A Brave New World
Authors Note: Thank you all for the support during my exams. They are all finished now... Now there is just the stress until results are released in July..
To Clare, here is an update. I am feeling generous, so there will be two this week.. It must be painful waiting for book 5 to arrive.
To Barbara, thanks for the feedback and the ideas..
To Thranx, I am glad you found me again and hope you continue to enjoy this.
To Moose - Thank you for everything :)
To every one else I hope you continue to read and enjoy..
**********
It was to be Jane's first day in class with Snape. To say she was nervous was an understatement. She was terrified at the prospect. Jane secretly hated the thought of being the object of an entire class's conjecture, but she would tolerate it for Snape's sake. Crowds made her nervous, but she knew Snape would protect her.
She knew he wanted her to join him in the Great Hall for meals too, but that was out of the question and no negotiations would be entered into, at least not at this stage. This resulted in her eating alone most of the time; Snape feeling compelled to put in appearances with the rest of the professors during meal times to allay some of the rumours that were flying around about his recent behavioural adjustments.
"Severus, are you sure about this?"
The wizard didn't look up from his work. "Of course."
"Do I HAVE to go?"
"Of course not, but I would like you to. You can't stay here as a prisoner in my chambers forever. I want you to get to know the students."
Jane wanted to say no thank you, but she couldn't bring herself to. He would like it - that was good enough for her. "Alright."
"Shall we go then?" Snape stood abruptly and gathered up the papers he had been working on. "Besides, it is Hermione's class, so there will be at least one friendly face in the crowd."
Jane smiled at the mention of Hermione. The young witch had been so helpful to her even though she hadn't started tutoring her because she had been too unwell. She had managed to visit nearly every day though, and had spent time just talking and helping Jane to feel comfortable with her new surroundings.
Jane knew Snape wasn't entirely pleased with the arrangement, from what Hermione had confided, the Potions Master was hardly one of the school's most popular professors. Jane suspected that he would have preferred to be punishing the young witch than inviting her willingly into his personal space. That made Jane appreciate Hermione's visits, and Snape's efforts to remain civil towards her, even more. It also made her slightly nervous. What if he decided to punish her? What if his kindness was only a trick to gain her trust?
Picking up his cloak, Snape stalked to the door in his typical manner, throwing it on as he waited for Jane to catch up. "Don't worry, you'll be alright. Don't forget, most of them are more afraid of me than they will be interested in you."
Jane didn't say it, but she wondered about the rest. What about those who weren't afraid, and just why were they afraid? What were they afraid of? Was she overlooking something important? She doubted it, she doubted he would actually hurt anyone, let alone her, but she would keep her wits about her, just in case. It wouldn't do to become complacent.
**********
Snape slammed the door open and strode into the class. "Alright, sit down and be quiet."
Students returned to their seats.
"Right, before we begin I would like to introduce you to a guest who will be staying with me for a while. I expect you will ALL," he emphasised, glaring at the class, "treat her with the respect you would treat any guest with, regardless of her age. The young lady's name is Jane. Jane, would you come here please."
Jane stepped tentatively into the room, ready to bolt at the slightest threat, and watched as 20 pairs of eyes turned in her direction. Not enjoying the sensation of being watched, she walked even more self- consciously to Snape's desk and turned to face the class. She searched for Hermione's friendly face, and smiled when she found it. Hermione smiled back.
The rest of the class stared at her, open mouthed in surprise. Young lady! Snape hadn't put enough emphasis on the word young. The girl was so small she could hardly be older than 10 - most thought she could well be younger.
For his part, Snape was quietly pleased to find so many surprised faces. It seemed, on the surface at least, that Hermione had managed to keep her mouth shut about Jane. He was slightly surprised at that and decided he would give the Gryffindor five house points for keeping her word. He didn't want to over do it.
"Jane will not be participating in classes, but she will be joining me in most of mine. I suggest you overcome your curiosity as quickly as possible and focus on our task for today."
It was Draco that asked the fatal question. "Professor Snape, Sir, why won't Jane be participating in classes?"
Snape gave the young Slytherin a look that would kill at 100 yards. His answer was quiet and dangerous, daring anyone who wanted to comment on the answer, to do so at his or her own risk. "That, Mr Malfoy, would be because Jane is non-magical."
There was a brief, stunned silence, then numerous sharp intakes of breath at the answer. The Slytherins looked collectively unbalanced, somewhere between shock and disgust. Their Head of House had a Muggle pet! They wanted to run screaming from the classroom. A Muggle! Snape! Yuck!
Most managed to exhibit some sort of control. Draco didn't - he spent the remainder of the class watching the Muggle, trying to decide just what sort of hold she had over Snape. It must have been something special for Snape to openly profess such fondness for her. He would discuss the relationship with her after class; he doubted Snape would be forthcoming with any further information, but he knew he would be able to make the girl talk.
Authors Note: Thank you all for the support during my exams. They are all finished now... Now there is just the stress until results are released in July..
To Clare, here is an update. I am feeling generous, so there will be two this week.. It must be painful waiting for book 5 to arrive.
To Barbara, thanks for the feedback and the ideas..
To Thranx, I am glad you found me again and hope you continue to enjoy this.
To Moose - Thank you for everything :)
To every one else I hope you continue to read and enjoy..
**********
It was to be Jane's first day in class with Snape. To say she was nervous was an understatement. She was terrified at the prospect. Jane secretly hated the thought of being the object of an entire class's conjecture, but she would tolerate it for Snape's sake. Crowds made her nervous, but she knew Snape would protect her.
She knew he wanted her to join him in the Great Hall for meals too, but that was out of the question and no negotiations would be entered into, at least not at this stage. This resulted in her eating alone most of the time; Snape feeling compelled to put in appearances with the rest of the professors during meal times to allay some of the rumours that were flying around about his recent behavioural adjustments.
"Severus, are you sure about this?"
The wizard didn't look up from his work. "Of course."
"Do I HAVE to go?"
"Of course not, but I would like you to. You can't stay here as a prisoner in my chambers forever. I want you to get to know the students."
Jane wanted to say no thank you, but she couldn't bring herself to. He would like it - that was good enough for her. "Alright."
"Shall we go then?" Snape stood abruptly and gathered up the papers he had been working on. "Besides, it is Hermione's class, so there will be at least one friendly face in the crowd."
Jane smiled at the mention of Hermione. The young witch had been so helpful to her even though she hadn't started tutoring her because she had been too unwell. She had managed to visit nearly every day though, and had spent time just talking and helping Jane to feel comfortable with her new surroundings.
Jane knew Snape wasn't entirely pleased with the arrangement, from what Hermione had confided, the Potions Master was hardly one of the school's most popular professors. Jane suspected that he would have preferred to be punishing the young witch than inviting her willingly into his personal space. That made Jane appreciate Hermione's visits, and Snape's efforts to remain civil towards her, even more. It also made her slightly nervous. What if he decided to punish her? What if his kindness was only a trick to gain her trust?
Picking up his cloak, Snape stalked to the door in his typical manner, throwing it on as he waited for Jane to catch up. "Don't worry, you'll be alright. Don't forget, most of them are more afraid of me than they will be interested in you."
Jane didn't say it, but she wondered about the rest. What about those who weren't afraid, and just why were they afraid? What were they afraid of? Was she overlooking something important? She doubted it, she doubted he would actually hurt anyone, let alone her, but she would keep her wits about her, just in case. It wouldn't do to become complacent.
**********
Snape slammed the door open and strode into the class. "Alright, sit down and be quiet."
Students returned to their seats.
"Right, before we begin I would like to introduce you to a guest who will be staying with me for a while. I expect you will ALL," he emphasised, glaring at the class, "treat her with the respect you would treat any guest with, regardless of her age. The young lady's name is Jane. Jane, would you come here please."
Jane stepped tentatively into the room, ready to bolt at the slightest threat, and watched as 20 pairs of eyes turned in her direction. Not enjoying the sensation of being watched, she walked even more self- consciously to Snape's desk and turned to face the class. She searched for Hermione's friendly face, and smiled when she found it. Hermione smiled back.
The rest of the class stared at her, open mouthed in surprise. Young lady! Snape hadn't put enough emphasis on the word young. The girl was so small she could hardly be older than 10 - most thought she could well be younger.
For his part, Snape was quietly pleased to find so many surprised faces. It seemed, on the surface at least, that Hermione had managed to keep her mouth shut about Jane. He was slightly surprised at that and decided he would give the Gryffindor five house points for keeping her word. He didn't want to over do it.
"Jane will not be participating in classes, but she will be joining me in most of mine. I suggest you overcome your curiosity as quickly as possible and focus on our task for today."
It was Draco that asked the fatal question. "Professor Snape, Sir, why won't Jane be participating in classes?"
Snape gave the young Slytherin a look that would kill at 100 yards. His answer was quiet and dangerous, daring anyone who wanted to comment on the answer, to do so at his or her own risk. "That, Mr Malfoy, would be because Jane is non-magical."
There was a brief, stunned silence, then numerous sharp intakes of breath at the answer. The Slytherins looked collectively unbalanced, somewhere between shock and disgust. Their Head of House had a Muggle pet! They wanted to run screaming from the classroom. A Muggle! Snape! Yuck!
Most managed to exhibit some sort of control. Draco didn't - he spent the remainder of the class watching the Muggle, trying to decide just what sort of hold she had over Snape. It must have been something special for Snape to openly profess such fondness for her. He would discuss the relationship with her after class; he doubted Snape would be forthcoming with any further information, but he knew he would be able to make the girl talk.