Chapter ONE: Familiarity

I glanced across at him. Dumbledore had just introduced us but the figure standing before them seemed not to react.

'Severus,' said Dumbledore.

'This is a mistake.'

'Severus…' Dumbledore implored, looking over his half-moon glasses.

Snape didn't look happy. I wasn't happy either. Of all the professors Dumbledore could have paired me up with.

I had always got on ok with Snape. We'd had our initial problems, me being in Gryffindor and he being the Slytherin Head of House. I remembered him from my time as a student here. He knew my history… It made me uncomfortable. Even McGonagall hadn't known the full extent.

'What were you doing in the years since you left here?' he asked suddenly.

I looked down, embarrassed.

'Professor Dumbledore, I…'

'I know about all of that Liza. You don't need to be concerned with this.'

He asked me to go. A house elf appeared to escort me.

I left without making eye contact with Snape.

The first day as a Professor/Assistant came around. Severus was in foul spirits. He was never in bright spirits but today seemed a particularly bad time to start working with him.

I entered the dungeons prior to any students appearing and sat down at the stone desk where I had always looked up to Snape. Students started to file in and stared curiously at me. I felt awkward but smiled at each person. The Gryffindors smiled back, the Slytherins scowled or else looked wary.

Snape swept in in a familiar fashion, his robes billowing behind him. I remembered him being taller. He seemed not to see me but instead stood in front of the desk and gave out instructions to the students. He didn't introduce me. I wilted a little in my seat. Should I stand up and introduce myself? It seemed abrupt.

He came up to the desk and made as though about to sit down. He took one look at me and recognized my discomfort. I groaned inwardly, he would be enjoying this. To my surprise however he motioned for me to stand and cleared his throat.

'This is Professor Aylward,' he announced. 'She will be assisting this class for the next month or so as part of her training.' The class nodded and murmured amongst themselves.

'Settle down and begin. Ten points from the Dunderheads who do the worst.'

The plurality of this was not lost on them as the clatter of cauldrons and scales, and the scent of ingredients filled the air.

Snape swept up the desk and sat down in his seat. He had a certain grace, even with his bat-like countenance, I observed.

'Thank you,' I said, without looking at him.

When he didn't react, I looked up. He seemed to be surveying me.

'I'm not sure what to make of you, Aylward, however you are a Professor and these idiots should know and respect that.' He measured each word as he spoke, 'Learn as much as you can from this unpleasant experience.'

I nodded and then stood and walked around the front desk, amongst the students. Where I noticed people performing the instructions incorrectly I helped out of the corner of my mouth, as I remembered Snape enjoying the mayhem that ensued when he set a particularly difficult potion, particularly when the subjects of that mayhem were not of his House.

After everyone had left, I stood as though to leave.

'Stop,' he said, when I'd made it almost to the door. This was surely for effect.

'Do not do that again,' he said quietly. For the lack of volume, there was a deafening command to his voice.

'Do what?' I asked, just as softly, sticking my chin up.

'Don't tell them what to do...' He stepped around the desk silently until he stood in front of me. 'The ones who made this draught successfully through your instruction will not remember where they would have gone wrong. I have my methods and I would appreciate that no one interferes with them.'

Watching my ears burn he gave a satisfied smile.

'You're the boss,' I shrugged my shoulders and left.

Needless to say, I was seething on my way back to my office. Unfortunately, my office and living space was adjacent to Snape's and it wasn't long before I heard him arrive back.

Flopping down onto a nearby settee and feeling lost and awkward and lonely I thought about going out. Where could I go? I didn't really know anybody here.

I was just thinking this when there was a flash of fire, just above my right shoulder. I gave a shout and toppled backwards. A booming voice filled the room.

'Dumbledore requests your presence at the Three Broomsticks at 6pm.'

I stared from whence the voice and flames came. A party. O Dumbledore you shouldn't have…