Disclaimer: Do not own any of J.K Rowling or WB's work. This is for entertainment only.
A/N: Hello everyone! I did delete the other "Back to the Start" simply because I wasn't going anywhere. SOoooo, I'm making this in it's place. A revamp. Hey...correct me on spelling "Beuxbaton's" Is it right?
Chapter 1: Reunited
Four years of attending Pheonixia University. Four years of aching pain, waiting to see his beautiful smile once more. Four years of knowing we were both hanging by strings, each of us arguing over the space between us. Miles and miles of space between us almost destroying his faith in me. Almost destroying hope I held in the deepest veins in my heart.
Hogwarts, I'm coming home.
"All aboard!" The train's conductor bellowed throughout the station. "All aboard! The train to King's Cross Station is now departing."
I boarded the train and searched for an empty seat. The train's startling whistle blew a few times. As the last of the passengers sat in compartments with there friends, my eyes searched in panic.
"Hey, you! The brunette with jeans on. . . " A blonde girl called to me. She motioned towards her compartment.
I ran to see an empty spot for me to take. The door closed impatiently.
"Thanks, I didn't want to get in trouble by the conductor." My heart calmed down after a few deep breaths.
The blonde girl smiled as if she won an award. "Anytime. I love helping people. It's in my nature. The name's Andrea Cromley. What's your name?"
"Maranda Maguire. Nice to meet you. Finally get to meet someone who doesn't crash into me in a narrow hall on the way to an overcrouded classroom."
Andrea nodded and said, "I know the feeling. Glad to be on my way elselwhere. Pheonixia was a wonderful place to be, but I'm ready for the rest of my life now. You know what I mean?"
I agreed, "Yeah, I know. . ."
Andrea pulled a book out from a tote bag she had on the floor and started to read. Our conversation hadn't lasted long, but that was somewhat expected from a stranger. My eyes naturally gazed outside at speedy birds trying to keep up with the movement of the train. It had been so long since I was last on a train. My heart exploded with excitement not only for the ride, but for the events to come.
A few weeks before my last semester at Pheonixia, Albus Dumbledore wrote me a professional letter. He asked me to return to Hogwarts to become one of the staff members. What I would actually do there was uncertain at the time; I would have to wait until I arrived to find out. I suppose the outcome of my job rested upon what my major was in college. Honestly, I didn't have a major. I studied nursing, potions, dueling, literature, and so on. I basically took as many classes as I possibly could. My brain was full of knowledge from every which way. I had no regrets about college. Maybe that was why Dumbledore was uncertain where to place me.
I'm always cursed with anxiety attacks before I return to Hogwarts. For once, my nervous system remained in tact with no malfunctions. Well, not yet anyways.
"So, where are you headed to?" Andrea's voice snapped me out of my daze.
I answered firmly, "I'm going to Hogwarts. Dumbledore asked me to return for a job and I'm more than happy to accept."
"Really? I'm going there too!" Andrea's face gleamed, "I got a letter a few weeks back from Dumbledore too."
"Wow, fate sure brought me to this compartment for some reason. Did you attend Hogwarts before?"
"No, I went to Beuxbaton's School For Girls. My parents wanted me to grow up with etiquette and grace. They didn't like Hogwarts' teaching methods."
My mind immediately brought up Snape teaching with imense intimidation. "I can see why in some aspects."
"We should sit together on the ride to Hogwarts as well. Whatd'ya say?" Andrea suggested after putting her book away.
"Why not?" I replied with a smile, "You can meet a few of my friends who are meeting me at King's Cross. They contacted me and are also returning to Hogwarts."
"Neat. I always love meeting new people."
The train ride was coming to an end, but the adventure was just beginning. Another storybook in my life as a witch. A new start where it all began. A trip back to the past. Faith and Hope held my hands constantly, reminding me what I was returning to.
"Here we are!" Andrea shouted merrily. We stepped off of the train and retrieved our luggage.
Andrea and I walked with quick pace to a bare wall a few yards away. We counted to three and ran through it to come out in the middle of King's Cross Station.
"Platform Nine... Here it is. Platform Nine and three-quarters. Hermione and the others are probably already boarding the train considering it leaves in five minutes." I glanced around for any muggles who held too much curiosity. We couldn't be seen running through a wall.
Andrea went first, running through to the other side. I looked around once more and ran quickly into the wall, careful not to let go of my trunks.
"Mmm. The smell of the Hogwart's Express. Isn't it invigorating?" I was extremely happy.
Andrea and I left our belongings near everyone else's. Whoever was in charge would load everything onto the train's carriage. My cat, Serenity, was also there, being placed with all the other caged animals. Serenity had grown a lot over the past four years, but she was still as cute. She loved me and always knew when I needed a good cuddle.
When we boarded the train, my eyes searched for any sign of friends. I was distracted by a slender male standing with his back facing me. He had black curly hair that stopped just above his ears. He was tall and smelled of musk and peppermint. It was Neville. I poked the male in the back with a broad grin on my face.
"Maranda!" Neville hugged me and we kissed each other on the cheek.
"You goon!" I teased, "You stayed skinnier than a pole. What ever happened to us taking classes together in Pheonixia? I was looking forward to sharing homework secrets and everything."
Neville glanced at me with guilty eyes. "Yeah, well I took as many classes about herbology as I could. My schedule didn't allow for friends. I did see you that one time though, through a window."
"Isn't that how all lost friend stories begin?"
"Or love stories," Neville added, "I saw my ex-girlfriend through that same window. We started to date that day, but we broke up last week. She's moving to Spain and we can't handle the distance."
"Oh, I'm sorry Nev. Oh!" I realized I hadn't introduced my new friend. "This is Andrea Cromley. I just met her on ride here."
"Nice to meet you, Andrea. You guys want to sit with the rest of the group?"
We both nodded and followed Neville to a compartment towards the back of the carriage. We entered joyously seeing Hermione, Gwen, and Ron. I sat next to Neville and Andrea, with everyone else opposite us. Our greetings were more than special considering how long it was since we last saw each other. Everyone seemed to like Andrea as well.
"You sorry to have left Hogwarts so early that year?" Asked Ron, hoping I would appologize a million times over.
"No," I shot back, "I told you it was the right choice for me. I had to do it. And you know what? It was the most trying time of my life. But that didn't stop me from going on with it."
Hermione frowned, "Have you heard from Severus?"
Oh, right. The Man. The one who I thought would understand it all, completely lost in the back of my mind. It had been forever since I thought about him. I had almost lost all hope, and realized it was only a bad card fate delt me. Perhaps by finally returning to my home, Snape would forgive the past. I know for a fact he is stubborn when it comes to forgiveness. Or at least, that's what I remember.
"I wrote to him once. He never replied. It was the second day into my freshman year. I decided from that point on that I was going to have to wait for him to make a move. Our lives were different. I would think about him every night, praying that somehow he would write to me. But . . . nothing. And so, I stopped grieving and accepted it. I hurt his feelings, and so I took the consequences." My touching speech almost brought tears to Hermione's eyes.
Gwen smiled, "Yeah, but just think; He's probably forgotten about it."
"That git wouldn't forget about it," Ron remarked rudely, "You know he would drill it into Maranda like it was some travesty or something. He's good for making people feel like shit. Remember all those fights you had?"
"Enough reminiscing," I said, "Andrea is lucky to have not witnessed anything. Not that everything was so horrible. He was at least a good snog."
"That was beyond disturbing. You definitely haven't changed." Ron laughed.
He was right in some sense. I was still myself, but more mature. I at least gave things time to play out, instead of worrying to the point of interfering with fate.
0o0o0o0o
Hogwarts was more fanastic than I remembered. The yellow luminescence from the windows reached out for our hearts to fill it yet again with magic of life. Everyone cheered as we arrived at the front entrance. Our belongings were being carried in by house elves as we all entered as a group. I walked alongside my pals as a few unknown peers entered too.
Up the stairs I went, starting to feel a tingling in my stomach. To see Severus after all these years would be a blessing, even if he wasn't fond of me anymore. I had to at least try to talk to him. Or at least flash a smile at him.
"Well, here we go, Maranda." Hermione patted my back, "You know it's only going to be us in there. Are you going to be alright seeing Snape again?"
"Yeah. I think I'll be good if I just stay away from past subjects. Unless he brings it up, of course."
It was a week before classes would start, so naturally the college graduates and staff members would be the only people in the school for a while. This was so Dumbledore could give us some time to adjust to whatever job we were taking. I didn't care what my job was, as long as it wasn't near anyone unfriendly. I really wasn't in the mood for trouble this time around.
A blur of talking was heard before we all entered the Great Hall. As we opened the doors, I spotted the teachers scattered about talking to one another. So this was an informal get-together. At least my black pants and red blouse were suitable for the occasion.
"Maranda," Ron poked me. He pointed to the far right corner of the hall and said, "There's Snake."
My eyes were fighting not to look, but soon fell upon the black, myseterious ensemble of a man who's stone-cold face made my insides ache with want. Every single feeling of desire poured back into my heart as I watched him speaking to another professor. His mouth moved smoothly, like liquid silver. And he looked at our group entering, not realizing I was here.
"Ah!" Dumbledore sighed, "My college graduates are here! Welcome to Hogwarts!"
Ron, Hermione, Gwen, Neville, Andrea, and I all walked towards the teachers' table. The other people followed behind us. They had obviously never been to Hogwarts. Neither had Andrea, but at least she now had some friends familiar with the surroundings.
Dumbledore stood in front of our gathering and spoke professionally. "I see you have all showed up after recieving letters requesting your presence. I do have jobs for all of you, but it is your decision whether to take them or not. If not, we will try to find another job of your liking."
As he went on about the benefits of working here, I noticed Snape walking over to us. He finally spotted me, and we locked eyes for a moment. There was no soft smile or hint of expression. Just his normal emotionaless stare. I had altered my appearance slightly, wearing my hair wavy and tighter-fitting clothing. But nothing to make me unknown to the first man to love me. I couldn't move my eyes away from his. My ears tried to listen to Dumbledore, but were being distracted by my own thoughts.
" . . . and if you have any problems where your bedrooms are, just speak to the house elves. They will try their best to make the room fit to your wishes. Now, if you could all line up, I will tell you each of your jobs." Dumbledore finally caught my attention.
Hermione was first in line. Dumbledore shook her hand and congradulated her on becoming the new Charms teacher after Flitwick happily retired the previous year. She was more than overjoyed. Next was Neville, who naturally was announced as the new Herbology teacher. Again, overjoyous reaction. Andrea approached Dumbledore and shook his hand. She introduced herself and Dumbledore smiled, telling her she was now the new librarian. As Ron shook Albus' hand, he hoped not to work with animals. I hadn't seen Hagrid yet, but hoped he hadn't left the grounds or his Magical Creature job.
"Ronald Weasley, you are now my new caretaker."
"Excuse me?" Ron's eyes bolted open.
That's right . . . Filch was nowhere to be seen.
Albus continued, "He left during summer. Said he'd had the last straw of taking care of immature children and punishments. I'm now counting on you to be the caretaker of this school."
"Bloody hell! Thank you, Headmaster!"
I smiled at Ron's excitement. At least he had a fun job of torturing troublesome teens.
And next was me . . .