After graduation, I rushed to take my Potion Master exam. Of course I passed with flying colors. Finding a job, however was not as easy as it sounds. All the local Apothecaries did not want to hire a girl who just graduated, Potion Master or not. I wasn't sure if I wanted to open my own potions shop in New York City. There were so many already. When I had heard of the job opening at Hogwarts for an assistant professor, I was reluctant. The Wizarding War was only just ending and moving clear across the globe where I knew no one was terrifying. My desperation for a job, and to move out of my parents house won out. I applied and quickly received word from the Headmistress that I was hired. But she needed me there very short notice. I had 1 day to pack up my life, which admittedly wasn't much and start my Portkey journey to London. I arrived at a bar (I guess they call them pubs here) called The Leaky Cauldron and had less than 10 minutes to change out of my traveling clothes into something sort of appropriate and try to wrangle my hair into as neat of a bun as I could. I stepped out of the green flames to a roomful of people staring at me. I managed to say something silly about being late. The Headmistress conjured a chair for me.

"Thank you Headmistress" I looked around and saw a few younger adults around my age. I assumed they were the other assistants.

"Please call me Minerva"

"Thank you Minerva"

She went around the room and introduced the staff. I was surprised to see that one of the young men was none other than Harry Potter. Yes his name was well known in America too. He was filling in as Defense Professor for the year. My ears perked up when I heard her introduce the Potion Master. I knew we would be spending most of our time together. Severus Snape was...a complete mystery. He had a bored and tired look. His face mostly hidden by a curtain of black hair. He wore a high neck black jacket black pants, and black boots. It was nearly impossible to tell if he was 30 or 60. Even sitting, I could tell he was very tall and lean. Minerva explained that tonight we would be getting settled into our chambers (fancy right?) and the next day we would meet in the Great Hall for breakfast and get to work on repairing the school for classes to resume. I was really hoping for a quick tour because I had no idea where anything was. After we were dismissed, Severus Snape swiftly left the office. I ran to catch up, leaving me out of breath.

"Hi. So I'm Alexianna. You can call me Lexi or Alex. Most people do. Minerva told me you would show me around..."

"Did she now" he stopped and spun around, his cloak billowing around him. We were walking so fast and he stopped so suddenly, I smashed my face right into his chest.

"Um. Sorry. Yes" I said trying to smooth my hair and sweater. Great first impression.

"Your chambers are next to mine. In the dungeons. I trust I will not need to show you the way again."

He spoke quietly, but firmly. His students must need to be very quiet to hear him. He doesn't seem like the type to repeat himself.

"No. I think I can remember the way"

He continued on quickly. I made a mental note to wear sneakers from now on. I popped off my heels and ran barefoot to keep up. He must have noticed the clicking of my heels stopped so he looked back to make sure I was still there. He glared down at my feet with a look of disgust.

"I didn't wear running shoes today" I laughed

He did not seem amused. This was going to be a long year. He finally dead stopped in front of a large oak door.

"These are your chambers. Be sure to set a password. I'm sure your trunk has already been brought down." He started walking away

"Where are yours? Where is your office? Where is the potions classroom? What do you need me to do to start preparing for classes?" I wanted to get all my questions in before he ran off.

"My office is the next door down. Please unpack and I will see you there in 1 hour." His cloak billowed behind him as he walked away. Ok. Password...password...would it be lame if my password was password? Yeah. Probably. I made it the only thing I could think of. "Thunderbird'. My Ilvermorny house. I took me less than 15 minutes to unpack.Granted all I had were my clothes, some potions ingredients and cauldrons, and books. I brought all my potions books and a few cheesy novels. I took in my surroundings. King sized four poster bed. Everything was on green and black as if the room somehow knew my favorite colors. There were bookshelves with some basic books on Charms, Transfiguration, and Creature Care. More advanced books on Herbology and Potions. A fireplace with a roaring fire. I imagine winters in the dungeons are pretty chilly. There was a small kitchenette and an attached bathroom that was much bigger than mine at home. It had a huge tub and shower. I would definitely make use of the tub. there's nothing better than ending my day with a nice hot bath and a book. Severus Snape seems to be pretty intense so I'm sure I will be reading all of the potions books. I want to do Ilvermorny proud and impress my sullen boss. I flopped on my bed (which was super comfy) and I remembered my feet! I better clean them up a bit, running thru the castle barefoot was not wise. I ran the bathwater and cleaned up my feet (they were pretty black. gross) I grabbed some socks and threw on my favorite Chucks. I knocked on Snape's office door 5 minutes early. I imagine punctuality is important.

"Enter"

I walked in and looked around. The office was tidy. A large desk with 2 chairs a wardrobe and 2 other doors. 1 door was open to a supply room, which is where Severus was. Standing next to him in my sneakers made me feel like a child. At least in heels I had an extra couple of inches. He looked down his nose at me.

"So what do you need me to do?"

"Prove yourself"

I noticed he was gathering ingredients.

"So you want me to brew..." I looked at the ingredients he was gathering "Draught of Living Death and Everlasting Elixir. Hmm. pretty advanced."

He smirked at me. I didn't have the heart to tell him I could do these by fourth year.

He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Show me the classroom"

The classroom was actually really cool. Our Potions lab in Ilvermorny was bright, white and sterile. This was...dirty...dark...it added to the mystique. Whenever I brewed, I always felt like a medieval sorceress. Yeah it's silly. But this classroom was brilliant. I couldn't keep a smile off my face.

I started my potions. I decided to do them at the same time. For efficiency...and to "prove myself" as I was supposed to. I left my music I'm my room...sorry chambers... so I tried to make conversation.

"So...how long have you been teaching here?"

He said nothing. Just walked around my cauldrons peering into them.

"Ok...so tell me about Hogwarts. At Ilvermorny, we have 4 houses. I hear you have something similar..."

"You will find a copy of Hogwarts, A History on your shelf. I suggest you read it"

Ok this wasn't working.

"So I was actually chosen by 2 houses. Horned Serpent and Thunderbird. I chose Thunderbird. They say the four Ilvermorny houses represent The Mind, The Body, The Heart, and The Soul. I guess both The Mind and The Soul wanted me, I picked The Soul. Thunderbirds tend to be introspective and ambitious. When faced with a problem, we look within for the answer."

Again nothing. I tapped into my Legilimency skill to see what he was thinking. As a rare born Legilimens I could use it very discreetly. Nothing there. He looked at me curiously. How the hell did he notice that.

I conjured 2 vials and filled them with my finished products. They were completely perfect, I knew. He took them to test.

"Passable"

"Passable?" Mother fucker. Those are perfect.

A very brief smile crossed his face. I almost didn't believe I saw it.

"Office please Miss Lee" He swooped out of the classroom

"Yes... Professor" apparently he prefers to address people formally.

Back in his office, he set my potion vials on his desk and sat in his chair. I sat in the chair opposite him, but the desk was pretty high and I didn't want to look like a child, so I sat on my knees.

"Well?" I asked

"Enlightening"

What the fuck is that supposed to mean

"I suggest you watch your language Miss Lee"

"I didn't...oh." I sighed. You have got to be kidding me. He's a Legilimens too? "Born or learned?" I asked him

"Learned"

"Born" I admitted

"A rare talent. One you will need to Keep. In. Check during classes. Students minds will wander, but yours should not."

For the first time, he looked me in my eyes. His were so dark, like onyx. I could see he was nearing 40, but something behind those eyes told a story of someone much older.

"Understood Professor"

"You will be working mostly with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years. You will assist with tutoring failing students. You will also inventory my supplies" he gestured to his cupboard "You will eventually grade papers when you learn my methods. You may go back to your chambers. Meet me back here at 6 and I will show you to the Great Hall for dinner. I needn't remind you to remember your way"

I went back to my room to try to figure out my mysterious professor.