Chapter 3
Severus and Draco boarded the Hogwarts Express, since he had been on vacation this year he agreed to supervise the train ride back. Together with Lupin as it seems.
They usually don't interact much, silently having agreed on some sort of truce that involved polite coexisting as well as him brewing the potions that Lupin needed to get through the room. He had actually grown to tolerate the wolf as much as it pains him to admit.
"Morning Severus, I expect you had a restful holiday?"
That was also a thing. Lupin had at some point decided to call him by his given name, and Severus had accepted it but refused to do the same. Another compromise that somehow made it into their daily life.
"As restful as one can be with having to return to school"
His answer is curt and Lupin just smiles, with a knowing twinkle in his eyes. For a moment he debated to ask Lupin if Potter was just as annoying as Draco, whether both of them had this weird obsession with each other. He would never actually ask that though, it would betray the Malfoys trust in him especially if he reveals something that could ...no would harm Dracos reputation.
Silently walking next to each other the two check carriages.
Everything was going fine aside from the usually travel sickness, for which he had prepared potions that Lupin handed to the students, as well as the occasional pet that escaped its cage. They even had time to relax for a little while, he finished the book he had started a few days ago and was feeling quite content given the situation...
Obviously that couldn't have lasted.
There is a loud crash echoing all the way through the compartment, causing both of the teachers to flinch and share a knowing look before quickly heading to the spot of the incident with a simple point-me charm.
At least Minerva owed him a bottle of that delicious goblin wine.
Once they arrived they immediately disarmed both Potter and Malfoy, which were standing across from each other as if they were about to duel. Which would be very unwise, they both should know better than to expect that they wouldn't get caught...they didn't even have the decency to try and run or act as if nothing happened.
Instead they are glaring at each other with raised wands, both backed up by a little horde of their respective house because nothing can ever be easy can it? Not even losing their wands made them stop their ridiculous shouting match, Severus doesn't even try to listen. Whatever had caused this immature display will be as meaningless as all the other incidents, he is sure of it and by the defeated look on Lupins face, so does he.
They both cast a silencing charm on their students.
"Everyone except Mister Potter and Mister Malfoy will do their best to get out of our sight." he drawls and adds a threatening glare, just to get his point across. "and yes Miss Granger I mean EVERYBODY, you two are not exempt from this so leave. Now" dropping his voice into something that Narcissa would teasingly call a growl, but right now he doesn't have the patience for her sense of superiority.
Ignoring their glares, and Lupins subtle nod to reassure them that they should in fact go.
The boys had finally noticed that screaming and shouting at each other was useless as long as the spell is settled over them, for a moment he entertains the idea of just leaving it on until they reach the castle... his colleague would probably disagree.
Pity.
As soon as they are back in the compartment that is usually reserved for teachers they sit the two students down with a sigh, their fighting had increased consistently over the last year yet Albus just brushed everyone's concerns off.
'Boys will be boys Severus, you know how they can be. They will grow out of it eventually'
"This has to stop, I thought we talked about this Harry! You agreed you would take it easy...it's been what? Two hours and you two are already fighting again? Hexing each other and endangering fellow classmates over whatever insignificant topic set you of this time? I am severely disappointed in you"
Severus is secretly impressed with Lupins parenting voice, it is stern and cold yet not angry or resentful. It fits the occasion in his opinion.
"You do not get to look smug Draco, wipe that smirk off of your face right now. I will inform your parents about this and this will have consequences, I am sick of your childish spats, it is time to decide whether to get along or avoid each other. This fighting is utterly ridiculous and will not go on."
Shifting in his seat his godson actually has the gall to look bashful, did he think just because Severus had been lenient in the past means he would just accept his behaviour and turn a blind eye? He probably should have interfered sooner, but both Minerva and him had agreed to let the boys try and settle it between the two of them first.
Which evidently hadn't worked.
Lupin catches his eye and they stare at each other for a moment, he isn't sure what exactly transpired between them but somehow he feels like they are on the same page.
"You two will spend the rest of the trainride together in this compartment-"
Both of the boys snap their head up to stare at him before trying to complain, their voices still silent until Lupin releases the spell or finishes it. Luckily they couldn't do it themselves yet, or had forgotten how to do it in the heat of the situation.
"-and there will be no screaming, no fighting and no hexing each other."
"If you break one of those rules you two can be sure that instead of playing Quidditch this year, you will be spending time in my office working on getting along. Have we made ourselves clear?"
Lupin must have released the spell so the two could answer, yet the the room is utterly silent. Unfortunately he had to admit that Lupin was actually handling this way better than he would have anticipated, he never expected that the wolf would take something as important from his son just to make a point. Neither had Potter judging by the betrayed look and open mouth.
"Surely you cannot agree to this Se- Professor Snape!!"
"Of course I do, we are in agreement. So should you be if you want a shot at Quidditch. I assure you we are quite serious about these consequences, we have had enough of you two. If you cannot resolve it yourselves, the adults will have to step in. Here we are, stepping in"
Shrugging off Dracos steadily heating face, the way he purses his lips in indignation.
"It's not me-" "He's the one-"
They both start at the same time, oh how he wishes he was back at his lab putting his everything into a new potion. Sometimes he toys with the thought of faking his death and living in the countryside, children are exhausting.
"Then, since neither of you is at fault it should be fairly easy."
The professors smile is sickenly sweet and Severus could have sworn he got goosebumps.
"Severus and I will be nearby, we will notice if you two fight. Try us if you want to"
Handing Draco his wand back while he spoke, gesturing for Severus to do the same...which he begrudgingly does. Its a mistake to let them have their wands back but he knows why Lupin decided to give them back, it was like putting a piece of chocolate in front of a child and telling them not to eat it. It's temptation above all...
"You secretly do hate me...ugh their whining will never end if they cant play Quidditch"
"Nonsense Severus, we might not be friends but we also aren't not friends. It will work out, I'm sure of it..maybe just for today, but if it does work we have something to control them with. If it doesn't we will just have to try new things until we do find what works..."
"my my Lupin, how Slytherin of you. Using their weaknesses against them? I didn't think Gryffindors would consider that fair play"
Simply shrugging Lupin grins openly before leaning against the wall and nibbling on a piece of chocolate as if he hadn't just confessed to trying to blackmail his own son. "Chocolate?" offering him a piece of white chocolate with crisps, which is Severus favourite.
Yeah Lupin and him definitely weren't friends, but they also were not not friends.