AN: Standard Disclaimer applies, nearly there people. Happy reading.

Chapter 12

By the time Hermione and Snape made it to defence, Harry and Ron were already seated and had saved them seats behind them. Umbridge took one look at the class and shook her head.

"Well this won't do at all. All rise, if you please." The fifth years all stayed seated, Snape could sense already what she had going to do. "Mr Snape, if I'm correct you are a fourth year."

"The headmaster has me doing my owls this year Professor. My timetable says I'm supposed to be here."

"And mine says fifth year Gryffindor and Slytherin. It does not say fifth year Gryffindor and Slytherin with one additional fourth year Gryffindor. If you would kindly go to your correct class, it would be easier all round."

"I am in my correct class, Professor."

"No, you're not."

"I can do this all day, Professor."

"So, can I Mr Snape."

"I propose a challenge Professor." Snape could see the pink toad's eyebrow rise.

"And that would be?" Snape smirked. Hermione looked wide eyed at Snape's smirk it was downright dangerous.

"I am certain you are familiar with the auror training programmes, as the Undersecretary of course."

"If I am Mr Snape?"

"Well, Professor Snape may or may not have trained me in some of the ways the auror's are trained. I propose we take the auror training programme, to see who is better in defence practical methods; Professor. I win, I get to maybe teach your class. You win, I leave your class. How is that for a wager, Professor?" There was a look of shock across the newest defence professor's face. Then her face changed to one of having already won.

"I accept your proposal, Mr Snape. Meet me in the great hall; for your defeat."

"I will meet you in the great hall, Madame Undersecretary, for your defeat; not mine." Snape's grin was malicious. Snape stood and left the classroom the others stared after him as if he'd somehow grown another head.

The great hall was his destination, and he'd already agreed this little scheme of his with the headmaster should the pink toad become aggressive. Not that she'd have a chance to. The auror training room had already been installed in the hall and was ready for use; Snape was going to let the Professor go first. He knew she had no experience with the mechanics of the programme, little did anyone know that Snape being the type of man he had been, had actually used these programmes before and still held the high score at the ministry for the programme; or at least Severus Snape did. Alan supposedly had even less experience than the current defence professor.

Snape stood at the side lines as the defence teacher went through the challenges each more demanding than the last, once done Umbridge had a score of seven hundred and forty-three; and she had easily died thrice in the simulated arena. It was nowhere near Snape's original three thousand nine hundred and seventy-one score, but Snape was not going to settle for second behind the older version of himself; if he was going to win, he'd make it absolute. He'd get the new high score.

Snape entered anxiously as any student would have done in his place, but once the doors to simulation were shut he grinned, already knowing what was before him; and with no way for anyone to see him in here, he knew he could be as ruthless as he had trained himself to be all those years ago. Severus glared at the first part of the challenge, agility. For once his de-aging had become an advantage, with youth on his side he was quicker than before and with all the same experiences; there was virtually no contest. Snape knew his score for each part was going to be recorded and seen by the others in the hall even if they could not see it live as it were, he had beaten Umbridge's score in this one part alone. Snape ducked and weaved through the drones that represented either civilians, death eaters, or other auror's. He was only supposed to hit the death eater drones which were in black, but Snape spotted another minor simulation in the larger one; an auror holding a civilian hostage, Snape snorted since while it may have happened in real life last time, it was probably more likely to happen this time around with the dark lord obsessed with his discovery by the ministry. He didn't even bother turning around to aim, he just shot a stinging hex at the drone's forehead; somehow, he didn't miss and the auror colour had faded to the death eater one. Snape nodded to himself, it had been a Polyjuice or Imperius test. Severus continued each challenge with the dedication of a fully trained auror, each scenario more demanding than the last but Snape knew he could beat them, he had done it before. What he wasn't prepared for was for someone to interrupt the programme just as he was getting to the end. As it turned out that was Umbridge herself, attempting to prevent the what was supposed to be inevitable. Since Snape was still in a battle mode so to speak, he quickly channelled his aggression into his old occlumency shields, he was surprised that they had never been compromised and were as strong as ever.

"Professor?" Snape pocketed his wand to avoid looking threatening to the pink toad. Although she looked absolutely terrified of him anyway.

"No fourteen-year-old should have that level of skill, Mr Snape. Who are you?" Snape swallowed on reflex, before bolting out of the great hall. The Slytherin's sniggered, since to them it was the Gryffindor being put in his place; but Harry and Hermione looked at each other they knew that the professor would not have taken that lightly and he would have likely gone into hiding, the only question was where.