Chapter 21

The New Potions Master

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It was the start of the second term for Severus Snape as the DATA teacher. They were all gathered inside the Great Hall awaiting for Dumbledore to announce the beginning of a new School Year. Minerva was escorting a new group of first years into the grand chamber. By the looks of a few, Slytherin would be getting a good new bunch this year. As his position had changed Severus had refused to surrender his job as Head of House for Slytherin.

Severus slowly allowed his gaze to swim over the Staff table, as he again dared hope to see Hermione sitting among them as he did two school years ago. It had been so wonderful then. They had grown so close again and so deeply in love. But her marriage to Potter had stopped them from taking their relationship any closer. Hermione hadn't felt right about being with him like that again until her marriage was resolved. She felt that despite Potter's cold treatment of her in their years together she still owed him that much at least.

It had been damn difficult knowing that she was in the castle but wouldn't be in his bed. Then that damn Dark Lord had returned. His constant thorn in his side. It seemed that fate had made it that Voldermort rob him of all chances of happiness. Potter had died at the end of last year. Hermione then had given birth to a son in Muggle London. She had said in her letter that the boy was named Alexander James Potter after her father and Harry's.

Hermione had also written that the Weasley's had their new child also. A boy named Harry. Severus inwardly cringed at the thought in just over ten years time there would be again a team of Potter and Weasley at this School.

Hermione had written him about those things and so much more. But ever since Potter had died the letters had become less and less. Severus knew she would be busy with her new son, and Muggle London wouldn't have as many advantages as the magic world would have for raising a child, so Hermione would be greatly busy. Especially with raising the new boy alone.

But that was something else that was driving him insane. Nearly to the point of paranoia. Hermione had yet asked to see him, or said that she was coming here to visit him. Had what happened with Potter changed her mind about him as he had feared it would? In a way did she blame him for not preventing Harry from ultimately dying in the end? Hermione had spoken nothing of their personal relationship with each other either. It made Severus ask himself if he had dreamed the whole bloody thing up in his head. That she had only shared a few innocent kisses with an old friend to make Potter see what he was missing.

But she had loved him. He reminded himself sternly. The look in her eyes for him alone spoke volumes of that love. She had declared it more than once too. Never forcing the issue with him as she once had in her youth. That only made him love her even more.

But where in the hell was she now?

"Everyone, I would like to announce some new editions to the teaching staff this year, and also the return of an old friend," Dumbledore began, forcing Severus' attention off of himself. "Professor Viela North will be taking over the position as Herbology teacher. Professor Owen Vestra will be taking the job as muggle studies instructor. Professor Ronald Weasley will be taking over Quidditch and flying classes this year from Professor Snape."

Thank bloody stars. Snape thought, and cursing himself at the same time for feeling relieved at seeing the damn Weasley boy again. I hated that damn bloody broom though.

"And last, but not least, Professor Hermione Granger returns this year as the new Potions master, taking the position over from Professor Wedley Nevers."

Severus looked up at the sound of that name toward the doors to see Hagrid opening them up to allow inside the late potions master. Hermione entered, wearing her old House colors, and the brightest smile that he had ever seen on that unusually pretty face of hers. Her long thick hair was tied up in a bun, showing off that unusually pretty face even more so.

Having Alexander had only made her even more beautiful to him. He briefly smiled when he could see that her eyes were not focused on anyone in the room, but him.When she could see that she held his eyes she gave an even brighter smile and hurried across the Great Hall at a near run toward him.

He stood up, suddenly nervous as a first year at the thought she was going to kiss him infront of the entire Great Hall opening ceremony. He was so nervous his hands began to shake slightly as they waited to touch this woman again. It had been far too long a time since they last did.

She stood before him now. Every eye in the room was on them.



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