The Fox in Hogwarts
Severus Snape wasn't sure what to make of the man sitting next to him, despite ample time to ponder the matter. Severus was currently in the Great Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, along with the other professors, and returning students. The hall was abuzz with the noise of conversation as everyone waited for the incoming first years to arrive for their sorting, and for the anticipated welcome feast that followed.
While everyone else used the time to converse with those around them, talking about summer events and the like, Severus, the loner he was, tried to avoid conversation as much as he could. With his seat the furthest on the right side of the head table he traditionally had to avoid conversation with only one of his peers, Pomona Sprout. While Professor Sprout and Severus had a good working relationship, each respecting each other for their expertise in their field, friendly conversation was not common between them, mostly due to Severus' unwelcoming demeanor. This lack of friendly chat usually led Professor Sprout to speak to Filius Flitwick for the length of the night, leading Severus to enjoy his thoughts.
But this year a new addition to the Hogwarts's staff had change the seating order at the head table, which led to Severus' current pondering. Uzumaki Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki Severus mentally corrected himself, was a mystery. Based on the short introduction to all the professors before the current welcome event began, Uzumaki was an apparent contradiction. A young man by appearance, he looked to be early into his twenties, he carried himself with a level of confidence not seen by those twice his age; despite being weary from travel and in a foreign environment. And, based on his ongoing conversation with Professor Sprout, discussing Hogwarts's traditional welcome event Severus overheard, he didn't lack social skills despite the imagined communication barriers. Uzumaki spoke English quite well for a beginner, having only studied for three months before his departure, he was able to communicate with Professor Sprout quite effectively, and took any mistakes on his part with a smile and a dismissive wave.
Yes, Severus thought, as he took a re-orientating gaze over the Great Hall, nodding back to several of his Slytherin students who made eye contact with, Uzumaki was definitely an individual to further explore.
"Snape-san?," a voice asked, the odd intonation on his name catching his ear, "you teach potions, yes?"