Adeline stared out at the thrumming crowd of students before her, nervous.
There were too many memories, here at this table, in these halls- memories she had thought were long suppressed.
But no matter. She was here, now, and doing what she loved, for the people she loved- that was all that mattered.
She felt a hand pat hers, and she looked to her left.
"I highly doubt you're worried, but in case you are..." The infamous McGonagall eyebrow went up, and Adeline offered a wavering smile in return. "Don't be. It's only for a year, and besides- I believe you'll be having more fun here than holed up in that awful place." The woman's gaze swept quickly over Severus, who was pursing his lips on Adeline's right, and shook her head.
"How you and Albus can truly deal with that man, I will never know..." McGonagall murmured; Adeline opened her mouth to retort when a soft, yet firm cough caught the attention of the hall, and the Headmaster rose.
"Good evening and welcome back, students and faculty." There was such loud applause here that the old man had to wait several minutes before continuing. "It is good to hear so many of you enthused about your return. Before you begin assisting in the... disposal of this delicious meal, however, I am obliged to make a few announcements. Mr. Argus Filch would like me to remind those of you returning as well as inform new students that the Forbidden Forest as well as teacher's quarters are strictly off-limits." He glanced at Adeline.
"Also, I would like to introduce our new Ancient Runes teacher, as Professor Babbling has decided to take a sabbatical for a year in Egypt. Miss Adeline Marks," Severus jabbed her in the side, and she jolted upward, smiling at the hundreds of nondescript, blinking faces, "will be taking her place. We welcome Miss Marks as well as another, more familiar face- Mr. Horace Slughorn, who will be taking over from Professor Snape as Head of Slytherin House and Resident Potions Master."
Adeline sat down, clapping politely, but her eyes were glued to the sallow man beside her.
If Slug was Potions Master, then what was Severus?
The chatter began to rise, a wave of murmurs and mumbles- but Dumbledore silenced it with a lift of his hand.
"I know, my own inner orchestra is quite deafening, but I must ask you to sit through one more announcement. It is my great pleasure to introduce our friend, Professor Severus Snape, as the new teacher for Defense against the Dark Arts."
There was a silence; Severus obviously had not expected much applause, and indeed, he was not disappointed. She heard definitive explosions of outrage in the general Gryffindor region, and she leveled her eyes at who she knew, before her eyes even found them, to be Weasley And Co.
They fell silent at her stern face, and Dumbledore, clearing his throat, continued.
"Well, that's quite enough from me. Let us begin!"
The food appeared in front of them, piled high on golden trays, but her eyes were concentrated on the ex-Potions Master.
"Why did you not tell me that you had gotten the Defense Against the Dark Arts Post?"
He barely turned his head, spooning himself some roast potatoes and sausages. "You didn't ask."
"I didn't think I had to."
"Didn't think you... Severus, you have wanted that position since-"
"I do not believe this is proper dinner conversation, Miss Marks. We can discuss this at a more appropriate time if you still feel the need. Now, if you'll excuse me." He went back to cutting his sausages, knuckles white, and Adeline turned to her own plate, savagely stabbing at a pork chop.
"Nice to have you back Adeline," Hagrid said gruffly, patting her on the back, and she smiled grimly.
"Good to be back, Hagrid," she said automatically, then stopped; she looked around her at the students, the teachers, the enchanted ceiling- she turned her face to Hagrid.
"It's good to be back."
"Longbottom?"
"Present."
"Malfoy... Mr. Malfoy?
"Yes."
"In the future, if I should call your name, I would advise you to answer. Patil? Good. Potter?"
"Here."
"Weasley? That's you next to Potter, I see, and... Zabini."
"Present."
Adeline set down her roll sheet, pulling at her robes and trying not to think about the faces looking at her. She opened her mouth to speak when the dark-complected girl raised her hand, and Adeline nodded, prompting her to speak.
"Patil, was it?"
"Yes, ma'am. Padma Patil. Erm, I just wanted to tell you that... well, I think there's been a misunderstanding."
"Oh? How so?"
"Well, I wasn't supposed to be in this class, and neither were a few others that I know of."
Of course Dumbledore hadn't told them of the schedule change. Stupid old man.
"I'm afraid there was a misunderstanding, but not on our part. You see, I specialize in a particular type of Rune Lore, a very rare type but practical and beneficial, Dumbledore believes, to your Magical Education, and so is requiring all fifth-years and above to take the course. I apologize that this was not communicated to you earlier."
There was some small chatter at this, but her gaze remained firm and it died down quickly. Adeline cleared her throat.
"Before we begin, there are a few things I have to tell you. The Magic I will teach you is unlike any other- for some of you, it will be instinctual- for others, it will take time. Rune Lore is the oldest type of magic there is- it built Stonehenge and the Hanging Gardens, and helped to lay the foundations for Hogwarts itself. It is a practice known by few and practiced by even less."
"So then why are we learning it?" A boy with dark skin and a crooked smile asked her, and she groaned inwardly. She could tell by the colour of his tie and that look in his eye that he would be trouble.
"Because when- not if, Mr. Zabini, but when-you become one of those few..." she grinned, a grin she knew would send shivers down their spines. "Let's just say you'll never regret it.
Now, if you'll open up your books to page four, we'll begin with a quick introduction to the basic runes we'll be using for the next few weeks..."
And with that, she was off, in familiar territory, with textbooks and classes and students and assignments, and her uncertainty vanished.
What didn't vanish however, was the blonde boy two rows back, looking at her as if she'd dropped from the sky.