okay, so i'll answer reviews at the bottom, but i just wanted to say that i'm expanding the story, and so all shall be explained in time, young padawans. and once again, i don't own any of the characters, i'm not making any money, blah blah blah... yeah. jk rowling owns them and i just play with them from time to time.

Exhausted after a day of teaching incompetents, Severus Snape stalked into his rooms, throwing his cloak across a chair and closing the door slowly. As soon as he heard the heavy door click shut, his shoulders drooped visibly and he leaned his head against the ancient wood, running his hands through greasy hair.

Today he met the boy. The boy. The one that he had been warned about, so many years before. He'd been denying his fate for years, scoffing it its face, ignoring the pull of destiny. Unbuttoning his shirt, a tired Snape trudged into the bathroom to wash up.

His quarters were sparse; one could almost call them Spartan. He splashed cold water over his face, used the toilet, and emerged once more, leaving his clothes on the floor for the house elves to pick up as he climbed into the large bed in his boxers. He eased under the comforter and fell back on the emerald silk sheets; his bed alone was fitted with expensive sheets and large pillows. He had indulged a couple years before, in the hopes that expensive bedding would help him sleep. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow; needless to say, the splurge had not been in vain. Severus's dreams that night, however, were not quite so restful.

A young Severus Snape pulled back beaded curtains as he silently stepped into the seer's lair. It was dark; the blankets she had hung around the cave's mouth prevented any light from penetrating the darkness. There was a strong smell of incense as Severus entered, and he stifled a cough. She sat, head wrapped in a colorful scarf, gazing into a crystal ball, her back to Severus. "I've come," Severus said quietly. "Now what do you want?"

"I've a prophecy for you, young Snape," the seer said in a harsh whisper. Severus rolled his eyes; he had never had, and never would have, any tolerance for seers' nonsense. "I saw that," the seer said. "You know, Severus," she intoned. "You really should have more respect for your elders." Her head turned around at this, twisting all the way backwards on her neck. It was the boy's face glaring at him, with eyes of fire and empty mouth twisted in a sinister smile. Severus screamed, and the thing stepped towards him, grinning horribly.

"You can't look away, can you?" the boy taunted. "You can't avoid your fate, Professor… you can't avoid me." With a malicious smile twisting his features, the seer/boy reached out a bony hand to grab hold of Severus's cape and--

The heavy blankets were torn away, and the cave was flooded with light. The seer/boy screamed in inhuman agony as a figure, clothed in light, stepped in, piercing the gloom and crackling with pure energy. Her long brown hair cascaded down her back in waves, reaching to her waist. Her eyes were a deep brown, intelligent and understanding. With a benevolent smile, she held out her hand to Severus, who was staring at her, the seer/boy forgotten. His mouth hanging open, he grasped her hand and she pulled him into her. "Hello, Professor," she spoke, and her words were like magic to him, sweet and soft.

"Are you an angel?" he rasped, eyes wide, as she held him close.

She smiled that smile again, softly angelic. "You could say that." She leaned her head against his. "Don't forget me, Severus," she whispered in his ear. "Treat me well."

Severus woke, head pounding in time with his heart, drenched in sweat and tangled in sheets. Still shaking, he swung his feet onto the floor and stood unsteadily, making his way to the bathroom to pour himself a glass of water. He drank it slowly, staring into his reflection in the mirror and wondering what,who, he had just encountered. Professor, she had called him. Was she a student?

Frustrated, he set the glass down carefully on the sink and, running his hand through sweat-drenched hair, made his way back to bed.

mkay did you like it? hate it? r&r, s'il vous plait!

cricket song -- it is sad! this is gonna be kind of a bittersweet story... like the notebook, but not as good. i love that book.

seshata -- thanks! the plot bunny was giving me a headache, so i'm continuing it :)

notwritten -- i will, in time. this is just the beginning, don't worry.

amr -- yeah, something was left out; that was just the first chapter. it was meant to be confusing, but i'll explain everything.

casanova black -- hmm... i'd never thought of it like that, but you have a point. severus stays young for a different reason, though. that's a really interesting idea...