He didn't care for emergency staff meetings. Not at all. Sitting in Dumbledore's cheerily lit private rooms with colorful candies flying about and incessantly pleasant house elves darting underfoot was painful at best. I do feel a headache coming on, he thought as he rubbed his temple. Bitterwood and lemon will be my only savior on this morning. Dumbledore ushered the remaining staff to a comfortable chair and, with a wink in Severus Snape's general direction, began with urgency and spirit.
"My friends! I have some exciting news. It has been confirmed by the Minister of Magic that a young woman from Muggle Norway was identified as a Magical Queen." The staff, visibly shocked, was torn between surprise and amazement. There had not been a Magical Queen in over a millennia. They were, in essence, a spirit born to become a most powerful witch, with the innate ability to cast completely wand-less earth magic. One would only arise in the midst of great turbulence, and this time was no exception.
"How was she only thus discovered? She could be our key to Lord…" Minerva McGonagall abated her excitement and adjusted her words "He Who Shall Not Be Named can better be defeated, yes, Albus?"
"It appears as though her... Situation... Was a difficult one. She has spent her twenty one years in total isolation, as her family attempted to control what they could not comprehend. I expect you all will be understanding. But she is quite strong, I have seen it myself". Albus smiled sadly at Minerva, who nodded her head.
"Between she and Harry Potter…." Filius Flitwick started excitedly.
"She is young. The chances of her being able to control and wield her powers appropriately are low. Between her and… Potter… they may manage to mangle our chances entirely" Snape shot out, with his usual bite. Albus eyed Severus, eyes twinkling.
"Now now, Severus. This is a joyful event. In any case, you will all be helping her settle into Hogwarts today. She has been placed into our care for extensive tutelage and safekeeping, but I believe you will all find her to be exceptional. In fact, she is just in the other room now" Albus turned and whistled to Faux, who in turn swooped out of the room to escort the girl in.
"My dear friends, this is Queen Elsa" Albus almost sang the words in his delight. Severus, along with his compatriots, turned to the sight of a very large phoenix flying very near a young lady. He inhaled sharply as he took in her appearance. She was a small, slender young woman, with the most flawless ivory skin, even lighter than his own. Her hair was equally lovely, a platinum blonde which hung down to her waist, curling slightly at the ends. She wore an ice blue dress which clung to her frame, the same ice blue that shot out from her large, round eyes. She batted her eyelashes anxiously as the teachers took her in. Despite his mental protestation, he found her to be quite lovely, and could tell that the others felt the same. Certainly the look of a Queen, he mused. But what of her mind, her talent?
"Oh, my dear, we are so happy to have you here". Minerva said at last, and stood to hug the slight girl. Elsa, in turn, accepted the hug without protest, but, with his sharp eye, Snape detected that she looked a bit confused, almost as if she was unaccustomed to a human's touch.
Elsa stepped back and, with an intake of breath to steady her pounding heart, spoke with an air of uncertainty. "Thank you for your kindness. I hope to learn all I can here at Hogwarts. And I hope…" she turned to Albus who smiled in encouragement "I hope… to not disappoint you all. My powers, while strong, are… temperamental". She feigned a smile at the teachers, and then opened her hands, which caused an outpouring of delicate, beautiful snowflakes to gently sway throughout the room. Albus clapped his hands in delight.
"I am sure, my dear, that you will not disappoint us in the least" He touched a snowflake and it melted onto his fingertip. "Now, my dear, you have been assigned to a Slytherin dorm, however, you are not a student as the others. First and foremost Hogwarts has been entrusted by the Ministry of Magic to keep you safe. You will also have private instructions in many curricula and you will be teaching a course in Wand-less Magic, which we have discussed already". Albus turned to Severus, "Professor Snape, will you bring Elsa to her rooms? I do believe the Head Girl room for Slytherin is currently vacant. Then she will be in your Potions class immediately after".
Quietly, Albus came closer to Snape, whose face had twisted into a familiar grimace. "Severus, we need to protect her. She is quite possibly the most important person not only in this school, but in our world. And she isn't so awful, yes? Do try to at least make her feel… welcome". Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brightly and Severus felt his headache increase exponentially. I am now the Hogwart's welcome party? I think not…
Severus Snape stood up and, with a less than agreeable demeanor, ushered Elsa out of the Headmaster's office. He walked briskly, expecting her to follow him, which she did so in silence, to his relief. Upon entering a more crowded hallway, several students froze at the sight before them. Severus looked over to see Elsa staring pointedly at the ground as a group of the older boys whistled in her direction and a handful of girls displayed a similar face of what appeared to be disdain for the beautiful girl to his right. Snape glared in their direction with pointed fury, and that seemed to bring them back to pace. Satisfied, he continued his hurried walk with a bit of a grin, and, when he looked back at Elsa by his side, he saw that her upturned smile played on amusement. Perhaps she is more Slytherin than I had anticipated, he mused.
At her dormitory door, he stopped and faced her, a look of disinterest crossing his face. "This will be your temporary home. It is dark and cold, but otherwise well-furnished and should suit your needs. Should you require anything further, please do not hesitate to ask the staff. I will be in the Potions room, and will see you there in three quarters of an hour". He handed her a map of the school grounds which he conjured on their walk, and pointed to his classroom with a long, pale index finger. She in turn touched the spot where she believed she was on the parchment, inadvertently skimming his warm finger with her cold one. Professor Snape appeared to wilt away from her touch, and she curiously looked up to him, removing her hand in embarrassment.
"Thank you, Professor. I assure you that I will be prompt" and, as he turned his back to her to depart, she offhandedly started again "And, I like both the cold and dark. It feels… comforting somehow." With that, she opened her door and went inside. A small smirk appeared across his face. Enjoying the cold and dark? He felt similarly. Perhaps this arrangement would not be so taxing on him.
Inside her new accommodations, Elsa felt like she was finally able to breathe. She took in her surroundings, a warm fireplace, gray stone floors, and a large canopied bed with green and yellow drapery. Strange colour choices. She proceeded into the adjoining room and was pleased with the large tub, accompanying shower, and tall mirror. Perhaps this will not be so bad, despite the fact that one of the teachers already dislikes me. And yet, in some small way, she enjoyed Snape's presence. He seemed hardened, and that was a trait she could identify with. Years of keeping her magic a secret from everyone she knew, locking everyone out of her world, it was difficult on her. And now everyone wants you to save them with that magic? How ridiculous! Upon returning to her bedroom, she saw a school uniform placed upon her desk. Oh dear. She would not be wearing that. Absolutely no. Without a second thought, she transformed her blue dress into a black one, with a matching black robe, similar enough to Professor Snape's attire, but certainly more feminine, and walked with authority towards her first private lesson, Potions.
Professor Snape sat at his desk, writing up an assignment for his third years when a small tap came at the door. Irritated by the noise, he quickly called out a stern greeting, and dropped the ward to the room.
"Hello Professor" Elsa called before even passing the threshold. She stared directly into his eyes, despite his menacing posture and domineering attitude, and continued "I didn't see much need in growing accustomed to a room, so I thought it best to begin my training as soon as possible. Will it be troubling you to start a bit earlier than we had discussed?" By this point, she was standing inches away from him, eyes sparkling to meet his. He took in her wardrobe and felt a bit of amusement at their similarities. Despite that, he glowered and rose from his desk, purposefully standing over her.
"I am a busy man, Elsa. I cannot be spending all my time on one person. However, seeing as this is your first day, I will make allowances because I genuinely am curious as to your skills in potion making. I do not expect much, given your lack of training. Please, make me a Life-reviving potion. The ingredients are all in the laboratory there" he gestured widely towards a door on his left "and you may use the cauldron that is sitting on the table behind you. Now go, and make yourself useful". He finished abruptly, enjoying the hasty retreat of the girl towards the storage room. Good. She needed a lesson in ego, he reasoned, and fell back to his work.
Make myself useful? Well, the only way to prove yourself to him is to do your work. Which she knew well enough. Being alone for so many years had allowed her the time necessary to learn various magical curricula. She actually quite enjoyed potions making, and this was a simple enough brew for her. She floated her ingredients to the table with the cauldron and sat about preparing her work. Her concentration was exceptional and in no time she had what she believed to be a potion just as good as any that Professor Snape could make. Delicately, she stopped the vial and walked up to him with a wry smile.
"For you, Professor". She said quietly as he stood up to loom over her again. He was so much taller than her, it was almost necessary for her to have to crane her neck upwards completely to look at him. He regarded her, and set the potion down.
"This will suffice. Did you learn from a master?" He had been watching intently as she made it, and knew it was of excellent quality. Frustratingly good knife work. She smiled again, flushing with pleasure at his compliment, and it was hard not to smile with her. He bit his cheeks and waited for her reply.
"No, sir. I just… well… I enjoy Potion making. I have read quite a bit about you actually, in my studies. I have been fascinated for… my whole life, quite honestly". She nervously wrung her hands and blushed while delivering that last part. I sound foolish.
Fascinated? Who would be fascinated by myself? He stammered a bit, and, picking up the vial with his left hand, smoothly offered it back to her, touching her wrist lightly. She did not move from him, but instead, she cautiously looked up at him, and brazenly pushed his arm sleeve up just a bit more, revealing the beginning of his DeathEater mark. She had wanted to see it, as Professor Dumbledore had spoke of it during their time alone, but found it difficult to ask him. As before, he cringed away at her touch. Elsa put her hands up, immediately regretful, and began a slew of apologies.
"Professor, I am so sorry. I should never have… I just… I am too curious for my own good". She stuttered as she continued backing up from him. His offense took on curiosity at her retreat. He eyed her warily, almost aggressively at her affront, and she looked shaken, approaching tears.
"Did I hurt you by touching the Mark?" She asked, suddenly, disliking the ominous silence between them. Severus widened his eyes for a fraction of a second and nearly choked from stifling a laugh.
"No, it does not hurt. At least, not at present. However, common courtesy would dictate that you should not just go around rolling up people's sleeves…" She blushed further "but, you did not hurt me". He almost caught her smile as she seemed to relax marginally by his words. Rolling up his sleeve to his elbow, he held his arm out to her studious gaze. "Get on with it, if you would really like to see it".
Elsa's eyes lit up, and she examined his face once more before proceeding. Torn between her previous embarrassment and her genuine curiosity, she reached for his arm, delicately, to trace the lines of the Dark Mark. If anyone were to have watched them, they would have found the setting rather intimate, pale fingers tracing pale skin. Elsa was surprised to find that it felt pleasant, as she was unused to touching others, most especially a man she had just met. She blushed a bit at the thought, which was caught by the man whose arm she held. Conversationally, and perhaps to avoid further awkwardness, Severus began to talk a bit about the Deatheaters while she studied it, and in turn, she would ask thoughtful questions.
"I suppose I should know as much about them as I can if I am ever to have a chance at fighting them" she said offhandedly, and then embarrassingly added "…with the exception of yourself of course".
"Of course. I will do my best to train you in the Dark Arts, and Voldemort. But it will not be easy, and I will not be kind. You will find no mercy in the Dark Lord". Something in his eyes when he said this made Elsa uneasy, as if he was speaking from experience.
When their hour expired, Elsa was claimed by Professor Flitwick, who came to collect her from the Potions room. Filius looked rather anxious at the sight of Snape and Elsa in such close proximity, as if Snape would lash out and hurt the girl at any moment. In fact, in Elsa's opinion, it looked like Professor Flitwick was just as afraid of Professor Snape as any of the children here. Odd. Very odd indeed.
"Thank you for today's lesson" she called out gently upon exiting "…will I be seeing you later?"
"Perhaps. Now go, please". And with that last push, she was out the door with a nervous looking Flitwick.
After her absence, Snape was torn. He was not interested in making friends or distinctly liking anyone in general. The fewer people that he liked the safer his world was, after all. But he reflected on the moments that she held his arm, not afraid, nor intimidated, but instead, enjoying herself. And he in turn had rather enjoyed himself. She was smart and curious (very likely too curious?) and divine. Not afraid of me. Not afraid of me at all. It has been the most annoyingly pleasant morning, filled with far too many smiles for my liking, he thought ruefully. And with that, he went out to prowl the halls for misbehavers, and a bit of personal amusement.
Elsa walked much more slowly with Professor Flitwick as he droned on in a happy, but monotonous tone. Absently, her thoughts lingered back to Professor Snape. He really was an intimidating person, but he was also a bright person, with a clever tongue. She appreciated his sarcasm and stoicism, and wondered why everyone seemed so terrified of his presence. His physical appearance was possibly the culprit. He was tall undoubtedly, and unnaturally pale like herself, but with long black hair that hung like a curtain around his planed face. She had, amusingly enough, wanted to touch his hair. It looked rather soft. And his coal black eyes, while intense, seemed to be filled with another emotion that she could not quite pin down.
"My dear, you seem a bit distracted" Filius finally said as they neared his Charms classroom. Elsa looked down, a bit embarrassed.
"I apologize Professor, I am just a little overwhelmed. I do love charms, however, and I hope to prove myself to you this morning". Flitwick seemed to accept this with a kind smile and they began.
Severus Snape positioned himself in his usual chair at the Head Table for lunch. With Minerva to his right, he saw that a new chair was open to his immediate left. He looked over to Albus, who only smiled and winked in his direction. Ridiculous wizard, he thought. But he also felt a buzz of anticipation at the prospect of sitting so near to Elsa. He banished that thought immediately and began to drink his coffee. Two or three minutes into his cup, however, and he noticed that the large hall had gone silent. Elsa and Filius had entered the room and were accosted by quiet stares as they walked the long aisle to the front of the room. Watching her walk, he thought, was quite a pleasure. She was clearly flustered by the attention, and her cheeks burned a charming rosy hue. She eventually turned her eyes off the floor and he was surprised to find her gaze met his, his brows creasing as he looked back down at his mug. From the corner of his eye he saw Albus stand up to face the crowd of children.
"It appears as though you have all found our new guest intriguing. Please allow me to introduce Queen Elsa, our most esteemed guest and interim teacher of Wand-less Magic. I know you will all do your best to make her feel at home here in Hogwarts- and I am assured that she will make an excellent addition to our Fall Ball". And with that, he winked at Elsa and began a clap which was echoed enthusiastically by all the students. Severus could hear a multitude of excited mumbles about her being a Queen, and several others sounding eager about a Wand-less Magic class. He even heard one or two of the older boys chatter on about how "pretty" she was. Not merely pretty. Again, he pushed the thought aside as she came up to the head table.
"Thank you. What a wonderful reception. I am eager to teach you all a little of what I know." She smiled hesitantly at the crowd in front of her, then lifted her thick skirts to put her right foot down firmly on the floor. Instantly, the ground was covered in a thin sheet of ice as beautiful frozen sculptures curled up the walls, while large, lovely crystal snowflakes fell from the ceiling and disappeared just above the reach of the children. As the hall transformed into a beautiful ice palace, it sent the students into another fit of cheering and clapping. Severus watched with real interest at the intricate work that was now displayed throughout the gallery. But what struck him as most interesting was that her dress had changed from black (which he had quite liked) to the pale blue color of her irises. An interesting side effect of her magic, he mused, as he watched her blush again, and then sit down by his side.
Seated between Professor Lupin and Professor Snape was like day and night for Elsa. Almost immediately, Remus began an energetic discussion with herself on several topics which Elsa found interesting. He had both her ear, and her arm, for the better portion of twenty minutes. He was kind and thoughtful and seemed genuinely interested in herself and her well-being. He almost seems to radiate sunshine and pleasantness, she thought. Meanwhile, Severus said nothing to her, but frequently she felt that he was looking at her, with what seemed like disdain. Twice she caught his eye to say something, hoping to lighten his mood, but his stare was so intense that she couldn't help but lower her gaze. After a few more minutes, she heard him move to get up, and his arm snaked up sinuously, inadvertently grazing her own, instantly sending a chill down her spine. She froze, and almost mesmerized, peered up at him as he fluidly stalked down the aisle of children, robes billowing behind him.
Remus touched her arm again, and leaned in to her, whispering "Don't worry about him, dear. He is well known to be an unpleasant man, I pray you do not take offense to him". He seemed satisfied at her nod, but as she contemplated Professor Lupin's words, she was struck that when Remus touched her arm, it did not elicit the reaction that Severus' touch did.