Sparing her barely a glance, Snape looked questioningly at Dumbledore.
"Severus, meet Marya Morava. You may remember her from your classes – she got an Outstanding in Potions on her N.E.W.T."
Turning towards the young woman, Snape gave her a scrutinizing look. Yes, now that his memory had been prompted, he did vaguely remember her – a good student, unobtrusive, polite. A Ravenclaw, if he remembered right. Nothing about her that made her stand out.
"She has been hired as the replacement Runes mistress. Since she is a first year teacher at Hogwarts, I would like her to have a mentor that she can ask any... pertinent questions. As a long time staff member, I thought you were eminently suited for the role?"
Snape sneered. "I am sorry, Headmaster, but I'm sure you are aware that I have better things to do right now than baby-sit some young chit. May I suggest Professor McGonagall? I am certain she would make a much better nanny than me."
Marya's cheeks turned redder by the minute. She was stewing. Never mind that she had just used the same term in her mind, but – baby-sit her? Who did he think she was? She looked at him icily. If he was noticing, he didn't let on.
Dumbledore continued on as if Snape had said nothing. "It should not take a lot of your time, Marya is a very bright young woman. I am telling you this in confidence, but she is my god-daughter. Her parents were some of my dearest friends. As a teacher, she will be an asset to our school. I feel very confident that you will give her every help needed to make a successful start here at Hogwarts." The last was said with a slightly warning note.
Snape sighted inwardly. Dumbledore's god-daughter. There didn't seem to be any way to wiggle out of this one. "As you wish," he said resignedly.
Marya looked resigned as well. Remembering Dumbledore's request, she bit back the acid reply that had been on her tongue, and meekly said, "Thank you. I will try not to take up too much of your valuable time." The Potions master just nodded curtly in her direction, and left.
"Well, Marya, the rest is up to you. It isn't going to be easy."
She venomously thought "You are darn right it won't be," but out loud she simply said, "I will try. Honestly."
Back in her room that night, she mentally ran through different scenarios about how to get on Snape's good side. Every situation she pictured ended with some biting remark on his part and humiliation on hers. Memories of past interaction with Snape left her not much room to conclude that there would be anything encouraging coming from his side.
All I can do is simply be kind, she resolved, no matter what he throws back at me. And prepare for the long haul. Drawing back her shoulders and sitting up straight, she pulled herself together – she would treat it as a puzzle. Every riddle had a solution, and she would simply have to find the answer to this one.