Disclaimer: I don't own anything
Chapter One - Scarred
Alone again, always alone. Severus Snape had spent every summer holiday alone in his manor with just his books and paid company. It had been this way so long that it didn't bother him any longer. It used to when he craved someone to hold him and tell him he was worthy of love. Something he never had. But now at age thirty-six he convinced himself that it wasn't something he wanted. And it wasn't, but it was something he needed.
He looked around the gloomy, cold and unwelcoming manor. He was due to leave for Hogwarts. The new school year was starting. He wasn't leaving much behind. He realized what he was doing and stopped himself.
'It's not like you have someone to come back to, evil prat.' He told himself. Not that he cared. And with that he strode out bitterly. He arrived at Hogwarts not bothering to say hello to anyone, and headed straight to the dungeons. If they cared they would have owled him over the summer.
The war had long been over so he had no need to worry about Voldermort. He thought of the war bitterly. He couldn't help but wish he was dead like some of his fellow death eater, spies, and Order member. Severus had died many times in his lifetime, but he couldn't help but wonder why he wasn't dead yet. He was snapped out of his thoughts by an unwelcoming knock on his door.
"Come in." He said irritated. "Welcome back." Minerva McGonagall said cheerfully.
"How was your vacation this summer? Pleasant? I see you did not get the tan I suggested." She said smiling. He glared at her.
"Is there something you wanted?"
"Only to say hello to my favorite DADA professor."
"Well then I think we're about finished then." He said as he was about to usher her to the door.
"Actually, we have a meeting in five minutes in the staff room. As you know we have some new professors this year, including a new Potions master. As you now last year we had to unfortunately let go of Madam Kentrecta. What, with that nasty little accident."
"Yes, I must say that Longbottom was a far better potions brewer then that little disaster. I'd like to see the brainless professor who gave her the title. He should be half eaten alive by a hippogriff, and left to be stomped dead by the giants." Snape said offended by the mere thought of her teaching.
"Yes well I heard she was taught on the muggle devise they call a computer. Something called online classes." She added.
"Yes, well, I hope you hired someone who can at least make a decent Wolfsbain potion." He said running his hand through his long black hair. "Yes, I heard she can brew it properly and effectively." Snape looked at her skeptically.
"Minerva I'll have you know there are only twenty-two wizards who can properly brew the potion. And only three woman at that." He said. "Yes, aren't we lucky to have gotten one of them? She is quite skilled and is well known for her potions skills. I've read that she has taken brewing potions to the next level inquiring not only charms, but several other components to brew potions that aid in medicine to a defense (or cure) for the Unforgivables. She comes very recommended. A friend of mine also. Believe me Severus, you'll like her. I actually was thinking of you when I hired her. You two will have much to talk about seeing as how you both are so passionate about most of the same things. One would tend to wonder what other things you to could be passionate about…." Minerva said with an evil grin on her face.
Severus' mind was racing. 'Who could this person be? He's read 'Potions Through the Ages' cover to cover each week, and there were only a few possibilities. Could Professor Bently have gotten a sex change? I knew he was a little sketchy.' He thought. 'Eh, how could Minerva think I would go for him? I know I haven't had a date in a while, but this is appalling.' He glared at Minerva. 'How could she?' He thought.
Minerva gave him a questioning look. "Shall we get going? I'm sure you're dying to see her." She asked.
"I'm not gay." He said gritting his teeth. Minerva let out a laugh. 'What on earth is he talking about?' She asked herself. 'Oh, goodness, I know Professor Bently in sketchy, but really.' She thought smiling. "Of course you aren't" She said mockingly as they left his rooms.
As they entered the staff room everyone was already seated and talking amongst themselves. There was only one seat left. Severus took it. He looked to his left and saw Longbottom talking to Professor Trewlany. He wished that she would see one of her grims in her bloody tea cup and put herself in an early grave. But no, she was still there and predicting his death several times each year.
Longbottom was still as timid and as shy as ever teaching Herbology. He glanced to his right and saw someone he's never seen before. His stomach did an unfamiliar flip, which he passed off as hunger. She had soft long curly brown hair that fell on her back heavenly. She had thick eyelashes with a rich honey brown eyes. She had on a short (not too short) black skirt with a tight white and green pin stripped shirt that was open too low for Severus' liking. She was beautiful and Severus couldn't help but stare. She was animatedly talking to Professor Johnson, the Charms professor. 'Well I suppose it's Professor Weasley now, since she married Fred Weasley over the summer. Just as she was about to turn toward Severus, Minerva got their attention.
"As Headmistress, I welcome you all to a new year. This year we have some new faces on our team. I would like to go around the table as you will state your name and class." She said. "We'll start from left to right." She smiled.
"Hello, I'm Hannah Abbott, just call me Abby, I'm teaching History of Magic." She said nervously.
"Angelista Sinistra, I teach Astronomy, Ann will do fine."
"Seamus Finnigan, Muggle Studies, and I like Seamus just fine."
"Oliver Wood, Flying, Oliver."
"Alexander Montague, professor of Tranfigurations. Montague unless I give you permission otherwise." He said with a grin toward the woman seated to the right of Severus. Sevrerus wanted nothing more to drag him out of the room and beat him with his bear hands.
"Ginerva Malfoy, mediwitch, its Ginny or I have some products from my brothers' shop that will set you right!-."
"Ginny!" Minerva warned as Angelina, Draco, Montague, and the mystery woman to the right of Severus laughed.
"Draco Malfoy, Ancient Runes, Draco is okay I guess." He said smiling at his wife Ginny.
"Sybill Trelawney. Professor of Divinations. And I must say that if any of you want you –."
"Trelawney that is enough!" Minerva said. Her patience warring.
"N-Neville Longbottom, professor of Herbology, and its Neville."
Severus was fully aware it was his turn as he wanted to get to the beauty next to him as soon as possible.
"Snape, Potions, Snape." He muttered quickly as he looked to his right.
She raised her brow at him, but turned. "Hermione Granger, Potions master. Just call me Hermione." She smiled.
It took all of Severus to keep himself from falling out of his chair. He was flabbergasted to say the least. 'Granger! Of course it was Granger who else could it be.' The last he heard in Potions Though the Ages was that she was in Austria doing some research on an upcoming project. It must have been six years since he's seen her at the award ceremony after the war. She had grown in all the right places. She was no longer the little know-it-all he taught seven years ago, but a smart, young woman who was a master at all fields she perused. 'Probably dating the youngest of the Weasley boys.' He thought bitterly.
'That boy didn't deserve to lick the insects off the bottom of her shoe.' He thought. But he knew he didn't either. He didn't even know why he was thinking of her. 'Have you looked in the mirror lately? You look worse than death.' He thought crossly to himself.
"The name's Angelina Weasley- formerly Johnson, Charms professor, Angie is alright with me." She smiled.
"Vanessa Vector, Arithmancy, call me Nessa."
"Hagrid, Care of Magical Creatures, Hagrid is all." He said.
"Well." Minerva began. "I'm sure this year will be interesting to say the least. Classes begin in two days, so I'll let you guys get settled. Your class schedule is on your desks. Have a nice night." She said as she left.
A murmur of whispers began. Severus fled out before any words were spoken to him. He sat in his chair staring at the fire. He was in a bad mood to say the least. 'Why couldn't my family have good genes like the Malfoys or the Blacks?' This made him angrier. The fact that he was comparing himself to others. For looks no less.
He knew he wasn't a handsome man. No one ever told him otherwise. His pale skin, lanky hair, and scars didn't help that fact much. He picked up a bottle of firewhiskey next to him and took a swig. He was a no good ex-deatheater who didn't deserve anyone anyways. Especially her. He followed her progress after Hogwarts, personally sending a letter of recommendation to the best university; resulting in her acceptance and full scholarship. She was one of the best potions masters he's ever seen. Better than even himself.
