Hey friends. Thanks for the love so far. Now onto part Deux.

Now I know what you're thinking, it was childish and petty to hate a woman who for all reason had a lot in common with me. At least on the surface. She could never share the same depth of love I have for him. I knew from the moment at the top of the stairs that I could never have Severus Snape the way I wanted him. His professionalism would never allow a break in conduct. He was better than that. So why then did I despise this woman who I could never truly compete with?

Simple, envy.

Also it didn't help that everyone loved her! Her stupid smile and long beautiful blond hair. She was just so nice and her lectures on the progressive charm's theory was so engaging to everyone! Personally I thought many of her key concepts lacked any logical evidence. Which said a lot about someone who was running Ravenclaw. Her tattoos weren't looked at with deviance and unprofessional but an intriguing free spirit. I hope that Severus wasn't so taken with such ridiculous things. Excuse me, professor Snape.

ARUGH! I bet she calls him Severus all the time. Stupid colleague status. Why ever was I cursed to be introduced to the love of my life and be vastly younger than he? If time travel wasn't so dangerous I would highly consider ensuring I was a classmate of my beloved.

Now I know I'm not alone in this inequitable hatred of mine. At some point in your lifetime you have encountered someone and from the very beginning you just knew you didn't like them. Something, subtle and not able to put into words but for certain there was a quality in them that enraged you. Granted, professor Vaustali had the unlucky position of also fancying the same man as me, no I don't fancy him, I breathe him. Yet I have a feeling that her over cheery attitude and whimsical demeanor would drive me nuts with or without her good taste in men.

I couldn't concentrate in study hall. Dear professor Vaustali was overseeing this afternoon. She walked over to each table, hovering over everyone's notebook asking if they needed help. Bah, what a condescending bitch. Of course when she reached me I pretended to be so engrossed in my studies that she assumed my lack of acknowledgment was due to focus and not rudeness. How daft she was, couldn't even see my seething hatred for her.

I excused myself early from study hall and made my way to potions. Though it wasn't favorable at first, I preferred to have potions at the end of the day. It made all of the other classes worth it. Something to look forward to, plus if I had it any earlier in the day my brain would be completely useless.

Before entering I hid myself in part of the doorway and watched him in solitude for a while. Call me creepy if you want but I find that a person is the most honest when they are alone. I savored these few moments where I could see him this way. He sat at his desk, facing the window. His eyes drifted from one side of the book to the other. It was still rather warm outside and so he had the window open to the breeze. It caught his attention, he lifted his head and gazed to the courtyard. It was serene to see him so relaxed and admiring nature.
"Miss Ryen." I gasped and sheepishly inched into his line of sight. "Have you nothing better to do then gawk in doorways?" His eyes never left his book.

"My apologizes professor, I just didn't want to disturb you." I stood there awkwardly, waiting for him insult me for being so foolish.

"I always expect you at this hour. Sit." As if I had a choice with his commanding voice. After I had settled my things I browsed through last night's reading assignment. "Miss Ryen, have you given any thought to the assignment I discussed last class?"

"You mean the one where we will create our own potion by the end of the year?"

"The same."

"Well yes sir."

"And..?"

"I have a few ideas but I feel like I need to do some extensive research to decide on one concept."

"That is wise. Unlike most of your classmates, you understand that potions has a complexity beyond most magic. It relies entirely on the creator."

My throat ran dry. These words, I had to memorize them. The inflection in his voice and the tone. I scribbled them down as fast as I could. Hopefully I remembered the correct sequence and exact wording. While my classmates filtered into their seats I did my best to remember everything about this moment. The time of day, any peculiar smells, what the entire conversation was about, how was my hair? Down? Tied back? No it was in a bun I remember now. I hadn't washed it since the day before so I kept it up.

Regrettably it was difficult to focus on the remainder of the lecture. With only half hour to go professor Snape gave us class work and released us upon completion. I of course, did my best to linger as long as possible. Until she had to ruin it. Myself and two other students remained with only fifteen minutes left of class. Professor Vaustali lightly knocked on the open classroom door. She was acknowledged by professor Snape and so she approached his desk. Blocking my view of him.

"Professor Snape! How are you faring this afternoon?" He raised his brow, assessing the legitimacy of her behavior.

"Fair enough. What can I do for you?" his voice sang in that beautiful monotone drawl.

"I was hoping that since this is your last class you may be able to help me with a little project."

"I'm sure you're aware that my schedule has little room for the luxury of side projects." Hehe, that's right, he has more important things to do than watch your failed attempts at wooing him.

"I understand. Its just there is a potions element to one of the charms I'll be discussing next week and I was hoping you would be willing to give part of the lecture. Seeing as how you're the expert." Psh, what a hussy! Trying to flatter him into doing her job!

"I'm certain you have sufficient knowledge in the matter. However…" As much as I hated to hear that word directed at her he always said it so beautifully, he made it the greatest word in all of the English language. "I can at the very least ensure your students do not destroy your classroom in the process."

"I'll take it. Thank you Severus. I really appreciate it." A smile flashed over his lips. Why was he humoring her so much? Who does she think she is?

Eva

To say that I was happy to return to Hogwarts as a teacher was horrendously unfair. Elated was more like it. I hadn't seen the place since I graduated and thankfully not much has changed. I had been told some months ago that Severus Snape was head of Slytherin house and potions master. Fitting, he always was a genius. Ambitious and cunning, there were few secrets to him in the wizarding world. Sadly in school we didn't talk much. He was two years ahead of me and we only shared one academic class together. Despite popular opinion of him I found myself still rather fond of him. I had also heard the rumors of him being a death eater and came to find out they were vastly exaggerated.

Yet like many things about him, Severus kept his life dormant from others. It was clearly uncomfortable to him for other people to know things about him, even the simplest of things. Only a week into school I commented on how he always drank lemon tea at meal times. I inferred it was his favorite and he refused to acknowledge if my assessment was correct or not. Which of course I found endless enjoyment.

I did my best to not lead on that I was smitten with him. Severus was a complicated man and so it was difficult to tell to what extent he would allow himself that pleasure before rearing back in self punishment.

I purposely kept our time together short but frequent. Finding excuses to bother him, to sit next to him at staff meetings, perhaps even a slight graze against his shoulder. I know I know, I'm no better than a fourth year fawning over the quiddich captain. Just as the hopeless adolescent girl who hardly comprehends these feelings. The excitement that he may even, feel the same.

Perhaps these feelings would fade and my mind would occupy itself with something different soon but for now, I wanted to enjoy this. Even if it was a little self inflicted torture on my part. Not acting on these thoughts and desires of mine. I'm sure its wishful thinking but I couldn't help but think maybe he enjoyed our small encounters too. But again, it was sort of hard to tell what he was feeling at any given moment. I suppose his mastery of occlumency played a large part in that.

Early Saturday morning I found myself leaning in his office doorway. He was giving one of his Hufflepuff students feedback on her last assignment. Contrary to normal, it was for the most part quite positive. Now this may be my age getting to me but I could swear that when she had left, silly I must have imagined it but it was as though she were glaring at me. As though I had interrupted something important. Although Severus assured me they were almost finished anyway. I put the thought away when he asked me to sit.

"Tea?" He murmured, barely above a whisper.

"Oh please."

"Now why is the head of Ravenclaw slinking in my doorway on this lovely Saturday?"

"I can't visit a colleague without wanting something?"

"Hm"

"That Hufflepuff girl."

"What about her?"

"Seems odd is all. You've never cared too much for other students outside of Slytherin."

"She possesses a natural talent for potions and she works exceedingly hard at her studies. I like to encourage that even if it is outside of my house."

"I'm almost positive that she's in one of my classes but for the life of me I can't remember."

I shrugged and watched as Severus raised his brow inquisitively but kept his question silent. Had this encounter been an isolated incident I probably would not have been the wiser. At any given time I went to see the potions expert that Hufflepuff girl was without fail there too. Lagging behind in the classroom, stopping by his office and yes now I was sure she was glaring at me. She was in one of my classes, second hour 4th year charms.

Upon reflection I realized she had barely said two words to me all semester. Had I done something to offend her? I had been curious so the following Monday I had asked her to stay after class for a moment. Instead of approaching my desk as most students would she kept her distance at her seat. Third row last seat to the left.

"Miss Ryen do you know why I've asked you to stay?" She just shook her head. "Does it comfort you to know you're not in trouble?"

"A bit confused." She was cross with me, her voice normally soft and patient, this tone was eager to get out of here.

"I was hoping you could tell me what I did wrong."

"Excuse me professor?"

"It just seems that you're a bit angry with me. Did I say something or unfairly grade you?"

She dropped her head down to her desk, her eyes searched for an answer in the smooth wood underneath her fidgeting hands.

"No professor." She looked up, but only after her declaration. "Charms just isn't my favorite class so sometimes its hard for me to stay focused."

She was a good liar I'll give her that. Whatever it was I decided not to press the matter any further. Passive aggressive yes but she was still respectful and I suppose I couldn't expect every student to like me. I dismissed her and assured her she could talk with me if she needed to. It was a courtesy for me to make such an offer. I can't imagine she would take me up on it.

Robin
While I had many friends in Hufflepuff and the other houses there was no one I could truly converse with about this type of situation. At least no one alive. Myrtle received me as always in the lavatory. Her incorporeal form slouching in the high window, grinning as I stormed in.
"Whats the matter now little Robin?"

"This new professor, shes…"

"She's what?" Myrtle floated down lazily and circled me, waiting for a response.

"She annoys me. More than that, every time I look at her sunshine face I want to lob a brick at it!"

"Surely a fourth year has more creativity than that." She giggled and whisked herself over the sinks.

"You're saying I should use magic against her? Against a Hogwarts professor? Don't be stupid Myrtle."

"Silly mortal. That's not what I was getting at."

"What then?"

Myrtle dramatically laid back with her hand on her forehead letting out a heavy sigh.
"You fancy potions right? Probably even better than professor sunshine. Bet she wouldn't notice if you got it in her tea." Myrtle covered her mouth as the scandalous idea came out of it.

"Hmm maybe, but it would have to be something harmless."

"If you say so." Myrtle teased. "Oh you know I just heard the most interesting news."

"Oh?"

"Rumor has it that Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban."

"What did you say?!" My heart stopped and than revived itself into a frenzy.

"The one who led you know who to the Potter's. He escaped."

Okay so it wasn't like he got paroled or anything but it was as close as I was going to get. Perhaps I could find a way to professor Severus Snape's heart after all. It was a long shot but then so was escaping Azkaban.

So thats that. I do plan on challenging myself with the next chapter being in Severus' POV. We'll see. Haha.