Disclaimer: Me? Owning anything to do with Harry Potter? You lot are off your rockers…….
A/N: I know that the bulk of this is about Peta and Severus, but there's a hell of a lot of Albus and Minerva (yay) so deal with it. And for the purposes of this story, Severus is about 34.
-P Embrace…enjoy…
Breanna Senese: Thanks...I've never written a story about Snape, so this is how I think he would act, in the beginning anyway. I know a lot of people cast Malfoy as Head Boy, but I think that Dumbledore knows better than do that, and Ernie was quite an impartial character that I won't visit much in this story, but I think he deserved the position.
Quill of Minerva: I never used to be a fan of Snape, but I got this random idea when I was sitting on a train (sounds familiar huh?) returning to university and so I developed it!
Chapter 4: Bring On Tomorrow
We have arrived at a moment in our lives
When the future passes into our hands
We can find out, are we really strong enough
To fulfil what the future demands
We can stand on the edge
And look out into space
And be awed
By the wonders we see
We can all make a pledge
That the whole human race
Will become what we want it to be
Bring on tomorrow
Let it shine
Like the sun coming up on a beautiful day
It's yours and mine
We can make a difference
It's not too late
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
Long, long ago in a world we never made
We were children who were making believe
Closing our eyes
We were travellers in air
To a land we would not want to leave
But the fairy tale land, fades away as we grow
And we all have to say our goodbyes
And we now understand, that this world that we know
Can be ours if we open our eyes
Bring on tomorrow
Let it shine
Like the sun coming up on a beautiful day
It's yours and mine
We can make a difference
It's not too late
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
Bring on tomorrow
It's not too late
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
Bring on tomorrow
Let it shine
Like the sun coming up on a beautiful day
It's yours and mine
We can make a difference
It's not too late
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
(Fame)
The 7th year NEWT class was definitely a bright one. Peta guessed it had a lot to do with Potter's defence club that had continued to run since their fifth year. Not to mention that they were extremely dedicated to their work. They all had their heads bowed over their work. Miss Granger was scribbling furiously, as she had been all lesson. Peta didn't understand why; the girl knew everything anyway, so there was very little need to have the notes. But then, there wouldn't be any need for the lesson, and therefore no need for a teacher. Despite the past misgivings Peta had had at the school, she wouldn't go home unless her life depended on it.
Every so often, Neville's face would screw up in frustration, and then instantly brighten when he came up with the right answer. Peta loved these times, when the class quietly got on with their work. It was a surprise really, as this class was filled with the majority of the seventh years (all except the Slytherins of course), most of them somewhere along the line benefiting from the D.A. Peta was pulled out of her thoughts by a loud ringing coming from somewhere in the castle.
"Class dismissed," she said to the pupils in front of her, who had all began to pack away. "Oh, and Mr Potter, I would like to see you in my office this evening please, eight o'clock sharp."
"Yes Professor," Harry replied curiously, pausing at the door and looking back at her. Peta arched an eyebrow expectantly.
"You'd best run along. Professor Snape will not be pleased if you are late. Until eight o'clock Mr Potter."
The boy disappeared from the doorway as a herd of first years walked into the classroom.
"Take your places quickly and quietly please," Peta said, raising her voice to be herd over the din. Once they had all taken their places, the lesson began.
"Welcome to your first lesson in Defence Against the Dark Arts. This is not a subject to be taken lightly, and will cover many aspects of magic you may need to use in the future." She smiled at the class. "So with that in mind, can you all please take out your wands, and open your textbooks to the first chapter…"
"How were your classes this morning Peta?" Violet Sprout asked the younger woman in the staffroom at break time.
"Very well thank you, the seventh years are an extremely intelligent bunch, and the first years very eager to learn. This surprised me to tell you the truth."
Violet was about to reply, but Severus beat her to it.
"I'm more surprised that you found those brats to be intelligent. In my experience they're have been the complete set of dunderheads they were in the first year. I'd watch out for Neville Longbottom, that is, if you want to keep all your body parts."
Peta took a deep break to keep her temper in check, but it was no use. She straightened in her chair, and fixed Severus with a glare that should have made him cringe.
"You give that class a lot less credit than they deserve. I have rarely seen such a talented group of students and in my experience…"
It was the potion masters turn to show his temper, although the others in the room would have been hard pressed to see the jealousy that was there as well.
"In your experience? In your experience? Of what, a year? I would hardly call that experience Professor."
"It may have only been a year Severus, but it was a year in a school that produced some of the most talented students in the country, if not Europe. Some of the seventh years here can do so much more than them. And what right do you have to talk about them like that? You're here to teach them, not bully them! Every single student has something to contribute and they need encouragement, not torture. The majority of the seventh year class had potions after this morning's lesson, and not one of them looked happy about it. I would wonder why, but it's plain to see that the answer is sitting in front of me!"
Peta's voice had risen asshe ranted, but it was something that had been bothering her since the day before. She couldn't believe she was having this conversation with a man she just about hated, and it was only the second day she had been here. With one last glare, she left the room without looking back, almost slamming the door behind her. Her frustrated look disappeared as Minerva strode up the corridor towards her.
"Is everything alright Professor?"
"Of course Professor McGonagall. Professor Snape and I were just clearing the air." Peta bid the older witch goodbye, before making her way to her classroom, the loose curls of her shoulder length golden brown hair bouncing as she walked.
Peta was still fuming as she made her way back from dinner. She had found it hard to control herself during the meal; the temptation to slap the man next to him was very high. She ate as quickly as possible and then left, giving the excuse that she had a lot to do before tomorrows lessons. It was only when someone knocked on her office door at eight o'clock that she remembered her meeting with Potter. Calling a short 'come in', she smiled as the young man entered the room.
"Please sit Harry," she said, noticing the surprise on his face on using his first name.
"What did you want to see me about Professor?"
"I've heard a lot about this defence association of yours…"
"Dumbledore's Army Professor."
"Of course. I just wanted you to know that if you need any help with anything, then do not hesitate to ask me." Peta smiled again, and added, "Not that I think you need any help. All of the classes I have taught today have been exceptional, especially your year. You are a credit to the school Harry, no matter what certain professors say." Peta's eyes darkened at the thought of the potions master. Harry smiled as he knew who she was talking about.
"Thank you professor. I would appreciate a bit of help. I'm running out of things to teach, and even Hermione can't think of anything else."
"From what Professor McGonagall has told me, I find that very hard to believe. But if you do need some more ideas, you know where to find me." The tone of her voice told Harry that the meeting was over, and so he nodded, and opened the door.
"Good evening Mr Potter."
"Good evening Professor."
A/N: Ok, the truth, I hate this chapter, it was slightly rushed and I couldn't think of anything else to add. The past few chapters are needed so that I can build up the tension between Peta and Severus (I have to admit, I did love the arguement in this chapter). There's a lot more background knowledge about Peta to come, but in the next chapter, Poppy and Rolanda have a little fun. Thanks to all my reviewers...I love getting reviews, its like getting presents!
