Fic: The First Summer, Part Two
Title: The First Summer, Part Two Author: Ellid Rating: NC-17 Pairing: Snape/Lupin Summary: The first summer holiday after Snape and Lupin move in together. Note: this is part of the Motherless Child timeline. It takes place in the summer of 2002, a few months after Mating Season.
This was originally written for pervy_werewolf's Lusty Month of May, so is a bit episodic. I hope it still makes sense.
"This was a good idea." Remus sighed and sank a bit deeper into the roiling water. "We needed this."
"Indeed." Severus tapped his wand against the controls on the hot tub. The jets slowed to a quiet burble as he climbed in and drew Remus close. They had slept late, made love as often as they wanted, and eaten well, and it was good to see the sparkle back in Remus' eyes. "I shall have to prostitute myself to Hydrangea Parkinson more often."
Remus bobbed up and into his lap, deliberately grinding down enough to arouse. "Never took you for the rent boy type, love. You were too rebellious in school, too dark, too - "
"Unwashed?" Severus smirked and ran his hands up and down Remus' water-slick back. The only person who made nasty remarks about his hair these days was Potter. Since Potter was stationed in London and spent much of his free time being the youngest Weasley's chief groupie, it was little more than an annoyance. "You, on the other hand, had that appealing, rosy cheeked waif look down pat."
"Depends on which set of cheeks you mean." Remus tried and failed to look serious. "I think we've used the paddle enough to know which type I'd prefer."
"Oh, I'm certain." Severus gave his arse a gentle squeeze, just in case. "Although you have a certain - flushed - attraction at all times."
"I haven't noticed you complaining." Remus nuzzled his throat. "You know, you were right."
"You already said that."
"No, about having a child." He ran a hand through his damp, slightly briny fringe. "Men weren't meant to have babies, whether or not a potion's involved. Add in the number of orphans, and - "
Severus gazed into his eyes, intent for any sign of brooding or grief. "You'd make an excellent father. I, on the other hand - "
" - have been a surrogate father for your Slytherins for twenty years," said Remus. "I think you'd be better than you realize."
"Potter would disagree, I'm sure."
"It's none of his concern." Remus straddled his lap and began moving again, this time in earnest. Severus groaned at the sweet, painful pressure. "You know, we haven't done it here yet."
"I take it you plan to remedy that?" Severus reached under the water to grip their cocks. "Hydrangea won't be happy."
"Hydrangea is in Britain."
"True enough," said Severus, and set to work as the water jets began to foam.
*****
"Please say hello to Mr. Travers," said Minerva. She was her usual proper self, even in summer robes and no hat, as she introduced the new Defense teacher to the staff. "Mr. Travers - "
"Call me 'Colton,'" said Travers. He was a lean, rangy man with a grey handlebar moustache and a complexion the mellow gold of fine leather. He wore a Muggle shirt and very worn jeans with heeled boots. "Never been to England before, but so far, so good!"
Minerva, proud Scot that she was, winced slightly. Remus caught Filius' eye and shook his head a fraction. This was not a good start.
"This is our staff. Our Deputy Head, Professor Snape."
"Pleased to meetcha," said Travers, thrusting out a be-ringed hand. "Nice tan."
"Thank you," said Severus. He was still relaxed enough from their week of sun, good food, sex in public, private, the hot tub, and down on the beach under the stars that he actually smiled. "I am also the Head of Slytherin House, so if you have any difficulties with my students, please let me know."
"Will do!" said Travers. He turned to Remus, hand out. "Colton Travers. A pleasure!"
"Remus Lupin. I'm here with Severus." Remus quickly snatched his hand back at the first burn from the huge turquoise ring Travers wore on his middle finger. "Sorry about that, I'm allergic to silver."
Travers looked puzzled as Remus checked his palm for swelling. "Werewolf? I - oh, sorry, we're supposed to say 'Lycan-Americans' these days. Didn't mean to do that."
"It's fine," said Remus. He held out his hand to Severus, who cast a quick diagnostic spell and nodded. "Thanks, love."
Travers looked bewildered at the endearment. Minerva took his arm and led him over to the next group of people. "This is Professor Flitwick, our Charms Professor and Head of Ravenclaw House."
"These houses are going to be tough to keep straight! All the kids bunked together at Groom Lake, 'cept the boys and girls were separate." Travers practically pumped Filius' arm off. "Leastways they were supposed to be separate, not that we could keep them apart after a while, ha ha!"
Severus looked as if he'd swallowed a lemon, whole. "He knew there was a werewolf on staff. I wrote the letter myself."
"He's probably adjusting to the time difference," said Remus. He held up his hand, palm out. "No harm, no foul."
"Good," said Severus, glaring as Travers looked Hagrid up and down and said something that sounded like "Woo-ee! You must like your ladies long!"
It was going to be a long month until September.
****
"So. What do you think?" said Remus as they walked back down to the dungeons. He slipped his hand inside Severus' back pocket and gave a sly squeeze. Severus raised an eyebrow.
"About your attempt to molest the Deputy Head? Or something else?"
"You know what - who - I'm talking about." Remus did his best to look innocent. "As for molesting you - "
"Insatiable and incorrigible." Severus paused. The window at the end of the corridor was under water, which filtered sunlight to a soft, pearly green. "He seems no worse than some, and better than most. Groom Lake gave him a glowing reference."
"As long as he doesn't expect us to square dance, I suppose we'll be all right." Remus glanced back and forth, then pressed himself against Severus' back and reached around to slide one big-knuckled hand down Severus' trousers. "Now what have we here? Don't tell me you were this uncomfortable the whole party?"
Severus grunted. "As lovely as it is to have your libido back to normal, this is not appropriate - "
"No students for another month, love." Remus undid his flies with a single word and freed his prick. "I've wanted to molest the Deputy Head for quite some time, you know."
"Pervert," muttered Severus. His breath caught as Remus began gently teasing his glans and rubbing up and down against his arse. "You - "
"As lovely as you look naked, you're even better clothed." Remus began stroking in earnest, just the way Severus liked it. "Bet you always wanted to do it here in the corridor, where anyone could catch you. Danger adds spice, doesn't it? Oh yes, just like that, let yourself go - "
Severus arched against him and quietly groaned as he came. Remus, chuckling softly, murmured a cleaning spell and tucked him back into his clothes. "Just wait till I get you inside. There's that nice big bed we haven't used in months."
"That's because we own a nice big bed." Severus turned and pulled him into a kiss. "Although this one is acceptable."
"Severus? I - oh, sorry!" Colton Travers stood at the bend of the corridor, blond mustache slightly green in the watery light. "I, uh, didn't know you and - Remus, was it? - were - "
"Busy?" Severus contrived to look haughty, even with an orgasmic flush staining his cheeks.
"Yep. Sorry!" Travers' boot heels clicked on the stone as he began backing up. "I'll be back in an hour!"
"Make that two," said Remus, with a sweet little smile. Severus glared and hustled him into his quarters.
*****
"I understand you used to have a filly."
Remus frowned at Travers. "Filly? I've never owned a horse."
"Sorry, I keep forgetting I'm not in America," Travers said apologetically. "I meant a girlfriend. I hear she just got married."
"Oh, you mean Dora! We were an item for a while at the end of the War against Voldemort. We broke up years ago." said Remus. "She married an American, actually. They're both Aurors."
"Aurors. Never wanted to be one." Travers smoothed the ends of his mustache. "Texas Ranger, yes, Auror, no. Figured Muggles would be easier."
"I think that's why they haven't started a family yet. Dora wants to wait until neither of them has a field assignment." Remus watched as Hagrid strolled over to the thestrals and began tossing chunks of meat to the graceful, bony creatures. Travers put one foot up against a fence rail and nodded approvingly.
"Good idea. Kids deserve a mom, not an Auror."
Remus didn’t have the heart to tell him that JJ was much more likely to stay home with their children than Dora. "We were never serious. I think we both knew we were more interested in other people." Hagrid led Minerva's gorgeous Abraxan, a gift from Olympe Maxime, out of the stable and began currying the golden animal's coat. "Severus doesn't like her, but then again she was one of his students so that may have something to do with it. She's on the clumsy side and he's not fond of people knocking over equipment in the lab."
"Huh." Travers held out his hand as the Abraxan, curious, strolled over. "Accio sugar - there you go, big boy. You like that, don't you?" He rubbed the gelding's blaze.
"Remus! Didn' see ye there!" Hagrid waved. "Morning, P'fesser Travers! Looks like Zeph'rus likes you."
"He's a real beauty!" Travers gave the Abraxan a final scritch and patted him firmly on the shoulder. "Nice thestrals."
"Thanks! Normally Sev'rus - P'fesser Snape - is the only one who comes and watches. He woulda been good with 'em, but he was always set on his potions," said Hagrid. He waved cheerily as he led Zephyrus over to the water trough. Remus smiled and shook his head.
"Somehow I can't see Severus mucking out stalls, but Hagrid may be right. He's good at whatever he puts his mind to."
"Huh." Travers gave him a sidelong glance. "Y'know, I never would have seen you with him. He's - "
"Prickly?"
"Nah. I hope you won't take this the wrong way, but, well - " Travers flushed slightly. "He doesn't strike me as your type."
Remus stiffened. He's from Arizona. Maybe it's different. "You mean male?"
Travers roared and clapped him on the back. "Hell no! I figured you were too nice for him. Not that he's not good at what he does, but Severus is pretty damn blunt when he sets his mind to it."
"That's one of his charms." Remus smiled. "Besides, you know what they say about men with big noses?"
Travers goggled. "Come on!"
"I've never had any complaints," said Remus, grinning slightly as the Abraxan flew overhead.
*****
"We should get a swimming pool," said Remus.
Severus stared up into the leafy canopy of the grape arbor. It was a hot August day, and they had taken refuge under the vines as it became too hot to work in the garden. Now Remus was sprawled out in the hammock, bared to the waist, while Severus, still fully clothed, occupied one of the chairs. "Why? We're renters, Lupin. There's no point in improving someone else's property."
"We've already cleaned up the gardens and this." Remus waved vaguely in the air. "I know it was in lieu of a deposit, but a pool - "
"Would make it more attractive for the next set of renters." Severus carefully cut himself a slice of cheese and washed it down with a sip of Chianti Classico. "If Moony wishes to splash about, there's always the moat at Hogwarts."
Remus made a face. "I tried that the year I taught. Too much algae. I had to spend most of the next day combing it out of my hair."
Severus remembered that day, and how he'd made more than one cutting remark about never knowing that wolves spontaneously generated from pond scum. How things had changed.
"Swimming pools are expensive to install and to insure. I believe the technical term is 'attractive nuisance.'"
"I know." Remus turned toward him, smiling slightly. "But think how nice it would be on a day like this. Clean, cool water washing away the sweat and the muck - " His voice dropped, and he reached inside his jeans. "We'd be all slick and wet, you know. Sliding up and down against each other, slippery and clean."
"The neighbors would be able to see us." Severus set down his wine and adjusted himself. When Remus talked liked that -
"Not if we cast a privacy charm." Remus unzipped himself and spread his legs. He was half-erect already. "We could do it outdoors without having to worry about cleaning up, and no one would ever know. Out little secret."
"I thought you liked it when I didn't wash my hair." Severus eased himself into the hammock. He let his filthy ponytail trail over Remus' throat and face until the other man moaned slightly. "Clean or dirty, Lupin. Make - up - your - mind.."
"There's a time and place for everything," whispered Remus as he guided Severus' hand to his groin.
"You never used to be such an exhibitionist," murmured Severus. The grape arbor was shady and secluded, and fortunately wasn't visible from the lane. It was, however, just barely visible from the neighbor's yard, and based on the pointed comments that occasionally floated over the fence, the neighbor knew very well that more than viticulture was practiced on hot summer days. "Shy, quiet, tweedy…."
"I was poor, lonely, and semi-closeted." Remus poured another glass of wine and held it out to Severus. "Nearly being killed several times made me realize that it wasn't worth denying what I am and what I want."
"Even if the neighbors can see?"
"It's our yard. If they see what they shouldn't, sod them," said Remus. "I nearly proposed to Dora because of Molly's nagging, even though neither of us wanted it. I'd rather have a reputation than go through that again."
"I don't blame you." Severus took a sip of strong, earthy Chianti. Nymphadora had married another and Remus was his, but the memory of Molly trying to force them together was still raw.
"I spent most of my life being what others wanted me to be. If the rest of the world doesn't like that - " Remus gulped wine, leaned forward, and pressed his lips to Severus' brow. "I don't care."
Severus' arms tightened about him. "We still must live in the world."
"Yes. But we needn't live as if we're afraid. Not anymore." Remus set the wine glass down and settled against his chest. "Never again."
"Agreed," whispered Severus.
*****
Dinner had been simple: salad, cold chicken, and biscuits baked by freed elves Hermione was sheltering at Hengewood House. Severus had set the table and tossed the salad, which meant that Remus had to do the washing up, or rather the scourgifying, while Severus fed the owl and checked the warding spells on the grounds. Voldemort was gone and all was well, or so the Ministry said, but they had made enough enemies that Severus insisted.
Remus gestured at the dishes, which obediently floated to the sink and began washing themselves. He was reaching for the balsamic vinegar they had drizzled on the greens when a familiar twinge in his left hand reminded him that he had forgotten to take his willow bark tincture that morning.
"Damn arthritis," he muttered, rubbing at the ache. Wolfsbane kept Moony from rampaging about the countryside, but so far Severus hadn't found a way to reverse the damage to his joints caused by years of transformations.
"You should know better by now," said Severus, entering through the kitchen door. He summoned a bottle of liniment from the still room. "Here, sit down. Let me take care of it."
"Ugh, not that cack. It smells like camphor," said Remus, recoiling slightly as he recognized the label. "Can't you just kiss it and make it better?"
"Stop complaining." Severus poured thick, translucent liquid on Remus' hand and began to massage it into his joints. "I'm not your fairy godmother."
"A kiss would help." Remus sighed as the pain eased. "That's wonderful, love."
Severus snorted and continued to massage, his touch firm but gentle. "If you think I'm going to kiss anything covered in liniment, you are sadly mistaken."
"Woe is me," said Remus. He cast a cleansing spell on his pain-free fingers and raised them to Severus' lips. "Better now?"
Severus smiled thinly and delicately ran the tip of his tongue along Remus' index finger. Remus shuddered as Severus turned his attention to each finger in turn. "Much better," Severus said. He drew Remus to his feet and reached down to cup his balls in one slim, graceful hand. "Although I could perhaps give a better demonstration upstairs."
"Only if you keep kissing me," said Remus.
*****
Skin, soft on the center of the palm, rough on the knuckles.
Bones, slightly too large from decades of being remade by violence every month.
Traces of balsamic vinaigrette and tomato under the nails.
Moans of pleasure at the slide of lips down each finger, one by one.
Writhing hips that needed to be ridden, a mouth that demanded kiss after kiss after probing kiss.
A beautiful cock slipping into him, hitting the right angle to make him cry out even as he clutched at those strong, big-knuckled hands.
Words he could not bring himself to say in public gasped out as the rhythm picked up and he neared completion.
A primal cry that had begun as his name as Remus thrust upwards and came.
Bitter seed erupting across the hand that wrapped about him and milked him dry.
Two voices whispering softly in the night.
Quiet descending upon the house in the summer dusk.
*****
The night of the full moon, Severus slept alone.
This was by mutual consent. They had first moved in together just before mating season, and though an unmedicated Moony had recognized Severus as his mate that spring instead of eating him, the experience had been sufficiently unnerving that Remus had taken to transforming in the kitchen, immediately heading outside, and returning only when moonset was imminent.
That didn't mean either of them liked it.
Severus dozed fitfully, roused first by the salamander on the hearth scuttling about as it tended its young, then by Kleopatra hooting to another owl down the lane. He gave up for good at 2:00 am when the neighbor's appalling fur muff of a dog started yipping madly for no discernible reason.
He rolled onto his back, one hand behind his head. The sheets and pillows smelled faintly of the sandalwood cologne Remus used, and the scent memory was enough to make his cock twitch.
Remus looming over him, skin flushed from a bath, eyes bright and soft as he leaned forward to caress and kiss -
He conjured a palmful of salve and began stroking himself, erection blooming as he visualized his lover teasing and pleasing him with mouth and hands and body. He moaned Remus' name, body tightening as climax neared.
A sudden click of nails on the floor, and before his cock could wilt Moony was on the bed, his great golden eyes bright and soft as he leaned forward and began delicately licking and nuzzling Severus' balls. Severus gasped at the soft, wet tongue wrapping about him, the gentle whuffling from the great savage beast.
"Remus - Moony - oh God ohhhhh - "
He should have been terrified at having Moony tongue him to climax. Werewolves were dangerous, their saliva was contagious, Moony might be turning him even now, but oh God oh God it felt so good, it felt so right, mate taken claimed Moony Remus yes yes yes yes -
He almost howled as he came, flopping back onto the bed as semen spattered wolf and man. He barely had the strength to mutter abstersi before Moony crawled up beside him, crooning and snuggling close despite the summer heat.
He fell asleep almost immediately, head pillowed on the wolf.
*****
It was full light when he woke. Remus, face slightly tense from post-transformation pain, reached across the bed to touch his cheek.
"How are you?"
Severus cautiously flexed one leg. If he were infected, there would be pain and swelling from the beginnings of the change, but so far -
"Fine." He stretched out an arm toward Remus, laced his fingers through the other man's. "No evidence of Agli's Sign. It seems that intent is indeed critical."
Remus sighed and turned his cheek toward Severus' hand. "Good. Didn't mean to do that, but you smelled so needy - "
"It's all right." Severus closed his eyes. They would have to find a solution before next winter's mating season unless he wanted to be penetrated by a rutting wolf, but this -
"It wasn't so bad."
"Glad to hear it," whispered Remus as they drifted back into sleep.
*****
"Trantric Sex." Severus knotted his brows. "What is this?"
"It's a book." Remus, equally puzzled, leaned over his shoulder. "It's not yours?"
"Hardly. It must have been in the 'surprise box' we picked up at the jumble." Severus flipped the book open to a densely printed page about kundalini energy, subtle bodies, and awakening one's sushumna nadi. "It appears to be more of a spiritual discipline than a sex manual."
Remus snapped his fingers. "Damn. No pictures?"
"Not sure - oh. Here they are." Severus casually leaned back against Remus. "Small and unanimated. I think we're supposed to start with meditation and breathing exercises."
"That's rather disappointing. I was looking forward to Indian temple sculptures showing exactly how they manage some of those positions without dislocating their hips."
"Do you." Severus put down the book and turned to Remus. "There's such a volume in the Restricted Section, under 'Art History.'"
Remus's eyes widened. "Really?"
Severus smiled.
*****
"I've never seen anything quite like this." Poppy traced her wand along Remus's thigh. "You nearly dislocated both hips, you know."
"Um," said Remus. He had turned an alarming pink. "You can fix it, can't you?"
"Don't be absurd." Poppy handed him a vial of pain reliever (Severus's own, of course) and waited for him to drink before beginning to incant. "There. Better?"
Remus cautiously straightened his leg. "Yes, much. Thanks awfully."
"It's my job." Poppy gave him a pat on the shoulder as he summoned his clothes. She took a moment to compose herself before whisking the screen back from the next cubicle.
"Now, Severus - "
He glared at her through his hair. "If you tell anyone, anyone, your life will not be worth living. Do you hear me?"
"My hearing is fine, as you well know." Poppy's lips quivered slightly as she repeated the healing regimen. "You, on the other hand - "
"How was I supposed to know that 'rotating my hips like a black bee' would do this?" Severus winced as his legs straightened out and his back ceased to throb. "It's not even my book!"
Poppy tossed him a surgical drape to cover himself. "I've asked Winky to fetch your robes from the library. She should be here directly."
"She'd better," muttered Severus. He glared as Remus, fully dressed, joined them. "So glad you could join us, Lupin."
"Now, now. We didn't know the book would compel us to act out the positions, love." Remus perched himself on the edge of the examining table. "At least now we know why it's in the Restricted Section."
"It should be in the bottom of the lake. That thing is a menace!"
"You'll get no argument from me," Poppy called from the wash sink.
Severus bared his teeth in frustration. Remus began patting his back in a slow, steady rhythm. "Maybe if we took it more slowly?"
"Professional contortionists couldn't have done that! 'Monkey Crushing Spices,' indeed!"
"At least we know what not to do," said Remus.
*****
"Still sore, love?" Remus held out a cup of tea as Severus gingerly lowered himself into a chair.
"A bit. I've no idea why I was the one that bloody book decided should imitate a bee." Severus glared at his cup. "I hope Irma dumps it in the midden."
"I don't think the castle has a midden these days."
"Then chuck it in the Chamber of Secrets with the basilisk skeleton. Maybe Potter will find it and try to use it on Miss Weasley."
"I don't think she'd let him." Knowing Ginny, she'd likely clobber Harry with a broom if he even brought it up. "Especially since she's currently seeing someone else."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Is she now. What happened? One would think they were about to be consumed by a cloud of orange blossom and tulle, after which they would retire to a rose covered cottage with that disgusting elf Potter inherited."
"You've been reading the Prophet again, haven't you? They broke up two months ago when Harry was photographed clubbing in London." Remus shook his head. "According to Dora, Ginny wanted to go with him next time until she found out it was a gay club."
Severus nearly choked. "Potter is - "
"He said he was curious. Evidently he had some odd encounter with Draco Malfoy and - " Remus shrugged. "Ginny wasn't happy. Especially when she found out that it was the Hellfire Club."
"Potter went there? Will wonders never cease?" Severus set down his teacup and leaned forward, a predatory gleam in his eye. "I've heard it's quite an entertaining place. Good food, good drink, leather boys, drag queens - "
"And how do you know so much about it?"
"I have my sources," said Severus loftily.
Remus reached into his trousers to adjust himself. Severus in leather, maybe with a collar -
"Tell me more," he murmured in a husky voice.
*****
I've got the brains, you've got the looks Let's make lots of money
Remus moaned as Severus, hair long and loose, ran his tongue along the great vein in his cock. The DJ, a muscular dyke with short, spiked hair, blew out smoke and cranked the volume.
You've got the brawn, I've got the brains Let's make lots of -
"Do you like it, Lupin?" Severus blew on the wet skin, chuckled as Remus clutched at the upholstered railing. He wore leather trousers so tight one could tell he was dressing left, a motorcycle jacket with enough scuff marks to look dangerous, and a white t-shirt that left nothing to the imagination. A pale blue bandanna hung from his right rear pocket. "Me on my knees, here where all the dancers can see us - "
"Oh God." Remus shuddered at another suck. Two men, one leading the other by chain attached to his nipple rings, passed by. The dom flashed him a thumbs-up, laughing as Remus managed a feeble grin. "You're so bloody good at this. Where - "
"My secret." Severus yanked down Remus's jeans, muttered purgo, lubrio, and eased his middle finger into Remus's arse. His other hand cupped and massaged his lover's balls, pressing lightly behind them as he began to suck in time to the pulsing beat.
Remus threw his head back, hips jerking in and out as he began fucking Severus's mouth. His balls drew up as orgasm neared, so close so close on the edge oh God oh -
Severus slid his mouth up along Remus's shaft one last time and swished his hair over the tip of Remus's cock. Remus cried out, beyond words, beyond thought, as he came in that silky black mass. Severus, grinning, lifted his chin so the last spurts could catch him in the face. He waited until Remus could see again to rub his semen into his hair.
"Severus." Remus yanked him to his feet and kissed him, long and hard. He smelled himself on his lover's hair. "You - "
"Here." Severus thrust a vial in his hand. "Rejuvenation potion. Takes effect in five minutes."
Let's make lots of money -
"I'll be waiting behind the green curtains." Severus nipped at his ear. "I think I've earned a little release, don't you?"
Remus cupped his groin through the leather trousers. Severus's prick felt like an iron pipe under the clothes. "I think you have." He gave enough of a squeeze to make sure that the cock ring was still firmly in place.
"Thought so." Severus grunted at the pressure. He stepped back, smiled again, and headed for the green curtains.
Come on girls Do you believe in love? 'Cause I got something to say about it And it goes something like this -
Remus waited until he was out of sight to take the rejuvenation potion. "I do believe in love," he murmured. "Oh yes. I do."
Don't go for second best baby Put your love to the test You know, you know, you've got to Make him express how he feels And maybe then you'll know your love is real -
He hitched up his jeans and sauntered toward the green curtains.
*****
The summer was over.
Remus took his place at the High Table as the upper formers took their seats. Minerva had wheedled a one-year contract for him as a "permanent substitute," required to fill in for any and every other teacher as required. The pay was a pittance compared to what he had made during his one year as a full staffer, but it entitled him to take his meals at the castle and occasionally spend the night.
The rest of the faculty had joined him, one by one: Filius, Minerva herself, Colton Travers in what looked like buckskins, Sinistra, Anais FitzWilliam and her husband, Sybil, Pomona, Xiomara.... He waved to each of them, with a little bow to Minerva. Summer had been good, but this was even better.
Severus, tall and forbidding in his best robes, took his place by the Sorting Hat. Had it only been two nights ago that they had visited the Hellfire Club?
Severus on his knees, dark head bobbing up and down as he sucked and fingered and -
"Please come forward and take your place upon the stool when I call your name. When the Hat has sorted you, join your housemates at the proper table." Severus was in full Deputy Headmaster mode, as calm and dry as a Victorian cleric. Remus smiled to himself. He knew what was under that formal black.
"Ashton, Silvanus."
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Ayala, Maria de Luz."
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Babington, Michael."
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Babington, Mark."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Minerva's lips thinned as the Hat put the Canadian Ambassador's children into different houses. The Slytherin, slighter of build but reportedly brighter, looked almost pleased, while the Gryffindor scowled. Remus thought they would be fine.
"Blaine, Alice."
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Browning, Regina...."
Remus leaned forward, hands clasped, as the Sorting continued. Another year, another group of children. Who knew what they would bring to the school, and to the Wizarding World?