4. Secrets Revealed

Alice liked the food in Hogwarts very much. To compensate that, she did some exercise once or twice a week, mostly jogging around the lake. This evening the house elves made one of her favourite foods, shepherd's pie, yet Alice wasn't able to enjoy it. After dinner she had to go to meet Professor Snape to talk about her future. Alice thought a lot about what she wants to do after school. It was so hard to decide: since her grades were good, it meant she could have any job she wanted and that just made her decision harder.

Exactly one minute before 8 PM, she stopped at Severus Snape's office in the dungeons. Alice didn't like the dungeons, even if as a Slytherin it was her "home" during the school year. She envied the Gryffindors who were living in a tower with a lot of sunshine pouring in through the windows. Alice took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

'Enter', she heard in Snape's baritone voice.

Alice stepped in the office and closed the door behind her. The professor was sitting behind his desk, scribbling on a parchment.

'Good evening, sir.'

'Sit', answered Snape, without looking up from his notes.

Alice took a few steps and sat down in a chair in front of Snape's desk. The office was dark, only a few scones lightened it up, and Alice could see the shelves at the walls were full of books. Oh, how wonderful it would be to read all those books, she thought. While she was looking around, she didn't notice that Snape finished writing and was looking at her.

'Like what you see, Miss Jennings?' he asked.

Alice jumped in her seat.

'I'm sorry, professor. You have a very nice sample of books.'

Snape arched an eyebrow and opened up a folder with Alice's name on it.

'Miss Jennings, as I mentioned earlier in the common room, this is your penultimate year and you have to decide what will you do after graduation. I know we had this talk before your OWLs, but I thought it would be logical to have another one after the exams.'

'Yes, sir.'

'Your grades are good, your OWLs were remarkable, that means you have a good start.'

'Thank you, sir…'

'I hear some uncertainty in your voice.'

'The thing is, sir, I have too many choices. I know, a lot of students would be glad to be in my place, I just don't know what would be the best choice for me.'

'That is why we are here. What are these choices?'

'Well… The Ministry. It would be a steady job with a decent pay.'

'But?'

'It would be so dull', Alice sighed.

Snape nodded.

'Go on.'

'Then, I was wondering if I could be…' The girl bit her lower lip.

'Yes?' Snape sounded a bit impatient.

'If I could be a teacher.'

'What kind of teacher?'

'Potions teacher.' Alice blushed.

For a few seconds Snape didn't say anything. Alice blushed more and she avoided Snape's gaze.

'I don't think that a Ministry job would be good for you. You need something more challenging, and I can assure you, being a Potions Master can be challenging enough, especially if you teach dozens of dunderheads in a school. Besides that, you would be able to experiment with your own draughts, write academic essays, the latter would be very suitable for you. However, to teach Potions, you'll have to be an apprentice for two years under the guide of a Potions Master.'

'I know, sir.'

'Furthermore, I'm afraid, you need more practice before the apprenticeship, the usual lessons are not enough.'

Alice's face fell. Not enough?

'Do you mean, sir that I need extra lessons with Professor Slughorn?'

'Professor Slughorn is – ah – kind of reluctant to give extra lessons these days. He says he is too old for that. I thought that maybe you can have those extra classes with me.'

'Oh, thank you, sir. I would love that!' Alice's face lit up.

Snape nodded.

'Alright then. That is all for now. I will let you know the exact date of the first lesson in a few days. You may leave now.'

Alice stood up and headed for the door. Before she could reach the knob, she heard Snape's voice.

'Miss Jennings?'

'Yes, sir?' Alice turned around. She saw that Snape stood up too and he came closer. He was standing only two feet from here.

'Are you feeling well nowadays?' His voice was low, almost a whisper.

Alice cleared her throat.

'Yes. Why are you asking, sir?' She didn't sound as strong-minded as she hoped.

'I was wondering if what Draco Malfoy said on the meeting in the common room has disturbed you.'

'I… No, sir.'

Snape cocked an eyebrow. Alice sighed.

'Alright. It did.' She looked at the floor. 'To be honest, sir, it's getting harder and harder. I don't know if I can take it much longer.'

For a moment, Snape just stood there in silence.

'You're doing very well, Miss Jennings', said Snape in a surprisingly soft voice. 'I know it's hard for you but no one is suspecting anything. Your secret is safe with the Headmaster and me.'

Alice held up her head and looked at the Potions Master.

'Thank you, sir. But, with all due respect, there's one thing I don't understand.'

'And what it may be?'

'When Draco is talking about how Pure-Bloods are better than any other wizards and witches, you never say anything. And still, you are keeping my secret. Why?'

'I have my reasons. It is none of your concern, Miss Jennings.' The stern professor was back.

'But...'

'No. Buts.'

'Professor – '

'Miss Jennings!'

Alice took a step backwards.

'Sorry, sir, that was inappropriate.'

She turned towards the door, but before she could open it, Snape talked again.

'Miss Jennings', he started with a sigh, 'knowing the circumstances, I tell you a secret about me but you are not allowed to share it with anyone. Am I clear?' Alice nodded. 'Not even to Ms. Pearson.'

'I understand, sir.'

'I am a Half-Blood.'

Alice gasped.

'Sir…'

'I remember how hard it was to be a Slytherin as a Half-Blood. I kept it as a secret, for obvious reasons. With such a history, I can imagine how hard it could be a Slytherin for you as a Muggle-born witch.'

A Muggleborn in Slytherin? What was the Sorting Hat thinking?

And in the next chapter:

"She kneeled down, Snape could feel her body next to his. He moved his hand to touch her."

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