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Waters Run Deep

Last Time:

"Yo Headmaster!" Albus had to keep from scowling as he saw the last people he ever wanted to see standing there ... James Potter, Lily Potter, Sirius Black with Remus Lupin ... Why were they here?

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With a slight flick of the wand hidden in his bright blue robes all the plans and blueprints for Severus's home flew off to another room as Albus steeled himself to deal with these idiots, "Mr. Potter, Mr. Black-"

"I know, I know. We aren't students so there's no reason to be formal." James grinned as he and the others rudely pushed their way into the house. Remus was the only one who waited patiently for Albus to let him in. The headmaster had the Marauders at the top of his 'worst student' list basically since day 1 even without the knowledge of their pranking and then Lily was added when he discovered she knew about James harassing Severus, but did nothing. They were his least favorite students and the reason Gellert ran for Minister, but despite the others he always had a soft spot for Remus.

Albus smiled at the polite werewolf, "Come in, Remus, it has been too long." Remus beamed happily and came in. "Tea?" The headmaster offered.

"Yeah, I'll take some!" James exclaimed, but his grin faltered as Albus only poured two cups of tea. Ablus kept one cup for himself and the other cup was given to Remus, who sheepishly sipped it while trying to avoid eye contact. The werewolf seemed to understand a hidden message that no one else did. "Err ... you must be getting old-"

"So why are you here?" Albus asked in a deceitfully kind voice fully aware that he interrupted one of James's corny jokes. A ring on Remus's finger made him frown internally. He was more determined to fix some things ...

James twitched, it felt like he was being scolded, "We heard that there have been changes at Hogwarts so we thought we'd stop by and get the story." He said though Albus knew it wasn't true. Gellert told him that the Potters have been trying to make appointments to see him at the ministry so when that didn't work they must've decided to come here.

"Yeah! And let's start with you dropping Snape! It's about time!" Sirius exclaimed smugly. It has been their life mission, it seems, to crush Severus's life at every turn. Even during a war or with kids they made hurting the potion master their top priority in life. It didn't escape his notice that James and Lily didn't seem interested in this topic. Why were they really here? What do they really want and why is Sirius and Remus with them if it's clear they aren't here for the same things? Sirius was probably here to do more of the talking for James, but they clearly weren't on the same page. Remus was dragged along because they knew Albus cared about him ... maybe he can take advantage of this disconnect ...

The headmaster sipped his tea calmly, "Dropping? I don't know what gave you that idea. Severus's contract expired and he took the opportunity to travel. He found the perfect job for him researching potions overseas. Oh, that reminds me!" Albus summoned a vial from the shelf in and handed it to Remus, "Just because Severus is away he wants me to assure you that he's still going make your Wolfsbane potion and for free as always. He should have a much easier time there. Making the Wolfsbane potion is child's play for Severus, but it is outrageously expensive especially for someone who came from a poor family on a teacher's salary."

Yes, he knew that he was nudging the personal boundaries, but it was time some things were cleared up. Albus could see Remus look confused and shot Lily a look, but she avoided his eyes. So Lily clearly knew about Severus's constant family trouble. However, Albus wondered if she cared enough to care about the abuse. Maybe not, but she was smart enough to know about it. Severus may have adored her because she was his first friend, but neither Albus nor Gellert believed she was ever a good friend. After all, she knew that James and Sirius were playing horrible pranks on Severus and she never reported it. Gellert suspected that she was using those opportunities to get close to James and Albus agreed. Perhaps, none of them were aware of the truth. All those years of covering up for the Marauders will come back to bite her ...