(All characters belong to JKR)

How Do You Do?

"Severus, I would like you to go say hello to our new Arithmancy professor," Headmistress Minerva McGonagall told the glum potions master.

With a scowl he looked up from the book he was reading to sneer up at her. "Pardon?"

"The new Arithmancy professor," Minerva repeated sternly. "She just arrived today."

Oh joy, Snape thought to himself. Another woman. That's all Hogwarts needed. Another female teacher to try and "mold" the students. What that meant to him was that his students would be even more insufferable than ever. Especially if this new professor was a nice one.

"And why, pray tell, must I greet this...woman?" The word woman came out sounding like he had just sucked on a lemon.

Minerva placed her hands on her hips as she glared at him. "Because it is common courtesy. And because I am telling you to."

With a sigh Snape stood. "Very well headmistress."

On his way to the private quarters of the new professor he wondered what kind of woman would want to take the job. Being a professor was difficult, and Arithmancy was an even more difficult subject. She must be something to take the position.

When he arrived at the portrait of Morgan le Fay that guarded the entrance to the rooms beyond. Now this made Snape curious. What sort of person would have her portrait on their door? le Fay had been known as a dark witch during her time. Stepping up to the door he was relieved to see that the witch was not in the portrait at the moment -- one less thing for him to have to worry about. With another sigh he rapped loudly on the oak door with his knuckles before standing back to wait.

A moment later the door swung open to reveal a young looking witch. She was average in height, he noted, only about five foot five. She had long curly brown hair that was streaked faintly with blond. Her large brown eyes were set into a heart-shaped face. The body was covered by thick black robes. One word came to mind to describe her: plain. Snape had seen plenty of women who looked like her, or enough like her, that he would never have been able to pick her out of a lineup.

"Yes?" she asked, voice courteous, eyes confused. "Do you need something, professor?"

Hmm... so she already who he was. That made things easier. "Indeed," he replied casually, voice an emotionless drawl. "The headmistress informed me that you had arrived, so I thought it would be..." He paused for a beat. "Imperative that I introduce myself and welcome you to our... illustrious school."

The woman smirked, leaning against her open door frame. "In other words Minerva told you to come and say hello."

Snape narrowed his eyes, a sneer making its way to his thin lips. "Madam, I am merely attempting--"

"I know what you're attempting to do Snape, and believe me, I have no interest in your 'warm'" -- Here she did air quotes -- "welcome. I know you have no desire to talk to someone like me."

"Why you--"

"And another thing, I don't even require a welcome. I haven't been gone for more than two years, and I highly doubt that much has changed in that time." She let out a frustrated puff of air. "I should have listened to Neville and waited till the students arrived to move in. Maybe then things would have been simpler."

All of a sudden her identity hit him. "Miss... Granger," her name came unbidden to his lips.

The witch nodded sharply. "Yes, although I prefer to go by Professor Granger, now." Pushing off from the door frame, all the while glaring at him, she added, "Now if there is nothing else I would like to get back to my unpacking."

Snape nodded dumbly. "Do not let me get in your way."

"Oh I won't," she replied, before slamming the door in his face.

Staring at the picture of Morgan le Fay again Snape couldn't help but think how this year would be much more interesting than any other that he could remember. To think, Hermione Granger, resident know-it-all as a professor. He smirked. Interesting indeed.

EN: "How Do You Do?" by Cascada. Not particularly long, but still better than some of my others. Hopefully this is a bit better edited. I spent more time on it so I hope so.