Day One
Severus rubbed his temples, pausing at the top of the great marble staircase. He was getting too old for this... this back and forth, pretending to be two people and burying his misery deep into his soul. It had been five years since she died; Albus kept pressuring him to move on. Yet he couldn't. It was small consolation that her son survived, because his survival was the sole purpose of Severus's double life. Wishing nothing more than to be able to end his pain, Severus wished for his own death not for the first time. He had been certain that after the fall of the Dark Lord, his dual life would be over. Now, though, he was pretending to be two different people in a different way. Instead of being the double agent between two competing factions, he had to pretend to be the calm, cool, and collected Hogwarts professor in public while on the inside, he was dying.
The creak of the gate alerted Severus's keen ears. Straightening, he took a moment to brush an errant thread from his sweeping black robes. For now, he must act as a teacher, educator, and ambassador of Hogwarts at the behest of Albus Dumbledore. That man had more fingers in more pies than anyone Severus had ever known. Slowly and with as much dignity as he could muster, Severus made his way out the great double doors and to the carriage that waited below.
The thestral snorted quietly, pawing at the ground. Severus pulled a small piece of raw meat he had brought just for the creature out of his pocket. Removing the wrappings, he held it out flat in the palm of his hand. The thestral snorted happily and quickly ate up the treat. A small smile stretched Severus's lips; he had always had a soft spot for the creatures. They were misunderstood, just like him.
Suddenly, Severus realized he was being watched. Turning sharply, he saw a slight young woman with very short black hair and probing, dark violet eyes watching him intently. He was slightly taken aback; for some reason he had been expecting some withered old hag. She watched the creature prance happily in its harness then turned those remarkable eyes upon Severus.
"Hello," she said steadily. "I am Jane Black, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Severus was a little surprised by her accent, having been informed by Dumbledore that she was an American. It wasn't the deep southern drawl he had expected, but there was definitely still a southern twang to it. She reached her hand out, and Severus shook it with his own. Her hand was warm and dry, her skin slightly tanned. She was dressed in Muggle attire, a pair of dark jeans and a blouse in the 1950s style paired with a pair of Chuck Taylor tennis shoes. She had a tiny butterfly pendant hanging from her neck. Severus drank all this in with one quick glance. There was something on her skin, barely visible under her blouse. Most likely a tattoo, which was an unusual accessory for a witch or wizard. He filed all these thought away and nodded to her.
"Welcome, Miss Black. I am Severus Snape, the Potions master."
"I thought I would be meeting Professor Dumbledore today," Jane asked poignantly, shifting her slight weight. She worried her full bottom lip with sharp, white teeth. Severus found himself staring at her lips for a moment too long.
"Unfortunately, the Headmaster has been called away on urgent business. He will return in time for the welcoming feast tonight. Until then, he has asked that I see to your care."
Jane nodded once, then turned to stare at the castle. Severus knew what she was feeling; it was the same thing he felt the first time he set foot in Hogwarts. Apprehension, fear, and a little excitement. When she turned back to him, Severus noted the look of determination on her face.
"So," Jane grinned. "Shall we find my office?"
