It was late as he sat in the dark of his dungeon. Snape's mind wandered to the woman Taranis. If her bold confrontation had sparked his interest at first, the shy, demure way she asked him to stay certainly got his attention. While she had sincerely seemed interested, he couldn't understand why. He wasn't the sort of man women found irresistible, and he had certainly never been propositioned before. If he hadn't been late to meet Lucious Malfoy down in the bar...he found himself hardening at the thought. What would such a beautiful woman want with me? I would indeed have been interesting to find out.

He continued to ponder the possibilities. Could it have been a trick, a plot of some sort? Malfoy had known he would be there. Was she waiting for him? He began to pace back and forth in his office. Could Lucious have arranged for her to lure him into her room and commit some act of foul play? What? Poison him? Stun him? Was the broken wand a ploy to make him believe she was without magic? It certainly made more sense than being desire so by a woman he'd just met. Such things just didn't happen, not to him anyway, not without a reason.

His mood continued to darken as he considered the possibilities. The more he thought about it the more it seemed that there as only one, "That Bitch!" He snarled as he stormed into his rooms and slammed the door.

Taranis awoke, early and exhausted. She had lain awake late, thinking about the mysterious Severus Snape, remembering his dark eyes and the rich baritone of his voice . . . and how she had made a complete fool of herself. I can't believe I threw myself at him, and he ran . . . Oh well, she lamented. At least I don't have to see him again.

She suffered her humiliation over a pot of coffee she had ordered from downstairs. After a long hot shower she dressed in a long black skirt and high collar blouse. She grabbed her cloak and bags and headed out the door.

After a quick stop at Olivander's to pick up her wand, she wandered around the shops for a while. Since shopping always cheered her up she decided several new outfits were definitely in order. She must have tried on a dozen wonderful outfits and she had a hard time narrowing the list down. I don't really need any of them, she thought. Finally deciding on a dark blue dress and a black pant suit, black was always wonderful because it was always in style and it went with anything, she headed down to the Leaky Cauldron.

Just as dark as it was the day before it was a comforting sort of place. She chose a table in the corner and ordered a coffee and Irish cream. Although it was early to start drinking, she definitely needed something to help her relax a bit.

Half an hour later an enormous man came through the door. He must tower over me by about three feet she thought. Wow. He had long curly dark hair and a beard to match, but sort of a cheerful look about him. "Hagrid?" she called out to him.

"Well hello there," he replied as he came over to her table, "you must be Professor Aislin then?"

"Yes, It's good to meet you Hagrid," she smiled up at him. "You're certainly easy enough to recognize aren't you?"

"Have a nice trip did you?" He blushed slightly.

"Ugh, no way. I'm looking forward to settling in over a nice long bath."

"Well come along then, let's get those bags and we'll get you straight to Hogwarts." He marched over to the fireplace. "I'm not really allowed to do magic," he said as he pulled out a pocket full of Floo Powder. "Bein' as this was a special circumstance and all Dumledore said it'd be all right. We're going to Hogsmeade," he told her as he held out the powder.

She grabbed a handful and stepped up to the fireplace, "Hogsmeade" and threw the powder, stepping out into what appeared to be another pub. A slightly plump woman smiled at her from behind the bar as Hagrid stepped into the room and grinned. "That's Rosemerta. Come along then this way," and strode out the door. "Hope you don't mind a bit of a walk."

"A walk would be great, it's really beautiful here, reminds me of home." It was a beautiful summer day and the fresh air did wonders on her low spirits.

Hagrid pointed out the Forbidden Forest as the walked. "No students allowed in there, it's very dangerous ya' know."

Taranis thought it was a very good thing she was no student as she eyed the lush green trees and the deep woods beyond. The castle appeared to rise up out of nowhere. Wow! It was gorgeously tall and majestic. There was a lake off to the right and it was surrounded by acres of green grass. She could just make out the quiddich field toward the back. "Oh Hagrid, it's wonderful!" He beamed down at her. "Do you teach here too?" She asked.

His massive chest seemed to puff up a bit as he replied. "I teach Care of Magical Creatures and I also do the grounds work."

"That seems like a lot to take on."

"I've been really busy teaching all right, so Dumbledore's given me a bit o' magic for the other." He paused, "I shouldn't a told you that . . . so don't be tellin' anyone ok?"

"Oh Hagrid that reminds me, the coach at Stormhaven is pulled by dragons. One of them is a Norwegian Ridgeback who goes by the name Norbert."

"Norbert!" Hagrid exclaimed, his eyes lit up with excitement. "My Norbert?" She nodded. "How is the little guy? I was so worried when he had to go to Romania."

"That little guy is a fully grown dragon now. He's enormous as you can imagine." Hagrid was hanging on every word. "I shouldn't tell you this so don't repeat it, but my mom has a way with animals and she said Norbert remembers you and your kindness when he was born. A dragon never forgets you know." She put her hand on his arm and smiled up at him.

Hagrid sniffled and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. "I really miss the little guy a lot ye know."

They entered the castle and went straight to her classroom. "Here's your office through this door here." She took quick notice of the darkness of the rooms, it needed a woman's touch and it would be quite serviceable she decided. They went down a hallway to her private rooms. "Password is fudge cake."

The door opened to reveal fairly large rooms, a nice open space with high ceilings and windows. The furnishings were sparse, with a brown leather sofa, chair and ottoman in front of the fireplace. There was a small table a desk and a couple of large bookcases which were perfect for all of her books. The bedroom was large as well, and she'd never seen such a large bed. Covered in a deep green spread with green and gold pillows, it looked wonderful. There was a large wardrobe and dresser to one side and a small table and chair on the other, with a trunk at the foot of the bed. She noted an alcove near the window. The stone floor dah been removed and there was a patch of grass about six by eight feet long. She smiled to herself.

"Very nice Hagrid thanks you." She said stepping out of the bedroom as he set her bags down.

Hagrid pointed to a door at the side of the living room. "That door'll take you up to the second floor or down to the dungeons if you've a mind. 'Fraid we've missed dinner, I'll have somè€n sent round and let Dumbledore know ye've arrived safe n all."

"Thanks Hagrid." She turned to her bag and began pulling things out. "A few touches of home should be just the thing." She started to enlarge the things she'd shrunk to fit in her bags. White and black faux fur rugs went well in the living room, clothes, books, pictures and everything else she thought she'd need. Her guitar went in the trunk near the bed. Before she knew it there was a sound in the other room.

"Hello there Professor Aislin, I'm Dobby and I'm free." He was a small creature whose nose was too large for his face. Both ugly and adorable as he looked at her with large eyes. He wore a small red and blue checked piece of material around his waist, one green sock and one that seemed to be every color on the other foot. A neon orange scarf around his neck completed the ensemble.

"I'm pleased to meet you Dobby."She grinned, "nice skirt."

Dobby cocked his head to the side as he smiled up at her, "master Dumbledore says to tell you that he has been detained and won't be able to come welcome you. He says there will be a staff meeting tomorrow at 4:00 and will you please to be there?"

"Thank you very much, and Dobby I'll be sure to make it there."

After dinner and a hot bath, she was grateful for the huge marble inlaid bathtub, she went to bed. Even though the bed was incredibly comfortable, she slept fitfully. She'd always had a hard time sleeping anywhere but her bed at home, and she was still thinking about dark eyes. . .

Afer a late breakfast consisting of a pot of hot coffee with a lot of cream and sugar Taranis decided to tackle the classroom. Donning an old pair of jeans and a tank top, she headed out.

Thankful that she remembered how to get to her classroom at all, she entered the room. Big and dark, she thought as she drew back the curtains and opened the windows to let in some fresh air. She magic'd up some more sconces for the walls especially around the elevated platform in the front. There was a large desk to one side of the platform and as she studied the various magical devices strewn about, she though of how she might put them to use. After cleaning and arranging the room to her liking, she headed into the office.

A large desk sat to one side of the room, a work area on the other with several bookcases in between. There were a few interesting volumes there, but she'd put most of those she brought from home here she decided. Plenty of room for her cauldron and supplies here too, she noted. In the corner of the room there was a large closet, which she discovered was full of interesting things. "Eew!" she exclaimed. A Shrinking Head Mask! What on earth did they want with that? She dropped the mask off to the side and continued to forage. While in the process of examining a large red glass ball of some sort, she heard a yell from the doorway.

"You! What are you doing here?"

Her head immediately turned in shock. It was Severus, she thought as she gaped at him. What was he doing here? He looked arrogant and foreboding as he stood scowling at her. Just as she remembered.

"How did you get in here?" he demanded, shooting daggers as he strode toward her. "This school is guarded by wards that I assure you are NOT easily breakable. I repeat, what, are you doing here?"

The gall he had, arrogant was right. What was she doing here? That ticked her off! "I was just wondering how 'you' got in?" she said as she stood putting her hands on her hips as she frowned at him, "and you aren't burning in the light of day?"

He came at her and grabbed her arm, "how dare you come in here!" he snarled as he started to pull her toward the door.

His grip on her arm was painful, he's not joking, she realized with fury."What the hell do you think you're doing? Let me go Damn it!" She struggled to free herself from his grasp as he continued to drag her out. "I have every right to be here, you're not in charge you big jerk!"

"Dumbledore is and I assure you he and the Ministry are going to want to talk to your woman! Now come on!" He shot a venomous look at her. What nerve she had to come in here after what she had tried to do to him. What was she looking for? Was she trying to lay a trap? Is there something here that The Dark Lord wants? "Did Malfoy send you here?" he demanded. "Well? Who sent you? Speak up and maybe you'll get off easier!"

"Go to hell you son of a bitch!" she yelled as she kicked him in the shin as hard as she could. He grunted in surprise and let go of her arm as she backed up a step. They each pulled out their wands ready to zap each other.

"What is going on here?!" Came a thunderous voice from the door. "Both of you lower your wands." They hesitated. "Now." He ordered.

It was Dumbledore, thank goodness she thought and she relaxed. She was thankful for someone to make this greasy git back off before they cursed each other into the hospital wing for a week.

"Severus explain." Dumbledore said with authority.

"I caught this woman going through the stores. I don't know how she got in her, but I believe Lucius Malfoy may have sen her here on some errand," he spat with fury, "I demand we contact the Ministry at once!"

"Oh. Yes I see. I'm not sure that's quite in order yet?" he said thoughtfully and he paused for a moment and turned to Taranis. "Severus is very protective of everyone here at Hogwarts you see my dear." Putting his finger against his lips thoughtfully he looked over to where Snape stood, hands on hips glowering at them. "Perhaps introductions are in order. Professor Snape this is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor Taranis Aislin." his eyes shone with amusement as he put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

They both gaped at each other in astonishment, "Professor." they said in unison.

"Yes, professors." The old wizard said. He looked serious and imposing, but his eyes twinkled as if he thought this funny indeed. "Taranis' parents are very old dear friends of mine Severus." He turned from an astonished Snape. "My dear you have grown in to a lovely young woman." He looked down at her approvingly as he took her hands. "I haven't seen you since you were a child, you look much like your mother. Your parents are well I hope."

She smiled up at the man her parents had spoken so fondly of, "yes sir they are very well and they send their regards and well, you know my mom, she sent something else."

Dumbledore grinned and knowingly leaded over so she could kiss him on the cheek. Blushing she looked over to where Severus stood staring at her with such dark intent in his eyes that she shivered. So much for not seeing him again, she thought, ass Dumbledore led her out of the room. Even though he turned out to be an absolute jerk, his presence was very commanding. A brief flash went through her mind as she imagined herself running a hand over that button covered chest. . .