Trouble in The Staff Room
Chapter Four: Threats

The end of the year loomed nearer and nearer. Snape spent the remainder of the holidays in an almost drunken state. He had received hate owls and howlers. The owls had been anonymous but hurt more than the howlers. People could shout abuse at him until the cows came home, but Snape would not keel to their pathetic cries. The words however, dug into him and hurt him. What was more they were anonymous, and had been written using letters cut out the papers, so that he could not tell who had sent them. They hurt him more, because it could be any one of his once so-called friends.
Snape finished of his glass of Brandy and looked out of the school grounds. He didn't see the greenness of the fields, just the blackness of his pain. The school would be coming back from their six weeks holidays and Severus did not feel up to teaching or even being around.

His pain hurt more than ever.

* * *

Professor Flitwick sat in his house in Northern Ireland. He had spent the holidays thinking about his future at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. All ready he had applied to several other magical schools, all but one was willing to take him on as a Charms Master and Merlyn's Academy for Advanced Magical Education (A/N: Wizard university) had even offered to take him on as Head of Charms and a Duelling Master.
It wasn't a difficult decision he had to make, just think about leaving a very well paid and respected job at Hogwarts and going to work for one of the top Advanced Magical Education school. The only moral issue was giving a reason to Professor Dumbledore for his sudden wish of change.
Of course, that wouldn't be too hard, surely Dumbledore had realised that many of the staff would wish to leave when Severus Snape revelled to them who he was.
Imagine what he would do to the male pupils Flitwick let a shudder run down his spine it's not natural, therefore how can I work with someone likethat.

* * *

Dear Sir, I beg to place before you some facts for you to consider at your convenience.
To whom is may Concern

Binns lay down his quill and thought for a moment. What was he going to lay before the board? Ah yes, the facts about Severus Snape.

I presume you are award of the sexuality of a certain member of the staff at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I believe that it would be wrong of me not to speak out for my fellow staff members and for the good of the students.
Severus Snape may impose a certain risk and cause many people to be uncomfortable around him, which I believe to be an inconvenience all round. I must ask you to

He stopped writing, unable to what to think of next.

* * *

I can't go on, it hurts too much. My life doesn't seem worth living and I can't go on. I got more threatening owls today, I wish I had never told anyone, I wish I hadn't even been born. I wish, oh how I wish that James Potter had let me die instead of saving me from Lupin.

* * *

My dear diary,
I believe my letters are beginning to take effect on Severus Snape. It has shown more agitation and has been drinking heavily over the last few days. Soon I will be able to get him kicked out of that school for not just gross conduct but for being drunk. Oh, how I shall make him suffer until he wishes to re-join with his master, the traitor must be punished!

* * *

Hagrid looked over to his friend, he was sitting alone and had refused to join him for anything, he had said that Hagrid would he ridiculed and threatened if he associated himself with him. Hagrid did not for one minute believe that, but well, it was best to go along with what Severus said, he could be very demanding sometimes.
A large tawny owl flew in through the doors to the great hall, it carried a letter and much to Hagrid's surprise it flew towards him. Hagrid opened it:

DeAr HaGrId
I KnOw YoU aRe In SoMeWaY gOiNg WiTh ThE gAy BaStArD sNaPe. StAy AwAy FrOm HeRe OtHeRwIsE I WiLl GeT yOu.
Be WaRnEd

He gulped, that's what Severus had meant by he would become a target. No wonder Snape looked scared and alone. Poor kid Hagrid said to himself I know there ain't ought in these here rumours, but I gotta sort it out.
He began to think out ways he could sort this out, he could do it himself, get someone else to do it or write to Professor Dumbledore and explain the situation to him.
The latter answer seemed the best, safest and Professor Dumbledore had more influence over the village, and well, Hagrid knew better than resort to violence of any kind.

* * *

My Dear Diary
Haha! I got the giant Hagrid, soon the village will be talking about him as well as Snape, with a bit of luck I might be able to kill two birds with one stone. That pathetic giant that should not teach will be gone along with the traitor.

* * *

I am scared, I don't know why, well I do know why. Hagrid got some of those hateful letters today, how can I allow my friends to be drawn into this?

* * *

Dear Professor Dumbledore
Due too new and un-avoidable circumstances I shall be leaving Hogwarts to start a new job at Merlyn's. The job is one I have wanted to do for some time, and I believe will show my true abilities as a teacher.
I am sure this resignation comes to know shock to you and I hope you understand the reason which I have felt not to revel in this letter, but I assume that you realise what it is.
Yours Sincerely
Frederick Flitwick
Prof. Charms, B.A, MmEd, Duellist 1st Class

* * *

to reconsider your decision to allow Severus Snape to teach at Hogwarts.
He is a good teacher and well qualified but due to the recent exposure, it would not be healthy to employ a teacher like that in a school that is made up of a considerable amount of males. I do hope you take into account my plea, and hopefully act in the appropriate way.
Yours faithfully
Albert Binns