Snape did not see Alexis Zarinsky again until five

years later when he was sitting at the High Table, wistfully hoping

for the seventh year graduation to come so he could get stupid

Potter, Weasley, and Granger out of his class. "A few start-of-term

announcements," said Dumbledore, "first years are to take note that

the Forbidden Forest is one hundred percent off limits. And a few

of our older students might want to take note of that as well.

Also, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, wanted me to announce that the usual

items are off-limits in the corridor, such as Fanged Frisbees, and

any product of the Weasley jokeshop." A few of the students

giggled, particularly those that knew Fred and George Weasley from

years past. Snape only grimaced, thinking of the havoc they had

caused.

"And finally, I would like to introduce our new Defense

Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Zarinsky!" said Dumbledore,

turning to her slightly. She smiled and gave the students a little

wave; they responded with polite applause, although a few of the

older male students clapped particularly hard, as Alexis had grown

into an attractive brunette. "And now," said Dumbledore, "let's

eat!" He clapped his hands and the food appeared; everyone ate

gratefully, except for Hermione Granger, who only complained about

the work of the house elves.

Snape ate in silence, glancing sideways at Alexis every

once in a while, somewhat wishing Dumbledore wasn't sitting between

them, somewhat wishing he wasn't thinking about her at all. He

noticed a few of the groups of sixth and seventh year boys were

looking at her with interest, although it was clearly not for her

brains. 'What are you morons looking at...' he thought nastily,

'...you don't even have a chance with her.' He caught himself; what

the hell was he thinking that for? 'Fool,' he thought, 'as if you

have a chance either.' The other half of him responded, 'As if I

need a chance. I don't need anybody.' 'Still, if you would just

clean up a bit...' 'No, she's a former student.' 'So what?

McGonagall married a former student back when she was in her

twenties. They were together for years until he finally died.'

'Doesn't matter. She wasn't a greasy old git like you.' 'Well she

was no looker, to be sure...'

Snape continued his internal argument for some time

until Dumbledore and a few other teachers began to leave, headed for

bed. Snape suddenly realized that he and Alexis were the only two

left at the table, and he quickly stood up to leave. Unfortunately,

she also stood up and followed him out of the hall, "Professor

Snape," she said, once they were well away from the students. He

turned, "Yes, Professor Zarinsky?" he said coldly. She gave him an

incredibly warm, happy hug that made him redden with embarrassment,

"How are you?" "I...I'm fine," he said, glad she had waited to do

that outside of the Great Hall. "I just haven't seen you in so

long," she said, "and things have changed so much since Voldemort

fell..."

"Yes, well, things do change, don't they?" he said.

She smiled, "They most certainly do! But you haven't, it seems!

You don't look a day older since the day I first met you!" He felt

unsure how to react, "Ah, yes, thank you." "Well?" she said,

waiting. "Er..." he said, now completely unsure of what to say.

"Aren't you going to complement me too?" she asked, "I've changed a

lot since I was here! I've grown up for goodness' sake!" He tried

not to look at her physical features, mostly because it embarrassed

him, "Yes you've changed as well." She smiled, "It's so hard to

hang a complement from you. But that's alright." He shrugged,

"I...sorry." "But an apology! Now that is something else!" she

said, "Ah, Professor. I'm so glad to be back here. I feel so happy

with Voldemort gone, so alive again. Nothing can put me down!

Anyway, I'll see you around. I have to go get ready for bed.

Goodnight!"

He watched her walk away, "Goodnight," he said,

somewhat wishing he was going with her, then slapping himself

mentally, 'Get a grip, fool,' he thought, stomping off to bed.

* * *

That night, Severus dreamt many strange things, but the

strangest of all was his dream of himself. He dreamt he looked

completely different, no longer the greasy, sallow skinned git that

everyone thought he was. He dreamt he was the handsome young man he

had always wanted to be, just out of spite, just to show off, just

to be...just to be different.

He dreamt of how everyone should have seen him.

His real self.

* * *

In the morning, Severus received a nasty shock; he was

still just as pale and ugly as he had been the day before, and he

hated himself for it. "Had to be born with a hooked nose and greasy

hair, didn't you?" he said into the mirror. "I can't help it if you

look that way," replied the mirror sourly, "besides, half of it is

your personality." "Oh shut up," he growled, storming off to

breakfast.

At the High Table, Severus was surprised to see that

Alexis had traded seats with McGonagall, and they were now seated

together. "Good morning, Severus," said Alexis, eating her bacon

and eggs with gusto. "Good morning, Professor Zarinsky," said

Severus, quickly filling his plate. "Please call me Alexis," she

said, "it sounds so much better than 'Professor Zarinsky.'" He said

nothing, only began to eat, trying to concentrate on the morning's

lesson plan. "So Severus," said Alexis, "have you decided who

you're going with to the dance?" "To the what?" he said, spitting

out his bacon. "The dance," she said, weren't you listening last

night during the announcements? Dumbledore said they were going to

have an official Hogwarts start-of-term ball to get everyone to know

each other!"

Severus groaned inwardly; leave it to Dumbledore to

work him into a mess. "So," she said, "have you thought about who

you want to go with yet?" she asked. He slid down in his seat about

five inches, "Er...no." "Oh," she said, "well, I haven't thought

about it yet either." It was quite clear to Severus what she wanted

him to say, 'Would you like to go with me?' But he wouldn't

ask...couldn't...he hated dances...loathed them... "You might want

to consider Hagrid," said Severus, "I'm sure he'll be free."

Alexis' face turned bright red, "Why you...you know perfectly

well...I...you know what? I'd be better off! Now if you'll excuse

me, I have work to do!" And she stormed away from the table.

Severus only tried to ignore the odd stares he was

getting from fellow faculty members; "What're you looking at?" he

snapped at Professor Vector.

* * *

'Better off, eh?' he thought stormily as he prepared

for his last Potions class of the day, 'Good luck dancing with that

big oaf!' As class began, his mind wandered back constantly to

Alexis' words, "Open your texts to Chapter 1, entitled 'Defense

Against the-'" he stopped himself. Wrong subject. "'Seventh Year

Potions and their Modern Practicalities'" he said, hoping no one

noticed the slip. Unfortunately, the entire class did, and a few

students giggled, having seen the little fiasco this morning, and

assuming the worst, if not the funniest situation between their

Potions Master and his colleague. "What are you laughing at, Mr.

Weasley?" Weasley looked up at him innocently, "Nothing sir."

"Five points from Gryffindor for excessive giggling!" snapped

Severus, returning to his desk.

The class didn't end quickly enough so far as Severus

was concerned; he had made another Freudian slip later on by writing

'1 Dash of Alexis' instead of '1 Dash of Alerwood' on the board.

What made it worse was that Potter had been the one to point it out.

He was really out of it. 'I need to sleep,' he thought, 'I just

need to sleep it off.'

But the dig about being a 'Greasy git' was really

wearing on him. He stomped up to his quarters angrily and looked in

the mirror, "Greasy git, eh? Fine! FINE!"

And with that, Severus Snape went to work.

* * *

That evening, Snape did not appear for dinner, which

Harry, Ron, and Hermione found odd. "I figured he'd show up and let

that Zarinsky woman have it after she chewed him out this morning,"

said Ron. "You don't know that she chewed him out," said Harry.

"Yeah, but did you see how mad she looked? And Snape didn't look

happy either," said Ron through a mouthful of treacle fudge.

Hermione shrugged, "Either way, it's odd he's not here. He always

shows up for dinner, no matter what." "Forget him," said Ron, "I'm

more concerned about his homework than him."

Just then, the doors to the Great Hall swung open, and

in stepped a man that nobody in the Hall recognized. He did,

however, stride to the High Table easily, almost as if he belonged

there, and promptly sat down in Professor Snape's seat. "Oooh,

Snape won't like that if ever he shows up for dinner," said Ron.

"Am I right, Hermione?" asked Ron. Hermione, however, was too busy

studying the new visitor, "He's a looker, isn't he?" said Parvati

into her ear. They both giggled, blushed, then went back to eating.

"Oh bugger," said Ron, "more girl stuff. Yuck."

* * *

Alexis couldn't even stutter out a sentence at

McGonagall's statement of, "Dear me, he went all out, didn't he?"

Severus didn't even look slightly alike to his old self, except for

in the area of weight and height. His teeth were sparkling, almost

painfully bright white, his hair was brown and short, and his robes

were perfectly straight and black, without the slightest potion stain.

And for the rest of dinner, Alexis could hardly stop

looking at him; he was so...different. What had caused him to

suddenly go crazy and do that? 'You did, you dope,' a part of her

brain interjected, 'that comment about 'greasy git' pushed him over

the edge. Now look what you've done!'

Although she couldn't say she was entirely upset.

A few minutes later, she got up to leave, wistfully

thinking about 'accidentally' tripping and falling on top of him

when she noticed he was following her out of the Great Hall. As

soon as they were out of earshot, she turned, "Yes?" He leaned

close to her, and for a moment she thought he would kiss her, when

instead he said, "Never, ever, call me a greasy git ever again," and

walked off to the dungeons. Her blood boiled angrily, and as soon

as the door to the Potions classroom shut, she stormed down after

him, opened the door, and shouted, "GREASY GIT!"

She was taken completely by surprise when he appeared

from behind the door, "I warned you," he snarled, slamming the door

shut in her face. She clenched her fists angrily, "GAAH!"

Severus listened to her angry retreating footsteps with

pleasure, "Weren't expecting that, were you?" he said with a grin.