Langas, thanks for reviewing the last chapter. Unlike the original Harry potter which takes view point from one character, I shall be taking view point from many each chapter (though it is limited to one a chapter). With that in mind, I give you...

Chapter 2: The Arrival

10 years had past since the Dumbledore had given Snape his word. Snape though older, though his appearance waning, his demeanour remained all the same. The years to Snape had flown by, and before he knew it himself September 1st had arrived, and with this year of new students, Harry Potter would be joining. Snape had been dreadful and anxious of Harry's arrival. What if he was just as self-absorbing as his arrogant father? I bet he already is. Disgusting that he looks like his father, a carbon copy, thought Snape. But as much as Snape worries of Harry being like his father, one, small, but one doubt had appeared in his heart. What if he was like Lily...

Snape left his house and took one last glance at Spinner's, but felt nothing. Dwelling on the place where his father took 'care' of him, wasn't something Snape particularly liked. And without a second thought, Snape disapperated. There was a loud crack and in less then a blink of a eye, Snape was in Hogsmeade. The dark sky above him. The Hogwarts tower stood in the distance.

"Professor Snape, on your way to to the castle?" said a voice from behind Snape. He turned around to see McGonagall walking ahead. Snape stood and simply said,

"Yes McGonagall, but what are you doing waiting here?" Snape promptly lead and had a flare in his stride. They reached the tower in about 20 minutes. The sun had set and the pair had departed to their respective seats in the Great they did, the sorting fly by for Snape, it was nothing new. The only student that interested him this year was Harry. The names were called, each time one was said, Snape lost more and more interest... he lowered his head down...

"Potter, Harry!" McGonnagall voice boomed throughout the Great Hall. Snape raised his head, everyone in the Great hall looked at Harry, all eyes... Harry walked up to the chair in front of the staff table. He turned his back on Snape, unfortunately and was again, unfortunately, was placed in Gryffindor. The sorting finished and Harry sat at the Grffindor Table. And now Dumbledore took his speech. Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.

"Welcome," he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" Once Dumbledore was done, everyone had began talking. Snape had the misfortune of sitting next to Quirrell, the new D.A.D.A teacher.

"S-s-snape! Pleas-s-sure meeting you." Quirrell looked at Snape in the eye, eager to get on his good side. But Snape simply stared him, reading his character. Bumbling buffoon, Snape had thought.

"You are Quirrell, are you not?" Snape had replied. Quirrell gave an irritable itch and then answered,

"Yesss, I know you wanted the Defence Against the Dark Arks pos-s-t, well I'm sure you can give me some tips-s-s on teaching throughout the year, never done it before." Snape gave Quirrell a smile that was more of a leer and had said.

"Yes, why perhaps you might even teach me something during our time together." Snape hoping on his life that Quirrell would mess up, in anyway so that he could get his dream job. But just as he was about to open his mouth to speak, in the nano-second in before he replied to Quirrell. Snape's gaze rested on the two things that stood out from the riff-Raff. They enchanted him, emerald green eyes, that ever so reminded him of Lily. Snape located the source of eyes and had investigated who had them.

It's the boy, Potter's brat. It was though time had stopped, Snape simply forget where he was and looked into the eyes. Harry stared as well, but for some reason he jerked his head away, and scene faded, reality took over.

"Err S-s-snape?" Quirrell looked confused. Snape snapped back to him and said, "Nothing, just dazed.".

The next day Snape had Harry, it was the going to the highlight of the day. Dumbledor had told him that he was more like Lily if anything else Snape made his way to the dungeon in which his potions class took place. He left the door open and had sat behind his desk. it wasn't long before the class was filled. Just as Harry sat, dark memories filled Snape. James's torment filled his head, he tried his best to push them to the back of his mind, so he could focus on his first words...

"Ah, Yes," Snape said softly, "Harry Potter. Our new - celebrity." Harry looked at Snape, confused. Laughter ringed from a few of his Slytherins. Snape continued to call out the names of the students, when he was done. Snape began to explain to them the very subtle art of potion making. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word - like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort.

"As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death - if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach." Snape finished and looked around the class, some looked confused (which proved Snape's point) while others were annoyed that they were being called done, the girl called Hermione Granger was looked completely affronted.

Snape wanted to test Harry to see if he would understand what he was about to say,

"Potter!" said Snape "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Harry had a idiotic look upon his face, he turned his head to the Weasley boy, but ultimately they sat in silence. The girl, Hermione was teetering on the edge of her seat with her hand up, but Snape couldn't care less. What would Potter say...

"I don't know, sir," said Harry. Snape gave a cruel leer. Foolish as his father, not a drop of Lily in him.

"Tut, tut - fame clearly isn't everything. Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" The girl again was extending her hand in the air, it was though it might break. More laughter came from the Slytherins end, Snape didn't tell them off, nor did he pay attention to any of them.

"I don't know, sir." Harry avoided Snape's gaze, the only redeemable part of the boy was not in his presence, Snape had no reason to care then. He hadn't studied at all, probaly thought I was going to give him special treatment just because he's famous. Snape head was flooded with anger for some reason.

"Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?" Harry would again avoid his gaze. Just look up. More anger was flowing through Snape.

"What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfs bane?" The Hermione girl stood up (without permission), her hand still raised. Harry responded quickly this time.

"I don't know," said Harry quietly. "I think Hermione does, though, why don't you try her?" A few people laughed; Snape was furious, Just like him.

"Sit down," Snape snapped at Hermione. "For your information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite." He looked around the class most of which gawped at Snape. "Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?" The began to write what Snape had noted, Just like him. The dark memories which Snape tried so hard to push back were flowing through his mind. He turned to Harry and said,

"And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek, Potter." Harry didn't look back, but kept writing. Once done Snape continued. "Divide into pairs and follow the instructions form your Potion book, page 3, the Boil Curing Potion." The students did as they were told and started their work, after a few minutes Snape looked around each pair and their potions. Just as he expected, all but one potion were filled with miscalculations of the instructions.

"What is this rubbish", "A house-elf would make better Potion", "Are you trying to kill your partner?", "Excellent Draco, 10 points to Slytherin". The class turned when Snape had said this, Draco had a smug look upon his face, his face smirking. Snape moved towards the Hermione girl's potion. He looked at it and simply moved. It's the best one. I give her the satisfaction of knowing that. But just as he had moved,

"Neville!" Another Gryffindor was hunched over him. Neville was covered in boils, Snape turned his head towards the cauldron to find a large hole in it. The fool!

"Idiot boy!" snarled Snape, "Evanesco, I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?" How could they all be so senile. Neville whimpered as boils started to pop up all over his nose.

"Take him up to the hospital wing," Snape spat at the boy next to Neville. Then he rounded on Harry and the Weasley boy, who had been working next to Neville. Why didn't he help, that's what Lily would've done. Bet he wanted to gain all glory to himself.

"You - Potter - why didn't you tell him not to add the quills? Thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That's another point you've lost for Gryffindor."
Harry opened his mouth to retort, but Snape heard a thud, and Harry stopped. Snape gave one last stare and moved on.

The lesson was mundane for the most part after the incident with Neville. After Snape dismissed them, he felt disappointed, and somewhat lost. Harry was just like his father, in looks and behavior. This is not what Dumbledore promised. Snape left his classroom and left for the 2 Gargoyles.

"Password please!" They both said in unison.

"Sherbot Lemon" The Gargoyles moved and Snape proceeded on. "Dumbledor!" Snape bellowed.

Dumbledore was reading a magazine, without looking up he replied "Yes Severus?".

"The boy, Potter! He just like his father. This isn't what you said." Snape began to pace the room. "Foolish, mediocre, arrogant as his father, a determined rule-breaker, delighted to find himself famous, attention-seeking and impertinent-"

"You see what you expect to see, Severus," said Dumbledore, without raising his eyes from a copy of Transfiguration Today. "Other teachers report that the boy is modest, likable, and reasonably talented. Personally, I find him an engaging child." "Engaging!?" Snape thought.

Dumbledore turned a page, and said, without looking up, "Keep an eye on Quirrell, won't you?" Quirrell, what did he have to do with anything?

"What's wrong with Quirrell?" And then with a sudden 'oh' moment Snape said "His other half? The Dark Lord resides in him, I know that for sure."

"Yes, that is why it is a must to keep an eye on him." Dumbledore was still intently fixated on his magazine.

"Very well then." But just as Snape was about to move out Dumbledore called out.

"Oh and Severus, when I want to understand a student, it's best to look from their perspective." Snape nodded to show he understood and left. Understand him... very well then, very well. We shall see. And just as he walked through the halls of Hogwarts, he caught Harry walking towards Hargid's cabin.

Very well...