When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 34: Meeting

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 34: Meeting

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling.

AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.

September 1996

Severus's form molded against the sofa, and he cringed at the henhouse that the first week teacher's meeting had become.

When the euphoria calmed down, each professor sat around the circular table of the teacher's room. Finally, he could breathe, and consequently, become bored. They started to revise each course and each subject they were going to teach the rest of the year. It was a necessary routine to balance the level of the knowledge and the workload for them. Still, he didn't care.

This year Defense Against the Dark Arts had priority thanks to the raise of Voldemort, and he had to make sure that the stupid Potter and his friends were skilled enough to survive. They were too green at it because of the lack of discipline and effort.

A worry crossed his mind as he remembered the shaking hand of the girl.

"Severus, is there something you want to add?" He heard Dumbledore's voice at the head chair. "I heard you already imposed the first detention and on Mister Potter."

He placed his dark eyes on him, daring him to say it was inappropriate.

"He was disrespectful when I corrected him. I'm merely giving him a consequence to his behavior. His morals are atrocious."

"Of course, Severus," Dumbledore said.

"I find your assessment a bit unfair," McGonagall said. "He is a little stray with rules and always looks like he is in the middle of everything, but he is not that horrible, Severus," McGonagall said.

"He pointed his wand at me in class."

McGonagall's eyes widened and she shirked. "I see. Yes, that must be dealt with." The other teachers for once agreed.

"Granger seemed odd the other day in Defense. In fact, she's seemed odd since her last adventure with Potter."

"She is as excellent as always in my class," Minerva replied.

"Anyone else notice any strange behavior with her?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well, she isn't spending any time with Potter or Weasley," Flitwick added.

He looked at Dumbledore, seeking answers. He must've known what was happening. He was the one who threw the Dark Lord from the ministry and protected Potter in the end.

"I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. Miss Granger is capable of dealing with the events that happened last year," Dumbledore said after he broke eye contact with him. "I'm sure of it. She is the brightness wit-"

"She is depressed," he interrupted with a growl. He'd seen muggles dismiss mental issues and the results had been disastrous. For a witch it could be even more so. "And that can affect her magic."

"Who doesn't get depressed these days, Severus? But as the others said, she is doing excellent in the rest of the classes. Maybe it's you who intimidate her too much," Dumbledore replied, not accusing but clearly blaming him.

"In potions she's doing exceptional," he said. "Not behaving quite as oddly, but very different."

"I'm sure she'll be fine with time," Dumbledore said with a sickening voice full of faith.

He wasn't convinced. She was human after all. Always supporting her fool friends and doing everything for them. He knew that if she were isolated she would crumble in the end. Like he did. But after years, he learnt and managed to fight alone. She didn't have years, and he didn't want her to end up like him.

"Things will be right with time, Severus. Don't worry."

He didn't worry. Not for a Gryffindor. "If there is nothing more to add, the meeting is dismissed. Severus come to see me in a little while."

"Yes, headmaster," he replied with a polite voice as he left the room. Then he looked at McGonagall. "Minerva?"

"Yes, Severus?" He waited until the rest of the teachers disappeared from the room.

"Do you know what happened to Granger at the ministry?"

"I know the same you do. She was hit by the curse and was one of the last of our students to fall." She tapped the armchair repeatedly with her fingers.

"I wonder how that could affect her friendships. Also, I wonder if it is related with the aversions she has in Defense," he said, finding the words difficult to express.

"I don't know, Severus. She might just be affected by the fight she had. It's perfectly reasonable. It was her first serious fight with people who wanted to murder her. That would affect anyone." She took a deep breath. "But like Albus said, she is strong. Give them space and the opportunity to deal with things on their own." The woman smiled to him as he nodded. "We can't teach everything, Severus.

"I agree with the giving time, but I just hope that no one gets killed because of it."

"I thought you didn't worry for Gryffindors." Minerva looked at him with joy.

"I don't."

She patted his hand and stood. "You're a good man, Severus," she said before leaving the room and a bewildered Severus behind.

AN: Okay, here we are, showing the privacy of teachers. Let me know what you think. In a little, another chapter that follows this one.