Title: Mirror Image
Author: Adora
Disclaimer: All characters (save Sylvester) are J.K. Rowling's creations. No infringement is intended. I don't make any money with this. I only write for the enjoyment of myself and my readers (also, it keeps me off the street grins).
Author's notes: This fanfic is my response to the Twin Challenge, issued by avataris leonis on WIKTT. Enjoy! This is my first HG/SS fic, so please keep that in mind when you read this. Reviews are always welcome of course, both positive and negative.
I would like to thank Maria, Lori, sariling and SusanPW for beta-reading. Thanks for your wonderful advice regarding this story!
"There are two things in life for which we are never truly prepared: Twins." Josh Billings
Chapter 01:
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts."
Hermione smiled as she heard Professor Dumbledore speak those by now so familiar words. She knew exactly what was going to happen next, since she had heard it all six years before: the Headmaster would announce that the Forbidden Forest still is out-of-bounds, that magic in the corridors is strictly forbidden, and that everyone should enjoy the feast. She had already looked over the people seated at the High Table and as she had seen all teachers present, she knew there weren't going to be any introductions tonight.
As it turned out, she had miscalculated the number of announcements a little. After his usual speech on the rules of Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore continued: "Most of you have heard those pearls of wisdom for the last few years, but apart from that, I have something of another nature to tell. During the summer, Professor Flitwick announced that he would like to retire at the end of the spring term. Since the position of Charms teacher at this school is linked to the position of Head of Ravenclaw, both Professor Flitwick and myself thought it wise to give our new Charms teacher the time to adjust to his tasks one by one. I had intended to introduce your new Charms teacher to you tonight, but unfortunately, he has been delayed. Rest assured that you will all meet him when..."
Professor Dumbledore didn't get to finish his sentence because right at that moment the door to the Great Hall opened with a resounding bang. Every head in the Hall snapped round to see who had dared to interrupt Professor Dumbledore's speech.
"Someone, get Madam Pomfrey." Ron whispered, suddenly looking pale around the nose. "I-I think I'm seeing double... " On Hermione's other side she could hear Neville whimper: "Kill me, kill me now..."
A lone comment came from the High Table, only audible to those seated close to the one muttering. "Ah, it's the Yeti," the Potions Master said scathingly before turning his attention to the ceiling.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, Professor Snape," Professor Dumbledore said happily. He was clearly enjoying the confusion. "I was just about to postpone my introduction of you to the students, to wait for your arrival."
"How wonderful," the new Professor spat as he thrust his umbrella, which had a black handle in the shape of a serpent, into Filch's hands. "You will have to excuse my apparel, Dumbledore. The road towards your school seems to have gained some concealed quagmires since I last visited it." Indeed the man looked as if he had rolled around on the ground. He was almost completely covered in mud. Hermione secretly wondered why he hadn't used a charm to dry and clean himself, but she quickly pushed that thought aside when Professor Dumbledore began to speak once more.
"Perhaps you would like to be shown to your quarters so you can freshen up a bit?"
Professor Snape (the new one) shook his head. "I'd rather eat first if that's all right sir. I'm famished."
"Very well," Dumbledore nodded and turned to address the students.
"Everyone, please welcome Professor Sylvester Snape, our new Charms teacher." The staff and the few students who had already recovered from the shock of seeing someone who looked exactly like their Potions Master clapped. It took only a few seconds for the applause to die out, after which Professor Dumbledore commented with a twinkle in his eye: " For those of you who are curious: Professor Sylvester Snape is indeed Professor Severus Snape's twin brother."
Both Professors Snape were giving him murderous stares behind his back, but the Headmaster didn't seem to notice. He just beamed at the students before saying: "Now, with the introductions over, let the feast begin!"