Forgotten Memories, Painful Past

Chapter Three

First Day

Another gloomy, rainy day allowed little sunlight in to her bedchamber as Raine threw the drapes open. Sighing at the foreboding thunderclouds, she began her day. Picking out an emerald collared shirt and a grey coloured skirt that came to the middle of her calf, Raine slid in to the shower. It was hardly past dawn and she'd hoped for an early start.

Making her way down to the Great Hall she found none but Severus present. Her countenance immediately shifted to one of unrest and anxiety. Nodding cordially to him, she sat at her seat on the teacher's table. Severus sensed a deathly silence fall between the two, like a thin sheet of glass that would shatter at a pin drop.

Apparently, Raine hadn't sensed the invading discomfort. She turned to him, "Did you sleep alright?"

"Fine, thanks." Severus attempted to keep his voice as stoic as possible. It wavered precariously at the end of his statement but she didn't comment.

The new professor nodded. "That is good to hear. I am glad you are sleeping better than you used to."

He laughed sardonically, "If you really believed that you wouldn't have brought me those vials last night."

Raine didn't laugh. "I was rather hoping you'd stopped having those nightmares."

A welcomed silence fell between the two. "So how d'you like Hogwarts from a teacher's perspective thus far?" Oh for Salazar's sake, what had encouraged him to continue their conversation?

"Well, classes haven't even begun but thus far I find it rather nice to be back." Oh how he wished she'd leave. She gave an apprehensive chuckle, "If history is any indication though, I will only be here one year so it shouldn't matter anyway."

He didn't laugh. "I figured you'd end that curse." Severus berated himself silently, what in the name of all that is magical incited such a kind comment? He was setting himself up all over again.

Her? Why her? She chewed her lip nervously, "I see."

"If you ever need any help, I'm sure you recall where the Potions room is." Damn her. He almost growled in frustration. She exuded warmth, and it transferred to him. Severus Snape did not do warmth. He was cold, he was stoic and he was uncaring. He liked it that way. Who was she to come change that? Right, she was Katya. He growled, he really wanted her to leave.

She nodded, entreating every deity in her memory to relieve her of this awkward conversation. Raine couldn't help but fear he'd snap at her again.

In walked Minerva and Albus, the answers to her plea. They were talking quietly amongst themselves and took their seats. Minerva turned to her. "Did you find everything you needed in the classroom?"

"Yes, I did. It's perfect. I was hoping there might be a less cluttered place to practice though... Especially for the older students. Certain spells cannot be safely executed in mass quantities in such a confined area." Raine didn't look up from her eggs and toast.

The Headmaster smiled at her through his half-moon glasses, "Well, you know well already that there's plenty of room outside. As long as you don't interfere with Madame Hooch or Professor Sprout's classes, I'm sure you'll be fine."

She gave him a thankful grin. "That'd be terrific."

"What sort of magic do you have planned for the older students, Miss Sullivan?" Minerva eyed her wearily, remembering the pranks she used to pull on younger students when she attended the school.

"I'm not sure yet, as I have not seen what they are capable of. I doubt the basic disarmament charm will be necessary but I may warm up with freezing and binding spells. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to help them with the Patronus Charm."

McGonagall looked baffled, "You expect the children to be capable of that?"

Raine frowned, "With Voldemort back in power, I don't expect it, I demand it."

Dumbledore nodded austerely. "Minerva, I've talked to her. She is well informed. It would be hard to keep something like that from a young woman like her. Remember what she was like at Hogwarts?"

It was rather uncomfortable to hear the two talk about her when she was sitting two seats down. Her eyes wandered to the doors of the Great Hall where a handful of early-rising students were wandering in. Severus looked appalled, "You trusted her with information on the Order?" What was he, chopped liver? Hadn't he known the bloody woman far better than Albus ever had? It was so nice of him to solicit his opinion. 'Oh wait, he didn't,' Severus thought dryly.

Albus frowned, "I have every intention of inducting her. If she's to teach these children how to defend themselves, she must be informed on what they will be facing." When Severus's concern didn't fade, he continued; "She's a brilliant legilimen and occulmen, Severus. Stop worrying, you should trust my judgement by now."

There it was. It'd been said. Why not tell the whole bloody world! Raine had been born with a natural knack for legilimency. Growing up, she thought she was crazy when she'd catch snippets of people's thoughts as she looked them in the eye. Once she attended Hogwarts, Dumbledore had explained to her what legilimency was. It all came together and Raine honed her abilities as best she could. Dumbledore helped, and now she was strong enough to sustain even his occulmency for a certain amount of time.

Severus frowned, unhappy that he had not been previously informed, but with all the surprises he'd received in the last seventy-two hours, why not? Next he'd find out she was an animagus and that Potter was being inducted in to the Order. "Perhaps she would want to help teach Potter." Hell knows Snape would take any way out of the dreadful lessons, even if that way was Katya.

Dumbledore shook his head. "You've experienced the Dark Lord's powers. You will teach Harry."

Raine looked at Severus with a mixed look of repulsion and surprise. She'd known he'd been a Death Eater. She had no idea he'd been so close to Voldemort. How could Albus trust him? She shrugged it off, deciding to trust his judgement over her own. He was decades wiser than she.

A feeling of triumph overcame Severus. While he was still stuck with Potter, he was also declared the better Occulmen. That gave him something over Katya, that allowed him to return to his impassive and cool countenance.

Now a larger group of two dozen or so students was forming at their designated tables. Her colleagues noticed this and abruptly cut off their conversation. Professors Flitwick and Sinistra wandered in and claimed their seats. Raine smiled at Professor Flitwick. "Good morning."

Sibyll Trelawny walked by, "It won't be, trust me dear."

Shaking her head softly at the Divination Professor's statement, Raine turned back to her breakfast. What an interesting lot. It was hard to believe that they all worked together without fail. McGonagall and Snape were nothing alike, and now she and Sibyll added another mismatch of personalities. She generally thought Divination a joke, but wouldn't dare say so to someone like Sibyll. 'Oh wait, I did,' Raine mused silently.

Dumbledore had informed her that not every teacher was in the Order, though most knew of it's existence to some extent. Was Sibyll actually a member? Raine wasn't quite sure she'd be able to regard the woman's predictions with a sense of importance for the decorous amount of time that propriety required. No, she knew she wouldn't be capable of such feats. She finished her meal as a hoard of students piled in. She spotted Harry and his two friends. The red head, Ronald Weasley and the young girl, Miss Granger flanked him. Smiling at the still downtrodden Harry, she took her leave.

IIII

Forty-five minutes or so after Professor Sullivan had taken her seat in her classroom, students began to file in. Gryffindor students smiled politely at her as Slytherins tended to look displeased. After the last of them (notably Draco Malfoy and his miscreant crew) filed in, Miss Sullivan began.

"My name is Professor Sullivan, and I will be instructing you all this coming year in the art of magical defense. Spells that will cause a Dementor to draw back in fear, charms to heal a wounded ally..." Her green eyes darkened, "And curses so excruciating that they are considered Unforgivable."

A hush fell over the rowdy class, "I have heard of your history of Defense Teachers, and I find it quite frustrating. I have come to expect the lot of you are nothing more than blubbering gits that would meet your end when faced with a meager boggart. That can not be allowed in the world we live in, nor will I permit such inadequacy in my classroom. You are here to learn how to protect yourself and others, if you fail to do so I will not hesitate to flunk you all. What I am to teach you is a matter of life and death, no more and no less; I will expect perfection from you, no more and no less."

She smiled, "That being said, welcome to your sixth year of Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'd like you to take out your books and hand them to me please." All the books were passed forward, the class giving her their undivided attention. Raine took the books and tossed them in to an empty bureau. "You won't be needing those now, a book knows nothing of the adrenaline and fear one experiences when forced to defend oneself. I do. You will too, in turn, know what that feels like."

She noticed Hermione Granger paying utmost attention, and she smiled at her. "Now, for starters... Can someone tell me what you have managed to learn?"

Miss Granger's hand was in the air. As soon as Miss Sullivan nodded to her, she began. "Last year many of the students in our year got together to practice outside of class since Miss Umbridge refused to teach us anything. Those in the group managed to master disarmament charms and a large number of us perfected the Patronus charm."

That was exactly what Raine had hoped to hear. "Thank you, that was quite informative." She noticed a look of disbelief on many Slytherins' faces. "Obviously a few slackers did not attend these meetings," she frowned, "Well, how many of you know for a fact that you can perform a disarmament charm correctly on the first attempt?" Two thirds of the class raised their hands, the remainder consisting mostly of Slytherin students. Raine thought she'd faint. A simple disarmament charm was impossible for one third of the sixth years?

She nodded, masking her displeasure. "All right. Now, I'd like a volunteer to come demonstrate and then we shall head outside to practice. This week will be spent on reviewing that charm and a few other basic ones."

Hermione groaned but raised her hand to volunteer. Her hand was the only one up, but Miss Sullivan called on a young boy sitting behind her. "Mister..." she checked the role, "Longbottom. Would you care to demonstrate? I would like you to try and disarm me." Raine drew her ten inch wand made of ebony. Draco Malfoy and two students she'd made a point of identifying as Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle sniggered. Raine only hoped that none of the three were even a bit like their father's; unfortunately, it took but a moment for her to realize the futility of said expectation.

Neville stood nervously. "I can try." With Ron, Harry and Hermione all giving him looks of encouragement, he took out his wand. "Expelliarmus!"

Since Professor Sullivan made no attempt to block the curse, her wand flew from her hand and into the corner behind her desk. "Excellent. Five points to Gryffindor."

Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas slapped one another a high-five and a few other Gryffindors cheered. Raine turned to the class, "Don't make me revoke those points. Off with you, we'll be outside practicing so none of you fools manages to kill someone."

IIII

"Ten points from Gryffindor," Snape snapped at Ginny Weasley as she fumbled her potion. "Clean it up, and I want a foot long essay on my desk tomorrow about how critical gillyweed is for this potion. Understood?"

Ginny nodded meekly, Professor Snape was particularly vicious today. Every Gryffindor around her was struggling to attain perfection and steer clear of the Professor's wrath.

IIII

Raine frowned. "That'll be twenty point from Slytherin." Mudblood, that's what he'd said. Since when were students allowed to speak like that at Hogwarts? Oh, it was Mr. Draco Malfoy. Frowning, she ordered him to stay after class. Naturally, the reprimand would be futile (if he was anything like his father) and would only make his torture worse for his victims but she had to try.

Draco approached her after class with a sly sneer on his lips. "You wanted to speak with me Miss Sullivan?"

"Professor Sullivan," she corrected, "And yes, I did."

"Well?" He looked like he was pressed for time.

Raine sighed. "That word you spoke will never be used in my class again, is that clear?"

The Slytherin Prince, assuming he was like his father, rolled his eyes dramatically. "Yes Professor."

"You are not to use any more profanity. If I catch wind of it, I will speak with your Head of House. For now, you will be spending a week's detention in my classroom each night."

"Sounds delightful," he sneered. "I'll look forward to it Raine..."

She took a deep breath, "You will address me as Professor Sullivan, thank you."

Draco walked out of her classroom. She confirmed it, he was his father's son, no doubt. Sighing exasperatedly, she leaned back in her chair. Lunch break, thank goodness. Raine recalled that her presence was expected at the Great Hall during all meals. She would sit next to Severus, again. Why was he so cold? 'Because you abandoned him to Them...' her conscience replied tartly. Shaking her head, she departed for the Great Hall.

IIII

Snape had every intention of remaining in his dungeons for lunch, until he'd heard about Malfoy's detentions. His godson certainly did nothing to warrant such a treatment from Katya, he would indeed have to inquire as to his crime. For this reason, and this reason only, he reminded himself, Severus Snape meandered up the stairs to the Great Hall. "Miss Sullivan," he greeted her with utmost formality.

"Severus," she smiled. Why couldn't she just do the same? He frowned.

The Potions Master sighed, "It has come to my attention that you've assigned Mr. Malfoy a series of detentions over the course of this week. I was wondering if there was a reason to your unsympathetic punishment?"

Raine sighed, she'd expected this after learning that Mr. Malfoy was Severus's godson. "He used very foul language in my classroom; such language that I cannot permit to go unscathed in a proper learning environment."

"May I inquire as to the significance of said profanity?" Finally, she was being formal with him. He didn't want any of her warmth and caring and concern. It violated his code of conduct. Don't give a damn and no one will give a damn about you. He liked it that way.

She chewed on her lip out of habit. "Severus, I'm not going to repeat the word." Raine had heard it used a few to many times in regards to Lily during their time at Hogwarts but it was only used by Lucius. 'Bastard,' she glared at her plate, as if it warranted some form of disciplining.

'Ah, that word,' Severus frowned. Mudblood. It hadn't required much recollection to recall what one word would send Raine in to such a nostalgic and forlorn trance. Sighing mellifluously, Severus returned to his lunch.

'Good, he hadn't bothered to argue.' Raine nodded softly, returning to her meal. As she rose, Miss Granger approached her. "Professor Sullivan, I need your help..."

Assuming she was studying Defense spells, Raine quickly accompanied her. When they didn't head outside or to the library, she began to worry. "What is it Miss Granger?"

"It's Harry..."

Her verdant eyes widened with concern. Oh no, not again. She stopped, she wasn't sure she could handle a scene like this again. "Perhaps you should call Madam Pomfrey..."

Hermione shook her head guiltily. "I..." she frowned, "I overheard Dumbledore talking about you about a week before term started. He said that the new teacher might be of some help with Harry... He said you had experience with this sort of thing."

"That's true, and it's an experience I don't wish to repeat." She shuddered, so much blood. She learned a few healing spells for the sole purpose of preventing events like those Harry had incited.

"Please, Professor, Harry needs you..." Hermione's pleading voice was more persuasive than Raine had expected.

She nodded. "Take me to him." She entered the Gryffindor Common Room, a place she recognized from late night visits to the boys' dorms... More specifically Sirius's. Blushing softly, she entered Harry's room. He was on the floor, crying. No blood. She sighed with relief. "Harry, dear, are you alright?"

Harry looked up at her in surprise. Wasn't she the teacher who rivaled Professor Snape's vehement attitude? He sighed, "I'm fine."

"I'm not blind Harry, now talk to me..." She motioned for Hermione to leave and close the door. She sat down next to him on the floor. "Is it Sirius?"

He shook his head. No, not Sirius this time. "No." Harry didn't elaborate.

Raine put a hand on his shoulder, "Who is it then?"

"The Dursleys," Harry finally looked up at her. Vibrant green eyes stared in to sullen dull ones. For once, Harry saw no pity... no spite and no skepticism. He saw understanding.

She bit her lip, more like Severus than she'd imagined. "They hurt you Harry?"

Harry had been forced to return to them for a short while over the summer. The last week before term. That's when he'd cut himself. That brief pain should've ended what would've been a lifetime of pain spent there. "Only Uncle Vernon."

"You realize you don't deserve it, that he's just a worthless close-minded git who can't manage his temper?" Another meek nod was his only response. She sighed. "Harry..." Raine stood and called Hermione back in. Whispering a bit to him, she departed.

Hermione was shocked when Harry walked in to class late, but looking very chipper. What had Professor Sullivan said to him? Truth be told, Hermione had been skeptical to summon the rather stern teacher to begin with, but obviously it had done some good. Smiling kindly at Harry, she continued her transfiguration notes.

IIII

"Fifteen points from Ravenclaw," At the rate both Snape and Sullivan were revoking points, all the Houses would be competing to stay at zero. Padma Patil angrily picked up her wand and performed the disarming charm on her partner. Most of the Ravenclaw group was getting it right, except for Anthony and two others. Padma helped him out, feeling obligated as his co-prefect.

Raine smiled, content to see all the Ravenclaws were done. "Thirty points to Ravenclaw. You've completed it the fastest of the four houses. Now, help the Hufflepuff students if you will..." Four or five of them were still hitting the wrong opponent. Padma sighed and walked over to help.

IIII

"Ah..." Severus groaned as he heard that vexingly feminine voice enter his classroom. "I can still recall when we sat at these desks brewing the dark creations Professor Harrington made us concoct, still smell the thick fumes and picture the simmering liquid." Katya smiled at him. "It was all rather dramatic really..." She had loved Potions, and had loved taking the class with Severus even more. "D'you remember when we did that project together?"

He nodded negligently.

Katya sat down on his desk. "You didn't eat dinner..."

"I wasn't hungry," the Potions Master replied dryly.

She frowned, "Hungry now?"

Why wouldn't she just give up? Severus set his quill down. "Persistent still?"

"As always," her grin had a charming way about it that Severus could recognize from their childhood. Maybe one meal wouldn't hurt, the past was the past.

"Are you cooking?"

Katya laughed derisively, "Well you certainly aren't. You'll end up brewing a poison to kill us both." She smiled at him. "If you don't trust me I can have something brought from the kitchens..."

Severus leaned back in his chair. "Well I'm sure not risking being seen with you in the halls. Have you heard what these mindless gits have been saying?" His voice sounded almost indignant.

"Well," Katya smiled, "I've been asked if I was married to you. I've been asked if I was related to you and I've been asked if I hate your filthy black guts..." she crinkled her nose in amusement.

Well at least she was as blunt as always. "That's about what I've heard, and I'd rather not encourage any further banter. We can eat in my chambers, they're devoid of any random potions vials you may mistake for condiments," he had a dry smirk on his lips.

Katya couldn't tell if he was insulting her or making a joke, then again, that's how it usually was with Severus. "Splendid." She opened the door and told a waiting house elf to bring the food.

"You expected a positive reply?"

"Either that or I would've tied you down and force fed you," she chuckled softly.

She really hadn't changed much, Severus realized. Katya was Katya, but with a few more curves that she'd filled in to and a softness to that edge that'd staved off most men during their schooling. "I heard you gave a frightful speech to all your classes..."

Katya smiled, "Still nothing on yours..." She sat on the front row desk. "The exact art of potion-making... The beauty of the softly simmering cauldron..." Her eyes danced over his face. "You're really quite eloquent when impassioned."

Severus took note that 'passion' was part of that word. He was not a 'passionate' person. He didn't put enough emotion in to life to be 'impassioned.' He scowled. "I merely wish for my students to realize that they've bitten off more than they can chew by even trying my class..."

"Potions is mandatory..." She watched for a reply.

He gave another scowl, "All the same. As you said, with the Dark Lord back, they've got to hone their skills."

Katya only nodded. "Severus..." her hand reached for his sleeve, pulling it up and examining the Dark Mark. "When did you get this?"

Severus snarled defensively and pulled his arm away. "None of your business." He frowned. "After you left..." he conceded.

"I didn't leave you Severus... I had to leave Hogwarts..." He'd known that. She'd been called back by her family. Her grandmother had died and left her to manage all the property once she reached the proper age, with no one left to aide her, Katya had been forced to return to Russia right after Hogwarts got out.

"It's in the past now..." He frowned. "Regardless of why you left... Lucius and I grew closer. He and I had quite a lot in common. He told me of a wizard who wanted the wizarding world to be ruled by only those of pure blood. A wizard who was more powerful than anything we'd ever imagined."

Raine frowned but moved to answer the door as the food arrived. She noticed a cringe cover Severus's face as she walked away. "You alright?" She took the tray from the elf, thanking her. "Sever-"she turned and he was gone. The silver tray hit the floor with an echoing crash. He had been sitting right there, and he was gone... She walked in to his office, his private chambers and back in to the classroom. He couldn't have apparated. He was just gone. Murmuring several curses in Russian, she headed up for Dumbledore's office. "Tweak." The staircase moved down.

End Chapter Three