An: I want to dedicate this chapter to Sithtar, FireChildSlytherin5, and AvadaK3 who inspired me to continue, even when real life was pushing me around. So, everyone who is glad to see this chapter add your thanks to mine. I also thank all the others who took the time out to review this tale.

And now for a challenge for all my "A Place" readers... Eric Grayland appeared in that story. Can you tell me who he is? One of the shorts is about him and Severus. ^-^

And now, on with the conclusion!

Ree

Chapter 12: ...Always a Headmaster

When the ceremony was finally finished, Severus started heading away from the guests and recent graduates. It didn't take him long to notice that he was being followed by the newly graduated Slytherins, Potter, Granger, and the core Weasley clan. 'I knew that they would want answers, but I didn't expect the rest of the Weasleys. I should have...I must be more tired than I thought. I can't take them to my office, it just doesn't have the space needed. I also will not invite the Weasley clan into my room. I can deal with Ronald and maybe the twins, but the others would be too much. So that leaves the Headmaster's office or my classroom.'

His steps turned towards the dungeons. He didn't feel like having the Council peering over his shoulder while he held this conversation. As far as he knew, Albus was the only one that had a clue he had been counseling these particular students. Turning slightly, he caught their eyes and indicated for them to follow him.

When they reached the eighth door on the main dungeon hall, he let his fingers brush over the thick wooden doors. He was going to miss this room. He had chosen it all those years ago, and he had missed it terribly the two years he couldn't teach in it. He knew now he wouldn't be coming back in there to teach again. He had to move to the Headmaster's office permanently.

Pushing the door open, he swept in. He heard the others follow him. Spinning about at his desk, he faced the small crowd that were milling about, jockeying for a good position. He waited on them to start the conversation. He was only slightly surprised that it was the twins that started. He expected it to be Potter or one of his Snakes.

George started, leaning forward slightly as he spoke. "You know, we pride ourselves..."

Fred jumped in continuing for his brother. "... on our pranks. And we have admired those..."

"... who were known for the pranking abilities."

"The Marauders... Our Uncles..."

"...Gideon and Fabian. But they were all dead..."

"...or unknown, lost in time, unable to..."

"...show off their knowledge."

They both took a breath and looked at the man who was their watcher and helper on many occasions. It was Fred that started this time.

"We didn't realize that there was another ..."

"...Prank master in our midsts. One that has pulled a prank over..."

"... on the entire Wizarding world, not once..."

"...but twice. And one of the longest ones on..."

"...the darkest wizards of all time."

They stepped forward a bit grinning madly at Severus. "Sir, we would be honored..."

"..if you allowed us access to your expertise."

"Imagine what we could do together."

Severus raised an eyebrow as he considered just how those two slipped through the cracks and missed being put into Slytherin. They had just put together a way to formalize their association without breaking the secrecy pact, or at least confirming that everything was still normal. "As the Headmaster, I think that it would be counter productive if our current association was changed."

He just barely caught the happiness that flashed in their eyes before it was masked by disappointment. Smirking lightly, he knew they would be consulting him on occasions as normal.

Draco stepped forward, his face the perfect aristocratic mask. "You were Headmaster all school year, and you hid it from us?"

Severus felt everyones eyes look at him. Leaning a bit against his desk, he took in the group. If anybody deserved the truth, it would be this group of people. "This goes no further than the people here." He waited until everyone promised. "My punishment for the unfortunate occurrences during my first year as Headmaster was that I would not be granted the title or it's privileges for this past year. I could not handle any direct student or parent issues without their request. I had to be perceived as a professor and handle all the other Headmaster duties. I also could not be the head of any house, since I was technically the Headmaster."

"You had to be very... very busy then. But, you had time for us. All of us." Harry gestured to everyone standing in the room. "Even the Weasleys. You developed a potion for George's ear, and you had diner with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. You listened to the rest of us, gave us advice, or potions when we needed them." He shifted his gaze until it locked with the black eyes that were looking at him, asking him to get to the point. "Thank you."

Granger and Weasley nodded slightly. "Thank you."

His Slytherins began echoing their thanks.

He considered the crowd for a moment before returning their nod. "You're welcome." He made eye contact with Arthur and Molly, making sure that they knew that they were included, before continuing. "I know that there is a light luncheon and some excellent deserts being served in the Great Hall. So, if there are no more pressing questions, I'm sure you all would like to avail yourselves to them."

He held in his smile as the teenagers faces lit up at the thought of food. With a wave of his hand, the door to the classroom opened. "Shall we?"

He was the last one to leave the room. Turning around, he looked at the space that had been his for so long. Wrapping his fingers around the thick door, he took in deep breath, and on the quiet exhale he spoke a simple word. "Nox."

As the room fell to darkness, he remembered the first time he had stepped through the door. It had been a far more dusty and smelled of old potions, but it had welcomed him then. Now it was like an old friend. He knew he would come here to think if the new Potions Master did not claim it as his classroom. Releasing the door, he spun about and swept after his guests. He smirked as the door thudded behind him. He still loved that sound.

Lucius slid next to him as soon as he stepped into the Great Hall. "You like walking a fine line, my friend."

Severus flicked a glance at Minerva before discreetly directing Lucius to a corner of the room. "Minerva requested that I do the speech, and as I was the former head of house for the Slytherins it was only appropriate that I see them off."

Lucius smirked lightly. "We'll leave it at that. The other Governors might just accept it."

Severus returned the smirk before frowning slightly. "Why are they against me being the Headmaster? Was Preston exaggerating about the number who still want me out of the school?"

Lucius noticed the muffling spell that was now surrounding them. "Only about a quarter of the board wants you gone. Admittedly they are the most vocal, but there are less than last year. No, most of them think you are skipping a step, and that it is unfair to McGonagall. She has been the Deputy for decades, and you never have been. Their argument was that you should follow the steps in the hierarchy. That you should be the Deputy before being the Headmaster."

Severus nodded slowly. "The same argument I had, but the Council is not listening to it." He had spent several long evening during the end of the summer trying to get them to see it his way. "So, the Board doesn't have a problem with my performance, just with the way I got the title."

Lucius nodded. "That about sums it up."

Severus smirked and canceled the spell. "If only it was up to them. I think I see Draco hunting for you."

Lucius peered through the clusters of students. A genuine smile lit his face when he spotted his son milling about. "Then let's go congratulate your godson."

He headed out into the crowd with Severus at his heels.

セブルススネイプ

Minerva looked at the parchment that she was holding once again. The map was neatly sketched out, and the instructions were written out in the penmanship she and the rest had learned to interpret years ago. She glanced up at the others. Pomona, Filius, and Hagrid were waiting patiently in the muggle style clothing that they could find. She had to transfigure a set to fit Hagrid. "Here are the apparition coordinates. I'll side along Hagrid, and then we'll move aside so that you can follow. We are appearing in a screened section of a playground, so it might be crowded until we get to the street."

After the others nodded, she took a hold of Hagrid's arm and whisked them away. Pomona and Filius appeared one right after another.

Filius took in the charms and wards laid about the apparition point, he had concerns about it being so close to children who might not recognize the sound of an apparition. The notice-me-not charms woven through with silencing charms was a nice piece of work, he would have to remember to congratulate Severus on them.

Pomona looked at her own copy of the map that Severus had given all them and Poppy in private. He told everyone that they could reach him by owl that summer, or patronus if it was an emergency and then signaled them to remain behind. That was when he gave it to them, and he told them that they could come by to visit during the summer if they wished. His eyes had rested on Minerva and Poppy while he said that. 'And it was obvious that he was only inviting us because he expected those two to show up uninvited if he didn't.'

Finding the proper path, she headed out of the warded area.

The playground they walked into was run down and obviously old, but there were a number of children running about swinging and sliding. As they left the playground, they expected to move into a more affluent area of town, but soon discovered that, if anything, the area was getting poorer and poorer. It was obvious though, that even if they didn't have much, the people who lived there took pride in what they had.

Stopping in front of a narrow house, they looked at the neat garden that surrounded the front porch. It wasn't quite what they expected for their Potions Master's home to be like.

Chris Jameson rounded the corner of his house to see four people standing on the sidewalk looking at Severus' place. Frown slightly, he started moving towards them. He thought about stopping and getting his gun, Severus had said that it wasn't completely safe for him yet, but something about those four pulled up a memory from when the his boy had come home this summer. 'He told some of them how to find him, and then said that they might visit. The tall one and the short one certainly fit his description. The others kind of match as well.'

Crossing from his house to Severus, he caught up with the group on Severus' porch. "Good morning."

The tall, thin lady looked him up and down for a moment. Chris just waited out her assessment.

"Good morning. This is the house of Severus Snape, is it not?" Minerva took in the old man who was watching them warily.

Chris glanced over the four of them, once again comparing them to the mental images he had created from Severus' description. "Might I inquiry who is asking?" It was the short man who answered.

"I am Filius Flitwick, this tall gentleman is Rubius Hagrid." Turning slightly, he gestured to Minerva. "This is Minerva McGonagall, and this is Pomona Sprout." He could see that the man recognized their names.

Chris nodded slightly when the introductions were complete. These were four of the ones Severus was expecting. 'I don't know if he was expecting them all at once though.'

Smiling slightly, he introduced himself. "It is wonderful to finally met you. I am Chris Jameson. And yes, you found Severus' house. But he is currently at work. Was he expecting you?"

He was pretty sure that Severus wasn't as he hadn't mentioned it last night at dinner. And Severus would have warned him since he mentioned he was off today.

Minerva looked into the knowing eyes for a moment. 'He seems to know Severus. He even calls him by his first name.' She glanced at the others before she answered. "He invited us, but our decision to come now was a spur of the moment idea."

Chris nodded before turning on his heel. "Why don't come over to my place and have a spot of tea? I'll call and let him know your here."

After another nonverbal discussion they followed him to the house that was next door to Severus'. Opening the door, the gray haired man directed them into a small living room.

"Make yourselves at home. I'll go put on the kettle and call up Jessica. She'll pass the message along." Chris headed into the kitchen. As he put the kettle on, he tried to figure out how to entertain four wizards who he wasn't sure could be trusted traveling around town. Picking up the phone, he dialed Stoner's number.

"Stoner High School."

"Jessica, is Severus in class right now?"

"Yes, he is. They won't get out for another half hour. Why?" Jessica Jameson tried to keep the worry out of her voice.

Chris had known her too long for her for her to be able to mask it. He wondered how much she suspected about Severus. "He had four unexpected guests arrive. Can you let him know that Sprout, McGonagall, Flitwick and Hagrid have shown up?"

"Four of them? I'll tell him. Where are they now?"

She now just sounded surprised and Chris could hear her brain working its way through the dynamics of the visit. "Yes, four. I have them here and I am about to serve them tea."

"Good, give them some of the cake that is on the counter, too. Maybe they'll want to watch the telly while they wait. Severus was going to be making his own dinner tonight, he said he has some work to catch up on for his research group. You might want to call Timolin's to see about increasing his order size so that he has enough for all of them. I'll let him know that we did before he heads out. Also when you see him, invite him to have dinner at our place. I doubt he'll agree but at least offer. I might not have a chance."

When she paused for a moment, Chris agreed to do as she asked. As soon as he had, she continued. "Are they here for long? If they are, Severus doesn't have the room to put all four of them up for the night. We can put a roll away bed into Thomas' room and let two of them stay here. And, since he is working tomorrow at Timolin's, we can serve them breakfast. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday, I'm off. Severus will be teaching, but I'm sure we can find something to entertain them until he is home."

The kettle whistled loudly. Cutting it off quickly, Chris jumped into her planning. "We'll find out about their plans when Severus gets here. I'll give Thomas a call so that he can tell Karen and Jacob that they won't be spending the night tonight."

"Okay. See you when I get home, we'll figure out the rest when I get here. Love you."

"Sure. Love you, bye." Hanging up the phone, he took the pot of tea out to the living room and slices of cake.

"Sorry for the wait. Jessica is going to let Severus know you're here. He should be off in about half an hour, and I'm sure that he'll get here shortly after that." Just as he finished pouring a cup of tea for himself, he heard the phone ring. The first thing he noticed was that three of his four guests had reached for something. He was sure it was their wands. Hagrid was looking about for trouble. He knew he had to show them that it wasn't anything to worry about. "I'm sorry, the ringer on the phone is a bit loud. I was outside and didn't want to miss a call. Let me get that."

He headed into the kitchen and answered the loudly ringing phone. "Jameson residence." He let a smile slip out. Thomas was calling him.

While he was gone, Minerva looked about the room before looking at her fellow teachers. She had been in several rooms like this but they hadn't. She could see their barely concealed curiosity. "I wonder how he knows Severus. He speaks like he is a good friend with our Headmaster."

"Well, he does live next door." Pomona eyes drifted out the window taking in the plants that she could spot.

"Yes, he does, but that doesn't mean our antisocial friend is friends with him." Minerva smirked a bit as she caught Pomona's wandering attention.

The conversation came to an end as Chris came back into the room. The next hour slipped by slowly as Chris did his best to entertain four people he didn't know.

セブルススネイプ

Severus walked quickly. He had already stopped to pick up what he needed for dinner and dropped it off at his place. Timothy had requested that he bring his guests by sometime. The other teachers had already done the same. 'Why did all of them come at once? I have left them imposing on Mr. Jameson for too long already. I should have told Mrs. Jameson to call and tell him to let them into the house. They are big enough to entertain themselves, and they showed up unannounced.'

He walked quickly up the front steps of the Jameson's place and knocked swiftly. He fought the smile that tried to break out as he heard Mr. Jameson fuss at him from the other side.

"Severus! You know you don't have to knock. Come in here."

Severus was glad that Mr. Jameson didn't sound stressed. Opening the door, he headed to where he heard the voice coming from. "Mr. Jameson, thank you for this."

He glanced at the others in the room. It took a moment to register that Mr. Jameson was teaching them to play muggle card games. "I hope it wasn't too much of an imposition."

Chris looked up at Severus. "We found stuff to do. Did you stop by Timothy's?" At Severus' nod he continued. "Jessica invited you to come over for dinner. And if not dinner, then you should be here for desert. Thomas and his family are coming over."

"I just saw the twins. Why would I want to see them again?" He raised an eyebrow at the older man.

"Because they are complaining that you are avoiding them just because that had to take summer school." Chris took in the smirk that slipped on the pale face. "You are, aren't you?"

Severus tipped his head in the slightest bit of a nod. "They knew better than to fail chemistry. Knowing those two, they did it just to take my class this summer. Karen practically admitted it. So, of course I am making sure that they feel my displeasure."

The snort from Pomona caused him to look over at the Hufflepuff. "Minerva, Pomona, Filius, Hagrid... it is good to see you." His tone showed that it was good, but he wasn't sure why they were there. "I take this is a social visit, not an emergency?"

Minerva shook her head slightly. "We all ran into each other and realized that we were all planning to come visit at the same time. So, we came as a group. Nothing horrible has happened."

Chris saw the slight relaxing of Severus' shoulders. "I told Jessica that I would ask once Severus arrived. How long are you planning to stay?"

Pomona looked at the others before answering. "We figured we would leave on Sunday. That would give us a couple of day to see the area."

Chris nodded before he turned back to Severus. "Will you help me move the roll away into Thomas' old room? The ladies can stay here, and the gentlemen can take the guest room at your place. As you're working tomorrow morning, Jessica already said we are serving breakfast for them. And if I know my wife, she has already planned out things to do until you get home. After that I'll try to keep her distracted so that you can spend sometime with them without her hanging over your shoulder."Severus leveled a low level glare as Chris continued. "I'd would expect them to meet Mrs. Timolin, so you might want to give them a warning over dinner."

The glare faded as Severus gestured towards the door. "Yes, I'll help you set it up, and thank you for housing them. I will talk to them about what to expect over dinner." He turned back to the other four. "If you will give me a moment, I'll be right back." He headed further into the house with Chris on his heels.

Filius watched them go. "I'd say that they know each other quite well." The other three nodded. Severus was not that informal with anyone that he hadn't known and liked for years.

It wasn't long before they were back on Severus' porch. Unlocking his door, Severus walked into the entry hall before turning back to them. "Come on in."

He waited until they squeezed into his small entry hall before he gestured to a small door just before the living room. "That is the downstairs powder room, if you need it. There is another door in there, don't use it, it leads to my lab. Make yourselves at home other wise. I have to get dinner started."

He headed off to the kitchen with the others following behind him. Severus smirked lightly. He had been sure that he would lose Filius to the bookshelves that had taken over the living room walls.

Minerva took in the small dining room and kitchen. The place was as immaculate as she knew he would keep it. She looked back at Severus as he unwrapped a small roast. "Who is Chris Jameson?"

Severus pulled several spices out of the spice rack before answering. "Mr. Jameson is my neighbor."

He ignored her huff as he put the roast into the pan and rubbed it down with the spices. Setting the temperature, he slide the meat into the oven. After washing his hands, he settled at the kitchen table with the others.

"He has been my neighbor since I was born." He looked at the four waiting for more information. Holding back a sigh, he realized just how much he was going to have to give away. "Mrs. Jameson and Mr. Jameson have taken a healthy interest in me since I was four or five. Mrs. Jameson will be asking lots and lots of questions later. She has always been inquisitive. Everyone that you will meet here will know that I am currently the Headmaster of Hogwarts. They might not know the school's name, but they do know my rank. They also do not know that I was teaching last year. If I know Mrs. Jameson, she take you by the butcher shop tomorrow sometime after breakfast."

He leaned a bit on his elbows that were resting on the table. "You will be meeting Mrs. Timolin. Minerva, she holds you responsible for not tell them that I was hurt last school year. I've informed her that you couldn't get to my file, but she thinks if you had put your mind to it, you would have succeeded. Just let her rant and she'll let it go. She is not one to hold grudges."

Minerva raised an eyebrow at that. "She doesn't know me but she holds me responsible?"

Severus smirked at her. "It was your job as acting Headmistress. Once you've finished there, I am positive that she'll bring you up to the school. And since Compton, Wells, Zimmerman, Patterson, and Vance all heard that I have visitors from my school, they are going to be interested in meeting you."

He leaned back a bit making eye contact with the largest person in the room. "Hagrid, I told them that you are the professor for our agriculture class. So you teach about the raising and breeding of animals and crops. If they ask about the animals you teach about, please stick to the muggle ones. Cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, and horses. For crops, anything you grow in your garden will be acceptable."

The shaggy haired man nodded. "Okay, I c'n do that, Severus."

"Also, you and Filius need to be prepared to be exclaimed over due to your heights. No mentioning your true heritage, they won't understand. Instead, Hagrid you have a genetic disorder called gigantism. Filius, you are an great example of proportionate dwarfism. As such, Wells and Patterson are bound to ask to take your pictures, ask your life story, see if you will come speak to their students. Please do not humor them. Maybe with the pictures, but nothing else."

He looked over to the Charms Master. "I have told them that you are a literature teacher, and that your specialty is on Asian literature. I know you read it, and that they are not that familiar with it. Mrs. Jameson was once an English teacher who specialized in Shakespeare. Pomona, you are teaching horticulture, which is just another name for herbology. Minerva, you are Deputy Headmistress and in the muggle world that means you are not in a classroom. You deal with paperwork all day." He smirked at her as she raised an eyebrow at that. "And that about all." He looked at them. "So, what have you been doing this summer?"

Minerva grinned at him. "No. That is not all. You are teaching during the summer? And you have some other position in the morning?"

Severus compressed his lips slightly. "I work at Timolin's Butcher Shop early in the morning, and from there I head into Stoner High School to teach Botany and Chemistry for students who failed to pass it during the school year."

Filius leaned forward. "Have you been doing this long?"

Severus raised an eyebrow just a bit. "Yes."

At his clipped answer, they knew that that line of conversation was done. It turned off onto worn paths of who to hire for empty positions, what happened last school year, and what they had been doing over the summer. After a quick tour of the house and dinner, they headed back over to the Jameson's.

Severus was not surprised to met at the door by the twins. He had even warned the others to be prepared to wait. "Uncle Severus!" Karen blocked the door slightly, Jacob right behind her taking up the rest of the space. "Why have you been avoiding us?" The light blue eyes glowed with unshed tears.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "I've seen you almost every morning."

Jacob huffed. "That is school... in class. That isn't us."

Severus let his eyes narrow on them. "I know you intentionally failed your class. And manipulated the system to be in my class this summer. You've got what you wanted. You spend every morning with me during the week, why are you trying to be greedy?"

He wanted to mention that this was not the time or place for the conversation, but he knew that it wouldn't change a thing.

A small tear started trailing down Karen's check. "Is it so bad that I wanted you to teach me something? We tried to get into your school so you could do it there, but we couldn't. And the only time we could take a class with you here is during the summer."

Jacob rested a hand on her shoulder. "We told you a long time ago that we wanted you to teach us."

Severus looked from one set of blue eye to the other before stepping towards them. The tears and aggravation were real. It was time to end his punishment. "Let's hold this conversation in the house, and let my guests in as well."

The two teens glanced over his shoulder and spotted the other four visitors. Their eyes got wider as they took in Hagrid and Flitwick.

Severus let his smirk broaden as he caught their reaction. Once they were in the door, he reached out and pulled the two into a small hug. They were the only ones he was in the habit of initiating them with.

"Since I understand your reasoning for your actions, I will stop avoiding you." He felt their arms tightened a bit around him.

"Now, it is time to civil to my guests if they are still standing." Letting them go, he noticed them grinning. They knew his reputation as a mean, unapproachable person. Smirking at them, he turned to introduced the other four. Minerva and the others looked flabbergasted but were still on their feet.

The rest of the evening went the way he had expected, as did the rest of their visit. The only thing that he hadn't expected was for them to learn that The End and Compton trained him how to teach, and that he had started teaching at Stoner before Hogwarts.

セブルススネイプ

Minerva looked over the group that was loitering around the staffroom. Sprout was talking to Hooch about the woods used in brooms. One year they'll tire of that conversation, but it hadn't happened yet. Vector was talking to Babbling about how he was glad that he was not in charge of the Gryffindors anymore, but that he would be happy to substitute if needed. Babbling was shaking her head and commenting about how easy the Slytherins had been. She had expected them to be far worse.

'I think Severus was handling part of that without any of us knowing.' She glanced over at the dark haired man who was watching everyone from the wall near the fireplace. They had learned so much about him this summer. She was sure that Albus didn't know a lot of what they now knew.

'There is a whole team of teachers who wanted him to go teach with them five years ago when the botany teacher retired. Severus could have left all this behind, all the intrigue, saving Harry, and the irritation and heart ache of watching his house's students turn towards Voldemort. But he told them he had made a promise to be here, and so he turned it down.'

She shifted her eyes back to Sprout. 'She was surprised that Severus found the Venomous Violet there, and that there was not a single potions ingredient in his garden.'

Her eyes drifted over to Hagrid. Severus had been right, those teachers wanted him and Filius to speak to their classes. They both consented to have there pictures taken for them to use when they talked about the conditions next year.

She focused on Severus again. 'The students would never believe that the bat of the dungeons was also a butcher assistant. Then again, they might, and they would be a bit more nervous about his threats to carve them up to use a potions ingredients.' She fought a grin had been a bit nervous when they headed to Timolin's Butcher Shop, but at least Mrs. Jameson had waited until Severus could be with them. 'That was an eye opening experience. I thought he was the only one who could hold an entire conversation with glares. Now I know where he learned it. Watching Filius looking from one to the other while they argued about whether I deserved a scolding made that moment even funnier. You could almost see him rating the levels of the glares they were casting each other. And the other boy, Timothy, just stood by like this was normal. He was actually smiling through it all.' After the verbal and glaring skirmish Sandra Timolin greeted her calmly. Yes, Severus had learned a number of his mannerisms from this lady.

Her eyes drifted towards Filius. He had been a shock to the matriarch of the Jameson family. Even more so than Hagrid had. They met her their first night and Jessica Jameson couldn't help but to stare at him most of the night. At breakfast the next morning, she had gotten over it and apologized while she loaded sausages onto his plate. They found out later that the sausages were Severus' recipe. 'That had been another surprise. Severus gets up before the sunrises during the summer to mix things together, too. And that he had planned to be a chef before he came to Hogwarts as a student. The youngest Potions Master in centuries, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Spy extraordinaire, wanted to be a chef. Thomas Jameson had mentioned that, and indicated that it was still a possibility.' Shaking her head slightly, she thought about all the people they meet. 'Karen and Jacob are just like regular teenagers, Sandra Timolin was an older Severus mixed with Poppy, Jessica Jameson was a combination of Albus and Molly, Chris Jameson was his own unique self as were the others.' The thing that had stood out the most during their visit was that Severus' home was just that, a home. It was filled with people who cared about him, who worried about him, and whom he worried about.

Her traveling eyes finally found its way to the far corner of the room where the Defense teacher was sitting. Parker was obviously trying to get the attention of Eric Grayland, the new Potions Professor. Eric had graduated from Hogwarts, but try as she might, Minerva couldn't pull this particular student to mind. None of the others could either. Nothing stood out about the man. He was average as average could get in their opinion. Light to medium brown eyes, medium brown hair, average height, and the skin tone they had come to expect from someone who worked with potions. It didn't help that he was wearing a medium brown robe. Grayland was as monochromatic as the Headmaster. No, none of them remembered him. None, that is, except Severus. 'We were going through the applications for the position and once he saw that name, he had smirked his 'I found it' smirk. He then proceeded to push it into my hands telling me that we were going to interview him first. The way he said it I knew that, unless something went horribly wrong, we were going to be hiring him.' She watched as the newest member to their staff wandered into the poisonous area around Parker. 'That man never forgave Severus for last year. If he doesn't straighten up, we will be looking for a new Defense teacher next year. We're just going to have to make sure that he doesn't poison Grayland first.'

Eric Grayland wandered about the room. He had met all his old teachers. As well as some that had been there but he hadn't taken. He had made sure not to approach Headmaster Snape yet. He knew that the moment that he did, they would start talking shop and he wouldn't stop. Instead he was making his way to the Defense teacher that was tucked in a corner. The blond brushed his hair back before reaching out a hand towards him. Eric fought against raising an eyebrow while he accepted the hand. "Hi. I'm sure you know who I am since Headmaster Snape introduced me."

Parker smiled slightly. "Eric Grayland. It is nice to meet you. I'm Daniel Parker, Defense Against Dark Arts Professor." He shot a look over at Snape, who was watching them from where he stood. "And as the Defense teacher, I suggest you watch yourself around the Headmaster. He is about as dark as they come"

Eric dropped Parker's hand and discreetly wiped it off on his robe. "I heard that he was a spy." His hand came up to toy with a small pebble that was hung on a necklace.

Parker sneered slightly at the pebble. It didn't deserver to be used as jewelry to the Ravenclaw's discerning eye. If it fell to the ground it would blend right in with the others pebbles. Looking back at the Potions Professor's face, he continued trying to get the newest member of the staff to understand. "That is what they say. I don't know. The students don't like him, and his personality..." He looked back at Snape before snapping his gaze back to the frown that was forming on Grayland's face.

Eric frowned at the blond. "How long have you known Headmaster Snape?"

"I've know him for an entire year. He had already been declared to be on the side of the Light, but he still didn't act like it." Parker had a feeling he was loosing the man for some reason.

Eric tightened his hold around the pebble before dropping his hand. "Then I believe I am a better judge of the Headmaster than you are. I have seen him at some of the darkest times and some of the brightest. And as his student for seven years, I think I have seen more aspects of him than you have." Looking the man up and down for just a moment, he smirked. "I have a feeling that he bested you at something. Don't let that bug you, he succeeded in getting the best of some of the smartest wizards in the world." Spinning on his heel, he headed off to meet the last new teacher. He hoped that Professor Heaven would not be as idiotic as the Defense one.

Severus wondered what Parker told Grayland. He knew that whatever it was, it wasn't going to go well. Grayland had a history of defending those to whom he was loyal to. He was just as bad as Potter. The Hufflepuff just did it with less dramatics than the Gryffindor. He watched as the new Potions Master talked with Celeste Heaven before finding his way over to him.

"Headmaster Snape." Brown eyes met black eyes.

"Professor Grayland." Severus smirked down at the newest member of the staff. "Are you all settled in?"

"Yes, sir. I'll have my lesson plans on your desk in the morning, unless you want to see them tonight?" The answer was given with a grin. Eric knew Snape required work to be turned in at the time he had declared it due. Not late, not early, but on time. So, the Headmaster's answer was not a surprise.

"I asked for them in the morning, Professor Grayland, so I will expect them then." Severus narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Of course." Eric nodded slightly. "I thank you for letting me look over your previous lesson plans. Have you ever thought of using that report format you came up with when you report new potions? It makes understanding what you are talking about easy."

Severus shook his head. "The other Potions Masters wouldn't accept it."

Eric smirked. "The old ones, no... but the new ones might just. How about I introduce it to them and see what they think?"

"Do what you will, Grayland." His tone said that the Hufflepuff always did.

"I will." Eric glanced over at Parker. "What is his problem with you, sir?"

Severus glanced to see where Grayland was looking. "He didn't like how I corrected him. He made a mistake because he didn't listen to me."

Eric winced. "That explains it. I'll watch out for him for you."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "I can look out after myself. You just concentrate on teaching your classes."

The brown eyes focused on him with a too innocent look in them. "Of course, sir."

Severus held in a sigh. Grayland was a Hufflepuff through and through. He was just like the badger that represented that house. You can insult a Hufflepuff and have no repercussions, but you do not attack one that they thought as their own. Then they would fight you tooth and nail. When Sprout retired, Severus knew exactly who to make the next head. He just had to get the man not to tear up the Defense professor until he had a chance to hire a new one. "I refuse to pull you out of a mess of your own making. You are now an adult, and I know you learned that lesson years ago."

"Yes, sir. I'll pull myself out of my own messes and I can not make them in front of the students." Smirking, the new Potions Master turned on his heel, his brown robes snapping about his legs reminiscent of the Headmaster's, and headed off to see what he could do before the students arrived.

Severus watched him walk away. This school year went from boring to interesting in a blink of an eye and a short conversation. 'And here I thought I was going to have it easy without the Weasley twins or Potter to worry about.' Sighing lightly, he went to go warn Minerva.