Disclaimer: I don't own anything that belongs to J.K. Rowling (duh)

~ Katya Poiston ~

Severus looked up and down the staff table. It had been a month since his conversation with Dumbledore and he had yet to meet his new "student." His search was in vain. All he saw were the usual tired faces of Hogwarts teachers. Just then the Great Hall doors opened and students began to pour in. Snape quickly collected himself and glared at the students as they entered.

Soon everyone was seated and Professor McGonagall began the sorting.

"Avery, Paula!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Bell, Kay Lynn!"

"Gryffindor!"

Just as McGonagall called out, "Forrest, Luke!" The Great Hall doors opened and a tall, brunette witch ran in panting.

"I am so sorry I'm late!" She said in a strange accent.

"It's perfectly alright Professor Poiston," Professor Dumbledore said, "Students I would like you all to meet Professor Katya Poiston, your new defense against the dark arts teacher."
The witch gave a tiny wave as her cheeks turned a bright shade of red that could rival Ron Weasley's hair. Realizing that she was prolonging dinner even further, she quickly took her seat at the staff table. Right next to Snape.

The sorting was finished and Dumbledore gave the usual announcements. Everyone's stomachs were growling by the time Dumbledore finally said, "Let's eat!" Food magically appeared on the plates and the Great Hall was soon full of the sounds of people eating and enjoying themselves.

Severus took this time to study the new professor. She was tall with a slim figure. Her waist length brown hair had a red tint to it and she had clearest blue eyes . . . wait a sec. What was he doing? He couldn't care less what she looked like.

* * *

Snape was so involved with his thoughts that he didn't realize he was staring at Katya. Luckily she didn't notice, but that didn't mean no one did.

"Hey guys, would get a look at Snape!" exclaimed Ron Weasley.

"He looks like he wants to laugh and cry at the same time," his girlfriend, Hermione Granger added.

"Probably bitter about not getting the DADA job again," their mutual friend, Harry Potter added, "What d'you think Ginny?"

"Huh, what?" Ginny Weasley had been busy staring at Slytherin table.

Ron rolled his eyes, "Ginny," he said as though he were talking to a child, "you can see Draco anytime. Merlin only knows you saw him plenty over the summer."

Ginny sighed. She didn't want to get into this with Ron right now. "I think I'm done," she said as she got up and made her way to the Slytherin table.

* * *

Snape left the feast early. When Katya had not shown up in time for the feast he had thought perhaps he had gotten out of having to teach her. Taking the DADA position he could forgive, but taking his free hour, especially when all his other free time was spent on the war with Voldemort. No, he could not get over losing the only time he had to himself.

Suddenly he heard squealing down the hall. He decided to investigate. He soon came upon Ginny Weasley. She was pinned to the floor by Draco Malfoy who was tickling her mercilessly.

"Draco!" Ginny giggled, "Stop!"

"Oh you know you like it!" he teased.

"If you don't stop I'm going to have to do something drastic!"

"Like what?" he challenged.

"Like this," and she pulled his head toward her for a kiss. Just as their lips were about to meet they heard someone clearing their throat. Both jumped apart when they saw Professor Snape glaring at them.

"Miss Weasley, Mr. Malfoy," he said in a cold voice, "What do you think you are doing?"

"It's obvious isn't it?" Malfoy said.

"10 points from both your houses for that disgusting display of affection I just witnessed. Another 5 from Slytherin for your impertinence Mr. Malfoy."

"What's up his arse?" Ginny asked as they watched Snape stalk away with his billowing black robes following.

"I don't know," Draco replied, "probably still sore about not getting the defense against the dark arts job."

"You'd think he'd be used to it by now."

"You'd think," Draco agreed, then, looking at Ginny with a mischievous smile, asked, "Now where were we?"

* * *

Later that evening Professor Snape sat in his office adding the final preparations to the next day's lesson when a someone knocked on the door. He inwardly groaned, Can't I get a moment's peace?

"Come in," he said harshly.

"Professor Snape?" Professor Poiston asked as she opened the door and walked in.

"Yes?"
"Hi, I'm Katya Poiston," she said holding out a hand.

He looked up with his cold, black eyes into her warm blue ones. Ignoring the hand he gruffly said, "I know who you are."

"Yes, well, I know, it's just that we were never properly introduced . . ."

"Will you please tell me what you want quickly? I have work to do." he interrupted as he went back to his lesson.

"O-oh, right, well, I was just wondering when I supposed to come for my lesson and if their were any materials I needed to bring."

"Your lessons begin tomorrow at 4:30. They will be every school day except Fridays." he answered without looking up, "you needn't bring anything but a cauldron, a wand, and yourself."

"Ok, well, um, thank you. I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

"Indeed," he said with an obvious lack of excitement.

"Well, good night."

It will be once you and your ridiculous accent leave. "Good night."

* * *

Katya mulled over the conversation that had just taken place as she made her way to her rooms. Her emotions were so conflicting that she decided to write about it in her journal. With this decided she hurried to her rooms while the conversation was still fresh in her mind.

Arriving at a suit of armor she gave the password ("butterbeer") and walked into the small front room. Running into the bedroom she grabbed her journal and a quill not even taking time to admire the room decorated in peach, green, and lavender. Returning to the front room she sat on the cream-colored house and began to write.

Dear Journal,

Well, here I am! My first night in Hogwarts. I begin teaching tomorrow and I'm a little nervous. I know, I know, last night I said I wasn't nervous, but that was before I got here and saw all the other teachers. They all seem to have more experience than me and they are definitely older and respected. How can I expect to be taken seriously? I'm only 28! But that's not what I want to write about. I just got back from talking to Professor Snape (yes, THE Severus Snape! The brilliant potions master!!!). I went to ask about my lessons and he was so cold towards me. Of course Dumbledore told me to expect that, apparently I took his dream job. But what I wasn't expecting were all the emotions I experienced! I was offended and embarrassed! I wanted to cry, but at the same time laugh at how ridiculous he was being over a job! I stuttered and embarrassed myself. He probably thinks I'm a huge dolt.

Katya paused in her writing to re-read what she had just written. Resolving to not let his behavior phase her tomorrow, she added one last thing to her entry.

But the emotion I least expected that was the most pronounced was the fluttering of my heart, the, I guess you could call it attraction, that I felt to him.

A/N: Haha!!! Cliffhanger! Well, not really, but we can pretend. Gee, I'm doing good. 2 whole chapters and this one is almost FIVE pages long! Anyway plz review and PLEASE don't flame me!