Originally posted on AO3.

Ozpin yawns, following the action with a long drink from his mug. Hot chocolate does nothing for his wakefulness, but it does wonders for his temperament.

The beginning of the school year is always a hectic time, especially for the headmaster. Student applications need to be vetted and approved, the Emerald Forest must be purged of anything a first year student cannot obliterate, teams must be formed, team names need to be devised...

Ginger forced Ozpin to take a break after the team names started to take the shape of swear words.

"I handled half the applications, I can round off the names," his assistant headmistress had claimed. "Go clear your head before the naming ceremony. Gods forbid you embarrass this institution."

He certainly doesn't want that, and she had been nice enough to help him with the influx of applications this year, so he complied. Besides, the naming ceremony is one of his favorite parts of the year and he wants to be as aware as possible.

This year's crop of students would prove to be very interesting- several names already stand out to him from initiation. Gretchen Rainart had done exceptionally well, as had a lanky young man named Bartholomew Oobleck. Taiyang Xiao Long was a spitfire to be reckoned with, and perhaps would be a good influence on his stand-offish partner, Raven Branwen.

Ms. Branwen's brother, Qrow, is equally abysmal in attitude, but his carries an almost familiar sorrow. Ozpin plans to keep an eye on him, but hopes his partner- an exceptionally skilled (and patient) young woman named Summer Rose- will soften his rough edges.

Ms. Rose is an odd one, though Ozpin has hardly any room to speak. Talented, but seems to detest the spotlight. She also has an odd quirk when she continuously allows her hood and bangs fall in front of her eyes. She'd come highly recommended by Signal's headmaster, though he doesn't recall actually seeing her application,

It must have been one of the ones Ginger handled, he thinks, sipping his drink and entering Beacon's central courtyard. The Huntsmen Memorial Statue is as imposing a sight as ever.

He frowns. I should have looked at it. It's not often a student has a headmaster speak so highly of them. Perhaps I can catch Ms. Rose at tonight's post-initiation party.

As he approaches the statue, in the corner of his eye he sees a girl in a white cloak sitting at the base of a Forever Fall tree, hunched over a large book. There isn't a single other soul in the area, making her stick out more than she would have normally.

Oh. That's a convenient, he thinks as he walks closer to the tree. But what is she doing out here? Any students who've finished initiation should be waiting in the-

"... Shut your eyes, don't fear the night.

Grimm can't reach you here."

It feels as though someone has poured liquid nitrogen down his spine when he hears Ms. Rose's soft, lilting voice. He doesn't freeze himself, though; he continues to walk, with every step growing more and more unsteady even with his cane.

It's not possible. It's just completely, utterly, not possible.

Every step he takes and every word he hears, he cannot prevent his expression from devolving into pure shock.

"You are safe here in my embrace.

So now dream of a world filled with peace and-"

"Ms. Rose."

Ms. Rose stops singing. Her body tenses up, and she does not look up from her book.

"Where-" He swallows thickly. "Where did you hear that song?"

Ms. Rose doesn't do or say anything for a few seconds, then slowly lifts her head. As she does, her bangs fall to the side of her face.

Ozpin drops his mug. It shatters on the concrete.

"My dad," Ms. Rose says, blinking her silver eyes in palpable confusion. "He used to sing it to me when I was little."

Ozpin just stares at her. He's sure his expression is something to behold, because with each passing moment Ms. Rose looks more and more uncomfortable.

"I just kind of miss him right now, is all," she continues nervously. "I'm about to start my huntress journey, he's not here to see it, I just wanted to feel a little closer to him, and oh gods why am I telling my headmaster this-"

"Ms. Rose," he interrupts. He takes a deep breath and does his best to school his expression into something more presentable. "You have silver eyes."

She goes rigid and eyes him warily. "Yes, I do. Is something wrong with that, Professor?"

"No," he replies. He removes his glasses and rubs his tear ducts. "It's just... it's been a very long time since I've seen anyone with eyes like yours. You surprised me."

"Oh. Sorry?"

"There's nothing to be sorry for. And you say your father sang you that song?"

"Um, yeah! It was apparently in his family for generations, passed down from parent to parent," Ms. Rose says, relaxing slightly. She smiles wanly. "He died when I was still small, and I don't remember how the whole thing goes- only the first three verses. Mom tried her best, but it was always our special song so she didn't know it."

Rose. He doesn't remember the family name Rose, but it could have changed at any time over the years. He was once a man named Oliver Rhodes, perhaps his family changed it to Rose during the Great War. Many families did that to make their names more colorful.

"If you don't mind me asking," she speaks up. "How do you know it, sir? I always thought my family were the only ones."

"Ah, yes," Ozpin places his glasses back on his face and smiles at her. "Well, Ms. Rose, that song of your father's is an old one. Very old. And it was only ever sung to a specific group of people, so I'm amazed there's anyone who still knows of it. It's such a sad-sounding melody as well."

"A bit," Ms. Rose agrees. "But it sounds hopeful too, in a way."

He chuckles. "Yes, I suppose it does."

"Do... do you know the rest of the words?"

"I do. Would you like me to teach them to you? We still have a bit of time before the naming ceremony."

If Ms. Rose finds any of this strange or sudden, she doesn't show it. She simply smiles in earnest and pats the spot on the ground next to her. "I'd like that. Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me yet," he says, lowering himself to the ground. "I'm a little rusty, so I can't guarantee this will be a good performance."

"Can't be worse than me."

"Hush, you were lovely. Now, I believe you said the last verse was missing. Ready?"

Ms. Rose nods enthusiastically.

Ozpin nods once, opens his mouth, and starts to sing.

"Oh my dear child, I love you and one day you'll see,

When you hold your child, like I hold you to me,

That anger and fear can't survive in the light,

So I sing... so you will... always remember..."

He is- thousands of times over- not the man he once was. He's not as strong and not as brave. Pain is inevitable, and always will be. Yet in that moment, Ozpin genuinely believes everything will be alright.

That may change. He knows it will- the future is a scary thing.

But right then and there, he sings his mother's lullaby again. He has something to give.

That's enough.

.

.

.

FIN.

This chapter alludes the most to The Promised Neverland, specifically the scene where Isabella learns the sad truth about Ray.

You cannot convince me Ozpin wasn't close to Summer Rose, and wasn't devastated from her death. While he's friendly and supportive to Ruby, it does carry an air of distance. Wonder why.

Also, Glynda's predecessor, Ginger (Glynda herself is only a third year student in this scenario) is also a based on an L. Frank Baum character. She's based on General Jinjur, the leader of an all-female army who was a pain in the neck of the Scarecrow before later switching sides and swearing to loyalty to Princess Ozma. (She's one of Qrow's least favorite people during his time at Beacon, as she's the one who gives him the most detention.)

Anyway, that's the end! I hope everyone enjoyed my story!