My Return to Hogwarts
I stepped off the train and looked around. The scenery hadn't changed one bit in the last five years. I heard a bellowing voice that could only belong to one person, Hagrid. He was calling over the first years for their journey across the lake, eagerly waiting to step foot in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I started towards Hagrid, in hopes I could join in on the lake crossing journey.
"Hagrid," I shouted, "Hagrid!"
"Miss Pricilla Malfoy? Is that really you?"
"Yes, it's really me."
"I never forget a face. What are you doing here? I figured you'd never come back."
"Actually Hagrid," I paused. "Let me join in on your journey across the lake and I'll tell you." I pulled my long black clock tighter around me. I had suddenly forgotten how cold it could get.
"'O course yer can join. Here, come sit in the front of my boat." I climbed in the boat and situated myself in the front, facing Hagrid. The first years piled into the empty boats.
"Well, I guess I should tell you." Hagrid cut me off.
"Yer got to have a good reason to be here. You weren't sent by your father or brother, were you?"
"No, not at all! They have nothing to do with me being back here. I'm here because of Dumbledore."
"Dumbledore sent for you? Why did he tell yer to come here?"
"He's asked me to take over the potions class. I'm guessing Snape either left or finally got the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position."
"Snape finally got that job he's wanted for years. Quite proud of it, too."
"I figured as much," I said in a low voice.
"Pricilla, are you worried about seeing Snape again? I know you two were having some problems come your last year at Hogwarts."
"No. Hagrid, I'm not worried one bit about Snape. We've worked out our problems, and now we're both just fine. In fact, I'll be very glad to see Snape once again."
This startled Hagrid quite a bit. I don't think he realized how close Snape and I had become after working out our problems. And explaining all of this to Hagrid was a bad idea.
"Looks like we're here, Pricilla. Best ya step out of the boat and hurry into the Great Hall. Dumbledor'll be waiting there for yer."
I climbed from the boat and hurried into Hogwarts. I saw Professor McGonagall coming my way, heading to collect the first years. I nodded my head as we passed, and hurried into the Great Hall. Dumbledor was already sitting at the center table, but there were no other professors around.
"Ah, Pricilla Malfoy," Dumbledor spoke as I reached the table. "It's nice to see you here again. I assume you know what to expect, as you were once a student here. Your cases have already been taken to your room.
"You'll be teaching in the same room as when you took potions. Professor Snape has left notes as to what each year has learned. I'm please to have you as a professor. I must say, I knew you'd be perfect as a professor when you first stepped through those doors and into the Great Hall. Now, I must ask, which house will you be wanting to win the House and Quidditch Cup?"
"Slytherin of course Professor Dumbledor. I was in that house a few years ago. I'll always remain loyal to my house. I shall be happy for whatever house may win, but I will always cheer for Slytherin."
The door to the Great Hall opened, and the professors entered. I caught Snape's eye, and he gave me a sharp look. I knew he wasn't happy with me being here, afraid that the rumors might start again, and his reputation with Hogwarts would be tarnished for good. I sat down in an empty chair--right next to Snape. I prayed he wouldn't bring anything up while the first years were being sorted into their houses, or while everyone else was enjoying The Great Feast.
I turned my head just enough to catch a glimpse of Snape. He was staring straight ahead as the returning students entered through the doors. He looked as if he was in deep thought, maybe thinking of a way to get me to leave the school. Snape was still looking towards the same exact spot when I looked at him again. The first years were now entering the Great Hall, making their way towards the front. It felt so uncomfortable sitting where I was, knowing I'd be there for at least another two hours.
As the feast went on, the more I wanted to say something to Severus. But I feared he would turn on me the first chance he got. That was defiantly not the way I wanted to start of this school year. Towards the end of the feast, I could feel Snape's eyes on me.
"Not on speaking terms, Pricilla? It would only be such shame, as your voice is so beautiful."
"Only someone such as yourself would say that. I will be on speaking terms, Severus, but only when need be. I wouldn't want us to get so close. People may start talking about us again."
"But Pricilla, it wouldn't be a s bad as last time. We're both professors now. And surely Dumbledor would have known the risk of bringing you back here."
"Are you saying Dumbledor is trying to play match maker? I would never think such a thing from him. And I'm not here because of you. I'm here because Dumbledore thought I was the best person for this job." I paused. "Well, next to you of course."
"It was about time Dumbledore passed the teaching job of Defense Against the Dark Arts to myself. I've been after that position for years."
"Let's just hope you don't die a painful death like the professors of the past. No professor of a class such as yours seems to make it to their second year."
"Don't you dare speak to me that way, Pricilla Malfoy," Snape said, angrily.
"And don't you dare forget that I'm not your student anymore, Severus. I have the same rights as you now."
"I want a word with you after the feast has ended. I suggest you shut your mouth for now. It'll be better in the long run."
"We shall see about that professor." I slowly finished my desert.
Dumbledore stood once more, raised his hands, and had the tables cleaned. "Off to bed, all of you. Classes begin tomorrow. Rest is needed."
The students cleared out of the Great Hall. Some of the professors continued their conversations. Snape rose from his chair, grabbed my arm, and pulled me from the table.
"Let go of me," I snapped, ad I jerked my arm away from him. I followed Snape into a cold, dark hallway.
"You listen to me Pricilla. Don't pull anything fancy around me. I can control you easily. You remember that letter I threatened to send to your parents?" I opened my mouth to speak, but Snape stopped me. "I never sent it. I still have it. I knew what shame it would bring to a high- ranking family such as yours. I like your family too much to show that one of their own was a disgrace. I still have that letter, and years later it shall still do harm. One false move is all it takes Pricilla. I'm sure you wouldn't want to bring such a bad name to your family."
"Snape, you can't do this! I should go to Dumbledor and tell him what you've just said to me!"
"It could only make matters worse for yourself." Snape turned and walked away. I stood there watching him till he disappeared.
I turned and walked slowly to my room, thinking about what Snape had said. I gave the password and entered my room. I hadn't been here but a few hours and Snape was already threatening me. I tried to calm my nerves with a cup of tea. In the end, I cried myself to sleep.
I stepped off the train and looked around. The scenery hadn't changed one bit in the last five years. I heard a bellowing voice that could only belong to one person, Hagrid. He was calling over the first years for their journey across the lake, eagerly waiting to step foot in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I started towards Hagrid, in hopes I could join in on the lake crossing journey.
"Hagrid," I shouted, "Hagrid!"
"Miss Pricilla Malfoy? Is that really you?"
"Yes, it's really me."
"I never forget a face. What are you doing here? I figured you'd never come back."
"Actually Hagrid," I paused. "Let me join in on your journey across the lake and I'll tell you." I pulled my long black clock tighter around me. I had suddenly forgotten how cold it could get.
"'O course yer can join. Here, come sit in the front of my boat." I climbed in the boat and situated myself in the front, facing Hagrid. The first years piled into the empty boats.
"Well, I guess I should tell you." Hagrid cut me off.
"Yer got to have a good reason to be here. You weren't sent by your father or brother, were you?"
"No, not at all! They have nothing to do with me being back here. I'm here because of Dumbledore."
"Dumbledore sent for you? Why did he tell yer to come here?"
"He's asked me to take over the potions class. I'm guessing Snape either left or finally got the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position."
"Snape finally got that job he's wanted for years. Quite proud of it, too."
"I figured as much," I said in a low voice.
"Pricilla, are you worried about seeing Snape again? I know you two were having some problems come your last year at Hogwarts."
"No. Hagrid, I'm not worried one bit about Snape. We've worked out our problems, and now we're both just fine. In fact, I'll be very glad to see Snape once again."
This startled Hagrid quite a bit. I don't think he realized how close Snape and I had become after working out our problems. And explaining all of this to Hagrid was a bad idea.
"Looks like we're here, Pricilla. Best ya step out of the boat and hurry into the Great Hall. Dumbledor'll be waiting there for yer."
I climbed from the boat and hurried into Hogwarts. I saw Professor McGonagall coming my way, heading to collect the first years. I nodded my head as we passed, and hurried into the Great Hall. Dumbledor was already sitting at the center table, but there were no other professors around.
"Ah, Pricilla Malfoy," Dumbledor spoke as I reached the table. "It's nice to see you here again. I assume you know what to expect, as you were once a student here. Your cases have already been taken to your room.
"You'll be teaching in the same room as when you took potions. Professor Snape has left notes as to what each year has learned. I'm please to have you as a professor. I must say, I knew you'd be perfect as a professor when you first stepped through those doors and into the Great Hall. Now, I must ask, which house will you be wanting to win the House and Quidditch Cup?"
"Slytherin of course Professor Dumbledor. I was in that house a few years ago. I'll always remain loyal to my house. I shall be happy for whatever house may win, but I will always cheer for Slytherin."
The door to the Great Hall opened, and the professors entered. I caught Snape's eye, and he gave me a sharp look. I knew he wasn't happy with me being here, afraid that the rumors might start again, and his reputation with Hogwarts would be tarnished for good. I sat down in an empty chair--right next to Snape. I prayed he wouldn't bring anything up while the first years were being sorted into their houses, or while everyone else was enjoying The Great Feast.
I turned my head just enough to catch a glimpse of Snape. He was staring straight ahead as the returning students entered through the doors. He looked as if he was in deep thought, maybe thinking of a way to get me to leave the school. Snape was still looking towards the same exact spot when I looked at him again. The first years were now entering the Great Hall, making their way towards the front. It felt so uncomfortable sitting where I was, knowing I'd be there for at least another two hours.
As the feast went on, the more I wanted to say something to Severus. But I feared he would turn on me the first chance he got. That was defiantly not the way I wanted to start of this school year. Towards the end of the feast, I could feel Snape's eyes on me.
"Not on speaking terms, Pricilla? It would only be such shame, as your voice is so beautiful."
"Only someone such as yourself would say that. I will be on speaking terms, Severus, but only when need be. I wouldn't want us to get so close. People may start talking about us again."
"But Pricilla, it wouldn't be a s bad as last time. We're both professors now. And surely Dumbledor would have known the risk of bringing you back here."
"Are you saying Dumbledor is trying to play match maker? I would never think such a thing from him. And I'm not here because of you. I'm here because Dumbledore thought I was the best person for this job." I paused. "Well, next to you of course."
"It was about time Dumbledore passed the teaching job of Defense Against the Dark Arts to myself. I've been after that position for years."
"Let's just hope you don't die a painful death like the professors of the past. No professor of a class such as yours seems to make it to their second year."
"Don't you dare speak to me that way, Pricilla Malfoy," Snape said, angrily.
"And don't you dare forget that I'm not your student anymore, Severus. I have the same rights as you now."
"I want a word with you after the feast has ended. I suggest you shut your mouth for now. It'll be better in the long run."
"We shall see about that professor." I slowly finished my desert.
Dumbledore stood once more, raised his hands, and had the tables cleaned. "Off to bed, all of you. Classes begin tomorrow. Rest is needed."
The students cleared out of the Great Hall. Some of the professors continued their conversations. Snape rose from his chair, grabbed my arm, and pulled me from the table.
"Let go of me," I snapped, ad I jerked my arm away from him. I followed Snape into a cold, dark hallway.
"You listen to me Pricilla. Don't pull anything fancy around me. I can control you easily. You remember that letter I threatened to send to your parents?" I opened my mouth to speak, but Snape stopped me. "I never sent it. I still have it. I knew what shame it would bring to a high- ranking family such as yours. I like your family too much to show that one of their own was a disgrace. I still have that letter, and years later it shall still do harm. One false move is all it takes Pricilla. I'm sure you wouldn't want to bring such a bad name to your family."
"Snape, you can't do this! I should go to Dumbledor and tell him what you've just said to me!"
"It could only make matters worse for yourself." Snape turned and walked away. I stood there watching him till he disappeared.
I turned and walked slowly to my room, thinking about what Snape had said. I gave the password and entered my room. I hadn't been here but a few hours and Snape was already threatening me. I tried to calm my nerves with a cup of tea. In the end, I cried myself to sleep.