A/N: This story takes place during "Prisoner of Azkaban" and takes a look at the adult side of events at Hogwarts. J.K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter characters and I'm borrowing them for a brief time.
Snape sighed as he took his usual seat in the staff room. It was time for the annual start of term teacher's conference. It was August twenty-seventh and the students would be arriving in a few days. Ah, yes, the start of another school year. Another year of dunderheaded students and exploding cauldrons, he could hardly wait.
As he waited for Dumbledore to arrive, he began to wonder who he had found to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. After Lockhart's memory had been erased, Severus had once again pleaded his case for being allowed to fill the position and once again Dumbledore had denied him, reminding him that he was more valuable as the Potions Master.
He crossed his arms and scowled as he let the bitterness wash over him. None of these dunderheads appreciated his talent. They didn't need someone with his talent teaching potions. Any apothecary with half a brain would have sufficed. Hogwarts had been without a decent Dark Arts professor for several years. While they could hardly do worse than that fop, Lockhart, he knew of no one more qualified to teach that subject than him.
His reverie was disturbed when the door opened to admit Dumbledore. "It's good to see everyone has returned safely from summer break. I have a few announcements for the staff. The Defense Against the Dark Arts position has been filled, but unfortunately our new professor has been delayed and won't be arriving until the first of September."
Snape's scowl only deepened. So, they had found someone foolish enough to take the job. Given the fact that Lockhart had been the only "qualified" applicant the year before, he wondered what they could look forward to this year.
"The second announcement is that Roger White is participating in an exchange program this year. He has gone to Reese Academy in New England and in return Athena Bainbridge will be teaching Muggle Studies." He turned towards the door and held his arm out in a welcoming gesture. "Athena?"
Oh wonderful, Snape thought, a new Muggle Studies professor, just what he needed. To make it even less pleasant, she was an American. That was the most ridiculous course taught at the school. If he were in charge, he would do away with it. He looked up to see what this new professor looked like so he could avoid her. She came up to about Dumbledore's chin, so she wasn't exactly short, but not tall either. She was of average build with average features and her auburn hair came down to just below her shoulders. The rather colorful red robes looked very much out of place with the dark robes the rest of the staff was wearing.
He watched her out of the corner of his eye, listening to what she said as she was introduced to the other professors. She praised each of them in turn. If there was one thing he despised, it was a sycophant. He wasn't surprised he was the last one introduced. He tried not to sneer too much as he waited for her false platitudes.
Dumbledore led her over to Snape with the fatherly air he showed everyone. "Athena, this is Severus Snape, our Potions Master."
She held out her hand, "Severus, an honor to meet you. I've read most of your papers on antidotes and I'd love to discuss some of them with you when you have the time."
He was momentarily caught off balance. He had expected false praise, but not that she would want to discuss anything with him. "Of course, though I doubt you would need them teaching Muggle Studies." He would be polite as it was expected.
She laughed softly. "No, not for Muggle Studies. I actually taught history back at Reese, but for obvious reasons your History professor was unable to participate in the exchange program. I've done some traveling in the Muggle world so I decided I could probably handle Muggle Studies for a year."
"I hate to interrupt, but I need to speak with Severus," said Dumbledore.
Severus nodded curtly before following Dumbledore out of the room. He wondered what a History Professor would need with knowledge of potions and antidotes. Once they were in an empty classroom he asked, "What did you need to see me about, Headmaster?"
"I will need you to brew the Wolfsbane Potion this year, Severus. Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor is a werewolf," replied Dumbledore quietly.
Severus arched an eyebrow. "You have hired a werewolf?"
"Because of your potion he will pose no harm to anyone here at Hogwarts. I think that you will find Remus Lupin very well qualified…"
"Remus Lupin?" Severus interrupted. "You have hired Remus Lupin?"
"I believe that is what I said and I will beg you not to interrupt me. He is very well qualified, a fact of which you are well aware. Do not let your past experiences cloud your judgment."
"You know who he associated with. They were as thick as thieves. You also remember what they did to me. Are you sure he can be trusted? Especially with Black on the loose again!" He was working up a fine frenzy.
"Severus, calm yourself. I have the utmost trust in Remus. I saw how upset he was by James and Lily's murders. He would not help their murderer."
Snape replied drolly, "Forgive me if I sound skeptical, but he was not exactly the most upstanding citizen as a student. I recall him deferring to Potter and Black constantly."
"Be that as it may, he will be a professor here. As such I will expect you to show him a modicum of respect, especially in front of the students. And I believe that we all have things in our teenage years we would prefer forgotten."
Severus made mental note of the fact that it was full moon and that would be why Lupin had not joined them at this meeting. "I will have the potion prepared for the next full moon." He nodded curtly and left the classroom to return to his office to finalize his lesson plan.
Athena got off the train in Hogsmeade. It was a quaint little wizarding town, not unlike the one where she was raised. Several weeks back she had received a welcome letter from Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster. He had included some information on Hogsmeade, short biographies on the staff, and information about the weather. It was very similar to her native Vermont.
As she had expected, the huge Rubeus Hagrid was there to meet her. "Perfessor Bainbridge? I'm Rubeus Hagrid here t' escort ye' up t' ther castle." He gestured at a carriage that had a black horse-like creature hitched to it. He saw Athena freeze. "Oh, don' mind him. Tha's Tenebrus, a thestral."
"A…thestral?" she asked hesitantly.
"Oh, they're naught to be worried 'bout. They're not dang'rous." He reached out and patted Tenebrus.
Her only experience with thestrals had been in common folklore, but this one seemed gentle enough. She got into the carriage without taking her eyes off it. It watched her with those shining white eyes. As soon as she was in the carriage she couldn't repress her shudder anymore. She doubted they would be the bearers of a bad omen if they were used at Hogwarts, but it still gave her the creeps.
She looked out at the window as the castle came into view. It was breathtaking. Much larger than she had anticipated and the grounds were incredibly beautiful. She thought that she would definitely enjoy her stay here and looked forward to taking many long walks on the grounds.
When they stopped in front of the castle, Hagrid helped her down for the carriage. "Now, don' ya be worryin' 'bout yer bags. They'll make it t' yer quarters." He turned to face the door and saw Dumbledore. "Ah, Headmaster, I've brung the new perfessor."
"Thank you, Hagrid." He then shifted his gaze to her. "Athena Bainbridge, I'm Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Welcome to Hogwarts."
"Thank you, Headmaster. It's a pleasure to be here. I've been looking forward to it since I was selected."
"I'd like to introduce you to the staff and then give you a few hours to settle in. After that, Minerva McGonagall will show you around the castle. I expect that by the end of the week you feel quite at home here."
"Well, I have a pretty good sense of direction. I think I'll do all right."
"I wouldn't be so sure. The castle has a way of lulling you into a false sense of security," he said with a mischievous sparkle in his eye. "I do hope that you won't find Muggle Studies too taxing. Headmaster Rice told me that you were teaching History of Magic, but he assured me that you are well qualified."
She laughed softly. "My father is a bit of a Mugglephile. He used to enjoy taking us on trips to the cities and studying Muggle culture. I think I'll be all right."
"I'll have to introduce you to my good friend, Arthur Weasley. He's quite fascinated by all things Muggle. Though I'm afraid that if I do you would be stuck talking with him for hours." By now they had reached the staff room. He took her hand in his and held it in a fatherly gesture. "Now, if you'll wait out here a moment, I'll introduce you." He smiled warmly and patted her hand before heading into the room.
Athena forced herself to remain calm and not start pacing. They were teachers. She was a teacher. She had memorized their biographies and read as much of their published work as she could find. They were an excellent faculty and she felt a little intimidated. Her sole academic work had been based on the Salem trials from records she had found in her family archives. Yes, she was young and it wasn't really expected that she would have published much, but Severus Snape was close to her age and he had dozens of articles on Potions published.
They were incredibly brilliant. She had been working with the Potions Master at Reese, hoping to one day take his place. History was important, but nowhere near as exciting as the world of potions. She looked forward to being able to ask Severus questions about his papers.
She saw Dumbledore wave for her, put a smile on her face and entered the room. She was looking around the room and was barely aware of Dumbledore introducing her to everyone. He then led her around the room, introducing her to each professor in turn. She warmly accepted everyone's welcome and tried to say something nice to everyone in return.
Then she found herself facing Severus Snape. He was tall with an imposing air about him. The next thing she knew she was babbling on about absolutely nothing. He seemed less than impressed. Then Dumbledore was leading Severus away to discuss something in private. From the way he looked at her she must have made a complete fool of herself.
Minerva approached her, "Don't worry about him, dear, he's like that to everyone. Once you've been here long enough you learn to tolerate him."
"Did I sound like as big a fool as I thought?" Athena asked.
"You were nervous. First day in a new place must be a little disorienting," Minerva replied. She led Athena to her quarters. "Once you've settled in and finished unpacking I'll give you a brief tour of the castle. I'll make sure you can find your office, your classroom, the staff room and the Great Hall. It would probably be best if you spent some time before the students arrive exploring."
"Thank you, I appreciate that," she replied as she looked around. There was a sitting room with a settee near the fire, a table behind it and under the window a writing desk. As she explored the room she saw the bedroom was off to the left and she assumed a bathroom beyond that. The furnishings were simple, yet well made.
"The house elves will take care of the laundry you put in the basket and keep your room clean. They won't touch anything you leave out on the desk. If you want anything to eat late at night you can either go down to the kitchens or you can Floo down and they'll send something up to your table. Is there anything you need right now?"
Athena continued to look around the room. It was like a fairy tale castle. She had noticed her trunks in the bedroom. "No, I'll be fine for now. It shouldn't take me too long to unpack."
Once Minerva had left she moved over to the window. It looked out across the lake. The view was breathtaking. She had been in correspondence with Professor White and had already worked out most of her curriculum, so she would have plenty of free time over the course of the rest of the week to explore. Hopefully she could also get to know her colleagues better.
A/N: If you have enjoyed the story, please let me know and I'll post more.