Chapter 1

Introductions

Rumours spread throughout the castle like wildfire. The great hall was already bustling with activity as it usually did upon the first day back. Several students strained their necks from their seats, eager to find out whether there really was a Muggle in their presence.

Most of the senior students had discarded the news to be false. A Muggle teaching Muggle studies sounded logical to few but mad to many. Someone scoffed, saying that for a Muggle to witness magic, let alone teach at an institute of magic, was utter nonsense. However, most of the younger years believed if anyone could get around Ministry rules to have a Muggle professor, that person would be Dumbledore.

The castle was divided as the bickering rose in volume. Even the teachers who had caught wind of the news were wondering about the headmaster's intentions, questioning his sanity once again. Only Severus remained silent among the chaos. His dark eyes swept across the tables before him as his ears filtered through the passing remarks, collecting bits and pieces.

He had only a mild interest in the daily gossip of his colleagues and students. There was almost always something amiss in the halls of Hogwarts and his care for the changes was little to none. Staff alterations were of little importance and his mind couldn't be bothered with idle chatter with the foreboding war amidst.

Minerva, ever the Gryffindor that she was, tried to include him several times in their conversations but Severus fell silent quickly after a few short words. He noticed how their backs would straighten, their fingers tighten and the shifting of their eyes as they were suddenly reminded of his presence. He had no desire to waste his breath and outside of Minerva, he considered the rest of the staff's discussions to be equally as rewarding as debating Quidditch with the 6th years; insignificant and irrelevant.

Still, in the back of his mind there was a speck of curiosity. If they were all right in their judgements, the questions how and why were present.

He settled for pondering upon the how.

The Ministry would have had to give its permission as it was near impossible for Albus to manage such without detection. Fudge was more a mule than man and if Albus was able to manipulate the man with little more than lemon drops, Severus wouldn't be surprised. Any disturbance to the serenity of the world he had built and Fudge would be grasping straws to maintain the illusion of security.

Bringing a Muggle into their world would also draw the attentions of Voldemort, if not immediately then eventually. With his elbows placed upon the oak table and his fingers interlaced, Severus subconsciously rested his chin against it, his brows furrowing in contemplation. Dumbledore would've known this and Severus briefly wondered if this Muggle was being used as a pawn or a willing solider. Did they own a debt to the headmaster and what exactly was it a Muggle was capable of doing that he couldn't?

Irritation fell through him as he found himself wondering why and now, who. If it was indeed a Muggle's help that Dumbldore had enlisted, Severus couldn't help but feel insulted. He made a note to stop by the headmaster's office after the feast. While it was clear the Order didn't seem to know the headmaster's plans, there were many things that Albus has told him and no one else. The sense of betrayal he felt was fleeting. He trusted the old man, although he had given him many a time not to, but he trusted his actions to the cause.

The doors of the great hall slowly swung open and Severus narrowed his eyes upon the figure he recognized. 'Always with the theatrics old man,' he thought, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. He leaned himself back while others leaned forward, allowing his hands to fall to his sides.

As the two figures began walking into the light of the hall, Severus watched the woman who greeted various students with a nod or smile. Her skin was as dark as the night, her figure slender and willowy. Her hips were narrower than her shoulders and her arms swayed gently as she walked. Her neck was kept tall as her chin struck out and she met the gaze of all who watched her.

There was no doubt this woman was a Muggle, her clothing was unlike any robe sold in the Wizarding world. The white cloth loosely fell down to her ankles and was draped over, possibly pinned by, her shoulders. From the same cloth she wore a matching head piece, covering her hair so only her face could be seen. As she drew closer, he noticed the edges of her cloth were embroidered with coloured stitches and upon both her hands and her legs were metal hoops.

She met his eyes then but gave no nod or smile in his direction, only stared and Severus returned her gaze. She let her eyes drop for the first time from upon entering the room and Severus could only scoff silently in response. He cared little for what she thought of him as far as first impressions went. It was better for her to realize sooner than later that he was not to be bothered.

Albus turned to face the students while the woman stood slightly to the left, her head bowed in what appeared to humility.

"Let me first welcome all of those returning for another year." The headmaster's voice cracked through the silence, warming the air with familiarity. "I gather from the many faces that you are struggling to hold in your questions. But there are several things we might first attend to…"

As Dumbledore began explaining minor changes within the school curriculum and other announcements regarding events throughout the school year, many continued to watch the woman. Whispers were passed as Prefects did their best to act indifferent and maintain the silence. It was a though the headmaster was building the tension on purpose.

"…Is that all…" The old man wondered aloud, and Severus wasn't certain if he has seriously forgetting due to age or merely playing the fool. After a bit of a pause, someone from the head table cleared their throat and when Albus glanced back, he seemed to realize.

"Ah yes…Students and staff, please welcome a guest to Hogwarts. Professor Ahmed." There was a pause as the applause that followed was not instantaneous but quite cautious. "Miss Ahmed will be taking over Muggle studies and I do not doubt you will make her feel right at home. She has travelled a bit of distance to be with us tonight and I am honoured to have her here." The headmaster bowed his head gently as the woman quickly crossed the distance between them.

"It is I who is honoured." She spoke with a sincere smile and grasped hold of both his hands. Severus caught the words 'is she allowed to do that' from one of the students below and this time was unable to keep his eyes from turning upwards. The entire scene was making his quite nauseous and he was wondering how much longer till the end. He briefly debating leaving but knew if Albus caught him he'd be forced to make up for the lack of socialization later.

Not that anyone would notice him leave till much later.

As the woman patted Albus's hand, Severus concluded they had to have known each other for some time now. There was too much honesty and friendship within the room to determine otherwise. The woman seemed to straighten her back and step forward. With her head raised and her hands clasped before her, she opened her mouth.

"My name is Aamino Mohammed Ahmed." Her voice was thick with an accent Severus couldn't place. It was clear she was of some African descent. "And yes, I am what you would call a Muggle."

She paused there and justly so as the Great hall began murmuring once more. The noise was nothing over which she couldn't continue and so Aamino paced as she carried on.

"I have come here with a duty, a job if you wish, to educate and enlighten the minds here today. When the headmaster first approached me, I will be honest with you, my answer was no." She smiled softly just then, as if she were recalling a memory. The sound of her sandals stopped as she stood in the middle, she then turned to face the teachers. "Why have I come? What made me change my mind?" She tilted her head ever so slightly to the right, seeing the same puzzled faces upon the adults.

"Well, if you'd like to hear my story I will tell you. But, you must come ask me." And with that, she stepped off to the side once more, bowing her head slightly.

'Dramatics. How…Gryffindor…' Severus thought, as the feast began and the woman followed Albus to an empty seat. Taking the distraction of introductions among faculty as the perfect opportunity, Severus stood to slip away. He had wasted enough of his time here. There were a fresh batch of potions the Dark Lord required of him and while everyone else lived for the light of the present, he had no choice but prepare for the dark future.

C&C