I had about an hour and a half to kill before dinner, so I put on some music and tried to relax. The time difference from NY to Scotland was kicking my ass. I have been up for 22 hours at this point. I barely heard the knock at the door. I doubt Professor Grumpy Pants would want to chat.

"Oh hi Harry" Harry fucking Potter at my door. who would have thought

"I just wanted to check in and see how you were settling in"

I backed away from the door to let him in.

"Oh you know, in the last 36 hours I packed up my entire life and moved across the world to work for the most pleasant man I have ever met"

Harry laughed "Snape is..."

"Unfriendly..."

"Complicated. But he's really not all bad. He has a... troubled past."

"Sounds like a story"

"Yeah. It's not mine to tell. We all have been through a lot the last few years. Especially him."

"Yeah. I mean I wasn't here, but some of the Americans were here fighting with you. I hate to think about the students coming back. So many memories."

"Yeah. We are going to have to work overtime to try to make things normal again. The last school year was nothing short of traumatic."

"Well, You, me, and the herbology kid aren't much older than they are. Maybe that will work to our advantage. Someone to talk to."

"Yeah Neville and I are 18. Neville went through a lot last year too"

"So did you from what I hear. If you ever need someone to just unload all your shit on, I'm here. I feel like everyone here is carrying so much, and here I am with no baggage. Not like yours anyways"

Harry smiled a pained smile.

"So on a lighter note, where's the closest town? I'm going to need to stock up my fridge"

Oh Hogsmeade is close. We'll go some night and I'll show you around."

"Do all of the teachers go out regularly?"

"Not sure" he shrugged "This is my first year not being a student. So tell me about you. America."

"Well I grew up in Manhattan. My great great aunt was a seer and was really good at picking stocks and lottery numbers, so my mom does some freelance work. My dad is... well nevermind what he is" I chuckled lightly not wanting to talk about it. "I took my Potion Master exam in America after graduation. I really want to take the British exam."

"I was never any good at potions."

"Really? I guess we all have this subject we just didn't get. I was shit at Creature Care."

"Oh our Care of Magical Creatures teacher is one of my good friends. If he hears that, he'll try to turn it around for you" Harry laughed

Harry and I chatted until 5 of 6.

"I better go. Professor Grumpy Pants wanted me to come to his office at 6 so he could show me to the great hall"

"Alright, I'll see you there. Snape won't want me tagging along"

I knocked on the office door

"Enter"

Does he ever say anything else?

"And what would be the appropriate response in America" he sneered

Shit I forgot he could hear me

He got up from his desk and briskly walked out the door. I ran to keep up, trying to remember where I was going. I was so busy trying to concentrate on memorizing my way, that I ran into an older guy with a broom sweeping.

"Oh I'm so sorry" I picked up his broom for him. "I'm Alexianna Lee. The new Assistant Professor for Potions"

"Snot nose kids turned into professors now eh? Must be getting desperate"

Severus Snape stopped and waited impatiently for me to catch back up

Who shit in that guys Cheerios this morning

Snape almost laughed

"Were you reading me again?"

"Your inner monologue is...loud"

"Sorry. I'm not used to being around other Legilimens. Who was that guy anyways?"

"That is Mr. Filch. The caretaker"

"Why was he sweeping. Is he a No-Maj?"

Snape stopped and stared at me. "A what?"

"A No-Maj... like not a wizard"

"We call them Muggles. And Mr. Filch is a squib"

"A what?" Why do I feel like we speak different languages

"Because we do. Some of the words that come out if your mouth should never be spoken"

"To be fair most of them aren't, I just think them and you are reading me" Hmph there. Touche to me.

We walked...or rather Snape walked while I ran..the the Great Hall. And boy was it aptly named. The ceiling was bewitched to look at the night sky. I was so entranced that I ended up tripping over Snape's foot (seriously why did he stop walking?) I would have face planted in the the stone floor, but he grabbed my arm and kept me at least semi upright.

"Thanks" Smooth Lex. Smooth. I looked at the small table of professors hoping no one saw that. No such luck.

"It's ok. I couldn't stop looking at it my whole first year" I took a seat between Harry and Snape.

"Thanks Harry." I looked to Minerva. "I actually have a quick question"

"Yes Alex?"

"Will my registration as an Animagus transfer from America to the British Ministry? I'm not really sure how that works.."

"Under normal circumstances, it would, however the Ministry has been...under duress lately. Harry, will you take Alex to see Kingsley tomorrow evening?"

"Sure Professor"

"I am no longer your professor so please call Minerva. How long have you been an Animagus?"

"I learned 4th year. I read about the potion and thought it would be fun." I shrugged "The potion part was a fun challenge. The rest was...not my favorite" It was fucking terrible.

Snape choked on his wine.

"And what form did you take?"

"A lynx"

"I am not familiar with the meaning behind the lynx"

"Well, the Native Americans believe the Lynx Spirit has the gift of true sight and is the master of sensing things most people ignore"

Minerva smiled knowingly.

After dinner, I was exhausted

"Well it was wonderful meeting you all, but I have been awake well over 24 hours and could use some sleep." I turned to Snape "What time do you need me tomorrow?"

"8:00. My office"

Fuck that's early

He raised his eyebrows at me

Sorry. Still getting used to you listening CONSTANTLY.

"Good night everybody" I waved cheerfully and headed down to my room. Chambers.