AN: So new chapter, wow I am spamming these or what today? Enjoy.

Chapter 6

"Take a seat Alan." He sat on one of the chairs by the fireplace.

"Thankyou Professor. May I ask what this is about?"

"You can drop the act, Albus let the other heads know, he also said that Harry found you. I know its you Severus." He sighed.

"To be honest that's a relief, I thought I'd have to lie to you as well."

"I am sure that this is a stressful situation. So, the headmaster has decided that you should take your owls not only again but also this year."

"I'm twenty years out of date and according to the students I have had four years of useless education. I may as well start from scratch."

"You may of course drop a subject from last time, I recall you stretched yourself thin back then as well."

"Divination."

"I cannot say I blame you. I admit however that I am curious, what happened to make this?"

"I was trying to make the wolfsbane more palatable. There is only so much complaining I can take about something that really I can do little about but." McGonagall nodded in sympathy with the potions master. "It's not like I haven't been working on that very thing for years. Anyway, I added to many dried night stocks, they were supposed to make it smell and taste floral, not blow up in my face. Next thing I remember is Potter carrying me to Poppy, he thought I was unconscious, just because I am not awake does not mean that I'm not aware."

"You still don't like that feeling that a potion's beaten you?" Snape's eyes narrowed as if McGonagall had accidently touched a raw nerve.

"How would you feel if something you've done countless times was then deemed unworthy due to no fault of your own and virtually overnight too?"

"Bloody pissed?"

"Exactly! That's how I get when anyone questions my potions. I am not a master for nothing." Although he was clearly irritated, Snape was trying to suppress a yawn which failed.

"I have kept you too long, I should get you up to your room."

"Room?"

"Albus has arranged a suite for you off the common room. All your old notes and books are waiting for you. Here's your timetable." McGonagall passed Snape a sheet of parchment, he stared at it. "Alan has Severus mentioned the Gryffindor portrait?"

"He might have mentioned that they don't get along." McGonagall held back a slight grin at these words. She stood with the grace of most of the professors at Hogwarts, the younger Snape had once had this same grace but not anymore, he had to grow into it again. By this time, he had followed his new head of house to the outside of the common room. Snape stood to attention being scrutinised by the portrait.

"So, the rumours are true. There is another one; you'll probably be like he was. A stuck-up brat."

"I shall try to do better by you, madame." Snape bowed lightly to the portrait, despite McGonagall's shocked expression at the kind portraits rather unkind words.

"Madame, he is a student of your house whether you like it or not. Treat him better than you are currently doing so, or I shall have you removed again." The portrait huffed.

"Fine, I'll curve my tongue if he does his."

"Deal." Snape had said before another argument occurred between the portrait and the head of house.

"Alan?"

"Inside, Professor." It held the same warning tone that the adult version of Snape usually held, as such McGonagall heeded it.

"Password then."

"Lion's Paw."

"Correct," the Gryffindor portrait huffed before speaking to the deputy headmistress. "Get him inside before I lock him out." She had already swung open as such there were several gasps since no-one had ever heard her so hateful towards a student. Not even McGonagall.

"Madame, really? He is a Gryffindor; you will do well to remember that." By the time the young Snape had interrupted the roaring head of house, the first years were extremely apprehensive.

"Professor, maybe you should calm down? The first years…" She turned to see a sea of upset and confused faces looking at her. She cleared her throat and her emotions.

"I am sorry little ones; I did not mean to upset you. Normally the madame portrait is quite warm and welcoming, I was upset about her unusual behaviour."

There was a small voiced chorus of: "That's fine, Professor." One of the braver first years, took a step forward.

"Professor McGonagall?" The professor turned her attention to the new lion cub. "Some of the others are sort of homesick, is there anything you can do?" McGonagall understood immediately as did Snape, but this was Gryffindor not Slytherin.

"I am sorry, little one, some things need to sort themselves out. This is one of those times. The feeling will pass." She turned to leave. Snape showed signs of being confused and yet also a surprised clarity came onto his face. Eyes sparkling with a hopeful determination, as if the answer to a long thought out question had just been discovered.

"Professor Snape always stayed the first couple of nights in case anyone got homesick." Alan looked at his head of house, fully aware of how much more she did than the other heads with her duties as deputy headmistress. "Although, sometimes a glass of warm milk and a chat do wonders." His expression was slightly sly as he looked still at his new head of house. "I could do that, since you need your rest too, Professor." McGonagall sighed knowing that she was playing right into the young Snape's hands even though this would probably help her house in the long run.

"I think you forget that I am not Professor Snape; and that things are done differently in each house. But, if you feel up to it, I see no harm in it."

"Any particular elf?"

"I shall summon one, Marshall." There was a small pop as the elf appeared.

"Mistress Professor called, what does Mistress need?" McGonagall looked at the old elf, with skin like living leather.

"Marshall, I require 17 glasses of warm milk each with a small amount of honey. When you have them, give them to Mr Snape. Alan introduce yourself." The elf stiffened at the sound of the Snape name.

"Marshall, I'm Alan Snape." He put out his hand hoping that the elf would be more accepting of him than the fat lady had been. The elf was nervous and wary of Snape but not immediately hateful or distrusting; this elf was more likely to judge on actions than anything else.

"Marshall shall keep eyes on young Snape. Marshall does not trust old potions master." Snape dropped his hand, but he did not seem angered by the lack of acceptance from the elf.

"Thank you, Marshall." The elf looked oddly at Snape as if he'd somehow lost his mind, he turned and looked confusingly at McGonagall, who looked just as confused back. Marshall popped away clearly not one hundred percent certain about the events.

"I see your trying a new attitude. I am uncertain if I like it or not."

"Have you ever thought Professor, that perhaps the house changes the person?"

"Why do I have a feeling, Mr Snape, that this year the person is going to be changing the house? Do try to get some sleep, you of all people will need it."

"I'll try not to make any promises that I can't keep Professor." With that the Professor was gone, leaving Snape in an empty common room, he had not noticed the first years leaving.