Chapter 3 – Snape
When Master Dumbledore entered the room there was a man bending over the fireplace talking to a disembodied head. Master Dumbledore recognized the head immediately as that of his brother Albus, but did not recognize the man standing over the fireplace.
"He hasn't gotten back from breakfast with his students," said the man into the fireplace.
"Be patient, Severus. I believe he has already returned and is standing behind you," the head of Albus replied.
The man known as Severus turned to face Master Dumbledore. He extended his hand to Master Dumbledore who took it without thinking.
"Severus Snape," Snape said.
"Delighted to make your acquaintance, Severus." Master Dumbledore said letting go to Severus' hand. "Is that Albus over the floo network?"
"It is. We have been awaiting your return." Severus answered.
Severus was tall and skinny. He has greasy black hair with beautiful blue eyes. Although behind those blue eyes Master Dumbledore could see a world filled with hate and despair.
Master Dumbledore crossed the room and made his way towards the fireplace.
"My dear brother, I'm sorry to inform you that I will not be going to Hogwarts after all," Master Dumbledore said with sadness in his eyes.
"But Fawkes has delivered your letter accepting the invitation. How is it that you changed your mind with in a matter of hours?" Albus asked.
"My students have just told me of a dream they had last night and it disturbed me a little. And you better than anyone know what my students are capable of." Master Dumbledore replied.
"I have sent Professor Snape to watch over your students while you were away. I had spoken to him about it before sending you the letter. He agreed, thus his presence in your study." Albus said.
"Thank you for the thought, but I must continue to decline. It was truly disturbing what my students told me and I am afraid to leave them. I care about them and would give my life to see them happy." Master Dumbledore turned to Professor Snape, "I am grateful that you would come all this way to take care of my students and I am sorry that you made the trip in vain, but I must sent you back with Albus."
"You must give me a good reason as to why you are declining this invitation." Albus said from the fireplace.
Master Dumbledore turned to Albus and then back at Snape. "I would prefer if we were alone." He said.
"Do not concern yourself with Professor Snape, he is one of my most trusted professors and I think he will be most secretive with what ever you are about to tell us." Albus answered.
Suddenly there was a light tap at the door.
"Come in Veronica." Master Dumbledore said turning to the door.
Veronica entered the room and stopped when she saw that Master Dumbledore was not alone. She looked at Professor Snape in the eyes. She then suddenly began to blush.
"I'm so sorry, Master Dumbledore, but I was wondering if you were ready to give our lessons. It is already nine o'clock." She said turning to Master Dumbledore.
"No worries, my child. I have cancelled classes today. You and Sam are free to do what you please for the rest of the day." Master Dumbledore said to her.
She gave a low bow and exited the room, but not before give Professor Snape one last look and she again began to blush.
"I assume she is not accustomed to be around new people?" Professor Snape said looking at the door.
"On the contrary, Professor, she loves meeting new people." Master Dumbledore told Professor Snape.
"So, why did she do all that blushing whenever she looked at me?" Snape asked.
"You have much to learn of my students, my dear Professor. Both are very skilled at legimens and occulmency. They can read minds without using legimens. Just by looking at someone in the eyes, they are able to tell what one is thinking. It is quite intriguing really." Master Dumbledore explained to Professor Snape. "You were obviously thinking about something that made her blush." He added with a slight twinkle in his eyes.
There was a giggle from the fireplace which made both wizards turn there attention to it.
"Severus, think of something to make a woman blush. I couldn't fathom of what it is." Albus said, obviously very amused.
Professor Snape looked at Albus with fire in his eyes.
"Back to business then," Albus said. "Please, tell us what it is that made you change your mind about coming to Hogwarts and has you so worried.
Meanwhile, Sam and Veronica had decided to go to the garden to enjoy the beautiful day outside. The garden was at the back of the house, complete with lake and hot springs.
Sam and Veronica wanted to go relax in the hot springs after last night's ordeal.
"So, who did you see with Master Dumbledore in his study?" Sam asked Veronica as they got into the spring.
"I don't know who he was. He was tall and skinny with black hair that looked like he hasn't taken a shower in his life. He also had the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. They were as blue as the sky and as cold as ice. It was such a weird, but beautiful combination." She said with a dreamy look on her face. She waved her hand and bubbles began to massage them.
"I don't like that look! You don't know him and if you're telling me his eyes were as cold as ice, I'm sorry, but I don't like the man already. What if he's come to take us away from Master Dumbledore or worse, take him away from us?" Sam said angrily.
"He's here from Hogwarts. Master Dumbledore's brother sent him to take care of us while he was away. He's the Potions Master at Hogwarts." She retorted.
"Master Dumbledore's going to Hogwarts and leaving us here!" Sam said almost yelling. Suddenly there was a clap of lightning in the distance.
"Calm down, Sam." Veronica said taking his hand into hers and rubbing it with her fingers. "I'm sure Albus will take good care of him. We'll see him in no time. In the mean while this man is going to be here to continue with our studies while Master Dumbledore is away. And I want you to get along with him and not give him a hard time, OKAY." She said warningly.
"Why are you defending him," Sam asked coldly.
"Because, I know you and you can be really mean to people." She said just as coldly.
"Ok, Fine. If he puts one toe out of line, I'm not responsible for my actions." He said. "How about we ask Master Dumbledore if we can eat out here today?"
"Hold on, I'll ask." Veronica said.
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Master Dumbledore suddenly stopped telling his story and was silent for a moment.
"It seems my students would like to eat outside this afternoon. Would you like to join us, Professor?" he asked turning to Professor Snape.
"It would give me a chance to get to know them a little before you go." Snape answered coolly.
"Very well, I will have the house elves serve lunch outside. I'm sorry for the interruption where was I…. Oh yes." He began, but Snape interrupted.
"Are your student's telepaths as well?" Professor Snape asked.
"Yes. I would watch my thoughts around them, Professor. They can read your mind without your noticing. And not intentionally either." He stated.
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"Master Dumbledore said that we could outside. They will be here shortly." Veronica said to Sam.
"Good. It's such a nice day. I don't feel like being cooped up in the house all day. I'm kind of glad that class was cancelled as well." He said with a sigh laying back to enjoy the massage the bubbles were giving him.
"I'm not!" Veronica said with indignation. "I like learning from Master Dumbledore. If it weren't for him we would never have tapped in to our powers. He always tells us we are special. Besides I think we haven't reached our full potential. I've asked him about the school that his brother heads and the students there only go for seven years. Doesn't that tell you anything?" She said looking at him seeing his usual I-Don't-Care look on his face.
"Yea, it tells me that he's getting old and he's keeping us around to help him with his things, more than he is helping us with ours." He said coolly. "If it's true what you say that the students at that "school" are there for seven years and learn all they need to know to get on with there lives, why do you think we have been with Master Dumbledore for thirteen years and still haven't tapped into all of our powers."
"Well, Sam, if you must know. Master Dumbledore has figured out there is more to us than there are to the students to go to that school. We have come along way. Do you think all those students can do half the stuff we can? We can transform into animals. We can read people mind. I've read that it is a very rare gift. And you can talk to snakes. I know that even fewer people can do that. Come on Sam! Can't you see that we are different from other witches and wizards out there?" Veronica said angrily.
"I don't want to be DIFFERENT!" Sam almost yelled at her.
Veronica looked at Sam with cold hard eyes. He hated that look. He knew he crossed the line.
Veronica jumped out of the spring and ran to the other side of the lake. As far away from Sam as she could go. Sam followed her movements, kicking himself mentally for not thinking.
Suddenly he saw her transform into that beautiful phoenix he loved seeing. She was a beautiful shade of blue with yellow streaks. Now he knew she was highly pissed off. He gave a loud sigh and got out of the spring intent on following her to make amends.
When he was about to transform into his bird form he heard Master Dumbledore calling his name. He turned to Master Dumbledore with concern written all over his face. Master Dumbledore noticed this.
"What is wrong, my child?" He asked.
"I made Veronica very mad and she just flew off." Sam responded sadly.
"What did you say to her?"
"I almost yelled at her." Sam said. When Sam saw the look of understanding, but not fully convinced on Master Dumbledore's face he continued.
"We were talking about being different from the kids that go to that school that your brother runs. I told her that I didn't want to be different. She got upset and left."
"Give her time, Sam. She will return when she is ready. It is very difficult to upset her, but when she does get upset all she needs is time to be alone and think." Master Dumbledore said placing his arm around Sam's shoulders. "In the mean time we will wait for her before we start lunch."
Sam all the while looking at the ground heard something in his head.
Insolent fool! Knowing how delicate she is, he treats her with such disrespect.
Sam looked up and saw a man looking at him with a scowl on his face.
"I do not disrespect her! I care about her more than anything in this world. I would never do anything to harm her." Sam said through clenched teeth to the man.
Snape was taken aback and had to mentally set up his blocks before he could see what else he was think about the boy.
"Who is this man, Master Dumbledore?" Sam demanded.
"Oh yes. Well I was hoping to introduce him to both of you at the same time, but seeing that it will not be possible. This is going to be your teacher while I am away at Hogwarts. Professor Snape may I introduce you to Sam. Sam, Professor Snape." Master Dumbledore said trying to relieve the tension between the two.
Snape held out a hand to the young man who in turn took it.
"A pleasure to meet you, sir." Sam said in almost a whisper.
"Likewise, I'm sure." Snape responded coldly.
They stared at each other in the eyes for seem an eternity until they heard the beautiful cry of a phoenix. All eyes turning upwards, they saw the blue and yellow phoenix glide to there position and transform into human form.
Veronica's eyes were red from having been crying. Sam approached her slowly and hugged her. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to get angry. I just hate feeling like I'm different." He said in a soothing voice.
"I shouldn't have said those things. I know you don't like hearing that. I love you more than anything and I would hate to loose you over an argument." She said back.
"Stop being so melodramatic!" He said teasingly, pushing her away. "You won't get rid of me that easily."
The laugh that came from her made the sun shine brighter and the air warmer.
Snape did not fail to notice this. Looking at Master Dumbledore with a raised eyebrow, Master Dumbledore nodded. He knew exactly what the man was thinking without having to use legilimens.
"Shall we have lunch now?" Master Dumbledore asked.
"Yes"
"Of course"
"I'm starved." Said three voices at once.
Noticing the third voice, Veronica turned to the man in black and stared into his blue eyes.
"Who are you?" She asked as if she didn't already know. When she was in Master Dumbledore's office she had seen him and read his mind, but she didn't want him to know that. She smiled inwardly noticing his blocks up around his thoughts.
"Ah yes, this is Professor Snape. He will be your teacher while I am away at Hogwarts." Master Dumbledore replied.
Veronica suddenly turned to Sam with fear in her eyes. She then turned to Master Dumbledore.
"You're leaving us. Why?" She asked.
"It will only be for a short while. I have been invited to Hogwarts by my brother, Albus. Snape is here to continue with your teachings and watch over you while I am away." He said to her putting his arm around her shoulders. "We will talk about it over lunch."
He led her to the table that was already set up and waiting for them. The two men walked behind them. As they all sat down at there seats, Veronica chanced a glance at Snape.
"What do you do at Hogwarts?" She asked him.
"I am the Potions Master. I teach potions and make whatever potions might be needed for the school." He answered looking back at her.
"Potions, really!" She responded. "I love potions. It's my favorite subject. Nobody really understands the fine art that is potion making these days."
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Indeed." It was like she had taken the words right out of his mouth.
"Maybe while you are here you could help me with some ideas of potions I have. I don't know if they would work and I would like to try with someone of more experience than I." she said to him.
"You are very experienced, my child. You are better at potions than anybody I know. And that is saying something already." Master Dumbledore said.
"You're just saying that because I'm your student and you want to give me encouragement." She said blushing.
"If we have time while I am here I will listen to your theories." Snape said to the young woman.
"Really! Oh, thank you, Professor." She said delightfully.
Sam rolled his eyes and continued eating his lunch. He already knew she was excellent at potions and no Professor from some foreign school was going to take that away from her. Not if he had anything to do about it. He had been watching the man from the corner of his eyes and didn't like his demeanor. Although, he had to admit that there was something mysterious about him that intrigued him.
After lunch, Master Dumbledore announced that he was going to go to his room and rest. He asked Sam and Veronica to show Professor Snape to his room so that he might be able to get adjusted.
When they had shown Snape to his room, both Sam and Veronica went outside to continue enjoying the warm weather.
"I'm really sorry for earlier, Veron. I really don't know what came over me." Sam said looking into her eyes with sadness.
"It's ok, sweetie. I know you didn't do it intentionally. I was just surprised at your reaction; that's why I left," she responded cupping his face in her hands. She gently kissed him on the cheek and pulled him into a hug.
"I love you with all my heart," she whispered into his ear.
Without her noticing a single tear fell from his eye. The tear landed on her right shoulder and a gold dot appeared there. "I love you, too."
Veronica, can you hear me? Came a voice into her mind
Professor Snape?
Yes. Could you come to my quarters, I would like a word.
I'll be there shortly. She answered quickly. She put up her blocks before Sam was able to detect anything; if he hadn't already.
"Is everything alright, Veron?" Sam asked; the confusion visible on his face. Veronica had suddenly had a very strange look on her face, as if she was in deep concentration. That look only came when she was communicating telepathically and he knew it well. He tried to read her mind, but as usual she had her blocks up.
"I'm fine. I'm going to go inside and do some studying," she said.
"Studying? We didn't even have class today and you know your books from cover to cover." He said while giving her the I-don't-believe-you look, she knew all to well.
"I want to work on those potions that I have in mind. In case Professor Snape does give me the time of day," she said sounding like she didn't like the man already. She had already heard Sam's thoughts on the man. She didn't want to upset him and tell him that she was really going to visit the Black Bat as Sam had thought of him.
"I thought you liked him?" he asked with a glint in his eyes.
"No, not really. He's too dark and he has a mysterious aura around him and it doesn't look good. Besides, when he was reaching for the potatoes at lunch I saw a tattoo on his arm. It was a skull with a snake coming out of his mouth and wrapping itself behind the skull. It was kind of creepy."
It was true she had seen this mark, but didn't think twice about it. She thought that maybe it was part of his past that had nothing to do with them. It was creepy though.
She got up from her spot on the grass by the lake where they had been talking and made her to the house. She quickly cast a spell, dressing her in her appropriate robes. They were made of silk and a shade of blue that brought out her eyes. She wanted to impress Professor Snape with her beauty. She wasn't conceited, but she knew she was attractive.
From the moment she had seen him she had liked the man immensely. And she was going to go to any length to get his attention; although she didn't believe she needed to do too much.
