Holding Old Hands

((A Minor Correction, someone pointed out that the page I was featured on is not considered a flame page but a spork page, it's fun to learn something new every day she explained the difference and so I'd like to make this correction and state that it was a spork page I was featured on.

This fic is AU seventh year, no the war is not over but for the moment Harry and the gang have returned to the school to learn what they can

On another note while I do appreciate all of the fantastic advice I've received the one thing I can't bring myself to do is bring in a beta reader, this is a personal choice. I feel like if I take on a Beta reader the work doesn't stay my work anymore, it becomes, both of ours, and then it feels like the time I put into making this my own creation becomes pointless. While I can appreciate that people use them and appreciate the suggestion I just can't bring myself to ask someone to beta and feeling like I'm losing the work to them. I ask that you all respect this decision I have made I fully appreciate all of the fantastic feedback I have received and hope that this chapter shows I have done my best to use all of your suggestions.))

First thing that morning, right before breakfast was due to start, an irritating knock reverberated through his rooms, again. What happened to them giving him space? Or at least being to pissed off to want to bother with him, for gods sakes at least he had some peace! He opened the door to find the same infuriating woman standing there just like the day before a soft smile on her features looking at him expectantly "Well?" he demanded, what had she come back to ask if he remembered her yet? Such an arrogant woman, that's what she was thinking! She was thinking she was going to be me-

"The potion ingredients I asked for yesterday?" she said warmly interrupting his thoughts he blinked a little what? Naomi sighed "Hmm, maybe it's not just me, maybe you're just getting a bit too old Professor." She said with a soft laugh he scowled pulling himself up to full height and glaring down his nose at her satisfied when she shrank back a little, "I may be older then you but that hardly makes me some senile old man." He said darkly making her laugh "Yes well forgetting something I said yesterday isn't proving that very well… anyway," she coughed abating her chuckles and looking at him her face still showing her amusement… he wondered if he'd blocked this woman out purely for her annoying presence?

"I need apple seeds." She said lightly stepping forward looking up at him "It's safe to eat a single one, but the toxin will set of the spell, that's why I choose them." She explained simply. Snape nodded, the apple seeds content of poison was actually surprising to most people. One seed wouldn't hurt you but if you ate enough it could kill you.

"I'll get them." He said finally moving back from the door pushing it as he did so to close it as he went to a large cupboard that contained most of his more, harmless, potion ingredients. "Wow… Your rooms are bigger. Is that a perk of working here more than a year?" She asked, he turned startled and annoyed he thought the door had closed, guess not because he knew the wards would been right back up as soon as the latch clicked… annoying woman.

"I don't believe I invited you in." he said she shrugged but stayed by the door not venturing. He'd give her some credit for that he supposed; he could see the shifting feet under her robes. She wanted to wander but was keeping in place and not snooping, at least she had some self control.

"Yes I suppose, having worked here a long time and earning the respect of my peers I did earn larger quarters." he said wearily watching her she nodded looking at him with a smile "That's nice though it's dark down here, don't you wish you windows or something… more light, I can't imagine reading all these books in this dimmer lighting is good for your eyes." She said musingly looking at him with a softer smile. "I remember you did that a lot, reading I mean, you'd get so immersed I was half afraid you'd walk into somebody when you where walking down the halls." She said with a soft laugh. Severus scowled not caring to be reminded of his school years he thrust the jar at her.

"Bring it back when you're done." He snapped irritably pleased to finally see surprise hopefully a little hurt on that face. Why was she so damn expressive anyway? She was past those naive teenage years and out of the youthful hopeful twenties, by now she should realize the world didn't fit her stupid illusion and fantasies.

"You know, when we're older, we'll remember each other. I'm telling you, if for no other reason; you're going to remember me because I'm always around, even if I am annoying."

He blinked as he held open the door what was that? Some how he felt like he had thought that same thing before… what did he know about her fantasies? Naomi walked out the door head down before pausing and turning "Ah-" the door slammed closed leaving in the corridor alone with the jar and feeling more than a bit foolish "Thank you." She said to the door since at least that wasn't being so… so… brisk.

Severus rubbed his forehead ignoring the sound of her thanks coming through the door, why did his head ache? Probably just putting up with annoying stupid people, was that enough to give a wizard a brain aneurysm? Maybe Potter had sent him back here to torture him placing him in the exact environment that would ensure he'd always be bothered, be drawn away from his work, and have to deal with nitwit students.

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Naomi breathed deeply shaking as she gripped the front of her robes straining to keep herself from just shredding them to pieces her in her agitation, it shifted deep inside clawing but she held back. Gritting her death, damn him! Damn him to all hell! How dare he not remember her after everything after all that time… he used pain as an excuse? What was that? stupid man, how dare he didn't he realize he promised her for this very reason, he promised!

She took deep breaths through her teeth grip getting tighter on her robes until her knuckles went white and her hands started to shake. How could he? He lied; he promised he wouldn't forget her! That man vile, evil, worthless, hopeless, man… No, no it wasn't his fault there was a bigger evil at fault here one that must have convinced him to suppress those memories… He had promised her he wouldn't forget her, how could he give in that way he wouldn't he was stronger then that she knew yes Iit was simple she just had to remember that's why she was here, to fix I, she hadn't wanted to believe he had forgotten her b-but maybe just maybe her being here would help and he would remember.

If not she knew what she had to do to get him to remember her, to get his memories back to him, she smirked. Oh yes, once that creature was gone he'd remember her just like he promised…

"Just like he promised… I'm not fading away." She said softly moving hands caressing the jar lightly fingers running along the cool glass she'd find the perfect way to kill that creature and once it was gone Severus would remember her just as he promised he would her grip tightened on the glass fiercely.

"Professor, can I ask a question?" Naomi looked up with a smile turning towards the door "Yes can I help you?" she asked hands pulling away from the apple seed jar as she gazed at the student. "Sorry to bother you but I'm a little confused I wanted to ask a question about the assignment." She said Naomi smiled waving the girl over before settling the text book on the desk and setting about explaining the finer points she'd assigned them to learn for the next day neither student or teacher noticing the small cracks in the apple seed jar.

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Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked into the DADA class with interest, after all not all the class rooms had vines that grew right out the door. The class room it's self was quiet unique not that that meant it was a good thing, as Their class mates looked around astounded, rich plants grew up the wall thick and lush the deep shades of healthy green almost blinding. The desks were lower and rather than chairs pillows thick and comfy had been plopped in front of them. Girls where chattering about the flowers and the boy were already lounging and discussing what sort of things they might learn from this new professor; naturally the first class had eagerly shared their experiences in the class but it didn't quite compare to seeing it for themselves.

The professor stepped out from some vines, that Harry assumed hid her office door… not a bad touch really. She surveyed the class before moving to stand behind a bigger but still lowered desk "Alright everyone please find your seats. Pick wisely and you could be the first picked for demonstrating all sorts of fun experiments." She said laughing when the student charged for the back seats "Oh I tend to favor the back rows." She said biting her lip a little as they scrambled forward, yeah kids where easy enough to read, hey she'd been one it wasn't that hard, she coughed, ok enough playing around.

"Alright settle down now everyone, welcome to Defense Against the Dark arts, I'll be your professor for this year. You can call me Professor, apparently there's a rule about calling me by my first name." She said with a smile, harry noticed a slight twitch in her smile when she said that not quite sure what it was he brush it off, probably an itch or a tickle…

"From what I can tell your curriculum has been just about all over the place." She said "Ranging from well defending yourself against magical creatures, to even withstanding unforgivable. Well I'll be starting this year rather simply if that's alright. Now can anyone tell me the need for poison detecting spells?" she said looking over the class as a few students raised their hands. No one was surprised to see Hermione's hand in the air as well. Glancing over the class The Professor selected Hermione.

"Poison detecting spells are still important because while there is always the obvious method of deliberate attack one can't guarantee that people with malicious intent won't just poison your food rink or even tamper with your potion." She said clearly Harry nodded that was something they hadn't covered yet underhanded tactics. This teacher might just prove promising. She nodded and waved her wand before their eyes a plate of food bloomed before them

"Alright, now I want you all to take out your wands but leave them on the desks first we'll practice the spell. Ok say this with me Virus Individuare." She said lifting her wand hand and drawing a knot like shape in the air. The students flowed the instruction Harry trying a couple times to get the swift movement of the last curve. Ron scowled taking a few moments to say it out to himself deliberately, the second word proving a bit difficult to pronounce.

"Alright very good ok now with your wands I want you to cast that spell as you finish your wand motion point the tip right at the food, those of you who did it right should see a red glow." She instructed. Harry moved picking up his wand and looking at the dish focusing and repeating the motion and spell clearly surprised to see a warm red glow emanating from the center of his plate. He looked over Hermione's plate was glowing Ron's; however, was not. Muttering a little irritably to himself the red haired boy tried again grinning when the plate offered a red glow. He looked around a few students couldn't get the spell to work and after a moment the professor raised a hand

"Alright, that'll be enough." She said moving her wand "Accio Apple seeds." She said clearly zooming out of each plate was a small seed some glowing red proving a successful spell. "The spell I taught you will detect your average poison and a few more elaborate ones, this spell however would not be able to detect rare poisons for example Batrachotoxin which is found in only a few animals." She said lightly stepping forward between the desks the apple seeds floating lazily over her palm as she walked examining the students before smiling lightly "Alright, for now I'd like you to open your books to chapter one, we will be focusing this next week on toxin identification and purification through the use of spells." She said simply turning her hand the seeds falling into a small bowel on her desk while the plate of food vanished.

"At the end of the week I would Like a report with details about any three of the spells listed in that first chapter how they can help you and how they can hinder you, I will also give extra credit to anyone who can include in the report the color items turn when in direct contact with any of the poisons listed in your chapter, don't get your hopes up that information isn't in the chapter." She said quelling anyone whole might think the assignment was easy. "I expect no less then fifteen inches of parchment for your report." She said simply turning at the groans and smiling "Oh it's not even a foot and a half you can write fifteen inches." She said warmly "Your seventh years this should be easy for you." She said lightly and settled at her desk with a nod and a 'get to it' expression.

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That evening proved unexciting Potter and his friends where noticeably absent at dinner but he could make a valid guess that they were making a very thorough sweep of the library the Granger girl would insist that they read everything and gather as much information as possible about dark magic, he who must not be named, and well whatever else she could get her got-to-know-it-all hands on.

"You seem pensive." He started looking over and repressed a groan her, again! She was sitting next to him again, he almost missed being ignored by the faculty at least then he had peace and quiet. She was smiling again in that way of hers she wasn't mocking him she'd assure him but he still felt like she was treating him lesser maybe because of his other experiences at school… it still nagged at him why was she so insistent he remember her.. he knew one way to solve the problem, though it wasn't appealing to go back into those memories held in his pensieve and to see if he could find her there see if there was any validity to her claims maybe then she would leave him alone.