Snape had been unusually irritable lately.
Blake had suddenly changed his plans, and thanks to that Chaos Wish nonsense, Snape had been forced to make two separate trips to Knockturn Alley in quick succession.
He'd already completed two tasks and handed them in.
What made it worse was this: Snape had waited half a month before rushing to Blake—eager and ready. Blake now had all the required materials. Surely, it was the perfect time to begin the experiment.
But Blake hadn't even started.
Worse, he claimed he was "too busy" lately.
Too busy? Doing what?
Helping some little witches train in dueling.
Snape nearly exploded on the spot.
Until Blake calmly silenced him with a single sentence.
"If you finally had a chance to teach Lily dueling one-on-one, but Dumbledore came looking for you… would you go?"
Snape didn't hesitate.
No, of course not. If such a miracle occurred—Lily, finally willing to learn from him—not even Voldemort's return would drag him away.
"Bah!" Blake clapped him on the shoulder and spoke solemnly, "Then why would you expect me to go with you?"
"You…" Snape glanced at the girls nearby, curiously watching the training session. His mouth twitched. "I'm different from you!" he finally said, chin lifted in pride.
He only ever loved Lily. Blake? That bastard was a Sea King—spreading affection everywhere.
Snape made his contempt crystal clear.
Blake just laughed. "Why be proud? Sure, I'm generous, but if I like someone, I hold on. Unlike some people…"
"As you fell in love, the girl became someone else's wife."
Crack! Snape's fist clenched.
This man just had to provoke him.
"Relax, I'll keep my word," Blake said quickly, alarmed by the system's urgent treasure chest explosion notification. He could practically feel Snape about to burst a vein.
His reassurance helped calm Snape, though the latter still grumbled.
"When, exactly?"
"Before the holiday ends. I swear."
"Fine." Snape turned to leave.
But he only took two steps before Blake called him back.
"Since you're free now, why not help me turn in this last task?"
Snape narrowed his eyes.
"Come on," Blake coaxed. "You don't want me to delay training just to hand it in, right? That would mess up your experiment too."
Snape scowled. He knew Blake was manipulating him… but still accepted the errand. He didn't trust Blake to follow through otherwise.
So he ended up making two trips to Chaos Wish. Again.
Once finished, he returned to Hogwarts, holed up in his office, waiting daily for Blake to finally deliver on his promise. Each day he sent a reminder letter—relentless and precise.
One day, while Snape was anxiously pacing, Dumbledore came to visit.
"I'm surprised you didn't go home for the holidays, Severus," Dumbledore remarked with a smile.
He'd first gone to Spinners End, only to find it empty.
"You do know it's a holiday?" Snape glared at him.
Dumbledore never visited without a reason. Something was brewing.
"It's for Harry," Dumbledore said, watching Snape's reaction carefully.
Snape huffed but said nothing. As much as he despised Harry's resemblance to James, those green eyes… they were Lily's. And anything related to Lily still stirred something in him—except James.
"Now that Sirius has escaped and is still at large, we've had to deploy people to keep Harry safe," Dumbledore continued. "Arthur's keeping an eye on him too."
Snape scoffed. "Sounds like you've already arranged everything. So why are you here?"
Dumbledore took a seat. "I came for two things."
"The first involves Harry."
"I know your past with Sirius… that's why you might understand him better than most."
Enemies often know each other better than friends. And Sirius was Snape's longtime enemy—for both schoolyard torments and, in Snape's eyes, betraying Lily.
"You want me to secretly protect Potter, don't you?" Snape sneered. He already knew where this was going.
"Only you would give me peace of mind, Severus."
"We haven't seen a single trace of him. I'm… concerned."
Snape was quiet for a moment. Then he nodded. Since Blake still hadn't contacted him, and he was wasting time anyway, he might as well protect Potter. He'd just avoid the boy's face—and focus on the eyes.
"What's the second thing?"
Snape poured tea as Dumbledore hesitated.
"I've found next term's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Snape's expression darkened.
"I've applied for that position for years…"
"And I've always told you—Potions is critical, and no one does it better than you," Dumbledore said gently.
"But I'm more than capable in Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"I know that. Still, I believe you're best suited to Potions."
Snape frowned. "Fine. Then let me teach both—for just one salary. Save the school money."
"That would overwork you," Dumbledore replied, shaking his head. "I won't allow that."
Snape sighed. "So who is it this time? Not another Lockhart, I hope?"
"No," Dumbledore chuckled awkwardly. "I've learned from that mistake."
"This time, the candidate is very capable. He truly excels at Defense."
Snape narrowed his eyes. "Who?"
Dumbledore sipped his tea, then said softly, "Remus John Lupin."
BANG!
Snape slapped the table, sending the teacup flying. "WHO?!"
"Remus John Lupin…"
"I KNOW WHO HE IS!" Snape shouted. "He's a werewolf! And you're putting him in my school?!"
He stopped abruptly, face twitching as he remembered something horrible.
That night… He would never forget it.
Back then, Lupin had been one of James's insufferable gang. Snape had noticed Lupin's monthly absences and suspected something odd—so he followed them.
One full moon night, he tailed Sirius to the Whomping Willow's secret passage.
And he saw it.
Remus Lupin, transformed—fangs, fur, claws.
A real werewolf.
James had dragged him out just in time. Without him, Snape would've died.
And worst of all—his enemy had saved him.
Now Dumbledore wanted to hire that man… to take the very job Snape had always wanted?
Snape's fury was volcanic.
Dumbledore knew this would happen, but he still pushed forward.
"…I have one more favor to ask," he said.
Snape growled. "You want me to brew Wolfsbane for him too, don't you?"
The potion was expensive and difficult, but crucial. If a werewolf drank it before the full moon, they retained their mind—making them safe.
"Yes," Dumbledore admitted. "Remus is the best man for the job. He fought bravely with the Order of the Phoenix. And he's been suffering due to his condition."
"He deserves this chance."
Snape shot him a frosty look.
The decision had already been made.
Lupin—Dumbledore's trusted ally, key Order member—was in. Nothing Snape said would change it.
"Dumbledore… You're always like this," he muttered.
But what could he do?
He was used to it.
Protecting the child of the man who stole the woman he loved…
Brewing expensive potions for someone who nearly killed him…
Doing all the things he hated the most.
Over time, he'd grown numb.
As he wallowed, his thoughts drifted to Blake.
Blake also gave him orders… but at least that little bastard paid for it.
Shares in a shop. Dividends as a bounty hunter. Even a promise to help him "create" a daughter with advanced magic-biotech.
And Blake kept his promises.
Not just talk. Real effort.
Unlike Dumbledore, who only gave speeches and orders.
He's the child of the woman you love! Dumbledore would say.
Snape gritted his teeth. He couldn't take this PUA any longer.
"…Fine. I'll go to Diagon Alley. I'll protect Potter."
"And I'll brew the Wolfsbane potion."
"As for Lupin… I'll try not to fight him."
It was an eviction order.
Dumbledore stood, understanding. Snape's face had turned ashen.
"I'm sorry, Severus… I had no choice," he said before quietly leaving.
Snape slammed the door shut behind him.
He leaned against it in silence.
"Tsk. Everyone in your family's a bloody nightmare," he muttered bitterly.
After a few moments, he straightened his robes, sighed, and opened the door again—heading off to resume his reluctant duties.
=============
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