Welcome to my little world.

This story delves into the lives of our favorite group of Wizards and Witches. You will see many familiar characters and you will be introduced to a new one. Before you moan and groan.Yes she is beautiful and talented and occasionally gets the better of our dear, misunderstood, Severus Snape. Is she a bit much - probably, but she is Severus's love interest in my sordid tale and I do not think our beloved Potions Master would fall for anything less.

Please note: This story was started well before the release of OoP, so it can be considered an AU version of Fifth year.

DISCLAIMER: Anything you recognized belongs to JK (I'll get the next book out when I'm good and ready) Rowling. I do own the aged computer this was written on. I would be more than willing to make a trade..

In The Shadows Of The Mind

Chapter 1 - A Muggle Among Us

"A Muggle," he spat, his face contorted to show his revulsion at the mere thought, "A muggle at Hogwart's." He fell back into his seat, rubbing his hand over his face.

Albus Dumbledore simply smiled. "Ah, yes," he began, "I know my hiring practices have come into question before. One would think you would be expecting each year to begin with a bit of a surprise."

"A surprise is hardly the way to characterize this current bit of madness," Severus Snape sneered. "All right," he sighed, "let's have it."

Dumbledore's smile diminished slightly. He looked about the room at those he had come to know so well over the years and sighed. "We are faced with a changing world, yet we find ourselves fighting old demons. We sit and wait for the next move, for the next attack. Our largest obstacle is nothing short of our own fear, our own disbelief that Voldemort could possibly return, let alone stronger than before." More than a few listening to his words realized with foreboding that he was actually beginning to look his years. "Yes," he continued, "many deny what has occurred simply because it would be easier to ignore the problem and pretend nothing has changed. The few of us who do realize what is really happening, are forced to defend those who are kept in the dark as well as those who choose to remain blind."

He paused again, studying the faces that were now intently staring at him. He rose and walked around the room to the window facing the grounds. It was such a splendid day. Sadly, he turned around twirling the end of his long silver beard in his fingers. "We need to fight on several different levels. Some of us will be in the front lines; seeking the enemy, fighting the enemy, gathering information. Some of us will be trying to keep up as much normalcy as possible for the sake of those we need to protect. Some of us will need to try to stop any more in our care from turning to his side." He paused for dramatic emphasis, he needed his words to embed themselves in the mind of his staff.

"Dr. Young has been working with the Ministry of Magic for years trying to improve Muggle relations. She has extensive knowledge of Muggle psychology and is regarded as an expert in her field. She has been in the company of witches and wizards for her entire life and has acquired a thorough understanding of our world and our ways. It is our hope she can not only help the students cope with the fears and troubles that are surely coming, but that she could look for signs of possible candidates for Voldemort's regime."

Severus Snape sat gravely looking at the Headmaster. He slowly shook his head and spoke again. "Knowing a few witches doesn't make her an authority on the population. What qualifications does she have that make her capable of guiding our students? What could she possibly understand about the intricacies of our lifestyle let alone how we are affected by them?" He was now talking directly to his colleagues. "What does a Muggle know about the mind of a wizard?"

"I know that they are, above all else, human," said a soft voice from the back of the room. All eyes turned around. Out of the shadows walked a tall figure. In a delicate flowered dress, that left no doubts as to her femininity, she approached the table. She had long dark brown hair that framed a heart shaped face. Large brown almond-shaped eyes, bordering on Asian, focused on at Snape.

"Does a wizard not feel pain? Does a witch not feel despair? Do they not have insecurities? Do we all not bleed when cut? One cannot hide behind a wand when frightened or confused. Adolescence is hard enough without the added responsibility of knowing you have abilities to alter things around you at will. Now add to that the realization that with all these capabilities you cannot control the way you change physically and emotionally? What keeps them from just waving a wand, saying a few words, or swallowing potions to try to reach some ideal that may never come? What keeps them from using magic to numb their feeling, because it is the easiest way? These children have only an inkling as to the capacity of their abilities. Now factor in the knowledge that at some point they will have to make a choice between what they know to be right and the promise of immortality and unlimited power."

Snape spoke, his words came out slowly, full of indignation and ire. "Ms. Young I presume. You seem to be unaware of the fact that generations of wizards have survived before you and your notions ever came into the picture. Surprisingly enough we have managed to thrive without your counseling. Centuries have passed without your input. Did you think that this new threat would be unbearable without your efforts? Perhaps you thought we would all crumble because you were not here to guide us, that without your wisdom and enlightenment we would be walking around like zombies hexing ourselves into oblivion."

Her voice remained soft and even in its inflection. "I do not claim to be able to heal the world Professor, but perhaps therapy could have helped Tom Riddle before he became Voldemort. Or a few good wizards from becoming Death Eaters because they felt they did not have anywhere else to belong. Perhaps it could have given courage to those who lived in terror and solace to those who lost everything..There are several people who could benefit from having someone to confide in; who would not judge them or divulge their secrets. A friend when they fear others will not understand. Most of us cannot simply lock our emotions away because they are inconvenient. Or, perhaps you feel we are all better off hiding from the world, living a life devoid of human contact and compassion.and for the record, it's Doctor Young." Everyone averted their eyes, unable to look directly at Snape. Professor McGonagall was doing all she could to suppress a laugh.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he walked over to the other side of the table. "Everyone, I would like to introduce Dr. Sophie Young." She lowered her eyes suddenly aware of the room full of people watching her. "She will be working with the students and the faculty as the new school psychologist." He turned to Sophie. "Let me introduce you to everyone." Slowly he went around the room naming the faculty and their responsibilities. Each nodded to her as they were introduced.

"Sophie, allow me to introduce Head of Gryffindor and our Transfiguration teacher Minerva McGonagall, Endora Sprout, our Herbology teacher and head of Hufflepuff, and Analese Vector, our Arithmancy teacher. Here we have Filius Flitwick, our Charms Master and head of Ravenclaw, Professor Serena Sinistra, our astronomy teacher, our Divinity mentor Sybill Trelawney, and Professor Arthur Binns, who teaches History of Magic. On this side we have Maura Hooch, our flying instructor, Irma Pince, our school Librarian, Poppy Pomfrey, our school nurse, Rubeus Hagrid, Gamekeeper and Care of Magical Animals instructor, our caretaker Argus Filch. And finally, Severus Snape our Potions Master and Head of Slytherin."

"Charmed," he said through gritted teeth while keeping his jaw immobile.

She gave a slight grin. "A pleasure to meet all of you," her eyes lingered slightly on Snape. "I feel truly honored to be here and to be allowed to assist you during these troubled times. Like you, I remember all too well what Voldemort is capable of. It is my hope that together we can identify the students most likely to fall under his control as he mercilessly targets children who feel they have no where else to turn..that give up on themselves. I hope that together we can help them see another way, a better way. In the meantime I hope to just be able to fit in and be part of this amazing institution."

"Might I ask why you do not wear robes like the rest of us?" Snape remarked, a slight curl on his lip. "It would seem to me that if you were truly trying to assimilate into our society it would behoove you not to stand out. Or perhaps.you do not wish to be associated with us in that way."

She stared hard into his black eyes. "I do not want to give anyone the impression that I have any magical ability. I don't want them to think they can come to me and I can wave my wand and make the pain go away. Healing the mind is not like healing a cut. I cannot magically re-grow skin and make scars disappear. A scarred mind lasts an eternity and if not treated will grow and infect the body and soul beyond repair and unless you want to create a generation of students dependent on Pepper-up Potion just to survive another disappointment or Obliviating their memories away, I suggest we find a way to work together. A Cheering Charm will eventually wear off, and Sleeping Potions will not help them get through the day, no matter how adept you are in making them." Snape raised an eyebrow. "Make no mistake," she continued, "Voldemort's power comes from the control he has over the minds of his followers and not any magic that he possess. Alienation and fear are his strongest weapons.And in the end the mind's powers are as strong as any magic you could conjure."

Snape rose, he had had quite enough. "I do not need to have a lecture from you as to the powers of Voldemort or his ability to persuade his followers to do his bidding. There is not a person in this room that has not been affected by him and his tyranny and yet we seem highly functional. Amazing, isn't it? Now if you don't mind I have classes to prepare for and much better ways to waste my time." He made to leave.

"Just one thing," Sophie added, "If you could just send me a complete list of your students. I have a feeling I know where I am going to get the vast majority of my patients." Snape's hand twitched as he opened the door.

Professor McGonagall turned to Professor Vector, a look of mischief on her face. "Let the games begin."

_____________________________________________________________________

As the others left the room Sophie stayed behind to speak to Dumbledore. "Not quite the welcome I was hoping for."

"It was fine my dear," he replied softly. "You should have seen the reception he gave our Defense Against the Darks Arts professor a couple of years ago. Today he was positively cuddly."

She gave a small laugh. "He has a lot of issues doesn't he? Why is he so angry?"

"That my dear is his story to tell, though I have a feeling that you have already made up your mind about finding out."

She grinned. "You are a wise man, Albus. Tell me will I be seeing you on my couch in the future."

He laughed. "Possibly, but I would probably be holding a cup of tea." With a gentle nod of his head he was gone.

Sophie slowly walked to her new quarters and the place she was going to call home for a while. The idea appealed to her. It had been so long since she had a proper home and this felt so right. She did notice the faculty reaction to her. Perhaps it would be to her benefit to wear robes, to blend in and not 'stand out.' After her little display she would look like a hypocrite. Was it better to be ogled a bit than to lose one's creditability? Maybe. Maybe not.

Ahead of her formidable trees, imposing but bursting with color, swayed in the subtle breeze. The grounds were beautiful, well manicured yet somehow still wild and untamed. Inhaling deeply, she savored the scent of a pending autumn; of cinnamon and honeysuckle. With trepidation and exultation, she turned and looked at the castle. Magnificent spires reaching the sky, daring you to explore and find its secrets.

'This must be how the new students feel,' she thought earnestly. 'Excited, terrified, curious, lost. Happy to be here, wanting to crawl under the covers and hide.' Deciding that she did not want to go indoors just yet, she sat by the side of the lake watching the sunlight playing lightly along the gentle ripples of the water. She noticed the Forbidden Forest looming to her left and a sly smile found her lips. 'That was where no one was allowed to go. Mental note: Must explore as soon as possible.'

She lay back on the grass and stared at the clouds, watching their graceful glide across the sky. That sinuous movement reminded her of Professor Snape and she sighed. If anyone was in need of therapy he was their poster boy. Long dark hair, dark black eyes, in fact, she never had met anyone who personified dark as well as he did. He was undeniably quite a character -- talk about alienation. And leave it to her to get off on the wrong foot with him. "Made a reasonable mess of things haven't we," she wondered aloud. "That was always your problem Sophie - too damn emotional." He was territorial, almost primitive, and obviously infuriated by her presence. She would have to fix things with him. An argumentative psychologist is a help to no one and she needed to be useful. Now more than ever.

She got up and walked off to her new residence only slightly aware of the rustling of the brush behind her and the sound of lithe footsteps over dry leaves.