Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Harry Potter or any of the Harry Potter characters. This story will chronicle Miriam's first year teaching at Hogwarts and how she and Severus came to be. This will take some time for me to write, but I hope it will be worth it for those who chose to see it to completion.

Allons-y!

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Things That Come to Pass

Ch. 1

Coming Home

Severus Snape nudged a wooden box of empty glass vials over with his foot and cast a discerning eye at a shelf in the potions storeroom. With a raised finger he softly counted the vials of Deflating Draught that were still viable. He recorded the number on a piece of parchment and put the expired vials into a box for proper disposal. Severus sighed as he ran his left hand through his lank hair. He dreaded this mundane task, but it was necessary to make sure the proper potions, salves and creams were on hand for the infirmary and students in his potions classes.

The soft sound of robes dragging across rough stone broke Severus' concentration. He didn't need to turn around to know it was the Headmaster; no one else would bother to come down to the dungeons to disturb him. All the other professors had their own tasks to finish before the start of term, or they were too busy catching up with each other to bother seeking him out. Not that Severus minded. He would rather be left to his books than to the endless prattling of the other professors.

"Ah, Severus, hard at work I see!" Professor Dumbledore heartily exclaimed. "You should finish up down here and spend some time outside. The lake is beautiful on hot summer days like this," Professor Dumbledore said.

Severus rolled his eyes and placed a jar of burn-healing paste on the shelf. He turned around and replied, "I doubt I will find the time for such nonsense. There is much here that still requires my attention." After a long silence in which the two men simply stared at each other, Severus continued. "Was there something that you needed from me, Headmaster?"

Professor Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "Indeed I do. I'm not sure you're aware, but I have hired an extra professor this term for charms. Professor Flitwick has asked for some time to focus on personal research and to take a break from teaching the choir. I need you available this afternoon to greet the carriage and our newest professor. She will arrive around two o'clock."

Severus kept his face neutral, but inside he was ranting. Not only was he here teaching potions to a bunch of dunderheads each year, now he had to act as a doorman too? He was aware that Dumbledore had hired an extra staff member. There had been much talk about it in the staff room as Dumbledore refused to divulge the new professor's identity. This was a source of much consternation to the likes of McGonagall and Hooch. Maybe, Severus thought, he could use this extra duty to his advantage. Perhaps Dumbledore would give him personal information about this new professor. Then, Severus could gloat about his knowledge and hold it over Minerva's head for a couple of hours.

"I can easily greet the new professor," Severus replied. "What should I know about her to ensure she feels welcome?" Severus asked silkily.

"I don't think any information will be necessary," the Headmaster said with a twinkle in his bright blue eyes. "But you are right. I want her to feel most welcome and I am counting on you to offer that, Severus. I'm sure you won't have any trouble being cordial. In fact, I'm positive you will find her quite lovely," Professor Dumbledore said with a smile as he turned and walked away.

Severus watched as Dumbledore's form retreated down the dungeon corridor. With a snort, he turned back to the supply closet. Lovely? The Headmaster was surely going mad if he thought Severus Snape would find some chit lovely. More like a royal pain in the arse, Severus thought wryly as he picked up the box of expired potions. He stepped out of the storeroom and warded the door with his wand. As he walked towards the potions classroom, he idly wondered if he could manage to dispose of the box properly and still fit in a shower before two o'clock.

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Miriam Magowan deftly stepped off the Hogwarts Express and on the tiny platform at Hogsmeade Station. She sat down her owl cage and cat carry-all at her feet. Van Hooten looked up at her with his woeful, round eyes while Nosferatu growled over his perceived unjust treatment. "Oh, hush," Miriam admonished her familiar. "You'll be out soon. "

Miriam smiled as she took in her surroundings with a full turn. She loved the look of the station in summer, how the lush green leaves on the trees stood out in contrast against the hills. It reminded her of younger days when she was a student and made the trip back to Hogwarts every September. She took a moment to stop and let her senses take in everything around her. Miriam closed her eyes and inhaled the smell of soil and cut grass into her lungs as she felt a hot breeze blow across her upturned face. As she opened her eyes, Miriam turned her gaze from the landscape and glanced down the platform as the conductor began to unload her trunks.

"Millie," Miriam said. A faint pop sounded next to her.

"Mistress called Millie?" the house-elf squeaked.

"Yes, Millie. See to it that my trunks still have the lightening spell I placed on them and that they get properly loaded on the carriage," Miriam stated.

Millie gave a deep curtsey and disappeared with a pop. Miriam smirked as she gave a small shake of her head. Millie and the conductor would be engaged with that task for a while. Miriam had been thorough when she packed her things to come to Hogwarts, since she was hopeful that this new chapter in her life would lead to a more permanent residence. That meant five large trunks (with extension charms) needed loaded on the carriage that would take Miriam to Hogwarts.

Miriam picked up her owl and cat and began her walk down the platform to the depot and its welcome shade. She had forgotten how hot Scotland could be. Once under the cool shadow of the depot, Miriam paused when she heard the familiar sound of large wings buffering the air. She sat down her armful and rounded the corner to see a school carriage harnessed to a large black thestral. Miriam stilled and took in a large breath of the heavy summer air. Even though she knew what to expect, the sight of a thestral always intrigued and scared Miriam. There was something about the white eyes and skeletal bodies of the beasts that made Miriam uneasy to the very fiber of her being. Miriam stared at the creature, transfixed by its unworldly appearance until the sound of a trunk being dropped on the ground made her jump. She fervently cast her eyes around to see if anyone had caught her at her reverie and moved out of the conductor's way.

Once the carriage and the motley crew of witch, cat, owl and house-elf were on the road to Hogwarts, Miriam's thoughts turned to her conflicted emotions. There was a mixture of contentment and nervous anticipation fluttering around inside her body. Miriam knew the contentment came from the familiar surroundings and pleasant memories she associated with Hogwarts from when she was a student, but the nervousness was something unfamiliar. Granted, this would be her first time teaching such young students the magical art of charms, but she was confident in her abilities and knowledge of the field. Miriam also knew she wasn't nervous about being back at the castle and being on par with some of her old professors. In fact, she was looking forward to it.

Miriam absently drummed her fingers against the carriage window and let her thoughts wander. It would be wonderful to see McGonagall and Dumbledore again. They had been very caring and supportive when Miriam came to Hogwarts from Beauxbatons in her fifth year. Miriam saw the two professors as pseudo-parents; they offered guidance at a time in her life when it was sorely lacking. With their tutelage, Miriam found her strengths and focused her energies in a positive direction, which helped shape her into the successful witch she was today. They encouraged her to grow socially as well, to seek friends and extra activities in addition to her studies. At first, Miriam did not see the need for anything other than academia and her books. Eventually, she grew to appreciate her time in the choir and on the quidditch pitch playing chaser for the Slytherin team.

As the road to the castle wound around the lake, Miriam's face lit up when the winged boars that stood sentry outside the castle gates came into view. The carriage continued up the gravel road and came to a stop in front of the huge oak doors. Miriam glanced over to where Millie sat. The elf gave her mistress a bright smile which Miriam couldn't help but return. Miriam lightly patted her chignon and brushed a curl behind her ear as she schooled her face into a neutral expression. She exhaled slowly and opened the carriage door. Miriam was home.

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A/N: Hopefully this chapter wasn't too dry. I needed to provide background, but didn't want it to be tedious. This story begins in August 1982 for those who would like a time frame. Thanks for reading, and I hope you will grow to love Miriam as much as I do!