Hi all, this is my very first fanfiction featuring my favorite character from the Harry Potter-books, the (in)famous Severus Snape. Sometimes I just can't stop think about his personality, his life and of course, about what would have been if... In my alternate universe he didn't die at the Battle of Hogwarts because he deserved to live in freedom at last.

I'm not a native English speaker, writing fan fictions is a way to improve my English. So on one hand, please, be patient with me, and on the other hand, if you're a Beta and you'd like to help me with my grammar, just tell me :)

Although I don't like the ending what J.K. Rowling provided to us, I'm really thankful to her creating this wonderful world of magic. I also don't own any rights :(

1.

I did it: at 28, I've reached the peak of my career. I was standing in front of the entrance of the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry and I was mesmerized by the work of few dozen witches and wizards. After the fall of Voldemort the restoration of the building has started immediately so the wounds from the war could heal faster. Also the wizards of the light side wanted to demonstrate their strength. The people were working so fast that the new school year could started in October.

I've arrived at 30th August so I've had enough time on my hands to work on my lesson plan. I've met Minerva McGonagall beginning summer. She was still mourning the people she lost during the war however she was already working on rebuilding the school, both literally and figuratively, officially as Headmistress. We've met at a conference where I was giving lecture in Muggle Studies and I was so convincing, that McGonagall offered me a job as a teacher in Hogwarts. I was flabbergasted and of course I said yes. Who wouldn't? Having a job in the world's best wizarding school? Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime.

So, when I arrived to the castle, I was super excited and pretty nervous. I took the stairs to the hall but when I arrived there, I got confused. The Headmistress told me that she will be waiting for me there at 9 AM but she wasn't there. I didn't know where should I looking for her so I just waited patiently. I was fascinated by the glorious building – I've always had a thing for old castles. I was looking at the ceiling and the wonderful stone columns when suddenly I've heard the low voice of a man. I've shivered a little.

"Are you looking for someone?"

I spun around and I saw that a tall thin person in black clothes is coming closer from a dark corridor. His steps were soundless but firm and not very fast. His hair was black and a bit longer than ordinary men's hairstyle. His pale skin was in a strong contrast to his hair and his clothes. When he got closer I saw his long nose and black eyes. I knew exactly who he was because I read the Daily Prophet: the man before me was a war hero and the best Potions Master in the whole wizarding world.

"Good Morning, Professor Snape! My name is Anna Hollo." I offered my hand but his hands stayed behind his back so I pulled back mine as well. It was very awkward and I cleared my throat while I was trying to find my voice again. "I was waiting for Professor McGonagall, I am the new Muggle Studies professor."

He was studying me from head to toe, I've felt if he was trying to look into my soul. It was frightening but at the same time it was also quite thrilling. I really need to find a boyfriend, I thought.

"I see. Do you have an appointment?"

"Yes, we should have met at 9 AM, here, in the hall."

"Well then, I'm sure the Headmistress will be here very soon. Be patient."

He shot me one last look and he left. When he passed by me very closely, I smelled herbs on his clothes. I said good-bye but he remained silent as he disappeared in a dark corridor.

I was still stunned by this very brief encounter with Professor Snape when I've heard another voice behind me. This was a woman's with a very strong Scottish accent.

"Oh, Anna! I'm really sorry!", said Minerva McGonagall while hurrying down the stairs. "We have a lot of things to do before the new school year and of course all hells break loose at this very morning. We still find some minor dark curses. For instance today some shelves in the owlery came off and the poor birds got very frightened and went crazy. At the same time some plants in the greenhouses came to life. We had to take care of them. But fear not, my dear, these are just unimportant complications". She was smiling at me very nicely.

"It's alright, I just arrived a few minutes ago. However I've already met one of my future colleagues."

"Who was it?"

"Professor Snape."

For a moment, McGonagall had a very strange expression on her face but eventually her smile came back.

"I hope he didn't insulted you."

"No, he was here only for a minute or so."

"Oh, that's enough time for him to make someone cry."

"I don't start to cry that easily."

"Good to hear. You know, Severus came back only a few days ago. Until now, he was in St. Mungo's on rehabilitation. I assume, you know why."

"Yes, I read the Daily Prophet."

"That's good to hear but you should ask the other professors for some information. The media could be... very unreliable. But I do not recommend you to ask Professor Snape about the battle of Hogwarts."

"I realized that he is not the talkative type of guy. And I know that he has an agenda. I also know that a lot of people got hurt, a lot of people are mourning and the wounds are still very raw."

The Headmistress stopped smiling and I saw tears in her eyes.

"Yes, they are but we are trying to pull ourselves together and carry on. I'm sure some new faces, just like yours, will help us to get over it faster."

She wiped away a tear then stepped closer to me and took my elbow.

"Now, I will show you your classroom and your private chambers."

"Thank you, Headmistress."

"You can call me Minerva. In the staff we use first names."

"Even Professor Snape?"

"Yes", she stopped for a moment. "However I think you should ask him about it. I have known him when he was a student but Merlin knows sometimes even I don't know what he will tolerate."

"It will be nice to work with him", I sighed and followed McGonagall up to the stairs.

So, what do you think? R & R are like unicorn blood to You-Know-Who: it keeps me alive!