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.
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.
