A Change Of Seasons

Morning came all too quickly it seemed and with much groans, hurried rounds to find the right robes and clothing, quick showers, and whatnot, all the 7th years were finally gathered down in the common room waiting for Professor McGonagall to arrive. The 1st through 6th years had gotten their schedules from Hermione and Ron, but even those two didn't have a clue as to what was going to happen next with the 7th years. Apparently the Head Girl/Boys didn't get to know everything to their dismay.

"What you think Harry? Hope it's something good and not another tournament or something. Dont think I'd really want another dip into the lake eh? If it was 'Mione, it would end up being a book rather then me!" Ron said giving Harry a grin, hoping that Hermione was out of earshot.

Harry smiled weakly, not daring to admit to Ron that these days he'd be the last person who would be top on Harry's list of the most important thing in Harry's life. Despite that though he said to Ron, "Awe come off it Ron, you know you rate over books anyday, atleast I'd hope so eh?" Harry gave a genuine chuckle then.

"He says anything else though and I would definitely make it a book Harry!" Hermione said popping up out of nowhere it seemed and gave Harry and Ron morning hugs. "Really though, you think I'd pick a book over you Ronald Weasley? That's saying alot bout me isn't it!" she said almost pouting.

"Ah no, of course not 'Mione! I'd take a dip for you anyday!" Ron said trying in vain to cover up his words, causing Harry and Hermione to laugh.

"I know you would Ron, that's what I love about you, you've got your priorities straight finally." she said grinning.

Harry and Ron exchanged a look and laughed, both of them remembering where they'd heard those words before, and how long ago now it seemed since then.

"Ah the good old days eh Harry? Anyway, I hope McGonagall hurries, I'm getting peckish!" Ron said complaining.

"Really Ron, you always think with your stomach!" Hermione said shaking her head.

"Well how do you think I keep all that energy ready for Quidditch eh 'Mione? Someone's got to! We nearly almost lost the Quidditch Cup last year!" Ron said in mock horrification, causing 'Mione to shake her head and Harry to just grin and gaze round the room at anything else but.

Quidditch was a very sore spot between Ron and Hermione still, and Harry doubted it would ever end. She hated flying, and unless forced to wouldn't get near a broomstick, and Ron was still the avid Chudley Cannon's fan, and chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. In 5th year the old chaser graduated, so Ron decided to try out, only because Harry gave him his old Firebolt when Sirius had bought him the newest updated Firebolt 2002, and sure enough with the Firebolt Ron made the team.

Harry didn't have much time to reflect longer though as finally Professor McGonagall walked into the commons, with Remus and Snape not to far behind her. Needless to say the appearance of Snape in the Gryffindor tower wasn't taken to happily, and the whispers tween the 7th years had a very upset undertone, however Professor McGonagall wasn't going to tolerate it.

"Listen up all of you! I am now going to explain the reason that Professor's Lupin and Snape are with me, and I want all of you to pay attention or face detention with one of us, is that clear?" she said in a very stern voice, daring anyone to disobey her. Everyone in the room nodded so she continued.

"Very well, I shall begin. As you all know Voldemort has been inching closer and closer to Hogsmeade and the school grounds. Though he cannot gain access to Hogwarts directly by apparating or floo network, there are other ways if he found them. In order to insure all students safety this year, Professor Dumbledore has, with the help of Professor's Lupin and Snape, to devise a 'partnering system'. Professor Lupin will you explain to them please?" Minerva said pulling Remus to the front.

Remus nodded and smiled towards Harry, then told them what was all entailed by this new system. "As Professor McGonagall said, things are growing closer to home this year. In order to help promote safe passage throughout the school grounds and areas, each student will be assigned a 'partner'. This 'partner' will be with you at all times if you should decide to leave the school for any reason, for example going to Hogsmeade over the weekends. As 7th years, you are no longer restricted to just certain weekends, however for safety, permission shall have to be given in order to go, and your 'partner' will have to go with you."

"Are we going to be allowed to pick our partners Professor Lupin?" Dean asked looking over to Seamus with a very revealing look.

Remus chuckled, "Actually Mr. Thomas, we've taken the liberty to assign you each a partner, and we hope we've chosen who you think will be worthy. Now before I tell you who will be your partner, I have to show you all a little device that Severus and I have come up with. It's based loosely on muggle 'tracing systems', but for those of you who dont understand this, let me put it simply thus. This..." and he held up a little round black object, "is a 'tracer'. It will be on you and your partner at any time you are going to leave the grounds of Hogwarts. It attaches to your robes, is tiny enough not to be noticed if properly attached, and will inform us should anything amiss happen to you or your partner whilst you're away from the school."

Remus began passing out the devices to each student, making sure they all got one. "Now, if you hide them under your collar, they wont be seen by anyone wishing to watch you. We do regret it has come down to this children, but with things are they are, we have to make sure your lives are not at risk. We cannot force you to never leave the school of course, we know how important it is for you to take a break now and then, but for your safety, and our peace of mind, we ask this of you."

"Why only us then Professor? Why not everyone in school?" Neville asked while trying to attach his tracer.

"Good question Neville indeed. For the most part, we all felt that as you are the oldest class now, you have the most responsibility. The other years will from now on be chaperoned whilst going to town, but we trust you and feel that would only be degrading to you and showing you we didnt' trust you a'toll. Now these 'tracers' aren't saying we dont trust you, we do. Please dont give us reason to doubt that trust, though from Gryffindor's I'd expect nothing less." he said grinning.

"Well I for one, think it's a dandy idea Professor Lupin. Who knows what's lurking out there these days, and I certainly wouldn't want to end up at the other end of an unforgivable!" Hermione said grimly and everyone nodded their head in agreement.

"Well good then Hermione, I'm glad to see you and everyone else agrees with this. If you have any questions further, feel free to seek me or Severus out on this. All of the staff thank you for your cooperation. Now, we will announce the partners and hand you out your new yearly schedules, then you can proceed to breakfast. Yes, I know your already late Neville.." Remus said chuckling as he saw Neville was bout to comment on that. "However Albus has made arraignments for you to have a late breakfast this morning and not to have to begin your classes till after supper."

"Now, the pairings will be as thus: Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, Neville Longbottom and Cara Mien, Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown. I should hope these pairings are too your liking, if not and you should wish to change partners inform myself or Professor Snape. Meanwhile you're all excused for breakfast" he said smiling, and everyone but Remus and Severus, and one last student who'd obviously been forgotten, headed out the portrait.

Noone apparently had even realized one name hadn't been called for a partner on that list, and that one person of course, was Harry. This wasn't exactly by accident, though Harry hadn't a clue of that, infact only the only 2 people in the room at the moment who knew this were Severus Snape and Remus Lupin, simply because it had been their doing that Harry was the odd one out. And it was for a very good reason, atleast so they hoped.

"Um, Professors?" Harry said questioningly looking at Remus, who was giving him a look he didn't understand.

"Yes Harry? What is it?" Remus said.

"I wasn't assigned anyone." Harry said simply. For some reason or another, Gryffindor was in odds this year, and though last year there had been 10 in the 6th year class, 5 boys and 5 girls, one of the girls had some trouble and couldn't return this year. Meaning Harry was now partnerless.

Remus looked Harry over and slowly turned to Severus. "Severus? Wasn't there someone assigned for Harry?" he said trying to keep his expression down to bare minimum.

Severus looked at Harry then to Remus, and checked the list he had held in his hand of the assigned partners. "It seems Gryffindor is short a person this year Lupin, therefore if you recall, we had to pair Potter here with someone from another house, which was also at odds this year." he said in his usual condescending manner.

"Ah yes, I remember that now. However, I cant seem to recall which house nor the person it was that we assigned?" Remus said trying desperately to keep a straight face.

"Not that this pleases me in any way Potter, but you've been assigned, oh lets see here, yes to a Slytherin. I believe to one Draco Malfoy." Severus said giving Harry a cold stare as if it was a sin to have to be partnered with a Slytherin.

Harry stared at Severus in shock. "Ma-Malfoy? No way! You've got to be kidding!"

"I'm afraid not Potter. I believe Draco has allready been informed of the fact that he is to be your partner as well, so I suggest the two of you make the best of it without killing each other off. Now, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave and head to breakfast. Coming Lupin?" Severus said and headed towards the door.

"Sorry bout this Harry, but I'm sure you'll make the best of it." Remus said almost apologetically, and then turned to follow Severus out of the portrait hole.

Harry just stood there numb. *Malfoy! Of all people I would have to be partnered with it had to be Malfoy! I'm never going to survive this year, I just know it!* Harry said with a sigh. He wasn't sure exactly how he was feeling, but somehow despite his thoughts, the idea of spending all year at Malfoy's side if they left school grounds wasn't making him as sick as he thought it would. Deciding though he didn't have much of an appetite all of a sudden, he turned round and headed back up to his room to think on all this. Certainly it was going to be a very long year.

Meanwhile an interesting conversation was taking place on the way to breakfast between Severus and Remus.

"You sure we're doing the right thing Remus? From the look of it Potter seemed positively sickened by the thought of the pairing off." Severus said stopping to turn to Remus.

Remus chuckled and turned to Severus. "Positive Severus. I caught that look Draco gave Harry last night at dinner, and on the train. I know that look well Sev, you used to give me the same look all the time. Just as I needed prodding and proof of your intentions back at school, Harry needs them now. Trust me Sev, it's for the best."

Severus grinned, he remembered all too well the kind of looks he'd given a certain werewolf back in their 7th year of Hogwarts, after having spent 6 years hating each other, or so they thought. If this was the case between Draco and Harry, he wasn't going to stand in the way, after all, he'd ignored the feelings he'd had till it was almost too late. And in the end, he lost so much more then he could have ever imagined.

"Dont think bout that Sev, it's over, we cant change it. We did what we had to do then, let's just worry bout the future now." Remus said softly intruding on Severus's thoughts and coming closer to him.

Severus looked at him and sighed. "Why Remus? Why did you come back again? After what I did to you 3 years ago...why?"

Remus stepped in closer to Severus and very gently pulled him into his arms, and whispered into his ear, "Dont you know by now Sev....wolves mate for life. Even if we leave, we always return....always..."

Severus turned Remus's face to his and looked into his eyes. He saw the truth in them, that Remus meant what he said, and he needed no more words to tell him what was in both their hearts. With a rough passion he knew would thrill the wolf inside this man, he kissed him hard on the lips.

When they finally broke apart a few moments later, neither man felt much like continuing on to the Great Hall. Instead the two men headed off into a different direction, one that lead suspiciously towards the dungeons. And luckily they had till supper to have to deal with anyone else but themselves, and therefore they had more then enough time to rekindle a passion they hadn't had in a very long time. And in the back of both of the men's minds, they hoped that soon enough, two young men would soon discover what these two men had found long ago, and that they would find each other before it was too late.

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