Lila spent her summer in Chicago working as a mathematics consultant for an insurance company. She hated working in insurance, she thought it was the most boring job ever but at least it kept her mind off of Severus. He spent his summer in his home at Spinner's End, sulking. He was counting down the days until he would see her again at Hogwarts. He reapplied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position and hoped that finally Dumbledore might accept him for the position, but he didn't count on it. He knew Voldemort would be after Harry this year and it was imperative for the students to actually learn some useful defensive spells. He trusted that Dumbledore would make the right choice for the job.

The time came for the professors to return to Hogwarts. Severus was one of the first to arrive. He wanted to be there when Lila reached the school. Once he arrived, he tidied his room. He kept most of his belongings there so there was no need to unpack, but it had gotten a bit gloomy while he was away. Or maybe it had always been a gloomy room and it was his new found optimism that changed the way he saw it. He was very eager to see Lila and hoped that she would feel the same.

Since Lila was coming by plane from Chicago, she was late. She entered the great hall from the chamber of portraits right as new students were being sorted. She took her seat at the staff table next to Hagrid and began chatting with him. Snape was one of few professors to notice her entrance. He stared at her from the other end of the staff table hoping she would notice him. She didn't. Once the students were sorted, Dumbledore introduced the new defense teacher; Professor Umbridge. Lila didn't think much of her but Severus was disappointed in the choice Dumbledore had made. Surely this teapot of a woman could not effectively teach students how to defend themselves. He decided to confront Dumbledore about it later that evening. Meanwhile, Lila was anxious to meet her new students and greet her returning ones. She also wanted to say hello to Harry Potter in the hopes that maybe he was starting to trust her.

After dinner she walked with her students to the Ravenclaw common room. She spoke to all of her students and told them that she would always be there for any of them if they need help or guidance. She was very compassionate towards her students and all of them believed her to be genuine. It was obvious how much she cared about her students.

While Lila was talking to her students, Snape was speaking to Dumbledore in his office, "How could you hire a woman from the ministry to teach here? And the dark arts no less! Not only that but she is the most demure woman I have ever seen. There is no possible way that she can help Hogwarts students achieve effective defense methods. You should have let me teach the class, Albus."

"Unfortunately, the ministry has come to doubt our teachings at Hogwarts and has therefore enlisted one of their own to educate here. I believe their intentions are to put someone on the inside as a way to get information. I am no happier about this than you are, Severus, but we must come to accept this change. The ministry has issued a smear campaign against Harry and me after he announced that Voldemort has returned. They refuse to acknowledge his reappearance and find Harry and me to be senseless."

He was upset about not being offered the position but he understood why she must teach the class. "If there is anything I can do for you or the school, Albus…"

"How is Miss Lermernia doing?" Dumbledore was keen to find out.

"I…I don't know. I haven't spoken to her yet."

"Do you suppose she'll overlook the events that took place last year?"

"I'm not sure, but what are we doing to convince the ministry that you and Harry are telling the truth?" he questioned, avoiding the subject.

"I think she'll forgive you, Severus. Just be patient with her." Dumbledore was putting forth his best effort to persuade the ministry and didn't require any help from Severus at this time.

Snape thought about whether to continue asking questions about the ministry or not but decided he'd better not at the risk of being reminded he and Lila were not together anymore. "Right," Snape turned to leave the headmaster's office. He thought about his advice as he left.