A/N: Hello and welcome to my little world! This is my first FanFiction in a long time, so it may take a few chapters to shake the rust off. I have plans for this and then at least a sequel. It may be slightly slow developing, but some naughty little lemons in the future! This story takes place after the first war, pre-Harry Potter. I own only my little OC, all else belongs to the beautiful imagination of JK Rowling!
Chapter 1
Sept 1st 1982
"Welcome students, welcome staff to another great year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore bellowed, spreading is arms to the hundreds of faces staring dutifully at him. "Before the feast begins, I would like to introduce our newest addition to the staff, Professor Ambrosia Petra, who will be taking over the Astronomy department. Good luck Professor!"
Ambrosia Petra, seated between Professors Flitwick and Burbage, sheepishly rose from her seat. Her ice blue eyes darted between the 4 house tables nervously. It had only been a mere 4 years since she herself had been seated at the Ravenclaw table starting her final year, a time that seemed like only yesterday. She was a thin woman of average height, porcelain skin glowing in the candlelight, her dark brown hair falling in large, loose curls to the center of her back. Her features were alluring yet soft, giving many the illusion she could still be a student, never mind a teacher. After a small wave, smile and rush of rosy red to her cheeks she retook her seat, trying her best to gauge the reaction of the not so captivated crowd.
"This is going to be a disaster," she mumbled to her self, taking a swig from the wine glass in front of her.
"Oh don't worry about it! You'll be fine, half of them aren't paying attention anyways!" Charity Burbage bubbled from the left.
"She's right you know, all they care about right now is when the food is coming! I'm sure half of them won't remember you come tomorrow," Filius Flitwick added from the right,
"I, however, do remember you! So good to have you back!"
"Ha, thanks Professor, I didn't think you'd remember me," Ambrosia replied, relaxing a little.
"Of course I do! You were exceptionally bright in Astronomy and Charms, quite dismal in Potions if I recall. Always kept your nose out of trouble! Call me Fil from now on, no need for formality anymore!"
"Yeah, that sounds about right… Oh, and Rosie would be my, non formal name I suppose."
A cheer erupted from the students as food rose from beneath the tables to the shining platters in front of them. Rosie smiled, taking in the wondrous sight and smells.
After the feast, the students were guided to their houses by their prefects, giving the teachers a chance to convene in the teachers lounge. Rosie took a seat beside the small fireplace while Charity poured them both a small firewhiskey from the small bar in the corner.
"So, tell me about yourself Rosie," Charity prompted, taking a seat in the armchair to Rosie's right.
"Well, what do you want to know?" Rosie retorted before taking a sip of her drink.
"Anything, what's your favorite color? Animal? Birthday? Hobbies?"
"Well, my favorite color is teal, animal is an owl. My birthday is May 21st 1962. I enjoy reading, particularly Muggle poetry and literary classics oddly enough."
"Oh! That's wonderful! I teach Muggle Studies, I've never much gotten into their literature, you'll have to teach me about it sometime!"
"Oh, yeah, absolutely. Anytime. Say, who is that over there, in the corner?"
"Ah, that's Severus, Professor Snape. He's head of Slytherin house, teaches Potions. He's, not one for conversation…"
Rosie peered over at the mysterious man shrouded in black. He sat alone in the farthest corner of the room, reading, firewhiskey in hand. His expression was stern, callous from much hardship, yet sad.
"What do you mean, he isn't one for conversation?" Rosie inquired, her eyes still transfixed on the solitary man.
"Well, I'm pretty sure the most words I've heard him use at one time is, 5, outside of the classroom. It's really quite strange to even see him in here, he usually just retreats back to his chambers, down in the dungeons." Charity replied, amused at Rosie's unwavering stare.
"He looks like a man who could use a friend. He looks so, sad."
"Well, good luck. Let me know how that goes!"
Rosie shot her new friend a disparaging look before setting off towards the Potions master.
"Hello, I'm Rosie Petra, the new Astronomy instructor." Rosie chirped, holding her hand out to him.
"I know," he replied curtly in a smooth, unwavering baritone, his eyes not leaving his book.
"Oh," she retracted her hand, "of course, from dinner… What's your name?"
"I'm sure with a little investigating you could figure that our yourself, Professor."
"Yes, that is true. But I'd like to hear it from you."
In a quick motion he slammed his book down on the small table in front of him and looked up at her, his eyes were as black as night, penetrating and unwavering.
"Severus Snape, Potions. Now, if you'll excuse me," he snapped before rising from his chair and storming out, black robes billowing out behind him.
Rosie slowly made her way back over to Charity, thoughts racing in her mind.
"See I told ya, he's a real charmer," Charity said matter-of-factly, with a roll of her eyes.
"That's precisely the kind of man that needs a friend," Rosie replied, taking another swig of firewhiskey.