Sorry for the wait...I hope it was worth it! Please leave feedback.

Natsuyori-actually I'm not a big SS/HG fan, although my fav writer on wrote a really great fic about them. Hermione will be in this fic, but not as a romantic/sexual interest fore Sev. Thanks for reading/reviewing!

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The Hogwarts dungeons were damp and cold, but that had never bothered Severus Snape. The dungeons were a place for him to be truly alone, where he could lose himself in the delicate art of potionmaking. He wore heavy robes to avoid the initial chill; eventually he would remove his outer robe as he worked up a sweat. The chemicals lingering in the air were cruel to his naturally oily hair and caused it to become greasy. Severus never agonized over this however; there wasn't anyone he wanted to impress with his looks anyway.

Friday night after the second day of classes had ended; Severus was in his classroom down in the dungeons. He was preparing his lessons for the following Monday. Monday held classes with the second years as well as the first N.E.W.T. level potions class of the new term.

He was not looking forward to teaching that class this year; it was going to be a brutal reminder of how pathetic the sixth year Slytherins were at Potions as well as another year of teaching two of his least favorite Gryffindor students, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.

Severus finished writing up brewing instructions for the second years on the blackboard and turned to examine the potions brewed by the first years during their first Potions lesson. He had to admit that, with only a few exceptions, their antidotes for boils were much better than those from previous first years. He was pleased to note that Vladimir had done quite well on his antidote and had managed to behave himself during class, despite the fact that William West had been in the same class.

One thing Severus had never understood was why Slytherins and Gryffindors were always paired together during Potions. Potions was a class full of opportunities for pranks or revenge against rivals. An extra ingredient added to a brew would sabotage a grade or potentially injure the victim. Slytherin and Gryffindor were always producing enemies; Severus knew that only too well. Placing those students in Double Potions together was begging for trouble. Severus could remember his days as a Potions student as some of the worst in his life. But it wasn't only since Albus Dumbledore had become Headmaster that the two Houses had been forced together for that class, Minerva had assured him it was the same way when she was a student. She and his father, Adolf Snape, had been in the same year at Hogwarts and had loathed each other. Minerva had told her nephew Potions was indeed the worst class as far as open animosity between them went and Severus readily believed her.

But although Minerva agreed with Severus, she stood behind the Headmaster's decision to keep the two Houses together. Severus had once presented the Headmaster with a sample schedule where the Slytherins were with the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors with the Hufflepuffs. He reasoned the able Ravenclaws would encourage the Slytherins to improve their work and the friendly Hufflepuffs would do little to provoke the Gryffindors. But Dumbledore had rejected the idea and Severus was left to control the two Houses as best as he could.

Severus was almost ready to retire to his rooms when someone knocked on the door of his office, which was adjacent to his classroom. He swept into his office and frowned. He didn't care much for visitors and couldn't imagine who would want to see him so late in the day anyway; he knew if it had been Minerva she wouldn't have bothered to knock and Dumbledore would have sent a note ahead announcing a visit.

"Come in," he growled at last.

The door opened and much to his surprise it was Estelle DeGaulle who entered.

"Good evening Professor Snape," she said looking down her nose at his untidy desk and at the jars of pickled specimen on the shelves along the walls.

"Good evening," said Severus trying not to sound too impatient. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"As a matter of fact there is," she said finally looking at him instead of his office. "There is a potion I need to begin brewing right away, unfortunately some of my things haven't arrived yet including my potion supplies. When I spoke to the Headmaster about this he told me you would be able to provide me with anything I might need, including the rarer ingredients involved."

Of course he did, thought Severus darkly, what does he care about my private stores? Out loud he said, "I'm sure I have everything you might need, although if you prefer I could make the potion for you myself."

He couldn't bear the thought of this young woman wasting valuable ingredients like some incompetent student.

At his offer however, Estelle blanched.

"No thank you, Professor," she said sharply, " I've had considerable experience with potions and am quite capable of brewing them myself."

"What type of experience, if I may ask?"

"I taught Potions for three years at Beauxbatons Academy."

"Really?" said Severus in surprise. "What caused you to apply as a Defense professor then?"

"There was a need," said Estelle simply. "I have a great respect for Professor Dumbledore and when I heard how desperately he needed to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts position I decided to apply. But I've only promised him a year because I believe the Potions job at Beauxbatons will be open soon and I want to be free to apply there."

Severus looked at her a moment feeling slightly guilty for having doubted her abilities as a potionmaker. From the glow in her eyes he could tell how passionately she felt on the subject and he respected that. Clearing his throat he swept towards his supply closet and unlocked it.

"Feel free to take whatever you need," he said, indicating the amply stocked shelves. "There are extra cauldrons as well."

"Thank you very much, Professor," she said, nodding in approval as she inspected the array before her.

Severus left her to choose, curious as to what she was preparing but not wanting to ask. It was clear she didn't want him to know.

Estelle finished with her selection and emerged from the closet, the small cauldron she held filled with supplies. She thanked him again, stepped into his fireplace with a pinch of floo powder and was whisked away to her rooms.

-

The next morning at breakfast, Severus told Minerva about Estelle's surprising interest in potions.

"I've an idea," said Minerva, "why don't the two of you switch places, she could teach Potions and you would be left with Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Oh, very funny."

"I'm sorry, but this just goes to show you shouldn't judge people right away. You thought you wouldn't like her and now it turns out you two have something in common.'

"We both have social insecurities and therefore turn to the solitary art of potionmaking?"

"Ha ha. Estelle doesn't have social insecurities, that's just you."

"Don't fool yourself, Minerva. She's cold, unapproachable-"

"Estelle DeGaulle is a well bred, sensitive young woman. You, on the other hand, have the social skills of a cockroach."

"A cockroach!"

"Come to think of it, cockroaches probably have better social skills…you do have to admit you're not a very pleasant person, Severus. Estelle only appeared cold at first because she was nervous coming here to Hogwarts for the first time, she told me so herself."

"Minerva, that woman has always been cold to me, why even last night-"

"Has it occurred to you that perhaps you make her nervous?"

"Me!"

"Severus, you make me nervous and I've known you your entire life!"

Severus scowled; he was naturally formidable but generally harmless, if he made Estelle DeGaulle nervous, so be it.

"So what does Dumbledore want to see us about anyway?" he asked.

The Headmaster had requested that certain professors come to his office after breakfast for a brief meeting and Minerva and Severus were on their way.

"Something about special defense lessons I believe," she answered as they approached the gargoyle that led to the Headmaster's office. "Ginger newts."

Severus glanced at his aunt. "You chose that password, didn't you?"

"Of course," she said as they rode up the revolving staircase. "Albus is allergic to ginger newts."

"Really?" said Severus eagerly.

Minerva frowned at her nephew as she knocked on the office door. Professor Flitwick, opened the door. Severus looked around the office, besides himself, Minerva, Dumbledore and Flitwick, Eloise Sprout and Estelle DeGaulle were the only other professors present. Once everyone had seated themselves in the chairs Dumbledore had provided, the Headmaster began.

"We all know the threat of Voldemort is now stronger than ever, as Heads I want you to provide the students in your Houses with an open ear for any concerns they may have. As you know, last year a group of students took it upon themselves to form a Defense club they called Dumbledore's Army,' Dumbledore's eye's twinkled as he said this. 'Professor DeGaulle and I would like these extra classes to continue for those who wish to learn.'

He paused and looked around at his staff before continuing. 'Estelle has agreed to teach these classes. Fidelus, I would like you to advise her as you feel necessary, however, I don't think it would be wise for you to help her teach the class itself."

"Oh, goodness no!" Flitwick laughed. "An old man like me could never keep up with the likes of her!'

Estelle blushed.

'However," said Flitwick, "I will happily advise her as the need arises."

"Thank you," said Dumbledore. Then he turned to face his Potion's Master. "Severus, I would like you to teach the class with Estelle."

"Me, Headmaster?" Severus asked mildly, slightly surprised.

"Yes, you are one of the finest duelers in the school, I think your abilities will be very useful in teaching the class."

Yes, thought Severus, they would. Because the majority of the students will be from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff and there will be little chance of any future Death Eaters getting their training there.

Severus knew he could turn the Headmaster down. After accepting Potter into his N.E.W.T class as well as being forced to teach the boy Occulmancy, he knew Dumbledore wouldn't force him into doing anything else he didn't feel like.

After a moment's consideration, Severus looked up at the Headmaster.

"Very well," he said, "I will."