September. A horrid month. Curse it.
Severus Snape sat deep in his high backed leather chair in his study. August was coming to an end and the new school year was rapidly approaching. Severus taught Potions at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and it was not one of his favorite activities. Of course he had always been an exceptional Potions student but it was the Dark Arts that fascinated Severus. It ran deep through his blood and soul yet he did not teach it. Always passed over for the position Snape loathed the very mention of the subject. But what he loathed even more were the unappreciative, immature children he had to teach. Every year a new, freshly idiotic group arrived to torment his every hour at that school. This year would be no different.
Is there no relief to the unrelenting, tedious task? Why do I constantly return? I must be mad. Severus pondered over his latest teaching plans. Only one week remained. One more week of silence and seclusion. He know the lessons are too advanced for the morons in his class but he has to teach them anyway.
Closing his Potions for Dummies book, he stand up and replaces it on the shelf and returns the ink well to his desk. The night is late but the preserved slimy creatures in glass jars lining the study walls are even later. Severus shuts the wooden door behind him as he turns to climb the stairs to his bedchamber. On the way, he mentally notes that tomorrow he must stock up on various ingredients and potions. With a crisp snap he closes his bedroom door behind and climbs into bed.
****
The sun rises and filters through people's window waking them up and inviting them to enjoy the new day. But not through Snape's. His house is one of dark, gloomy shadows where the sun seems to o afraid to reach. Blearily, Severus rises and scowls at the day, just daring it to mess with him.
After a quick breakfast of coffee and toast he walks on over to the fireplace. Grabbing a handful of Floo powder he wonders if there is a soul in the wizarding world that enjoys traveling through networks of fireplaces. Throwing the powder into the flames he steps in and utters "Diagon Alley" in a deep tone. Two seconds later he arrives in the Leaky Cauldron.
The friendly bartender Tom welcomes Severus with a cheery hello. In return Snape quickly nods his head and walks out into the back garden. Pulling out his wand he taps the brick wall. He stands back and waits as the bricks rearrange themselves into the archway for Diagon Alley, a place for every wizard's needs. Snape walks gloomily through the arch only to be bombarded by colors, cheerful sounds, and of course students buying their school supplies.
He knows exactly what he needs and hurriedly walks to Gosforda's Enticing Ingredients wanting very much to be in and out in five minutes. However, once he steps inside the old shop he cannot help but stand looking at the amazing products. Everytime Snape visits there is always something new, something else intriguing that catches his attention. Being jolted back to his purpose by the entry of the shop owner he pulls out his list and hands it over.
"Time for more supplies Professor Snape?" Mr. Gosford asks with a wide grin on his weathered face.
"Yes. Can I get all these ingredients? And make it snappy."
"Certainly sir." With that Gosford disappears into the back of the shop leaving Snape to browse around the store.
Surprisingly quickly Gosford returns with the products in a bag.
"That will be one galleon and twenty sickles." He hands the bag over to Snape who fumbles in his pocket for the money. "Thank you professor."
He puts the money on the counter and walks out wishing to get back home before he trips over a little kid. Unfortunately he is prevented from leaving by Professor Minerva McGonagall, who teaches Transfiguration. She spotted him and is walking towards him.
"Severus! How are you?"
"Fine I suppose." He replies half-heartedly.
"Heard the news yet?" McGonagall inquires conversationally.
"What news?"
"The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. This time it's a woman."
"Really?" Snape is not the least bit interested. Professor McGonagall is oblivious to his sneer.
"Yes. Her name is Rebecca. Quite intelligent, I hear." She shows no sign of desisting anytime soon.
"Yes, well, that's all very interesting but I must get going." Snape cuts in.
"Oh, righto. Well, see you at Hogwarts." She turns on her heel and walks to a nearby store.
Like I care who the new teacher is. With a swish of his cloak he disappeared back through the entrance.
****
Severus Snape sat deep in his high backed leather chair in his study. August was coming to an end and the new school year was rapidly approaching. Severus taught Potions at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and it was not one of his favorite activities. Of course he had always been an exceptional Potions student but it was the Dark Arts that fascinated Severus. It ran deep through his blood and soul yet he did not teach it. Always passed over for the position Snape loathed the very mention of the subject. But what he loathed even more were the unappreciative, immature children he had to teach. Every year a new, freshly idiotic group arrived to torment his every hour at that school. This year would be no different.
Is there no relief to the unrelenting, tedious task? Why do I constantly return? I must be mad. Severus pondered over his latest teaching plans. Only one week remained. One more week of silence and seclusion. He know the lessons are too advanced for the morons in his class but he has to teach them anyway.
Closing his Potions for Dummies book, he stand up and replaces it on the shelf and returns the ink well to his desk. The night is late but the preserved slimy creatures in glass jars lining the study walls are even later. Severus shuts the wooden door behind him as he turns to climb the stairs to his bedchamber. On the way, he mentally notes that tomorrow he must stock up on various ingredients and potions. With a crisp snap he closes his bedroom door behind and climbs into bed.
****
The sun rises and filters through people's window waking them up and inviting them to enjoy the new day. But not through Snape's. His house is one of dark, gloomy shadows where the sun seems to o afraid to reach. Blearily, Severus rises and scowls at the day, just daring it to mess with him.
After a quick breakfast of coffee and toast he walks on over to the fireplace. Grabbing a handful of Floo powder he wonders if there is a soul in the wizarding world that enjoys traveling through networks of fireplaces. Throwing the powder into the flames he steps in and utters "Diagon Alley" in a deep tone. Two seconds later he arrives in the Leaky Cauldron.
The friendly bartender Tom welcomes Severus with a cheery hello. In return Snape quickly nods his head and walks out into the back garden. Pulling out his wand he taps the brick wall. He stands back and waits as the bricks rearrange themselves into the archway for Diagon Alley, a place for every wizard's needs. Snape walks gloomily through the arch only to be bombarded by colors, cheerful sounds, and of course students buying their school supplies.
He knows exactly what he needs and hurriedly walks to Gosforda's Enticing Ingredients wanting very much to be in and out in five minutes. However, once he steps inside the old shop he cannot help but stand looking at the amazing products. Everytime Snape visits there is always something new, something else intriguing that catches his attention. Being jolted back to his purpose by the entry of the shop owner he pulls out his list and hands it over.
"Time for more supplies Professor Snape?" Mr. Gosford asks with a wide grin on his weathered face.
"Yes. Can I get all these ingredients? And make it snappy."
"Certainly sir." With that Gosford disappears into the back of the shop leaving Snape to browse around the store.
Surprisingly quickly Gosford returns with the products in a bag.
"That will be one galleon and twenty sickles." He hands the bag over to Snape who fumbles in his pocket for the money. "Thank you professor."
He puts the money on the counter and walks out wishing to get back home before he trips over a little kid. Unfortunately he is prevented from leaving by Professor Minerva McGonagall, who teaches Transfiguration. She spotted him and is walking towards him.
"Severus! How are you?"
"Fine I suppose." He replies half-heartedly.
"Heard the news yet?" McGonagall inquires conversationally.
"What news?"
"The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. This time it's a woman."
"Really?" Snape is not the least bit interested. Professor McGonagall is oblivious to his sneer.
"Yes. Her name is Rebecca. Quite intelligent, I hear." She shows no sign of desisting anytime soon.
"Yes, well, that's all very interesting but I must get going." Snape cuts in.
"Oh, righto. Well, see you at Hogwarts." She turns on her heel and walks to a nearby store.
Like I care who the new teacher is. With a swish of his cloak he disappeared back through the entrance.
****