Chapter 5: The Normal Appeal

The Great Hall, Hogwarts...

Ronald Weasley had been terrified as he looked down at his morning breakfast. He had been terrified about the rumors going around about Professor Snape. Hermione ignored him currently dividing her attention between her breakfast and watching the Potions Professor eating. Lupin appeared to be watching him as well. To the untrained eye nothing seemed out of the ordinary with Severus Snape, but that morning he ordered rare meat for breakfast. He had been consuming nothing since the attack and it made Ron quite nervous. Bill had been the same way ever since the attack he suffered at the hands or rather claws of Greyback. The red-haired wizard had not wanted to think about the damage Snape could do if he were to transform like Greyback or Lupin. He had already had a list of students he hated counting Weasley and Harry Potter to the top of the list.

"Honestly Ronald, your constant whimpering is getting annoying," said Hermione narrowing her amber eyes at the young Weasley boy.

"L-Look Hermione," said Ron gesturing to Snape none too subtly. "H-He's already developed a taste for bloody meat."

The bushy-haired witch rolled her eyes.

"That doesn't prove anything," said Hermione. "Bill eats like that all the time and he hasn't turned into a werewolf."

"What about the conversation you heard between Lupin and Dumbledore?" asked Harry.

Ron narrowed his eyes at Hermione.

"So I am not the only one who believes that Snape may be a werewolf," he said smugly. "Go on Mione tell me I'm imagining things."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Shut it, Ron," she said. "I was only being cautious...there is a slight possibility that he may become a werewolf but then he might not."

Ron had opened his mouth to say something when Snape averted his attention to him. His dark obsidian eyes seemed to glow slightly causing Ron to drop both his mouth and the fork he had been holding.

"H-His eyes are glowing," said Ron terrified.

Hermione looked at Snape. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary about him. The dour wizard stared at the Gryffindor table with a curious arched eyebrow.

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The Staff Table...

Dumbledore had been watching the Golden trio ever since they arrived. He noted their whispers and curious glances in Snape's direction. The dour wizard had seemed puzzled as to why he was the sudden subject of interest to them but continued with his meal despite picking up on their strange conversation. It seemed Ron Weasley had been frightened of Snape more so than usual and Hermione had no idea what to believe when it came to the dour wizard.

"Some of the students find you quite fascinating, Severus." said The Headmaster in a pleasant tone.

"Aren't I lucky," grumbled Snape cutting into his steak? "I can only guess which students you mean to imply have their interest in me."

The Headmaster chuckled some. The Potions Master didn't miss a beat and it never ceased to amaze him.

"Could it be your precious Gryffindor The Golden Trio perhaps?" asked Snape.

Dumbledore simply smiled warmly and turned up his goblet. Snape had not needed the old wizard to confirm anything. He had ears and could hear them speaking just as well.

Lupin watched as Snape devoured his bloody meat with ease. It wasn't a sure sign that the man might be infected. One could only tell when the full moon appeared whether a man was cursed or not but the Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor meant to keep an eye on The Potions Master just the same.

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Potions Classroom, Hogwarts...

Everything seemed to be normal when it came time for Potions Class that morning, much to Hermione's utter relief. She had not wanted Snape to stay out too long for fear of some inferior Potions Professor taking his place and making a mess of all his lesson plans. Everyone filed into class dreading the return of The Bat Of The Dungeons.

"Well, I for one will miss the peace and quiet," said Harry.

He had not been too thrilled to have Snape back. But everyone felt that way well everyone except Hermione and The Slytherins.

"I'm telling you I saw his eyes glowing," said Ron still trying to make his case to Hermione.

"That's enough, Ronald," said Hermione.

"Yes." said the deep baritone drawl of Professor Snape. "That is enough."

The entire class fell silent.

"Welcome back sir," said Draco Malfoy with a bright smile.

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy although, I do not believe many of your classmates share your sentiment about my return," said Snape in an emotionless tone.

"You got that right." piped Harry under his breath.

"Still with us Mr. Potter?" asked Snape turning his attention to the boy with messy dark hair and glasses. "That's five points from Gryffindor for your...enthusiasm."

"Of course," grumbled Harry.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for speaking out of turn," said Snape. "Care to make any other comments Mr. Potter?"

Harry simply rolled his eyes.

He was attempting to say something else but Hermione's amber eyes cut into him in a ruthless stare. Snape lost interest in the verbal sparing match and turned his attention to the rest of the class.

"In this week's lesson we will be focusing on Canis Root and its various properties," said Snape in full lecture mode. "The start of these lessons begins with you all opening your books to page 344."

"Are you happy now Mione?" whispered Harry. "The sodding git is back and in rare form."

Hermione did her best to hide the smile that threatened to creep across her face. It wouldn't do for Professor Snape to catch her smiling at him.

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ELSEWHERE...

The Beast looked out from the windows of its fleshy prison. The scent of jasmine had been all around and he could see the amber eyes of the female. She was writing something and looking up at the front of the classroom quite often. The beast raged against its prison walls but there was no effect. Her scent was intoxicating and it beckoned to him. He caught sight of the red-haired Weasley boy. He had been close to the female. As was The Potter. The beast snarled and raged not liking them being so close to her. SHE belonged to HIM. The Female was HIS and he would rip apart anyone who sought to claim what was rightfully HIS.