Disclaimer – Everything apart from Marina Matthews belongs to J.K. Rowling. Marina's mine and I'm just having fun with everything else so do not sue.

A/N – Snape's POV again. Sorry for the delay in updating and thank you for all the reviews. This is the final chapter and it may not be what many expect, but still…on with the show.

Farewells

Snape didn't enjoy having a kitten Kneazle follow him wherever he went, especially not one called "Sooty." The name was bad enough in his opinion and he was followed by quiet sniggers from those few brave enough to do so in his hearing. On the bright side, Gryffindor lost many points for its house students' laughter at him. What made it worse was that the Kneazle actually liked all house students except his own, despite being in his house colours. It frolicked around his ankles playfully as he made his daily rounds, doing its best to trip him over. It was hard to intimidate students with a kitten playing around your ankles.

Finding looking after and feeding the thing a nuisance, he was surprised to discover that it did have its good points. For instance, it took delight in pouncing upon the students trying to flee from being caught rule breaking. Seeing it latch on to Potter's ankles under his prized invisibility cloak had been very worthwhile. Plus, he had added extra detention to the boy for shaking his Kneazle around. None of the other teachers could say that he had been unfair in doing so. Sooty didn't discriminate against house origins, so more than quite a few Slytherins ended up on the bad side of the Kneazle. Students like Draco Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle, whom he couldn't punish as he was "friends" with their fathers, were punished by Sooty.

The Kneazle kept on sneaking into his common room and spying on his students. Sooty's dislike for all things Slytherin made him positively vicious in his dealings with them. Snape didn't get any complaints about his new pet but he knew that there were many. If he did, he'd hear things like Sooty shredding cheaters' homework the night before they were due to be handed in. Or he'd leave wet patches in the beds of those he really disliked. Pansy Parkinson was in this group for good reason after having kicked Sooty when she thought he wasn't around. For the most part, Snape let Sooty do what he liked in his common room, sometimes even letting him in on purpose. After all, Sooty was more than capable of dodging and avoiding spells thrown at him.

In a very roundabout way, he was thankful for Marina Matthews' gift to him, though he'd rather take poison than ever tell her. He had Sooty, a companion in his otherwise empty rooms and life outside school hours. He was like the polar opposite to him and the hidden side to his personality made manifest. Well, maybe it would be more truthful to say that he was the side to him that never existed. Whatever the reason, he had one ally with unconditional support for him, even if it was a Kneazle and the support only extended to catching rule breakers and taking delight in punishing them. Snape took pride in knowing that they were nothing like the other man and cat duo of the castle, Mrs Norris and Filch. At least he and Sooty were scarier to the students and Sooty was far better groomed than the caretaker's cat as well as being more liked.

It amused him how his new pet had reduced his house students to a near gibbering wreck. There were very few students willing to undertake the Slytherin ways with Sooty lurking around. Plotting and scheming was done outside the Slytherin common room, very few dared to cheat in school work. Those who did do so did it in underhand and sneaky ways that would have made even Salazar Slytherin proud to have them as his students. Even then, Sooty was more often than not able to ruin their work so it wasn't really worth it.

The Easter holidays was spent without the Matthews girl, giving him the first respite in the year from her presence. Truth be told, he'd half expected her to stay at the school just to get on his nerves. Even without her around, he was still plagued by her. She sent him daily owls with long and detailed letters about what she'd done the previous day.

'Severus, please try to refrain from blasting each and every single one of Miss Matthews' letters,' said an exasperated McGonagall. 'You're not setting a good example and being socially difficult. Would it hurt you to read what the girl has been doing away from school?'

He acidly replied, 'It would just about kill me from boredom to read what she's been doing. It's all, "My grandfather took me fishing" and "Today I weeded my aunt's flowerbed." Honestly, does she really think I'm interested in such mundane tasks? The only parts of interests are those where she writes of the misfortunes she suffers, all well deserved in my mind. As for blasting the letters, thank you for reminding me.' Taking his wand out, he took delight in making the latest letter explode.

'Really, there's no need for that,' huffed a put out McGonagall. 'The girl's only being friendly - an emotion that is wasted on you.'

Then his breakfasts got worse. The impudent girl added home made cakes and biscuits to her daily letters. Foodstuffs that she happily and proudly wrote that she had made herself. He didn't trust them to not be poisoned so didn't touch them. He followed Moody's example and didn't take food or drink from others. He had already suffered from a hexed Easter egg from one of the Matthews girl's numerous cousins or uncles. He still winced on hearing students hum to the latest Weird Sisters' song "I'm the Knobbliest Wizard." He'd been unable to stop singing to the song for three straight hours after getting that Easter egg. His plight had been restricted to his rooms or he'd never have heard the end of it from the other staff.

So all the food items he got from the girl were pushed away from him.

'I am telling you Severus, you really are missing out,' said Dumbledore, eating a cream filled pastry. He and many others had taken to eating the food he didn't want. The headmaster also took the letters from him before he could blast them. All because a delicate third year had fainted at a blast and had to be treated with Calming Draughts by Pomfrey. He also read the letters aloud whenever he could in Snape's presence. 'Miss Matthews is learning her baking skills from her grandmother Imogen Matthews, herself grandchild to Elise Turnwell of Turnwell Confectionaries of Diagon Alley. Ah, the food brings back memories of my childhood days in the shop, being served by Elise Turnwell,' he said, eyes misty with recollection.

Flitwick said, 'My father used to go to the shop as a boy himself. He always said that there was no better place to go to for bakery in those days so long ago. He used to spend ages just trying to decide which item to buy as there was so much choice. There's never been anyone like Elise Turnwell since her death.'

'True,' nodded Dumbledore. 'Many have tried to emulate her success at sweet confections but with little success. I'm told that her recipes have been passed down through her grandchild, now passing them along to Miss Matthews. So we're being honoured to eat Turnwell recipes. Are you sure you don't mind us eating these foods Severus?'

'As far as I'm concerned, not even a starved man would touch the girl's food,' said a sneering Snape.

Just then Sooty pushed a raspberry and cream tart towards him at the teacher's table. His Kneazle had cream still hanging from his whiskers.

He waspishly picked his Kneazle off the table and said, 'If the girl's not out to poison me, she's aiming for my Kneazle too. That girl goes too far.'

'Severus, do you know that Sooty can spot suspicious people and items?' enquired Dumbledore.

'So?'

Dumbledore said, 'That ability does extend to items that could kill others by poisoning. Since Sooty himself eats Miss Matthews' food, doesn't that tell you that her gifts aren't poisoned?'

'I'm not eating anything made from her hands,' he stubbornly said. 'All this is just bribery to get me to let her join my house.'

McGonagall said, 'But her letters clearly state that they are to fatten you up. According to a letter, you are too "skinny and knobbly" for your own good. Anyway, what were you expecting? It's Miss Matthews' life ambition to get into your house and she'd do just about anything to get you to let her in.'

'She can try as hard as she likes, but I'm not letting her into my house.'

All too soon to his mind, the Easter holidays were over and the bane of his teaching life returned. He couldn't even miss her return.

'Hello there Professor Snape! Did you miss me? No! Don't run away! I've got so much to talk to you about!' she wailed after his retreating back.

Thankfully, there were plenty of students between him and her in the Entrance hall. Knowing that the girl would automatically gravitate to him as if he had a tracking charm on him, he did his best to avoid her. He had no idea how she knew precisely where he was at any given moment. Some would call him paranoid, but he frequently checked for tracking charms on himself or clothing that she might have put on. How else did she know where he was?

McGonagall walked by where he was and asked, 'Severus, are you hiding from Miss Matthews?'

'Now, why would I need to hide from a deranged first year Gryffindor?' he silkily asked.

'Well, you're standing in the shadows of a long forgotten, disused and dusty corridor set at a great height. Do forgive me for getting the impression that you are where you are, fully well knowing that Miss Matthews would never venture up here. I came by to tell you that Sooty is being looked after by Miss Matthews. She has threatened to make him the fattest Kneazle in existence if you don't let her into your house,' she said, lips twitching as she tried not to smile. 'About the new sweet shop, remember how you agreed to be the teacher in charge of it? The headmaster has found a student to act as the salesperson. You'll be pleased to hear that Miss Matthews is wholeheartedly looking forward to the shop's opening.'

His lips thinned as he asked, 'What possessed the crazy old man to let her be in charge of the shop's sales?'

'Well, there were no other volunteers and nobody else wanted to be under your scrutiny or in such close proximity to you outside of lessons. Besides which, she has experience selling items and has a remarkable flair for it. By the way, I was serious about Miss Matthews' threat to feed Sooty until he can't move for being too overweight. She's currently feeding him all the food items she got for you.'

Knowing the girl as he did, he knew that the amount of food she'd have for him would be quite considerable. Snape was immediately worried about his Kneazle. She'd probably make him burst out of his fur with the amount of food she'd feed him. If anyone would feed or spoil his cat, it would be him, not a silly first year hell bent on making his life a misery. He immediately stormed down the castle corridor to where he knew she'd be – his classroom.

'Matthews, if you hold any value to your worthless life, you'll move away from the Kneazle.'

She looked up from scratching Sooty's head and gave him a brilliant smile. 'Hello there professor, you came to negotiate. Right, I've already drawn up a contract and all you need to do is read and sign it. It's there on your desk. I've taken the liberty to add a neat eagle quill and ink for you to use so you don't have to look around for the items.'

He made no move to the item as he glared at the girl. Sooty looked well fed and pleased, a ridiculous green ribbon tied around his neck into a bow. 'Tell me Matthews, how many days did it take for you to learn how to pronounce "negotiate" properly?'

'It was no trouble at all, my grandfather taught me it during our fishing trip,' she flippantly replied. 'He told me that I'm to poke you in the eye with a red hot poker if you don't let me into your house.' Seeing his wrath and ire filled look she nervously asked, 'Perhaps I shouldn't have told you that? I'll take that as a no,' she said, backing away from him, Sooty in her arms. He menacingly took a step forwards to her and she half fearfully, half determinedly stood her ground. He took another step and she broke, pelting for the doors.

'Run for the hills!' she screamed. 'Hungry dungeon monster on the loose! Every kid for themselves! Run!'

Hot on her heels, but not running himself, Snape followed to get his Kneazle back. The panic stricken girl was going around in circles, obviously unable to think clearly. All the time screaming as she ran, nearby Slytherins laughing raucously at the sight. Looking over her shoulder, she gave a fear filled scream on seeing him gain on her, eyes widening with fright. So busy looking at him, she missed seeing the wall she spectacularly crashed into. His pleasure that she managed to knock herself out lasted until he saw the blood trickling out of her head. Sighing, he used a floating charm to carry her to the infirmary, trying to avoid his Kneazle's accusing glare.

It was two days later and Snape was in Dumbledore's office. He was with the Mordecai and Siobhan Matthews, Marina Matthews' parents. A little later, Poppy Pomfrey came in with McGonagall and the Matthews girl. Sooty was curled up in the girl's arms, looking as haughty as only a cat can be.

'Good morning Miss Matthews,' said a kind and gentle Dumbledore. 'Do you know who these two people are?'

'Of course I do,' she replied. 'They are the other girl's parents.'

It turned out that hitting her head on the wall had ruined her memory. She no longer had any memories as to who she was, her mind completely scrambled. Pomfrey had done all she could to fix her brain and memories, but it wasn't near good enough. The girl only remembered her life as events that seemed to have happened to another girl that wasn't herself. Even then, she had no memories of Hogwarts through the "other" girl's mind.

Mordecai Matthews said, 'That's right, we're her parents, but we're also your parents too.'

'Really?' she hopefully asked, delight in her voice. 'I have parents too? You're my parents? So I really do have parents after all? I have a family?'

'Yes, we are your parents,' smiled Siobhan. 'We are your family and there are plenty of other family members just waiting to meet you. Would you like to come with us and meet them?'

She shyly smiled, 'I'd be delighted!'

Along with her memory loss, she'd undergone a huge personality change. Well, Snape saw one with the other teaching staff seeing no change. She wasn't always bothering him or determined to drive him insane. This alone told him just how much she had changed. When he'd gone to see her in the infirmary, she'd been timid, quiet and painfully polite to him. Quite like a first year Hufflepuff on first seeing him, one thoroughly intimidated by him.

Pomfrey had said, 'Miss Matthews' mind is so ruined by her accident, there is little that can be done to restore her to her previous state. As it is, she can't even recall all that has been taught her this past year so can't carry on her education. I am not quite sure how, but her curse of fearing heights has been suppressed too. Yes, this means that she no longer fears heights. The best thing that can be done is to try and let her regain her memories by herself. It is my medical opinion that she should restart her first year in September if her memories aren't restored by then. It would be best if she returns home for the remainder of the school year.'

Snape turned his attention back to the current proceedings. The Matthews would take their amnesiac child home, going along with whatever she believed, helping her to regain her memories. Or if they couldn't manage that, then they'd go with whatever she made of herself and them. In his mind, he didn't think that the girl's condition was any great loss. With any luck, her parents would make her join another school instead of Hogwarts. Didn't the girl's cousins go to Beauxbaton? Breaking out of his dream of not seeing her again in September, he heard Dumbledore speak.

'…have been arranged so you might join Hogwarts as the second year you will be in September. I am afraid you will have to be Sorted again as you aren't, ah, quite yourself,' he delicately said. 'Do you have a problem with that Miss Matthews?'

'Not at all headmaster,' she bashfully replied.

'Very well, I leave you in the capable hands of your parents and family. We shall meet again in September young lady,' he said, shaking her hand.

He watched as the girl moved around the room, bidding farewell to Dumbledore, McGonagall and Pomfrey. She reached him last, and handed him Sooty. 'I believe this wonderful Kneazle belongs with you sir,' she stammered out. 'I don't know why, but he's been a very good friend to me since I woke in the infirmary yesterday. I hope you look after him very well, he deserves it. After all, a Snape is for life, not just for Christmas.'

He froze. Perhaps she had her mind after all, for only she'd say such a thing right up to his face…

'Matthews, what did you just say?' he asked, his voice threateningly low.

She squeaked out, 'I was talking about Sooty Snape, not you sir! His name is on his collar's nametag! I didn't mean to upset or insult you!'

'Very well,' he said, looking at her malevolently. 'I'll make a note to keep an eye on you on your return. You smell of trouble and heavens forbid you end up in my house.'

'Like I'd be seen dead in your house,' she disparagingly said, with all the fire she'd once used to defend her decision to be in the same house. It was disconcerting to say the least.

'At least we agree on the subject Matthews. Kindly remove yourself from my presence.'

She sniffed, eyes filling with tears as she went back to her parents after giving Sooty one last pat. He almost felt bad about making her cry, the key word being "almost." After the year she'd put him through, the girl deserved it. The Matthews used the headmaster's fireplace to floo home.

Dumbledore wearily sighed, 'This truly is a great loss for Hogwarts. Now there is nobody to act as the school sweet shop salesperson. I'm afraid I'll have to close the shop before it even opens. Maybe we'll see it open next term when Miss Matthews returns.' Snape couldn't see how that could be seen as a great loss. Unless you were a sweet crazed headmaster of course when it was apparently the end of the world.

September came and Snape sat at the teacher's table, a much grown Sooty looking at the new first years with interest. Looking over the first years, his stomach dropped. Matthews…How? Why had she returned? He'd half hoped that she wouldn't and had happily forgotten all about her. He still had a few nightmares about the hourglass incident…

The Sorting hat was placed on her head. His fists clenched with tension under the table.

Please not Slytherin, please don't put the girl in my house. Any other house but my own...

"SLYTHERIN!"

If there is a god out there, I really hate you.