Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or I would be much more financially secure. All I own is the story that JK Rowling inspired in me. Constructive criticism and reviews always welcome.
Severus Snape scowled as he walked briskly towards the Great Hall. Tonight was the Sorting Hat ceremony with the brand new first year students – a load of worthless gits more likely than not, just like every year.
Another year of having high hopes for Slytherin only to realize that the intelligence level was not up to par with the way things used to be. Another year of dealing with the idiots from the other houses. Another year of seeing Slytherin fail miserably in Quidditch, as they had done consistently for almost a decade straight. Another year of wondering why in the hell Dumbledore had hired yet another bloody Defense Against the Dark Arts professor when surely he knew quite well that Snape was the best suited for the job.
"How many other ruddy Death Eaters spy on the Dark Lord, report back in the name of good, and then come to teach at a school full of foolish wizards who would never amount to anything useful anyway?" Snape muttered to himself as he headed for the door. "How many other professors can teach exactly what these students need to know? I know precisely how the Dark Lord works, and yet time and again he shoots me down."
He pushed the door open and surveyed the bedlam of friends talking animatedly, insults being shouted from one house table to the next, and nervous first year students wondering what they had gotten themselves into.
"I don't even know why I bother anymore," he said aloud, startling a few people as he made his way towards the head table, frowning at the empty spot next to his seat. He still hadn't been informed of the newly appointed professor and was irritated to see his newest colleague hadn't even bothered to show up yet. He wondered whether he would know of this person, this wizard who was apparently better suited to teach the ways of defense.
"Good evening, Severus!" Snape turned his head and forced himself to offer at least a half-smile to Albus Dumbledore, who was beaming brightly at him.
"Headmaster," he replied.
"It's a glorious evening, isn't it Severus?" Dumbledore asked, sweeping his hand in the general direction of the noise. "Another year of new minds to be shaped by Hogwarts!"
Snape grimaced as he sat down. "Yes… New minds."
Oh yes, Snape thought as he twirled his fork idly in one hand. New minds which will never learn to appreciate potions, who will think it nifty to turn match boxes into mice, and who will learn nothing more than parlor tricks under the pretense that they are learning to defend themselves against dark magic. I can hardly wait.
Dumbledore stood and waved his arm about. "Silence, if you please," he called over the laughter in the hall. Everyone settled down and looked expectantly at the headmaster of Hogwarts. His eyes seemed to twinkle just like the stars above on the enchanted ceiling. He appeared to be bursting to share something.
"Good evening, and welcome – or welcome back – to Hogwarts. It is just as wonderful as always to see so many returning faces," he said. He turned to the new students who were congregated to his left and added, "And of course, it is equally wonderful to see so many new and eager ones."
As the applause died down, Dumbledore continued with his speech. "I only have a handful of announcements to make tonight before we get started on the feast. For the benefit of the first year students who don't yet know, and as a reminder to the rest of you who forget, there is no magic in the corridors between classes, the Forbidden Forest is named as such because it is indeed forbidden to all students, and only third year students and up with signed permission forms may leave the grounds for organized trips."
Flexing his fingertips, Dumbledore smiled. "On a more cheerful note, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year." He waited patiently for the whispers to die down; after all, the students were used to this particular announcement since there was a new professor teaching that particular subject just about every year.
"I am most pleased to tell you that our newest professor has had a fair amount of experience in warding off Dark Magic and possesses an incredible combination of talent, intelligence, quick thinking, and sheer courage. I am sure you will learn a great deal this year."
Snape sneered into his goblet. Another new hopeful professor who would turn tail and run when things got serious. This new wizard was likely thinking that a few flicks of the wand and some impressive parlor tricks would be enough to get by. It would certainly endear the students to their new professor but as soon as something occurred that actually required a backbone and some true skill, they would be looking once again for a replacement while he sat quietly seething in his potions classroom, teaching inept students the proper amount of hellebore is to be used in the Draught of bloody Peace.
"And so," Dumbledore continued, "kindly welcome your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor…"
A young witch in her early twenties walked into the room. Snape looked up and choked as he took in her long brown hair, dark brown eyes, and her smug know-it-all expression. No, he thought desperately. No, no, no. Dumbledore's voice drowned out the pleas in his mind.
"Kindly welcome Professor Granger!"