New Choices
Chapter 1
A new teacher
It was eight weeks before the start of another long school year, the teachers were soon coming back and the school was about to get ready for the new pupils. In a previously unprecedented move the headmaster had suddenly called all the teachers in for an unexpected staff meeting. "Ah dear colleagues" he said as soon as everybody had settled. "I or should I say we have a complication. The new defense teacher that was supposed to start soon has not been heard from in weeks, and I have been forced to make a hurried replacement. Luckily we have had an application to teach here from a European witch, Ms Germaine Schultz. She should be here within moments". All the others glanced grimly at each other, dreading the arrival of another incompetent defense teacher.
There was a sudden knock on the door of their meeting room, and Dumbledore got up to usher the newcomer in.
The witch that came in was bundled in a big cloak and had the hood up; still she shuddered violently as she came in. The headmaster turned back to the others and said "now that we are all here let me present your new colleague; Staff this is Ms Schultz who I hope will take on the responsibility for teaching defense this year. Ms Shultz this is some of the other teaching staff: professor Flitwick the charms teacher, professor McGonagall the deputy headmistress and transfigurations teacher, professor Sinistra who teaches Astronomy, professor Snape our potions master, professor Vector the arithmancy teacher and professor Burbage who teaches muggle studies. Sadly professor Kettleburn who teaches care of magical creatures, Professor Hooch who is our flying teacher, professor Babbling who teaches ancient runes, and professor Trelawney who teaches divination were not able to attend this meeting". There were a number of barely suppressed snorts at this announcement. (Trelawney was known for not attending many meetings because her "inner eye" supposedly got clouded.) "You must already have met Hagrid our gamekeeper, I suppose it was him that ushered you up here from the gates".
The new teacher now removed her hood, and looked round. She had hair so blonde it was almost white and big golden eyes. She would have been quite good looking if it had not been for the large scar up her one cheek. This drew one side of her mouth up, so that she seemed to be smirking slightly at them. "Good day to you all" she said in a low and pleasant voice, "I apologize for not disrobing; I have caught a chill and need to warm up a bit. As to the issue of me teaching defense, this will depend on the circumstances. I am actually both a Potions mistress and an adequate defense instructor, but I must admit that I am far better at potions than defense." She smiled slightly, looking directly at Severus; he saw that her eyes gleamed with distinct feminine interest and appreciation as she let her eyes glide over his form. It was not often a woman looked at him with interest, well he amended to himself actually never had any woman looked at him with this kind of interest; despite himself he felt intrigued.
"So I was hoping there was a chance that the esteemed potions professor might be capable of trading with me so that I teach potions and he teaches defense", she continued "or alternatively a sharing of responsibilities with me teaching potions and defense to the lower years and him teaching the higher years".
"We can discuss these matters later" Dumbledore said; "for now we have other matters to discuss". Professor Vector interjected hurriedly "what happened to Professor Quirrell, do we know? He should have started in seven weeks, has he just vanished"?
Professor Dumbledore looked a bit uncomfortable, and said "we do not know, he seems to have disappeared without a trace. We were very really lucky that Ms Schultz applied at this opportune time".
"Yes very lucky" Severus said drily, "I think this is the first instance of someone except yours truly actually applying to teach defense here. How come you heard of this opening?"
Dumbledore looked sharply at him and said warningly "Severus".
At this point Ms Schultz chose to answer the question Snape had asked, "I am not afraid of any supposed curse, and I heard of this, as you say `opening` through a friend who once attended this school. He has raved so much about his time at Hogwarts that I decided to follow his recommendation that I should really try applying for a job here if I came to this country. I was of course not aware there was indeed a space available at the time I sent my application, I just thought I should apply for the fun of it".
At this point Dumbledore interjected before more questions were asked. "As I was trying to say, we do have another purpose for this sudden meeting. Normally we would not meet for some time yet, but the addition of a new teacher whom is unfamiliar with the castle, does not know the ministry`s rules for teaching and has not had the opportunity to prepare for the school year makes it important that someone stay here with Ms. Schultz as she cannot be expected to manage alone".
" Please call me Gem" said the woman in question.
Dumbledore twinkled at her with his merry blue eyes, "Gem it is, and as I say someone must stay here with you and I regret to say that this someone cannot be me".
Almost every eye in the room shifted to Snape, and he threw up his arms saying "why is everybody looking at me? I actually DO have a private life too, in case you all did not realize".
Dumbledore just smiled at Snape saying "yes but as you are the only member of staff without family, and who is unattached you are the most obvious choice my dear boy. In addition you normally start early in order to brew for the infirmary".
Snape scowled at the headmaster, while Sinistra said quietly "careful headmaster, Severus might just scare off your newest teacher before she even begins".
"I do not scare easily" Gem said, smiling at them all. "I am sure professor Snape will provide interesting company" her eyes again roamed over him with obvious interest "if it so happens that he becomes my companion here for the next weeks. I am sure that the professor will want to test my capabilities in potions before he decides whether to let me teach it or not".
"Then it is settled Severus" said the headmaster while Snape again scowled at him. "You will stay here helping Ms, eh Gem to acclimatize".
The headmaster again turned to the rest of the teaching staff, saying "our business here is now concluded, thank you for coming at such short notice. I hope you will have a nice continued summer vacation, and I will see you all here in seven weeks".
"Ah joy" Snape said darkly, standing up and sweeping out of the room. The other teachers followed in his wake greeting Gem on their way out and wishing her and professor Dumbledore a good summer.
"Don't worry about Severus" said Dumbledore when all others had left, "he is a bit prickly but a most accomplished potions master". Gem only smiled slightly and said "believe me I have encountered worse, and probably will do so again".
"Let me show you to your quarters", said Dumbledore "I had originally thought to place you up near the defense classroom, but if you might end up teaching potions it is best that you stay in the dungeons". There is an unused set of rooms next to Professor Snape"s quarters, if that suits you"?
"Yes that will suit admirably" she said following him closely.
Professor Dumbledore sure moved quickly for an old man, they were at her new rooms within minutes. The rooms were dark and a bit dingy, but Gem felt they could have possibilities.
"Trinket" she called gently and her personal house elf popped into existence immediately, "What does mistress want" it enquired. "If you would be so good as to start unpacking my things into these rooms as quick as you are capable" Gem ordered. The house elf looked at her mistress and said, "these rooms are mighty dirty, you wish for Trinket to clean first"? "Yes please, do that".
The headmaster coughed politely, and said "I am sorry Ms. Gem, I do have to fly, but I will be back in seven weeks. I hope you will be able to get comfortable here, you only have to ask our house elves for assistance and I am sure Severus will" he paused slightly, looking a tad unsure "assist when he has had some time to ehm adjust". He then took her hand and bent slightly over it, "pleased that you could come Gem, I am looking forward to getting to know you better but now I really have to get going" he said before turning and exiting.
Professor Severus Snape, potions master extraordinaire was simultaneously angry that his longed for vacation vas cut short and also intrigued by this female that had been looking at him as if he was a delicacy she wanted to taste. He was definitely not used to females of any kind being interested in him in any way whatsoever, at least since… He could not even finish the thought; it was still too painful to think of the love of his life.
A knock sounded from his office door "come in headmaster" he called sourly. The headmaster opened the door, smiled at him and said "how did you know it was me"?
"All the others have probably left, except Ms. Shultz"
"Gem" interjected the headmaster. "Yes her" Severus continued, "and I could not see her coming here first thing". The headmaster twinkled at Severus in that annoying way of his "about Ms. eh, Gem my boy. You will stay at your best behavior won`t you? After all it is not every day that I may agree to give you the defense post after all". Severus glared at the headmaster and ground out "I will endeavor to not scare her away just yet".
The headmaster just smiled merrily and exclaimed "that's good; just see that she has what she needs, and help her get ready for the start of the school year. And if you`re lucky she might help you stock up the infirmary before term starts. Goodbye now Severus, I will see you after seven weeks". The headmaster then turned on his heel and left without another word.
"Damn and blast", said Severus glaring after the old codger, before turning round and leaving for his home in Spinners End in order to pack what he needed.