New Teacher

The next week came, Dumbledore announced that Lupin was definitely going to be in the school at least once a week during the next term to help Potter and his friends with their Defense Against the Dark Arts training, Weasley was allowed to come back to keep Potter company and the weather became even warmer. All in all, Severus wasn't too happy.

The headmaster had spent most of his time during the last few days at those meetings in the Ministry and had returned to the castle only late at night, leaving McGonagall in charge during the day. Today though McGonagall had left to visit her niece's family so she had delegated this task to Professor Sprout. One more thing that didn't really make him happy. Severus wasn't too keen on playing headmaster for a day, he probably would have declined if she'd asked him anyway. Nonetheless, it definitely bothered him that nobody seemed to have even thought of him. Sprout. In his opinion they could just as well have left Trelawney in charge; she would definitely have driven away anyone knocking on the door with one of her death-and-disaster-predictions.


It was early in the afternoon and Severus was standing in front of the notice board in the Entrance Hall, thoughtfully studying the parchment McGonagall had put up there last night. It contained more or less all of the Ministry's suggestions and guidelines for the school, summed up in eight short new rules that should be easy enough for all of the students to understand and to follow. All but Potter and his friends, probably.

Students are not allowed on the castle grounds without supervision. Severus read to himself and scowled; that sounded like an awful lot of extra hours with those little brats. For a moment he was tempted to add a rule number nine that didn't allow any students in the dungeons outside of classes; actually barely anyone ever went down there if they didn't have to, not even the other staff members. But lately he had met Potter prowling the corridors there just a little too often; either the boy was really bored or he simply had fun annoying him with his presence.

Severus heard footsteps and turned around to see Professor Sprout hurrying across the hall, not even looking at him. Since he had just been about to return to the seclusion of his dungeons anyway he didn't really mind that, but when he saw Sprout open one of the large wooden entrance doors, his curiosity got the better of him and he decided to stay a moment longer to find out who the visitor to the castle might be.

From where he was standing he could neither see nor hear whoever might be on the other side of that door, all he could hear was Sprout's part of the conversation. But that was already enough to make him smile for he found it proved clearly that she wasn't quite suitable for the job of deputy deputy headmistress, or whatever this position might be called. He took a few steps towards the doors to see who it actually was Sprout was trying to get rid off and caught a glimpse of a short plump lady standing on the front porch. She had short, curly white hair, a kind face and bright blue eyes - all in all she bore a striking resemblance to the friendly granny pictured on the wrapping of Ada Attinghurst's Apple Pie. He wondered whether that apple pie was still being sold when Professor Sprout suddenly seemed to have noticed his presence and addressed him.

Have you been informed about the arrival of a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor? She asked.

No. I'm not in charge here and therefore I'm not the one who'd be informed. He replied and the apple pie lady used the distraction to force her way past Sprout and into the castle. For a second he considered drawing his wand and casting at least a Petrificus Totalus at her; then again, to welcome a guest to the castle like that would definitely have contradicted his good manners.

She dropped the bags she'd been carrying with her to the ground, sighed and looked around. Ah yes, it feels good to be here again, it's definitely been a while. She said, turned around and smiled at Severus who was still standing a few steps away from her, eyeing her suspiciously.

Eliza Dobberstein. She introduced herself. And you must be Severus. She held out her hand to him but he just stood motionless with his arms folded. You don't mind me calling you by your first name, do you? We're colleagues now, after all. She added, still smiling kindly.

As a matter of fact, yes, I do mind. He replied. May I ask what exactly you mean by colleagues?

Oh, well, I suppose we'll get to know each other better sooner or later. In the meantime, would you do me a favour and take my bags up to my quarters?

For a moment her reaction left him in blank astonishment - it didn't happen too often that someone ignored what he was saying so obviously. Astonishment quickly turned into anger and he began to regret not having cursed her as soon as she had set foot into the castle. Excuse me, but I don't think we've settled the question about the reason for your visit yet.

Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'm the teacher for the next term. She replied. Minerva sent me an owl just yesterday, asking me if I'd be interested. So could you tell her that I've arrived, please?

I'm afraid she's not here right now, but she should be back in a few hours. Professor Sprout began to speak again. I don't know where you were meant to stay so I'll take you to some unoccupied rooms on the second floor for now.

Severus stared at Sprout blankly for a moment. Are you planning to assign rooms to every utter stranger showing up on the doorstep today? Don't you think you should at least-"

Always on alert, just like Minerva told me about you. Eliza Dobberstein interrupted him. But don't worry, I doubt that there'll be a lot more people coming here today claiming to be new teachers. Having said this she set off across the hall towards the staircase. The bags. Would you, please? She said once again without even looking back.

I'm not a house elf... Severus muttered.

Oh, these would be much too heavy for such a little creature to carry. The old lady replied as she started climbing the stairs, followed by Professor Sprout.

Severus snorted angrily and grabbed one of the bags. Of course, why let a house elf do the job when you can also get a highly qualified Potions Professor. He muttered under his breath, picked up the second bag and then let both of them drop to the ground again. I'm a wizard after all. He said, pulled out his wand and charmed the bags to follow him as he walked up the stairs.


The new Professor only took a quick look around her quarters before she thanked Professor Sprout and told her she didn't want to take up any more of her valuable time. Severus didn't think his time was too valuable to spend it keeping an eye on their guest, so when Sprout left he remained standing in the corridor, watching the door. He didn't even have time to start feeling bored because the door opened again only a few minutes later and Eliza Dobberstein stepped outside.

I'll be going to the staff room now to make myself familiar with the syllabus while I'm waiting for Minerva to return. She explained as she strode past him. It might be more comfortable for you to watch over me there as well.

Severus was a little surprised by the fact that she didn't seem to be offended by his behaviour. Not that he would have cared; if he had been in charge, that nice old lady would still be standing in front of the castle in the blistering heat. Even more so after he'd read rule number seven: All visitors to Hogwarts must be announced at least three hours prior to arrival and have to agree to submit to a search before entering the castle. But now that she was already here, all he could do was to follow her around.


McGonagall returned two hours later and stormed straight into the staff room to welcome the new teacher to the school. Severus had grown tired of just sitting there and staring an hour earlier and had started writing down some questions for the test he usually made his fifth years write in their first lesson; by now he had reached question twenty-five and found it terribly hard to concentrate while trying to ignore the chatter of the two witches.

I honestly didn't expect you to just come here right away. McGonagall said, pouring herself a cup of tea.

Never put off till tomorrow what may be done today. Dobberstein replied. There really was no reason to waste time by sending owls back and forth, was there?

Severus shook his head and concentrated on his question twenty-five again. He thought about just getting up and leaving, his job here was done after all. Then again, he wondered whether McGonagall might notice his presence sooner or later; he had to admit he didn't really like being neglected like this.

So you met Severus already? He pricked up his ears again when his name was mentioned.

Oh, yes, we met. I have to admit he made a bit of an unfriendly impression at first sight but I'm convinced our relationship is going to improve as soon as we get to know each other a little better. Dobberstein said and took another sip from her teacup.

Severus dropped his quill and looked up. Excuse me, you are aware of the fact that I'm actually in the room? He asked.

You know what they say, his bark is worse than his bite. McGonagall replied, not paying any attention to him.

Fine. So you simply don't care. Well, I have better things to do than sitting in on your little hen party anyway. Severus muttered as he gathered his papers, jumped to his feet and headed for the door. Just before it fell closed behind him again he heard Dobberstein say A bit touchy, isn't he? He scowled and strode off along the corridor.

When he reached the stairs leading down into the Entrance Hall he spotted Potter and Weasley walking towards the front doors, dragging along their broomsticks. He took a deep breath and decided not to waste his time on them when suddenly new school rule number three sprang back to his mind.

Both boys stopped dead and slowly turned around. Yes sir? Ron said while Harry just greeted him with a loathing glare.

Where do you two think you're going? He asked softly.

Ron and Harry, standing right in front of the doors, exchanged questioning looks. Ron suggested the obvious, immediately regretted his tone and stared down at the floor for a moment.

Playing Quidditch. Harry said. As far as I know that's allowed, isn't it?

Severus didn't miss the spiteful undertone in Potter's voice but he wasn't going to say anything about that; he had told Potter to mind his manners when speaking to him more than once already and not allowing them to go outside to play Quidditch was a lot better anyway.

He smirked. Then I suppose you're not yet familiar with the new rules.

What new rules? Harry asked.

If you'd care to take a look at the notice board on the wall to your right? Number three might be of interest to you. Severus replied and slowly walked down the stairs while Ron went over to the notice board, dragging Harry along.

But the term hasn't even started yet! Harry said after having read the parchment, turning back to Snape.

Rules are rules, Mr. Potter. He said softly and slowly walked towards the two boys.

But we were going to stay right outside the doors anyway. Harry said.

You will stay right inside the doors now.

Harry glared at him for a moment. I'll go and ask Professor McGonagall.

There's no need to bother her with that.

You can't tell me what to do in my holidays! Harry barked.

Don't you talk back to me, Potter. Severus hissed in return and Ron instinctively took a careful step backwards. I'm responsible for you, as much as I wish it was different. And therefore I have every right to tell you what to do, am I understood?

I can look after myself, and you are definitely the last person- Harry stopped talking abruptly, shook his head and turned away to head for the doors again. Come on, Ron, we're going.

Ron didn't move but Snape pulled out his wand, waved it at the wooden double doors and some heavy iron chains started wrapping themselves around the door handles. You will follow the rules, Potter, just like everyone else in this castle. Severus said softly. And I will not allow you to follow the example of your dear godfather and get yourself killed just because you're too stubborn to once in your life do as you're told.

Harry slowly turned back around and shot him a venomous glare. How dare you to talk about Sirius like that. He hissed. We both know who's responsible for that!

Yes, we do, don't we, Potter? Severus whispered.

Ron reached out and took Harry by his arm. Come on, leave it at that. He said softly.

No, Ron, I've been waiting for this way too long. Harry replied. It's his fault that Sirius died.

Black's incurable recklessness is what got him killed! Severus said. I told him to stay behind, but he wouldn't listen, of course not. The great Sirius Black would never have considered it necessary to listen to someone like me so he ran straight into a pointless death.

That's not true! You're just jealous because you're nothing like him! He wasn't a coward, he wasn't afraid of dying!

You call me a coward? What gives you the right? You know nothing about me, nothing at all. Severus sneered at him. I'm not scared of dying, Potter. But unlike him, I just don't want to.

For a moment there was a tense silence while Harry glared at him out of narrowed eyes. So that's it. He said, dangerously calm. Sirius died in battle, with honour and pride. And that's something you'll never achieve because you're going to die crawling at Voldemort's feet, begging for mercy.

Severus watched Ron attempting to take another step away from them and tugging at Harry's sleeve to make him follow; when he didn't, the young Gryffindor remained standing bravely by his friend's side. But while Weasley was clearly expecting him to explode any moment, Potter just stood there, holding his gaze. If you knew how right you are, Potter. I swore to myself that I'd never allow him to be my master again, that I'd never kneel to him again. But now I have to. He had to admit that Potter had struck a nerve. But he would keep himself under control. He had lost his temper in Potter's presence before, he wouldn't let it happen again.

Slowly Severus made another step towards him to stand right in front of him, close enough to make every halfway sensible person consider taking flight. Keep away from me if you know what's best for you, Potter. He hissed, whirled around and strode across the hall, back to his dungeons where the rest of the world would hopefully leave him alone for a while.


Severus slammed the door shut behind him and leaned back against the wall. He felt his heart pounding, and when he closed his eyes he had to take a deep breath of the familiar cool air to make the images of all sorts of cruel and violent actions he wanted to perform on Potter right now go away again. No, self control had definitely never been one of his natural talents, it was one of the things he had had to learn the hard way.

Although he found it pretty absurd himself, returning to the dark and lonely dungeons always managed to soothe his mind again, whether he just came back from a Death Eater gathering or from a lesson that had once again made him seriously doubt his qualifications to teach anyone anything at all. McGonagall had once told him that he was just hiding down here in order to avoid confrontation; Severus had only sneered at her in return and told her that he wasn't all that impressed with her abilities as a part-time psychologist. To him the reason he felt most comfortable down here was pretty obvious: he'd simply gotten used to it. After all he'd spent most of his childhood in the dungeons of Snape Manor and old habits didn't die easily.

He opened his eyes again when he heard a soft rattling sound echoing along the corridor and cursed the poltergeist daring to haunt his dungeons. Yes, these were his dungeons; nobody else would have wanted them anyway. Severus set off down the stone stairs and along the narrow corridor leading to his office, the flames of the torches flickering as he passed by. Once he'd reached his destination he pulled out his wand again and muttered the three different spells needed to unlock the heavy wooden door.

Paranoid. That's what McGonagall called it. A tiny bit paranoid, to be precise. Severus was quite glad she didn't know about the charms he put on the doors to his private rooms; he wasn't too keen on hearing her opinion about that. The lock sprung open, he took a step forward and suddenly whirled around again to peer into the darkness. He could have sworn he'd seen a shadow creeping along the walls, but there was nothing there.

Of course not. He stepped into his office and closed the door behind him. Maybe she's right, maybe I'm really paranoid.

Severus sat down at his desk and reached out for an old dusty book lying on the table just to make sure its spine would be placed exactly in line with the desk edge. Next he carefully changed the position of a bottle of ink half an inch to the left and began straightening out the old quill that had been lying next to it.

He couldn't get Potter out of his head. How dare that little brat call him a coward? What on earth could make that boy believe he had a right to judge him? Severus was used to being judged by others even though they didn't know him; well, actually barely anyone knew him. But he wouldn't allow that stuck-up arrogant teenage boy to behave like that towards him again. Potter was going to show some respect towards him.

He got up from his chair, slowly walked across the room and stood in front of one of the shelves, searching through the books. Finally, having found what he'd been looking for, he pulled out a small book with a faded crimson cover, took the bottle of Scotch from the shelf and continued on his way to the adjoining room. With a wave of his hand he made the the flames of the candles in his office go out - it was the most impressive piece of wandless magic he could muster, aside from a quite unreliable Accio spell; not much, but pretty convenient. He closed the door behind him and sat down on the dark green sofa. He wouldn't go to dinner today. With Dumbledore gone and McGonagall so well-entertained by the new teacher he doubted anyone would notice; and even if someone came looking for him, with his office lying in darkness nobody would suspect him being here.


AN: Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, let me know, I'd really appreciate it :) I'm sorry it took me so long to update; I have my exams coming up in two weeks so unfortunately I'm not having much time for writing and most probably won't be able to update again before 3-4 weeks.

shadowycat & Tim H. Smith: Thank you so much for your help :)

Phoenix of the Stars: Thank you! I'm really glad you liked it this far, enough even to read it all in one sitting :) I hope you'll keep enjoying it.

LadyJavert: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it :) I definitely enjoy writing Snape and McGonagall so I'm glad you find them entertaining ;)

AmZ: Thank you. I do hope I'll manage to keep it interesting for you. Btw, I only like what I'm writing while I'm writing it, I don't like it anymore once it's finished; I'm glad I have readers who do like it. As for the tie, I already mentioned that it's a true story, didn't I? Unfortunately we couldn't transfigure one, so we had to get one from the caretaker ;)

greengirlblue: Thank you! I'm very glad you liked it :) I'll try to keep an eye on those sentences.

Athalia: Thank you! I'm really glad to hear you liked it. Thank you so much for your other reviews as well, I really appreciate it :)

Corgi1: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it, I hope you liked this one as well.

Mikee: Thank you! I'm very glad you liked it! I probably won't be writing about Dumbledore teaching Harry, I'm not really good at writing Dumbledore. There might be some more about Occlumency though.

Athena Keating-Thomas: Thank you! :) I'm really glad you liked it! I feel the same way about Snape in the books, there are quite a lot of things I want to know since GoF that still haven't been answered... Thank you so much for your other reviews as well, I really appreciate it.

BurningTyger: Thank you! I'm glad to hear you liked it, I hope you'll keep reading & liking it. Thank you for the 'great characterizations' :)