The Mirror Has Two Faces
By Aurora
Chapter 1
Same Disclaimers Apply….
The Great Hall had fallen silent at the rise of the headmaster. It was now his second year as such. He vividly remembered the face of his predecessor as he stood there before the students at the sorting feast. He could even see the twinkle in his eyes. As he let the silky words flow from his mouth, he tried to let it not sound rehearsed, though he had practiced it almost 20 times before then. He was still as nervous as a first year in front of them. It was different to speak to them all at one time than to speak to them in each class. It only reminded him of the importance of his role in their lives.
"Professors Black and Morrocan are new to us this year. They will be teaching, respectively, Animagnus Studies and Magical Music. Make sure you render them with the same respect that you grant any teacher here in Hogwarts. Just because their status may be of some celebrity, it does not give you the right to treat them as anything but your professors. Also, I'm sure you all remember Professor Weasley. She is a recent graduate of Hogwarts herself. "
He looked in each professor's direction as he spoke their names.
"Tomorrow at 8 there is a ceremony to remember the lost faculty of Hogwarts in the main cemetery. If you wish to attend you may do so. You are not required in any fashion to come, as I do realize it is still a painful subject. But you are all welcome just the same."
He tried to make eye contact at each table as he spoke.
"Then with all of that out of the way, let the feast begin."
With a wave of his hand in Dumbledore-like fashion, the feast appeared on the tables. Chattering began as the first years got to know their classmates, and Snape within the solace of his mind breathed a sigh of relief.
It would be two years today, and he still felt no difference. If time was supposed to heal wounds, he was beginning to think he would never. Even though he had warned the students about Professor Morrocan's celebrity status, he was sure they would still try and bombard her with pleas for autographs. How had he let Remus talk him into hiring her in the first place? What in Merlin's name was he thinking? He wasn't sure if she would be serious or not, having not really spoken with her all that much. Remus did a lot of her initial interviews and such, as being Deputy Headmaster. She seemed to have the backing of all the staff. Draco did have his initial doubts, but his youth and weak-mindedness were swept up in her charms like most young men. Not that she wasn't attractive, just that he would never admit that. Ginny Weasley seemed a little nervous, though that was understandable. She was the new head of Gryfffindor, after it had no head for an entire year. No one had the heart to replace Minerva then and Ginny was still in school. He had hoped that the Granger girl would have taken her place, but she disappeared back into the muggle world without a trace. Now that was an interesting story. To think that the illustrious Mrs. Potter would up and divorce him and then vanish into thin air. They had been friends once and she had never given any indication to anyone that something was wrong on any level. Then one day she was gone. No note. No anything. Just signed divorce papers and a ring. Potter didn't want to sign them for a long time, but in time he gave in and made it final. No one understood it. But the smartest mind in the wizarding world was gone. That squashed all ideas about Muggle Studies. He had hoped she'd come back after a few months maybe. A little time out. But he waited and waited and she never came back and he was without a teacher. Life was strange at times. But, it does go on he supposed.
After the feast was over he retreated to his quarters. He still lived in the dungeons. He didn't have the heart to take Albus' old room. He did utilize the office, but he couldn't move into his personal rooms. As he entered his usual green and silver rooms, the soft sounds of his feet on carpet were interrupted but the great meow of a cat and the loud squawking of a bird. He reached down to pet the cat's long fur and looked over at Fawkes. He seemed to have gotten stuck with old pets. One from a lost Old friend and one from a lost new one. He reached into his pocket and came out with a small treat for the Phoenix. He felt the cat rub at his leg and he looked down at it amusedly.
"Are you hungry Crookshanks?"