I stormed into the Great Hall, making my effectively dark entrance. The gluttonous students, already chomping happily away on their bangers and mash, stared at me through greasy, dripping mouthfuls. An especially repulsive first year's potato bits tumbled out his slackened jaw. Three points from Gryfindor, Mr. Boskett. Do close your mouth when you're eating. Perhaps the rest of us wish to retain our appetites.
He turned bright red and tried, unsuccessfully, to swing himself around so that his back would be facing me. Instead, he just managed to get himself jammed between the bench and table, and required assistance to ease his excessively large bottom out. All the Gryfindors stared at me, their round, accusatory eyes following my every move. Even Ron Weasley's daughter had her jaw squared defiantly at me, until I gave her my infamous glares. She reddened immediately, and ducked her head beneath the table.
I heard another voice, just as nasty, taking points from another house. I was shocked, after all, I was the only professor antisocial enough to deduce points this early on in the year.
Eight points from Slytherin, Sedakis. Don't let me catch you stealing another student's familiar again. It was the Hermione Granger I had never seen, her brown eyes hardened and steely, and her voice so commandeering, even I was forced to grant her some credit. , I said, striding over to her, what is the meaning of this? Why, exactly, are you taking points from my house, when I am clearly the only one with the privilege to do so?. She glared at me, Because you just never seem to take advantage of the opportunity, Professor Snape. I warned your students that I will not tolerate their bullying, insufferable ways. I smirked at her, crossing my arms, and tapping my foot. Are you waiting for something, Snape?, she said testily, raising an eyebrow, holding what appeared to be a bright blue ferret. Oh, are you finished? I was expecting more rubbish to fall out of the overly large mouth of yours, I said softly.
She flushed and said nothing, shoving past me. I could not help noticing how very good the lavender smelled on her, especially when it wafted from her hair. The Slytherins stared hatefully at her retreating back, her mass of fluffy hair bouncing angrily with each punctuated step. Good gods, I can't believe that's the mudblood bitch we have to teach our maths.
I suddenly realized where I was. Four points, Rilke. There will no insulting of teachers, I began, still seeing Granger make her way past the tables, up to Lupin, .
The girl who made the comment stared at me, her dull eyes full of shock. I pressed my lips in a thin smile at her, I trust the rest of you can eat your meals in silence for once?. I had no idea what suddenly spurred my vindictive mood, even at my own house. I frowned at them once before walking towards the teachers table, still mulling the mystery.
I didn't see Remus Lupin, who has an apparent ability to vanish and reappear in places where he is either extremely unwanted or he knows that his presence will create a nuisance. Unfortunately for myself, seeing him usually means both. I nearly knocked him over in a concerted effort to quickly make it to the teacher's table without seeing him or Granger along the way. He smiled very, very broadly, his white teeth glinting in the light.
, he began, gripping my elbow very tightly and guiding me to a corner just left of the table. What the hell are you doing, Lupin? Detach yourself from me this instant, I hissed, furious that he should have the audacity to touch me without consent. Just a moment, old boy. There are matters we need to discuss, he said quietly. I stopped, . He gave me an exasperated and imploring look that told me he didn't want to talk to me any more than I wished to converse with him.
For once, Severus, stop asking questions and just trust me. I snorted, I believe the last time I trusted you, it involved a homicidal willow tree and a brute of a dog. He glared at me, his light colored eyes narrowing, Listen, Severus, you know perfectly well that's not what I'm talking about.
Than what exactly are we supposed to be discussing?, I asked, honestly confused. You saw me this morning, climb out after Hermione. I'm just making sure you're not jumping to any of the wrong conclusions..., he stated, staring at my face for some kind of inference to draw. I will make up my own mind about such matters, Remus, without your kind interruption, I said coldly. , he snapped, if you really want to draw it out, she was brewing a potion for me. It was now my turn to became incensed.
I believe, after the last time I have checked, that I have indeed remained the potions master of this school. Although perhaps Miss Granger thinks that a few courses at the Oxford Wizardry School will qualify her, she is quite mistaken. If there is a potion you need, it is I you must speak to, not Professor Granger, I sneered. Lupin looked livid, and from the way his knuckles tightened as he clenched his fists, I could tell he was not far from throttling me. Perhaps you are correct, Severus, that she does not have the magnanimous talents you possess. But I find both her ego and her potions easier to induce, he said quietly, and quickly took a seat next to Minerva who eyed me suspiciously. I glared at her, which sent the woman's very spectacles shaking with indignation.
I took my own seat, shoving aside the chair, and gruffly pulling it up beneath me. Hagrid looked curiously at me, Bee in yer bonnet, professor?. I shook my head, pressing my lips into an even thinner line. Granger gave me an odd look from the head of the table, and I saw that Lupin was still staring angrily into space , five minutes after we had spoken.
Dumbledore leaned close to me, and whispered, So it seems that our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher is not the only person who endowed with an animalistic temperament . I could do nothing but glare fiercely at him, and he merely raised his eyebrows and shrugged very slightly.
Suddenly, Hooch stuck her overly large snout into air and took three, precise whiffs. New perfume, Severus?.
I purpled and slouched lower in my seat. I was not looking forward to see how the year progressed.
















A/N: AHA! I TOLD YOU! *points excitedly towards part of chapter* HERMIONE AND LUPIN ARE NOT INVOLVED!