A/N: Well this shall be the last of the daily updates. I start back at work tomorrow, so new chapters will go back to being every few days or so. So this chapter is longer then the others. :)

Rheenan: Ah, the dynamics of him kissing her hand. It made sense when i wrote it... And the threat well Snape doesn't like Sirius, and other things come into play later on... But anyway Thank you for the review. And thank you even more for the comments on Snape. I suffer from a certain problem when it comes to fanfiction, that is quite normal among writers. I tend to find some characters hard to portray correctly. And Snape is one of them for me. I adore him, but his character can sometimes elude me. So please feel free to tell me all your ideas on him :) That goes for everyone. I can always use all the help I can get.

Chapter 19

Sirius's voice was cold, smooth and threatening, even to my ears and it wasn't even intended to me. A look of panic quickly crossed Snape's face, not to be seen by Sirius, but I noticed it. Fear wasn't just a muggle commodity. There was certainly a flash of fear in Snape's eyes. And I couldn't let this continue. Draco had made me promise.

"Aine."

I turned from the door, about to go out it and meet Sirius who was waiting outside to leave for Hogwarts. I just rose an eyebrow at the Slytherin, and looked at the door.

"I need you to do me a... favor." Draco's voice sounded displeased even saying the word, much less asking me to do it.

"Oh. I need to go mark my calendar." Sarcasm dripped from my voice.

"Just shut up and listen."

I muttered that this wasn't going to get me ready to accept doing him a favor. Generally people had to be nice for them to concede.

"Severus is at Hogwarts. And you probably know enough by now that Sirius hates him. Really, really hates him."

My look was unconcerned. While I didn't exactly hold any grudges against Severus Snape after reading the books, I could easily see why Sirius did. The man had after all been responsible, at least partly, for the deaths of the Potters. He had made Harry's school life miserable, and he had killed Dumbledore. It wasn't exactly like Sirius was out of the blue angry with the Potions master. And this was even without him knowing that Snape had been the one to tell Voldemort about the prophecy that got his friends killed. I suggested all this to Draco who just shrugged.

"He's paid for his mistakes. He's protected me, and now I'm asking that you do me a favor and look out for him. I'm worried that Sirius is going to try and do something to him in payback. You're the only one there that might be able to control him."

I had to laugh at this idea. There was no way I was going to be able to control a man who was a foot taller then me, and a wizard to boot.

"I believe your old Head of House is perfectly capable of taking care of himself."

This was completely true. If the books were even remotely true then Professor Snape was as capable of destroying anyone who threatened him. My help was not needed, and even more likely it would be sneered upon.

"That's right. But I don't put it past that dog to do something underhanded. I'm just asking you to keep an eye on him."

So I was the spy. And apparently the protector. Neither were roles I had ever expected to play, or thought I was suited for. I pointed this out to Draco, who just sighed softly.

"Just try." The sincerity in Draco's voice stopped my laughter. After all him asking a favor was a serious issue. It wouldn't surprise me if this was the first time. So the least I could do was agree.

"Fine. I'll try and keep the dogs from ripping each other's throats out."

"Oh I don't care what happens to Sirius." Draco smirked, feeling completely okay with whatever his former head of house would do to Sirius. I ignored the comment though, knowing full well that if anything happened to Sirius, Harry would be unconsolable and then Draco would suffer. He didn't really mean it.

"You're going to owe me one large favor though."

I reached out and grabbed the back of Sirius's robes and forcibly pulled him off of Snape, who still had the look of a deer caught in the headlights.

"Leave him alone Black." I pushed Sirius ahead of me, making him continue on into the castle, despite his complaints about my behaviour. "I'm tired and your little fights are delaying me getting something to eat and a place to sit down." I paused next to Snape, who had regained his icy calm. "The dark mark doesn't necessarily mean he's back for you."

For some reason I found myself trying to reassure the man, even though he had been anything except nice to me. But I found myself quite easily sympathizing with him. After all his former master, was alive. And there was no doubt that there were certain people he was going to want revenge against. And former followers who betrayed him and helped destroy his plans would be high on the list. But this didn't mean he had to think that.

"I don't need your ideas on the matter." With a quick turn, and flip of the robes, Snape moved past me and Sirius into the castle. I was quite positive that Draco had learned that dramatic exit from his old head of house.

Well kindness wasn't always going to be repaid.

"I'm surrounded by enigmatic men."

"I'm enigmatic?" Sirius asked, sounding amused, already having forgotten about the run in with his childhood nemesis.

"No you're just stupid." I rolled my eyes at even the thought of Sirius Black being enigmatic. He was easier to read then a Dick and Jane book. And just as uncomplicated.

"Shouldn't speak to teachers like that."

Ignoring him completely I walked into the castle, but realized the second I was through the front doors that I had no idea where I was supposed to go.

Suddenly a pop sounded in front of me and I stared in shock at a strange creature. It looked strangely like a smaller, more wrinkled version of my grandmother. Had her fashion sense too since it was wearing a tea cozie on its head. Though it smelled much better then old Nana, she had smelled like cabbage, at least this creature smelt like patchouli. Interesting.

"Dobby is to take you up to Headmistress."

"Oh you're Dobby!" I smiled brightly at the smaller creature, now recognizing it as a house elf, though this one had its freedom. "I'm Aine. The new Muggle Studies teacher. I'm a friend of Harry's."

Apparently people didn't normally introduce themselves to house elves, because there was a supremely surprised look on Dobby's face, until I mentioned Harry. I figured that might smooth things over a bit. At my back, Sirius had appeared and was eyeing the house elf.

"You know the great Harry Potter? Welcome! Welcome!" He bounced around excitedly in front of us.

"Yes yes. That's Sirius Black." I pointed back at the man, standing there, a brow raised. "He's a teacher now as well. And he's Harry's godfather."

An awed expression came over the little house elves features, no doubt he knew enough about Harry's godfather and his death. There was every right to be awed to meet a dead man.

"To be near so many people who know the great Harry Potter. Dobby is not worthy enough." Without any warning, Dobby dropped to the floor and began bashing his head into the stones. I was horrified, and grabbed him, pulling him to his feet, even though he struggled a bit. Apparently the house elf attitude still hadn't left him completely. He was too quick to punish himself for the smallest things.

"Dobby!"A commanding voice came from the top of the stairs, and Dobby cringed slightly. I knew the voice well enough by now to know Snape had appeared again. "The Headmistress would like to see them before the students arrive." He sighed, like he was having to do a horrible chore. "I'll take them up."

"I know the way well enough." Sirius's voice was biting once again. True to form though, Snape let Sirius's attitude roll off his back.

"You'd probably get lost. See something shiny and get distracted."

I coughed, trying to not let the laugh that was threatening to get past my lips. But Sirius turned his glare on me, noticing the smile on my lips that I couldn't wipe off completely.

"Well it was funny." I huffed, defending myself. Grabbing my bag, I shouldered it and started up the stairs to meet Snape at the top, who was looking at me suspiciously. Apparently if I had come here with Sirius, then I was expected to take his side in everything. Men...

"Are you coming Sirius? Or do you think it's a good idea to piss off your boss before you even start? Though it might be best to let her know what she's getting into." I stood at the top of the stairs, tapping my foot at the glowering raven haired man staring up at me. He stood silently there, looking torn between letting me win the fight, and getting in trouble. "You wouldn't want to screw things up would you?" He and I both knew what I was referring to. Some things were more important. Though he took a little reminding. A few moments passed and he grudgingly started to stomp up the stairs, reminding me of a little child.

"Have him potty trained as well?" There was an underlying thread of amusement in Snape's voice. Looking sideways at him, I noticed a small note of appreciation for me. Anyone who could make Sirius do what they wanted immediately garnered Snape's approval. Well that would make my job much easier. I didn't want the Potions master on my back the entire time I was here. Though there were certain other things that popped in my head. But those were quickly locked away.

At the Slytherin's statement, Sirius stopped short on the stairs, only a few steps from reaching the top. Well their rivalry was a tad childish. Now Sirius was going to dig his heels in just because Snape had insinuated that I had him controlled.

"Professor Snape. Unlike you he's had his full shots and knows how to use the facilities." I tapped my foot faster, practically choking on all the testosterone that was flying about.

So I had annoyed Snape, but got Sirius to move again. There was just not going to be a win-win solution to this problem. It was going to be a back and forth between the two of them. Make Snape happy, Make Black happy. Or I could just go for the third option...

"Dobby." At my use of his name, a small pop indicated that the small house elf was in front of me again. I crouched down in front of him, smiling reassuringly at him, hoping not to cause another outburst. "Can you show me the way? I think we'll leave the boys to roll around in the mud, or whatever it is they do."

Nodding eagerly, Dobby started to move on, and I followed, fully aware that the men were left standing at the top of the stairs. But they both knew how to get to the office, so I wasn't concerned.

I rather liked the third option. Full on unconcern for either of them.

"Is she normally like that?" I heard Snape's icy voice from behind me, and before I turned the corner and was out of range I heard Sirius's reply.

"Worse."

Well he was certainly going to pay for that one later.

Headmistress McGonagall was certainly a person I wouldn't want to cross. She was the epitome of strict, with her hair back in it's severe bun, square glasses covering dark beady eyes, and the pursing of her lips as she looked me over. I was a teacher here, and at this exact moment I instead felt like a child who'd been caught out after dark.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Headmistress. I'm Aine Mackinnion." I wasn't certain if I should be curtseying or if I should just stick my hand out to be shook. I opted to do neither. She didn't seem the type to want a formal curtsey, nor the type to just shake my hand.

"You're quite pretty."

"Thank you ma'am."

"That's not a good thing." She sighed heavily and walked back around the desk, sitting in the chair behind it. She was now watching me a judging look in her eyes, her hands steepled in front of her. "The students are going to have a fun time with you. And as a muggle, you're not going to be able to stop them." She leaned back in the chair, looking tired. "I don't think this was a good idea, but since my last teacher left abruptly I had no choice. Mr. Potter vouches for you, so that's good enough. Now, weren't you supposed to have my other new teacher with you?" An eyebrow was raised.

"Sirius Black is having a spitting contest with Professor Snape." I smiled at her, knowing that another woman would understand my point. "I didn't think you wanted to wait, so I came ahead."

The sigh that came from her lips then was a knowing one, fully aware of the relationship that the two men had with each other.

At that moment a knock came on the door, and after her terse reply to it, Snape and Sirius both walked into the office. Neither of them looked damaged, so they had apparently controlled their urges to kill and maim one another.

"You're late Mr. Black." McGonagall's voice was cold, but she looked amazed to even see him standing there. "But I suppose after being dead I can let you be late once. Just don't make it a habit."

Flourishing a mock bow, Sirius winked at the Headmistress, a roguish grin set on his features. Behind him Severus stood by the door, apparently unamused by both his superior's, and Sirius's antics.

"You both then know Severus." Now I certainly didn't imagine the strained way in which she had said his name. Apparently Sirius wasn't the only one to hold grudges against the Potions master. "He's the deputy headmaster." That was certainly surprising, she didn't like him but he held that much power?

Sirius snorted.

"Sirius please shut up." I cut him off before he could say anything else that would get him in deeper with Professor Snape. "Headmistress... I was wondering something."

The glass covered eyes focused on me, questioning. My eyes though had lighted upon the old tattered hat sitting rather innocuously on the edge of her desk. I knew that Sirius had found the idea of me being sorted rather amusing, but it was something I just had to know. It had driven me crazy while reading the books, and now here was the chance to actually find out what house I would be in.

"Yes Miss Mackinnion?"

"I know I'm not a student, or even a witch. But I was wondering if I could try that hat on. I'd love to know which house it would sort me in to." I expected Sirius's amused laughter. Mcgonagall looked curious, and I didn't even bother looking behind me at Severus Snape. I could guess he would think it a ridiculous idea.

"I don't see why not."

I smiled brightly at my new boss, and reached out to grab the disreputable looking old hat, placing it firmly on my head. I knew what the hat did, but it was still a surprise when I heard a man's voice in my head.

"A muggle?" There was a pause. "There's a first time for everything I suppose. Just curious are you?"

I opened my mouth to respond, before remembering that the voice was inside my head, so all I had to do was think my agreement with him.

"Well then. Where to place a muggle who isn't actually going to be placed?"

Amused men surrounded me all the time, even a hat was amused with me. This was getting ridiculous.

"You're not smart enough to be in Ravenclaw."

I didn't agree with that and let the hat know that. After all I was the foremost expert in my field, and I was a teacher at NYU. Of course I was smart.

"You're smart enough in what you like. But no one would call you smart. Not with grades like those."

He was referring to my school grades, which it's true were less then brilliant. Most classes I scrapped by with a C. Only in subjects I liked, and thought worth my time did I do any better. History was good, math and science... well suffice it to say I was never going to become a scientist.

"And though you're certainly brave at times, you're not courageous enough to really be placed in Gryffindor. And you're certainly not patient enough for Hufflepuff, even though you're hardworking at certain things."

I was beginning to not like this hat. He hadn't really said anything nice about me. I was sort of this, and sort of that, but nothing really one way or the other.

"I'd say Slytherin. You're certainly adept at getting what you want aren't you? Quite devious for a muggle. That incident in elementary school with the puppy was certainly genius. But too bad about that. You could never be in that house. You're not pureblood, and that's a requirement. I hope I satiated your curiousity little muggle."

"Unsortable." The hat said into the silence, as I took the hat off and placed it back on McGonagall's desk.

Everyone in the room seemed rather surprised by that end result. Apparently the hat had never failed to sort anyone before, though he also hadn't had a muggle to deal with.

"Well nothing to worry about. It's not like you had to be placed in a house." Sirius patted me on the shoulder, apparently trying to comfort me.

"We had a nice little chat in my head." I smirked slightly. "Apparently I would have gone perfectly in Slytherin. It's just the little problem of my blood." I shrugged, perfectly okay with that result. When I had read the books so long ago, any of the houses other then Hufflepuff would have been okay. I never could get past the idea that 'all the rest' went into Hufflepuff. And the idea of having my emblem being a badger... well it was rather silly. Yellow was not my colour either.

Glancing at Sirius, I could see that he was practically sickened by the idea of me being perfect for Slytherin. Behind him though Snape looked enigmatic about the idea.

"If you're through..." The Headmistress looked was eager to just finish up this meeting. I could say I agreed with her, since at that moment my stomach growled quite loudly. I hadn't eaten since breakfast so long ago. "The students arrive in a week. By then I expect you to get to know the castle well enough that you don't get lost. It certainly won't help you with the students if you can't find your class. This mainly refers to you Miss Mackinnion, since Mr. Black went to school here. I shall also expect a copy of your lesson plan on my desk in a couple days."

Well I was certainly happy that my job as a muggle teacher at a school for Witchcraft and Wizardry was going to go along at least to start, like I was used to. Though the main question was, what was I going to teach these students? What a car was? How to use a blender? How to make coffee?

"Do you have the lesson plans from the former teacher? I'd like to know what previous years have learnt."

She seemed pleased by my serious question, expecting me to have a less then stellar work ethic apparently. Well I had shown up with Sirius Black in tow. I knew without a doubt that he was just going to do his classes off the cuff.

"I'll send them along to you tomorrow. Now Professor Snape shall show you to your quarters."

Well that brought up an interesting dilemma. After all Sirius and I couldn't be more then 300 yards apart. I didn't want to really ask the question, but it was best to get it out in the open, instead of trying to explain why I couldn't make it all the way to my room.

"Um... How close are Sirius's rooms and mine?"

I blushed slightly at the judging looks I was receiving from the Headmistress, and I felt a little ashamed at the dark look I was getting from Snape behind me. I could feel his eyes burning holes into the back of my head.

"The two of you aren't involved are you?" She was definitely not pleased with the idea, not wanting her teachers to get into a relationship.

"Yes."

"No."

Sirius and I spoke simultaneously. When I heard his response I elbowed him sharply in the side, completely unamused by his joking statement.

"We are not involved at all." I glared at him, just daring him to say something else. "It's just that well, there was a little misfire on one of his spells, and now I'm kind of not allowed to get more then 300 yards from him."

"A little fuzzy with spell work after being dead are we Black?" Snape's voice dripped sarcasm. The situation wasn't funny but I had to admit it was always amusing to tease Mr. Black. Even if when I did it, it was for fun. Professor Snape had completely different reasons.

"Well you should probably work on getting that reversed." McGonagall though sounded rather amused at the situation. "There shouldn't be a problem though. Miss Mackinnion, your quarters I believe are down in the dungeons, and Mr. Black's are on the first floor. That should be within this required distance of yours. Severus shall show you down, and Dobby will show you down Mr. Black."

I noticed Sirius about to jump down someone's throat at the mention of being shown my rooms by Severus, or where they were located, so I jumped in before he could say anything. Really the man had no care when it came to a job.

"Thank you Professor McGonagall. That sounds fine." My foot found Sirius's shin rather sharply, causing a hiss from the man.

"I've had a small dinner sent to each of your rooms since I assumed you were hungry and tired." She hadn't missed the episode between my foot and Sirius's shin, but apparently she was keeping quiet on the matter, though behind her glasses her eyes sparkled with amusement. That last statement seemed to be our signal to leave, so I said good night and left the room, Sirius and Severus doing the same behind me.

A yawn sneaked its way past my lips, and I realized that really aside from being hungry, I was also quite tired. I couldn't wait to see my rooms, and more importantly my bed. Turning around, I started to ask Severus to show me to my rooms, when I noticed that once again him and Sirius were glaring at each other. Well truth be told Sirius was glaring. Professor Snape was looking bored. Apparently trying to prove that wandless magic could turn the other into a toad.

What was the old saying?

Boys will be boys...

"Would the two of you like to perhaps whip them out and I could measure them for you?" I asked drily. This got their attention, and as I would have expected Sirius looked rather pleased with the idea.

"You could measure mine in private."

"That's disgusting Black." Both Severus and I said at the same time. I shrugged at the Potions master, grinning slightly.

"He's always like that. But he can be rather endearing when he wants to be." I patted Sirius's arm warmly. "Now why don't you go to your rooms, Dobby I am sure is waiting. I happen to be exhausted. So if you can stop having a macho man contest with Severus, he can show me to my rooms."

There seemed to be a moment's hesitation before Sirius sighed deeply and nodded. "Just be careful around him."

It was rather endearing that he thought he needed to protect me. And I suppose he had every right to be worried. After all Professor Snape had killed Dumbledore, no matter for what reasons. A murder was a murder. And Sirius at least was doubtful about his ties to Voldemort. And he just plain didn't like the man. Of course that last one was completely mutual. Snape had enough reason to dislike Sirius for making fun of him during school, and almost getting him killed by Lupin as a werewolf. But the feeling of protection was still rather sweet.

"Of course." Rather impulsively I went onto tiptoe and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Good night Professor Black."

I walked out of the room, rather sure that Professor Snape would follow after me. He did, and I quickly let him take the lead, showing me down to the dungeons. No one said anything for quite a while, and the silence at least was comfortable. When we finally reached my rooms, he paused at the door looking ready to say something.

"I'm sure you're not happy to be down in the dungeons."

"Of course I am. I've already decided to adopt Slytherin as my house." I beamed a smile at him. I wasn't technically allowed to be in the house, since I was a muggle, but I didn't really care about the rules. He looked surprised by the answer, likely he expected me to want to be in Gryffindor. Most people I knew wanted to be in that house. They were the heroes of the story after all. And dungeons normally weren't the idea living space. "The hat said I would be perfect in Slytherin, and I don't doubt it. Green was always one of my favourite colours as well. This shall be fine." I stopped, looking thoughtful. "I'm more worried that the Slytherin students won't like me being here. After all I am a muggle. Most of them don't like muggles right?"

The question seemed to give the hawk nosed in front of me pause. "A lot aren't fond. But certainly not all of them hate muggles." He seemed to realize that he was being quite pleasant, and his scowl reappeared. "As long as you don't get in their way or mine, it'll be fine. And keep that Black away from here."

At his rather weak threat, I couldn't help the chuckle that went past my lips. "Of course Severus. You can dislike me because of who I am, no changing that. I just hope you don't hold Sirius against me. I'm sure we'll be great friends." I shifted my bag from my right hand to my left, though the movement made my arm hurt. "I promised Draco."

The mention of the former Slytherin student seemed to surprise the Professor.

"What does Draco have to do with this?"

"Well he was worried about Sirius perhaps trying out a little revenge on you." I shrugged nonchalantly, not really worried about anything happening at all. "So he wanted me to keep an eye on the puppy. I'm not affected by him." I paused. "Well not too much anyway..."

"I don't need your protection."

"Like I was offering it." I rolled my eyes. "I just wanted to let you know that Draco cares about you. He was worried. And to say that about Draco, it means something."

And taking advantage of the ponderous state the potions master was in, and just as impulsively as before and to throw him off a little, I moved closer and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you for showing me my rooms. Have a nice night." I opened my door, and entered the place I would be spending quite a lot of time, closing the door on a rather annoyed looking teacher.