Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Actually I don't own anything, not even the clothes I'm wearing. But you didn't need to know that. LOL

A/N: this is my first fanfic. So plz be nice! R&R!!!

~ The Favor ~

Professor Severus Snape knocked on the door to Professor Dumbledore's office.

"Come in," the soft voice of Dumbledore came through the door.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Snape asked as he opened the door. The headmaster was going through some papers on his desk.

"Yes, yes. Sit down."

Snape shut the door and sat in one of the squashy chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"Well, you are probably wondering why I wanted to see you," Dumbledore began.

Snape merely nodded his head.

"Well, as you know, the school year starts in only one short month and we still don't have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Yes, horrible what happened to Professor Clay," Snape interjected.

"Well, the position has been said to be jinxed," Dumbledore chuckled, "but anyway, on to the reason I requested your presence."
Professor Snape straightened in his chair. Perhaps this was it. Perhaps this was the year he would finally be asked to take the position he had longed for since he had begun teaching at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"I have selected someone to fill the position," Dumbledore's voice interrupted his thoughts, "She's a very bright witch. I think she'd be a very nice contribution to the school . . ."

Snape stopped listening at this point. A witch? A witch was going to get the position? The position Snape had coveted for so long? How could this have happened?
"So, what do you think?" Dumbledore finished, "Severus?"
"I'm sorry, what were you saying Professor?" Snape asked.

"I said Katya Poiston, the witch I want to hire, is a very talented witch, especially when it comes to fighting the dark arts. However, she also has a passion for potions," he stopped talking to muse over his clever alliteration before continuing, "She has taken all the potions classes taught at the University and wants to study with an expert. I told her I would talk to you about it if she would take the job."
Snape stared at the headmaster. As if it wasn't bad enough that this woman, Katya was it? As if it wasn't bad enough that she had taken what he had wanted, now she wanted to take what he already had? He wouldn't stand for this.

"Professor, I'm afraid there aren't enough hours in the day for me to teach her. She will have to find another expert and, I suppose, another job," Snape replied.

"Nonsense Severus! You can teach her during your free hour!"

"But that's my free hour."

Dumbledore shook his head, "Severus, we, meaning the students and staff, need a defense against the dark arts teacher. Katya comes with the highest recommendations and qualifications. You of all people should know how important it is to have the best education possible in this area of magic. Especially with Lord Voldemort on the rise again."

Snape lowered his head in defeat, "Very well, I will teach the little b, I mean, witch." And he left the office.

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and sighed. Thank goodness that was over with.