Lesson [October 2005 and August 2011]
Title: Lesson Author: bronze_ribbons Rating: Universal (all ages) Words: first part 400, second part 350 Notes: A belated birthday present for musigneus, who wanted more about Severus Vane Weasley. And may blessings flow for the beauteous aunty_marion, my mighty beta. Originally posted 23 August 2006.
"It’s not fair," Vane fumed, as he marched down the hall. “My cousin is not my job, and I don’t see why I have to mince flugelgale tongues all night --"
"--because you didn't call a halt to her teasing of Miss Pearworrie?" Vane nearly jumped out of his skin at Professor Lupin's soft inquiry. He'd been so absorbed in seething that he hadn't noticed the older man falling in step with his stride.
"Phoebe was out of line," Vane admitted, "but Pearworrie's hopeless. She practically invites abuse, the way she's always following Phoebe about…"
He trailed off at the look on Professor Lupin's face. To most of his classmates, the professor's expression would have seemed as amiable as ever. Vane, however, had more than a passing acquaintance with how quiet people got quieter when they became truly upset.
"With that attitude, you expect to become an Auror?"
Vane flinched. The disappointment in Professor Lupin's voice cut far deeper than the morning's tirade from Professor Snape. It reminded him of being scolded by his grandfather Parker, a nondescript man who seldom spoke up unless something was terribly awry. He had heard that his great-grandfather Charles had been likewise, and he'd prided himself on being like them --
As they rounded a corner, Professor Lupin grasped Vane's elbow, steering him into a room he didn't recognise.
Vane found his voice. He croaked, "Sir, I'm supposed to meet Professor Snape in five minutes, and you know how he is --"
"Yes," Lupin said quietly. "I do know how he is." He pointed to a table with two chairs and an ornate stone basin. "Sit, please." His tone brooked no refusal.
Inwardly panicking, Vane sat, his uneasiness climbing another notch when Professor Lupin drew his wand. However, instead of aiming it at Vane, Professor Lupin pressed the tip of the wand to his own temple. Vane watched in fascinated bewilderment as the professor drew out a silvery-white strand from -- his head!? -- and placed it into the basin, where it writhed like an uneasy serpent.
Professor Lupin stared at the basin for a moment, and then looked directly into Vane's eyes. When he spoke, his voice was tinged with both regret and pain. "I think," he said slowly, "that you need to see this. Although Professor Snape will find it hard to forgive me for showing it to you."
Steeling himself, Vane leaned forward.
* * *
Bill had never imagined feeling comfortable around Snape, let alone voluntarily spending a sunny afternoon in the man's personal library. However, his imagination had failed to envision Snape sharing a summer home with Professor Lupin, nor had he ever pictured himself agreeing to name Snape as one of the godfathers to his first child.
The boy had been christened "Severus Vane," but had quickly acquired the nickname "Versus," having manifested a contrary disposition even before he'd emerged from the womb. In all of his years of cursebreaking, not to mention his work on behalf of the Order, Bill had never been as terrified as during Luna's labour. It had required twenty hours and the collective expertise of three mediwizards to deliver the baby safely -- an ordeal no one had anticipated, given the ease with which Luna had sailed through her pregnancy.
Versus was currently nestled against the side of Vane Parker, his other godfather, who was reading aloud to him from a picture book on potions. Following his gaze, Remus Lupin remarked, "Unsettling, isn't it?"
Bill returned Lupin's smile. "No kidding. He'll be squawking his head off an hour from now over something completely trivial."
Luna gently murmured, "Nothing is ever trivial when you're two years old."
Aiming a mischievous look at Snape, Lupin added, "Or even when you're older."
Snape sniffed, but there was no heat in his voice as he said, "For want of a word, the soul was lost."
The mischief vanished from Lupin's eyes, and his gaze returned to Vane and Versus. Bill was baffled when he muttered, "It had become my worst memory as well, you know."
Snape snorted. "You're the only werewolf in all of Europe that soft."
"Being bitten was not my fault. But failing to curb--"
Snape interrupted, "Have done, Lupin." Their gazes locked.
It was Snape who looked away, retraining his eyes across the room. "After all, you showed Parker your failure. Even knowing he would have to think less of you."
Lupin simply answered, "It made him more of a man."