This is my first delve into HP Fanfiction. I like Severus Snape and want to show another side to him. FB is welcome.

Nettles & Herbs 1

The wind whipped at the dark cloak of a tall lanky man as he strode purposely towards the main gate of Hogwarts School of Wizardry. The face of the man showed an angry scowl at having his quiet Saturday afternoon disturbed. He was on call if required but most students knew not to bother Professor Snape at such times unless it was life threatening or worse. So to be called to answer the trilling of the bell at the main gate, he thought degrading to say the least. He knew he had to answer its call. The other staff either had transported them selves off home for the weekend or were in Hogsmeade up to Merlin knows what.

Professor Snape had been deeply engrossed reading a new potions book that had arrived from across the other side of the world,that morning It was always educational to look into other cultures methods and it had given Snape a few new ideas of his own to trial at some time. But to have his personal time interrupted even if on call he was annoyed. Made even more so by a trip outdoors in the gale that was blowing. During his tramp towards the gate rain began, pelting down sending sleety shards to hit him making his white face redden with cold.

Well,": Came his sharp yell directed at the figure standing through the railings . He smiled inwardly as he noticed the form jump with fright. Snape continued his forward motion towards the gate. Churning gravel up as it crunched under his shoes before he came to a grinding halt a few feet short of the gate.

"State your business," he called out demanding a reply. Pursing his lips "Come on, come on, I haven't all day to stand here getting wet waiting on you!" He directed a dark glare and a sneer towards the figure in the shadow of the gate.

"The Headmaster knows I'm joining the school." Came a tentative voice .

Snape was unaware of any new students but he opened the gate after he glanced at the parchment held out towards him showing the Hogwart seal. she hurriedly entered, then he closed the gate behind her with a loud metallic clang that vibrated around the grounds. He turned on his heel as he snapped his fingers as he announced harshly. "Follow me
Snape returned back the way he had come, stopping only when inside the Castle's entrance porch. He heard the crunch of the gravel behind him and knew the female was following He waited for her to catch up and then noticed a trunk that arrived waiting to be moved. He looked around for Filtch the caretaker but as usual he was nowhere to be seen when needed for heavy work.

The Student arrived in the hallway and pushed down her hood from her face. Snape gave her only a cursory glance then urged her to follow. He led her up to the Headmasters quarters and after using a password he muttered under his breath so the female could not hear it they both stood on the moving staircase. At the top of the steps Snape glared at the girl and snapped for her to wait. He knocked on the door and entered after hearing a muffled enter.

Inside Snape announced to the headmaster Dumbledore that a new student had arrived.

"Ah that will be Miss Nettlesworth, show her in, show her in."

Snape opened the door and impatiently waved her in. He turned on his heel and started to exit closing the door behind him, when he heard Dumbledore call for him to remain. Snape hesitated for a second, annoyed that he may have to show this female to her new quarters and hoped she was not put in the Slytherin house. He returned sullen faced into the Headmasters office and closed the door behind him.

The female was seated opposite the headmaster and Dumbledore beamed up at him…

"Miss Nettlesworth is joining the staff here as our new herbology tutor. I know, I know. " Dumbledore said with a grin, " We have not had a herbologist on our teaching staff for many years but I feel that our Students need to expand their knowledge and understanding of herbs."

"I am Potions Master," Snape retorted angrily " I already have introduced herbs and their uses to our students."

"Yes, indeed you have Professor Snape, and you do an outstanding job, but a deeper in-depth identification and understanding of their natural uses and subsequent uses not involving potions or magic will be given by Miss Nettlesworth as Herbology is her field and not anywhere connected with Potions. Her dealings will be with medicinal and other everyday uses not involving magic in any way."

Snape sneered at the back of the young woman. "As long as she understands who is Potion Master."

"Yes, yes, yes. Indeed. Thus my wishing you, Severus to monitor Miss Nettlesworth's teaching programme and this way you can ensure that she does not in any way interfere with your Potion Tutorials to your Students. And it may in fact enhance some of the lesser academic Students who so far fail at potion making.

Snape could understand how Herbology could influence some of his poorer students and instantly thought of a way to get rid of some of his less enthusiastic students in Potion classes.

"Very well head master, I agree." Snape never let on he had thought Miss Nettlesworth a student as she appeared so young.

"I will show Miss Nettlesworth around and introduce her to our other members of staff. She is due to start tuition a week Monday . I hope Severus that you will be-a on hand to help Miss Nettlesworth with her time tables and suggestions for lesson plans up to Christmas? Thank you Severus you may go. Snape nodded agreement and turned after muttering about being delighted to help.
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Reviews are most welcome.