Behind Black Eyes – Part One
A/N: Just so that you know- having to describe Snape like this hurt but there is improvement somewhere on the horizon. I say it again: Personally for me Snape has some lessons left to learn and he can only do so if he is trapped in a situation where he is forced to.
The Great Hall was again decorated in all the houses' colours and the ceiling as usual was hexed to look like the night sky with softly glowing candles bathing the room in an orange shimmer- of course they were hovering in the air. Hermione was experiencing a strange feeling of apprehension which had nothing to do with the fact that Professor Severus Snape was not yet sitting at the Head Table. It was more the memory of the first evening she had stepped into these halls without knowing where that would lead her in her life.
Looking around she saw some faces that were still know to her- and some weren't. Madame Houch was sitting next to Fleur Delacour and they were obviously deep into an interesting conversation. She knew Professor Flitwick, the small old Professor, who was teaching Charms at Hogwarts. Albus Dumbledore had already told her that Fleur was new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. No doubt Severus wouldn't like that. This was the first year were he was able to return to his position as Potion Master. He had to wait until his hands were back to old strength and dexterity and that taken another year after he had gotten her potion. He wouldn't like either that Hermione was to assist him in his position as teacher taking over half of his classes and grading the assignments. He had probably only accepted when Dumbledore had made it very clear that this was the only way to get his teacher position back- she had never talked to Dumbledore about that.
Again she wondered where the man was. Almost all students were in the hall so far and they were only waiting for the first-years who were standing outside with Minerva waiting for their Sorting. When she heard whispers among the students it made her frown. Nobody had ever liked Professor Snape but at least his Slytherins had respected him. But it seemed especially the table on the far right was heavily engaged in a discussion why they still had 'this cripple' as Head of House.
Probably because Severus is the only one putting up with you.
And Hermione was not even sure there was another Slytherin professor teaching at Hogwarts. But still these remarks angered her more than she could explain. They were only children, and Slytherins at that. But she didn't want to think about what he must feel when he heard those insults.
She discovered movement behind her and turned her head around to see what all the commotion meant. Soon she saw what or better who it was. Behind the table a door opened and the tall, pale figure of Severus Snape stepped into the room using an old stick as a walking help. Hagrid was next to him and guided him to his chair. She saw the miserable look on the half giants face and the sincere gratitude that shortly flickered over Professor Snape's face. But then the mask of ice was back and even something like a bored sneer was appearing on his face.
He still looked pretty much like he always had. His dark hair was still looking like he rarely washed it but was now in a ponytail. His face had deeper lines than she remembered and he looked like he had lost considerable weight. He leaned the wooden stick against the table and crossed his arms in front of his chest clearly hearing what the Slytherin table still was talking about. He even managed to glare in their general direction but the effect was lost since he couldn't see who it was in person.
When she looked around she saw several faces that clearly expressed their unwillingness to help the blind potion master. Only Dumbledore shortly glanced into his direction but didn't say anything.
Determined to do something about the noisy Slytherins as soon as the sorting was over she leaned back acutely aware that the man she had dreamed about the last five years was only sitting some meters away. If she concentrated really hard enough, she could almost smell his scent containing the dust from the dungeons but also some herbs that she hadn't yet identified. She was almost sure it was what he used as a shower gel but had never found out.
How? He never let you set a foot into his bathroom.
Chasing these thoughts away she tried to concentrate on the sorting ceremony taking place in front of her. She had already missed the singing part where the sorting hat sang about all the houses and what characterized them. But she had heard this so many times and there simply wasn't much more to say. With a quick look she realized that they were almost finished with the sorting. The last one sorted was a small plump boy that went to Hufflepuff. Applauding politely she waited for the thing that always happened before the feast began- Albus Dumbledore held his welcoming speech and then conjured the food.
"Dear Students, dear fellow Professors, welcome back to Hogwarts for the new year! Let's hope that despite all the dangers hanging above our heads that we will have a good year without any trouble. I have a few announcements to make first so: First of all I want to remember all of you and especially the new students that none of you is allowed to be in the Forbidden Forest. Secondly we have a few faculty changes to announce. We are all very happy that Professor Snape has recovered enough to start teaching potion class again. As you all knew our Defence against the Dark Arts teacher has sadly left us after the last term and Miss Fleur Delacour is the newest addition to our staff. Please welcome them both to Hogwarts!"
There was some polite clapping and even some cheering that surely was for the veela from some boys. Snape's face remained impassive.
"Another teacher and former student will assist Professor Snape in his position and grading the papers so please welcome Ms Hermione Granger!"
Two things happened in this moment on top of the clapping sounds that were heard. Fleur looked into her direction and a strange hostile expression crossed her face that Hermione couldn't explain. The second really drew her attention. She had expected Dumbledore to tell Severus that she was his assistant but obviously he hadn't. Snape's face had gotten even paler and he frantically looked around. Somewhere in the background she heard Dumbledore start the feast but with a quick step she was at Severus side. Smiling politely at Professor Trelawney, her former Divination teacher, she asked if maybe they could exchange places. After some hesitation the small woman agreed and within seconds she was sitting next to Severus Snape.
Carefully she placed her hand over his stilling the trembling.
"I thought Dumbledore had told you or I would have done so myself. I am sorry."
He could only nod obviously still in shock.
"It's good to see that you have your potion class back." She tried to get him to talk with her but again he only nodded. It worried her quite a bit.
Albus Dumbledore was now looking into their direction and came over when he saw the obvious distress Hermione was in.
"Is everything alright? Severus?" He sounded genuinely concerned.
Still gripping the potion master's hand, Hermione smiled tentatively.
"I think it was quite a surprise for Professor Snape that I am his new assistant."
"I thought you would rather tell him the good news yourself." Albus still smiled. "But if you feel the need to you can go somewhere else and I get the house elves to bring you something there."
After a short glance in the still stony face of Snape Hermione nodded.
"I think we do that. Thank you Professor."
He raised his hand. "Please Hermione, you are now a member of our staff. It's Albus from now on." With that he left them and returned to his seat.
"Severus?" After a second she got a reaction. He looked into her direction.
"Yes." The voice was husky and sounded as if he hadn't used it much over the last years. It was still the most amazing sound she had ever heard.
"Do you want to go to your dungeon and talk there? We can have something to eat as well."
This time when he nodded a short smile flickered over his face and for the first time today she felt at home. Slowly they got up, mumbled an apology for the other teachers and descended the stair into the hall. When the passed the Slytherin table, loud snickers could be heard.
"Look, the cripple has a new nurse." It was a tall brunette boy that began to remind her of Draco Malfoy. He looked into her direction and Hermione was shocked when Snape seemed to ignore it. He was Head of their house! Such behaviour was impossible towards any member of the faculty but against you own Head of House?
Stopping in her tracks Hermione turned towards the boy and smiled in a way that made blood freeze in your veins. She had paid attention when Snape dealt with his Slytherins.
"And you are?" Her voice sounded stern and calm with a warning swinging in it.
"Steven McKenzie." His attitude was different now. She began to understand how it had come to this.
"Well Mr McKenzie, you may not know it right now but at Hogwarts at least during my time here we treated our teachers with respect. However I don't have to remind you that Professor Snape is not only a brilliant potion master but Head of your House. If I ever hear such a word like cripple from any of you again, I have to make sure that Hagrid gets some help with some of his creatures. I am sure he can use it. They have the tendency to get quite nasty I can assure you." She raised her voice so that the whole hall could hear her. Conversation everywhere had stopped. "That goes for all of you by the way. Respect is a value we all should treasure."
Turning around to the brunette Slytherin who looked shocked she sneered. Indeed Snape had been a good teacher.
"And I think the school year has already started Mr McKenzie, hasn't it?"
He nodded glumly.
"I will deduct twenty points from Slytherin for disrespectful behaviour towards a teacher. There will be more if that doesn't stop. Are we clear?"
The whole table nodded and with a tender smile towards Snape she left the room leaving a stunned student crowd and a smiling headmaster.