Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Harry Potter. All the Characters and such belong to J.K. Rowling. I only own Rosaline and her mother. Please don't sue me, I'm not making any money off this, nor do I want to.

A/N: Okay, so I know, you're not supposed to apologize for your work, but I'm going to anyway. Sorry. I've never really written anything before. I love to read fanfictions, so I though I would give it a try. I hope my writing style is okay. I have a few really neat ideas for this story, I just hope I can pull them off.

My story takes place just after Harry's first year through his sixth, because I don't know what Mrs. Rowling is going to do in book seven. I'm going to go fairly along with the HP books, my story will just add a few things to those. This isn't a Harry story though. This is about Severus Snape and a character of my own making. I think, there is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding Snape, and heck, I like him. I am going to fix that greasy hair thing. If I can get my husband to take a shower, I know I can get Snape too. Also, I'm sorry about Hagrid's dialog, have no familiarity with that dialect.

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Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,

I hope my letter finds you well and hope, that you excuse the rather long silence from my part. Although everything is fine here, I had neither the time nor the strength to write you, given that I had more classes to teach than I normally do. It has been entirely too long since I was last to England and recently I have been getting, well I suppose we'll say I have been getting a feeling that I should return there.

As you may have heard, mother has been offered a research position at St. Murgos. In a letter to mother Professor Sprout let slip that she would like to retire. I would like to apply for a teaching position at your school if I could. I have always regretted my inability to attend Hogwarts, but I know it has been for the best.

You will find my resume and letters of recommendation enclosed, so you can make yourself a picture of my latest works. I have enjoyed teaching these past three years here in America and would greatly relish joining your staff there in England. Of course I will send my request and resume on to the board of governors if you approve. I do hope to hear from you soon. Please send my love on to Hagrid. Mother sends her love to you both as well.

Sincerely and respectfully,

Rosaline Gates

"Curious," Albus thought to himself. Setting the parchment aside he leaned back in his seat, eyes half closed he remembered the last time he saw Rosaline. He had flown to America to check in on her. She was only 14 at the time, her poor mother as old as himself. He recalled her as a well behaved child though .Well, she had to be, didn't she? As much as he recalled, she had also put much effort in her academic career. He did remember hearing from Cora about her daughter gaining a teaching position at the young age of 19.

Turning back to the letter, he considered the whole situation. Professor Sprout had been hinting at retirement for some time now and although it shouldn't be exceptionally difficult to find a replacement, none of the few applicants had pleased them until now. Unfortunately the wizarding community did not find herbology as glamorous as some of the other arts. It would be a god send to have someone who had both already obtained teaching experience and truly enjoyed their subject. Well, before he made any decisions he needed to speak with a few others. In the mean time, he would write back and tell her, it wouldn't hurt to submit her letters to the board of governors. She'll have a time getting in past Mr. Malfoy at any rate while that should give him plenty of time to think things through. It would be quite a risk to bring her here, after all if anyone found out to much about her unorthodox origins the community would be in an uproar. Voldemort's supporters would be quite interested in her then. However, she did say she was getting a 'feeling' didn't she.

So, much to think about, but where to start? "To Hagrid first, I think," he said aloud while he slowly stood and left his office. He began to make his way down the corridors, noting as he went how quite Hogwarts was just after all the students had left for the summer. Approaching the main doors he noticed a dark figure sweeping determinedly down the adjacent hallway.

"Severus, always good to see you. Where are you off to then?"

Pausing to allow Albus to catch up to him Snape crossed his arms in annoyance, unconscious of the habitual action. He had to many things to attend to at the moment to be wasting time with pleasantries. Severus watched as Dumbledore came up to him, smiling as he always did. Gods, Severus thought, must his eyes always twinkle like that. He had always found it annoying that Albus looked at all times as though he had the answers to everything. Of course not in a stuck up manner like others he knew, no it was in that kindly old man kind of way, which he find even more unnerving. "Dumbledore" he said silkily, slightly inclining his head in greeting. "Like you see, I'm in a hurry right now. The Inventory of the laboratories in the dungeon keeps me busy."

"Oh, summer's only just begun Severus; there will be time for that before next term. Why don't you take a bit of a vacation? I'm sure it would do you good." replied Dumbledore while stepping nearer to him. This was exactly what Snape didn't need, his work was waiting for him and now he was stuck in a conversation with the old man.

"Never the less, I would prefer to get as much done before I leave in a week's time. I've no need of such nonsense."

"Well then, I would like to see you later this afternoon, if you could spare the time. I'm concerned about you; I know having Mr. Potter here this past year was not easy on you."

"I assure you I am fine, headmaster" Snape was completely expressionless, though his voice only just barely revealed anger.

"Good day then" Dumbledore received another nod and Severus continued his pace on to the dungeons.

The door to Hagrid's hut was open when Albus arrived shortly after. Fang was asleep in the lawn, occasionally growls indicating dreams of an exciting hunt, and from the sounds, that could be heard, Hagrid appeared to be tiding up a bit. Most of the furniture was moved out of it's usual places and a chair had found his momentary home on top of the coffee table. A big, ceded carped was flung over the couch and Albus could see a broom lying next to a bucket in the middle of the room.

"Ahem," Albus never really meant to sneak up on people, but it almost always ended up to be the case, such as in this instance. Hagrid, who had been standing next to the fireplace with his back to the open door, jumped and spun around.

"Oh, 'ello Dumbledore, right, ye' bout scared me out of m' wits. Sorry then, wha' can I help ye' with then sir?" Gesturing him to step inside, the large man seemed a little nervous, thought Albus. Given the fact that Hagrid was at least a head bigger than he himself, it was amusing, that he behaved like an insecure pupil in front of it's teacher. "Good morning Hagrid, I wanted to share a rather interesting letter I received this morning, by albacore no less." Albus said, while raising his eyebrows at the last part of the sentence and smiling.

"Albacore? Who in bloody hell sends letter by albacore? Oh, pard'n the language, sir" It is always a sight to see such a large man blush.

Pulling the letter from a large pocket in the front of his robe Albus handed it over to Hagrid. Glancing quickly at the signature Hagrid immediately plopped down in one of his large crude chairs near the wall. "Bliemy" was all he could say for the longest time, still staring at it, like he had never seen a letter.. Finally, after several minutes he realized, that he hadn't even read the letter. Quickly as he could, he read it, then re-read it, not quite sure what to make of it. Looking up, he realized that Dumbledore was still standing.

" Oh, sorry sir, pull up a seat. Would ya' be wantin' tea, eh?" With this Hagrid stood up and started to walk to the kitchen. Even before he could make it out of the small room, he heard Dumbledore answer: "Yes, please, but I'll pour it. Tell me then what you think." Stopping, he looked at the older man, not quite sure, what to say. As if to repeat his question, Dumbledore made a vauge motion toward the letter still clapped between both of his great hands.

"Ye' hav'ta let 'er come I suppose, She'd know better then the two of us I'd wager, Bliemy!"

"That's rather what I had thought"