Author's Note: I do not own anything except for my OC named Kiona in this story. This is my first fanfic and I'm really excited to share it with you all. I hope that you enjoy! Reviews are welcomed. This story doesn't exactly follow the books, so there will be some differences and I guess that makes this OC.
Summary: Severus Snape is still struggling with the loss of Lily and the constant reminders of her. He is forced to take on an intern through a program Dumbledore sets up with using former students. He is paired with a young woman named Kiona and is not happy at all. As the two begin working together through a series of events, Severus learns more about this young woman and her tragic past bringing them closer together. What will happen?
Severus Snape sat in his office hunched over his desk grading papers for his potions class trying to focus all of his attention to the task at hand. It was becoming rather difficult due to a tapping noise that he kept on hearing that he couldn't figure out where it was coming from. The tapping became louder and louder until Severus could no longer stand it. "What is this nonsense," he huffed as he went in search of the noise. His answer was met when he walked over to the window to see an owl waiting for him with a letter attached to his leg. Severus rolled his eyes in frustration as he opened the window for the owl so he could take the letter. The owl fluttered off as Severus went to open the letter as he immediately recognized the handwriting of Albus Dumbledore. The letter was requesting his appearance in Dumbledore's office later that night at 8 pm and as Severus looked at the clock it was 6:45 pm. He had a bit of time to finishing grading what papers he could, then he would head off to the office to see what Dumbledore wanted of him.
As he finished grading another ten papers, it was then time for Severus to walk over to Dumbledore's office for their meeting. Opening a drawer, Severus placed the ungraded essays inside for later grading. He was out of the door and began to walk to Dumbledore's office. Thoughts began to wonder in and out of his head as he tried to think about what Dumbledore could possibly want with him. It wasn't very often that Dumbledore had summoned him to his office but when he did it was of a very important matter. As Severus's thoughts began to come back to him and then out again, he suddenly began to picture Lily Potter in his mind. He could still see her lovely smile and beautiful eyes sparkling back at him. But he couldn't show any weakness in front of other staff members or students as he continued to march along. He silently hoped that he would not run into Harry Potter at that moment due to that boy being so much like his father. Damn him. However, Harry was also made up of Lily too.
The doorway to Dumbledore's office was in sight and Severus was ready for whatever news that would be received on the other end of the doorway. When he closed the door behind him, Dumbledore was sitting at his desk looking over a few books with intense concentration. "You summoned for me Headmaster?" Severus called out to Dumbledore pulling his concentration away from the books.
Dumbledore looked up as he adjusted his glasses with a soft smiled as Snape spoke. "Why yes I did Severus, please take a seat," Dumbledore motioned with his hand to a chair. Severus took his seat making eye contact with Dumbledore allowing him to begin to speak. "Well Severus," Dumbledore began to explain, "As you very well know that Hogwarts is a prestigious place for young witches and wizards to attend. Through the years there have been so many talented and gifted students that have graced our halls. And sometimes, those witches and wizards want to repay Hogwarts with offering their services. I have discussed with Professor McGonagall to set up a program where former students who have graduated could return for an intern position."
"And how does this have to do with me?" Snape questioned as he observed Dumbledore closely.
"Well Severus, we had a few applicants for this idea and there were a few with really strong applications. Minerva and I placed the former students names in one hat and the professor names in another hat, and so Severus, you were chosen to partake as taking on an intern," Dumbledore admitted calmly watching as Severus's irritation began to grow.
"Headmaster, you can't be serious right now, is this really happening?" Severus demanded with a hint of anger in his voice. Dumbledore didn't answer immediately giving Severus the time to process the news that he had just given him. "I am not paid enough for a babysitting job," Severus spoke up again with pure frustration.
"Severus, I had a feeling that you might have a problem with this so that's why I asked you to come alone," Dumbledore stared at Severus, "This is a wonderful opportunity for both Hogwarts and the community! Just think of all the wonderful possibilities that could happen from this."
"What if I do not want to take part in this babysitting?" Severus yelled at Dumbledore who didn't even flinch.
"Unfortunately Severus we have already alerted the former student who was paired up with you, so you can't back out of this now," Dumbledore replied as he looked down at his book. Severus was glaring at Dumbledore with extreme intensity as he whispered angrily, "Is this a form of punishment for something? Why am I being subjected to your whims?"
"Severus, I have noticed as of late that your unhappiness has grown even more in stature. I thought perhaps it would be helpful for you to have a distraction of sorts as to help you not to constantly wallow in pain over Lily," Dumbledore replied as Severus froze with a bit of horror in his eyes, "It's obvious that since Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts your emotions have taken over the best of you."
"Potter reminds me of his father, I-"
"Severus, please," Dumbledore pressed him, "For my sake and for the school and staff and students, please just try taking on this one former student. It could be very beneficial for all parties involve and besides who knows what may come out of this! Perhaps this program could bring about so many other wonderful opportunities. Aren't you curious as to who you were paired with?"
Severus hesitated for a moment before replying to Dumbledore. In his heart he knew that regardless he would end up doing the program for Dumbledore's sake even though he was displeased about the matter. "I am not happy at all about this situation Headmaster, I do not want any part of this," Severus closed his eyes as he tried to keep his emotions in check, "However, I will take on this task, but by no means does this mean that it will work out. My time is precious and I won't waste it babysitting."
Dumbledore gave a knowing chuckle as Severus finished speaking. "Severus I hope you realize that this isn't babysitting at all. I think that you have been paired with a very interesting individual that will possibly work out if you can get past your stubbornness. I really look forward to what will come about with this program and your chosen former student," Dumbledore smiled as he pulled out a green folder with Severus's name on it.
"What is this?" Severus questioned as Dumbledore handed over the folder.
"This is the file with information about who you were paired up with Severus," Dumbledore explained as Severus went to open the file.
His eyes scanned the page and the very first item that he noticed was the former student's photograph. He looked over it carefully taking in the former student's face. "She looks rather familiar to me," Severus admitted as he flipped over to look at the written document. Her name was Kiona Merith.
"She was a student here and was just a bit younger than you," Dumbledore said as he looked at Severus, "She was very bright and intelligent with a good heart, but unfortunately bad things do happen to bad people."
"What do you mean Headmaster?" Severus's curiosity was peaked.
"That is not my tale to tell Severus, and I also do not know the full story of what happened to her. Please note that she will be arriving in two days to begin. I advise you to look over the document before meeting with her," Dumbledore said as he stood from his chair, "That is all for tonight Severus. You may resume your duties."
Severus glanced down at the document as he walked out of Dumbledore's office. What was he getting himself into? Who exactly was Kiona and what happened with her? His head filled with so many questions but he had to hold off on those as when he returned to his office he resumed grading papers. Plopping himself back at his chair, Severus threw the document off to the side of his desk but missed causing it to fall to the ground. Sighing in frustration, Severus waved his hand lifting up the document properly placing it on his desk. "No more distractions," Severus muttered.
Later that night Severus had finished grading his papers and he had never felt so relieved. Some of the students were most competent in their writing while others were incredibly infuriating such as Harry Potter or Hermione Granger. As he was locking up his office, the green folder was staring back at him. "No," he shook his head, "Not tonight. We will finish tomorrow."
Severus walked to his room and turned himself in for a night of restful sleep which unfortunately did not happen. He was feeling so very restless and spent most of the night tossing and turning trying to sleep. Nothing was working for him. "Perhaps a walk," he thought to himself. Putting on a cloak, he walked out of his room and began to wander the grounds of Hogwarts hoping to relax himself.
Severus walked for a bit until he came upon a bench overlooking a small garden with a variety of roses and plants. As he carefully sat down and observed he noticed in the corner of his eyes there was a beautiful lily flower. He could feel a strong ache in his heart while he feel to his knees to touch the soft flower. "Oh Lily," Severus began to tear up as he thought of the girl who had stolen his heart. For some reason, the lily began to glow softly with a warmness emitting itself through it. Severus pulled himself back to observe the lily as the light from within began to circle around him. It was almost as if the real Lily was in front of him hugging him, but Severus knew that that was far from possible.
Author's Note: The end of the first chapter! Stay tuned for more!