I wana heal, I wanna feel
What I found was never real
I wanna let go of the pain I felt so long
I wanna heal, I wanna feel
Like I'm close to something real
I wanna find something I've wanted all along
Somewhere I belong…

Linkin Park – Somewhere I Belong ©

Severus Snape sighed as he left his establishment near Venice, Italy. He had to return to England, but he feared the cold that would welcome him on his return. The past summer had been marvellous. Severus had relaxed, had been spending time on developing new potions, enjoyed the beautiful architecture of Venice and went to Rome twice. And now he was on his way back to Hogwarts.

Severus had changed. He looked healthier because of the warm Italian sun which gave his normally pale skin a brown shine and his figure had grown more muscular because of the many hours he had spend in his swimming pool. He knew that he would return to his normal look in no time but for now, he felt more confident.

He took one last look around the house and wondered why he always had to be alone here. He knew it was the real Severus talking now, the one that usually was hidden by rock walls and thousands of masks. The one nobody knew, at least for maybe Dumbledore.

When Severus was a child, his uncle would take him here for the residence was one of the many houses the Snape family owned. This was his favourite, and whenever his father, a cruel man who was drunk most of the time, would allow his little brother to take Severus with him, they would come here. Severus would have a great time with his uncle and as Severus grew older, their conversations changed. In the end, right before his uncle died, he made Severus promise that he would bring his child back here, for his uncle had always loved the sound of little pitter-patter all around the house.
"Well, uncle Cameron, you have got be disappointed in me. Another summer, and still no kid!"

He felt a little sad for a moment, but then straightened his back. "I don't need kids. I've got enough to deal with because of those dunderheads at school!"
And, as Severus Snape had entered the mansion in the start of the summer, Professor Snape swept away in the end and Apparated in Hogsmeade.

With a flick of his wand, Severus sent his luggage to Hogwarts before entering the Three Broomsticks. He was running short on Fire Whiskey and only God knew how the drink helped him to relax. He also needed cigarettes.

"Well, hello Severus! Had a good summer?" Madam Rosmerta placed a glass in front of him and filled it with Fire Whiskey.
"I've been expecting you! Not a single day too late, as always!"

Severus smiled. Rosmerta was a about the only woman who could see through him just a little. "Dumbledore keeps holding on to his old habits and the Staff Dinner always takes places exactly a week before the Openings Feast. That's what they call: extra duties!"

Rosmerta chuckled. "Well, I'm glad he has his habits. I can preserve your order of fifteen bottles of Fire Whiskey because of him. Always a pleasure doing business with you, Severus!"

Severus smiled again and lighted a cigarette. As smart and intelligent he might be, he just couldn't get off his old habit. The smoking was a soothing way of telling him there were things that could kill you more cruel. Being in Lord Voldemort's inner circle, had caused an never ending threat upon his life and the cigarettes kept him real. He's was going to die sooner or later anyway, and the cigarettes at least gave him some confidence he was able to control his own life.

Slowly inhaling and exhaling the blue smoke, Severus glanced around the bar. It was quiet, even though it was four in the afternoon. Severus only enjoyed that. Hogwarts teachers seemed to have a special status around Hogsmeade. Whenever he went out on a busy day, all kinds of wizards and witched would force themselves upon him, rewarding him with compliments and probably eager to start a conversation.

Severus didn't like the compliments, nor did he like talking. So he usually gave them his filthiest scowl and would then return to his drink and his cigarette. "Rosmerta should put on a sign: DO NOT DISTURB A POTIONS MASTER IN PROGRESS!" he chuckled to himself. It would keep the curious visitors away from him.

He sighed and noticed he had to head for Hogwarts. He wanted to take a shower, or maybe a bath and relax before he had to face another, incredibly boring dinner. He emptied his glass down his throat, put out his cigarette and waved at Rosmerta.
"Just sent those bottles to the castle, Rosmerta! Oh, and please do include a certain amount of cigarette packages. Magical Mayhem please! As many as you can spare!"

"You'll have enough for at least a whole year then, Severus! And that would keep you away from my bar and I am not entirely sure I could last a whole year without you popping in every once in a while!" Rosmerta teased.

Severus chuckled. "Well, then don't do it. Bye Rosmerta!"

"Bye Severus! Do try to be nice to your students this year!" Rosmerta called and Severus gave her a sarcastic scowl before entering the street.

Slowly he started walking up the path that led to Hogwarts. He took off his robe, since it still was a hot summers day and dressed in nothing more then a dark green polo shirt and baggy jeans, the scary Potions master entered Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, only to find his Headmaster and a colleague, probably laughing about him.

"What a way to return to Hogwarts, only to find the Headmaster and deputy-headmistress laughing at you!" Severus sneered as he walked down to them.

Dumbledore smiled at the man he loved as a son and gave him a quick hug. "Welcome home Severus!"

Severus quickly freed himself from Dumbledore's grasp. The old man was the only one he had ever allowed to hug him, but he didn't like it if he did it front of others, such as Minerva McGonagall. What if they started to think they were allowed to hug him too? Think of the horror!

McGonagall kept chuckling and a bright smile formed itself upon her face.

Severus gave her a questioning look. "All right Minerva. What is it?"

McGonagall shook her head but the grin wouldn't leave her face. "Nothing special Severus. I am just merely glad to see you this year!"

"That would be the first year out of all twenty-one!" Severus counted. "I am surprised. Is there a special reason that makes you happy?"

"You could say that!"

Severus shook his head. Minerva McGonagall could be a very tiring person sometimes. Nevertheless, he liked her. She and Albus were the kind of persons he would turn to if he needed help. IF he needed help, which of course never occurred because Severus Snape was not the type who would go and ask for help. But, if he would need help, he would go to Minerva or Albus.

"So, are you going to share the reason of your joy with me today or are you just still enjoying the fact that Gryffindor once again won both the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup last year?" he scowled.

McGonagall kept chuckling and Albus gave Severus a soothing look. "Nothing special Severus. I believe Minerva already begun the preparations for the Staff Dinner, later tonight. With a bottle of wine, I believe!"

Severus grinned. "Well, then I believe we will once again have a fantastic dinner. Given the fact Minerva is having so much fun already, I do believe she will, once again get the great idea to do karaoke, just like last year!" He swept around. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've been longing for a shower all day!"

"Bath!" Dumbledore called.

Severus gave him a questioning look.

"You should take a bath!" Dumbledore started to explain. "I find a bath always rather-."

"Magical! Yeah yeah, I know. Peaceful with the right ingredients!" Severus finished as he turned around again and headed to his Dungeons. "A bath it is then!"

The moment he left the Great Hall, Minerva hit Albus on his arm.
"Why do you always have that wonderful idea to call me drunk? You're turning me into some sort of alcoholic with your fairytales."

Dumbledore chuckled. "What did you want me to do, my love? Tell Severus you were stunned and happy at the same time because you saw a relationship between him and Hermione?"

McGonagall nodded. "You could have thought of something else though!" she added indignant.

"O yes, I could have done that. But I did not!" Dumbledore answered. "Allow me to take you to your quarters so you can change for tonight. And I was wondering if I could have the honour of taking you down to the Dinner tonight?"

McGonagall smiled. "I do not know why exactly I love you, but I do."

And with that, they left the Great Hall, chuckling in themselves, wondering about tonight and the first Severus / Hermione encounter.