Chapter One

I can see the door…

For Professor Snape, October the twenty-eighth started out like any other day. He awoke at precisely 4:00 am, graded students' incomplete and idiotic papers until 7:00am, and then headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast.  He had no idea that today would change his life far more than when he became a spy for Albus Dumbledore or when Voldemort had finally been defeated.

He stormed into the Great Hall and took his customary seat beside the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Remus Lupin. Magically, his coffee cup filled with his favorite dark roast coffee.

"Good Morning, Severus," Remus Lupin wiped his face as he turned to Snape. "Did you see today's article on Harry? The new journalist for the Daily Prophet did a wonderful in depth article on how he defeated Voldemort."

"Mm." Snape growled turning toward Madam Hooch as he angrily took a swig of his dark roast. Damn that boy! Snape thought, every morning that grubby little prick was in his Advanced Potions class. Snotty little shit! Just the thought of having to teach that brat was enough to make him sick to his stomach. Like father, like son.

Swooping down towards Professor Snape's position at the table, a large gray owl dropped a package on his empty place setting.

"Oh, what is this?" Snape murmured. 

Professor Severus Snape,

Potions Master, Hogwarts,

            We, of THE POTION'S GUILD are writing to inform you that a new potion has been brought to our attention. It's creator, Potion Mistress Marilyn Maggs, died shortly after creating it. Upon her death it was discovered, but she left no note as to what she meant it for, just a list of the materials needed in acquiring the potion (which we have included on a separate roll of parchment.)

            Your expert skills of analysis are greatly needed, Professor Snape. Many of THE POTION'S GUILD have tried but failed to determine what the purpose of the potion is. We are certain you will succeed where others have failed and are well aware that you are up to the challenge.

Nathaniel Leon

Keeper of Potions

THE POTION'S GUILD

"Humm," Snape grinned a totally evil grin. So, the Potion Guild wanted him back in the fold. Probably because most of the Potion's Guild are egotistical windbags and dunderheads that couldn't solve the simplest of puzzles. Well, they finally realized that this potion (like most in their case) needed his penetrating intellect and, of course, he is more than willing to oblige them.

Picking up the crystal blue potion bottle between his forefinger and thumb as if it were the Hope diamond and he a connoisseur of priceless gems, Snape smiled. Today was finally looking up.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hermione Granger laughed as her best friends, Harry and Ron, reenacted Harry's spectacular catch of the snitch from yesterday's game. Ever since Harry defeated Voldemort, life has been sweet. Hermione thought with a grin, her future is looking up.

Down to the dungeons Hermione, Harry, and Ron dashed, not knowing that a strange and wonderful child was waiting in the dark, waiting for the sparkle of creation, when the door of life will open for her and allow her into the light.