My Brother is a Teenage Werewolf

Chapter 7

Severus and Remus: Age 15- When Albus first talks to Severus about the possibility that Remus will come to live with them.

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Severus sighed as he stood inside the spiraling staircase that led to the headmaster's office. Albus had sent word through a third-year Ravenclaw that he wanted to see him during his free period today and Severus had no idea what it could be about. He tried to think over the last few days and aside from a few insults that he had exchanged with James Potter's gang, he couldn't think of anything that he might be in trouble for. Certainly, there had been nothing that warranted Albus calling him to his office instead of just talking with him later in their quarters.

He knocked on the door and waited for the quiet "Enter," from his adoptive father.

Severus walked inside to find Albus sitting behind his desk, a smile on his face at seeing his son. 

"Severus, have a seat, my boy." Severus sat down across from him and shook his head to decline a lemon drop from Albus. "How have your classes been, Severus? Minerva tells me your Transfiguration grade has improved. We're both very proud of you."

"Thanks," Severus replied. When Albus didn't say anything else, Severus glanced around the office for a moment, taking in the many whirling and twirling objects that Albus kept there. "Dad," Severus finally spoke hesitantly, "did you need something?"

Albus smiled. "Ah, yes, I'm afraid I suddenly seem to be at a loss for words."

Severus raised an eyebrow, that was certainly a first. "Is everything alright?"

Albus waved his hand dismissively as he began to shuffle through a stack of papers on his desk. "Everything is fine, Severus. No need to worry. I admit that I'm rather unsure how to bring this up, so I believe it best just to come right out with it, yes?"

Severus nodded. "Yes."

"Right, then." Albus straightened up in his chair and focused all of his attention on his son. "Now, I would appreciate it, Severus, if you would allow me to say everything I need to before you interrupt. When I am finished, you will of course be able to give your thoughts and opinions. Can we agree on this?"

Severus had been living with Albus and Minerva for a year and a half now. Since the beginning of his fourth year when secrets about his home life came to the surface and he had been removed from his father's custody. They adopted him only a few months after taking guardianship of him and while it had all happened very quickly- and despite those terrible first two months - Severus couldn't imagine his life without them now.

"Yes," Severus finally agreed, still not understanding what this could be about.

"You may remember several weeks ago that Remus Lupin left school for a few days," Albus said, watching him intently.

Severus thought back and he did seem to recall not seeing Lupin in class a few times. He and the Gryffindor weren't friends on the best days but had been even less so since Sirius Black had tricked Severus into following Remus down the passageway under the Whomping Willow near the beginning of the school year.

"I think so," Severus replied warily.

"His father passed away and he had left Hogwarts in order to attend his funeral. He has no other family now. While term is in session, the school acts in loco parentis for the students, but when the summer holidays start, Remus will have to go to an orphanage. I imagine that you can guess why that would be less than ideal for him?"