Author's Note: now things are starting to get interesting. Thorn, I still need to know what pairing you want. Sorry this has taken so long, but I have been sick and so my mind isn't working that well. Also, F.M.A. 11-15 is taking too long to download and so I need something to occupy my time. Enjoy; sorry they are so short.

JDoD

Chapter 3: Harry and Severus Snape

Harry had just packed the last of his books in his trunk when he heard a honk from the road and the unmistakeable sound of his uncle's voice.

"Boy!"

He heaved his trunk downstairs to find Uncle Vernon's face purple with rage.

"No funny business. I'm not having any of your lot in my house."

Harry resisted the temptation to tell his uncle that there was one of Harry's 'lot' living in the house for two out of every twelve months of the year. He said simply, "I'll miss you too."

Three red-headed boys beamed out at him from the Honda civic that had pulled up outside number four Privet Drive. Harry returned the smile as Hermione came tumbling out of the car to throw herself at him, pulling him into a hug. He patted her on the back, watching the two Weasleys make their way towards him. Harry noticed the old lady from number five Privet Drive eyeing him suspiciously. Good, let her think what she wanted to about "that strange boy from next door."

"Heya Harry," said Fred, throwing his arm around his neck, catching him in a headlock and ruffling his hair.

George, did the same on Harry's other side and, together with his twin, pushed him into the open door, where his other best friend was waiting.

"Hey, mate. Good summer?" Ron's hair was touching the roof of the car as Harry looked up at him.

"It is now."

Professor Severus Snape paced his room, occasionally glancing at the letter he held crushed in his fist and at the light flashing on his alarm system. Bloody muggle protection systems. They couldn't do a damn thing. It was clear that the potions master was in a bit of a bother. His fury seamed to reverberate around the stone chamber.

After a few more moments for silent but angry pacing, the teacher, very uncharacteristically, threw himself onto his bed, fuming. How could Dumbledore do this to him? It had been bad enough three years ago when he'd brought Lupin back to torment him. He took his wand out from the pocket of his jeans and began shooting down flies from the wall, the same as he had done when he was seventeen. Ok, that was unfair; Dumbledore had only had one applicant for Defence Against the Dark Arts, but, to be honest with himself, Snape thought that that it wasn't really the point.

Snape seemed to relax for, perhaps, twelve seconds, and then returned abruptly to his mental rant. Great, absolutely brilliant; the bastard. It wasn't good enough for the headmaster to bring in one of the five people who he had sworn he would kill, but now he was bringing in a second. She wasn't likely to forget their little fall out either, and so the potions master was looking forward to a lovely year of twisted memories and mocking comments.

He grunted angrily and opened the crushed letter in his fist.

Dear Professor S. Snape

I am please to say that we have found a suitable candidate for the vacant Defence Against the Dark Arts situation at the school. I understand that you know Morgan Crow from your education at Hogwarts and I am sure that you would like to reacquaint yourselves, perhaps even show her around the school until she gets up to scratch with the system. I hope you do not have a problem with this arrangement. Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore,

Headmaster,

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Snape's feelings over the past few months seemed to well up inside of him. Stupid prick. Sirius Black was gone, and this was the replacement. One buffoon for another. Making a mental note that there were now only four people who he really wanted to kill, he sighed and rested his hands behind his head.

Severus Snape then saidsix words that had never been heard before, or since, this particular incident.Aix words that were often said by men who were defeated and really, really, pissed off.

"Fuck. Bugger, shit, fuck, fuck, fuck."

Well, I did tell you there was a language rating. I have now changed the rating to R, but this had nothing to do with it. Cheers.

Completed: Sept 7/04