(Disclaimer: The persons do not belong to me, but to JKR.)

Black rose

Chapter 1 : The Arrival

Told by Muriel Stern

Today is may first day in Hogwarts. For this year I am the new teacher for Defence against the Dark Arts. As an auror it should be easy for me to teach harmless children, but I am extremely nervous. The reason why I acceptet this Job is not the pleasure in children nor in teaching, oh no.

I cannot go on working as an auror, because I don't have the nerves anymore and I also lost my inner balance. My last task as an auror didn't end according to plan. It was horrible. I hobe I will, as a teacher in Hogwarts, get back the hang of my life, to fight the evil again.

But at the moment the excitement of Hogwarts is enough for me.

As I didn't go to school here, I don't know the castle nor the teachers. The only one I met is Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts.

I have now been two days in London and have visited the well-known Diagon Alley. In the "Leaky Cauldron" I ate something and had the opportunity to learn more about Hogwarts. Nearly everyone had to tell something about the teachers or the students. One name I memorized. It was mentioned nearly everywhere: Severus Snape, the potionsmaster. It is said, there is no potion he cannot brew. But also words like 'arrogant' and 'cold' were used. Well, we will see what Severus Snape is like.

At last the Hogwarts Express arrives. I'm eager to start my new job.

* * *

After five hours in the train, I woke up covered in sweat. I had this nightmare again, which has tortured me for three months. I went straight to the toiletroom to refresh myself. I wanted to make a good impression on my first day. A short time later the Hogwarts Express arrived in Hogsmeade. It was the 31. august. I arrived a day before the students to have enough time to get to know the premises. Of course also to meet the other teachers and get prepared.

As I got off the train it was raining slightly and the dusk came up. On the platform stood a hudge man with black hair and a beard. He held up a plate on which was written in golden letters: Professor Muriel Stern.

I went to him straight away. By Albus Dumbledore's prescription I recognized him at once. „You must be Rubeus Hagrid." I said smilingly.

„He looked at me in surprise. „Are you Professor Stern?"

„Yes," I answered. „Did you expect someone else?"

He looked at me disbelievingly. „Oh... well, I oh, I thought an auror would look different."

„Are you disappointed?" I asked him and had to bite back a grin.

I was used to this sort of reaction. With my delicate figure and a height of not quite 1 Meter 60 I really wasn't the typical auror. In plus I only was 28 years old.

Hagrid looked a bit ashamed and turned away. „No, in contrari. Hm, where do you have your cases? I will bring them to the carriage."

We went back to the train and got my stuff. A short time later we arrived at Hogwarts. Its size made a deep impression. Hogwarts was a hudge castle with four imposant towers which symbolized the different houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.

„Nervous?" Hagrid asked suddenly.

I looked at him and said „Yes, a bit."

„You don't need to, Dumbledore is a good and fair man."

"Thanks," I said and climbed out of the carriage as it held in front of the main portal. There Albus Dumbledore already awaited me. „Welcome Muriel," he said effusively. „I am pleased to welcome you in Hogwarts."

I smiled a little. „It is all my pleasure."

„May I show you in and present you the other teachers? The are all in the Great Hall and waiting for you," said Dumbledore.

„Yes, please." I followed the Headmaster into the castle, while Hagrid said he would bring my luggage into my rooms.

As we reached the Great Hall I hesitated a bit. The enormous room with the bewitched ceiling, the many empty rooms on which tomorrow students would sit and not at last the teacher's table in the far middle with all the teachers of Hogwarts made me feel uneasy. Again I asked myself if I could manage this job.

Most of the teachers were discussing and did not notice the Headmaster and me. The only one that looked at me from the first step I made into the Hall was a slim man with long black hair, deep black eyes and a pale skin. He wore a dark green cape. He didn't really look good, but had a striking face and something about him really fascinated me. I knew this must be Severus Snape, the Potionsmaster.

Albus Dumbledore cleared his throat and said: „May I ask for your attention for a moment, please?"

The discussion stopped and they all looked at me.

„This is Professor Muriel Stern. She is going to teach Defence against the Dark Arts for this year. After her six years as an auror she brings all the knowledge to correspond to this job."

I was aware of Snapes look as the Headmaster introduced me to each teacher. His glance seemed to burn on my skin. I already said Hello to the Professors Flitwick, Trewlaney, Sprout and McGonagall when we came to Professor Severus Snape.

I smiled at him and said: „I am very pleased to meeting you, Professor. I have heard a lot about you."

He too smiled but this smile didn't seem to reach his eyes.

„I too am pleased that our Headmaster," he cast a mysterious look at Dumbledore, „round such a good teacher for Defence against the Dark Arts."

This sentence seemed to be filled with sarcasm. I already knew about the problem, that Severus wanted to have my job for a long time and that Dumbledore hadn't given it to him out of a secret reason. This was one the things I had heard in the Diagon Alley for many times.

Dumbledore shook his head slightly and lead me on the other teachers.

TBC