Bad Blood

Professor Dumbledore made his final announcement at the start-of-term feast.

"I would like to introduce you to our new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher." Dumbledore said grinning. Severus Snape grunted. He knew the headmaster hired yet another teacher over him. He silently sneered; thinking how all the others turned out. One was the Dark Lord's supporter, another an imbecile poster-boy, a werewolf and let us not forget Mad Eye Moody, who was not really Moody. With any luck this teacher will also suffer from the well-known "jinx" and leave after one school year. Who knows maybe eventually Dumbledore will run out of options and be forced to give the job to Snape. As it was Snape took little to no interest in the new teacher, staying in his Dungeon most of the time and only knew she was female and her last name was Epaulets.

"Professor Eve Epaulets." The students cheered and Professor Epaulets stood briefly. As the name dawned on him Snape looked across the table at the new teacher. She was tall and thin, in her late twenties-early thirties, had long cascading, silky black hair and deep-blue eyes. She had a nice, gentle face and a warm smile. After all the students headed to their dorms, Snape walked over to the new teacher. She was conversing with Professor McGonagall.

"Eve?" Snape asked quietly. At the sound of her name the professor turned around and Professor McGonagall excused herself. Snape eyed her intently waiting for her response.

The moment she saw him a light of recognition shone in her eyes. "Sev!" She cried, throwing her arms around his neck. Several students stood and stared at the hugging professors, including Harry, Ron and Hermione. Snape eyed them coldly.

"I would suggest that you head to your dorms, before I begin to take off points from your separate houses." He said stonily. Harry, Ron and Hermione hurried to their common room.

"Wow!" said Ron shocked. "What was THAT about? Did you see the way they were hugging?"

"Don't remind me", Harry muttered. It was hard for him to believe that Snape could care about anyone. Even more so to believe that a young attractive woman would care about him. "I'm still trying to forget I ever saw that!"

"What do you think is happening between the two?" Hermione asked curiously. "I mean, it's obvious they've met before."

"Oh Hermione", Ron berated. "For someone with so much brain, you hardly ever use it!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked him icily, folding her arms.

"They're lovers!" Ron cried, throwing his hands in the air.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Or they're just old friends." She offered.

"Yeah, I think it's more likely that they're friends than lovers." Harry agreed. "Can you imagine them-"

"No and I prefer to keep it that way." Ron said disgusted.

"What's it to you anyway?" Hermione asked playfully. "Jealous?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Of who? HER?" All three of them started laughing. A slow smile began to spread across his face.

"I tell you, that teacher deserves better than Snape."

"Oh Ron, I've seen the way you looked at her during dinner." Hermione said smiling. "You were practically cleaning the plates with your drool." Harry stifled a laugh as Ron turned red.

"Yeah? Well… At least I didn't fancy a stupid pretty-face like Lockhart!" Now it was Hermione's turn to blush.

"At least HE wasn't seeing the nastiest teacher in the world!" She cried.

"They're not SEEING each other, they're JUST friends!" Ron shouted back.

"You're the one that said they fancied each other in the first place!" Hermione yelled.

"I was wrong! It makes more sense that they're friends and-"

"Will you two stop fighting!" Harry said annoyed. "You're bound to wake up all of Gryffindor!"

Ron and Hermione looked at each other and without a word headed to their separate hallways. Harry quickly followed Ron. They went to their room and went to sleep. Before falling asleep Harry heard Ron muttering:

"Me? In love with that teacher? Absurd!"

And as sleep began to take over the two Harry thought he heard Ron whisper:

"Though I wouldn't mind if she stayed more than a year…"

OK, that's it for this chapter, what did you think? Please review, it's my first fic and if you don't like I won't write any more and I'll quit while I'm behind and cry in my room. Oh, and what's beta readers? If it's people who read and review before you post it, then I can use someone.

-Ivy-