Chapter 2
As the students got adjusted to their new schedules; and for some, their new surroundings, the teachers got into their teaching routines. The atmosphere in the halls and corridors was electric and lively; except, of course, for the dungeons. As one descended the first step to the bowels of Hogwarts, all sense of gaiety seemed to vanish from ones body, almost as if a Dementor had given its notorious kiss. This was Professor Snape's territory, fondly nicknamed "Snape's Lair" by his house members, the sly and cunning Slytherins. Severus Snape not only taught down there but his office and his chambers were down there as well. He had command of all the tunnels and catacombs beneath the old castle, and anyone who trespassed ran the risk of reprimand with himself personally. His detentions were extremely harsh compared to the other teachers; de-sliming Stinging Snails, cleaning all 18,749 beakers and flasks, dismembering lace wing flies and putting their limbs and parts in their respective containers and so on, all without the use of magic! It was for this reason, and the fact that he was just downright miserable all the time, that he was the most feared and loathed teacher in the school. Except, of course, to his house members, who loved him, possibly because he favoured his house and did everything to make sure his Slytherins came out ahead.
On this particular warm fall evening; while the rest of the school was outside enjoying a rare Indian summer, Professor Snape was in his lab, lost in the progression of his Anti-Melting Potion. His lab was his own and it was attached to his chambers. Rumour was that Snape lived at Hogwarts year round and that he had no other place to go. To further the argument of his permanent residence in the castle: Severus was rarely seen outside of the Hogwarts, the only exception being when his Slytherins were playing Quidditch or if it was absolutely necessary that he himself should go to Hogsmeade to get some ingredients for his potions or classes. When he was seen outside he was so out of place he looked like a bat among butterflies. In his dark, dimly lit, windowless lab; however, he seemed to blend right in, whereas anyone else found themselves on pins and needles. As his potion let off a cloud of smoke, a rap came from the door. Although he heard it, he ignored it, took his potion wand, and started to stir the smoking brew in a figure-eight rotation.
Again the sound came from the door. He sneered toward the offending barrier and took a deep breath and continued stirring the potion. He faintly heard a woman's voice over the boiling potion and across the room. "Severus? Are you in there?" And there was that knock again. He grunted and put a pausing charm on his potion. He hated making potions with the aid of magic, but seeing that the person on the other side of the door had no patience, he had no choice. He wiped his hands on a rag and glided to the door, his robes billowing behind him. Upon reaching the door he opened it with one quick motion.
"Yes?" he seethed as his eyes made contact with the perpetrator of the knocks.
"Now, now, is that anyway to greet a lady Severus?" she said and walked in without being invited, he just glared at her, he was going to say something but she spoke again, 'Typical female always talking,' he thought to himself and closed the door reluctantly behind her.
"Severus this place is far too cold...turn on the fire, will you? You're liable to catch something..." She started to say but he cut her off.
"Listen, if you were invited you may be allowed to comment, but seeing as you weren't, I would suggest you keep your words to yourself or risk losing the ability to speak." He spoke to her in a menacing tone, accompanied by a look that could freeze. "Now what is it that is that you find so important that you must interrupt my private time by barging into my chambers uninvited and disturbing the ambiance like you so successfully have?"
He folded his arms across his chest and stood between her and his work table. A strand of unwashed hair fell across his left eye, but he didn't blink, instead he stared at her like a cat ready to pounce on its prey. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath, "Yes, well...Severus I jus-" she swallowed again. "I just wanted to say hello and um, tell you that, erm, that you're looking good" she stammered and turned a slight shade of pink at her lie.
His eyebrow rose under the strand of hair and as if he was talking to his first years. He said smoothly and almost hypnotically, "Is that so? Well, hello Ms. Garret, your opinions and your greeting have been dually noted, now as you can see I have things to do. I do not have time for idle chit-chat, perhaps if you consider making an appointment I may be able to schedule you in sometime in the future." He uncrossed his arms and gestured to the door with a flourish of his robe and arm, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Yes sir, erm-Severus, good idea, I will do just that" she turned to the door and quickly let herself out "Good day Sir-erm-Severus" and with that she closed the door behind her.
After she closed the door she stopped in her tracks "Damnit! Damnit all to Hell" she cursed aloud as she walked down the hall, smacking the wall in frustration as she turned the corner. Jaclyn, why did you let him talk to you like that? Huh? You're his equal not his student, and your not in his classes anymore...you're an adult not a teenager. Things are different now, you should really turn around and march back to him and start again...no! Make an appointment, go back and see when he is free...DO IT NOW Jaclyn, DO IT NOW! She stopped and hesitated but eventually listened to her inner voice and slowly turned around and went back down the stairs. Hello Severus, I was wondering when you would be free for a cup of tea...Haa Haa Haa funny Jaclyn! That's it Jackie, Snivellus er- SEVERUS, always loved it when people patronized him...try again. Hi Severus, I am sorry for earlier, when are you available for a visitor? Hmmm, not bad. Just keep it formal. She walked back very slowly trying to figure out the perfect way to start again, she practiced various introductions in her head over and over.
Severus watched as the door handle clicked shut after her, he waited a few seconds to make sure she wasn't going to come back in. Satisfied that he would be alone he went back to his workstation, en route he began to recall his last day of school.
Everyone was leaving the Great Hall after the graduation ceremonies, some kids were going home with their families while others were going to post celebration parties elsewhere., Severus was with his parents, proud to have received an Honours Diploma, and it looked like he had finally won his fathers approval. His parents were very strict and tolerated nothing less than the best. Socializing was not in the books, unless the people were prominent members of the Dark Lord's inner circle. As a few fellow Slytherins passed him and his family they exchanged pleasantries and bid him good-bye. Just then, the pack of Gryffindors passed, led by none other than James Potter. Among them were Jaclyn, Michael, and Lisa, two Slytherins and a Ravenclaw, respectively. As they passed, they laughed loudly, and one of them greeted him. "Hello Snivellus, mummy and daddy going to help you take your first bath now and dry you up with your undeserved diploma?" Then the boy leaned over to his father. "He cheated on every test I saw him with my own eyes... but I let it slide, 'cus I figured you wouldn't want to have a failure as a son. You know, bring down the noble Snape family name..." With that, they left, all laughing even louder than before. And there was Jaclyn, laughing along with them. She should have known better, she knew his parents, but yet she was there just going along with the joke, inadvertently validating the falsehood by mere association. He opened his mouth to defend himself, but his father cut him off...
Severus shook his head and found himself in his lab alone, he paused and a small smile tried to etch onto his face. He looked at a jar on the semi-hidden top shelf across the room under inches of dust, which was his spare pensive; he wondered if he should put that memory in there. But before he could make a decision there was a firm knock on his door, again. He growled and clenched his teeth, and went to the door, he yanked it open "What is it this time Ms. Garret?" he snarled, his free hand twitching to reach for his wand.
She took a step back, as she saw the rage in his eyes and heard the venom in his voice. "Um, Sev-"she swallowed and took a breath "Severus, I would like to make an appointment with you, as you requested. It would be nice if we could get re-acquainted with each other." She paused and added on quickly, "I mean, nineteen years is a long time, there is a lot of catching up to do..." She wanted to say more, but realized that she was sounding rather pathetic, and that he was not nearly as interested in her as she was in him. With that realization, she felt herself blushing with embarrassment. Jaclyn looked away from him and then looked down the deserted hallway, "Erm, never mind," she said quickly. "I am sorry to have taken up anymore of your time, contact me if you want...no actually don't bother...Yes, do if you wish" she looked at him quickly and blushing even deeper now with each new idiotic utterance that came out of her mouth "I have to go" she said her voice quivering with emotion, she turned and ran down the hall covering her mouth with one hand and raising her skirt so she wouldn't trip over it as she fled with the other.
Severus stood in the doorway speechless; the foolhardiness of her to assume he would meet with her took him off guard. She may have forgotten what she did, and the results of her actions. But he and hundreds of others did not, nor would they ever. With that, he closed the door and went back to his potion, knowing full well she would not be back again that evening.