Severus's lips twisted, but he did not look at Lupin. "No, he's not. You must be prepared for this conversation. Albus will look at you with the utmost disappointment. It is even possible that he will lose that infernal twinkle for a time. He will try to manipulate the situation and say that surely I needn't take on the responsibility of having to pay you, but in the end you will remain in my employ. Do not think for an instant that I will not send you away if you give in to any of Albus's demands."

Lupin nodded thoughtfully. "I never thought that I would be…siding with you over him."

"Yes, imagine that," Severus smirked as Lupin grimaced. "Albus has tried to 'manage' everyone to the point that we all feel that we have no free will. He is learning that the more he tries to control the situation, the more that control slips away from him."

Severus's eyes slid over to Lupin. "Stand up straight. I am not going to have you looking like a harsh word from Albus will send you crashing to the ground, you need to look like you mean this."

Lupin immediately straightened his shoulders. "Anything else?" he asked in a teasing voice that caused Severus to scowl.

"I know it's difficult, but try to look confident and resolved," Severus said sarcastically. "He will be less inclined to push the matter if you act like this is actually what you want."

Lupin smiled sadly. "I can't say that this is what I hoped for, Harry really deserved better than the Dursleys. However, now that I'm here, it's exactly what I want."

Severus nodded silently.

Minerva met them at the base of the stairs, standing next to the gargoyle. She looked Lupin up and down, then nodded. "You'll do," she said, laying a hand on his arm. "Don't let him guilt you into anything."

"So Severus has said," Lupin said crossly. "Has Dumbledore really changed that much, or was I just oblivious the first time around?"

Severus snorted. "Oblivious," he said snidely.

Minerva led the way up the stairs. When they entered the office, Albus was sitting behind his desk with his hand folded in front of him. He stood as Lupin entered the room.

"Remus," Albus said. "I am surprised to see you here."

Lupin sat in the chair farthest from the door. "I gathered that at dinner, Albus."

Severus took the seat next to Lupin. "Is there a problem, Albus?"

Albus looked at Severus without the twinkle. "Was there a reason why you did not alert me that you had contacted Remus?"

"No reason," Severus said. "I did not realise that you required me to ask permission for whomever I brought in."

Albus leaned forward. "You don't need permission, of course. I just would have liked to know in advance so that arrangements could be made for his housing and pay."

Severus waved a hand. "That will not be necessary, Albus. I have set up rooms next to mine that have not been used in decades. They are warded so that no one can enter or leave for the four days of the full moon. Lupin has seen and approved the rooms."

Lupin sat back in his chair and crossed his legs as if he had no worries at all. Severus was almost impressed. "And with the Wolfsbane that Severus will be providing," Lupin said, his voice steady, "there won't be any reason for concern. Since I will be able to keep my human mind during the transformation, most of what I'll do during the phases of the moon is sleep."

"I see," Albus said, his face reflecting his unhappiness with the situation. "Well, then, I'll have Minerva draw up a contract for Remus and after we agree on salary, we can make him a teacher. Perhaps he could offer his services to others when he's not with Harry."

Severus smiled. "Lupin and I have already executed a contract. I have hired him to work solely with Harry and Draco. He will be paid directly from my accounts."

Albus's eyes narrowed. "Why would you do that? It would be much better if he were paid through the school accounts."

"No, Albus, it would not be better," Severus said, not looking away from the headmaster's face. "I want his focus to be on my two boys exclusively. If I allow you to make him a Hogwarts professor, he will wind up with a dozen different students to tutor privately and I'm afraid I can't have that."

The Headmaster's hand twitched and Severus knew that someone with less self control would be pulling out their own hair by now.

Albus turned to look at Minerva and Lupin. "Minerva, would you and Remus please excuse us? I would like to speak to Severus privately."

Minerva rose gracefully to her feet, followed closely by Lupin. "Of course, Albus," she said and they both exited the office.

Once the door was closed, Albus turned back to Severus. "Why would you contact Remus?" he demanded. "There were plenty of capable people on the list I provided you at the beginning of the term."

"You know why I didn't want anyone on that list. We discussed it." Severus glared at the headmaster, quickly losing what little patience he had. "I need help with Harry, and I found Lupin. Why would I not bring him in? He knew Harry's family and is the closest thing to a relative from his father's side that Harry has." Severus spat out the word father.

Albus did not try to hide his disappointment. "Why didn't you come to me when you found Remus? I could have assisted you in finding someone more suitable."

Severus could not believe what he was hearing. "Are you telling me that you think Lupin is not suitable to teach Harry? You who did everything you could to protect him when he and his little band of terrorists were running around the school doing whatever they pleased?"

"I did not think that you and he would be able to coexist peacefully, given your past."

"Is that why Lupin's name was not on the list?" Severus scowled. "Because you believe that we are unable to behave like adults? I do not accept that. You have some other reason for not wanting Lupin here."

Albus said nothing, his troubled gaze never leaving Severus's.

"Fine," Severus growled contemptuously after a moment. "Keep your little secrets. However, Lupin will remain in my employ. I have an agreement with him and I'm not inclined to break it."

Albus sighed. "I really can't allow having an adult in the school without a teaching contract of some kind."

Severus started at him without blinking. "Are you sure that's how you want it to be?"

"I'm afraid I have no other choice," Albus said, the twinkle returning to his eyes. Severus knew that he thought he was going to get his way and Lupin would either be sent away, or given over to Albus as a Hogwarts employee.

Severus nodded once. "Mipsy," he said and his little house elf appeared at his elbow.

Albus's eyes widened in sudden understanding. "Severus…" he stopped when Severus held up a hand.

"Mipsy," Severus addressed the house elf. "Please prepare the house for the arrival of four occupants this afternoon."

The house elf bowed. "Yes, Master Severus," she squeaked and popped away.

Severus stood. "If you'll excuse us, Headmaster, I need to pack and write out my resignation. You'll have it on your desk before I leave."

"Severus," Albus said harshly. "You cannot take Harry out of the school."

Severus lifted an eyebrow and sneered. "Of course I can. I am his guardian and there is no provision in the guardianship paperwork that you provided stating that Harry must be educated at Hogwarts. Since you will not allow me to hire the tutor that I choose, I will take the boys to my home and have them educated privately."

Albus stood abruptly, planting his hands on the desk. "Spinners End is not safe. Harry will be exposed to the dangers that I have undertaken to protect him from."

"And we have all seen how your attempts at protecting Harry have worked out," he said scathingly. "Have you tried to cross the wards at my home recently? I had them upgraded when I became Harry's guardian. No one can access my property without my permission. Not you, not Lucius or any other Death Eater. Not even the Minister of Magic himself would be able to cross the wards protecting Spinners End. I expect that Harry will be safer in my home than he is here at Hogwarts."

Albus came out from behind the desk and stood in front of Severus. "I cannot allow this. You must not leave." Albus tried to sound intimidating, but Severus could tell that he was pleading.

"Why?" Severus asked, his arms crossed over his chest.

"It isn't just Harry," Albus said earnestly. "You know that we still need to work on the protections for the stone."

Severus leaned forward until his face was just inches from the headmaster's. "You have one minute to convince me to stay."

Albus stared at Severus.

"Forty-five seconds," he said sarcastically.

"Lupin may remain here at the school without a contract," Albus finally said with great reluctance.

"Under my employ."

"Yes," Albus replied, his voice flat.

"We will stay," Severus said. "For now." Then he turned and left the office.

~HPSSHPSS~

Harry sat at the kitchen table, running his fingers over the letters in the beginning readers book and saying each word out loud as he figured it out. Lizzy sat next to him, quietly correcting him when he stumbled.

"Dad…sat…in…the…wall. No, it's hall. I think," Harry said, his voice uncertain, his fingers tracing over the first letter of the word.

"Hall is correct," Lizzy said and Harry nodded, then moved his fingers to the next line.

"He…" The rest of what Harry was trying to read was cut off as the door to Uncle Sev's rooms opened behind him. Harry sensed Uncle Sev walk into the room, but couldn't tell if Mr. Lupin was with him. He lifted his head, turning towards Uncle Sev as Lizzy gently pulled the book out from under Harry's hands. He heard the thump it made as she closed it.

"We'll continue on Monday," she said, resting a hand on his shoulder. "You're doing very well."

"Thanks," he said softly.

"Harry," Uncle Sev's voice came from the direction of the sofa. Harry got down from the chair and went to stand next to Uncle Sev's knee. He gathered a handful of Uncle Sev's robes in his hand, his thumb rubbing back and forth over the wool.

"Is Mr. Lupin here?" Harry asked warily.

"I'm right over here, Harry," Mr. Lupin said from the direction of the fireplace.

"Are you going to be staying here with us?" Harry wondered.

"I have my own rooms next door," was the reply. "I'll be here tomorrow and then I'll be gone for a few days while I take care of some business."

Harry relaxed somewhat at that answer. Mr. Lupin wasn't going to be here all the time, interrupting his family. He had rooms of his own.

"Where is Draco?" Uncle Sev asked.

"He went to the library with Millie and Daphne. He said he needed a book for one of his essays."

The silence that fell in the room after that was stifling. Harry clutched the handful of Uncle Sev's robes tighter, not understanding what was happening, or how to fix it.

"Uncle Sev," he finally said. "Can I go take my shower now?"

"Of course, Harry," Uncle Sev said. "We'll discuss your schedule with Mr. Lupin in the morning."

Harry nodded, then tried not to run from the room and the smothering feeling that was coming from the two men.

When Harry finished showering, he lay down on the bed and waited for Uncle Sev. He could hear voices coming from the sitting room. Uncle Sev hadn't put up the silencing charm yet, probably because it was still early and Draco wasn't back.

"I can't believe you threatened him." That was Mr. Lupin's voice. Uncle Sev's voice was deep and gravelly, whereas Mr. Lupin's voice was higher and somewhat smoother.

"He was not going to listen to reason and I needed to make it clear to him that I would not be intimidated or…bullied." Uncle Sev hesitated over the last word.

"Would you really have removed Harry from the school?" Harry's head came off the pillow at this statement.

"You know that I would and I will if it becomes necessary. I do not make idle threats. If there is any sign that Harry or Draco is not safe, we will leave. All of us. I will not have those two boys in danger just because Albus wants to manipulate the situation to his satisfaction."

Harry wondered who Albus was and if he had met him. Maybe he was one of the teachers, or a school governor like Draco's father. He would need to ask Draco if he knew who it was. Obviously it was someone that couldn't be trusted if he was making threats and trying to force people to do what he wanted.

"I know it's too late," Mr. Lupin said. "But I want to apologize for…"

"Don't," Uncle Sev interrupted. "Don't apologize, especially for Black and Potter, because I am convinced that they would never be truly sorry. I am dealing with my feelings and trying to set aside the anger; otherwise you would not be here."

Deciding that maybe he shouldn't be listening to what was certainly a private conversation, he called out, "Uncle Sev? I'm finished with my shower."

A few minutes later, Harry heard the door to their rooms open and close. Then Uncle Sev was sitting on his bed and Harry felt the now familiar tingle of the healing salve.

"Do you have questions, Harry?" Uncle Sev asked.

"About Mr. Lupin?" Harry wondered.

"That," Uncle Sev agreed. "Or anything else. You may ask me anything you like."

"Why…why don't you like Mr. Lupin?" Harry asked hesitantly.

Uncle Sev blew out a harsh breath. "That is a difficult question, Harry."

"Oh," Harry said. "I'm…"

"Don't say you're sorry, Harry," Uncle Sev warned. "I did tell you that you could ask anything."

There was a bit of quiet. Harry thought that maybe Uncle Sev was thinking about what he wanted to say.

"Mr. Lupin went to school with your father and his friend, Sirius Black," Uncle Sev started. "He was part of their group of friends and…they liked to prank people."

"Were the pranks bad?" Harry asked.

"Most of them weren't bad, so much as just uncomfortable or stupid." Uncle Sev's fingers paused their movement on Harry's shoulder. "However, they took an extreme dislike to anyone who was in Slytherin."

"Why?"

Uncle Sev's fingers continued their way up his neck and began to rub salve into his jaw. "That's a long, long story, and one I think I will leave for another time. Suffice it to say that they took a particular interest in me and over the course of the next seven years, the feud between their group and me became legendary."

"They bullied you?" Harry clenched his fingers into his blankets. "Like Dudley did to me?"

"No," Uncle Sev said. "I gave as good as I got."

"But it would have been three against one," Harry insisted. "That isn't fair."

"Actually it was four, and you're right, under normal circumstances it would not have been fair, but your mum, she liked me and helped me get back at them at times."

"So that's why you don't like my dad or Mr. Lupin? Because they pranked you in school?"

"That is part of it," Uncle Sev replied.

"Why did you ask Mr. Lupin to come and help if you don't like him?" Uncle Sev's hand brushed over Harry's ear.

"He's the best one to help me with you, Harry. I'll set aside the past in order to help you get better."

"Oh," Harry said, feeling a warm glow start in the middle of his chest. Uncle Sev liked him enough to bring in someone he hated to help. "So you really do…like me."

Uncle Sev laughed, a low rumble that came from his chest. "Yes Harry, I do like you. Quite a bit, actually."

~HPSSHPSS~

Draco walked in between Millie and Daphne on the way back to Uncle Sev's rooms. His book bag with the new library books swung at his side, occasionally thumping against his hip. The girls chattered to each other about the latest gossip going around the school and Draco just tuned it out.

As they turned the corner, Draco saw Mr. Lupin emerging from Uncle Sev's living quarters. He threw a hasty goodbye to the girls and raced to catch up with Mr. Lupin.

"Mr. Lupin!" he called and the man stopped to wait for him.

"Draco," he said with a small smile that made Draco breathe a silent sigh of relief. "How may I help you?"

"I wanted to ask…about my father," Draco said, looking down slightly.

"Ah," Mr. Lupin said. "Why don't we go to my quarters for a moment?"

Draco nodded and followed Mr. Lupin down the hall to his rooms. The sitting room was small and sparsely furnished. Draco sat on the sofa and Mr. Lupin took the chair next to him.

"What is it you would like to know?" he asked.

"Well…" Draco hesitated, not sure how to phrase the question. "I noticed that you recognized my name when we were introduced."

Mr. Lupin nodded encouragingly. "Yes, I did. Go on."

"You seemed to have a negative reaction, and I wondered if…if…my father had done something bad to you." Draco huffed a relieved breath at managing to get the question out as steadily as he had.

Mr. Lupin sat back in his chair and gazed calmly at Draco. "Your father and I do not get along. I cannot tell you why at this point. However, I will tell you that you are not your father, and I will not treat you as such. Is that what you were worried about?"

"Yes, sir," Draco said, looking directly into Mr. Lupin's face for the first time since entering the room. "I decided that I couldn't be the kind of person my father wanted me to be. That's why Uncle Sev is now my guardian."

"I understand," Mr. Lupin smiled. "You have nothing to worry about, Draco. I am here to help Severus with you and Harry, not to judge you based on your father. If we were all judged on that basis, Harry would not be living with Severus right now."

"No," Draco laughed. "That's certainly true. From what I can tell, Uncle Sev hated Harry's dad."

"He did," Mr. Lupin replied. "For him to set that aside, to be willing to take in Harry, speaks volumes about his character. I would hate to fall short in comparison."

Mr. Lupin glanced at his watch. "It's after curfew. You had better go home before Severus sends out a search party."

"Yes, sir," Draco said, getting off the couch. "Thank you for talking to me."

"Anytime, son," Mr. Lupin said. "I'm available anytime you need me."