AN: Born from a conversation with Schattengestalt, this is just a bit out there. Enjoy it if you will. Not beta'd unless Yen or someone else lets me know in a PM what the issues are.

Ree

Wanted: Head of Hufflepuff House

Albus Dumbledore settled back in his seat, his gaze drifting over his professors. For a moment he contemplated Severus Snape, his youngest professor, for the position that had just opened. True, Severus had only been teaching for three years, but the Potions Master had shown his ability to work under the worst circumstances. Hard work would be one of the main characteristics that would be needed to fill the position; to toil under any circumstance and to be loyal would also be welcome ones. Severus had shown all three of those traits.

It had happened in Severus' first year, the year that Voldemort was defeated. When the aurors had come to arrest his professor, Severus had collected his marking along with his writing supplies and had calmly walked out of Hogwarts. 'When they asked if he thought he could really do any writing while the Dementors were nearby, he had looked them in the eye and told them that fear wouldn't change his marking.'

At Severus' trial Dumbledore had been surprised when an auror handed him a packet of marked essays. It was the way Severus had gracefully accepted being incarcerated and that he had insisted on completing his marking coupled with the quiet, respectful way he had sat chained into the prisoner's chair that had made Albus' task of freeing his professor that much simpler. Even Malfoy had sneered and scolded the Wizengamot. 'I was able to convince them Severus was a spy, but the thing that won them over to the idea that he was loyal to the side of the Light was the way that he accepted the possibility of punishment. They took it as a show of remorse, of understanding consequences of actions that they could not, or would not, believe that a loyal Death Eater could feel. So, they released him.'

"We have one last thing that needs to be handled." Albus ran a hand down his beard. "As you can see, Professor Sprout was not able to join us. Due to a family emergency, she will be unable to teach this school year. Professor Anthony Burl has agreed to take over her Herbology course, but will not be able to take on her Head of House duties. Anyone who wishes to take over those for this year, please leave a missive on my desk by tomorrow."

Conversation buzzed around the table, most discussing what the possible situations could be that was keeping Pomona away, the rest centred around who should be taking over her House.

Albus waited a few minutes before continuing. "One more thing, I need any order changes by the morning. We are now done. Enjoy your afternoon."

§§§§

Severus double checked the potions supply closets against his last year inventory sheets. When they checked out, he wrote up the list of needed supplies and headed off to deliver the list to Dumbledore.

"Burning Feathers." The gargoyle moved, and Severus passed through while attempting to forget just what that particular sweet tasted like. The door into the Headmaster's office opened as he reached it. For a moment he thought that Dumbledore knew he was there, but Archibald Griffith, the Ancient Runes Professor, stepped out and nodded to him as he left. Returning the greeting, Severus walked into the office, his list in hand.

"Headmaster, here are my order changes." Severus held out a parchment scroll, which Dumbledore accepted and put on a stack. Turning on his heel, he prepared to leave.

"Severus, if you would wait a moment." Albus let a small smile out as the young man faced him, his exasperation only momentarily visible on his face before he schooled it. "I would like you to apply for the Head of Hufflepuff position."

It was the knowledge that he would lose his chance of Severus agreeing that kept back Albus' laughter at the shocked expression that currently covered the Potions Master's face.

Severus folded his arms, his eyes narrowing. "What? Me? Dumbledore, I was in Slytherin. Surely you remember that."

Albus closed his office door and leaned against it. "I am aware of that. Professor Griffith just informed me that he will not be returning next year. I would like you to be replace him as the Head of Slytherin, but there is no way I can give that position to someone with as little experience as you have. If you spent this year as a Head of House, then I could easily move you over to the Slytherin Head of House position next year."

Albus waited while Severus thought through his offer. Even though he was sad that Griffith was leaving, he was pleased that he had this piece of leverage to get Severus to think about taking the position.

"I will consider it, sir." Severus walked towards the door. He was glad when Dumbledore moved, opening the door as he did so.

Albus watched as the man walked away, deep in thought. "Please let me know tomorrow morning, Severus."

§§§§

'What would I get out of being a Head of House?'

That question had been bouncing about in Severus' head since he had left the Headmaster's office. It seemed to be echoing off the stone walls, rebounding off the ceiling and floors, bouncing down the stairs as he walked down them, and even the portraits seemed to be murmuring it as he passed them on his way to his laboratory. No matter how much he heard the question, an answer never came. What was worse was that he was sure he would be a bad Head of House.

'The Head of House is supposed to be a parental figure. Taking care of those students sorted into their group … their family. I did not have a good example of a parental figure, and I never warmed up enough to Slughorn to learn from him how to complete the task. It would be foolish of me to even contemplate taking this on. Especially for a house I am not even a former member of. I doubt I would be a good replacement for Griffith next year.'

Pushing the matter out of his mind, Severus entered his laboratory, and checking the list of potions that Madame Pomfrey needed, he noticed he had an entire evening of brewing. This was not something that would change. Potions Masters were too busy to handle being the Head of House. Someone else would take up the open position, not only this year's, but next year's as well. There were others far more qualified than him. Others that at least could show they cared. Pushing all thoughts of Head of Houses and Headmasters out of his mind once again, he settled in to start brewing.

Hours later, Severus arranged the vials and flasks of the needed potions. His fingers ghosted over the multicoloured containers with pleasure. This is what he excelled at. His potions were the only ones to receive and understand his caring. They didn't demand overt displays; they didn't need to be reassured. No, they glowed and sparkled in their containers content that he made them. 'Children would not understand. They would demand more attention no matter which house they were part of. They would deserve it as well.'

A sigh escaped him as he started cleaning up. It wasn't until he was elbow deep in sudsy water scrubbing the worst cauldron that a new thought entered his mind. 'Why does Dumbledore want me to be the Head of Hufflepuff?'

The question turned over and answers surfaced with each scrubbing motion.

'He wants someone that he trusts.' Severus dismissed that idea fast. He didn't doubt Dumbledore trusted him, but he didn't think it was with children. The man had called him on the carpet more than once about his teaching persona.

'He doesn't think the others have time to take this task on and do it right.' That was completely out there. He had more to do with brewing along with his other teaching responsibilities than the others who were not already a Head of House.

'So, why does Dumbledore want me to take this position? Can it truly be because he wants me to be the Head of Slytherin house next year? Why would he want me there? It would put me in a position of power over the children of my fellow Death Eaters.' His eyes widened slightly and his hands stopped moving. That was it. He would have an influence on those children. The other Death Eaters would know he was a spy, Dumbledore's spy, and their children would as well. They would see that there might be a different path besides following their parents' footsteps. 'Dumbledore insists the Dark Lord is not truly gone. Maybe he wants me to show those children they do not have to be good little followers, that they can learn to think for themselves – hopefully before they are marked beyond redemption.'

Rinsing out the cauldron, he moved to the next one while his mind churned over that idea. 'If I could influence them, maybe … just maybe it would be worth attempting to be a Head of House.'

Scrubbing the sludge out of his smallest cauldron, Severus tried to imagine how he could be an effective Head of House.

§§§§

The parchment on his desk was still blank. Severus held his quill in his hand, the ink darkening its tip, as he contemplated what to write. The only words that were coming to mind, the only reason he could think of for the Headmaster to accept him as the Head of Hufflepuff, was that Albus Dumbledore had requested he do so.

All last night he had pondered how he could become worthy of the position. How he could show he could be trusted with children directly under his care, to be the person for them to go to if they had problems. Not a single thought had come to him. Not one plan. All that kept playing through his mind was he could not be like his parents, he could not be like Slughorn – that man had been good for a select group of the students in Slytherin but not all. He wanted to be like Dumbledore, but not exactly – there was a time or two in his memory where the Headmaster did not have his best interest at heart. So, he was left with a blank parchment, staring at it, wishing to take Dumbledore up on his offer, but having no clue how to do so, much less write out that he did.

Finally, the quill lowered and Severus wrote the only thing he was capable of. I would appreciate the chance to become the temporary Head of Hufflepuff. I would do my best to help each child succeed.

As he walked the missive to the Headmaster's office, Severus decided if Dumbledore accepted him, he would talk to McGonagall, Flitwick and Griffith about how they worked with their houses. It would give him a starting point.

§§§§

Albus looked at the stack of parchments that littered his desk. One was letters that needed to be replied to, another was Ministry and Board messages and notes, and another was the inner school related paperwork. The one that held his attention was the small stack sitting right in the centre. These were the volunteers for the Head of House position.

Picking up the top one, he noticed that it was Septima Vector who offered her services. Scanning through her letter, Albus could see she would be a good replacement, but wondered if she would be willing to move into the dungeon to be near the dormitory. Albus knew that she had never cared for that level, preferring to be on the seventh floor. The third floor was her other preferred floor, which was where her current sleeping quarters were. The Arithmancer did not care for negative numbers, and that was what the floor below the ground level represented.

Setting her letter aside, Albus picked up the only other one there. 'Please, let this be Severus.'

Breaking the seal, he unrolled the parchment and a small smile curved his lips. It was written in Severus' hand writing. It took him no time to read the two sentences, but the second one was all he needed to see. Severus would work to see the students succeed, and next year, he would be able to have a Head of Slytherin that would understand that house better than anyone had in years.

Albus knew the Slytherin house was facing dark days, worse than any living wizard could remember. Ever since the end of the war, people saw those who entered it as dark wizards and would possible punish them just for being Slytherin. Severus would understand what was happening, and would be able to help those children hold their head up, just as he, himself, had learned to. He would also guard their backs and hopefully help to keep some of them out of Voldemort's grip when he came back.

Letting the parchment roll back up, he sat it on top of Vector's. He would talk to them both after breakfast to let them know what his decision was.