Chapter 30 The Beginning of a New Life
As the tail end of the summer holidays approached and July turned into August, Severus and Lily eventually moved out of their small cottage to their new shared quarters at Hogwarts. Hogwarts was a sentient castle, and upon detecting the soon-to-be-married status of her two newest professors, she'd constructed quarters on the second floor between the Charms and DADA classrooms for them to share. They moved in during Mid-August, just two weeks before term was scheduled to being and brought Plato along with them. Jackie unfortunately was not able to move in with them, instead she was sent to the Owlery where she ingratiated herself with the Hogwarts employed owls as well as those of other staff members. Their move had gone fairly smoothly, and thanks to Albus' employment of his personal house-elf, Toppo, the process had taken only a day. Speaking of house elves, Lily had inherited Marjorie's own elf, Nam, and Severus had in turn inherited Cornell's elf, Nail. having two elves was definitely a boon for the two new professors, and the two elves were only too eager to please their new masters.
In the two weeks between moving from their cottage to their quarters, and the start of term, they spent a lot of their time getting to know the Hogwarts' staff—well…Lily more than Severus if we're being honest. While Lily worked on expanding her social circle and getting to know their colleagues—some of her new friends even being people she'd read about in their texts growing up, Severus pressed on full-steam ahead with his new potion. Once the moving had been complete, he spent much of his days in his and Lily's shared lab, toiling away at his new recipe. The potion he was working on was a modification of the standard Memory Recollection Elixir, except there were a few distinct differences that meant his version was vastly superior to the standard lime green potion. Firstly, it lacked any nasty side-effects; and secondly, his version should last at least twice as long in duration, allowing the memory the user of the potion wanted to watch to be twice as long. He'd made significant progress in those two weeks and he had a feeling he'd be done well before their wedding rolled around.
That's not to say Lily and Severus spent all of their apart, not at all, they both reserved morning and evenings for each other and always made it a habit to eat three meals a day together between their individual exploits. During the mornings and evenings they spent in each other's company, they either worked on lesson plans, or brewing, or sometimes doing things far more explicit than that. Regardless of what it was they were doing, they always valued their time together and they knew that in the coming months they'd be far more busy as the school year got underway and the two professors sought to carve out a niche for themselves. As the start of term approached however, they were summoned to the Headmaster's office for their own personal briefing on the start of term protocol. Severus would be overseeing the escort of 2nd through 7th years from the Thestral-drawn Carriages to the grounds, whilst Lily would monitor the disembarkation of the train and assist with guiding the first years to the boats.
They were also briefed by Dippet on their responsibilities for the night of the students' return and were handed their patrol schedules for the first term. As the two most junior teachers of the staff, naturally, they'd been tasked with patrolling for the first night back. Severus could remember well during his first career as a teacher that he and Sinistra had often times been given the worst hours when it came to patrolling. As newer teachers joined the staff, like Charity and the assortment of DADA Professors he had the 'honor' of working with, he'd grown out of that role as he ascended the hierarchy, but it seemed some traditions never changed—one of them being this. Before long, the day of the students' arrival, August 31st, was upon them. And despite it being their last day of relative peace and quiet before the storm hit so to speak, their day began much like any other of the past two months.
Lily stirred first, the familiar stone ceiling of their quarters being the first thing she saw, along with neutered sunlight coming in through the blinds. She felt Severus' arm around her waist, and the man himself turned on his side, facing her and snoring rather loudly. Smiling in amusement, she gently pried his arm off herself and planted a chaste kiss on the bridge of his nose, hoping that would wake him. Sure enough, it did. He stirred moments later, and his eyes found hers staring down at him.
"Morning sleepyhead," Lily greeted, before leaning in close and giving him another kiss, this time on the lips.
"I'll just hop in the shower first and after you shower we can head down to breakfast together?"
"Whatever you like, Lily. Although I won't protest you showering first, gives me another few minutes of peace and quiet," Severus chuckled, rolling onto his back to stare up at the sunlit ceiling.
Lily pushed aside the covers and sighed languidly as she got to her feet. After doing a few stretches she summoned a change of clothes, butter yellow robes with blue accents, and her morning robe that she draped over her bare shoulders. Her chosen attire for the day in hand, she flashed him a smile before heading out of their quarters towards their bathroom. Due to their soon to be wedded status, their quarters were significantly larger than anyone else's on the staff. Even Dippet the Headmaster who also happened to be married, and whose wife worked in the Department of Transportation at the ministry boasted smaller quarters than they did. Theirs came equipped with an expanded living area large enough to fit at least a dozen people comfortably, a brewing lab, a small library for their extensive book collection, opposite office spaces for marking, working on lesson plans and the like, their bedroom and bathroom…obviously, and a small kitchenette and dining area rolled into one. In other words, Hogwarts had treated them well. Perhaps she could sense their contributions in their past lives?
Fifteen minutes later, Lily came out of the bathroom dressed for the day and so Severus hoisted himself out of bed for his turn. He only needed ten minutes to shower, dress, brush his teeth and shave and he too was ready for the day. As he came out of the bathroom dressed in midnight black, Lily couldn't help but turn up her nose at his lack of creativity. She knew for a fact he'd worn other colored teaching robes during his brief stint as Cornell's replacement, but this was too much, he'd already lapsed into old habits and dressed as if he were attending a funeral.
"Tomorrow promise me you'll wear something else Sev," Lily said, her eyes sweeping up and down his clothes in casual disdain.
"I'll think about it," Severus replied, that infuriating smirk of his on full display.
For the final time, Lily and Severus left their quarters for breakfast in the Great Hall as just that, Lily and Severus. Come tomorrow; they would be known as Professor Evans and Professor Snape. On their way to the Great Hall, they bumped into their fellow Professor, Teresa Sapling, one way or another, she always seemed to know just where her two newest colleagues in the castle were.
"Hello Lily! Good morning Snape! Fancy seeing you two up bright and early!" Sapling greeted jovially as they both exited the grand staircase.
"Good morning to you too Teresa! Lovely day isn't it?" Lily replied, giving her friend a broad smile.
"Yes, fancy seeing you here indeed, Sapling. One would wonder just how it is that you show up unannounced every other day," Severus muttered, earning him a brief, reprimanding, glare from Lily.
"Oh yes! Yes indeed, a splendid day!" Sapling said cheerily, oblivious to the suddenly stormy mood of her colleague. "This weather has been wonderful for my shrubs. Speaking of which, is there any chance I could borrow some of that nutrient potion, Snape? It's for a good cause."
"The soil nutrient potion?" Lily offered.
"Yes, that's the one! I'm willing to reimburse you with whatever potion ingredient you desire, you can take your pick of whatever plant you need."
"I have been in need of some Belladonna, Lily and I have used up most of our stores of it in recent weeks brewing Calming draughts," Severus drawled, pointedly avoiding Sapling's infuriatingly cheery gaze and visage.
"Brewing calming draughts?" Sapling echoed. "For the hospital wing I presume? That should be Horace's responsibility shouldn't it?"
"Yes but he's been falling behind on his brewing responsibilities for Hopkins. He's had some other issues to address in recent weeks so we've been helping him," Lily explained to the herbology professor who nodded in understanding.
Lily chuckled lightly as she added; "After all, Severus dumped off many detentions on him during his brief tenure last term. So this is us paying him back in a way for all of that. We should be able to call it even now I think."
"Ah, I see. Well in that case it's perfectly reasonable. Would twenty sprigs of Belladonna suffice for you both?" Sapling asked, giving both of her new colleagues a curious glance.
"That would be acceptable," Severus concurred with a nod. "I shall…pass you the vials at lunch—"
"And I shall do the same with the Belladonna. Thank you Severus," Sapling beamed, before heading off down the hall towards the high table.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Lily turned to Severus, an insistent gleam in her eyes. "You should really patent that potion Sev. It's really quiet something, you know? Imagine using that on a red wood, wouldn't that be quite the sight?"
"I shall consider it in the future, Lily. But frankly, patenting potions that I've already invented hasn't been on my mind lately, I've had other things to concern myself with. Namely my current project."
"Ah. The secret potion you won't tell me about but you hope to complete before our wedding?" Lily asked with a raised brow.
Severus smirked faintly, but gave a nod. "Precisely. If everything goes according to plan however…I should be finished with it before then, even."
"Well I'll certainly be looking forward to it, Sev. Speaking of which, you won't be able to work on your project tonight since our patrol goes until midnight doesn't it?"
"It does," Severus answered, nodding. They rounded the corner and reached the staff entrance to the great hall, a small door in the rear of the room just behind and to the left of the high table. Pushing aside the door, Severus held it open for Lily, then followed her in. As they entered the cavernous hall with it's bight and sunny enchanted ceiling, they found that only a handful of seats at the high table had been occupied at this early hour. Headmaster Dippet was seated in the middle as per usual picking away at his breakfast rather sedately. Oswald, Sapling and Albus were awake as well, that latter of whom flashed his two colleague a warm smile. The rest of the staff, namely; Horace, Hopkins, O'Toole and Abbott. Sophia Abbott, the Care of Magical Creatures Professor that Lily had struck up a friendship with over the past couple weeks beckoned them over with a wave.
"Good morning you two," she greeted with a smile as Lily lowered herself into the seat to her left, while Severus sat himself down on Lily's left. "Wonderful day isn't it?"
Aside from Lily and Severus, Sophia and Horace were the two newest members of the staff, both of them in their mid-twenties and entering their second year as Hogwarts Professors. Sophia's birthday fell just one day before Lily's, January 29th, as a matter of fact and she'd be turning 26 next year.
"Indeed it is, Sophia, Severus and I were planning going out for a walk on the grounds later as a matter of fact. Have you got any plans for today?"
Sophia laughed lightly, but nodded. "As a matter of fact I do," she answered, as she scooped some beans onto her plate. "Just the usual up-keeping duties that need to be done before the start of the year. I received some Bowtruckles yesterday so I'll have to check and see how they're getting on. Oh and I recently got a new Fwooper a few days back, she's not been fully domesticated just yet so I'll have to do some training with her some time today as well—" a fond smile crossed her face, almost as if she were recalling a long-lost memory from her childhood, "she's a rather rambunctious one as far as Fwoopers go. So as you can see, I've got a busy day ahead ."
"Well at least you don't have to patrol tonight," Lily replied gesturing between herself and Severus, "Severus and I have got you covered for that, Sophia."
Sophia flashed her colleague a grateful smile, "it seems I do, thanks for that, Lily, Severus. May I bless with you both with an uneventful patrol this evening devoid of incident."
Severus was not amused, his eyes remained fixed on his bowl of cereal, while Lily let out a hearty laugh.
The meal passed in relative peace and quiet for Severus who mostly ignored the two women discussing the coming week and the start of term expectations he held. As Lily and and Sophia fell deeper into conversation, his mind wandered to what he should expect now as a fully fledged member of the staff. He had high hopes that his new tenure as a teacher would pass better than the last. If not…well then…he'd already put up with a job he hadn't liked for seventeen years in his past life. What's seventeen more?
Half an hour later, Severus and Lily were wandering the grounds, hand in hand, digesting the sumptuous breakfast they'd just finished consuming. The sun was rising, and hidden by a faint layer of cumulus clouds that lent them just enough warmth for it to be comfortable. Lily had decided to exchange her robes for a dress in accordance with the balmy weather, while Severus as always stuck to his black robes. As they began their several-mile long walk around the perimeter of the black lake, they immersed themselves in the sounds, sights and smells of nature. The pines, oaks, spruces and ashes that lined the lake whistled gently in the breeze, said breeze kicked up the surface of the lake in small waves. This would be the last time until the end of the school year when Severus and Lily would get to see the lake and Hogwarts like this, barren of unruly children and with a balmy warmness they wished lasted year round.
"How are you feeling Lily?" Severus wondered, breaking the long-lasting, easy silence that had settled between them. They were nearing the far shore of the lake and had been content to simply be in one another's presence until then.
"About what Severus?" Lily asked, her gaze shifting from the rippling surface of the lake to his curious-looking face.
"The school year. Are you nervous?"
"A little bit," Lily admitted, "I've been thinking about what Cornell and Stephen said…and I think they're sort of right, I'll probably have to be stricter than I planned on being…in the beginning at least so the students don't take advantage of me."
"That would be wise. I did the same in my past life, you know," Severus replied, as he remembered his early days of teaching and the no-nonsense attitude he held. "After all…some of my first students when I start teaching would have seen me as I was when I came into this world, they'd have been first years wouldn't they?"
Lily winced at the memory, James' cruelty that day was terrible…and her's too, leaving Severus on his own at the mercy of the Marauders…who then went on to violate him, it made her stomach churn. "I don't think I ever apologized for that did I?" She whispered quietly, her tone tinged with regret.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Lily. I called you that word, and you rightly exacted vengeance, I don't blame you at all for calling me that…childish name. Believe me, you have nothing to—"
"It's not just that Sev. It's also for…what James did. It was terrible! He pulled your pants off you and he—"
"I do not need that recounted again Lily. I was there after all," Severus interrupted, casting Lily a sardonic glance of dry amusement.
"R—right. But my point still stands, he violated you Sev! And given that he's not here to apologize, he's probably already been resurrected in a new world by now, I want to apologize on his behalf. No one deserved that and least of all you. And I'm sorry too, for smiling that day and calling you that name."
"Your apology wasn't needed," Severus said softly, implying that she'd been forgiven a long time ago. "But it is appreciated nonetheless. Thank you."
"But I digress, going back to what I was saying, I do advise that you…still be you, Lily, but at the same time I would recommend strictness. First and foremost you are their teacher, you are not their friend, nor their counterpart, you are their superior. That needs to established. If you want to befriend them later then by all means go ahead, but do remember that you are there to teach them, not to socialize."
Lily chuckled softly in response, a fond smile forming on her face as she said; "I know that Sev. Of course I'm their teacher, but there's nothing against forging a few bonds with my students along the way you know? But I do get what you mean, I do need to establish some ground rules, and I do plan on doing that as per your advice. I think our teaching styles will be quite different…but I think we'll both be effective as teachers in the end."
"Call me strict all you like, Lily, but my academic results speak for themselves. My students achieved consistently high exam scores throughout my tenure as Potions Professor. I see no reason why that shan't continue during my time as DADA Professor."
"Sometimes I still wonder why I accepted your proposal that day. Honestly, you can be so infuriating at times.," Lily laughed, throwing her fiancee a teasing grin.
Severus merely rolled his eyes, before all of a sudden, spinning Lily by the waist, pulling her to him and kissing her soundly on the lips. Her hands went to his chest, while his encircled her waist and kept her tugged flush against him. He felt her fingers curl into his robes and her mouth slip open. They continued their kiss for a while, before their need of oxygen grew apparent and forced their separation.
"We won't be able to do that for a while will we?" Severus asked.
"As much as it pains me to say this…you're right," Lily answered breathily, smiling up at him as her chest heaved up and down for air.
Her cheeks were dusted pink and the cute dimples that formed in her cheeks when she smiled were on full display. Despite his semi-asphyxiated state, Severus couldn't help himself, not when she looked so ravishing in that moment, her eyes even sparkled challengingly, almost as if she were saying you won't. But he most certainly did, because in a matter of seconds he was on her and was kissing her again, fervently, as if his very life depended on it. All he could think of, all he could feel was Lily, and how amazing it felt to be with her, kissing her. Lack of oxygen? So what. Blurring vision? Who cared. He didn't care if he knocked himself out quite literally in that moment, not when the feeling of Lily's lips on his was so heavenly. Public displays of affection were strictly frowned upon, whether between students, or the staff as well, so they wouldn't get a chance to do this for a while anyways. And since the students would be arriving later that evening by train, this would be one of the last times he and Lily would have any peace and quiet during the day. Come tomorrow, the only alone time he and Lily would get was during the morning and the evening.
After finishing their one-lap stroll around the lake, they arrived back at the path that lead up the sloping hills from the lakeshore up to the castle. It was a bit warmer now and Lily was definitely relishing in her decisions to shed her outer robes in favor of her summer dress. As they walked up to the castle in a comfortable bubble of silence, Severus was glad that Lily had finally realized what she needed to do in order to establish her classroom first and foremost as a place of learning. Secretly, he'd worried Lily would lack the resolve and willingness to fully embrace her role as an educator, but then he'd remembered Lily's two year reign as a Gryffindor prefect and her one year stint as his class' Head Girl. She really was a stickler for the rules if there ever was one, and his recalling of her actions as a figure of authority during their youth put some of his concerns to rest. If push came to shove, he knew full well that Lily could lay down the law and whip her students into shape. He was glad Lily had realized that since she was in a position of power over her pupils, and that if need be, she would have to exercise that power should any student act up.
When they reached the castle, they headed for Merope's and Albus' quarters, hoping to have a chance to catch up with the two of them and Patrick. Unfortunately, it seemed Merope was out, and when they asked Albus, he revealed she'd gone out for a walk of her own on the grounds with Patrick. He claimed it was because she needed some fresh air, and neither Severus or Lily could blame her, the castle could get awfully hot and stuffy during those humid summer months and Merope had been cooped up inside for much of it. They then decided to head back to their own quarters and continue work on their projects, they both used their separate offices for their individual projects to avoid the other catching wind of what they were working on. After all, it wouldn't do for either of them to learn of the other's secret project prematurely, would it?
They continued working on their projects for a few hours, making good progress towards their final products but when the bell rang for lunch, Severus grabbed the soil nutrient vials for Sapling and the two of them left their offices to the great hall. When they found the woman in question in the hall, Severus passed her the soil nutrient vials, but Sapling seemed to have forgotten the Belladonna. She quickly assured Severus that she would send them to him via floo or owl as soon as lunch was finished. Severus promised to hold the forgetful Hufflepuff Head of House to that promise, but to his satisfaction she indeed delivered. The two newest professors finished their lunch promptly and returned to their quarters. Just ten minutes after lunch had finished, a wrapped parcel of twenty Belladonna sprigs shot out of his and Lily's shared fireplace.
By the time evening came Severus and Lily were in their respective positions ready to receive the horde of students returning to, or in some cases, arriving at Hogwarts for the first time ever. Lily was on the platform, helping the youngest students disembark and directing them over to the boats. The Grounds Keeper, Bernard Walters took it from there, guiding the starry-eyed first years to the rickety boats that would carry them across the black lake four at a time. Severus meanwhile was on the other side of the platform, charged with making sure all the returning second through seventh years made it to the carriages. When Lily had finished co-ordinating the starstruck first years, she joined Severus and assisted him in corralling the students into the thestral drawn carriages. Once all the students were loaded and on their way up to the castle, she and Severus entered the last carriage and followed the students back to the castle.
Severus and Lily from within their carriage once again felt like children, spying the towering structure before them that was dimly lit by thousands of lights flickering out into the deep black sky through many windows. It was just something about seeing the castle under the darkness of night, all majestic and glorious, that made even adults feel like children again. Severus and Lily could certainly attest to that as they gazed upon the impressive castle with wide eyes. They truly felt like starry eyed first years again, the two best friends, turned fiancees, were holding hands just like they were when they were eleven and locked eyes on the castle for the first time.
If they thought the outside of the moon-lit castle looked impressive, the inside was on a whole other level. When Severus and Lily entered the great hall, once again, they felt small. Hogwarts had that affect on people and Severus had felt it himself every time he sat for a start of term feast as a Professor for seventeen years in his first life. Even in the commencement of the final year of his life, Headmaster Snape felt like a child upon seeing the antiquated, yet beautiful Great Hall all lit up. Seconds before they were due to enter, Lily reached for his hand and gave it a tight squeeze. Judging by her eyes darting about, as well as the slight trembling in her fingers, she was nervous. Not that Severus could fault her, for he too was incredibly nervous as he took his seat at the high table for the first time in 1980 all those years ago.
Severus and Lily could hear Albus addressing the students in the entrance hall a few rooms over, this was his first year as deputy headmaster so he'd be doing this for the very first time. Hearing his calm, warm voice soothing the nerves of the jittery first years brought Severus and Lily back to their time as frightened first years, and the firm, yet welcoming brogue one Minerva McGonagall spoke with.
"Are you ready Lily?" Severus whispered, as they neared the staff entrance.
"Yeah. Yeah I am Sev," she beamed. "Let's do this."
She leaned up on her toes one more time to share a final brief kiss with the man who was only too willing to oblige. Severus then edged open the door and they were greeted with a cacophony of sounds that wouldn't have been out of place in a circus. Calmly, Severus in the lead, they headed up the steps to the high table and sat down in their respective seats towards the left of the hall. Horace, the newly appointed head of Slytherin was beaming with pride as he gazed out over the students under his charge, he directed his warm smile at his two newest colleagues as they lowered themselves into their chairs to his left.
"Severus, Lily, glad you could join us!"
"We're glad too Horace. The castle looks amazing from the outside!"
"Ah yes, you've never seen it before quite like this have you? It is quite the spectacle! Sophia and myself, were in Hogsmeade this time last year doing what you and Severus did. The sight of the castle all lit up…it truly is a sight to behold."
"You and I are in agreement there, Horace," Severus said, inclining his head at the Potions Professor. "Also I've been meaning to say this, but I believe our little debt has been settled. I managed to brew all the calming draughts Hopkins was asking for in the hospital wing, using my own personal stores mind you, to do so. So I believe that should settle things."
"Oh you've finished already?" Horace asked skeptically, one bushy eyebrow raised high on his forehead. "Well then yes…yes I do believe that settles things then."
Severus nodded in agreement with his colleague's sentiments. Just then, Albus lead the group of sixty-odd first years into the hall, the eleven year olds were all dressed smartly in their new—or in some cases used—Hogwarts robes, and made to stand at the base of the steps to the high table. There, just in front of Dippet in his throne-like chair sat a stool with an aged hat upon it. Albus it seemed still hadn't taken the plunge into wearing gaudy, rainbow-colored robes and was still dressed smartly in a muggle suit. It seemed wearing muggle clothing amongst staff members wasn't so frowned upon now as it was in the future. He directed the nervous first years to stay put at the base of the high table while he ascended the stairs to stand behind the stool, a scroll of all the students' names in hand.
Without further delay, the hat began to belt out its start of term song, naturally, it changed every year, but it was always something along the lines of house unity and relating to events in the wider magical world. This year was no different it seemed. When the hat had finished, Albus began calling up the first years one by one to the hat. Aaron Adams was called first, a short, nervous looking, dark-skinned boy who was promptly sorted into Ravenclaw after a few moments of deliberation by the hat. The sorting continued for close to an hour, each student requiring roughly a minute or so on average. When the last student, Cassandra Yaxley, had been sorted into Slytherin, Albus put away the stool and sorting hat. When Miss Yaxley lowered herself into her seat at the end of the Slytherin bench, to the raucous applause of Slytherin House and their new leader, Slughorn; Dippet got to his feet.
"Welcome, welcome to yet another year of Hogwarts," the Headmaster began, his booming, commanding drawl instantly catching the attention of all the students—and even the staff for that matter. "Now. Firstly, to all of our new students, allow me to extend a warm welcome to all of you. You are now a part of the Hogwarts family, and under our roof, you shall forge friendships and connections that will hopefully last a lifetime. To all of our returning students, welcome back, it is great to see you all among our number once more, and we hope you are all ready to hit the ground running."
"There have been a few staffing changes over the Summer Break, that I wish to announce as well. Our Charms Mistress and Slytherin Head of House Professor Williams retired at the end of last year as all of you returning students are aware. She has been replaced by returning Potions master, Horace Slughorn as the Slytherin Head of House—" there was polite and controlled applause from all four tables at the news, particularly so from the table of Snakes that sat beneath the beaming Potions Master. Horace pushed back from the table and got to his feet. Giving the hall a single wave of recognition, he then sat back down again.
Dippet cleared his throat once Horace sat back down, causing the hall to quiet down rather quickly. "Replacing Professor Williams in the role of Charms Professor, she is no stranger to you all, having given several guest lectures over the past year, so allow me to reintroduce Professor Lily Evans!"
The entire hall, save for a small contingent of Slytherins burst into applause as Lily now stood from her chair. Her smile was bright enough to light up the room as she gave numerous waves to the arrayed students before her. Only when she sat back down did the applause begin to recede.
"That is not the only staffing change this year, merely one of two. Our beloved Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor has also taken his long overdue retirement. Professor Bracket, much like Professor Williams shall be missed…but I am sure that his successor is more than up to the task to fill the shoes he left behind. Allow me to reintroduce you all to Professor Severus Snape, our New Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."
Much like Horace's announcement as the new head of Slytherin House, the applause that greeted him was controlled and polite. Severus didn't bother standing, he merely gave a single nod of approval from his seated position, precisely how he reacted when Albus introduced him as Potions Professor in his last life. Bearing witness to his sedate response, Lily cast him a curious look, but didn't say anything.
"Replacing Professor Bracket as my Deputy Headmaster is our resident Head of Gryffindor House, Albus Dumbledore. And our new Head of Ravenclaw House is Professor Oswald," Dippet continued, prompting more applause for the two new appointees just when Severus' applause was dying down.
"That is all for our start of term staffing changes, to our new students, I am sure you will soon be well acquainted with your Professors once term commences," Dippet said calmly.
"For our start of term notices, do take note that any rule breaking or misdemeanors, especially harassment and bullying of any kind is not tolerated and shall be punished severely. Any instances of assault, verbal, physical or magical on another student shall be dealt with swiftly and harshly. Furthermore, the forbidden forest is exactly that, forbidden. Do refrain from venturing near it, lest a point loss and detention be the least of your worries." He let his ominous statement hang in the air for a moment. "Lastly, Professor Abbott has been raising several creatures that she intends to introduce to you all on the grounds near the west wing of the castle. All students are to keep their distance at her expressed concern. That is all for our start of term notices," he paused, then with a smile, added; "With that out of the way, I believe it is time…for the feast to commence."
Dippet clapped his hands and instantly, the five tables filled with food from a range of cuisines from all over the world, prepared by the diligent Hogwarts kitchen staff. "As the Muggles say, I believe it is time to 'dig in'."
Some of the muggleborn students laughed, but the remainder merely began piling their plates high with the delicious fare arrayed before them. To Severus' relief, the meal passed without incident, and the students filed out of the hall following their prefects in a timely manner. When the meal had concluded, the Heads of House, namely; Horace for Slytherin, Albus for Gryffindor, Oswald for Ravenclaw, and May for Hufflepuff led their students away to their dorms, and the rest of the staff followed Dippet to the teacher's lounge. Once there, he delivered a few more notices as well as his wish that there be more student or teacher led clubs for the coming school year. Lily in particular was tickled pink at the suggestion, seeing it as an opportunity to coach the more gifted charms casters in her classes in greater depth and hopefully help them hone their skills in her favorite discipline outside of the classroom.
Dippet then bade goodnight and good luck to his colleagues before retiring to his quarters, the rest of the staff did the same shortly after. While the more senior professors went to sleep, Severus' and Lily's night was just beginning. Dippet was kind enough to provide a map to each of them detailing the standard patrol routes teachers and Prefects took. Naturally, Severus didn't need it since a brief glance told him that the patrol routes under Albus' reign as Headmaster were in fact identical to the patrol routes Dippet has just handed them. Lily however kept an eye on her map, seeking to memorize it as soon as she could. Thankfully, it seemed Sophia's prayer at Breakfast was heard since their two-hour long patrol passed without incident and they were able to retire to their quarters at Midnight.
Returning to their quarters, they kicked off their robes and quickly swapped them for their nightwear. Lily fell asleep first, Severus' arms around her calmed her right down and thus allowed her to drift off fairly quickly. Severus took a while longer, but Lily's rhythmic breathing, and the soft exhales of her breath against his chest soon lulled him to sleep as well. His last thoughts before sleep overtook him being a sudden sense of irony at being a teacher once more in this new life. Albeit this time by choice teaching a discipline that he genuinely loved and wanted to teach. He hoped for better things this time around.
A/N: And so begins their 20-year Hogwarts career. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and that you stick around for the next one.