Chapter 1: Getting sidetracked
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, if I didn't Severus never would have died. But I thank you, JKR
Looking for her mistress, seated at the Staff table, Roxanne Dumont glances her eyes upon him. "I know him… but, c'est qui?
Ms. Dumont was a healer at the Beuxbaton Academy of Magic. She has accompanied the headmistress to Hogwarts, as they will take part of the Triwizard Tournament.
She finally approached Madame Olympiad by her side, but she was late for the introductions. When the meal was over, she was approached by Madame Pomfrey, who made available to her help and resources, and offered a visit to the infirmary whenever she likes. After a little chit chat, Roxanne asks her, Who is the tall, black haired man over there?"
-"Who? Professor Snape? He is our Potions teacher."
- Severus Snape?, she asked. "Yes, do you know him?"
- "Oh! Yes, I mean, we were introduced a long time ago. I don't think he remembers me…" Miss Dumont tries to look for him again as she bid a good night to Miss Pomfrey, but he was gone.
She retires to her room, tired from the trip, but still thinking about the Potions teacher… "qu'il pourrait me rappeler?"
Next day, she was refreshed and on time, she didn't want to be late again. She entered the great hall with her Mistress and started to have breakfast with the staff. This time, he was the last to join the table.
-"Good Morning" said Professor Snape, addressing the entire table. She looked at him and finally their eyes met for a moment. He did react at her, but only for a second. After she finished her black coffee, she was leaving the great hall when Madame Pomfrey approached her.
- "Good morning, did you sleep well?"
- "Oh yes, thank you. I was wondering, may I visit the infirmary sometime this afternoon? I would like to be familiar with the place, just in case?"
-"Of course, my dear… Oh ! How fortunate!" Professor Snape, over here!" called Miss Pomfrey.
He stopped with a halt, not liking to be called in such matter. "Yes Madame Pomfrey?" answered Snape with a visible sneer on his face as he was getting ready for his class…
-"Professor Snape", said Pomfrey, "this is Mademoiselle Dumont, from Beauxbaton"
-"Miss Dumont" said Snape, making a minuscule nod to her. "Bonjour, Professor" she responds with a hint of a smile. "My name is Roxanne Dumont, I believe we met before… "
-"I'm sorry Miss Dumont, but I don't recall meeting you before" He said after a short pause, trying to place her face, which made her a little uncomfortable. "Welcome to Hogwarts.., now, if you will excuse me…" He nodded again and with a swift turn, he headed towards the dungeons.
-"Oh Miss Dumont, I'm so sorry …"
-"Il n'ya pas de problème du tout, Madame Pomfrey. Maybe I'm mistaken. When can I visit your office?"
- "Why don't we go right now, Miss Dumont?" And the two witches took the marble staircase up to the tower.
Professor Snape went down to the dungeons for his first class of the day, Advance Potions. He liked to teach this class, actually. Only "Outstanding" grades get in. He knows that when he got there, the cauldrons will be lit and ready to start the day's lesson. Another plus, he wouldn't have to deal with looking at Mr. Potter that, although he got his mother's eyes, his demeanor and the way he didn't care that much for books and knowledge was so much like his father's…
After giving out the instructions, he took a sit on his desk and started to read parchments that need it grading. He did this only until he came across a name… Roxanne… in one of his parchments when he stopped and looked back at that awkward moment earlier that morning…. Roxanne… Could it be her? And, why she would remember me, he thought.
After all, almost 18 years had passed since they briefly met. In one of the scarcest holidays outside dark and gloomy England, he went to the south of France, to the summer house of the Malfoy family, under Lucius invitation; Malfoy, whom he has met since his first year at school, and always been friendly with him, or at least, not an enemy. There were definitely trades he didn't care for, but he was very intelligent, knowledgeable and respectable of the Dark Arts, nothing like his son, Draco. He had him go to the summer estate to "meet" with some friends across Europe and talk to them about the future under the soon legendary and powerful dark wizard, Voldemort…
Severus was ready to start his last year at school next September, but the chance to be in the presence of Voldemort was an opportunity he couldn't resist. At the train station, arriving in London from Hogwarts, he took a long stare at Lily Evans. She felt the longing, the ache and the hint of anger in those black eyes. The connection was broken, once again, when James Potter took her by the arm, leading her to the platform where Black and the others were waiting, after shooting darts with his eyes to Snape. Shortly after, Lucius Malfoy made his presence known at King's Cross Station and pick up Snape and other fellow Slytherins. They will spend the night at Malfoy Manor and go to France the next morning. Lucius had graduated long ago from Hogwarts, but he was still single, in charge of his family's business and connections, still interested in studying the dark arts, especially dark objects.
He couldn't but wish Lily was there with him during that trip. She wouldn't' appreciate the people with whom he was, but she would have loved the colors, sounds and smells of the French landscape. "Enough", he said to himself, after a house elf pop in announcing dinner was ready.
He went downstairs to the great dining room, where a long table was placed, beautifully set with plentiful food and wine. At the head of the table was Lucius, proud grin on his face, and to his right, Voldemort. This was the last time Lucius will have that position in a table with him.
Then, he remembered: at the left side of Lucius, a tall, slender woman smile and nodded at almost everything that Malfoy said. Her wild but gracious brown curls kept getting in her face as she followed the conversation of those around her. Yes, he remembers now, Mademoiselle Dumont was one of those trophies Malfoy used to keep around him.
After dinner, a more relaxed atmosphere followed making it possible for more easy acquaintances. Very brief, very casual. Voldemort's visit only lasted about a week, but Snape stayed behind with a handful of people, including her. He will often find himself in the well-stocked library and bury his nose in books for the longest time. She would also find her way to the library, but she was easily persuaded to meet Lucius in other activities. "Severus, would you please leave those books for a couple of hours and join us. The weather is glorious, come, join us…" With a frown and a sigh, he did. But he couldn't find himself joining in the relaxed and carefree behavior that the others showed, even though he was one of the younger people in the group. He only thought of Lily, his mistake, and the choices he had made so far. It was as if he already knew what his life was to become, some years down the road.