Disclaimer: I own absolutely everything. Nothing belongs to J.K. Rowling. It is all mine...except not really. I own nothing. Everything does belong to J.K. Rowling. I'm just a fan.

A/N: I'm definitely not an expert when it comes to writing, so I'd like to apologize in advance for any grammatical or spelling errors that you come across.

PROLOGUE

Anxiety, nervousness, and anticipation were the only things I felt at this moment. My body shook slightly, while my hands trembled and to top it all off, my stomach seemed to be tied into a thousand knots. I was going to teach at my old school this upcoming fall.

"I never thought I'd return to Hogwarts to teach Healing Remedies and Techniques," I snorted. "If someone were to tell me that I'd be teaching 14 years after graduation, I'd tell them they were completely bonkers. I don't even know if I'll be able to survive."

For the past week or so, I had been packing up all my belongings that I thought would be prudent to bring along for my stay at Hogwarts. Before I left I remember looking around my modest and empty apartment which had a new uninviting atmosphere to it. It wasn't hard for me to leave though. I had grown tired of paying too much for rent every month, the ruckus the neighbors caused, and I was sick of living a solitary lifestyle.

I haven't always been by myself until recently. I have been in a few relationships over the years and had a fair share of lovers but none of them seemed to stick. They were usually casual encounters involving a couple dates here and there. If I was lucky I would manage to have a relationship for a couple of months.

Out of all the men there was only one who had kept my interest and my heart. He was handsome in a classic sense and he also had an awkward sort of charm that came packaged in a dry sense of humor and a sarcastic nature. Everything had started off rocky in the start of our new relationship but he came around eventually.

We had a fair share of bumpy moments though. He was moody and stubborn and somehow managed to be a complete ass even during the best of times. There was only so much I could take and after a year or so, I left.

I was ready for a fresh start anyway. I was ready to start my life over. And I was ready for some structure in my life again.

I started to wheel my trunk behind me that held all of my shrunken belongings. The grounds looked just as beautiful as they were when I was a student. I passed the lake with the giant squid and I also passed the infamous Whomping Willow. I could see and feel the sun shining brightly from above and the warmth that radiated from it seemed to calm my nerves down a little bit.

I approached the doors and stood outside for a while. I took a deep breath while finally mustering up enough courage to open them. I don't remember these doors being this intimidating when I was a student here, but that was many years ago so I'm not surprised if my memory of this place is a little faulty.

I finally grasped the door handle and slowly opened the door to the vast entrance. The different house tapestries were hanging from the ceiling. The four of them surrounded one larger one which proudly displayed the Hogwarts crest. The marble floor looked so spotless and clean that it seemed to shimmer beneath the lighting. Finally, I saw the handsome grand staircase off in the distance. I was awe struck. It was like I had been sucked back into my first year body.

When I had finished inspecting the large entrance, my eyes caught sight of a stern looking woman. Ah, Professor McGonagall, I remember you. You seemed so uptight back then. I guess you managed to keep that up.

"Ms. Keating," she said. I nodded slowly without speaking. "You may drop off your luggage here and Dipsy shall bring them to your room."

I gently presented my trunk to the house elf standing dutifully in front of me.

"Hello missus. My name is Dipsy. Dipsy bring missus belongings to her room," the tiny house elf squeaked.

"Thank you, Dipsy," I said and then focused my attention back on Professor McGonagall.

"Before you move into your private quarters, The Headmaster would like to see you in his office," she stated after the little house elf left with 'pop'.

Albus Dumbledore had owled me two months ago asking if I wanted to fill the position of the newly opened Healing Remedies and Treatments class. I immediately accepted his offer as I was in need of a new job.

Being back at Hogwarts was a surreal experience. When I followed my old Transfiguration professor, a wave of nostalgia hit me like a ton of bricks. I remembered being sorted into Ravenclaw as a first year and the first day of classes, where I had to navigate my way around the large school. I remembered sneaking out past curfew in my 6th and 7th year, and of course, watching the Marauders walk through the halls or on the grounds with an entourage of giggling girls following behind them. I also remembered sitting in the library doing homework, and the occasional snogging session in random abandoned classrooms.

Soon enough we had reached the statue leading to the Headmaster's office.

"Chocolate Frogs," Minerva stated clearly. A spiral staircase appeared and it ascended up into an area out of my vision.

"Just walk upstairs and you'll reach Dumbledore's office."

"Thank you, Professor," I said.

"Since we are to be colleagues you may call me Minerva. I am no longer your professor after all"

"Minerva," I repeated slowly. She nodded and started to walk away without another word.

I walked up the staircase and reached the doors leading to the Headmaster's office. I lifted my hand to knock but before I could, I heard a familiar voice that said, "You may enter."

As I walked into Albus Dumbledore's office I gazed around at all the intricate and curiously shaped instruments that occupied his office. I spotted a sleeping phoenix perched on a stand next to the Headmaster's desk. I finally turned my vision to the elderly wizard in front of me, who was affectionately stroking the sleeping bird. He smiled at me and said, "Ah, Ms. Keating. It is my pleasure to see you again after so many years. Please have a seat." He motioned to a chair sitting across from his desk.

"Thank you for the opportunity to teach here Professor. Oh, and please call me Rose," I swallowed. My nervousness was starting to act up again and my fingers began to fidget absentmindedly.

"My pleasure, Rose. You may call me Albus" His eyes seemed to twinkle and he continued on, "I'm glad that you accepted the position. I couldn't think of anyone who was more qualified than you are! Other than Madame Pomfrey, that is," he quickly added and grinned.

Dumbledore and I continued talking and my anxiety started to lessen. We discussed my future lesson plans, his expectations and guidelines for the professors, rules and regulations for the students, and somehow we managed to switch the subject to socks and wizarding sweets.

Finally, Albus had decided to show me to my new living quarters and told me that dinner was at 6 o'clock in the staff room. He noted that the Great Hall was quite lonely with the lack of students, which is why they decided to take meals in the staff room before the beginning of every new term.

We walked to the first floor past some suits of armor and portraits that were talking quite enthusiastically about the upcoming school year to other ones nearby. Rose couldn't help but grin at the excited portraits. Soon enough Dumbledore and Rose made it to the door leading to her quarters and stopped before it.

"This is your room. You may choose your password once I am out of hearing range," he winked. "And there have been several protective wards in case you'd like some extra privacy and security."

"Thank you Headmaster but there really isn't much for me to hide nor is there much that anyone would want to take or know about."

"We're just taking some extra precautions, my dear. Well I must be off. See you at dinner, Rose." Dumbledore smiled and waved before turning around and disappearing around a corner.

I was left to my thoughts when I remembered that I had to choose a password to enter my room in the future. I thought for a while before coming up with 'Bell Jar' after the title of a muggle book I had come across.

When I entered my new living quarters I saw a cozy, decorated room with a leather couch and overstuffed chairs surrounding a fire place. On the right side room was a door to the bedroom which contained a comfortable looking bed and a few dressers and a closet. Beyond that was the bathroom door. The inside held a big claw footed bath tub, a large shower, and a sink.

I found my things neatly placed around the room. My clothes were left in my trunk though, which I was thankful for. Dipsy probably thought that I would like to put those away myself, I mused.

I went to the bedroom and placed my clothes in drawers and hung up the robes and coats in the closet.

After I was done I threw myself on the bed and took a deep breath. "The school year hasn't even started and I'm already exhausted," I said out loud, "but I did just travel here and settle in so that is why I'm ready to curl up in bed and go to sleep."

Suddenly I remembered that dinner was at 6 o'clock and checked my watch. It was 5 minutes to 6. I quickly jumped out of bed and started walking swiftly through the halls. I was so flustered that when I descended down the stairs I failed to notice another person walking in front of me. We collided and I stumbled back a bit.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going," I said while trying to compose myself. The figure merely grunted. I narrowed my eyes and finally saw who I had run into.

The figure was a man with a defined, hooked nose. He had onyx colored eyes which were partially covered by loose strands of hair that had fallen over his face. His hair had a greasy appearance to it and his skin was quite pale.

He scowled down at me and I realized who he was.

"Severus Snape," I whispered softly.

A/N: Things will start to pick up soon. I promise! I hope this first chapter was alright and not too dreadful. This is my first story and I was a bit nervous to post it.

I also started this story months ago and had it posted for about a day or two before taking it down to edit it. I also changed some things and have a new outline drawn up.

The next chapter will be set a day or two back but this end scene will turn up again later in the story. It'll also be from Snape's pov.
I'll try to update as soon as possible. I'm going to try really hard to put forth an honest effort to actually keep this going.

Thanks for reading. Please leave a review if you're up to it. Constructive Criticism is greatly appreciated.