Chapter 1 - Letters and Acceptances

She absolutely didn't want to work there! But it was her last choice. Teaching at Hogwarts wasn't her idea of a dream job, but being an American it was hard to find good work in the wizarding world.

American wizards were given a reputation for being terrible workers with no work ethics at all. Wizards who didn't know who to properly use their wands, which was untrue. An American wizard was as good as the next, just not in the eyes of the wizarding world.

Her name was Athena Smithton; she grew up in a Muggle city called Pittsburgh. She attended a wizarding school called Churchill's Academy of Witchcraft, an all girls school that was just outside of Pittsburgh.

She wasn't the smartest or prettiest, but at least she knew what to do when Dark Magic was around. Even though she skimmed through school, she excelled in her school's subject Resistance of Dark Magic. Which was exactly like Hogwart's Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Her owl, Apollo, flew in through her bay windows carrying a yellowed envelope. A seal stamped on the back had the Hogwart's crest on it, with its saying "Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titilandus".

She slowly opened the envelope; it was her last chance at a job. The letter read:

Dear Ms. Athena Smithton,

As you do know we are in dire need of a professor with experience in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Due to your outstanding resume and references we have decide to hire you. It will be a great honor to have you teaching at our school. You are expected to arrive any some time in August 1st through 31st.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

&

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster

She set the letter down and plopped down on her sofa. She didn't want to be a professor; she wanted to be an Auror. She didn't want squawking children who didn't know the difference between a real vampire and a boggart. She wanted to be out fighting against Voldermort and his henchmen, not at a desk grading damn essays.

But what could she do? The Ministry wouldn't hire her no matter what! Even though she didn't want to teach those children, she was grateful to Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore, who actually considered her and hired her. Hopefully it wouldn't be so bad after all!

*~*~*~*~

It was August 14th, Athena decided to head to Hogwarts tomorrow morning. It was a long trip from her flat in downtown London to Hogwarts. The Hogwarts Express wasn't running yet so she had to apparate to Hogsmeade where a carriage would be waiting for her.

She collected all her personal items, especially a necklace her grandfather gave her before he died. It was a golden-chained necklace, with a sapphire pendant that was the size of an American quarter. The necklace was an heirloom; it belonged to her grandfather's great-great-great-great grandmother. It was given to her as a wedding gift.

Athena's grandfather wanted to give to her as a wedding gift, but that time never came. He gave it to her several hours before his death; he knew he was going to die.

Finally once all her belongings were gathered; she decided to apparate to Hogsmeade. She stood in her den looking around the room. She pondered for a moment, was she forgetting anything?

Apollo suddenly hooted. She glanced at the windowsill where he was perched. "Apollo? What are you doing here?" she questioned as she ruffled his feathers. There was a letter sitting on the windowsill. She opened the letter and it read:

To Miss Athena Smithton,

Congratulations on your acceptance as the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. I do hope you however reconsider your position. Many things will happen at Hogwarts this year, which will bring its downfall.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Friend

What? Someone was trying to scare her out of her of her job. This was the only job she could get and she wasn't going to give it up because of some hoax. She folded up the letter and stuffed it in her pocket; she would make sure Dumbledore saw this.

"Thank-you Apollo," she replied.

~*~*~*~*~

She then apparated to Hogsmeade; she wasn't very fond of apparating but it was the quickest way there. Waiting there was a small horseless carriage. But standing in front of the carriage were two men who seemed to be glaring at each other and one who leaned against the carriage and rolled his eyes.

She slowly approached and said, "Hello I'm Athena Smithton, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Isn't this the carriage going to Hogwarts?"

The three men snapped their heads and looked at her. The man who was leaning against the carriage then said, "Ah yes Ms. Smithton, how are you? I'm Remus Lupin and this fellow over here is Sirius Black, and this man is Severus Snape."

Sirius stepped closer to her and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you mademoiselle." He kissed her hand and looked up at her.

She smiled and pulled her hand away. "It's nice to meet you as well," she replied with a fake smile. She then looked over at the man called Severus Snape. "Hello Sir!"

He stepped forward and sneered. "It's nice to meet you." She smiled.

"Well," said the man Remus Lupin, "Into the carriage." Helped Athena into the carriage and put several of her luggage cases onto the roof and tied them down. Sirius got in after Athena and sat next to her.

"I hope you don't mind that I sit next to you?" he asked with a sly smile.

She faked another smile at him and said, "No, I don't."

As she said that, the man named Severus stepped into the carriage and sat down across from her. "For goodness sakes Black, can you not tell this woman doesn't want you near here?"

"She said it was fine that I sit next to her," said Sirius, "Besides Snape it seems like you want to sit next to her. Do you fancy her or something?"

As Sirius said that, Remus finally stepped into the carriage and stated, "Not again! Will you shut-up and let Athena enjoy her ride up to the castle?"

Both men shut there mouths and looked out the carriage windows. Athena mouthed "Thank you!" to Remus who mouthed back "Welcome!"

The rest of the ride they were all silent. Which was perfect for Athena, she rather not here the two men bickers back and forth about her.

Finally she saw the castle it was beautiful! Large towers the seemed to touch the sky with beautiful intricate stone walls, and a beautiful lake that glittered as the sun shone on it.

She said softly, "It's beautiful!"

"It's home," said Severus. She glanced over at him as he even stared out at the castle.

The carriage finally made it up to the castle. The three men got out first and she then got out. She tripped and grabbed on the closet thing near her, which just happened to be Severus.

He caught her, just as she landed into his arms. "Thank-you," she said, as her cheeks blushed a light crimson.

"I think you need to be more careful," he sneered at her as she stood up.

Sirius then grabbed her arm and linked it with his. "Let me escort you to the castle," he said softly.

"That would be lovely," she lied. Loosening her arm from his tight grip.

"Oh Sirius, I just remembered Hagrid wanted to see you!" said Remus.

"Damn," muttered Sirius, "I'm sorry Miss but maybe later we can take that walk." He kissed her on the cheek and left.

Athena walked over towards Remus and said, "I owe you!"

"Sirius is a really nice guy, he just tends to flirt a little to much when a pretty lady is around. He also tends not to see the signals at she has no interest."

"Is that obvious," she said as they walked up to the castle.

"Quite!" he replied.

She smiled and looked ahead, where Severus was walking several meters in front of them. "What's his story?" she asked Remus.

"Who Severus?" he questioned.

"Yeah, he seems…different," she stated.

"Severus is a very private person, and I'm afraid the only person who can tell you his story is himself. I know his story but if you want to know it talk to him," Remus stated.

"So I take it will be a challenge then?" she asked, "Good I like challenges."

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**Well there ya go, my first chapter! I do apologize for never finishing any of my other stories (except One Sweet Day that was only meant to be one chapter!) Anyways like I said, I apologize! I tend to start things and end up with ENORMOUS Writer's blocks. Luckily for this one I wrote it a year ago and have already finished it. I may make a few changes, but it should stay around the same ending.

Thank-you so much for reading my story, I really appreciate it. Also I would appreciate more if you review! PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! It would make me so happy and I would be able to feel like there are people reading my story and I'll add more chapters! Thanks Again!

-Eva Dumbledore -