The Matchmaker

Joy Cutting

Rating: PG-13 for mild language and content. Note, rating may change at any given time.

Summary: You thought one Snape was bad!? What happens when the Potion Master's twin shows up with one thing on his mind? Severus and Hermione never stood a chance. SS/HG. Response to 'Twins' challenge on WIKTT.

Author's Note: So, here's the second chapter. I think I made it longer. Originally, I had one more section to write; but I thought it might fit better in the next chapter. Besides, I find it rather amusing to leave ya'll with cliffies at the end of each chapter. Mwahahaha. Anyways, Thanks to everyone who reviewed:

Punk'd, Talia-Rose, Lady Sunflower, DarkFire77, Anne, KDarkMaiden, Sarahamanda, MoonAssassin13, Winter Fae, Piggie, Samilia, LynneElf, pseudonym.

You're kind words inspire me to keep writing. I thank you all very much!


"Orion's Belt." The password to Gryffindor tower was spoken softly, so that no passers-by could hear. With a smile and nod, the Fat Lady swung open her portrait, admitting entrance to the three teens waiting patiently in the corridor. They strode forward, ignoring the curious glances from the other students within. Curious glances because the teens in question looked quite perplexed, and one looked downright ill.

"Oh Ron, come off it!" Hermione muttered, flopping down into a chair nearest the fire. A group of first years scattered away, frightened by the tone of her voice and the slightly pissed off expression on her face. The redhead who she had just berated flopped onto the couch across from her, his mop top best friend joining him.

"I'm sorry, Hermione, but the thought of two Professors Snape wigs me out." Ron shot back, folding his arms over his chest and pouting most unconvincingly. Harry chuckled lightly, rolling his eyes as he kicked his feet up onto the coffee table and relaxed into the sofa.

"The new one didn't seem that bad." The Boy Wonder said, smirking at Ron's horrified reaction.

"Still. It's bad enough seeing one greasy git every day, but now we have to deal with two!"

"Now that's not true." Hermione countered, looking pointedly at her two male friends. "The Defense teacher isn't too sore on the eyes. He's rather sexy, in that aristocratic sort of way." She couldn't help but giggle at the looks of utter shock and revulsion that crossed both boy's face.

"Hermione! The man's old! That's just... ew!" Ron shuddered, looking completely squicked; while Harry's expression turned to that of amusement.

Silently, though, Hermione thought otherwise. Her parents, being fifteen years apart, had taught her that age didn't matter, so long as you were in love. For a while now, Hermione had no longer looked to her Potions Professor as great, old, greasy bastard. She had come to see him in a different light after a summer spent as his apprentice. He was far more emotional than he had let anyone ever see; and she guessed that he locked it all away because of the many trials and tribulations in his life. Getting to know him had opened her eyes. The enigma that was Severus Snape was slowly beginning to piece itself together. Beneath it all he was witty, with a wicked sense of humor, and passionate in every aspect of his life.

Nearing the end of the previous summer, Hermione had come to wonder if that passion extended to his bedroom. It was then that she had realized her growing attraction to the surly Head of Slytherin. She kept this knowledge to herself; embarrassed by the revelation, and afraid of what her friends might think.

"Earth to Hermione! EARTH TO HERMIONE!" Harry was shouting, waving his hands frantically in front of the young woman's face. Frowning, he turned to Ron. "Houston, we have a problem."

"Who's Houston?" Ron furrowed his eyebrows, looking at Harry as if he had grown three heads. Hermione took that moment to snap back into reality, blushing wildly and looking down.

"Sorry." She murmured, clearing her throat and picking at the edge of her plaid skirt. Harry shook his head, a smile playing at his lips.

"It's all right, I understand." He said, nodding as he sat back and gazed at her with an appraising eye.

"Understand what?" The youngest male Weasley asked, perplexed by the way his two friends were acting. Harry only smirked further.

"She'd rather daydream about the new Professor Snape, than talk to us."

"Harry Potter!" Hermione screeched, reaching for the nearest throw pillow and chucking it at the cackling teenager. Unfortunately, her aim was off, and the pillow ended up whacking Ron upside the head. Dazed, confused, and perturbed at Harry for his maniacal laughter, Ron gathered up the discarded pillow and swung with all his might at the boy sitting next to him. Soon there was an all out pillow war raging between the entire occupants of the common room.

Hermione was glad for the distraction. Harry had come too close to the truth for her comfort.


"Good morning, class!" Sebastian clapped his hands, a broad grin on his face as he looked at the fearful faces of his 7th year Gryffindor/Slytherin class. It was obvious none of them knew what to expect. Then again, after having Severus as a teacher, he couldn't blame them. He'd be wary too, if he were in their shoes. "Relax! I don't bite... I only nibble once in a great while." His attempt at a joke didn't go too well over; only a handful of Gryffindors laughed hesitantly.

Shrugging, Sebastian walked back to the platform and sat on the edge of his desk; silently studying each student. After a while, he finally spoke.

"As you all probably know by now, I am Professor Sebastian Snape." If anything, the introduction only seemed to heighten the sense of anxiety flitting about the room. Sighing softly, he closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Just because I am your Potion Master's twin brother, doesn't mean I'm a thing like him!" He grumbled audibly, dropping his hand to the side and gazing pathetically forward. "For one, I actually wash my hair."

This had the desired effect. A sea of smiles broke out, and Sebastian was slightly surprised to see that a great many Slytherins found the jab at their Head of House entirely amusing.

"That's better!" He exclaimed, jumping off his desk and bouncing off the platform. There was a definite skip in his step, now that he'd gotten his students to unwind. "Now, I've been looking over some of the notes left behind by your previous Defense Teachers. According to my calculations, you all should be at roughly 4th year level." Some students groaned, while others protested. It was no secret that the Defense Against The Dark Arts teachers tended to be flakes; with the one notable exception of Remus Lupin.

Sebastian chuckled when he saw Hermione Granger shoot her hand into the air and start waving it frantically.

"Calm down, Miss Granger." He murmured softly, withdrawing his wand and twirling it in his fingers. "I am well aware of the advanced level many of you have reached by way of the DA club. I had quite a long chat with Headmaster Dumbledore on the subject, and he assured me that I could continue with my original lesson plans without any hindrances."

"Oh..." She murmured, blushing and putting her hand down.

"Now, I know it is the first day of classes, but I'd rather not waste any time." Sebastian stated with purpose, striding quickly over to the blackboard and flicking his wand at it. In no time at all, a complete set of notes on the days lesson was scrawled tidily against the black slate. "Today we will be learning how to block and counter the Soul Destroy curse. Can anybody tell me what that is?"

Somehow, Sebastian wasn't surprised when Granger's hand shot into the air once more, a gleeful expression on her face. Hers was the only hand in the air for a few moments, before another tentatively joined in beside her.

"Ah! Mr. Potter!"

"The Soul Destroy curse is similar, in effect, to that of the Dementor's Kiss." He started, biting his bottom lip. "However, unlike the Kiss, it can be blocked and countered; though the counter curse must be cast within thirty seconds of the original curse, to be effective." Harry looked pleased with his answer, and offered the younger Snape twin a half-smile.

"Excellent! Five points to Gryffindor!" Sebastian jigged in place, causing a great many of the female students to giggle, and the males to snicker. When he was facing the blackboard once again, he pointed at the incantations with the tip of his wand. "To block, the incantation is 'Contego Sepelio Spiritus'. The correct wand movements are a vertical, half arc swish, and a forceful jab. The jab is all in the wrist! Now watch me." Sebastian performed the block with ease, and a jet of aqua light shot out of the tip of his wand and created a water-like shield before him.

"Professor?" Potter raised his hand, and Sebastian nodded to him. "Is the jab on the first, second or third syllable of 'Spiritus'?"

"Good question. It is a common mistake to make. Jabbing on the first or third syllable will have no effect; you have to move at exactly the precise time you utter the second syllable." Harry nodded, then went back to taking notes.

"To counter the Soul Destroy curse, the incantation is 'Recro Spiritus'. This spell is also classified as a level four healing spell." Sebastian continued, pausing so that the class could keep up with their notes. The soft flutter of parchment and scratching of quills was, oddly enough, comforting to him. When most were finished and looking back at him, he raised his wand in the air. "The wand movements are a small loop, and a vertical slash; like so." He demonstrated, causing a soft golden beam to emit from his wand. "Now, once you are all finished taking notes, I will clear away the desks and you will have a chance to practice each spell."

The class got to work as Sebastian began making his rounds. He noted, with surprise, that Potter's movements all seemed mechanical; like he was here, but wasn't. There was a hollow, almost haunted look in his emerald eyes; and it perplexed the Defense Professor. He couldn't help but worry about the young man.

Furrowing his eyebrows, he shook the feeling off and cleared away the desks with a flick of his wand. Soon, the room was rent with the sound of murmuring, swishing and whooshing. Sebastian made his way over to the trio of Gryffindors, watching with satisfaction as each of them perfected the block and counter curse.

"Mr. Potter, are you feeling all right?" He murmured quietly, so as not to be overheard. Harry shot him a confused look, but nodded silently. Further baffled, and not at all convinced, Sebastian continued over to a group of Slytherins who were having difficulty; the empty look in Potter's eyes lingering in the forefront of his mind.

'I'm going to find out what is wrong with that boy.' Sebastian concluded finally, as the bell rang and the class gathered their belongings and trekked out of the room. 'I know that look all too well...'


"I can teach you how to bewitch the mind... Ensnare the senses... And even -" Severus was cut off as another voice sounded from the doorway.

"Put a stopper in death! OOOOOHHHHH!" Sebastian called out over dramatically, waving his hands in the air mockingly. A few of the first years dared to laugh at this, but they were quickly shut up with one glare from the Potions Professor.

Severus, for his part, was feeling rather anxious now. Sure, he was angry at his brother for interrupting the pivotal moment in his speech; but he was even more worried for his life and that of his young students. After all, Sebastian's reputation in a Potions lab was legendary.

"Run while it's still possible!" He sneered at his students, waving his hand at the door. Some were confused, not sure if he was really dismissing them or not. Their question was answered, however, when Severus jabbed his finger at the open door in a blatant command to leave. They scrambled for their belongings, tripping over each other as they ran from the classroom; scared and relieved all at the same time.

"Now, was that really necessary?" Sebastian muttered darkly, walking forward and frowning down at the massive cauldron on his brother's desk. "Ugh, that smells foul. Monkey testicles?!" He snatched up a jar standing beside the brewing concoction, unscrewing the cap and sniffing inside.

"Don't touch that!" Severus yelled, but it was too late. Sebastian had jumped with a start when the cauldron gave a great burp; the jar flying from his hands and landing with a plop in the mixture.

"Did I do that?" He winced as the other man rounded on him. He was saved from a verbal lashing, however, when the cauldron began to shake and emit a multitude of pink sparks. Eyes wide, Sebastian watched, as if in slow motion, the entire contents of the potion exploded with a resounding bang.

"BASTIAN!" Severus roared, jumping on his younger twin in an effort to screen him from the onslaught of sickly, green slime. Within moments, it was over. Breathing heavily, Sebastian poked at the prone figure lying on top of him.

"Severus? Sev?" He muttered with worry, even though his mind was still clouded with shock. Rolling over until Severus was lying upright on the cold, stone floor, Sebastian sat up and reached for his wand. "Wake up, dammit!" He prodded the unconscious man, muttering a string of reviving spells, but to no effect. "What in Hades have I done?"

Shoving his wand into an inner pocket, Sebastian swooped down and picked up his brother before making a mad dash towards the Hospital Wing.

It was bad enough that he still lived in guilt over the happenings from twenty years ago; but he didn't know if he could live with the guilt of killing his only brother.


Next Chapter: Sebastian learns of Hermione's attraction to Severus, has an emotional chat with Harry, and Hermione learns the truth of the twin's past.