Warning! Mature content ahead!
All characters, settings, and histories are the complete and total property of J. R. Rowling. I just like having fun with them. However, Ellian Ashford is all mine.
In my world, Severus survived. Albus, Sirius, and Remus lived through the war. Lucius and Draco came over to the good side. Harry, Hermione, and Ron come back for their last year.
"Trading Pain for Love"
Chapter 1: The New Little Professor
It was late into the evening when Albus Dumbledore called for a staff meeting. Slowly, the professors showed up, one by one, to the headmaster's office. They all took their seats and waited expectantly for Albus to start.
The old wizard smiled as he spoke, "As you all are aware, the castle has been completely repaired, and the students will be returning this August."
The professors burst out in a fit of whispers. They were all excited to finally get back to teaching. After the war, they'd all been busy with repairs to the school and the care of those that had been injured in the battle. Also, the many funerals that they'd had to attend. It had been a depressing few months and the staff was craving some normalcy. Albus smiled at the excitement that filled the room. However, not everyone was happy.
Severus Snape sat silently between Remus Lupin and Minerva McGonagall. His face, as usual, was an emotionless mask. He was relieved that the war had finally ended. No longer did he or anyone else have to live in fear of Voldemort. He'd spent about three months in the hospital wing under Poppy's strict watch recovering from Nagini's bite. Ever since the defeat of the dark lord, Severus had felt very useless. He didn't have to play deatheater anymore, and Albus no longer needed a spy. After the final battle, everyone had returned home to their families and lovers. Who did he have to go home to? Who was waiting for him?
Suddenly, Albus called for their attention with a loud shout, "Attention please!" The room went quiet as the staff members gave their full attention to the headmaster. Even Severus's ears perked up a bit. Whenever Albus added on to his announcements, it was not good for those involved. "I'm afraid that Hagrid is not qualified to teach Care of Magical Creatures. He will, however, remain our games keeper," said Albus as he absentmindedly stroked his beard.
"Then who will fill the position, Albus?" asked Minerva, worried that they may be without a professor.
"I feel that Remus is more than capable of teaching the class," answered Albus, trying to calm the distraught woman.
Remus looked surprised, "Me?"
"If you don't mind, of course," said Albus with a twinkle in his eyes.
Remus couldn't say no, but he had a question, "Then who will take the Defense Against the Dark Arts position?"
Severus really perked up at this. He looked hopefully to Albus. If anything could put purpose back into his life it was getting the very position that he had desired for years.
However, those hopes were quickly and almost brutally dashed by Albus's next announcement. "I've already hired a replacement. She will be coming here tonight, in fact," said Albus happily.
The staff was excited by the prospect of a new teacher and companion. It'd been a while since there'd been a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor that hadn't had problems of some sort. Personally, Minerva was glad that there'd be another woman around. She didn't really get along with loopy Trelawney. All she wanted was a sensible lady to have tea and conversations with.
Severus just grumbled under his breathe. He didn't even want to know what imbecile that Albus had seen fit to appoint to the position. This girl would probably be some old, loony hag that smelled of dust and burnt sugar. Severus was snapped out of his thoughts when the headmaster dismissed them all. Everyone else had left to get started on their preparations for the coming school year. He made it to the door before Albus stopped him, "Severus, could you stay a moment, please?"
Snape let out a heavy sigh, but he turned and walked over to the headmaster's desk. "Yes?" he questioned. The potions master was trying not to give his mentor attitude, but it was difficult.
Albus just grinned back, his blue eyes shining behind his half-moon glasses. "Angry about my decision concerning the Defense Against the Dark Arts position?"
Severus looked away and grunted a response, "I don't care what you do."
The headmaster sighed loudly, drawing Snape's attention and annoyance. "Come now, Severus. I've done a complete background check on the new teacher. She's very nice and intelligent and I think that she'll be a good influence on everyone's mural."
The potions master narrowed his black eyes on the older wizard. "But Albus, you promised me that position. You said that once my spying days were over, it would be mine!" Severus's voice grew louder and angrier as he spoke.
Albus felt bad for getting the poor boy so worked up, but he needed Severus to understand, "Your spying days are over and thank God for it, but that's exactly why I didn't give you the job. My boy, you've spent over half of your life walking a thin line between life and death. Everything was a battle for you. I don't want you teaching a class that will do nothing but bring up dark memories. I regret ever having part in twisting your fate, and now I want to repay you for all of the pain that you were forced to suffer through on other peoples' behalves."
"But. . .," Snape tried to interrupt, but Albus wouldn't allow it.
"The war is over and Voldemort is dead. You are free, Severus. I want you to spend the rest of your life enjoying living without everyday risks of death. Settle down, take on an apprentice, find a woman." Albus's voice was desperate. All he'd ever wanted for Severus was happiness. It seemed to come so easily to others, but joy constantly eluded the black haired man.
Finally, Severus could take no more. "I don't care! I don't care about any of it! You can take your stupid teaching position and give it to any idiot you want to! It's not your job to worry about my life and what woman would be able to even stand such a deplorable man!" yelled Snape until his face was flushed red from the exertion. Albus thought the man might pass out any minute.
"Severus, please. . .," the headmaster begged, trying to calm his dear friend, but Snape wasn't having it. The potions master just growled in frustration before leaving the room. He slammed the door as hard as he could, causing some of the portraits to rattle. Albus let out a defeated sigh. Hopefully, the new professor would invoke some change in Severus. However, he wasn't getting his hopes up.
Severus had stormed down to his quarters in the dungeons, growling at every house elf and teacher that he'd seen. After, entering his rooms he slammed the door and locked it with a quick charm. His breath was loud and labored. He'd never gotten so mad at Albus before. The potion's master hated when his emotions got out of hand. It always ended up putting quite the strain on his mind and body. He was long overdue for a break down.
Shaking all thoughts out of his head, Severus headed over to the small cabinet that sat beside his book shelf. It was stocked to the brim with wine, butter bear, and fire whiskey for the really bad days. He grabbed a bottle of the fire whiskey, a large glass, and moved to the black leather sofa in his sitting room. He poured himself some alcohol and gulped it down. The burn was heavenly after the hellish day that he'd had.
Just when he'd managed to relax a knock interrupted his peace. Cursing under his breath; Severus stomped over to the door, undid the locking charm, and jerked the door open. However, he was not expecting what he'd opened the door to.
Standing just outside his doorway, was a girl. Not a woman, a girl. Looking to be only twenty-one years old. She was at least two feet shorter than him and she was petite like a little fairy. Her skin was pale and appeared soft. The girl's dark brown hair fell in waves past her shoulders. Curious chocolate colored eyes studied him with interest. She wore a delicate looking, pastel purple dress that stopped just above her knees and short pin heels adorned her small pixie like feet.
"Who are you?" Severus found himself at a loss for intelligent speech. The alcohol, the break down in front of Albus, and now this young lady. It was too many ups and downs for his mind to process. However, everything snapped back into focus when the girl answered him.
"My name is Ellian Ashford. I'm the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I got here a few minutes ago and Professor Dumbledore said that I should go ahead and introduce myself to the other professors." Ellian's voice trembled slightly when she spoke. Severus took this as a sign of weakness.
"Well, I'm Severus Snape, and you needed what, exactly?" sneered the potions master, the fire whiskey in his system making him even more crude.
"Oh, well, I just wanted you to know that if you should need me at all, don't hesitate to ask. And I hope that if I need any help that I can come to you too," said Ellian with a small smile.
It may have been the alcohol buzzing through his veins or maybe it was just his normal attitude, but he found himself wanting to hurt this young girl. He wanted to make her cry with stinging words. Ellian seemed happy. Why should she get to be happy when he couldn't?
Snape leaned down until he was eyelevel with the girl. He made sure that his gaze was piercing and cruel. "Don't count on it," he growled.
For a moment fear passed over her face and Snape saw a shiver run through her body. He thought that he'd won, until her shivering suddenly stopped and her dark eyes steeled with confidence and determination. "I don't think that you should be drinking when you have so much work to do, Professor," she spoke calmly.
Severus pulled back in shock, but he made sure to keep his face blank. Ellian just smiled at him. "Well, Professor Snape, you're definitely an interesting one," said Ellian as she turned to and walked away, "Goodnight Professor."
With a growl Severus slammed the door shut. He walked over and threw himself onto the couch. The girl hadn't been scared of him. She'd blatantly stood her ground against him. Not even most of his coworkers could talk back to him, and yet the new girl hadn't even stuttered in his presence. Clearly, Ellian Ashford was no normal witch.
I hope you liked it. I plan to continue. I know this is not my usual stuff, but I wanted to try it.
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