Valeera woke up very early next morning. She had always had problems with sleeping in new places and she was also very excited being a teacher in a place like Hogwarts. Enjoying her every move she approached big windows of her room and looked through them at a beautiful blue lake and green trees of nearby forest. "they must be charmed somehow. I almost forgot I'm in the dungeons" she thought. Then she decided to begin the day with a long, hot bath which turned out to be a perfect idea when she discovered a wonderful tube in her bathroom. It was huge and offered at least a dozen bath liquids. Not to mention bottles of showers gels and essential oils. Feeling like a princess or a small girl Valeera started to giggle. She decided to try an orange gel with grapefruit and cedarwood as its smell revitalise her senses. After a long and so relaxing bath she dressed carefully and applied a light make-up. She decided to wear a black robe with turquoise trimmings to match her eyes and pearls as her earrings. She also brushed her eyes with a black mascara.

She was ready much before the time of breakfast so she decided to see the castle. Its long corridors were full of paintings, some of them really old. After a while she turned a corner and found herself on a balcony with a view on a rose garden. The view was breathtaking as the roses were in a full bloom. Some of them yellow, some pink. There were even black ones. But the most beautiful were crimson ones; their colour was as deep as blood. Mesmerized by their beauty Valeera descended nearby stairs slowly and approached a crimson rose as big as a fist of a grown man. Its smell was sweet and fresh and she closed her eyes contemplating the moment.

"Miss Philips, what an unexpected surprise to see you here so early in the morning" a silky voice cut the silence.

Valeera opened her eyes to see deep, onyx ones staring at her. She smiled.

"Good morning to you too professor Snape"

"Severus"

"I beg you pardon?"

"It's Severus. We are on first name basis within the staff when students are not present" came a reply "it is more convenient. Do you mind?"

"Of course not... Severus" she tasted his name on her tongue. It felt oddly natural to call him like that. "the name suits him well. It's strong just as he is.." she thought.

"I'm Valeera" she said and gave him her hand.

He took it but instead of shaking kissed it slowly enjoying her scent. "My pleasure Valeera".

When his lips touched her skin she was astonished to discover that his thin lips were soft and warm. Although the kiss lasted only a few seconds Valeera realised she was holding her breath as if waiting for more. There was definitely an energy between the two of them. She blushed and decided to start a conversation on a boring but totally safe topic before she made a complete full of herself.

"Tell me Severus, what should I expect when the school begins?"

"Unleashed hell" he said "shall we be going to breakfast?" he offered her his arm and she accepted it without replying. They walked through the roses in silence. Valeera enjoyed his company and her arm felt good in his. "it feels so good.."

When they entered the Hall Valeera saw four, long, empty tables and a few people sitting by a table on the other side of the Hall. The Headmaster was sitting in the middle. Valeera recognized other teachers although she couldn't tell their names. It always takes time to learn such things. Then she saw a woman or a girl rather, whom she hadn't seen before. She had curly brown hair and brown eyes which were glaring at her. Valeera got angry "how dare she glaring at me?" and she glared back.

When they approached Severus helped her with her chair that happened to be next to his. Valeera saw a glint of anger in the eyes of the girl when he did so.

"So she has a crush on Severus. That explains the glare... I wonder who she is. She seems far too young for teacher. Maybe a child of a staff member?"

Her question was answered when Minerva turned to her and said:

"Valeera my dear. Allow me to introduce you our Head Girl Hermione Granger. Hermione this is Professor Philips, new Alchemistry Mistress.'

"Good morning professor" Granger girl nodded so slightly.

"Miss Granger" Valeera replied shortly as well. "this girl should be taught her place and some good manners too."

She disliked the head girl at once and the feeling was most definitely mutual.

The year seemed to begin interesting.