"And then I said, 'no, no, the fans are the greatest inspiration a simple man like myself could have!'" Lockhart laughed.
Severus curled his lip and shot another dark glare towards Albus. Who would hire an incompetent fool such as Gilderoy Lockhart to teach students Defense?
Another incompetent fool, obviously.
Severus sipped his wine, doing his absolute best to block out Lockhart's mind numbing recounts of his supposed glories. Gilderoy certainly had not known any 'Banshee poisoning potions' when Severus attempted to teach him in his NEWT year.
In fact, Severus was sure that there were actually no specific poisons to use solely on Banshee's...
Interesting.
"And Severus! Look at us now! Me, a successful author, Witch Weekly's Most Eligible Bachelor, famed slayer of beasts, and the Defense Against Dark Arts Professor! And you, a teacher! Amazing isn't it?"
Severus was deciding between cursing the imbecile mute or jinxing himself temporarily deaf when the perfect excuse to momentarily walk away presented itself.
"Excuse me," he said coolly, "I see something of actual importance that requires my attention."
Lockhart had waved him off with a wink, a fucking wink, and Severus strode to the far end of the Slytherin table where Potter and his cohorts were seated.
Potter stiffened slightly as Severus approached. He shot a nervous glance at Bones then flicked his eyes around the hall behind Severus. The girl moved one of her hands under the table and Severus would wager she was attempting to physically comfort the boy.
Susan Bones seems to be one of the only people Potter accepts touch from.
Severus wondered what made her different than Hermione Granger or Blaise Zabini?
He had exchanged multiple owls with Potter over the summer but had not actually seen the child until now. He looked different... healthier, certainly. But also, more relaxed, perhaps? Not fully relaxed, his muscles still tightened in fear and his eyes narrowed in anger at other students further down the Slytherin table. But certainly much better than he had been the beginning of last year.
It is amazing what a holiday spent relaxing can do for a child.
He gave the students a cordial nod before addressing the three unnecessary additions. "Miss Bones, Miss Granger, and Mister Longbottom- unless you wish for a resort to try and land in Slytherin, which you would have my upmost support if so, then I insist you return to your actual house tables."
Granger immediately jumped to her feet, shooting Potter an apologetic frown, but Susan Bones smirked at her before giving Severus a polite smile.
"There's nothing in the rules that says we can't sit here, sir."
Potter had the audacity to smile at the girl before glancing at Severus challengingly.
"I am aware of the rules Miss Bones," Severus said between grit teeth. Did the girl think he needed reminding of Hogwarts rules? "However, on feast days it is proper for students to eat with their actual houses, as has always been tradition."
Longbottom, of all the students, was the one to quickly point out the loophole Severus unwittingly gave them. "P-proper isn't the same as required though, is it?" he said softly, looking sideways towards Draco and Zabini.
"I don't believe that proper is a synonym for required, no. Neither is tradition," Theodore Nott murmured, his face hidden behind a book.
"Well if it's not required then, we'd really rather stay here sir," Susan said in a tone of voice that just bordered the line of disrespect.
Granger slowly resumed her seat beside Weasley and gave him an uneasy look.
Severus had just publicly lost a battle of rule technicalities to a group of second years. He was as exasperated as he was proud.
"Five points from all four houses for annoying me before the sorting has even started," he growled. "And one extra point from Slytherin for Potter's tie being crooked," he added, before making his way back to his seat, the children's laughter following behind him.
Somehow, Potter had achieved what he clearly wanted despite not having to speak a single word. His friends were nearly as cunning towards his goals as he was.
It was as impressive as it was infuriating. Severus thought that if Potter was not his student he would likely have hated the brat.
Would you have though? his mind whispered. Could you have truly hated a child as intricately complex as Potter?
"Severus surely you told the students to return to their proper tables?" Pomona admonished him after he was reseated.
"Feel free to explain to your badger how proprieties should be followed," Severus told her drily. "She informed me that there was no where in the rules that states she cannot sit wherever she pleases at all meals, despite tradition."
Of which she was absolutely correct. Severus himself had pointed it out to many of the older Slytherins last year when they complained of the odd grouping at the end of their table.
Pomona shot her 'disappointed grandmother' look towards the area Bones was seated.
"I worry about her, the girl hasn't made a single close friend in her house," she sighed. "And her relationship with sweet little Harry! I worry that she'll be socially isolated from their mutual friends if she doesn't reciprocate his feelings."
Severus nearly choked on his drink. "Potter doesn't have feelings," he said before quickly correcting himself. Merlin forbid Albus heard him. "I mean," he coughed lightly, "Potter is twelve. I do not believe he has the slightest inclination towards romance anytime soon."
Severus looked again at the group of second years. Potter sat in the same place he always had, the very end seat with his back to the wall. Bones sat beside him, her bright eyes flicking around nearly as constantly as Potter's. Despite there being eight students seated together, laughing and talking and probably scheming, it looked like it was Potter and Bones who were undeniably the closest two.
It drove a small knife of pain in Severus' chest as he recalled himself and Lily at their age. He hoped Potter had more luck retaining his closest friend than he had.
Pomona huffed again, looking slightly abashed at his previous recrimination. "They would be a very sweet couple in a few years though, wouldn't they? They remind me quite a bit of James and Lily."
Hufflepuffs evidently were ridiculously obtuse. Potter was similar to James Potter in looks- sometimes. But physical features could only stretch so far; they shared no mannerisms, no habits, nor any inherent traits that truly made Potter resemble his father. Miss Bones did have a similar shade of red hair to Lily, but that was as far as the resemblances went physically. And Severus didn't quite know her well enough to know her personality.
"I am sure there is nothing a young man wishes for more than to find a partner who resembles his deceased mother," Severus responded to Pomona tersely.
With Potter's background Severus would be surprised if the child ever allowed himself to enter a romantic entanglement.
Certainly not at twelve years old, at any rate. It was disturbing to even consider.
***
Severus gave his customary opening speech to the impressionable, wide eyed first years, and the much less impressed older students.
He smirked in amusement as Potter, with his owl perched upon his shoulder, inched away from the newest Weasley who was sorted in to his house. He wondered if she was chosen for Slytherin, as he was reliably informed that Ronald was, or if she requested it.
Based on the worshipful gaze she had fixed on Potter, he would wager she requested it.
Foolish girl.
He wished the students a good night, turning to make his escape before the inevitable duels began.
"Professor! Wait!"
Potter caught up to him and gave him a bright smile and Severus sighed, "Can I help you? Or would you simply like to flaunt your disdain for tradition some more?"
He was still quite cross at being outmaneuvered before the feast.
"I wanted to know if you had a free evening this week, I wanted to ask you for a favor. It's pretty important."
Severus studied him closely, Potter did not look to be in distress but instead looked... pleased with himself. The brat was preening subtly. Whatever this favor was, it couldn't be good.
It likely could even be illegal. He hadn't forgotten the theft of Flamel's Stone.
"You may come find me next Sunday morning, early, and you can ask but I make no promises towards granting your favor."
"Perfect, thank you sir."
Severus was inwardly relieved to hear that Potter's elocution and dialect had improved greatly over the summer. Although he could still detect the Cockney twang, he sounded more like an average student from London and less like a ruffian hooligan.
He focused his eyes on Potters fluttering owl. "I forgot to ask, did you decide on a name for that mad creature?"
Potter met his eyes for a moment, mischief suddenly sparkling in the green orbs. "Yeah, I had to find a good name for such an unruly thing like him, didn't I sir?" he said, stroking the hooting owl fondly. "Sevvie here ain't as much of a demon as you made him sound."
Severus vowed to never again give Potter a gift. Or at least, never one that required a name.
"I hope you are challenged this evening and someone slices your impertinent tongue from your mouth," he told Potter drily.
"Not likely sir, but you can cross your fingers, yeah?"
Severus left the common room, shaking his head at the child's antics.
'Sevvie,' Merlin. Potter was a menace.