The next morning found Aiden, Collin and I setting at the Gryffindor table eating our breakfast as Professor Flitwick passed out our new schedules. Since it was my goal to become an Auror, Collin's goal to work for a paper, and Aiden's goal to be a teacher, we all had different classes to attend. Although, Aiden and I both had potions together, since that's what she was going to teach. I found out when I got my new schedule that Aiden and I both had Advanced Potions first thing this morning, and right after that, I had Defense Against the Dark Arts with my favorite teacher of all time: Malfoy.
"Ugh!" I said looking at my schedule. Aiden and Collin both looked up from reading their schedules to see what I was fussing about
"You have Malfoy today don't you?" Aiden said, knowing already why I was in a bad mood.
"You guessed it." I said glumly and went back to moving my eggs around my plate.
"Come on Red," Collin said, setting his schedule down on the table and taking mine to look at it. "Give the guy a chance. If McGonagall hired him to be a teacher, then he has to be good right? I mean, I don't think she would hire a killer or something to teach us Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"So, look at Dumbledore, he hired Snape didn't he, the older Snape I mean."
"Gin, you know that Snape did what Dumbledore told him to do. He wasn't a killer, or a murderer, so please quit blaming the guy for what he had to do. Everyone else has, so why can't you." Collin said in a soft tone.
"Because Dumbledore was the greatest, and that man killed him. He deserved what he got, and I don't think he should be forgiven for what he did. He was a traitor, I don't care what people say about him, he killed Dumbledore, and so he deserved all that he got." Tears began to well up in my eyes as students nearby looked to see what I was yelling about. Aiden and Collin looked around at students with sympathetic and saddened looks on their faces then turned back to me.
"We know it hurts Ginny, we know that none of it seems right. But that's what happened and we have to move on now. That was in the past, things have cleared up now, and we just have to try to build a better life. A life without any Voldemort and a life without Dumbledore, as hard as it may seem." Aiden came around the table to set beside me and put her arm around me, and then she continued. "It'll be ok Gin, don't worry. You still have us, and we'll always be there for you. Don't worry, with time all of this will be better."
"It's his fault Dumbledore's dead Aiden, he's the one that made him die. If it weren't for him then Dumbledore would still be here." Aiden and Collin both looked up to the teachers table where I was glaring at Malfoy setting at the far end of the table all alone again. He seemed to have sensed someone was looking at him, because he looked up and made eye contact with my glaring eyes. When he noticed that I was glaring at him, his look became hard, as if he knew what we were talking about, and then he got up and left without saying a word to anyone.
"Damn him." I said to his retreating back. "Damn him and his money and his job and his life. If anyone deserves to die, it's him. He deserves to die after all that he put me and my family and this school through. Damn him."
After breakfast, Collin said goodbye to us in the entrance hall then headed off to his first class, as Aiden and I headed off towards the dungeons for Advanced Potions. I was still fuming slightly from my outburst in the great hall, and my eyes were still a bit puffy from crying. But Aiden reminded me that right now we were on our way to potions, and I didn't have to worry about Malfoy for another hour; and not to mention we were having potions with the new Professor Snape, whom she said was still quite handsome, no matter who he was realated to. That cheered me up a bit, and I had to agree, no matter who he was related to he was still quite handsome.
I don't know what why I thought this, but I thought that maybe the new professor would have changed the look of the room of the room or something. But when I walked into the room it wasn't changed, it was exactly the same, save a few potion jars and things here and there. It felt as thought the old Professor Snape never left. However, I knew that wasn't true. The old Professor Snape, the one we often called a git, was no longer employed be Hogwarts, or by anyone else.
The room was filled with the normal before class chatter as Aiden and I found our way over to our usual desk in the front of the room. There weren't very many of us in this class, only about ten, if that. We sat at our desks and took out our books, parchment and quills and waited for our new teacher to arrive.
Finally, about five minutes later, the door to the room open and in walked our new potions professor. He didn't make any eye contact with anyone in the classroom; he stared fixedly at the board in the front of the room and walked up to his desk. As soon as the door opened, all the chatter within the room ceased, and every eye in the room turned upon our new teacher in anticipation and amazement.
No one knew Snape had a son. He never spoke of him to anyone, nor did he even make any notion to have any type of family at all. But here stood living proof that Snape had once actually cared for someone, cared enough to create another living being and that living being was following in his fathers footsteps.
With his back to the classroom, the new Professor Snape placed his papers and books on the desk, then slowly turned around to sweep his eyes over the class. His expression was unreadable, as his eyes passed over each student. However when his eyes landed on me, I saw a small smile flicker on his face, which disappeared almost as fast as it was there.
Then, for the first time since we had arrived at Hogwarts, Professor Snape spoke. His voice was deep, and sounded a lot like his fathers, however, it had less of a bored tone to it and sounded more…alive. "Welcome, to a new year of Advanced Potions, for all of you who plan on being Aurors, teachers, or anything else that may involve courses in Advanced Potions. I am Professor Julius Snape, and I will be your new Potions teacher for the next year or so. In this class, I will teach you some of the most challenging potions, and antidotes that you have ever made. This course will not be easy, however if you pay close attention, it won't be hard. Now, I'm going to assume that all of you have your required potions book, so would you please take them out and turn to page seven-hundred." He turned away from the class and picked up his own book, turning to the page he asked us to turn to, as the rest of the class took out their own books.
One kid from Slytherin didn't take out his book right away, but raised his hand with his eyes glued to the potions professor. When the Professor turned around and noticed his hand up, he raised his eyebrow.
"Yes? Mr…"
"Donovan. Jeremy Donovan. And I was wondering, actually we all were wondering, you are the old Professor Snape's son right? Then how come we haven't heard of you before now." The other students in the classroom sat up interestedly. However, Professor Snape didn't reply right away. His eyes became somewhat dark, and after a few moments of staring at the student who had asked this question, he finally spoke.
"I do not believe that that is any of your business; and if you don't mind, I would rather not discuss my or any other person's personal life while we're in this class. We are here to learn about potions, and that's what we'll do, so please, turn to page seven-hundred." The Slytherins ears turned slightly pink as he pulled out his potions book, and turned to the requested page. The rest of the students also turned to the page and not another word was said about Professor Snapes hidden existence.
"Could anyone tell me what the dangers of too much happiness potions are?" Professor Snape asked, eyes scanning the room for a volunteer. When no one else raised their hand, I slowly raised mine. Immediately his eyes turned to me, and he nodded his head.
"If the Happiness Potion is taken too much, either in large amounts or very often, the person may become overly happy, thinking themselves invincible and immune to anything bad or dangerous. They may try to harm themselves or even cause harm to themselves without knowing: often resulting in death or serous injury such as brain damage or other physical damages."
A smile appeaed on his face it was the first since the beginning of the class. "Correct…Miss…?"
"Weasley. My name is Ginny Weasley."
"Ah Weasley, eh, any relation to Arthur Weasley?"
"Yes sir, he's my father." I found it quite easy to keep eye contact with the man. His expression was pleasant and his eyes seemed warm and inviting. Unlike his fathers, whose were always cold and quite , unreadable. Although, Professor Julius Snape still held his eyes unreadable like his father, they were much more comforting, and kind.
"Good man Arthur Weasley; he's done so much for the community. Risked and sacrificed very much hasn't he."
"Yes." I said quietly, hoping that he wouldn't go any further with this. The thought of my family made me a bit upset.
Sensing that I didn't want to speak anymore, Professor Snape changed the subject and went on asking other students about other potions. I sat back in my seat and listened as other students explained other symptoms of other potions, while every once in a while Snape's gaze quickly flicked over me and then back at the class.
"That was such a great class wasn't it!" Aiden said as we walked out of the class. "Professor Snape is really cute; I give him at least a nine on that scale. It would be a ten, but after all, he is a Snape."
I rolled my eyes, but kept walking. "Yes Aiden, he is quite handsome." We walked to the end of the hallway and stopped once we reached it. "Ugh, can I be you for like one hour, please." I begged Aiden giving her my sad eyes.
"Sorry girl, wish I could, but I can't. You just have to suck it up and ignore him as much as you can. And please Gin; don't get on his bad side. Remember, he's a teacher now, so he has much more authority over than he did when he was a prefect; Or even when he was in that damn 'high inquisitor' squad."
"I know Aiden, I know. I'll try my best, but I'm not promising you anything." I glared at her, and then walked off down the hallway in the opposite direction of her.
Once I reached the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, my blood felt like it was beginning to boil. All the images from the past two years came flooding back to me. I began to hate him even more, and when I went inside and saw him sitting at his desk looking over papers, the hatred doubled.
How was it even possible that he was back at Hogwarts? What was McGonagall thinking? I used to have a lot of trust in her, but now, I don't know. However, she was almost as wise as Dumbledore, but Dumbledore did make some mistakes in his time. I guess the only think I had to do was hope that this wasn't her mistake, because a lot was at stake now.
When I entered the room, I realized that I was the first student to arrive. Draco's head shot up right away at my presence, and after his eyes focused on me, he narrowed them. I looked past him and found my way to a seat at the back of the class. I wasn't alone in the class with him long before the other students arrived.
Once everyone got seated, Draco, stood before the classed and read off a list of students, who said 'here' at their name. When he finally got to my name, he said it almost forced. Then he returned to his spot behind the desk. Taking out his wand, he flicked his wrist, and writing formed on the board.
"Read these pages, then I want one foot of parchment written on what you have read, and any thoughts or ideas you have on this. Tomorrow we will be going over these spells and curses, so be ready. Know the counter curses, because you will get no warning of when they will happen."
A few groans we heard out of the class, but the students took out their books and started reading the assigned pages. I took a deep breath and pulled out my own book. 'So far, so good.' I thought to myself. 'Now, if the stupid git just stay's behind that desk with is nose in the book, I'll be fine. Please don't let him talk to me or make me talk to him. If I just stay over here, then maybe I can get out of this class without another argument or outburst.'
So for the next hour I sat at my desk reading my book, stealing only a few glances at my new DADA Professor. Things were going great, until I looked up and noticed that my professor was staring at me. He didn't have the hard look on his face like he always did; but it appeared like he was lost in thought. 'He's probably making plans to take over Hogwarts.' I thought, 'Why don't you just go back to where you came from you slimy little bloke. No one wants you here, I surely don't. Your own master didn't even want you. You're nothing. You'll never amount to anything. No matter how hard you try, you'll still be lower than the scum on my shoes.' Draco blinked waking up from his day dream as the bell to end the period rang. I gathered my books and made to leave when I heard someone calling out my name behind me.
"Miss. Weasley, could you please come here." I groaned out loud. I didn't do anything, so why was he calling for me.
"Yes Professor." I said sounding bored as I reached his desk. I didn't dare make eye contact with him, because I could feel myself already building up hatred. If I would have made eye contact, it would have made it worse.
" I would like to see you here after dinner tonight, and for the rest of the week I think. Yes, for the rest of this week, you are to report to my classroom after dinner to serve your detention."
My eyes bulged out of my head. "My what!" I almost shouted.
"Tone Miss Weasley. You wouldn't like for me to take way points also would you."
"Why are you giving me detention Professor?" I said glaring at him.
"Do you dare question my authority?"
Oh, the hatred burned. I wanted to smack the smirk right off of his face. "No, sir." I spat at him. "I would just like to know why you have given me detention. I do not think I deserve it."
"Do not question me, Miss Weasley. You need to learn you close your mind, if you do not wish to receive detention. Now you are dismissed, you may leave." I glared at him as he turned his back to me. When it was apparent he wasn't turning back around, I gave his back my most evil glare and turned to leave. "Oh, and Miss Weasley, you may want to wash your shoes, it's apparent you have scum on them."
I stopped but didn't turn around. That little git read my mind. Oh he would pay, yes he would. I squared my shoulders and walked out of his class. So for the next week I was stuck after dinner, doing Draco Malfoy's bidding, and there was nothing I could do about it. What a wonderful way to start the most wonderful school year of my life. Yippie.
So, another chapter. I hope that I capture the hatred she has for him well enough. So, if you like it review, if you don't, I'm sorry. And even if you haven't made up your mind yet, review…oh, everyone review, reviews make me happy.