Harry looked up from his seat as the Great Halls doors swung open seconds after the new Headmistress had started her welcoming speech.
Harry felt his blood run cold. All colour drained from his face as his hands started to shake. A woman strode her way through the middle of the Hall, sweeping a lock of blindingly red hair behind her ear.
"Sorry I'm late Minerva, you wouldn't believe the Australian Portkey system; completely unreliable!" Harry's hand clenched around his goblet as the sickeningly familiar voice flooded his ears. "Did you know that they had me transported to Austria? It took me forever to get another Portkey organised so I could get here relatively on time."
When the woman passed Harry's seat, she gave him a small smile and wink that sent his goblet rushing forward to meet the table top, its contents cascading over the sides.
"Harry," A hand clasped his forearm gently, but he paid it no mind "Harry…is that…but it can't be."
"Mate she looks like your mum." Hermione punched Ron in the shoulder; a sharp glare directed his way following close behind it. One glance at the pained look on his best friends face and he immediately realised his blunder. "Shite. Mate, I didn't mean –"
Harry didn't hear Ron's words, his eyes trained on the woman who was the spitting image of his mother; green eyes and all.
Minerva smiled wryly as the woman stepped up to the podium beside her. "You think that after all these years you would learn to be punctual."
The woman mocked glared at her "It's those ruddy Australians! They don't know how to charm a Portkey to save their lives!" As the two women laughed they did not notice the side doors to the half opening, nor the dark figure that stepped through them.
"It is good to have you back, at any rate. You will come to my office afterwards won't you; there are a few things we need to discuss." Her tone held no room for argument, the redhead knew she could not refuse – she had no reason to anyway.
"Of course Minerva, would you mind brining Harry up as well? I think it's time for a long overdue family reunion." As she spoke she noticed the Headmistresses eyes slide from hers and look over her shoulder. A single brow raised and she turned around to see exactly what had captured Minerva's interest.
There, just across the hall, was a man the woman thought long dead; a ghost of memories old. The blatant shock written all over his face mirrored hers. Her eyes didn't leave his onyx orbs even as he dropped an empty potion vial.
The man was cloaked in black, his hair hung lank around his gaunt and pale face. His thin lips were slightly parted in shock and their eyes bore into each other's souls.
'Sev'rus?" She saw hope and recognition flicker through those old eyes. Her face split into a dazzling grin, her eyes glistening with tears "SEVERUS!" She sobbed, bolting over to where the man stood, and threw herself into his astounded arms before he had a chance to react.
The smell of ginger and honey drifted into her nostrils; a long lost scent triggering memories of old. She tightened her arms around his neck. Her fingers found the base of his neck and squeezed, promising to herself that she would never let go of this man again. She nuzzled in closer to his neck, breathing deeply, his name spilling from her lips like a litany. Severus' arms stayed ramrod by his side, unmoving.
She felt his chest rumble when he drew in a shuddering breath "…Lily?"
The woman's' heart clenched painfully at the heartbreak in his voice mirroring her own. She squeezed him tightly and shook her head which was still buried in his neck. Eyes filled with an old, bittersweet ache, the woman pulled back from Severus, her hands still on his shoulders. She shook her head once more "…No Sev. I'm not Lily."
Her heart shattered as she saw Severus draw cold shutters over the blazing emotions in his eyes, an icy and fierce demeanour taking their place.
Quicker than she could blink, Severus had whipped his wand out of its holster and dug the point into her neck. "Let. Go. Of. Me." His voice was a whiplash crashing down on her. She slowly moved her hands from his shoulders and held them palm up, a gesture of trust.
"Severus, you don't under-" The man snarled and dug the wand deeper into her neck.
"DON'T!" The word was roared, its echo bouncing off of the walls of the Great Hall. His fiery eyes thinned to mere slithers, "Don't you dare speak to me – with her voice – you harpy!" He ground the wand into her jugular until she whimpered "I do not know how you came across the required components to successfully Polyjuice yourself into her, but I swear, if you speak to me again in that voice, I will kill you." He leaned forward and hissed "I may not know who you are, but trust me, when I do find out, you will rue the very day you were born."
The angry and distraught man spun on the shell shocked Headmistress, chuckling mirthlessly "You know I never expected this from you Minerva," the woman opened her mouth to protest but he silenced her with a glare – sadly he was too enraged to enjoy that fact at the moment.
"I expected to lose my job – Azkaban even! – but this?" he glared sorrowfully at the old woman, the betrayal clear in his features "I never thought you would stoop this low. This is below the belt. In front of the whole school too!" He swept his hand out, gesturing to students that were all doing amazing impressions of stunned mullets "You could of killed me, you could of fired me, you could of banished me! You pick this! Humiliation! They're DEAD! They both are! They all DIED! The closest thing I ever had to family I lost and you have to rub my face in it! In front of my colleges, my students, my Slytherins! In front of everyone! Now I see why you wouldn't let me resign – it was so you could do this" By this point the man was wild; his hair was in disarray, his face a blotchy red and purple with rage. His free hand was clenched into a white fist – if anyone had bothered to look closely they would have noticed the blood dripping from his hand were his fingernails had dug in too deep.
"Well you've got what you wanted Minerva, I'm humiliated. You couldn't possibly do anything more to me. You've 'resurrected' my life's biggest regret on display for the whole school. Congratulations. You-won." Severus stared darkly at Minerva daring her to even utter a single word. When she didn't, Severus huffed and flattened down the front of his robes, his face still contorted by rage, but now it also had a strange mix of tiredness.
"Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to go pack my things and then go take a very long walk, off of a very short cliff." He pointed one long, potion stained finger at the petrified redhead in the corner "I suggest you get rid of her quickly or give her the anti-dote, before I do something that I am unlikely to regret." Without another word the tortured Professor spun around and made his way over to the side door.
Without thinking the redhead took a step forward – this did not go unnoticed by the dark man as he halted in his tracks "Please Severus! It's me! If you would just listen –"
"NO!" He spun around, his fury renewed "I warned you! I told you not to say anything! I do not want to hear that VOICE!" Thinking quickly the woman said the first words that sprung to her mind, hoping to stop the spell about to fall from the Potion Masters thin, strained lips.
"Bracelets!" The seemingly random words made the mad man falter.
"…what?"
"The park bracelets! I swear on the bracelets we made, the day we first met!" The man's hand was frozen mid-air, a stunned expression on his face "When we were kids remember! Please remember Sev!"
His wand hand lowered and he stared at her with wide eyes "How could you possibly know that…"
"I told you it's me!" Apparently this was the wrong thing to say as his wand snapped back up, and was once again directed straight at her.
"Don't. Lie. To. Me." He snarled "You cannot be her! You can't be either of them! They both died years ago! I found their bodies!"
"NO YOU DIDN'T!" She yelled, shocking not only Severus but their audience as well – it was not every day that someone dared raise their voice to the man, even in a situation like this. "You found LILYS body! You never found mine! It's me Sev, it's Rose. I'm Rose Sev."
"LIES! I found Rose after she was too slow to hide! Her body was burnt to ashes! There was barely anything left of her!"
"Exactly! Only ashes! It was a set up Severus! So they would never find me! Please believe me!" Her voice was breaking, pleading with the one person she had left over from her old life; the one person she did not want to have to lose again. She could see the wavering in his eyes, but they were stilled filled with mistrust. "Please!" She knew it wouldn't take much more to convince her old friend that it was really her; it just needed to be something big – something that only they knew.
Then it hit her.
"Please Severus! You're the Half-Blood Prince, you're smart enough to figure this out!" The sharp intake of breath was all she needed to know she had all but succeeded. "It really is me you great git." She said softly, a sad smile upon her face.
"Rose…?" she nodded "It's you?" His voice was soft, just quavering with an almost unnatural fragility. She smiled and nodded again. "Really?"
"Really really."
A half laugh, half sobbed ripped its way from the man's throat as his wand clattered to the ground. His breath came in loud, hollow sobs; yet no tears fell. He was visibly shaking and Rose could feel herself being drawn to him.
His whole body shuddered as he drew a shaky hand through his lank hair, trying to calm himself. His whole face screamed emotion; his cheeks were flushed and his eyes were brimming with the droplets of a thousand moonbeams. His brow was creased in both sorrow and frustration as he struggled to rein in his rampant emotions – it had been years since he had lost control like this and he hated it.
Rose watched the man tried to rein it what he obviously haven't let loose in decades – she had a sneaking suspicion that he hadn't let go like this since the night all those years ago in the astronomy tower. She couldn't resist tracing her hand over his brow, trying to smooth out all of the lines decorating the face that held a sort of pain far beyond anyone in their thirties should know.
The feeling of those soft hands broke the dam that had been threatening to fall. Severus pulled the woman towards him and held her tight, her arms following him in suit. They stood in each other's embrace for only a few moments before Rose pulled back and pressed her forehead to his and whispered.
"I forgive you." Rose need not have said anymore for there was only one thing she could have been speaking of. The death of her sister and her husband.
Severus looked into her earnest eyes, seeing no dishonesty. He shuddered and bowed his head into the dip of her shoulder.
"Thank you." Rose was not the only one that noticed the solitary tear that rolled down the cheek of the Potions Master. Out of either respect for a war hero, or fear of an ex-Death Eater, that single tear was never mentioned by either Hogwarts staff or student.
Minerva smiled at the two friends as they held each other, years of pain and regret pouring out of both of them. She watched on as Rose lifted the head of the broken man from her shoulder and gently wiped away a single tear with her thumb, smiling softly at him the entire time. Pulling out her wand for the first time, Rose cast freshening up charms from the both of them and a handy little spell that rid all evidence of tears and the like.
Realising – as if for the first time – exactly where he was, Severus pulled his emotionless mask back into place and nodded his thanks to his friend – the nod was such a slight movement that no one would have noticed it if not for the fact that the eyes of the student and teacher body were trained on the scene in front of them.
While this seemed strange to the onlookers – especially after his recent outburst, Rose knew it was only the man's defensive system, a way to take back his control; a common Slytherin trait. He turned his back on her and headed back towards the teachers entrance to the hall as if nothing had happened.
"Severus," the smiling voice of the Headmistress caught the attention of the receding man "and just where do you think you're going?"
"Back to my quarters to open up a very old, very expensive bottle of firewhiskey."
"Ignoring that fact that you will be required to teach tomorrow –"
"Do you really think the resident Potions Master would not be in possession of a sobriety potion?" He drawled sardonically.
"–ignoring the fact that you will be required to teach tomorrow," she raised a sharp eyebrow at Severus "not even you are able to get out of the welcoming feast."
"But –"
"Severus." He heard the warning carried by her voice "Shut up, and sit down before I stun you."
A few tense moments passed where both Professors stared at each other, silently testing the others limits. With a none too quiet growl, Severus pushed back at the edges of his robe as he strode towards his seat, a billowing mass of fabric flying in his wake.
He dragged his chair across the stone floor, the legs screeching in protest. He fell down in his chair, his glare so icy it made the trail of a dementor appear warm.
Rose looked at the Headmistress as the old woman sighed; rolling her eyes she made her way over to the only available chair at the Head table, the one right next to Severus'. As she passed the man she could not resist ruffling his greasy locks affectionately, a grin painted upon her face.
As soon as the small, soft hand touched his head Severus went ramrod, and the glass in his hand shattered as he tried to keep a rein on his impulses. Rose only chuckled in response and removed the hand from his head, waving it and repairing the broken glass.
Severus just sighed and glared at the table top in resignation.
Only three more glasses were broken that night as Rose tested Severus' limits, which was honestly a rather impressive effort on his part.
It was half way through the feat when the Headmistress cussed softly, the surrounding teachers giving her startled looks. Sighing, McGonagall stood up with her goblet in hand, she tap the rim with her wand three times; with each corresponding tap, a loud chime rang out throughout the hall.
"May I have your attention please?" The students halted in their festivities and turned to the teachers table "It seems that due to this evenings...entertainment," she cast a sly look at Severus, to which he sneered "I have forgotten my manners." She looked at Rose. "May I formally introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor – Professor Evergreen." Before McGonagall could continue the redheaded woman interrupted.
"Master."
"Pardon?"
"Defence Against the Dark Arts Master. I received my Mastery when I was in Australia."
The older woman smiled and nodded her head in acknowledgement "Forgive me." She cleared her throat "May I introduce our resident Defence Against the Dark Arts Master – Professor Evergreen. She will also be taking over my duties as Head of Gryffindor House."
Before the Gryffindors could erupted into cheers at the prospect of having an attractive female head of house – the envy of the school – Both Severus Snape and Rose Evergreen cried out.
"What?!"
"I didn't sign up for that!"
The greying Headmistress simply smiled, and raised a brow "If you have any qualms about your positioning you are quite welcome to discuss them with me in my office, but now is hardly the time for such conversations, hmm?" Her tone held no room for bargaining and after sharing a look, the two Slytherins slid back into their seats.
Quite satisfied with herself she turned back to her students and waved a hand "Enjoy the rest of your feast."
As the prefects and Heads were leading the students back to their respective dormitories, McGonagall called her Potions and DADA Masters to her.
"Now I would like you two to meet me in my office right away," she could see that they were both about to protest so she held up her hand, silencing them before their mouths could run "you can make your introductory speeches later. There is something I wish to discuss with the both of you."
Without giving either of them the chance to decline, she strode away, heading up to her office. "And remember to bring Mr Potter!" she called out over her shoulder as she rounded the corner.
Rose sighed and drooped her shoulders "Come on then." She stated walking only to stop after a few paces to realise that the dark man was indeed not following her "Are you coming or not?"
"Why on earth would I be coming with you? I'm perfectly capable of walking there by myself and waiting for you and the Potter brat there."
"Because I missed the meeting and I don't know the teachers password and I can't get into the Gryffindor common room and fetch Harry without it." She suddenly scowled "I can't believe that bloody old minx made me head of Gryffindor. ME!"
"It's more than likely the minx just picked someone that she could trust to watch over her favourite lion cubs and make sure that he didn't get into any more trouble this year." Severus groused.
"Though this position may have its merits." She smirked at her friend as he raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"Oh?"
She chuckled darkly and flicked a stray strand of hair over her shoulder – Severus couldn't help but track its movement with his eyes, thankfully Rose didn't seem to notice "Think of it this way Sev, if I get close to these kids, play the 'cool teacher role' I'll be the first to know if the little lions happen to be planning anything. I can be the inside woman." She grinned evilly and stepped closer to Severus so that their arms were brushing, she looked up at him, her teeth gleaming "Someone has to stick up for our little snakes."
It was only due to years of playing the Voldemort that Severus managed to keep his expression straight. Seeing those sparkling jade eyes and that blinding smile directed at him after so many years was bittersweet.
They reached the portrait of the fat lady after a few minutes of comfortable silence. Severus leaned down and whispered the teachers password into her ear, causing her to shiver slightly; both being the esteemed Slytherins that they were, neither chose to comment on it and saved the information for later use.
"Well if it isn't little Rosie!" The Fat Lady cried. Rose couldn't help but cringe, she had never liked the nickname and she had never liked the Fat Lady.
"Professor Evergreen if you don't mind." She replied curtly but politely, she was going to have to put up with this portrait for a while and she didn't want to have it insulted.
"Oh if you insist dearie, password?" Rose leaned in and whispered the password to the Lady and Severus all the while was most certainly not staring at her leather-clad behind.
Before the portrait swung open Rose turned to the Potions Master, whose eyes immediately snapped up to meet hers "Oh and Severus, if I'm going to get these lions to trust and respect me there's something I'm going to need to do." Before Severus could even reply, a manicured hand flew through the air and connected with his cheek, a loud crack ringing through the air…just as the door opened to reveal a room full off wide eyed Gryffindors.
"That's for jabbing your bloody wand into my neck you bloody great git!" Rose spoke as if she didn't know there was a room full of stunned mullet students staring at her in awe. Severus was frozen, his head still reeling from the slap. He pulled his head up and pressed his hand to his cheek, already feeling the freshly blossoming bruise forming.
Severus gave her his most deathly glare as he held his hand to his face. Rose just giggled girlishly and waved her wand, all trace of the slap leaving his face "Oh stop sulking Sev, now we're even." She turned her head to see the gaping students leaning out of the doorway to watch the drama unfold.
Rose jumped slightly and blushed as she held a hand to her chest "Oh god you all saw that didn't you?" Severus had admit, her acting skills were commendable "Let's just keep that a secret between us now shall we? I can't have it getting back to that old cat that I'm harassing the other teachers on my first day here." She grinned at her students and pressed a finger to her lips.
"Hurry up now and get inside, and make sure everyone is sitting down, I've got a couple of announcements to make." She made an ushering movement with her hands, as she herded the children inside.
As they all trooped back inside and the door left ajar, Rose turned around with a malicious smile for Severus. "You do realise that you have just singlehandedly destroyed a reputation that I have spent years building." He didn't bother to hide the ire in this voice, he was genuinely annoyed.
Rose snorted "A reputation that it will take one day to fix knowing you. It's not that big of a deal. But we are even now – did you honestly think I was going to take your flip out lying down?" He decided to concede that fact; he probably would have done the same thing.
Though he would admit it, her idea was a good one. For the Gryffindors to see their new head of house with some sort of mysterious advantage over the dreaded Potions Master, it would immediately give them an un-godly like respect for their new Professor. The idea was ingenious; there was no doubt that the woman was a true Slytherin.
"Come one then; let's not keep the cubs waiting r they'll think that you've done away with me." Severus rolled his eyes and followed the redhead into the Gryffindor common room.
The students were all crammed into the common room, littering chairs, ottomans, tables and rugs, all staring in mixed awe and fear at the Professors.
Severus went and leaned against the side of the main fireplace as the DADA Professor went and stood in front of the group. She clasped her hands in front her chest as her eyes wandered about the room. She sighed ridiculously and smiled; Severus didn't know how, but the Gryffindors were eating up this horribly melodramatic performance.
"The Gryffindor Common room really is vibrant isn't it Sev'rus? God, never thought I'd see the day when I'd be standing in here."
"What do you mean?" a nameless student called out.
Severus sneered in the direction of the voice, feeling satisfied when a small squeak followed "5 points from Gryffindor for speaking out of turn."
Rose laughed "I mean I never thought I'd see the day when two Slytherins would be inside the Gryffindor common room, let alone a Slytherin as a Gryffindor Head of House."
Everyone started talking at once at Rose's declaration. Never before had a Professor become a Head of House for any house other than their own. It was a peculiar thing in its own right.
Rose held up a hand and the talking quietened down to a dull roar and soon lessened into silence. "Now I have a few things to clear up with the Headmistress so I won't be giving you all a speech this evening – you are free to do as you wish." Cheering ensued her announcement "BUT," The cheering stopped the instant the children caught sight of their new Head of House's smirk "but, tomorrow morning you will all be required to get up at dawn so that I will be able to give my introductions." Both Slytherins smirked evilly as groans and outcries of disbelief echoed around the room.
"Come now, we can't keep the Headmistress waiting all night." Severus drawled from the corner of the room, thoroughly enjoying the evening's proceedings. Despite the night's uncomfortable beginnings, Severus thought it was a good start to the new year.
As the two Slytherins made their way to the door, fully enjoying the grumbling Gryffindors, Severus looked over his shoulder "Potter, with me."
Though Harry's eyes had not left the redhead Professor, he still managed to acknowledge Severus' words with a confused look.
"Oh yes, I nearly forgot! You are to come with us H…Mr Potter, there are things that needed to be sorted out."
And it was out further ado that Harry Potter was escorted from the Gryffindor common room by two of the most cunning Slytherins ever.
