Four Heads Are Better Than One

Izzyaro

Year Three: The Calm

Um. Yeah. It's been a while since I looked at this. I'm going to try to keep it going, but this story is quite low on my priority list, so I can't promise any kind of regular updates. I hope you enjoy this chapter though.

For any new readers, I apologise for the poor quality of some of the earlier chapters. One day I'll have time to go back and tidy them up, but it is not this day. Or any time soon unfortunately.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, and am not affiliated with Bloomsbury or Scholastic Inc.

"What in Merlin's name is he thinking?"

"Knew it," Filius murmured.

"Has he completely lost his mind?"

"Severus-" Pomona began, but Severus cut her off.

"Why can't we have Lockhart back? Get him out of St. Mungo's; he can't be any worse than he was last year, and he'd be a damn sight better than this."

Minerva frowned at him. "And you say Gryffindors overreact."

Severus glared right back. "We are going to have a werewolf in our school," he hissed. "If anything I am not reacting enough."

"For the last time, Severus, Remus Lupin had no knowledge of Black's plan," said Minerva hotly. "It took him months to forgive him."

"But he did forgive him," Severus spat. "Just like everyone else."

Filius frowned at him. "Nobody is excusing Black's actions, Severus. Had Pomona and I had our way he would have been expelled for what he did."

"And I would not have protested," said Minerva firmly. "I do not believe he intended to kill you, but intentions do not matter." Her lips thinned. "But the decision was not ours."

Severus held her gaze for a long minute, then some of the tension left his body. "I know." He sighed, and slumped into the seat next to Pomona with none of his usual grace. "I have always appreciated that."

Pomona sighed. "Perhaps if he had been expelled, things would not have turned out as they did."

Severus snorted. "Unlikely. Black was always rotten to the core."

"Not always," said Minerva quietly. For a moment she looked very old, then she shook herself and straightened up. "In any case, you will at least need to be able to work with Lupin."

Severus' lip curled. "Even while he is working with his friend?"

"I very much doubt that Mr Lupin considers Black anything but a mortal enemy," said Filius, with a sigh.

Minerva nodded. "I saw him once, after Black was sent to Azkaban. He had lost everything. I suspect he wants to see Black dead even more than you do."

Severus folded his arms. "No. He does not. In the meantime though, let's hope that he does not take his rage out on anyone else."

"Remus would never do such a thing," said Minerva. "And the students will be quite safe. Albus has already made arrangements for the Wolfsbane Potion to be delivered to the infirmary each month."

"I will be brewing the potion myself."

Minerva blinked. "You will?" Filius and Pomona exchanged a startled look. Not even Albus could expect Severus to make such an effort for someone who had nearly killed him, however unintentional Lupin's actions had been. Severus glared at them.

"This way I will know it is done properly," he snapped.

Pomona nodded. "Of course. Let me know if you need anything from my greenhouses." She hesitated. "And please try to remember that Lupin was as appalled as we were by Black's 'prank'."

"Indeed," said Severus curtly. "And his horror would have been a great deal of help when my body was found. If it was found."

Pomona grimaced, but there wasn't much that could be said to that. Minerva too had fallen silent. Filius looked round at them and cleared his throat. "Well, it seems our students will have little to fear from Lupin." He inclined his head to Severus, but there was a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "I fear the same cannot be said for our guards."

Minerva shivered. "I agree. What the Minister is thinking assigning Dementors to Hogwarts, I simply don't know."

"I doubt he is thinking of anything beyond the latest opinion polls," Severus muttered.

"We will need to keep a close eye on the students," said Pomona. "Anyone with a history of trauma or abuse will find the Dementors difficult to tolerate."

"As will anyone who suffers from mental health disorders," Filius added.

Minerva's lips thinned as she nodded. "I have already spoken to Poppy. We will make it clear to the students that her door, and ours, will always be open to them."

Solemn nods met her words. Minerva looked round at them all and rose to her feet. "Then, if there is no further business, I suggest we adjourn for the evening."

Pomona raised an eyebrow. "Any particular reason?"

"Why would there be?"

Filius coughed. "Would it have anything to do with the fact that all the sherry seems to have mysteriously disappeared?"

"Or that the house-elves have been strongly advised against giving their own supplies away to anyone not involved in the cooking process?" Severus added dryly.

"I haven't the faintest idea what either of you are talking about."

Pomona just sighed. "It's a good idea, and will do her good too, but do you really think she'll be any better sober?"

"She can hardly be worse," Minerva pointed out. "And her students might actually learn something this year. Or she will."

Filius cocked his head to one side. "Isn't Hermione Granger taking Divination this year?" At Minerva's smirk, a grin spread across his own face. "I see."

"I can't actually decide who I'd rather see come out on top," Severus mused. He shook his head. "I suppose if the worst comes to pass, the wolf might end up being good for something."

"Severus!"

"I only meant that Lupin might be able to tolerate Sybill's presence better than the rest of us," said Severus smoothly. "He did put up with Pettigrew for seven years after all, and he was even more of a fool."

Minerva eyed him warily until Filius coughed loudly. "Yes, well, we shall see." He smiled at his friends. "It should be an interesting year at least."

I actually like both Sirius and Remus, but Severus has no reason to. Once again, I can't promise regular updates, but I hope you liked it anyway.