Author's Note:

I apologize if anyone receives a duplicate notification for this chapter going live. When I uploaded it the first time, something went very wonky with the text.

I hope everyone is safe and well as we navigate the effects of the COVID-19 virus. Let's all try to work together and support each other during this time.

Best,

Dragonwing

Ch. 2 – Return to Hogwarts:

The sky was already growing dark as Adrianna Fawley apparated into a side alley off of the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade.

After straightening her twisted witch's robes and cloak, garments she hadn't worn in years, she made sure her wand was safely tucked up her sleeve and checked to see if anyone was near the mouth of the alley. A group of young wizards passed by, on their way into Madam Rosmerta's establishment. Adrianna drew the hood of her cloak over her head and waited until they'd entered the pub before exiting the alley.

Hogsmeade looked exactly as she remembered it. Though she'd noticed many of the wizarding spaces in the UK and Europe did not change nearly as often as those in other parts of the world. As she passed out of the village and onto the Hogwarts grounds, she felt a strange tightening in her chest and her steps nearly faltered.

After losing Lily and James…and Sirius…Adrianna had thought she'd never come back to this place, except perhaps to see Harry graduate. Now, here she was taking a temporary position on staff. What kept her pace steady was the knowledge that she'd soon be seeing Remus and Harry again.

And, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered, Severus Snape.

She already knew that Snape was still the resident Potions Master at Hogwarts, having taken over after Professor Slughorn's retirement. She'd looked up the entire staff directory after accepting Dumbledore's offer, so there wouldn't be any surprises.

The memory of the last time she'd seen Snape, or rather when he'd quite literally run away from her, was not an easy one to forget. Would he be civil this time around, or was she going to have to watch herself around her former friend? Really, if there was anyone she should bring into her confidence again, it just might be Snape. Lilith wanted regular reports on the origins of the new dark currents, and whether Adrianna liked it or not, Snape was a former Death Eater.

The walk up the hill to the castle entrance went by in a flash. As she stood looking up at the great oak doors, her back suddenly went stiff. It was as if someone had touched a live electrical cord to her spine. Her succubus magic was practically vibrating from the resounding shock that had snapped against it. Whipping around, her succubus side already starting to slip out, she scanned the darkened grounds behind her. Nothing moved, but it felt as if the very earth was holding its breath. Something was lurking, just out of her reach. She hissed softly, white fangs sliding out, and whatever it was retreated farther away. The tension in the air around her released.

Adrianna waited several minutes to see if the oppressive presence returned, but everything around her was calm. Her human side reappeared and she took a steadying breath. Pushing the doors open, she stepped into the castle.

From the entryway, she could hear the sounds of the Welcome Feast already in-progress. She would report this strange encounter to Dumbledore, but it would have to wait until the students were in their dorms for the night.

Adrianna was debating if she should go wait in Dumbledore's office, she'd missed the start of the feast when he would have announced new staff members anyway, when a Gryffindor student wearing a Prefect's badge stepped out of the Great Hall.

"Excuse me?" Adrianna smiled at the girl.

The Prefect did a double-take upon seeing her and stammered, "Oh! Um, I mean, yes?"

"I'm afraid I'm a bit late to the feast." said Adrianna. "Would you mind asking Professor McGonagall to step out here? I'd hate to interrupt."

"Of course…" The girl blushed and fled back into the Great Hall.

Adrianna sighed and mentally counted the number of bottles of suppressing potion she'd brought with her. Thankfully, she'd remembered how much more…captivating her succubus features could be on young people with raging hormones and blossoming sexualities. It appeared she was right to bring the potion and would have to start taking daily doses again.

Professor McGonagall soon emerged from the Great Hall, looking perplexed. When she saw Adrianna, she smiled. "Miss Fawley! Now I see why Miss Higgins was so flustered when she requested my assistance."

"Hello, Professor McGonagall." Adrianna clasped hands with her former Head of House. "I know I'm terribly late, but I figured if Professor Dumbledore had told anyone to expect my arrival it would have been you."

"Indeed." She nodded. "The Headmaster informed me this morning that you would be joining the staff for the year. Would you like to come into the feast? If I remember correctly, I know you don't eat very often, but I'm sure the Headmaster will still want to introduce you."

"If you think so." Adrianna said.

"Wait here." McGonagall suggested. "If the Headmaster begins to introduce you, then you can come right in. If he decides to wait, I'll return and escort you to your quarters."

"Thank you." Adrianna stood close to the doors after McGonagall slipped back inside the Great Hall.

Though she wasn't thrilled about a full public introduction, she knew it was Hogwarts tradition for new staff members. Also, a good way to nip any lovesick students in the bud.

OOOOOOOOOO

Severus Snape sat in his place at the High Table in the Great Hall, dreading the start of another school term. Not just another school term, but this particular one was shaping up to be particularly miserable.

Remus Lupin, of all wizards, had been given the position Severus sought for himself every bloody year. Now he was going to be the werewolf's personal brewer of Wolfsbane potion. Fantastic.

To top everything else off, Dumbledore had announced to the entire school that Sirius fucking Black had escaped from Azkaban, and they were actually allowing Dementors onto the school grounds. Severus had wanted to stab his own hand with his fork at that announcement.

Across the sea of students, his eye was invariably drawn to where Harry Potter sat with his friends at the Gryffindor table. The source of most of this trouble and Severus' own displeasure. The boy was looking more and more like his father every day. It was like having a copy of James Potter sitting across the room.

No, not a complete copy. He had Lily's eyes. A fact that caused him more discomfort than he would ever admit to himself or anyone else.

Suddenly, a flushed Gryffindor Prefect scurried behind him, knocking into the back of his chair as she went. Snape glared at the girl's back as she came to a stop by her Head of House's seat and whispered excitedly into the woman's ear. Minerva dismissed the girl and excused herself from the table. Snape watched as she calmly made her way down one side of the Great Hall, and out the main doors.

Not ten minutes later, Minerva was back and relaying a message to Dumbledore. Snape would have tried to listen, but he was too far away. Farther down the table Lupin had also caught McGonagall's actions and, catching Snape's eye, gave him a curious look.

Severus sneered at the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and refocused on his dinner.

Albus stood and cleared his throat. "If I may have your attention once more, dear students." The conversation in the room died down. "I have just been informed that our newest addition to the Hogwarts staff has arrived."

Snape frowned. There were no other open positions at the school. Who could Dumbledore have hired? Someone to manage the kitchen elves?

"It gives me great pleasure to welcome back one of Hogwarts' finest graduates. Not only has she become an expert in the field of human-magical creature relations, but has also contributed greatly to the many of the texts our students use every day. She will be assisting Madam Pince to ensure our library is equipped with the most up-to-date academic resources." Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled as the Great Hall doors swung open. "May I introduce, the lovely and talented Miss Adrianna Fawley."

Snape choked on the bite of shepherd's pie he'd just taken. Professor Flitwick proceeded to pat him vigorously on the back, which only made him choke harder. He waved the tiny man off and recovered just in time to see the infamous Adrianna Fawley glide into the Great Hall.

Severus felt his newly regained breath catch in his throat. Adrianna looked…the same. Like she hadn't aged a day since they'd graduated school. But no, not quite the same. She most certainly did not look like a teenager anymore. She was now the adult version of the beautiful half-witch that had been buried in a long pushed-aside corner of his memory.

Make that, pushed-aside and locked in a mental closet.

Severus glanced down the staff table. The old coot looked quite pleased with himself, while Lupin's face looked as stunned as Severus felt. Clearly, the werewolf hadn't known of her arrival either. Of course, the rest of the staff either remembered her or had heard of her by name only. The students, especially the male students – though that was no surprise – were staring with rapt attention.

OOOOOOOOOO

On the other end of the Great Hall, seated with the rest of the Gryffindor third years, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger were just as caught up as the rest of the students.

"I can't believe it! Adrianna Fawley is really here!" Hermione whispered excitedly. Harry and Ron nodded dumbly, eyes glued on the beautiful woman making her way through the dining hall.

"Ugh, do you two even know who she is?" She swatted them both.

"Er, no…" Ron admitted.

Hermione sighed. "Adrianna Fawley is the only known offspring between a human and a succubus, and was the first student to transfer to Hogwarts from Salem Academy in the United States. She is the foremost, and only, authority on human-succubus relations. And, on top of all that, she has helped re-write multiple sections in nearly every Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook on the market! Does anyone read 'Hogwarts, A History' besides me?"

"Probably not, Granger. But more importantly," Fred Weasley leaned over from his place down the table. "She's the most gorgeous creature to ever walk these hallowed halls."

"Right." Harry and Ron nodded mechanically. Hermione gave up, grumbling under her breath.

OOOOOOOOOO

Albus came down in front of the staff table to grasp the half-witch's hands in greeting. She stood on her toes to kiss the old man's cheeks.

"Hello, Headmaster!" Adrianna grinned. "I hope I haven't made too much of an entrance."

"How wonderful to have you back with us, Miss Fawley." He smiled before turning to face the students. "Miss Fawley has been graciously loaned to us by the Magical Congress of the United States of America to assist Madam Pince and Professor Lupin in updating our Defense Against the Dark Arts selection in the library."

Several students, mostly Ravenclaws plus Hermione, twittered excitedly. Dumbledore held up his hands for silence, while Adrianna gazed serenely at the sea of students.

"There is one other matter to discuss." The headmaster said. "As many of you already know, Miss Fawley is the only living half-succubus in the wizarding world. That being said, if there is anyone who finds themselves suddenly in love with Miss Fawley, I urge you to go see Madam Pomfrey immediately for a remedy. Now, let us continue on with our meal." He turned and guided Adrianna to an empty seat at the end of the table.

Hagrid greeted the half-witch enthusiastically. "It's a pleasure ter be seein' you again, Miz Fawley!" He boomed.

"Nice to see you again as well, Hagrid." Her melodic voice drifted down the table, cutting through the low buzz of conversation and nestling into Severus's ear.

Adrianna's voice was deeper than Severus remembered, but then again she was fifteen years older than she'd been the last time he saw her, regardless of whether she looked it or not. His brain wandered back to that day in the London portkey station not long after they'd graduated, the day that Adrianna realized Severus had taken the Dark Mark. Also the day that he'd discovered she was going on vacation with Sirius fucking Black. The potions master shook his head once to clear out the memory and to stop himself from remembering what had happened shortly after that.

He was no longer a stammering school boy intimidated by a beautiful face. He was a grown man, a Master in his field. He would not be intimidated by Adrianna Fawley.

She laughed softly at something Hagrid said, and Severus lost his grip on his fork.

Well, probably not.

OOOOOOOOOO

Adrianna nearly made it all the way through dinner before Peeves the Poltergeist showed up.

"OH, JOY OF JOYS! OH, DREAM OF DREAMS! OH, HAPPY DAY! Peevsie's Pretty Lady has returned at last!" The spectre zoomed around the enchanted ceiling before floating down to take on of her hands in both of his and kiss it with a loud pop.

"Hello, Peeves darling." Adrianna laughed. "You haven't changed a bit, I see."

"Oh, no!" Peeves swept his hat off and bowed. "Peevsie has remained the same, as he promised, waiting for his Pretty Lady's safe return. Been so worried about her, Peevsie has."

Adrianna was very aware that everyone in the Great Hall was staring at her for the second time that evening. She leaned closer to the poltergeist and spoke in her best 'succubus voice'. Low and breathy, like one of her aunts had taught her. "I would love to catch up with you soon, Peeves darling. But I think it would be best when we're not in front of everyone."

Peeves' eyes practically rolled back into his head. "Whatever the Pretty Lady desires, old Peevsie is here to provide!" He plopped his hat back on, stole the slice of treacle tart from Pamona Sprout's plate, and flew out of the Great Hall, still shouting exaltations over the 'Pretty Lady' returning to Hogwarts.

"Some things never change." A soft voice said behind her.

Adrianna turned, looked up into Remus Lupin's hazel eyes, and she nearly started crying. Standing up, Adrianna wrapped the werewolf in a warm embrace. From somewhere across the Great Hall, a student loudly exclaimed, "No fair!"

Reluctantly letting her friend go, Adrianna smiled and shook her head. "It's so good to see you Moony." She murmured. "Let's catch up after the feast is over, alright?"

"When we have less of an audience?" His lopsided grin reminded her so much of the boy he'd been in school.

She laughed. "Exactly."

OOOOOOOOOO

TBC