Hundreds of expectant faces gazed up at him. Well, not him in particular,
but at the table where he sat with the rest of the staff of Hogwarts. The
Sorting had occurred much like every year; the nervous first years were
herded into the Great Hall, expecting something horrible. The hat was
placed on their heads and they were sent to their houses to be met with
ferocious cheers and applause. His mind drifted back as he remembered his
own sorting. He had faced it with no fear at all; his father had told him
what to expect. There was no doubt to what house he would belong. Every
member of his family since the beginning of time had gone to Slytherin. It
was a given. He dimly heard the Sorting Hat's call of "Slytherin!" and he
applauded mechanically. It was a ritual; since he was the head of the
house he was expected to show support for the incoming first years.
However, he wished he could be left to his thoughts at the moment.
He glanced at the empty space next to him. So they hadn't found a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher yet. Well, that was obvious. The job was rumoured to be cursed, and who would want a cursed job? But Dumbledore had hinted at something, maybe there might be a candidate and that was why Snape's application had been turned down once again. Once again it had been the same old excuse: "Severus, you're the best Potions master this school has ever had. We need you there."
Snape sighed. He was sick of the Potions job. He wanted something new, a change of scenery perhaps. He just felt so unappreciated doing what he was doing now. Given, all the students were scared stiff of him, which was partly his own fault. He believed it was necessary to appear intimidating in order to gain respect. If you showed too much of a sensitive side you would be taken advantage of, and that was never a good situation. Maybe it was just the old Death Eater in him talking.
Dumbledore's voice cut through his reverie. "It seems," he said with a glint in his eye, "that our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has been delayed. Maybe Muggle traffic is slow today."
This caused quite a clamour among the students. Muggle traffic? What was a Hogwarts professor doing with Muggles? At that moment there was a knock at the entrance to the Great Hall. Dumbledore smiled. "That's her now. Come in, my dear, come in!"
The door swung open and a figure was silhouetted between the frames. It stepped into the light of the Great Hall, revealing a tall, thin woman clad in a black traveling cloak. Her face was hidden underneath the brim of a black fedora hat. She swept up to the staff table and settled herself in the seat next to Snape. She removed her fedora and smiled at the assembly, nodding her head politely.
"This," said Dumbledore, "is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, who I can happily say was not appointed by the Ministry." A few hearty chuckles issued from the crowd at the memory of last year's Delores Umbridge. "If I may introduce Professor O'Flannery?"
A round of cheers erupted from the students and Professor O'Flannery blushed and smiled. Dumbledore beamed at her and then turned back to the students. "Now, I know you're all very hungry, so let the feast begin!"
The students began eating ravenously as the food appeared on the table, but Snape began to scrutinize the woman sitting next to him. She wasn't what you would call attractive; in fact up close she looked rather plain. She was tall, almost six feet, and horribly thin. Her eyes were almond shaped but narrow, framed with black lashes much like his. Her long nose was straight, except for a tiny bump at the top where it had been broken long ago. Her lips were thin, although fairly well shaped. Her black hair was shoulder length, and fell about her head with a limp ease. Her teeth were large, not really large enough to be considered horse teeth, but they were still quite prominent when she smiled. It was her hands, however, that drew Severus. Each finger was unusually long and ended in a perfectly shaped nail, painted a deep red. The hands themselves were pale and looked soft, as if she was accustomed to a luxurious life. He noticed a tattoo of an oriental character on the first knuckle of her left middle finger. As he watched her right hand snaked out and she began to rub it, a definite sign of nervousness.
The longer Snape looked at her the more he felt he had seen her before. It wasn't just her last name. It was her face, her body, her aura. He racked his brain, trying to find where he had seen her before. Mentally he ticked off names and faces, as well as events he had attended. Nothing. Not a shadow. He scowled. What was it about her that seemed so damn familiar? Maybe she had been in his house when he was attending Hogwarts.
The feast had begun to subside. Students had stuffed themselves silly, and Snape could see sixth years Crabbe and Goyle shoving cupcakes into the pockets of their robes for "safekeeping." He heard the woman next to him chuckle softly, shaking her head at the actions of the two delinquent students. "Poor cupcakes," she muttered as she stood and put her fedora back on her head. She glanced in Dumbledore's direction and seemed to get some kind of recognition, for she followed him out of the hall and towards his chamber.
Snape was about to head the opposite way heard his name called. He turned to see Professor Sinistra behind him. "Severus, Dumbledore was unable to find you before the feast, so he told me to deliver this message when I saw you. There's a staff meeting in Dumbledore's chambers tonight. I'm headed that way now; I believe it starts in fifteen minutes."
Snape sighed. He didn't want to go sit through some staff meeting, but he could not ignore the headmaster's wishes. He spun on his heel and followed Sinistra down a passageway until they reached the entrance of Dumbledore's chambers.
"Licorice sticks!" said Sinistra, and the phoenix statue moved aside, allowing the two men to pass. Dumbledore's chambers were roomy but cluttered, filled with all sorts of trinkets and wizarding paraphernalia. Dumbledore was seated in front of his fireplace, with the staff of Hogwarts gathered around him.
"Now," he began, "you all know what is going on in the world as of late. I would like to bid you to be extra careful with your associations and be very leery of strangers. The agents of Voldemort have always been creative in worming their way into our midst, and it is well known that He- Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would love to have full possession of this school." Dumbledore paused, glancing at every person present before continuing. "Now, since I have made myself clear, I would like to take this time to present Miss Aislinn O'Flannery of Ireland to you. She has asked to take over the Dark Arts position this year due to her own personal experience in dealing with Dark Wizards. She has worked as an Auror for about four years and is by far one of the most talented witches to have ever lived."
Aislinn blushed furiously. "That's quite an overstatement, headmaster. I have merely cultivated the talents I have. There is much I cannot do." Her voice was clipped and she spoke slowly, as if trying to disguise an accent.
Dumbledore smiled at her. "Nevertheless, I have called you here to discuss with you the growing threat of evil in our life. As you know, the dementors have left Azkaban, allowing escape to be much easier. We must be ever vigilant and constantly aware of our surroundings. That said I hope you have a wonderful year. Now, I'm sure you're all very tired, so I give you leave to go to your rooms. However, will Aislinn and Severus remain here, please?"
As the crowd dispersed Snape moved in closer to Dumbledore in order to hear his words. O'Flannery seemed nervous, shifting from foot to foot and rubbing her tattoo manically.
"Severus, I have taken it upon myself to induct our Professor O'Flannery into the Order of the Phoenix. She has many skills that can be used there, and her...background will also aid us. She is an expert on Muggle theology and will be our Muggle correspondent of sorts. I have also told her of your position and she has expressed interest in aiding you in your task." Dumbledore paused, gauging Snape's reaction.
"Headmaster, I hardly need any help in my duties." Snape shook his head, but Aislinn stepped forward.
"Do you know who I am, Severus Snape?" she asked.
Snape sneered at her. "You are Aislinn O'Flannery. That I know. You're Irish and self-assured. I figure that's all I need to know." Snape looked up at her. There was cold fury in her eyes, and something that looked like pride. She opened her mouth to say something, but Dumbeldore cut her off.
"You two must learn to work together. Or at least be civil to each other. That's all I have to say. Now go get some sleep." With that he waved his hand as if to dismiss them.
Aislinn turned on her heel, putting her fedora on her head in the same movement. She stalked out of the room, not turning to look at Snape. She exited Dumbledore's rooms quickly and turned to the left, disappearing from Snape's view just as he entered the corridor. Snape shook his head. This would be fun. Working with a temperamental and fiery woman was just what he had always wanted to do.
She took a step towards him, angered by his apparent lack of interest in her aid. "Do you know who I am, Severus Snape?" she asked, hoping to sound intimidating.
His answer only furthered angered her. "You are Aislinn O'Flannery. That I know. You're Irish and self-assured. I figure that's all I need to know." And then he sneered at her, a most contemptuous gesture.
As she opened her mouth to retort Dumbledore cut her off with an admonition to get along. How was it possible to cooperate with a pompous and self absorbed prick, she thought angrily as she left Dumbledore's chambers in a huff. She had come to Hogwarts in a good mood, hoping to serve and aid in what she considered to be a great worthwhile cause. Instead she had been met with agitation and doubt. She if anyone should be qualified to work undercover!
But doubts began to cloud her mind. Would anyone remember her if she took the job? Would people recognize her name, her face? Would they care? She sighed. It was better not to think about it. It would only make her more nervous and angry. Anger was almost second nature to her, and anger was definitely what she was feeling now. She couldn't believe the nerve of that Snape, or whatever his name was. He didn't even know her, and yet he was making assumptions.
She passed a group of students in the hall and checked her pocket watch. "Shouldn't you be in your dorms?" she asked.
The students shifted uncomfortable and Aislinn smiled. "Ah, I understand. Prowling about?" She watched as the students shook their heads. "Are you first years?" They nodded. Predictable. "You're obviously lost. Which room are you looking for?" she asked.
"Slytherin," said a small boy.
Aislinn rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Slytherin. I believe Slytherin is...that way." She pointed left down the corridor and they hurried off, not even bothering to thank her. Typical Slytherins she thought as she shook her head and smiled. She herself had been in Slytherin, but had never really felt she related. She would have much rather been in Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, but given her background and family name, there was no other option.
Aislinn pulled her traveling cloak tighter around her shoulders. Although a fading hint of summer still hung in the air one could feel the encroaching winter in the breeze. September would fade in October, October would slide in November, and as the months passed a sense of time would be lost. Before she knew it, the end of the year would be here and who knows if she'd ever return? Dumbledore had expressed his wishes that she stay, but it all depended on the nature of the war being fought. She might have to run if certain Death Eaters once again showed their faces.
She began to hum the snatch of a song as she turned down another corridor. Now where did Dumbledore say her room was? Near the north tower, close to the classroom... She rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she eyed a doorway. That had to be it. She opened the door slowly, expecting a dusty closet or an unused classroom. However, it was a bedroom, and a fabulous one at that. The room was immense; Aislinn gazed up at the ceiling but yet unable to see it. Instead she allowed her eyes to wander down the burgundy drapes covering the windows to the stone floor, covered with a rich oriental carpet in shades of cobalt and sienna. In front of the fireplace sat a mahogany table and a wide couch, perfect for late night relaxation and reading. She gasped in delight as she saw the bed. It was a girl's dream, but yet possessed an understated and adult elegance. It was a vast four-poster with crimson drapes hanging it. The coverlet was also a matching red and looked suspiciously like velvet. Her trunk lay at the foot of it, giving an air of home to this magnificent room.
Aislinn grinned and ran full tilt at the bed. She launched herself into the air five feet from it and catapulted through the air and onto the bed. She laughed like a child as her body bounced up and down on the mattress. She was happy to finally be alone and out of sight where she could relax and unwind. She climbed off the bed and opened her trunk, rooting through it until she found a zippered bag. She carried it into the bathroom and drew warm water into the claw foot tub. This has such a wonderful ambiance, she thought as she sunk into the bath. I'm expecting to wake up and find myself back in my apartment with rooms to clean and things to do.
She sighed and dunked her whole head underwater. Her black hair floated on the surface like some kind of seaweed as she let out her breath in a stream of bubbles. It would be so easy to die like this. They would find me in the morning, naked and limp with my head still beneath the surface. It would be such an anticlimactic end to such a tumultuous life. She once again surfaced, drawing air into her lungs and smoothing the wet hair off of her forehead. She couldn't die now. There was a war on. She was needed.
After toweling off she wrapped the wet towel around her body and went back out to her trunk. A bit more searching yielded a silk chemise and a long satin dressing robe, which she hung over the arm of a chair. The chemise was slipped on and the towel dropped to the floor as she threw back the drapes to reveal thick glass windows that opened outward into the cool night air. She gazed out over the battlements and across the lake, watching the twinkling stars reflect on the water. Absolutely beautiful. She sighed and turned from the window, rubbing her temples. She needed sleep, and time to think.
As she sunk into her bed she reflected on the years she herself had spent at Hogwarts. It couldn't be said that they were pleasant; in fact they had been very trying. She had been a good student, but her family life had put great amounts of strain on her. She never really had many friends. She was too afraid to let anyone into her life, lest they find out about her home life, and her background. It didn't help she was put into Slytherin and despised by the rest of the school. Her fellow housemates hated her, too. She did not hate Muggle-borns; in fact she found them fascinating. They, however, avoided her, and so she passed her school years with only a few girls to keep her company.
It felt odd to be back here. The castle hadn't changed at all, and although there was new faces it all seemed the same. McGonnegal was still the head of Gryffindor, Flitwick was still teaching charms, and Dumbledore was still the best headmaster the school had ever had. She remembered Sinistra from his boyhood days; he was three years older than she was and teased her mercilessly. He had been a Ravenclaw, and had been quite sure of himself. She wondered if he had changed any. Good old Hagrid was still there too. She smiled as she remembered the afternoons she spent with Hagrid. He taught her much about the forest and its inhabitants, and she always enjoyed her evening cup of tea she had with him. In fact she had called him "Uncle Hagrid" for the longest time. It would be very hard to see him as an equal and a teacher instead of her girlhood friend.
Presently her mind returned to Snape and his pompous answer to her challenge tonight. It would be hard to work with him, but she would make it work. A battle of wills was in store. There was no doubt in her mind whose would win out.
"It was her! I swear it was her!" Ron gushed as he sat on his bed.
Harry shook his head. "I just don't know, Ron. Her eyes were different, and there was just something about her face. There wasn't enough emotion there to be her. Plus, she's a Hogwarts teacher! She wouldn't be singing at a club!"
"Harry, she was all covered up with that cloak of hers. And maybe she doesn't exude anger on a daily basis, did you ever think about that?" He paused, as if considering the situation. "We've had weirder stuff go on here. Look at Lupin! If Dumbledore would hire a werewolf, I don't think he'd have any qualms about hiring a club singer, or even a stripper for that matter." Ron set his jaw; obviously convinced it was the elusive guitarist they had seen that night at the club.
Harry smiled at his stubborn friend. "Doesn't really matter anyway. She's not Delores Umbridge, and for that I'm thankful. She seemed sane and capable enough, and she was an Auror. Maybe we could talk to her about that."
It did present quite an opportunity. It was what Harry wanted to do more than anything in the world, and now a source had presented itself to him. In the past there had always been Tonks, but she was never really around much. He would be seeing this ex-Auror every day for the next nine months; he would have sufficient time to broach the subject with her. He grinned broadly. She seemed nice enough. She looked young and had a warm smile. The last name was familiar as well. He could remember hearing it before, and rather recently. Maybe it was something in conjunction with the Order. It seemed there were many connections he didn't' know about; she might very easily be one of them. He wondered what house she had been in. She seemed like a Ravenclaw; there was an intelligence emanating from her. Not a Slytherin. She didn't have that air of superiority and haughtiness that most of them had.
Harry settled back onto the sheets. Lately he had been able to pick up emotions of people surrounding him, and sometimes even something of their thoughts. It frightened and intimidated him. He didn't want to be bound with this gift. Hermione had told him to go to Dumbledore, but he didn't feel the need to bother the headmaster with such a trivial problem. It's easy to pick up the feelings of others when they're shooting it at you, he thought as a comfort to himself. Sometimes the thoughts bothered him. In certain situations he could feel other's annoyance, and even their fear. Harry worried this condition would progress until he would become overwhelmed with emotion, be completely overtaken by the feelings of those around him. Ron had laughed and told him to not be so damned silly. Hermione only stressed the need to seek aid. He dared not tell anyone else; most people already thought he was crazy. He didn't need any aid in boosting that image.
He turned over on his side hoping sleep would come quickly. His nightmares had lessened after the adventure at the Ministry of Magic, although they would spring up unannounced sometimes. It was times like those he wished he could have continued his Occlumency lessons, but Snape wouldn't be agreeable. Not after what happened last year. Maybe the Auror knew how to do it. He made a sleepy mental note to check with her tomorrow. There had to some skill she could impart on him.
Snape sat in front of his empty fire grate, cursing the fates that made him a teacher. He had promise. He could have been an Auror, or maybe even Minister of Magic. But a teacher at Hogwarts? He had never liked children. Yet now they surrounded him. He was expected to be kind, or at least civil to them and show each of them patience. That was something he had never possessed.
He looked behind him at a stack of papers on a desk. Lesson plans. It seemed his life was a stack of papers and regrets. Could he ever manage to escape this sense of depreciation? Or was he doomed to second-guess himself until the end of time? So many questions yet no answers. Life was never fair.
Aislinn O'Flannery was deep in slumber, watching tropical fish swim in an aquarium that existed only in her head. They had never had fish for pets at her home, only fish to eat. She had a beta for a while when she lived in apartments, but her cat had eaten him. So much for pet fish.
The dream changed. The aquarium faded into a dank hallway that she recognized as the tunnel underneath her house. She began walking into the darkness, feeling her way along the walls. They felt damp underneath her touch; the years of cold and dew had taken their toll on the stones. Suddenly a harsh scream rent the air and Aislinn sat bolt upright in her bed. Silence. She looked around her, still believing she was in her own bed in Ireland. It was only after a few moments thought that she remembered where she was: Her own chamber at Hogwarts. The source of the scream had come from the window, where a majestic golden eagle was perched. He turned a wary eye to her and then swiveled his head to continue watching the night. Aislinn sighed and once again lay down, drifting to sleep in a moment.
He glanced at the empty space next to him. So they hadn't found a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher yet. Well, that was obvious. The job was rumoured to be cursed, and who would want a cursed job? But Dumbledore had hinted at something, maybe there might be a candidate and that was why Snape's application had been turned down once again. Once again it had been the same old excuse: "Severus, you're the best Potions master this school has ever had. We need you there."
Snape sighed. He was sick of the Potions job. He wanted something new, a change of scenery perhaps. He just felt so unappreciated doing what he was doing now. Given, all the students were scared stiff of him, which was partly his own fault. He believed it was necessary to appear intimidating in order to gain respect. If you showed too much of a sensitive side you would be taken advantage of, and that was never a good situation. Maybe it was just the old Death Eater in him talking.
Dumbledore's voice cut through his reverie. "It seems," he said with a glint in his eye, "that our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has been delayed. Maybe Muggle traffic is slow today."
This caused quite a clamour among the students. Muggle traffic? What was a Hogwarts professor doing with Muggles? At that moment there was a knock at the entrance to the Great Hall. Dumbledore smiled. "That's her now. Come in, my dear, come in!"
The door swung open and a figure was silhouetted between the frames. It stepped into the light of the Great Hall, revealing a tall, thin woman clad in a black traveling cloak. Her face was hidden underneath the brim of a black fedora hat. She swept up to the staff table and settled herself in the seat next to Snape. She removed her fedora and smiled at the assembly, nodding her head politely.
"This," said Dumbledore, "is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, who I can happily say was not appointed by the Ministry." A few hearty chuckles issued from the crowd at the memory of last year's Delores Umbridge. "If I may introduce Professor O'Flannery?"
A round of cheers erupted from the students and Professor O'Flannery blushed and smiled. Dumbledore beamed at her and then turned back to the students. "Now, I know you're all very hungry, so let the feast begin!"
The students began eating ravenously as the food appeared on the table, but Snape began to scrutinize the woman sitting next to him. She wasn't what you would call attractive; in fact up close she looked rather plain. She was tall, almost six feet, and horribly thin. Her eyes were almond shaped but narrow, framed with black lashes much like his. Her long nose was straight, except for a tiny bump at the top where it had been broken long ago. Her lips were thin, although fairly well shaped. Her black hair was shoulder length, and fell about her head with a limp ease. Her teeth were large, not really large enough to be considered horse teeth, but they were still quite prominent when she smiled. It was her hands, however, that drew Severus. Each finger was unusually long and ended in a perfectly shaped nail, painted a deep red. The hands themselves were pale and looked soft, as if she was accustomed to a luxurious life. He noticed a tattoo of an oriental character on the first knuckle of her left middle finger. As he watched her right hand snaked out and she began to rub it, a definite sign of nervousness.
The longer Snape looked at her the more he felt he had seen her before. It wasn't just her last name. It was her face, her body, her aura. He racked his brain, trying to find where he had seen her before. Mentally he ticked off names and faces, as well as events he had attended. Nothing. Not a shadow. He scowled. What was it about her that seemed so damn familiar? Maybe she had been in his house when he was attending Hogwarts.
The feast had begun to subside. Students had stuffed themselves silly, and Snape could see sixth years Crabbe and Goyle shoving cupcakes into the pockets of their robes for "safekeeping." He heard the woman next to him chuckle softly, shaking her head at the actions of the two delinquent students. "Poor cupcakes," she muttered as she stood and put her fedora back on her head. She glanced in Dumbledore's direction and seemed to get some kind of recognition, for she followed him out of the hall and towards his chamber.
Snape was about to head the opposite way heard his name called. He turned to see Professor Sinistra behind him. "Severus, Dumbledore was unable to find you before the feast, so he told me to deliver this message when I saw you. There's a staff meeting in Dumbledore's chambers tonight. I'm headed that way now; I believe it starts in fifteen minutes."
Snape sighed. He didn't want to go sit through some staff meeting, but he could not ignore the headmaster's wishes. He spun on his heel and followed Sinistra down a passageway until they reached the entrance of Dumbledore's chambers.
"Licorice sticks!" said Sinistra, and the phoenix statue moved aside, allowing the two men to pass. Dumbledore's chambers were roomy but cluttered, filled with all sorts of trinkets and wizarding paraphernalia. Dumbledore was seated in front of his fireplace, with the staff of Hogwarts gathered around him.
"Now," he began, "you all know what is going on in the world as of late. I would like to bid you to be extra careful with your associations and be very leery of strangers. The agents of Voldemort have always been creative in worming their way into our midst, and it is well known that He- Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would love to have full possession of this school." Dumbledore paused, glancing at every person present before continuing. "Now, since I have made myself clear, I would like to take this time to present Miss Aislinn O'Flannery of Ireland to you. She has asked to take over the Dark Arts position this year due to her own personal experience in dealing with Dark Wizards. She has worked as an Auror for about four years and is by far one of the most talented witches to have ever lived."
Aislinn blushed furiously. "That's quite an overstatement, headmaster. I have merely cultivated the talents I have. There is much I cannot do." Her voice was clipped and she spoke slowly, as if trying to disguise an accent.
Dumbledore smiled at her. "Nevertheless, I have called you here to discuss with you the growing threat of evil in our life. As you know, the dementors have left Azkaban, allowing escape to be much easier. We must be ever vigilant and constantly aware of our surroundings. That said I hope you have a wonderful year. Now, I'm sure you're all very tired, so I give you leave to go to your rooms. However, will Aislinn and Severus remain here, please?"
As the crowd dispersed Snape moved in closer to Dumbledore in order to hear his words. O'Flannery seemed nervous, shifting from foot to foot and rubbing her tattoo manically.
"Severus, I have taken it upon myself to induct our Professor O'Flannery into the Order of the Phoenix. She has many skills that can be used there, and her...background will also aid us. She is an expert on Muggle theology and will be our Muggle correspondent of sorts. I have also told her of your position and she has expressed interest in aiding you in your task." Dumbledore paused, gauging Snape's reaction.
"Headmaster, I hardly need any help in my duties." Snape shook his head, but Aislinn stepped forward.
"Do you know who I am, Severus Snape?" she asked.
Snape sneered at her. "You are Aislinn O'Flannery. That I know. You're Irish and self-assured. I figure that's all I need to know." Snape looked up at her. There was cold fury in her eyes, and something that looked like pride. She opened her mouth to say something, but Dumbeldore cut her off.
"You two must learn to work together. Or at least be civil to each other. That's all I have to say. Now go get some sleep." With that he waved his hand as if to dismiss them.
Aislinn turned on her heel, putting her fedora on her head in the same movement. She stalked out of the room, not turning to look at Snape. She exited Dumbledore's rooms quickly and turned to the left, disappearing from Snape's view just as he entered the corridor. Snape shook his head. This would be fun. Working with a temperamental and fiery woman was just what he had always wanted to do.
She took a step towards him, angered by his apparent lack of interest in her aid. "Do you know who I am, Severus Snape?" she asked, hoping to sound intimidating.
His answer only furthered angered her. "You are Aislinn O'Flannery. That I know. You're Irish and self-assured. I figure that's all I need to know." And then he sneered at her, a most contemptuous gesture.
As she opened her mouth to retort Dumbledore cut her off with an admonition to get along. How was it possible to cooperate with a pompous and self absorbed prick, she thought angrily as she left Dumbledore's chambers in a huff. She had come to Hogwarts in a good mood, hoping to serve and aid in what she considered to be a great worthwhile cause. Instead she had been met with agitation and doubt. She if anyone should be qualified to work undercover!
But doubts began to cloud her mind. Would anyone remember her if she took the job? Would people recognize her name, her face? Would they care? She sighed. It was better not to think about it. It would only make her more nervous and angry. Anger was almost second nature to her, and anger was definitely what she was feeling now. She couldn't believe the nerve of that Snape, or whatever his name was. He didn't even know her, and yet he was making assumptions.
She passed a group of students in the hall and checked her pocket watch. "Shouldn't you be in your dorms?" she asked.
The students shifted uncomfortable and Aislinn smiled. "Ah, I understand. Prowling about?" She watched as the students shook their heads. "Are you first years?" They nodded. Predictable. "You're obviously lost. Which room are you looking for?" she asked.
"Slytherin," said a small boy.
Aislinn rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Slytherin. I believe Slytherin is...that way." She pointed left down the corridor and they hurried off, not even bothering to thank her. Typical Slytherins she thought as she shook her head and smiled. She herself had been in Slytherin, but had never really felt she related. She would have much rather been in Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, but given her background and family name, there was no other option.
Aislinn pulled her traveling cloak tighter around her shoulders. Although a fading hint of summer still hung in the air one could feel the encroaching winter in the breeze. September would fade in October, October would slide in November, and as the months passed a sense of time would be lost. Before she knew it, the end of the year would be here and who knows if she'd ever return? Dumbledore had expressed his wishes that she stay, but it all depended on the nature of the war being fought. She might have to run if certain Death Eaters once again showed their faces.
She began to hum the snatch of a song as she turned down another corridor. Now where did Dumbledore say her room was? Near the north tower, close to the classroom... She rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she eyed a doorway. That had to be it. She opened the door slowly, expecting a dusty closet or an unused classroom. However, it was a bedroom, and a fabulous one at that. The room was immense; Aislinn gazed up at the ceiling but yet unable to see it. Instead she allowed her eyes to wander down the burgundy drapes covering the windows to the stone floor, covered with a rich oriental carpet in shades of cobalt and sienna. In front of the fireplace sat a mahogany table and a wide couch, perfect for late night relaxation and reading. She gasped in delight as she saw the bed. It was a girl's dream, but yet possessed an understated and adult elegance. It was a vast four-poster with crimson drapes hanging it. The coverlet was also a matching red and looked suspiciously like velvet. Her trunk lay at the foot of it, giving an air of home to this magnificent room.
Aislinn grinned and ran full tilt at the bed. She launched herself into the air five feet from it and catapulted through the air and onto the bed. She laughed like a child as her body bounced up and down on the mattress. She was happy to finally be alone and out of sight where she could relax and unwind. She climbed off the bed and opened her trunk, rooting through it until she found a zippered bag. She carried it into the bathroom and drew warm water into the claw foot tub. This has such a wonderful ambiance, she thought as she sunk into the bath. I'm expecting to wake up and find myself back in my apartment with rooms to clean and things to do.
She sighed and dunked her whole head underwater. Her black hair floated on the surface like some kind of seaweed as she let out her breath in a stream of bubbles. It would be so easy to die like this. They would find me in the morning, naked and limp with my head still beneath the surface. It would be such an anticlimactic end to such a tumultuous life. She once again surfaced, drawing air into her lungs and smoothing the wet hair off of her forehead. She couldn't die now. There was a war on. She was needed.
After toweling off she wrapped the wet towel around her body and went back out to her trunk. A bit more searching yielded a silk chemise and a long satin dressing robe, which she hung over the arm of a chair. The chemise was slipped on and the towel dropped to the floor as she threw back the drapes to reveal thick glass windows that opened outward into the cool night air. She gazed out over the battlements and across the lake, watching the twinkling stars reflect on the water. Absolutely beautiful. She sighed and turned from the window, rubbing her temples. She needed sleep, and time to think.
As she sunk into her bed she reflected on the years she herself had spent at Hogwarts. It couldn't be said that they were pleasant; in fact they had been very trying. She had been a good student, but her family life had put great amounts of strain on her. She never really had many friends. She was too afraid to let anyone into her life, lest they find out about her home life, and her background. It didn't help she was put into Slytherin and despised by the rest of the school. Her fellow housemates hated her, too. She did not hate Muggle-borns; in fact she found them fascinating. They, however, avoided her, and so she passed her school years with only a few girls to keep her company.
It felt odd to be back here. The castle hadn't changed at all, and although there was new faces it all seemed the same. McGonnegal was still the head of Gryffindor, Flitwick was still teaching charms, and Dumbledore was still the best headmaster the school had ever had. She remembered Sinistra from his boyhood days; he was three years older than she was and teased her mercilessly. He had been a Ravenclaw, and had been quite sure of himself. She wondered if he had changed any. Good old Hagrid was still there too. She smiled as she remembered the afternoons she spent with Hagrid. He taught her much about the forest and its inhabitants, and she always enjoyed her evening cup of tea she had with him. In fact she had called him "Uncle Hagrid" for the longest time. It would be very hard to see him as an equal and a teacher instead of her girlhood friend.
Presently her mind returned to Snape and his pompous answer to her challenge tonight. It would be hard to work with him, but she would make it work. A battle of wills was in store. There was no doubt in her mind whose would win out.
"It was her! I swear it was her!" Ron gushed as he sat on his bed.
Harry shook his head. "I just don't know, Ron. Her eyes were different, and there was just something about her face. There wasn't enough emotion there to be her. Plus, she's a Hogwarts teacher! She wouldn't be singing at a club!"
"Harry, she was all covered up with that cloak of hers. And maybe she doesn't exude anger on a daily basis, did you ever think about that?" He paused, as if considering the situation. "We've had weirder stuff go on here. Look at Lupin! If Dumbledore would hire a werewolf, I don't think he'd have any qualms about hiring a club singer, or even a stripper for that matter." Ron set his jaw; obviously convinced it was the elusive guitarist they had seen that night at the club.
Harry smiled at his stubborn friend. "Doesn't really matter anyway. She's not Delores Umbridge, and for that I'm thankful. She seemed sane and capable enough, and she was an Auror. Maybe we could talk to her about that."
It did present quite an opportunity. It was what Harry wanted to do more than anything in the world, and now a source had presented itself to him. In the past there had always been Tonks, but she was never really around much. He would be seeing this ex-Auror every day for the next nine months; he would have sufficient time to broach the subject with her. He grinned broadly. She seemed nice enough. She looked young and had a warm smile. The last name was familiar as well. He could remember hearing it before, and rather recently. Maybe it was something in conjunction with the Order. It seemed there were many connections he didn't' know about; she might very easily be one of them. He wondered what house she had been in. She seemed like a Ravenclaw; there was an intelligence emanating from her. Not a Slytherin. She didn't have that air of superiority and haughtiness that most of them had.
Harry settled back onto the sheets. Lately he had been able to pick up emotions of people surrounding him, and sometimes even something of their thoughts. It frightened and intimidated him. He didn't want to be bound with this gift. Hermione had told him to go to Dumbledore, but he didn't feel the need to bother the headmaster with such a trivial problem. It's easy to pick up the feelings of others when they're shooting it at you, he thought as a comfort to himself. Sometimes the thoughts bothered him. In certain situations he could feel other's annoyance, and even their fear. Harry worried this condition would progress until he would become overwhelmed with emotion, be completely overtaken by the feelings of those around him. Ron had laughed and told him to not be so damned silly. Hermione only stressed the need to seek aid. He dared not tell anyone else; most people already thought he was crazy. He didn't need any aid in boosting that image.
He turned over on his side hoping sleep would come quickly. His nightmares had lessened after the adventure at the Ministry of Magic, although they would spring up unannounced sometimes. It was times like those he wished he could have continued his Occlumency lessons, but Snape wouldn't be agreeable. Not after what happened last year. Maybe the Auror knew how to do it. He made a sleepy mental note to check with her tomorrow. There had to some skill she could impart on him.
Snape sat in front of his empty fire grate, cursing the fates that made him a teacher. He had promise. He could have been an Auror, or maybe even Minister of Magic. But a teacher at Hogwarts? He had never liked children. Yet now they surrounded him. He was expected to be kind, or at least civil to them and show each of them patience. That was something he had never possessed.
He looked behind him at a stack of papers on a desk. Lesson plans. It seemed his life was a stack of papers and regrets. Could he ever manage to escape this sense of depreciation? Or was he doomed to second-guess himself until the end of time? So many questions yet no answers. Life was never fair.
Aislinn O'Flannery was deep in slumber, watching tropical fish swim in an aquarium that existed only in her head. They had never had fish for pets at her home, only fish to eat. She had a beta for a while when she lived in apartments, but her cat had eaten him. So much for pet fish.
The dream changed. The aquarium faded into a dank hallway that she recognized as the tunnel underneath her house. She began walking into the darkness, feeling her way along the walls. They felt damp underneath her touch; the years of cold and dew had taken their toll on the stones. Suddenly a harsh scream rent the air and Aislinn sat bolt upright in her bed. Silence. She looked around her, still believing she was in her own bed in Ireland. It was only after a few moments thought that she remembered where she was: Her own chamber at Hogwarts. The source of the scream had come from the window, where a majestic golden eagle was perched. He turned a wary eye to her and then swiveled his head to continue watching the night. Aislinn sighed and once again lay down, drifting to sleep in a moment.