Ch 10 To catch a Tabby

The week went by without any indication that Harry was going to play a prank on McGonagall. As a matter of fact his prank was so simple and unexpected that Severus didn't realize it was a joke until he heard Minerva screaming at the top of her voice. Severus looked around to see what she was screaming at and followed her gaze to Harry who was dressed as a Black Widow Spider. It was then that he realized why the child had chosen to wear a costume that day. The only thing that the strict transfiguration professor feared was black widow spiders. She screamed and fell ever her robes in her haste to leave the room. She didn't realize a pointed wand at her as Harry aimed for her hand. A semi-permanent Spider tattoo appeared on her slightly wrinkled hand.

She transformed into her tabby form and tried to flee only to be caught a second later by a net. Harry pulled off the costume and walked over to the woman smiling as the hall burst into laughter.

"Did I get you aunty McGongal ?" he asked smiling. A second later she transformed back. She smiled

"Indeed you got me Harry and you can believe that the mastermind behind your scheme will be punished. Certainly you didn't know how much I hated that particular type of spider" she said and she glanced up at Dumbledore who smiled innocently.

Harry had decided that he would go to school to be with Draco and the governors also approved this idea through the persuasion of Lucius. So on the morning of September first Severus disapparated with Harry to the primary school. They meet with Lucius and signed the children in. They stood for the Parent teacher orientation in which a dark haired woman discussed what the children would be doing in her class as well as what she expected of behavior. She concluded that the children would be smacked on the hand with a ruler every time they misbehaved. Severus thought this an improvement to the former beatings he used to receive at this school.

When Severus and Lucius said their goodbyes Harry looked close to tears.

"Uncle Sevis I don't think I want to go to school" He said his eyes slightly glossy.

"Now Harry it will be fine. Look at all the boys and girls you don't already know and your teacher seems nice" Severus said trying to sound comforting.

"Yeah Harry and you'll be with me. I'll take care of you" Draco said putting his arm around Harry.

"That's my boy Draco. You take care of Harry. You try to have fun and when you get out of school perhaps Me and Severus will take you out for a treat" Lucius said to the two boys who smiled.

"Okay" they said and with one last wave and Severus and Lucius disapparated after their goodbyes.

Severus went back to the castle to put some finishing touches on his lesson plans for the year. At four pm Severus went to retrieve Harry from the school. He was a little early so he talked with a few other parents until Lucius appeared.

"So Lucius where are we to take the children?" Severus asked the older gentleman who shrugged.

"I'm all fresh out of ideas perhaps the candy shop? Certainly they won't say no to treats right?" Lucius said. The bell rang a second later and out came a horde of small children. Severus quickly spotted Harry and Draco among the children. They ran over and Harry threw himself into Severus' arms as Draco did to Lucius.

"So how would you kids like it if we to you to the candy shop and bought you what ever sweet your little hearts desired?" Lucius asked and the kids cheered their approval. So they disapparated into Hogsmeade and went into Honeydukes.

They were there for nearly an hour before the boys had got more candy then they could carry. They then said good bye to Lucius and Draco before Harry and Severus caught a school carriage back to the castle. When they got there they had to seek out Dumbledore, because Harry insisted that he share his sweets and the events of his first day of school with the old man. Severus grow bored with their conversation and excused himself. He went back to his chambers to lay out an outfit for Harry and he himself changing. He took up a book after waiting for Albus to return with Harry. He waited nearly another hour when they finally arrived via floo. Severus ushered Harry to change while Dumbledore said he would be waiting in the great hall.

When they finally got to the great hall it was just before the rest of the school. This enabled Harry not to be noticed to much yet. Dumbledore would be announcing him. When all were sorted the headmaster stood up and after being met with silence he spoke.

"Welcome students new and old. As you have noticed a new Defense teacher this year is an exotic native. She comes from Spain her name is Professor Delano. I hope you will treat her with utmost respect" he said and applause followed this. Severus actually hadn't meet the new Defense teacher. Dumbledore managed to get her at last minute and she was only due to arrive today. She was indeed a very handsome woman. Everything about her was dark from her hair to her eyes to her very skin. She held an elegance however with her high cheekbones and regal features. He decided to seek her out later and see if she really knew the subject she was to teach.

"We also have a younger then average student joining our school this year. His name is Harry Snape. He is the nephew of Professor Snape and he will be living on campus with us. I expect you treat him with welcome and as if he was one of your own. Now to our delicious feast" Dumbledore said and with a wave of his hand the tables appeared with food.

"Uncle sevis how come I have to sit up here? I wanna sit down there with the other kids" Harry whined.

"Perhaps next time Harry now eat your food" Severus said. He tucked into his food and didn't even realize a change in seating until someone cleared their throat. He looked up to see the new professor.

"Hello I hope you do not mind the seat changes. Young Harry wished to sit next to his aunty McGonagall and uncle Albus" She said. Her voice was thick with a Spanish accent and her voice was rich like silk. Not high and feminine but more deep and elegant.

"No of course not please sit down" Severus said shifting his chair a little so he could watch her as they ate. She sat and smiled at him.

"So you are the Potions Master right?" she asked also facing him.

"Indeed. My name is Severus" he said.

"Gabrielle" she said holding out her hand. Severus took it. Her grip was strong and confident.

"So how did you come to know Albus?" He asked.

"Well my mother was good friends with Dumbledore. She came here as a student for a few years. He was only a teacher then. They kept in contact though and Albus was at my mothers wedding. He was actually the one who married them officially. Then my parents moved back to Spain and I was born there. I did this as a favor to Albus my specialty is dark creatures. Especially the Vampires and Empusae, I also find myself drawn to the Chupacabra. I do know a fair amount on defense or else I would not have taken this job. I was never good with children, but I suppose as long as they listen I am sure it can't be that hard to teach. Or is it?" she directed her question at him.

"I suppose as long as you have control of the class it will not be to difficult" Severus said.

"Well I usually have no trouble keeping control and they are only children after all" She said. Severus found himself liking this woman more and more by the minute. They talked of her life mostly. She was quite the adventurer taking her passion of Dark Creatures to whole new levels. She traveled extensively into unknown territory just to get a glimpse of certain animals in there natural habitats. He had a respect for this adventurous woman that risked her life countless times just for the thrill of new knowledge.

/ Alright it has been decided Snape will not have a girlfriend but i already planned to use this woman to get his attention don't worry though they will not start dating each other or anything like that Oh and when you picture her accent think female version of Antonio Banderas who has the hottest Spanish accent in the world. (sigh). Also thank you to all of you who review for me it is appreciated and this story will be ending soon. I hope you guys are enjoying it, but as i said at the begininng this story will end sadly and most of you can guess how it will be. Have a nice day and review. also sorry to those of you who wanted Severus in a relationship but you were out voted TTFN

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