Escape from the Darkness: Chapter 6
Severus sat at the High Table, looking out over the four tables filled with children. The Hogwarts Express had just arrived, and now everyone was talking, catching up after the long summer. He felt the beginning of a migraine. It had been so much more peaceful when only about ten students had been there. He had been able to make his potions without disturbances, and he rarely saw any of the students. Well, except for his niece and Hermione Granger. But both of them seemed to actually be trying to learn. The influx of the rest of the students, both new and old, guaranteed that he would be forced to deal with thick-headed and ungrateful brats everyday because of his duties as Potions professor and Head of Slytherin House. He doubted that any of them would show any sign of promise in Potions. It seemed that the number of good Potions students decreased every year.
Still sitting, he looked around. Minerva was the only other staff member who actually came to the feast on time. Even Albus wasn't there. Severus looked at Selene, who was sitting off to the side of the High Table, waiting to be sorted. She looked uncomfortable until Dennis Creevey came to stand by her and talked to her. As much as the Creevey boys annoyed him, he had to admit that he was glad that they had become friends with his niece. When he had first heard of her coming to Hogwarts, he had worried that history would repeat itself, and she would be alienated and friendless. Like me, he thought. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted.
"Severus, Minerva," Albus addressed them, as he arrived at the table. He was with an attractive young woman, who looked somewhat familiar. "I'm sure you have both met Miss Fleur Delacour, the Beauxbatons representative in the Triwizard Tournament three years ago. She is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Severus gave her an abrupt nod as she sat down next to him. He remembered that she was part Veela, and that because of that, most of the boys had been chasing after her. He had caught her snogging Hogwarts boys in the Astronomy Tower several times late at night. She had caused a lot of trouble during that year, and would probably cause even more during this one.
His headache was beginning to get even worse. This year, like the previous fifteen years, he had applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. How wonderful, he thought sarcastically. Albus chose an girl who can't control her hormones, and also had absolutely no teaching experience, instead of me. This was going to be a long year.
Finally, the huge doors of the Hall were thrown open by Hagrid. He was followed by a group of nervous first-years. Severus gave the children a scowl, hoping that their first impression of him was that he was not one to be trifled with. It was the same look he gave the incoming students every year, and it usually succeeded in intimidating them for the rest of their years at Hogwarts. Severus tuned out the Sorting Hat's new song, but paid attention when the Sorting Ceremony began.
He could barely control his impatience until Selene was finally called. He saw many of the students look at her in shock when they heard her last name.
Selene walked up to the stool and put on the hat. Severus struggled to listen as the hat began speaking:
"Ah, you're related to Professor Snape, I see. I suppose your uncle wants you to be sorted into Slytherin. Unfortunately for him, your character is not that of a Slytherin." Severus cringed. Not Gryffindor, please not Gryffindor, he thought to himself. "Your intellect is impressive, as is your courage. This is a very tough decision, for you display qualities of all of the houses. But, the most significant are your unwavering loyalty and your ability to work hard, so…HUFFLEPUFF!"
The Hufflepuff students stood up and cheered as Severus groaned. Most of the people in the hall looked surprised. Severus scoffed at the disappointed look on Granger's face. He knew that she had been hoping that Selene would be put in Gryffindor and was delighted that her wish had not come true.
After the rest of the students had been sorted, the meal began. Fleur Delacour began talking to him, complaining about everything possible. The food here wasn't any good. Her rooms were too small. The ride on the Hogwarts Express had taken too long, and was extremely uncomfortable. The list went on and on, and Severus began to think that receiving the Cruciatus curse was preferable to listening to Delacour for another second.
He scanned the crowd of students, his eyes falling on the Gryffindor table, where Hermione Granger was sitting. She was talking with a group of people, Weasley and Potter sitting on each side of her. Severus rolled his eyes. Those two idiots were constantly around her. If only some of her intellect would rub off on them. Severus smirked. He had truly surprised himself when he spoke to her earlier. It had been very uncharacteristic of him. He had accidentally slipped into a mode that he reserved only for Slytherin students and his colleagues. He didn't know what his problem was, but because of Hermione Granger, he had done something unheard of—he had complimented a Gryffindor.
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Hermione looked up at the High Table as Dumbledore spoke. He began by making general announcements about rules and Quidditch tryouts. Then he gestured to a young woman at the table. "I would like to introduce you all to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Miss Fleur Delacour. I hope that you will all make Professor Delacour feel welcome at Hogwarts." The students began clapping and some of the boys whistled.
The only student who didn't look happy was Ron. He turned to Hermione, an annoyed look on his face. "Fleur broke up with Bill a few months ago. She thought that she was too good for him."
Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Did she actually say that?"
"Well, no, but she made it pretty clear every time she came to our house. She was always rude to Mum just because her family was wealthy and ours isn't."
Hermione gave him a sympathetic look. She knew that Ron had always been sensitive about his family's financial situation. She knew that he wasn't looking forward to having Fleur Delacour as their professor, but Hermione was hoping that she might actually teach them a lot. There certainly had been a shortage of good Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers—in fact, the only good one had been Remus Lupin.
Realizing that the meal was over, Hermione stood up. "First year Gryffindors, follow us!" She was joined by Ron, Ginny and Colin, who were prefects that year.
As she passed the Hufflepuff table, she saw Selene, who looked uncomfortable. Hermione gave her a warm smile. "Congratulations on getting into Hufflepuff. One of the main characteristics of Hufflepuff students is that they're excellent friends." A huge smile lit up Selene's face, which pleased Hermione. "Now go with Ernie, he'll show you the way to your dormitory." She nodded towards Ernie Macmillan, the Head Boy.
"Thanks, Hermione. I'll see you later!" Selene told her, then left the Hall with the rest of her House.
Hermione then took her own students to Gryffindor Tower. She stayed late in the common room, talking quietly in the corner with Ginny Weasley about her latest crush, Colin Creevey. Hermione was delighted to hear about that. She had been worried that Ginny's feelings for Harry might develop into what they had been several years earlier. Which would not be a good thing.
A feeling of sadness swept over Hermione as she walked back to her room. It was not in Gryffindor tower and she disliked being so far away from her friends. Of course, she finally had her own room and bathroom. And a pass to the Restricted Section of the library. No, she wouldn't give up her Head Girl privileges for anything. Oh well, she thought. At least I'm out of those dark and drafty dungeons. Of course, she had been closer to Professor Snape's library there. And to Professor Snape…
Hermione groaned, sinking down onto her bed. After her encounter with Snape, she had attempted to get him—and her reactions to him—off of her mind. She had mostly succeeded throughout the Sorting Feast and afterwards when she was surrounded by her friends. But now that she was alone, Hermione found herself thinking of him again. And she really didn't want to do that. Doing so only brought up questions that she didn't know the answers to. Usually when she had a problem, she would go to the library. But Hermione didn't think that books could help her now. She put on her nightgown and got into bed. After several hours of tossing and turning, she finally fell asleep.
The next morning, she ate breakfast with Ron and Harry, discussing their upcoming classes. All three of them were taking difficult N.E.W.T.-level classes. Hermione had been surprised that her two best friends had opted to take so many challenging courses, but they were determined to become Aurors. Unlike in their earlier years at Hogwarts, the students now took fewer classes but with longer class periods.
"Ah, we have Potions for three hours twice a week!" Ron complained.
Harry wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Just what we need is six hours a week with Snape!"
"Maybe he'll be better now that we're in his advanced class?" Hermione suggested. Ron and Harry both gave her unconvinced looks.
She only hoped that Professor Snape's agreeable behavior wouldn't cease with the beginning of the school year. Strange emotions for him aside, he had actually been pleasant to be around. Well, almost. He was still Snape, the slimy Potions Master, but Hermione had begun to see a side of him that she actually liked.
The three of them walked with Neville, who had been encouraged by his O.W.L. scores to continue in Potions and go into Auror training with Ron and Harry.
Their Potions class was the only one for seventh-years, and the first one Hermione had ever been in with all four houses. There were three Hufflepuffs, five Ravenclaws, and the four of them. The rest of the students were in Slytherin.
The entire classroom became silent as Professor Snape walked in. "Good morning, students. Welcome to Advanced Potions, the most grueling class any of you will probably ever take." He paused to give them all a glare, his gaze stopping on Ron, Harry and Neville. "I realize that many of you are taking this class because it is required for the occupation that you are aspiring towards and that only a few of you will actually appreciate the art involved in brewing potions." Hermione could have sworn that his eyes fell on her when he said the last part. No, I'm probably just imagining it. "However," Snape continued. "I will not tolerate anything less than perfection."
They began by making a very difficult medical potion. The students were forbidden to help others in the class, and Hermione kept glancing over at Neville with worry. As Snape came to their table, he looked at both of their potions, and, not finding any errors, left to pick on other students. He seemed disappointed when he walked away from Neville. Hermione couldn't hide the proud look on her face as she looked at Neville. She knew that he had spent countless hours brushing up on Potions, his worst subject, in the hope that he could do well enough on the N.E.W.T. exams to become an Auror, like his parents. Unfortunately, Harry and Ron both had mistakes in their potions and they were at the receiving end of Snape's merciless bullying for the rest of the class.
At the end of the class, Ron and Harry quickly rushed out. Hermione packed up her things slowly, and got up after the rest of the class had left. She could feel his eyes on her the entire time, and it was disconcerting. She got up, trying to hide her discomfort.
"Goodbye, Professor Snape," she said as she passed by him.
He looked surprised, for none of the students, not even the Slytherins, had acknowledged him after class was over. "Goodbye, Miss Granger. Have a nice day."
Hermione turned away from him, feeling her face grow hot. She absolutely did not want him to see her blushing. "Thank you, sir," she responded, leaving the room quickly.