Chapter 1: Going Back
Disclaimer: Martha and Squirrel, unfortunately, do not own any of these characters (otherwise they'd be loaded!) and even the title of the story was borrowed from a Star Trek: Deep Space 9 episode!
This story was started and finished between books 4 and 5. That makes it now wildly inaccurate and the property of an alternative universe to that of the last three JK Books. I hope you can forgive us and still enjoy.
I (Martha) have fleshed out the first few Chapters a little since they were originally posted. Hope no one minds. I have also been working on that sequel we promised a thousand years ago. Squirrel and I would love to hear what you think of the story so please leave a review if you stop by to read.
88888
Looking up from the latest potion he was brewing, Severus Snape acknowledged the unexpected owl that flew through his small, high laboratory window. He carefully untied the letter from the owl's scaly leg and sent it on its way, grumbling about the interruption and skimmed his eyes over the neatly written words in the hand of Albus Dumbledore on the envelope: "Severus Snape, The Subterranean Laboratory, You Know Where, Lincolnshire". Sighing with annoyance, he ripped open the letter and quickly read the correspondence:
Dear Severus,
Due to the unexpected departure of our Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, Professor Leggett, on business of a personal nature, I have been forced to enlist the help of Professor Florence Findal, a well respected Auror for the Ministry of Magic...
His initial elation at the departure of Branson Leggett, Ireland's most annoying village idiot, forgotten, Severus stopped reading. The letter carried on, but Snape's mind was frozen on two words: Florence Findal. She was coming to Hogwarts?
He pulled his robes around him as if pulling himself together and glanced into his simmering caldron as if seeking answers from within. What was he going to do?
He straightened up as another thought struck him. What would she say? How would she react to him? He knew he'd done horrible things, but did she know? And, more importantly, how much did she know? He turned down the heat on the potion, knowing he was in no state to give it the attention required.
Giving Florence a promise that he would see her again in a few days, he'd left her on the platform of Hogsmeade station, never knowing what was to come by owl the next day; never to see her again… until now. He had received a letter from a fellow Slytherin the next day, he could still remember what it had said;
She's Muggle born, you know?
Meet me in Hogsmeade tomorrow and I'll show you
something a hundred times better…
That letter had damned him to the life he now found himself in 24 years ago. What had possessed him to take heed of the letter? Why hadn't he left well enough alone? Perhaps it was the shock of finding out she was born of Muggle parents; but that didn't excuse anything - he couldn't change the past now and he could never atone for the things he had done… especially to her.In the beginning, he'd called it curiosity and fascination. And, arrogant in the belief he could control the darkness inside, he had given in, not realising until too late what he had become…
88888
Yawning, Florence Findal pushed back the sheets of her bed and stretched her arms towards the ceiling. She smiled with satisfaction, secure in her future for the first time in years. She was returning to Hogwarts.
A letter had arrived by owl 3 weeks ago from Professor Dumbledore that had sealed her fate: a job offer as Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, her speciality! Having a fascination with the subject had helped her to excel at school and encouraged her to start training as an Auror several years later. However, the first war against Voldemort had ended just a few months after she had started her training so, although she completed her course, she had decided to forgo active duty and become a professor. In a way, teaching at Hogwarts seemed like an ideal plan – she had nothing else lined up and had enough faith in her abilities to teach.
There was only one black spot on the horizon: Severus Snape. She remembered the last time she had seen him when they'd left school: he had smiled at her, kissed her and gently pressed his nose to hers. He'd promised, as his hair fell across his face, I'll see you in a couple of days. Stupidly, she'd walked onto the platform of Hogsmeade Station and had actually been happy! She hadn't seen him since.
She'd immersed herself in her auror training, after losing her family in a Death Eater attack, to get away from the horrific visions of what must have become of them. It was January in the year after Voldemort fell when she heard Severus' name again. He was on trial for crimes committed as a Death Eater but he'd been cleared on all counts. Vouched by Albus Dumbledore, he had been a Death Eater but on their side... at least at the end. What with training in the ministry, she had had access to the records of the trial and had read them. Albus Dumbledore probably had more clout that all the wizards in Britain and she knew he did nothing lightly – if he trusted someone they were worthy of it.
Her stomach lurched when she thought of Severus and she inwardly berated herself for thinking of the past. Anyway, she wouldn't be seeing him just yet: with a few ends to tie up, she wouldn't be starting on September 1st. She still had time to prepare…
88888
Silent and looking petrified at the thought of having to do some difficult deed, the first years advanced towards the staff table to be sorted. Severus Snape had seen twenty-one sorting ceremonies and had only participated in one: his own. You were sorted once and it decided more than just your sleeping arrangements. Your company for the next seven years was decided in just a few short moments.
Would they be brave Gryffindors with their pride and haughty ethics?
Clever, amiable Ravenclaws that seem to find the academic side of things easy?
Loyal and hardworking Hufflepuffs who never backed down?
Or would they be in his house: Power-hungry, arrogant Slytherin? Quick to accept you and defend you, Slytherin, with their prejudice and high ideals. It was his duty to keep them from making the mistakes so common to their predecessors. It was all too common that the pupils with the most difficult childhoods would find themselves in Slytherin and would begin to build a family of peers.
Each house was a mixed blessing, to be sure.
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall. Welcome to all new students..." Dumbledore twinkled as he started his yearly speech.
Severus, not really paying attention to the words that were being said having heard them so many times, scanned his eyes over the pupils sat in the Great Hall. He frowned as he saw the excitement and happiness over each and every upturned face.
"...I trust I do not need to remind the older students about using magic in the corridors and going into the dark forest..."
The frown slowly turned to a sneer when he spotted Potter and his friends, Weasley and Granger, smiling at each other in delight. He caught Potter's eye and, using his best scowl he startled him into submission. Pleased with himself, Snape turned to his left and listened as the Headmaster finished his speech.
"...there will be a new staff member teaching Defence Against The Dark Arts while Professor Leggett is away: Professor Findal. She will not be here until next week so all lessons in this subject will be postponed. I hope you will all make her feel very welcome. Now, TUCK IN!"
"How was your holiday, Severus?" The Scottish burr of Professor McGonagall drifted from the seat next to him.
"Fine" He was not in the mood for conversation; his mind was still focused on the end of Dumbledore's speech.
Make Florence feel welcome? Now, how in Merlin's name was he going to do that? He supposed the best plan was to avoid her at all costs: that would save awkwardness for the both of them.
His mind made up, Snape swept away from the staff table and down the length of the Slytherin table to check on his newest additions.
88888
Florence hadn't wanted to think about Snape, so she hadn't.
The extra time she had bought herself before term started had been spent with shopping for useful (or just frivolous!) things for her new job. A brand new sneekascope - she had always wanted a proper sized professional one ever since she had been bought a rather unreliable toy version as a child; and a selection of exotic quills and coloured inks! Not to mention, an all-new 'teacher-wardrobe'!
However prepared she had been before, once Florence found herself in the entrance hall of Hogwarts, she realised that she had no idea how she would behave with him.
Treat him like I've forgotten anything had happened? Like he'd buy that! He was too sharp - he'd see through her charade in an instant.
Polite acknowledgement? This somehow seemed odd when she had once perceived them as being so close.
Ignore him? Why not? He had ignored her since the day they left school and it was definitely the easiest way to go…
Thinking that she might start to panic, Florence considered turning round and going back down the stone steps and out of Hogwarts – no one would even know she had been here.
"Professor," A familiar and serene voice brought her out of her revere and Florence realised that she had completely missed professor Dumbledore approaching her.
Forcing a smile, Florence extended her hand to take his, "Sorry, I had forgotten just what an impact Hogwarts can have." His hand was dry and warm, she felt instantly more at ease.
"I thought I would show you your Classroom and office then take you to your living quarters in time for you to settle in before dinner is served."
"Thank you." Florence floundered for something else to say. She wondered briefly if she had really thought this through.
"Leave your trunk here; I have house elves waiting to take your things to your rooms."
The bell rang before Florence could say "Thank you" again! There was a rumble from above as the castle came alive with students.
"It seems you are just in time to see Hogwarts at its most lively." Dumbledore went on, Florence was glad that at least one of them wasn't so distracted that he couldn't sustain a conversation.
They passed throngs of students on the way there and she was positive she'd seen Harry Potter. A quick mental calculation told her she was probably not imagining things and the boy should be in his seventh year. This should make for an interesting new job.
He asked her about her journey and made pleasant conversation about the weather. Florence managed to give all the appropriate responses.
They drew to a halt outside a classroom on the fourth floor, Professor Dumbledore unlocked the door with a ridiculously large key and held it open for her to enter.
The room was high and had windows looking out over the forest on two sides. The teacher's desk was at the front facing the students and behind it was a large rolling black board. On either side of the blackboard was a door. "You will find a large storage cupboard in the corner," Dumbledore pointed to the door on the far side. "And your office is through here". He stepped forward and used the same key to open the near door and stepped inside. "The fireplace in here is connected to the internal floo network." He explained, "All the teacher's offices, including mine, are on the network along with the living quarters of all the heads of house." Florence nodded, feeling sure that she had had lots of questions before arriving.
She looked round the door of her new office to find another desk, with a chair on both sides and two armchairs in front of a fireplace. The walls were lined with shelves, waiting to be filled. Florence smiled to herself thinking about bringing over her weapons collection.
"Will I get a chance to introduce myself to everyone?" Florence found her voice as she stepped into the room for the first time.
"Of course, there will be a staff meeting in the morning at 7:30, I have asked all the staff to attend, you can meet everyone then." He watched as she wandered around, familiarising herself with everything.
"What time will I be expected in the Great Hall for dinner?" Florence supposed she couldn't rely upon everything being exactly the same as in her own time at Hogwarts.
"Dinner is served at 6:30. I like to see all the staff at the top table for dinner but appreciate that it will not always be practical, I would appreciate it if you could be there at least three evenings each week. If you can't make dinner with the students the house elves are always most accommodating of visitors to the kitchens." He smiled mistily at the thought of the kitchens and Florence grinned.
"Thank you for showing me around in person, you must be very busy on the first week of term."
"I am. But I have to confess a certain feeling of investment in the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. The students have lacked a regular instructor in the subject for an alarming number of years." He ran a finger along the dusty surface of her office desk and then frowned at it. "There is nowhere I am more needed than here at this moment." His smile was less twinkly this time.
Florence felt the pressure of wizarding world's future on her shoulders and again wondered if she had bitten off more than she could chew. A life of lecturing, independent consultancy and the odd assignment for the ministry was hardly adequate preparation for facing thirty youngsters with raging hormones and barely controlled magical abilities. While at the same time she was feeling unnaturally uncomfortable at being in the same castle as her first lover and only man to break her heart. The pressure mounting as she got ever closer to seeing him again for the first time.
"With that in mind, I am hoping I can rely on you and the staff to provide me with some much needed guidance." She forced herself to stay with the conversation "I have never taught at this age and level before for any sustained period of time." Florence felt it best to get her fears out in the open.
Dumbledore pulled back one of the armchairs next to the empty fireplace and indicated that they should sit. "I think you will find that Minerva McGonagall, as my deputy, very receptive to any requests for assistance or coaching". He conjured a pot of tea, seemingly out of nowhere, but the room did suddenly appear a lot less dusty. Florence decided not to think on it too long. "All the staff, for that matter, are very experienced in their fields and as educators. Feel free to call on them whenever you have the need. Equally we would hope to be able to draw on your expertise."
Florence smiled and let out a small sigh. "I have no fears when it comes to my expertise." She assured him, sipping her tea.
"I am committed to creating a school of the highest calibre and this post requires significant investment. You will not lack support." He assured her. "Would you like me to sit in on some of your initial lessons? Out of sight of course." He added.
"That would be very welcome." Florence wondered if he had slipped something in her tea, she was relaxing quickly with his reassurances. "Anything I can do to get up to speed quickly, I will."
"I trust you received your time-table in good order?"
"Yes – it looks like I will be getting a baptism by fire; Seventh year Gryffindor and Slytherin first thing in the morning." She grimaced, trying to be self-deprecating.
"I will leave you to tackle that one on your own." He winked and topped up his cup from the tea pot. "Now, about the castle... Since you were here as a student, I don't think we really need to have this talk but we'll have it anyway!" Dumbledore's eyes sparkled with humour. "You probably know more about this school than most of the teachers so I'm sure you'll be fine..."
"Thank you, Professor" She smiled again.
Dumbledore took her through some of the finer points of Hogwarts running, before getting up.
"I will show you to your living quarters."He handed her the large key for her classroom and Florence followed him out of her office, through the classroom and back into the corridor.
They walked down to the third floor to a corridor she didn't remember. "A number of the staff have their rooms in this vicinity, mostly those from a Ravenclaw background." He explained. "I will take all the wards from the room so that you can set up your own security how you choose." He set about it and Florence waited. Eventually the door swung open and she could just see inside. "Now, you have a couple of hours before supper. There is a new dessert I've been looking forward to for weeks. I've been told the House Elves have invented a new type of Fig Roll!" Florence grinned at him in spite of her nerves, bidding him farewell.
Florence stepped over the threshold into her new term-time home. It was one large living space, two comfy chairs in front of a crackling fire, a large king size bed and a study area. There looked to be just one adjoining room on the right. Closing the door behind her, she went to investigate. The door led to a small bathroom. There was a large cupboard in front of her as she came through the door and the bath ran along the back wall, a window at the far end of the room flooded it with light, just before the day began to turn to evening.
Florence turned to see that her trunk was waiting on the rug at the end of the bed. She set about putting her things away and sorting out what would need to be taken to her classroom after dinner for her first lessons the next morning. Her boot heels tapped on the dark weathered floor boards as she walked back and forth from trunk to wardrobe, resisting the temptation to put everything away by magic, knowing that she needed to keep busy.
Her things unpacked and furniture moved a little to suit her, Florence surveyed the room as she put on a kettle of water for a cup of tea. It would be time to head for the great hall once she was done. Just as the kettle started to sing, Florence noticed a tapping on her window. Rushing over to undo the clasp, her owl came tumbling in and onto the neatly made bed. Tizanne ruffled her feathers back into place and looked grumpily at her owner.
"Sorry old girl, hope you weren't out there long," Florence murmured as she untied the note from her faithful owl's patiently out-stretched leg. Tizanne flapped her wings once and came to rest on a perch next to the desk, Florence hadn't even noticed it was there – the living arrangements may not have been palatial but everything had been thought of.
The small envelope torn off revealed a card with a blackboard and an apple on the front. Inside was a note from Heather. Heather Harris had been Florence's best friend for over 30 years, they had been in the same year at Hogwarts and despite the fact that Heather now lived in Australia, they had never been out of touch. Heather was possibly more excited about Florence's new job than she was. Heather was wishing her luck for the next day and telling her not to worry about hassle from Slytherins. Florence had neglected to tell Heather about the presence of the only Slytherin that was actually bothering her.
Florence stood the card next to her bed, contact from a friend making her feel less alone. She hadn't been tied to one particular place since she had graduated as an Auror almost twenty years ago and her contract at Hogwarts felt more than a little stifling now that she was here, the term running all the way to Christmas feeling like a marathon she had neglected to train for.
After draining her tea cup, there was to be no more putting it off. Florence let Tizanne out of the window, knowing that she would remember her way to the owlery, and then let herself out into the teacher's corridor. Taking one last look back at this new sanctuary, Florence locked the door behind her, took a deep breath and headed for the stairs.
Being at Hogwarts was like riding a broomstick: It took a hell of a long time to learn but once you had you never forgot. Therefore, she found her way to the Great Hall for supper without any trouble - no trick stairs and no cheeky walls pretending to be doors - once you got used to them as a child they never fooled you as an adult. Even a couple of the paintings remembered her!
The rather childlike security of Hogwarts faded, though, as she approached the high doors to the Great hall. Surrounded by children, there was nowhere to hide. Carefully taking the two steps down into the hall, she looked up and toward the teachers' table. There was no searching to be done. Her gaze was drawn instantly to its target.
He may have had an extra twenty-four years etched into his face but he was essentially the same man. Severus Snape: sour faced and already looking like he could take out the entire child populace of the room, if he were only allowed, on just the first week of term! Why was he teaching? He had hated the younger pupils when he was at school, so he must find them intolerable now!
Once sat down Florence realised that she couldn't remember the walk up past the house tables. The seat that remained for her was on Dumbledore's right, thankfully a good few seats along from Severus. She sat by Madam Hooch, who she remembered from school.
Hazel Hooch had been a couple of years below her, but all she knew of her was her name. Veronica Vector, on the other hand, had been an acquaintance. She certainly wouldn't have called her a friend, but they had spoken in the odd lesson that they had with each other, or late at night in the Ravenclaw Common room when they were the only ones still up, working. She shook hands with the two women and exchanged pleasantries.
She peered over at Snape and found, to her discomfort, he was staring straight at her. She quickly looked away: so much for avoiding him! She wondered briefly what he was thinking. Probably congratulating himself on evading her for the past 24 years…
Why did I ever leave her? She might have been Muggle born, but there were more important things, he knew that now. She was magnificent. His original plan to avoid her was briefly forgotten as he absorbed every feature of her face. Not that he needed to – she was imprinted on his mind: a memory that would never fade. She was the reason he was sat here and not in Azkaban.
Caught looking at her, Severus swore quietly under his breath and sighed silently. She would never forgive him for what she knew he'd done, let alone for what she didn't.
He forced himself to look away, down at his untouched plate, as if he'd find consolation there. He grimaced. He'd have to stick to the original plan… for her sake at least.
88888
The night before Severus had left the Great Hall with the beginnings of an almighty crick in his neck. The concerted effort not to keep glancing to his left had left him feeling like he was in danger of developing a nervous tick. He now found himself heading for the staff room, tense and irritable.
He had expected to feel awful about himself upon seeing Florence but had not considered that he might find her attractive. It had been naive of him to suppose that guilt would be the worst of his problems when confronted with the face of his salvation.
He walked into the staffroom and was surprised to find only Filbert Flitwick, Hazel Hooch and the Headmaster there. He made a beeline for the table at the back of the room, poured himself a generous cup of tea and didn't add any milk. The Headmaster was eyeing him so Severus shot him a questioning look and headed decisively to the chair that was stuffed most deeply into a corner of the dull, windowless room.
Every time the door to the staffroom swung open, Severus twitched with anticipation. He may have already seen her last night but he hadn't been expected to interact with her then.
He cursed himself for being there early; he should have tried to arrive exactly on time, cutting down on this stomach tightening tension. It would probably give him an ulcer.
Florence arrived at 7:29, dressed in striking royal blue robes. She was ambushed by several of his colleagues on her way to get a cup of tea.
She was different and Severus couldn't put a name to the emotion it gave him. Florence had always been at ease in a crowd; friendly to anyone she met, that didn't seem to have changed. She was talking easily with Flitwick and McGonagall, but she was an island. There was a solitude and strength to her that he didn't remember.
Professor Dumbledore began the meeting, making a few observations about the new student intake and then introducing his new member of staff. "If the heads of house wouldn't mind, I think this would be a good opportunity to bring Professor Findal up to speed with some of the more notable characters in your houses. Minerva, would you start us off?" He directed at Professor McGonagall.
"Thank you Albus," Minerva McGonagall sat forward a little in her chair. "Starting from the top, there are our new head boy and Girl, Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom. Finer students you will not find. Take every opportunity to stretch Miss Granger, it is essential to differentiate the class and homework where she is concerned or she will become insufferable. I feel I should make mention of Harry Potter, he has had six very rough years, He wishes to be an Auror so I would hope he can rely on you for an Outstanding NEWT grade."
Trust McGonagall to begin with Potter and his cronies, as if none of her other precious Gryffindor could compare. Severus gulped his tea, it had cooled as he had sat there getting tense and he grimaced.
"As for the younger pupils, I would like to make you aware of Caleb Cavel in third year, disaster and destruction does appear to follow him around. Keep him near to his friends, Maggie and Jack; they have learnt to cope with him fantastically."
Minerva sat back and sipped her own tea.
Severs watched as Florence made notes, he supposed he should decide what he was going to say before it was too late.
"Susan, please shed some light on your Hufflepuffs." The Headmaster prompted.
Susan was stood at the back of the room and edged forward, her pointed hat on top of her round face made her look like a root vegetable. "I have one or two very nervous first years, it's my most skittish bunch for years. Be aware that they will forget everything; you will have to give them instructions more than once. As for the older pupils, Edwin McLane in fifth year, lost his mother over the summer and is not finding it easy to talk about." Susan gave a small smile and stepped back.
"Filbert, I'm sure you remember Professor Findal, please fill her in on her fellow Ravenclaws."
Filbert Flitwick hopped down off his seat on the sofa, it had the effect of making him even more difficult to see. "Just one to draw your attention to – Lorelei Henderson, one of the new first years, one of her grandmothers is a veela. She will be vulnerable to her classmates and them to her, especially as they mature. Although her effect is very watered down and she does not have the temper associated with veela, she is very shy when people around her are affected." Filbert slurped at a glass of something frighteningly green before he climbed back onto the sofa.
"And Severus..." Dumbledore prompted.
Florence turned her head and looked at him expectantly.
Severus sat forward. She deserved to be as prepared as possible. "Those in my house tend to come from the most difficult backgrounds and they will try to test you. Stamp your authority quickly, but don't be unjust. If they put so much as a toe out of line, stamp on it, fast." He advised. "They will appreciate it, even if they don't show it. In first year, there is Leyton Green, his father was abusive to him and his mother until his death three years ago, Leyton is withdrawn but seems to have been befriended by one of the girls, Sarah, I would appreciate it if all staff could foster this pairing."
Severus looked around the room, more to force himself to look away from Florence's intense gaze than anything else. He saw a few nods and continued.
"In third year, there is Greg Reily, he is a bully and will torment, demean and mock his peers, he is also aware that he is an attractive young man and not afraid to use the fact to his advantage. The fourth years have been somewhat calmer, but don't be caught off guard; they all move as a pack and can be prone to vengeful acts." Severus was aware that he was giving a lot more information than his colleagues. Still, it was information she should have. "You should watch out for Draco Malfoy in seventh year, his father was expecting him to be made head boy. His failure will not have gone down well at home. His tendency for megalomania is only partially justified. He will assume that he is better than you. It may sound cruel, but I suggest you embarrass him early on." Severus knew this was important from firsthand experience. His own subservience to the boy due to his previous association with Lucious Malfoy had not got the pupil/ professor relationship off to a very manageable start.
"Thank you." Florence said to the room in general.
"Yes," Albus chipped in; his eyes lingering on Severus just long enough for the younger man to notice. "Thank you all, I trust that Professor Findal will have your ears should any issues arise."
Dumbledore continued with the meeting.
Severus had not expected the first words she directed at him to be thank you... he did not pay much attention to the rest of the meeting, watching Florence make notes with a modest brown quill in a thick note pad that already seemed to have at least a quarter of the pages used. She seemed well prepared. He couldn't help but remember her formidable intelligence; she had never seemed to need to work too hard at anything. She was clearly taking her teaching very seriously.
Florence supposed that she shouldn't be so surprised by Severus' obvious dedication. Her assumption that he wasn't enjoying teaching just because he looked like he could curdle milk with a look may have been somewhat hasty. After all, he was likely to need a fairly robust persona to present his students with if he were to remain in command and at all sane here day after day and year on year.
Thinking about day after day and year on year, the staff meeting had presented another surprising revelation. Of the staff, Severus and the Muggle Studies Professor were the only ones under the age of 80 with no extreme facial hair. Her confinement to Hogwarts for the foreseeable future would not be easy, especially considering the fact that if she were to hug the Muggle Studies Professor, he would probably be smothered by her breasts. Florence had always found men a little intimidated by her height of five feet and eleven inches, especially as witches more often than not seemed to be tiny.
88888
Standing before a class of 7th years was hard enough but Florence, knowing there were Slytherins in the group, was petrified. She had been warned against Slytherin students by the other professors but she knew their temperament from first-hand experience.
Florence had decided, since this was her first lesson of the year, to pick an easy subject, so she couldn't possibly go wrong!
She sat at her desk as the class trooped in and, as they sat down in their respective seats, she looked at their faces. Typically, most of the Slytherins had sneers on their faces, but the Gryffindors looked happy and eager to begin. Knowing that these students hadn't held a teacher for more than a year, she wondered how they had learned anything at all!
She stood up and moved to the front of the class.
"I'm Professor Findal" She said, sounding more confident than she felt. "I thought we'd start with something simple... just to get the year started." Turning around and facing the blackboard, she copied some notes from a piece of paper onto the board: 'Stupefy: A Stunning Curse'
She heard a loud yelp from behind her and spun round to see all the Slytherins looking at her innocently; she didn't trust them one bit.
"What's going on?" She demanded. She didn't get an answer but the Slytherins looked even more smug; one in particular had a large smirk on his face. He was very pale, his face and hair were almost colourless and, from the descriptions the other professors gave her, she knew he was Draco Malfoy.
"Mr Malfoy..." Draco sat up straighter and looked slightly surprised that she knew his name. "...you look like you knew what happened. Would you care to tell me?"
"Draco tripped Neville, miss! I saw him do it..."
"Thank you, Miss Granger, but I was hoping to hear it from Mr Malfoy. Well? Is this true?"
Draco shifted around in his seat a little. "You can't prove anything!"
"20 points from Slytherin!" She announced and turned around to face the blackboard again, hiding the small smile that passed over her face and missing the malevolent glare from Malfoy.
Once she had recovered, she finally started the lesson: "Stupefy, as you all probably know, is a curse that causes the victim to..."
88888
Authors' note: We named some of the professors before they had been named by JK Rowling. Unfortunately these names have stuck in our little alternate universe so we will be leaving them as they are. We hope no one is confused.
You can now follow FlorenceFindal on twitter
Don't forget to leave a review and let us know what you think.
Love and Hugs
Martha and Squirrel. Xx