ginny, all of whom were gaping back at him. Crookshanks, whom Hermione had been restraining with difficulty for the past quarter of an hour, lept gleefully upon the board and set the pieces running for cover, squealing at the top of their voices.
"S- Snape?" said Harry, almost tripping up and saying 'Severus'.
"Professor Snape, dear," said Mrs. Weasley reprovingly. "Now come on, quickly, he says he can't stay long."
"Whats he want with you?" said Ron, looking unnerved as Mrs. Weasley withdrew from the room. "You're not even in school any more!"
"You haven't done anything, have you?" questioned Hermione.
"No!" said Harry trying to sound indigent, racking his brain as to why Severus would have come to grimmauld place. The last time Harry had seen Severus they had argued about Harry wanting to tell his family and friends about the two of them.
He pushed open the kitchen door a minute or two later to find Sirius and Severus both seated at the long kitchen table, glaring in opposite directions. The silence between them was heavy with mutual dislike. A letter lay unopened in the middle of the table.
"Er," said Harry to announce his presence.
Severus looked at him, his face framed between curtains of silky black hair.
"Sit down, Potter."
"You know," said Sirius loudly, leaning back on his rear chair legs and speaking to the ceiling, " I think I'd prefer if you didn't give orders here, Snape. It's my house, you see."
Severus flushed angrily. Harry sat down quickly next to Sirius, facing Severus across the table, wishing it were reversed.
"I was supposed to see you alone, Potter," said Severus, that sneer of his curling his mouth, "But Black-"
"I'm his godfather," said Sirius, louder than ever.
"He's an adult," snapped Severus.
Sirius stiffened slightly, "I'm still his godfather."
Severus snorted but did not comment, "Here," he pushes the letter towards Harry, "The Headmaster has requested me to deliver this."
Opening the letter Harry read:
Dear Harry,
I hope this letter finds you well. I've come upon a dilemma and am hoping you may help. You see once again Hogwarts is in
need of a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor and I am quite hoping you would be interested in the position.
Harry gaped at the letter for a moment, him a Professor? He continued.
It seems Professor Phenick was not quite up to the task of teaching some of your younger friends.
Harry couldn't help but snorting, Professor Phenick was easily intimidated and Ginny and the others were quite a hand full.
If you accept the position you will be working closely with Severus, he will oversee your plannings and some of your lessons until you become comfortable with your teaching position. I shall harbor no ill will if you decline.
Albus Dumbledore,
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry's heart went into over drive, Dumbledore was offering him a teaching position at Hogwarts! And he would get more time with Severus!
"Is he serious?" he blurted out.
"No potter, Black is sitting next to you. THAT is from Dumbledore." said Severus in that condescending tone of his, but Harry did not miss the glint of humor in his eyes, though Sirius did.
"I'm warning you Snape! said Sirius angrily.
Harry put a hand on Sirius's shoulder, "Don't it's fine."
"How touching," Severus sneered, getting to his feet, "Surely you have noticed Potter is very much like his father?"
"Yes I have," said Sirius proudly.
"Well then, you must also have noticed that he's so arrogant criticism simply bounces off of him," said Severus sleekly.
Sirius pushed his chair roughly aside and strode around the table towards Severus, pulling his wand out as he went; Severus whipped out his own. They were Squaring up to each other, Sirius looking livid, Severus calculating, his eyes darting from Sirius's wand tip to his face and one towards Harry.
"I've warned you, Snivellus," said Sirius, his face barely a foot from Severus's, "I don't care what Dumbledore says about you having been on our side, I know better-"
"Sirius!" said Harry loudly trying to mask his anger, but Sirius appeared not to have heard him.
"Oh, but why don't you say so?" whispered Severus. "Or are you afraid he might not believe a man who hid in his mother's house for the majority of the war?"
"Tell me, how is Lucius Malfoy these days? I expect he's delighted to have his fuck toy back, isn't he?"
Severus's face paled slightly and his eyes narrowed as he raised his wand. Sirius quick to follow.
"No!," Harry yelled, vaulting over the table and trying to get in between them, "Don't-"
"Funny, where was all this courage when the war was going on?"
"Are you calling me a coward?" roared Sirius, trying to push Harry out of the way, but Harry would not budge.
"Why, yes, I suppose I am," said Severus.
"Harry-get-out-of-it!" snarled Sirius, pushing him out of the way with his free hand.
Harry's foot catches a chair as he stumbles backwards, falling his shoulder connects sharply with the edge of the table.
Sitting up with a groan he takes in the scene before him, Severus his face livid had his wand digging into Sirius's throat.
Harry reaching up to fix his glasses let out a hiss of pain drawing glances from bot Severus and Sirius, both men's eyes widened.
In a flash Severus was at his side, kneeling next to him.
"Are you alright?" asked Severus, concern evident in his voice.
Harry looked up from his hand, fingertips smudged with blood, into Severus's obsidian eyes, "I haven't got a bloody clue how I managed to cut my face, but I believe I'm good."
Letting out a strained chuckle Severus spoke, "I believe those infernal glasses of yours are the cause of that. Here," raising his wand he muttered a string of words in Latin, the pain above Harry's eye disappeared.
"Thanks," Harry said softly.
"Of course," murmurs Severus, "Anywhere else?"
"My shoulder hurts pretty bad, I hit it on the table on the way down."
"Of course you did," replies Severus helping Harry lift up his shirt to asses the damage, "Sorry," he mutters at the look of pain on Harry's face."I have to look at it."
Harry just nods then winces as Severus's fingers grace the area, he lets out a sigh as the pain disappears.
"Better?"
"Yeah."
Severus stood pulling Harry with him, Harry wobbled slightly, lightheaded.
Placing a hand on Harry's shoulder to steady him Severus frowned slightly, "Did you hit your head?"
"Not hard," Harry replied, then glancing over Severus's shoulder he bit his lip, "If you're not ready then you might want to stop being so concerned," seeing Severus's confusion he nods his head past Severus to where Sirius was standing, mouth agape staring at the two.
Before either of them can say anything more Sirius seems to get over his shock, taking a step forward he says "Merlin Harry! I'm sor-"
Severus cuts him off wand raised. "Stay away from him Black."
Sirius becomes furious "No Snivellus, you stay away from my godson!"
"So you can hurt him again? I don't think so Black." Severus's voice was calm, Harry knew he was furious.
"I would NEVER hurt Harry on purpose!"
"And thats worked out so well." said Severus sardonically "Harry's lucky he doesn't have a concussion because of you!"
Harry threw a sharp look at Severus while Sirius gaped openly at the two of them. Severus cursed inwardly at his slip up.
Harry noticed the look of regret flash in Severus's eyes, looking at his feet Harry squished the sharp pain in his chest. Snorting he spoke "Wow, I know Dumbledore said to be nice Snape but we all know you cant stand me, no point pretending otherwise. Especially since I'll be your colleague soon."
Before Severus can reply Sirius speaks, "Colleague?"
Harry nods, "Yeah that's what the letter was about. Dumbledore wants me to rake the place of Professor Phenick, she quite."
"Why?"
Harry let out a small chuckle, "She wasn't quite up to the task."
"I take you have agreed then?? asks Severus.
Not looking toward Severus, harry nods. "yeah, just give me a minute to reply." Summoning parchment and a quill harry writes a quick reply.
Dear Headmaster,
I would love to take you up on the job offer. I'm sorry to hear about Professor Phenick, though she did seem timid when I met her. I believe we need to discuss the fact about me working with Professor Snape, I cant see that ending well.
Harry Potter.
Rolling up the parchment, Harry turns towards Severus and-not looking up- hands him the letter. "This should work. Do you know when I am to arrive?"
Severus did not answer right away, only stared at Harry.
Fighting the urge to look up, Harry grit his teeth. Finally Severus spoke. "Three days before the holidays are over should suffice."
Nodding Harry thinks aloud, "Gives me two days to get ready then."
Stowing the parchment in his robes Severus speaks, "I must be going, Dumbledore will be expecting me."
He left the room without another word.
Sinking into his chair, Sirius spoke grinning "about time Snivellus left, the grease fumes were getting to me."
Hands clenched Harry spoke "Sirius?"
"Yeah?"
The kitchen door opened revealing the Weasleys and Hermione as Harry spoke through clenched teeth, "Shut the hell up!"
The Weasleys and Hermione, who had been merrily chatting moments before fell silent.
"Huh?" Sirius asked confusion written on his face.
"You heard me! Grow up and stop acting like a snot nosed teenager!!"
"But its sniv-" Harry cut off the bewildered animagus.
"Don't! Don't you dare finish that name! or so help me..." Harry let the sentence hang, not really needing to finish it, the threat was clear.
"Harry dear, is everything alright? asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Fine, Mrs. Weasley. Everything is fine. I'm tired though so I'm gonna head for bed." Harry was too, tired that is, he felt emotionally exhausted.
"Would it kill you to call me Molly?
Giving her a tired smile harry said, "Better not chance it."
Mrs. Weasley rolled her eyes, "Fine how about mum?"
Harry grinned slightly, "Yes mum." The two of them went though this all the time.
Mrs. Weasley smiled and stepped aside so Harry could pass. "I'll have Ron wake you when dinner is ready." Harry just nodded, knowing he probably wouldn't eat later.
Up in his and Ron's bedroom he lay there, eyes closed, wondering how much longer he could keep up thus ruse of hating Severus. 'not much longer' he though recalling his outburst. Sighing he turned over knowing sleep would be a long time coming.