Chapter 6
"The answer to that question lies in Severus' own school years. He was taunted and teased by many of his year mates, especially four Gryffindors by the name of James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. Of course it must be admitted around half the time he was the instigator of his many encounters with the boys. However many of the time it was the other boys that would attack him with no warning or reason. Now I suppose he tries to get back at the group through the Gryffindor dream team and mostly through young Harry Potter. While juvenile Severus is needed for his skills as a Potion master as well as his connection to Lord Voldemort." Dumbledore said this looking down at Buffy with those twinkling light blue eyes and understanding smile.
Buffy smiled back before nodding her head showing that she understood what he was saying. The two walked in silence to the great hall to begin getting ready for the students who would be arriving in just under a half an hour. Buffy sat next to Severus at the table as tradition dictated causing her to stand out from the rest of the teachers.
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The famous Gryffindor trio had gotten off the train to the resound and reassuring boom of Hagrid's voice calling for the first years. The chatter of the three was soft and spoke of the rumors about the new DADA teacher they would be having. This would the seventh new DADA teacher they had had here at Hogwarts. There was a known curse that no teacher could last more then one year now. The rumors however for this year were the most outrageous yet. There was talk of a goblin from Gringotts teaching, knowing how could they were with breaking curses it was always possible. There was also talk of Snape's wife teaching, that was unbelievable in two ways, one that he had a wife and two being that he would allow his wife to take the job that he had wanted for so long. Shrugging the three finally gave up knowing they would find out just who the new teacher would be in only fifteen minutes.
What they found, however, was not what anyone had been expecting, because sitting next to Snape was a girl their age. Her white robes, her honey blond hair, and lots of tan skin contrasted dramatically with the potions masters. Everyone's eyes were on the young woman who would be their DADA, wondering what Dumbledore was doing and how anyone would expect her to teach the students. Hermione was muttering and complaining about what this would do for the NEWTs they would be taking at the end of the year. Ron was drooling over the girl their age until Ginny finally grew tired of it and smacked him on the back of the head to snap out of it. Harry could only thank Merlin that Hermione hadn't noticed what had happened, or else he would be listening to yet another of their legendary fights, which at the moment even the thought of made him want to smack his head on the table in front of him.
The sorting occurred as normal, the song the hat sung giving warning about the houses needing to get along to win the war as it had for the two years before. Dumbledore's speech introduced the young teacher as Professor Summers, and stated she would probably only be working this one year. Upon leaving the great hall the three were confronted by Dumbledore and the new DADA teacher.
"Would you three please come with me up to my office?" Dumbledore asked.
The three students nodded and followed the headmaster and professor to the stone gargoyle, which was the entrance to the headmaster's office. He spoke the word Canary Cream causing the three students to smile. The office was the same as it had been for years magical objects scattered across every surface, with Fawkes sitting on his perch looking like he was about to have a burning day soon. The new teacher Professor Summers sat in one of the chairs she looked calm and composed but her eyes held something, something that the three had only ever before seen in Harry's eyes. She had seen too much too soon, she was a part of the war like Harry. Someone without a choice, forced by destiny and the care that she felt for the world around her, which she could not abandon. Her eyes were as blue as Harry's were green and they held the same sadness and blankness.
Dumbledore noticed the scrutinizing of the new teacher but just smiled knowing they would see what he saw, a young woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders. He broke through the staring by finally speaking, "Professor Summers will be giving the three of you lessons in fighting, mostly the muggle way, and helping to get you all in shape and able to move as fast as you are able. This will help when you get into all those sticky situations you three seem so good at getting into."
Ronald Weasley smiled brightly at the thought of being tutored by the beautiful young professor. Hermione scowled thoughtfully wondering what had put that look in the woman's eyes and wondering just which side of the war she was on. Harry smiled slightly at her knowing he could trust her and that she would be a good friend, one that would understand the position he was in and she would know what it felt like.
"We'll meet on Wednesday's, Friday's, and Saturday's, I understand that Mr. Potter is the captain of the Quiddich team and they meet Tuesday's and Thursday's. Is that alright with the three of you?" The professor asked her voice soft but throbbing with confidence and power.
Harry was the one who answered his voice equally soft saying that yes it was ok the other two nodding their heads in agreement.
"Well then, why don't the three of you go off to bed, you both have a big day ahead of you, first day of classes and all that." Dumbledore said ordering them out of his office in a very Dumbledore way.
The three walked down the stairs and went out of the statue, where they ran into Snape, literally. He sneered at the trio and professor before snarling, "Watch where you're going, 30 points from Gryffindor for running through the halls, and you Professor Summers should keep in mind that you are a teacher not a student and should stay away from the students if you don't want rumors spreading." The potions master then stalked up the stairs to Dumbledore's office.
"Umm...40 points to Gryffindor for having to have dealt with that man for six years and not killed him." Wit h that said Professor Summers walked off with the famous Gryffindor trio staring at her in shock at what she had just done.
The trip back to the Gryffindor common rooms was full of ponderings on the new teacher and what their last year would hold. Harry was quieter then the other two as was normal. The change between what he had looked like that first year was startling, while the others had grown and filled out, Harry had finally lost the starved look he had gained from the Dursley's. He was now full of lanky muscles, his face was serious like he was always thinking dark thoughts, his green eyes the same emerald green but they sparkled now with power, mystery, and concern. He was around 5'10 and his black messy hair now hung past his shoulders bound in a loose ponytail. He had gotten an earring the year before when he had gotten drunk and in the hole was a metal circle with a ball on it. He was the most wanted guy in the school with Draco Malfoy following closely behind. Ron had also gotten his ear pierced when the two along with many of the others had gotten drunk but his mother had closed the hole and he had been yelled at. Ron towered over the others at 6'5 and his bright orange hair had darkened to more of a copper red, his hazel eyes were bright and cheerful showing his love of life. The clothes he wore were slightly worn but they fit perfectly. Hermione had matured more then grown. She was the shortest of the three at 5'5 with brown hair that had settled down and was now slightly curly. Her cinnamon brown eyes were studious without holding the dark look her dark haired friend had. She had a curvy body and a round face. Ron and Hermione were holding hands the whole way back, having finally gotten together in their sixth year.
In the common room there was a party welcoming the new first years, and just for the fact that they could have a party. Gryffindor was known for its love for loud and insane parties, and they had to show the newcomers what the house they had gotten into was like. When the trio came in they were beset by many of their dorm mates who were asking questions about what Dumbledore had wanted, because he normally didn't announce such things in front of the school. When the tutoring was explained they were either given jealous looks or else sympathetic. They told about the encounter between Professor Summers and Snape, everyone cheered about her standing up to the man and proclaimed her their favorite new teacher.
"The answer to that question lies in Severus' own school years. He was taunted and teased by many of his year mates, especially four Gryffindors by the name of James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. Of course it must be admitted around half the time he was the instigator of his many encounters with the boys. However many of the time it was the other boys that would attack him with no warning or reason. Now I suppose he tries to get back at the group through the Gryffindor dream team and mostly through young Harry Potter. While juvenile Severus is needed for his skills as a Potion master as well as his connection to Lord Voldemort." Dumbledore said this looking down at Buffy with those twinkling light blue eyes and understanding smile.
Buffy smiled back before nodding her head showing that she understood what he was saying. The two walked in silence to the great hall to begin getting ready for the students who would be arriving in just under a half an hour. Buffy sat next to Severus at the table as tradition dictated causing her to stand out from the rest of the teachers.
___________________________________________________________________________
The famous Gryffindor trio had gotten off the train to the resound and reassuring boom of Hagrid's voice calling for the first years. The chatter of the three was soft and spoke of the rumors about the new DADA teacher they would be having. This would the seventh new DADA teacher they had had here at Hogwarts. There was a known curse that no teacher could last more then one year now. The rumors however for this year were the most outrageous yet. There was talk of a goblin from Gringotts teaching, knowing how could they were with breaking curses it was always possible. There was also talk of Snape's wife teaching, that was unbelievable in two ways, one that he had a wife and two being that he would allow his wife to take the job that he had wanted for so long. Shrugging the three finally gave up knowing they would find out just who the new teacher would be in only fifteen minutes.
What they found, however, was not what anyone had been expecting, because sitting next to Snape was a girl their age. Her white robes, her honey blond hair, and lots of tan skin contrasted dramatically with the potions masters. Everyone's eyes were on the young woman who would be their DADA, wondering what Dumbledore was doing and how anyone would expect her to teach the students. Hermione was muttering and complaining about what this would do for the NEWTs they would be taking at the end of the year. Ron was drooling over the girl their age until Ginny finally grew tired of it and smacked him on the back of the head to snap out of it. Harry could only thank Merlin that Hermione hadn't noticed what had happened, or else he would be listening to yet another of their legendary fights, which at the moment even the thought of made him want to smack his head on the table in front of him.
The sorting occurred as normal, the song the hat sung giving warning about the houses needing to get along to win the war as it had for the two years before. Dumbledore's speech introduced the young teacher as Professor Summers, and stated she would probably only be working this one year. Upon leaving the great hall the three were confronted by Dumbledore and the new DADA teacher.
"Would you three please come with me up to my office?" Dumbledore asked.
The three students nodded and followed the headmaster and professor to the stone gargoyle, which was the entrance to the headmaster's office. He spoke the word Canary Cream causing the three students to smile. The office was the same as it had been for years magical objects scattered across every surface, with Fawkes sitting on his perch looking like he was about to have a burning day soon. The new teacher Professor Summers sat in one of the chairs she looked calm and composed but her eyes held something, something that the three had only ever before seen in Harry's eyes. She had seen too much too soon, she was a part of the war like Harry. Someone without a choice, forced by destiny and the care that she felt for the world around her, which she could not abandon. Her eyes were as blue as Harry's were green and they held the same sadness and blankness.
Dumbledore noticed the scrutinizing of the new teacher but just smiled knowing they would see what he saw, a young woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders. He broke through the staring by finally speaking, "Professor Summers will be giving the three of you lessons in fighting, mostly the muggle way, and helping to get you all in shape and able to move as fast as you are able. This will help when you get into all those sticky situations you three seem so good at getting into."
Ronald Weasley smiled brightly at the thought of being tutored by the beautiful young professor. Hermione scowled thoughtfully wondering what had put that look in the woman's eyes and wondering just which side of the war she was on. Harry smiled slightly at her knowing he could trust her and that she would be a good friend, one that would understand the position he was in and she would know what it felt like.
"We'll meet on Wednesday's, Friday's, and Saturday's, I understand that Mr. Potter is the captain of the Quiddich team and they meet Tuesday's and Thursday's. Is that alright with the three of you?" The professor asked her voice soft but throbbing with confidence and power.
Harry was the one who answered his voice equally soft saying that yes it was ok the other two nodding their heads in agreement.
"Well then, why don't the three of you go off to bed, you both have a big day ahead of you, first day of classes and all that." Dumbledore said ordering them out of his office in a very Dumbledore way.
The three walked down the stairs and went out of the statue, where they ran into Snape, literally. He sneered at the trio and professor before snarling, "Watch where you're going, 30 points from Gryffindor for running through the halls, and you Professor Summers should keep in mind that you are a teacher not a student and should stay away from the students if you don't want rumors spreading." The potions master then stalked up the stairs to Dumbledore's office.
"Umm...40 points to Gryffindor for having to have dealt with that man for six years and not killed him." Wit h that said Professor Summers walked off with the famous Gryffindor trio staring at her in shock at what she had just done.
The trip back to the Gryffindor common rooms was full of ponderings on the new teacher and what their last year would hold. Harry was quieter then the other two as was normal. The change between what he had looked like that first year was startling, while the others had grown and filled out, Harry had finally lost the starved look he had gained from the Dursley's. He was now full of lanky muscles, his face was serious like he was always thinking dark thoughts, his green eyes the same emerald green but they sparkled now with power, mystery, and concern. He was around 5'10 and his black messy hair now hung past his shoulders bound in a loose ponytail. He had gotten an earring the year before when he had gotten drunk and in the hole was a metal circle with a ball on it. He was the most wanted guy in the school with Draco Malfoy following closely behind. Ron had also gotten his ear pierced when the two along with many of the others had gotten drunk but his mother had closed the hole and he had been yelled at. Ron towered over the others at 6'5 and his bright orange hair had darkened to more of a copper red, his hazel eyes were bright and cheerful showing his love of life. The clothes he wore were slightly worn but they fit perfectly. Hermione had matured more then grown. She was the shortest of the three at 5'5 with brown hair that had settled down and was now slightly curly. Her cinnamon brown eyes were studious without holding the dark look her dark haired friend had. She had a curvy body and a round face. Ron and Hermione were holding hands the whole way back, having finally gotten together in their sixth year.
In the common room there was a party welcoming the new first years, and just for the fact that they could have a party. Gryffindor was known for its love for loud and insane parties, and they had to show the newcomers what the house they had gotten into was like. When the trio came in they were beset by many of their dorm mates who were asking questions about what Dumbledore had wanted, because he normally didn't announce such things in front of the school. When the tutoring was explained they were either given jealous looks or else sympathetic. They told about the encounter between Professor Summers and Snape, everyone cheered about her standing up to the man and proclaimed her their favorite new teacher.