Miracles Happen
By
Snivellus
A/N: Thank you for my review. I hope you like it.
Chapter 2
At the end of the week, Severus found himself standing outside Hogwarts, the one place he vowed never to return. There were so many memories; children screaming as Dementors descended on the school, blood seeping on the tables of the Great Hall, watching his mentor die. He shivered at the thoughts, and walked to the large stone statue that guarded the Headmistress's office.
"Quafflepuncher." Severus spoke as the statue moved to reveal the staircase.
Severus walked around the small office. He looked around at all of the Headmasters and Headmistress portraits, and remembered the first time he was in this office.
He was eleven and he had gotten into his first of many fights with Sirius Black. Black and called him a greasy ugly bat. He said that even his father couldn't love someone who looked like an ogre. Severus cursed him by causing him to twitch uncontrollably. Minerva had caught him, and brought him to see the Headmaster. It was the second week of school, and all ready he had gotten in trouble.
"Hello Severus, have you finally decided to visit me?" Severus spun around and saw a portrait that he had never seen before.
"Albus?" Severus said quietly.
"Yes my son, you have come home have you not?"
"Yes, I suppose, so many memories, so many bad things..."
"But they are in the past, are they not? Minerva said that you have a beautiful daughter, is this true?"
"Yes sir, she is six years old, and so smart, so strong." Severus said.
"Minerva told me that you lost your wife, so much for you to deal with in your life."
"Yes sir." Severus said softly while screaming on the inside.
"Severus, I never thanked you for everything you did for me. Few know the amount of dedication and loyalty you showed to me. If I could see you happy again, I would do anything."
"Thank you sir." Severus said as he closed his eyes. He brought his hand to his face and rubbed his eyes.
"Severus? Your visit is unexpected, but I hope a nice surprise." Minerva said as she walked down to the first level of the office.
"Yes, look I do not wish to stay long, I have come only to tell you that I will take the position under one condition."
"And what is that?" Minerva asked curiously.
"I will be able to bring in assistant coaches of my choice."
"But the Cannons already have two assistant coaches, who have been with the team for several years, I cannot just fire them."
"If you want me as the head coach, you will." Severus said forcefully.
"If you want a better team, then you need better management." Severus said.
"Okay, but give me some time, I cannot just let them go without reason."
"Fine. If you want your team in shape before the preseason games start, I will need to meet with them as soon as possible."
"How about two weeks?" Minerva asked.
"Good, 7 am. At the practice pitch in Manchester."
"All right I will inform the team."
"Oh and I will need you to owl me a current roster, as well as a list of the local minor league players."
"Why do you need a list of the minor league players?"
"If I need to do any replacing, I need to know if they are worth replacing or not."
"You can't be serious?"
"I am dead serious, and if you try to get involved, I will quit."
"Very well. Would you care for some tea?" Minerva said now that business was finished.
"No, I must get back, Sandra has to go to work, and I cannot leave Moria alone."
"All right, well if you need anything, someone to talk to, or just some company, you are always welcome here, I hope you know that."
"Good day Minerva." Severus said as he turned to walk out.
"Goodbye my son, I hope your feet find their way back here more often." Albus's portrait said.
*!*!*
"Daddy! Look at what I drew!" Moria said her father walked through the front door.
"What did you draw?"
"It is a hippogriff! Isn't it pretty daddy?"
"Oh it is beautiful Moria." Severus said looking at his daughter's picture. Severus thought that it looked more like a furry cat, but didn't say anything, something he had to learn the hard way the first time Moria showed him a drawing. Severus remembered that she had made her cry, and Wendy told him to use some subtlety next time.
"So did you get the job daddy?" Moria asked as she put her drawing on the fridge magically.
"Your looking at the new head coach of the Cannons, the most pathetic team in the league." Severus said sarcastically.
"Good thing they have you daddy! They need all the help they can get." Moria said.
"That is for damm sure." Severus said getting some water out of the fridge.
"Severus, language!" Sandra made her presence known.
"Yes, Sandra."
"So you took the job, I take it?" Sandra asked as she cleaned up Moria's crayons.
"Yes, I start next month. Would you be able to watch Moria?" Severus asked.
"Of course, if you did not have me watch her, I don't think you would ever get to see her."
"Yes, well thank goodness you are a writer and has no effect on your nannying." Severus said sarcastically.
*!*!*!*!
Severus received the roster and after going over it several time, he was surprised to see a few names that he had in fact taught, but there were far more new names on the list than old. Foster, Carle, Ulanski, and James, all names he had not recognized, and then there was Potter, Weasley, and Wood. His students, his children that he watched go through hell and back, and now he was to be their coach, only time would tell.
"Hey Harry, did you hear?" A young red head asked her teammate as they met up to do some impromptu practicing.
"Hear what Ginny?" A much older looking Harry Potter asked.
"McGonagall fired our assistant coaches, so now not only are we getting a new head coach, but a whole new coaching team."
"What? Why would she fire McKinley and Steward?"
"I donÕt know, but we will find out next week. We have 7 am practice with the new coach."
"What next week? But we have never started practice that early!" Harry cried.
"I guess this coach is reshaping the whole team." Ginny said.
"Who does this guy think he is?"
"I heard he coached the Vultures a few years ago."
"The Vultures, but they are one of the best teams in the world, why would have he left them?"
"Maybe he wanted a challenge."
"We are a challenge all right. So do you want to go out to lunch?" Harry asked as they were walking back from the pitch.
"I can't, I promised mum that I would help her pick out the colors for the kitchen." Ginny said quickly.
"Ginny, come on, the only time you will see me is at practice, it is like you have been avoiding me in seven years!"
"Look Harry, I've got to run, see you next week." Ginny said quickly not looking back.
Harry didn't understand, Ginny, the only friend he had left refused to get close. Nothing had been the same since the war. Harry had lost his best friend, and Ginny lost her brother. Ronald Weasley had sacrificed himself for Hermione Granger.
Harry would never forget the look in her eyes when Ron threw himself in front of her. In fact, Hermione had been so devastated she had left Britain and started a new life down in Australia. Last Harry knew, Hermione was heading up the charm breaking team at the Australian Aurora training camp.
So there he was, 25 years old with no friends, no family, and a job as a seeker for a mediocre Quidditch team. He had always said that he wanted to live life more simply, but this was ridiculous.
*!*!*!*!*!
On the other side of town, Severus was paying an old friend a visit.
"Hello Connie, is Glenn home?" Severus asked.
"Why yes he is, it is good to see you Severus, how have you been doing? How is that precious daughter of yours?" Connie said embracing him in a hug, which Severus stiffened to.
"She is doing well, thank you for inquiring."
"Well, come on in, come in! For heaven's sakes to what do we owe the pleasure?" Connie said as she directed him to their living room.
"I actually have a job offer for Glenn."
"Oh, well let me go get him." She said bustling up the stairs.
Glenn Fisher, had been Severus's right hand man when he was coaching the Vultures, and he was also in Severus's class at Hogwarts. He was a Ravenclaw, and was sharp as a tack. If you needed a creative play he could create one in minutes. Severus knew he had to get him to be the assistant head coach.
"Severus! Merlin, it is good to see you!"
"How are you Glenn?" Severus said shaking his hand.
"Good, good, can't say the same for you eh? I am so sorry about Wendy, we all loved her so much." Glenn said consolingly.
"Yes, well it seems that I have been convinced to coach the pathetic Chudly Cannons this season, and I could use an assistant coach. " Severus said getting straight to the point.
"Goodness, Severus I sure would like to, but I just left the Vultures, I was planning on retiring. Maybe if you would have asked me six months ago I would have considered."
"Look Fisher, let's just cut to the chase, you know I get what I want, and I am not one to beg for it, so what is it going to be?"
"I donÕt know Severus, I would love to work with you again, but..."
"But nothing. You start next week. 7am Manchester." Severus said and walked out.
"That sly Slytherin snake!" Glenn smiled.
"Connie, looks like I wont be going to Madrid with you next week!" Glenn called up the stairs.
"Well good, I didn't want you to go you old coot!" Connie replied, knowing the instant she opened the door, her husband would be going to work for his old friend.
And with that Severus had gotten himself an Assistant coach.
*!*!*!*!*!
7am the next Monday morning came very quickly for everyone. All the players had gathered at the pitch waiting to see this new coach of theirs.
"I hear he is a real hard ass." Foster said to Ulanski.
"I heard he fired one of his players who missed the quaffle in the Vulture vs. Warriors match." James said to Carle.
"Well it seems, you haven't heard anything yet!" Severus said in a loud omnice voice as he entered onto the field with Fisher.
"Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. My name is Severus Snape and I will be your new head coach. This is Glenn Fisher, and he will be my assistant. You will address me as coach, or sir take your pick, and I will address you anyway I see fit.
Take a look around because if you do not give me 110% everyday, rain, or shine you will be looking at your teammates from the fan boxes. Just because you are not in the minor leagues anymore, does not mean that you know a damm thing!
When you step onto this pitch, you better come to play, or I will send you home. Don't get comfortable boys and girls, because I hate to break it to you but your job is not insured, and I don't give a damm if you were the best player at your school or minor league team. You all are a far cry from the best where it counts!" Severus continued on.
Harry Potter couldn't believe who was standing in front of him. Severus Snape, his Potions Professor was now his coach of his Quidditch team? The man had left after the battle, he disappeared, no one had heard from him in seven years, and here he was telling him that his job was in jeopardy? What kind of cruel and twisted joke was fate playing at?
"Try-outs will begin this morning." Severus finished.
"Try-outs? But we all ready tried out for the team, you can't just fire us just because you feel like it." Foster cried.
"Oh really, would you like to try me Foster?" Severus challenged.
"All right, enough mount your brooms." Fisher said.
"I want the Chasers and the Keepers out there right now. I want you to run the Dorge roundabout. Ready? Go!" Severus said as Fisher blew the whistle.
Ulanski, James, Caldwell, and Fulghum were out on the field with Weasley and Wood as the Keepers. They had started the play off fairly well, until Ulanski dropped the quaffle.
"Ulanski, where was your head? Watch the something other than the ground next time!" Severus yelled.
"Caldwell where were you?" He continued on.
James took the quaffle and did a double fake back and scored on Ginny Weasley.
"Weasley get down here!" Severus bellowed.
Ginny flew down and dismounted her broom and walked over to her new coach.
"Yes sir?" She said somewhat upset.
"You should have seen that coming from a mile away, when any player loops around your left, you should be expecting a score on your right side. Is this how you normally play?"
"Sir, it is our first day! Not to mention the fact that we haven't conditioned at all."
"So you want to condition do you?" Severus questioned.
"Sir..."
"Everyone on your brooms now! Line up at the far end. I want you flying to the quarter line, then half, then second quarter line, then the other end and back."
"Potter get up there!" He yelled as he saw Harry still on the ground.
"Sir, I never do this drill." He said.
"You will do it with me! Now on the whistle!" Fisher blew the whistle and they flew as fast as they could to the quarter line and back, then to the half line and back, then to the second quarter line and back, then finally to the end and back.
"Again!" Severus called.
*!*!*!*!*!
By 9am the team was exhausted. Severus wanted them to work hard, he wanted to show them that this was not going to be some free ride. Severus called them down from their scrimmage and dismissed them.
"You may go, same time tomorrow, be late, and be cut!" Severus said forcefully as he turned to talk to Fisher.
"Excuse me, sir." Harry said as he walked up to Severus.
"What do you want Potter." Severus asked annoyed.
"You think you can waltz in here and act like you own the place? Some of us have worked hard to get where we are, unlike you." Harry spat.
"You will address me as sir or coach, and you will not disrespect me. I am your coach like it or not, if you don't like it then go play for another team, because you will find no sympathy from me!" Severus said in a dangerously low voice.
"Good day SIR!" Potter said as he grabbed his broom and walked towards the lockers.
By
Snivellus
A/N: Thank you for my review. I hope you like it.
Chapter 2
At the end of the week, Severus found himself standing outside Hogwarts, the one place he vowed never to return. There were so many memories; children screaming as Dementors descended on the school, blood seeping on the tables of the Great Hall, watching his mentor die. He shivered at the thoughts, and walked to the large stone statue that guarded the Headmistress's office.
"Quafflepuncher." Severus spoke as the statue moved to reveal the staircase.
Severus walked around the small office. He looked around at all of the Headmasters and Headmistress portraits, and remembered the first time he was in this office.
He was eleven and he had gotten into his first of many fights with Sirius Black. Black and called him a greasy ugly bat. He said that even his father couldn't love someone who looked like an ogre. Severus cursed him by causing him to twitch uncontrollably. Minerva had caught him, and brought him to see the Headmaster. It was the second week of school, and all ready he had gotten in trouble.
"Hello Severus, have you finally decided to visit me?" Severus spun around and saw a portrait that he had never seen before.
"Albus?" Severus said quietly.
"Yes my son, you have come home have you not?"
"Yes, I suppose, so many memories, so many bad things..."
"But they are in the past, are they not? Minerva said that you have a beautiful daughter, is this true?"
"Yes sir, she is six years old, and so smart, so strong." Severus said.
"Minerva told me that you lost your wife, so much for you to deal with in your life."
"Yes sir." Severus said softly while screaming on the inside.
"Severus, I never thanked you for everything you did for me. Few know the amount of dedication and loyalty you showed to me. If I could see you happy again, I would do anything."
"Thank you sir." Severus said as he closed his eyes. He brought his hand to his face and rubbed his eyes.
"Severus? Your visit is unexpected, but I hope a nice surprise." Minerva said as she walked down to the first level of the office.
"Yes, look I do not wish to stay long, I have come only to tell you that I will take the position under one condition."
"And what is that?" Minerva asked curiously.
"I will be able to bring in assistant coaches of my choice."
"But the Cannons already have two assistant coaches, who have been with the team for several years, I cannot just fire them."
"If you want me as the head coach, you will." Severus said forcefully.
"If you want a better team, then you need better management." Severus said.
"Okay, but give me some time, I cannot just let them go without reason."
"Fine. If you want your team in shape before the preseason games start, I will need to meet with them as soon as possible."
"How about two weeks?" Minerva asked.
"Good, 7 am. At the practice pitch in Manchester."
"All right I will inform the team."
"Oh and I will need you to owl me a current roster, as well as a list of the local minor league players."
"Why do you need a list of the minor league players?"
"If I need to do any replacing, I need to know if they are worth replacing or not."
"You can't be serious?"
"I am dead serious, and if you try to get involved, I will quit."
"Very well. Would you care for some tea?" Minerva said now that business was finished.
"No, I must get back, Sandra has to go to work, and I cannot leave Moria alone."
"All right, well if you need anything, someone to talk to, or just some company, you are always welcome here, I hope you know that."
"Good day Minerva." Severus said as he turned to walk out.
"Goodbye my son, I hope your feet find their way back here more often." Albus's portrait said.
*!*!*
"Daddy! Look at what I drew!" Moria said her father walked through the front door.
"What did you draw?"
"It is a hippogriff! Isn't it pretty daddy?"
"Oh it is beautiful Moria." Severus said looking at his daughter's picture. Severus thought that it looked more like a furry cat, but didn't say anything, something he had to learn the hard way the first time Moria showed him a drawing. Severus remembered that she had made her cry, and Wendy told him to use some subtlety next time.
"So did you get the job daddy?" Moria asked as she put her drawing on the fridge magically.
"Your looking at the new head coach of the Cannons, the most pathetic team in the league." Severus said sarcastically.
"Good thing they have you daddy! They need all the help they can get." Moria said.
"That is for damm sure." Severus said getting some water out of the fridge.
"Severus, language!" Sandra made her presence known.
"Yes, Sandra."
"So you took the job, I take it?" Sandra asked as she cleaned up Moria's crayons.
"Yes, I start next month. Would you be able to watch Moria?" Severus asked.
"Of course, if you did not have me watch her, I don't think you would ever get to see her."
"Yes, well thank goodness you are a writer and has no effect on your nannying." Severus said sarcastically.
*!*!*!*!
Severus received the roster and after going over it several time, he was surprised to see a few names that he had in fact taught, but there were far more new names on the list than old. Foster, Carle, Ulanski, and James, all names he had not recognized, and then there was Potter, Weasley, and Wood. His students, his children that he watched go through hell and back, and now he was to be their coach, only time would tell.
"Hey Harry, did you hear?" A young red head asked her teammate as they met up to do some impromptu practicing.
"Hear what Ginny?" A much older looking Harry Potter asked.
"McGonagall fired our assistant coaches, so now not only are we getting a new head coach, but a whole new coaching team."
"What? Why would she fire McKinley and Steward?"
"I donÕt know, but we will find out next week. We have 7 am practice with the new coach."
"What next week? But we have never started practice that early!" Harry cried.
"I guess this coach is reshaping the whole team." Ginny said.
"Who does this guy think he is?"
"I heard he coached the Vultures a few years ago."
"The Vultures, but they are one of the best teams in the world, why would have he left them?"
"Maybe he wanted a challenge."
"We are a challenge all right. So do you want to go out to lunch?" Harry asked as they were walking back from the pitch.
"I can't, I promised mum that I would help her pick out the colors for the kitchen." Ginny said quickly.
"Ginny, come on, the only time you will see me is at practice, it is like you have been avoiding me in seven years!"
"Look Harry, I've got to run, see you next week." Ginny said quickly not looking back.
Harry didn't understand, Ginny, the only friend he had left refused to get close. Nothing had been the same since the war. Harry had lost his best friend, and Ginny lost her brother. Ronald Weasley had sacrificed himself for Hermione Granger.
Harry would never forget the look in her eyes when Ron threw himself in front of her. In fact, Hermione had been so devastated she had left Britain and started a new life down in Australia. Last Harry knew, Hermione was heading up the charm breaking team at the Australian Aurora training camp.
So there he was, 25 years old with no friends, no family, and a job as a seeker for a mediocre Quidditch team. He had always said that he wanted to live life more simply, but this was ridiculous.
*!*!*!*!*!
On the other side of town, Severus was paying an old friend a visit.
"Hello Connie, is Glenn home?" Severus asked.
"Why yes he is, it is good to see you Severus, how have you been doing? How is that precious daughter of yours?" Connie said embracing him in a hug, which Severus stiffened to.
"She is doing well, thank you for inquiring."
"Well, come on in, come in! For heaven's sakes to what do we owe the pleasure?" Connie said as she directed him to their living room.
"I actually have a job offer for Glenn."
"Oh, well let me go get him." She said bustling up the stairs.
Glenn Fisher, had been Severus's right hand man when he was coaching the Vultures, and he was also in Severus's class at Hogwarts. He was a Ravenclaw, and was sharp as a tack. If you needed a creative play he could create one in minutes. Severus knew he had to get him to be the assistant head coach.
"Severus! Merlin, it is good to see you!"
"How are you Glenn?" Severus said shaking his hand.
"Good, good, can't say the same for you eh? I am so sorry about Wendy, we all loved her so much." Glenn said consolingly.
"Yes, well it seems that I have been convinced to coach the pathetic Chudly Cannons this season, and I could use an assistant coach. " Severus said getting straight to the point.
"Goodness, Severus I sure would like to, but I just left the Vultures, I was planning on retiring. Maybe if you would have asked me six months ago I would have considered."
"Look Fisher, let's just cut to the chase, you know I get what I want, and I am not one to beg for it, so what is it going to be?"
"I donÕt know Severus, I would love to work with you again, but..."
"But nothing. You start next week. 7am Manchester." Severus said and walked out.
"That sly Slytherin snake!" Glenn smiled.
"Connie, looks like I wont be going to Madrid with you next week!" Glenn called up the stairs.
"Well good, I didn't want you to go you old coot!" Connie replied, knowing the instant she opened the door, her husband would be going to work for his old friend.
And with that Severus had gotten himself an Assistant coach.
*!*!*!*!*!
7am the next Monday morning came very quickly for everyone. All the players had gathered at the pitch waiting to see this new coach of theirs.
"I hear he is a real hard ass." Foster said to Ulanski.
"I heard he fired one of his players who missed the quaffle in the Vulture vs. Warriors match." James said to Carle.
"Well it seems, you haven't heard anything yet!" Severus said in a loud omnice voice as he entered onto the field with Fisher.
"Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. My name is Severus Snape and I will be your new head coach. This is Glenn Fisher, and he will be my assistant. You will address me as coach, or sir take your pick, and I will address you anyway I see fit.
Take a look around because if you do not give me 110% everyday, rain, or shine you will be looking at your teammates from the fan boxes. Just because you are not in the minor leagues anymore, does not mean that you know a damm thing!
When you step onto this pitch, you better come to play, or I will send you home. Don't get comfortable boys and girls, because I hate to break it to you but your job is not insured, and I don't give a damm if you were the best player at your school or minor league team. You all are a far cry from the best where it counts!" Severus continued on.
Harry Potter couldn't believe who was standing in front of him. Severus Snape, his Potions Professor was now his coach of his Quidditch team? The man had left after the battle, he disappeared, no one had heard from him in seven years, and here he was telling him that his job was in jeopardy? What kind of cruel and twisted joke was fate playing at?
"Try-outs will begin this morning." Severus finished.
"Try-outs? But we all ready tried out for the team, you can't just fire us just because you feel like it." Foster cried.
"Oh really, would you like to try me Foster?" Severus challenged.
"All right, enough mount your brooms." Fisher said.
"I want the Chasers and the Keepers out there right now. I want you to run the Dorge roundabout. Ready? Go!" Severus said as Fisher blew the whistle.
Ulanski, James, Caldwell, and Fulghum were out on the field with Weasley and Wood as the Keepers. They had started the play off fairly well, until Ulanski dropped the quaffle.
"Ulanski, where was your head? Watch the something other than the ground next time!" Severus yelled.
"Caldwell where were you?" He continued on.
James took the quaffle and did a double fake back and scored on Ginny Weasley.
"Weasley get down here!" Severus bellowed.
Ginny flew down and dismounted her broom and walked over to her new coach.
"Yes sir?" She said somewhat upset.
"You should have seen that coming from a mile away, when any player loops around your left, you should be expecting a score on your right side. Is this how you normally play?"
"Sir, it is our first day! Not to mention the fact that we haven't conditioned at all."
"So you want to condition do you?" Severus questioned.
"Sir..."
"Everyone on your brooms now! Line up at the far end. I want you flying to the quarter line, then half, then second quarter line, then the other end and back."
"Potter get up there!" He yelled as he saw Harry still on the ground.
"Sir, I never do this drill." He said.
"You will do it with me! Now on the whistle!" Fisher blew the whistle and they flew as fast as they could to the quarter line and back, then to the half line and back, then to the second quarter line and back, then finally to the end and back.
"Again!" Severus called.
*!*!*!*!*!
By 9am the team was exhausted. Severus wanted them to work hard, he wanted to show them that this was not going to be some free ride. Severus called them down from their scrimmage and dismissed them.
"You may go, same time tomorrow, be late, and be cut!" Severus said forcefully as he turned to talk to Fisher.
"Excuse me, sir." Harry said as he walked up to Severus.
"What do you want Potter." Severus asked annoyed.
"You think you can waltz in here and act like you own the place? Some of us have worked hard to get where we are, unlike you." Harry spat.
"You will address me as sir or coach, and you will not disrespect me. I am your coach like it or not, if you don't like it then go play for another team, because you will find no sympathy from me!" Severus said in a dangerously low voice.
"Good day SIR!" Potter said as he grabbed his broom and walked towards the lockers.