I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters, not even Snape (sigh). My imagination simply borrows them from time to time.
The sun rose slowly over Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, rousing its inhabitants from slumber and they began to pack their belongings to go home for the summer.
Hermione Granger stretched lazily before rolling out of bed and changing and packing her few last minute belongings for going home.
Hermione bustled bout with a spring in her step and a goofy smile plastered to her face, which was unusual as generally the end of a school year disappointed her, no more essays, learning teachers, library; terribly depressing stuff in her opinion. But this summer was very different.
This summer, Hermione's sister was coming home.
Hermione was positively giddy with anticipation. Her sister was 10 years older than Hermione and she spent most of her life in awe of her amazing sibling. Elektra Granger was tall, elegant, beautiful, intelligent and witty as well as kind hearted, generous and very brave.
The year Hermione got her Hogwarts was one of the happiest and saddest in her life, as it was also the year Elektra left England to go to the U.S. to train in police sciences, specifically forensics.
The separation had been terribly hard on Hermione. She reflected back, thinking that was why she had studied so hard and tried to impress the teachers. It was her coping mechanism gone into overload because she missed her sister so very much.
But now Elektra was home for good and her last letter said that she had a surprise for her.
Looking around to make sure she hadn't missed anything, she scooped up Crookshank's carrier and hurried down to where Ginny and the boys would be waiting.
After settling on the train, the compartment housed Harry, Hermione, Ron, Neville and Ginny. Ginny asked Hermione about her sister.
"So Elektra is really ten years older than you?"
"Yes, she came along when our parents were pretty young. She's been in the States for six years, training with different police agencies, but she said she's been separated from family for long enough."
The conversation was interrupted by a drawling voice that set Hermione's teeth on edge, "Well, what have we here?"
They turned to see Draco Malfoy lounging against the door, with a smug smirk on his face and looking as though he meant to stay a while. "Hello, Potty, Weasels, Widebottom,…Mudblood!" The last insult was drawn out and almost said in a caress as he sneered at her.
After six long years of torment, Hermione had had enough.
Standing up, she fixed him with a glare so cold it could freeze Hell solid, "I'd rather be a Mudblood any day than a bigoted, racist, black hearted bastard."
At his look of surprise at her venom filled response she continued, "Tell me Malfoy, is it hard work being such an asshole or does it come naturally?"
"I'd stop right there if I were you, Mdblood." His eyes iced over and his tone and volume of voice dropped so low and filled with menace that the other occupants of the car tensed visibly.
But Hermione had her fill of Draco Malfoy and let him have it with both barrels. "You need to come up with something new, you've been using that tired line since second year. Now why don't you take your ferret nose out of our business and GO STICK IT UP VOLDEMORT"S ASS WHERE I'M SURE IT USUALLY IS!" With that she shoved him out the door and slammed it in his face.
She sat back down and noticed her friends staring at her as though she'd grown another head. "What?"
"I've never heard you talk like that Mione. Are you sure you should have done that? He'll want revenge you know?"
"Ron, I'm not scared of him and I'm sick and tired of his pureblood, elitist nonsense. He needed to know I'm not letting him get to me anymore."
Ginny nodded and crossed her arms, "Good for you, Hermione." That was brilliant. It's about time someone gave that prat a reality check. Did you see his face?"
At the memory, they all shared a good laugh.
Just outside the door, Draco Malfoy was turning red, clenching his fists in rage. 'They dared laugh at him! Bad enough Potter the two Weasels and that idiot Longbottom, But that Mudblood bitch! That she had the gall!' He glanced down at his arm and smiled most unpleasantly, 'After this summer, they'd be sorry, and her. He would show her what power was.
The Hogwart's Express chuffed into King's Cross station and everyone quickly disembarked. Hermione, Harry and Ron spotted Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and Fred and George easily and were delighted to see they were standing with Hermione's parents and…
"Elektra!!!" With that Hermione launched herself into her sister's arms and the two squealed in joy as they hugged each other.
Fred punched Ron in the arm and whispered, 'Mate, is that really Mione's sister?"
Ron was gaping like a fish, but managed to stammer, "Yeah, I guess she is."
Fred and George echoed each other, "Wow."
Just then Hermione came back with her sister in tow, "It's great guys! Lektra just told me she's coming to teach at Hogwarts."
Harry looked puzzled, "But…You're a muggle."
Elektra smiled indulgently at the young man, "That's right, Harry, isn't it? Your Headmaster contacted me this spring and said he was looking for a Muggle who new of the magical world and would be willing to teach Muggle Studies. It sounded like a great opportunity. I will also be co-teaching a self defense class along with your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Harry was intrigued by that bit of news, "Did he happen to mention who that would be?"
"Yes. A Professor Snape, I believe."
Most of the students within hearing distance groaned and Ron muttered, "Fabulous, twice as much time with the Greasy Git ." Then he promptly winced as his mother's open palm connected with the back of his head.
"Ronald Weasley, talk about your teachers with some respect!"
Rubbing the back of his head, "I'm sorry Mum, but he is a grumpy old grouch."
Elektra folded her arms with a wry smile, "You guys are making working with this Snape person sound really appealing."
"Don't worry, Elektra. It's true Professor Snape isn't the most, uhm…approachable person in the world.. But he is a brilliant Potions teacher and a good man, just a little…rough around the edges. I think you can handle him."
They walked off to join their parents and say goodbye to everyone. Fred remarked to George, "What do you think, mate?"
Replied George, "I think Snape won't know what hit him."
August 25th arrived to find Severus Snape stalking through the Hogwarts hallways looking murderous, having just been informed about the new teacher for the year.
'Unbelievable! A muggle at Hogwarts! Not only that, he was being forced to work closely with the woman teaching self defense!'
He reached the stone gargoyle and growled the password, "Gummi Bears."
As the staircase ascended he ran his hand over his face in exasperation. He'd nearly blown his stop when Albus had told him of the Muggle studies class and its Muggle professor. Then the man had dangled that blasted DADA position in front of him and he'd caved in.
So now he had to meet the woman. But if Albus thought he was going to make nice, he was in for a surprise. Severus Snape was not nice, especially not to Muggles.
He climbed the staircase and entered the office to hear a musical laugh coming from the figure in front of him.
She was speaking to Minerva, her back to him, deep chocolate colored waves hang to nearly her waist.
"Ah, Severus, you're here. Allow me to introduce our miss Granger's sister and your new colleague, Elektra Granger."
The woman turned to face him and Severus felt as though he'd been punched in the gut.. She had to be the most intoxicatingly beautiful creature he'd ever clapped eyes on. That rich, dark hair framed a delicate face with creamy fair skin that reminded him of a porcelain doll. Her eyes. He'd never seen eyes that color before, deep violet with flecks of lighter amethyst throughout. Full lips were drawn back in a warm smile showing perfect white teeth.
Severus let his gaze travel down, past her elegant neck. Slender waist, gently flared hips and very long legs. Her breasts looked as though they'd fit his hands perfectly and he startled, "Where in Hell did that thought come from? She's a muggle Severus! A weak, beneath your notice, muggle!'
It was then he realized he'd been staring and he scowled, angry with himself for his wandering mind. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze darkened and he crossed his arms in front of him in his familiar shield. "Can we hurry this along, Albus? I have a potion that needs tending to."
"Certainly Severus. Everyone take a seat."
They commenced the meeting, going over the usual trivial matters of scheduled, events, Hogsmeade visits, and the like. Severus was mildly surprised at the choice her the student heads. In the interest of inter house unity, I have chosen this years Head Boy and Girl from rival houses, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his new colleague smile at the mention of her sister, and he rolled his eyes. Another Granger know it all to deal with, oh goody. He sobered a little at Albus's serious tone.
"I don't need to remind you all that we are living in dark times, security is of utmost importance and we should all do our best time teach our students to all work together and forget petty house rivalries and prejudices. Divided, our world has no chance against Voldemort. I know I can rely on you all. Any questions? Dismissed."
Severus was out of the office in an instant and well on his way back to his dungeons when he was interrupted by a voice calling his name.
"Professor Snape! Wait!" He turned to glare at the Granger woman jogging to catch him. "Would Fridays at 3:30 in the study hall for the self defense class work for you?"
"That will be adequate, Professor Granger."
"Elektra, please." She held out a hand to Snape, who merely looked at it as though it were something quite foul and sneered.
"If you will excuse me, Professor."
She lifted a single, well shaped eyebrow, "You don't like me very much, do you Professor Snape?"
He raised an eyebrow of his own, turned his back and started to walk away when he heard her comment.
"Strange. I was led to understand you were an educated, intelligent man. Apparently I was mistaken."
He whirled on her, his onyx eyes blazing with rage, "How dare you! You filthy little…!"
Before he could finish, Elektra cut him off, her voice infuriatingly sweet and calm. "I'm sorry I upset you. I was merely under the impression that bigotry was a trait of the uneducated and ignorant. You didn't strike me as being of that sort. Unfortunately, I seem to have overestimated you. Don't worry, I won't trouble you with my presence any more than necessary."
Severus was stunned when the woman turned her back and began to walk away after calling essentially calling him ignorant, uneducated and stupid!
His hand snaked out and grabbed her arm in a steel grip, she turned and gave him a questioning look and he snarled at her.
"I can assure you Miss Granger, that I am more than intelligent and educated enough to deal with the likes of you! Best be warned, I am not a man to be trifled with!"
"We'll see, won't we? Now if you would kindly remove your hand, I have lesson plans to write up."
With a final glare, he released her arm and she inclined her head gracefully, "Good Day, Professor."
As he watched her leave, Severus realized his heart was pounding, his breathing was rapid and he was as tense as a coiled spring. No one had ever made him come unglued like that. No woman and certainly no muggle woman.
Feeling a headache flare behind his eyes, he pinched the bridge of his nose and headed for his dungeons. He would examine his strange physical reactions at a later date, for now, he had a headache potion to brew.