'For Merlin's sake, Severus, you damned fool' Snape mentally admonished himself 'You've been pursuing this for sixteen years. And what have you done to prepare? Nothing.' Of course, it wasn't the lesson plans for the subject he would be now be teaching instead of Potions that he hadn't thought of, but the reactions from the staff and students, which he hadn't even considered in the slightest until a mere twenty minutes prior to falling into his leather wingback chair after a brown-mottled owl had tapped its dark beak on the dingy glass of the window at Snape's dilapidated home at Spinner's End. The toasted almond parchment was crumpled in Snape's hand; he sighed heavily and flattened it the best he could to reread the message for the fourteenth time:

Severus –

After hearing of your new post as Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, the staff has concluded that a celebratory gathering is in order, as to provide the opportunity for all to give their congratulations – and, of course, for you to enjoy and revel in the success which you have long sought. I know you are not fond of surprises, so I am informing you now, therefore you will have no excuse to brood.

Minerva sends her regards.

– Albus

"Damn that meddling man!" Severus thought angrily. He summoned a tumbler of firewhiskey and took several sips of it; he might as well go ahead and start with his brooding now. He didn't understand why his life had to be this complicated; not only had Narcissa and Bellatrix showed up at his home a mere week ago, resulting in him making a damned Unbreakable Vow to assist the blonde woman's son - and if Draco failed, to kill the headmaster himself - but now the old man had gotten into his head that Snape would want a party in recognition of his new position as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher! Albus had been right about one thing, though; by sending that letter, he had removed all reason for Snape to complain, and he would have to feign enjoyment… Or would he? Snape smirked, recognizing that the Headmaster had not insisted that he pretended to take pleasure in the gathering, only that he not brood.

After draining the amber liquid from his glass, Snape stood and moved to sit at his desk. He took a fresh piece of parchment and quickly scrawled a reply:

Albus –

I suppose any objection would be pointless. If I am required to attend this celebration, at least have the decency to be certain that there are enough guests so that I will have at least a bit of a reprieve while they are conversing amongst themselves, rather than constantly forcing me into participation of pointless small talk.

– Severus

As Butterscotch had flown out the window as soon as Snape had taken the letter from him, Snape tied the letter to his Eurasian eagle owl, saying, "Peck at him a little bit, will you?"

Smoke at blinked at his owner and lightly nibbled his finger before Snape shooed him out the window, smirking as he shook his head; he had never been very fond of any animal, and had only received Smoke from Albus the year prior, but he had to admit that he had begun to grow rather fond of the bird, who would often perch on his desk and watch him work, hooting indignantly when Snape hadn't given him a treat for a while.

Grumbling at the thought of the impending gathering in his "honor", Snape stood, taking Axiological Alchemy Artisan and returning to his chair, opening the thick tome to the page he had last read and resumed his study. He had nearly finished the book before retreating to his bedroom. Snape glanced out the small window, seeing only dark, owl-less skies; he hadn't really expected Smoke to return with a reply from the headmaster so soon, but he was anxious to learn how Dumbledore would respond to his insistence that more people were invited to the ridiculous celebration. After shedding his cloak and clothing he had donned that day, Snape settled into his bed, tossing for several minutes in an attempt to find a halfway comfortable position on the lumpy, worn mattress. Pulling the thin throw over his body, he was glad that the weather was pleasant enough to allow him to leave the window open in case Smoke returned in the night.

Something tugged on Snape's black hair; he swatted at it, too asleep to bother wondering what it was. The source of the tug dodged his arm and began towing a corner of the throw on Snape over his head. Snape batted the blanket away, his hand forcefully whacking a feathered something. Smoke ruffled his wings and glared at Snape, then sharply nipped his ear. Smoke hopped away from the slap that Snape aimed at him as the man sat up swiftly, roaring, "YOU DAMNED BIRD, YOU NEARLY TORE MY EAR OFF!"

Smoke gave a cross hoot, as if to scold Snape, whose eyes caught sight of the letter tied to the owl's leg, "Albus?"

Quickly, Smoke turned his back to the wizard, clutching tightly to the scroll with his talons.

Tossing away the blanket, Snape approached the owl, who had taken sanctuary atop the old armoire in the corner. He crossed his arms, "Give that to me."

Smoke looked over his feathered shoulder at Snape and gave a defiant click of his beak.

"Now," Snape demanded, "Or no more treats for you."

Immediately, Smoke flew down to sit on the bedpost and offered Snape the letter.

Untying it, Snape shook his head, "I don't know why you're so offended; you're the one who bit me."

It struck the wizard as peculiar that he was talking to the bird as though it could understand him, and more so that Smoke seemed to look ashamed. He read the letter swiftly.

Severus –

I had intended the celebration to be staff-only, however, after discussing your concerns with Minerva, we've decided to extend an invitation to the students who received an O.W.L. in Potions last year. Surely you won't object, as there really is no other acceptable option for more guests than members of The Order; would you prefer I invite them?

– Albus

Snape rubbed his temple, flipped over the parchment, and scrawled his reply.

No.

He tied the letter back onto Smoke's leg, "I don't expect a reply, so just come straight back."

Snape stood at the window for a moment after Smoke had flown out of sight.

"We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Slughorn," Dumbledore announced at the Welcoming Feast the first evening of the school year, "He has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master."

"Potions?" Harry stared wide-eyed at Hermione and Ron, who both echoed, "Potions?"

"Professor Snape, meanwhile," Dumbledore resumed, speaking more loudly, "will be taking over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"No!" said Harry loudly.

Many students turned to look at him, alerted by his shout of protest.

Hermione tightened her mouth slightly before leaning slightly over the table toward her friend, "For goodness sakes, Harry, there's no need to shout."

"But he can't teach – " Harry started.

"He can," Hermione scolded Harry, "Dumbledore decided it, and he's the Headmaster." She paused before taking on a different tone, "Besides, Snape's been after the job forever; perhaps he'll be less surly now that something's gone his way. I think you two should be a bit more realistic."

Ron spoke in a heated hiss, "So, what? We should be happy about it?"

Crossing her arms, Hermione sighed, "You don't have to be happy for him, Ronald, but I, for one, am glad that he's finally gotten something he's wanted for a long time."

Ron and Harry exchanged a look; Harry spoke in a hushed tone, "She's mental."

"I heard that," Hermione looked at the pair.

"Good," Ron snapped.

The three ate in silence, the boys casting frequent looks of perplextion at Hermione, who would, in turn, glance in disbelief at them.

After supper and Dumbledore's dismissal of the students, the hall quickly emptied, Harry, Ron, and Hermione leisurely standing, the food making each of them content and drowsy. They made their way out of the Great Hall, and into the entry hall, which only a few students remained in, while several teachers stood sentry.

Ron nudged Harry, and gestured to the wall where Snape stood, then glanced at Hermione. Harry gave a sly smirk and nodded, then poked Hermione in the side, "Hey, if you're so happy for Snape, why don't you go tell him?" He motioned to the professor and gave Hermione a challenging look.

Hermione's eyes widened briefly before she steeled her expression, "Fine. I will." She looked defiantly at them for a moment before turning and walking away, leaving the boys staring after her, open-mouthed.

Snape grumbled to himself, irritated as usual by the immaturity and disappointing nature of the students he was charged with as Hermione cautiously approached him from behind. She hesitantly tapped very lightly on the back of his shoulder. The man slowly turned around and looked down at his student, "Yes, Miss Granger? Is there something you need?"

Hermione wilted slightly under his gaze, wringing her hands nervously; she hadn't thought this through. She turned to glance quickly at her two friends, who were watching her with taunting faces. Squaring her shoulders, Hermione returned Snape's gaze, "I – I just wanted to congratulate you, sir, for your new position."

The tall wizard's eyes flitted past the girl, seeing Potter and Weasley; he looked back at Hermione, "Dishonesty and flattery will get you no where, Miss Granger, and nor will mockery."

Chewing her lip briefly, Hermione met his eyes, "No, sir, I'm not doing that. I'm being honest; I'm happy for you, Professor, sincerely."

Snape took a few seconds to peek into her thoughts, and was taken aback that she wasn't lying; he retreated from her mind and cleared his throat, "I'm curious, Miss Granger, would I be correct in recalling that you received an 'O' in your Potions O.W.L.?"

"Yes sir, I got an 'O' in everything, save Defense Against the Dark Arts," Hermione replied, "and Divination, of course."

"Don't boast, Miss Granger," Snape said.

"I – I wasn't meaning to," Hermione stuttered, "Sir, um, why did you ask?"

"Curiosity. Now, shouldn't you be in your dormitory?"

Shuffling her feet, the girl replied, "I know. I just wanted to congratulate you, sir. Goodnight." She turned and walked back toward Harry and Ron, who were watching her exchange with the teacher, bemused.

"Miss Granger," Snape spoke as Hermione headed away from him, "I believe your dormitory is the other direction."

Sighing in resignation, Hermione turned around to make her way to Gryffindor tower.