Professor Scott

The afternoon was at the brightest peak and foreboding twilight. Leonor was planning to get back to Hogwarts tonight. She couldn't enjoy the beautiful view across the countryside. She targeted to get the textbooks at Diagon Alley first. Her personal belongings were still packed in the hall of her house from the latest assignment at Gringotts. A few arrangements would be enough to be ready to start at Hogwarts. Pauline, her owl, would deliver a message to her friends telling them she would be back at the preparations for New Year's Eve. She knew what to do next but couldn't sort her emotions.

She was torn between the satisfaction of being accepted to the job and the unmistakable feeling of being cheated too. McGonagall disliked her before Leonor set a foot into Dumbledore's study. Lupin wasn't prepared at all. And Snape wasn't informed either, he just stepped in by coincidence. Dumbledore knew more than he was willing to share. She could hardly suppress her disappointment that none of the superiors considered her clever enough to recognize a werewolf.

Today's most useful man was Snape. He seemed to be well-aware of his subject and could be helpful to her exam preparations. She smiled to herself — it was hard to say what Severus Snape was. He had shown little of himself. There was honesty in his hesitation. Leonor was looking forward to the job, single-minded to take as much advantage of it as possible.

XXX

The night was clear and dry for December. Leonor had left the misty weather of London behind again. The second time today she arrived in Hogsmeade silently. This time in front of the Hogwarts gates. She was relieved when the gates could be opened by her with a simple spell. Leonor locked them again after entering and consumed the beauty of the lake, the lawns and the towering castle with the shimmering lights. She had missed it earlier but would find time to explore soon.

She entered the castle and went to the dimly lit passageway searching Filch's office. At the far end were shadows on the wall made by a fire.

"Mr Filch?" asked Leonor watching an old morose looking man reading a newspaper.

Filch and a cat on his lap looked grudgingly at her. Both got up from the chair and the man answered with a creaky voice, "Professor McGonagall told me you insisted on arriving late making me patrol to the seventh floor again. I'd rather have relaxed. I wiped the smudgy floor all day for the ungrateful mob of students!"

"I'm sorry," Leonor hardly suppressed a smile.

Filch passed her leading the way up the stairs and corridors. He was followed by the cat and murmured to himself while Leonor tried to remember the way to her quarters. Filch handed her an ancient key and left still grieving and muttering under his breath. She didn't hold Filch back and turned the key around in the keyhole. The open door revealed a fair room with a separate bedroom. The best was the fascinating sight; clear moonlight illuminated the dark surroundings and gave a silvery shade to the lake. It was beautiful.

XXX

Leonor woke deliberately early the next morning. She wanted to prepare and explore as much as possible before sitting in the lessons. The witch followed some students down to the Great Hall. The staff table was deserted. Leonor recognized the different house decorations and noticed the suspicious glances of the few students having breakfast this early. She sat down alone still soaking up the impressive enchanted ceiling and getting lost in her own thoughts.

"Lupin makes you work early then." The quiet statement brought Leonor back to the more present matters of the morning.

"Professor Snape—," Leonor smiled covering her helplessness behind some small talk.

"No, he doesn't. I wanted to leaf through the textbooks and await the owl with the missing copies."

Snape sat next to her when an eagle owl with a package soared into the hall dropping the books into Leonor's lap.

"Thanks, Pauline!" Leonor caressed the bird and sent the pretty eagle owl off to the owlery.

"Your owl?"

"Yes, I left her with the bookshop to get a soon delivery— Professor, where would I find the classroom for the defence classes?"

"Didn't Lupin get you a timetable?"

"No, not yet. But I didn't ask either. It was all very sudden, getting the temporary employment. I had the interview and two hours later—," her voice trailed off, and she felt the intensity of the person next to her together with the furtive glances of other arriving students and staff members.

"Am I mistaken, if nobody has been informed yet about my presence?"

"Obviously not," said Snape scowling. "Lupin's study and the classroom are next to each other, second floor, where you've been yesterday."

Leonor felt more helpless and was glad to have met Severus again. She could hide next to him, and he seemed to be shielding her from the looks. Nobody was approaching them. Nobody was asking.

"May I ask more questions if they arise? I didn't study at Hogwarts. So, I'm likely more drifting than the first years—," said Leonor calmly and slightly embarrassed by her inexperience. She searched the dark eyes of the professor.

He smirked at her, "I presumed professors don't need teaching, do they?"

She smiled and took it as approval and left the table soon after.

XXX

Severus followed Scott out of the hall at a reasonable distance. Her form was slender. The dark straight hair was carefully placed around her left shoulder. Black robes showed a casual elegance and the appearance was determined and interested. The cloak billowed behind her in the fresh air of the morning. She appeared to be his age, but the shadows behind the eyes and the grey strands in Scott's hair didn't match it. He would keep an eye on her if he could. Inside himself, Severus hoped that McGonagall and Lupin would remain so distant as yesterday. He liked the change.

XXX

Leonor was early. She hoped Lupin would be early too, explaining the teaching curriculum to her and what was expected to be done. She was wrong and after glancing through the new textbooks she decided to walk along the corridor. There was the staff room on the same floor. She entered, gladly not to be stopped by a spell or other security measures. Professor Snape sat in a chair with the Daily Prophet. Professor McGonagall greeted strained and introduced Leonor to Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout, both heads of the Houses Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. She also found out that McGonagall was head of the House Gryffindor. Was Snape Head of the House Slytherin? Other teachers bid welcome too, most of them friendly, but reserved. It was Leonor's first job without a proper introduction. Maybe she valued herself too highly and exaggerated a bit? She was just a temp for a few days a month.

When Lupin entered the room, the other teachers seemed to leave quickly pretending to be busy, also Snape. Leonor suppressed a grin on Snape's pointed remark to Lupin about being in the need of a woman's help. Lupin appeared to be weary and worn-out again. Leonor wondered if he was new to Wolfsbane Potion. Exhaustion was a well-known side effect.

"Professor Lupin, I'd like to learn about the classes and what needs to be done. I would need a timetable too!" asked Leonor enthusiastically.

"Well, you'll do some recapture and simple spell practice. The students like working with the magic wand."

"What spells would you like me to teach?"

"Let's go to the class, it's about time. Ask the students what they like to repeat."

XXX

Leonor felt tired. She worried and wouldn't like to make a fool of herself without proper preparation. The new employed teacher hadn't done much yet, except sitting in the classes and listening. She could understand why students were often distant with their mind. Listening all the time was so different from being the person in front. She was looking forward to some hot and warm, something that would give her enough energy to prepare for tomorrow. She would have third-year Gryffindor's, sixth and seventh years and a class of first year Slytherins.

She walked into the great hall and could tell that her teaching on behalf of Professor Lupin had travelled the school like wildfire. Likely the gossip was welcome before everybody was heading home. There were some teachers at the staff table, Flitwick next to Dumbledore, Snape, the half-giant and some others, but Leonor couldn't remember all of them. She was still in her own thoughts when she heard her name accompanied by a quiet chuckle.

"Professor Scott, can I have a word? Please sit between me and Severus—," Dumbledore was pointing to a chair next to him, "—Minerva was so kind to make us some space and Professor Snape wouldn't mind some company as well."

Snape cleared his throat disapprovingly.

"Thank you!" said Leonor respectfully.

"I wanted to discuss your work over Christmas. There won't be many students in the castle. So, it will be a private feast. Would you mind taking care of the health of the students if needed?"

"I'd like to do that. Professor Lupin didn't leave work for the break anyway."

"Well, thank you indeed. Poppy will be delighted. Madam Pomfrey can never leave even a few students without her care—"

Dumbledore said it somewhat mischievously as if a plan had suddenly worked out. Leonor gave a glance sideways to Snape and could tell he was listening. Dumbledore stood with an emphatic bow to Leonor and Snape.

"Good night, unfortunately, I have business to attend. Severus, I trust you take care of Remus?"

"Yes, headmaster. The potion is already with him as agreed."

"I also trust you will find some shared interest with Professor Scott—" and Dumbledore was gone. This time it was Leonor's turn to cough slightly.

"What interest would that be, Professor Scott?" said Snape. He added the remark so quietly that Leonor needed to look into his eyes to process what he had said. Severus had been waiting to talk to Scott. He usually preferred a fast and quiet dinner, but today Severus had taken a long time to finish his meal. He was curious what Lupin had planned for her.

Leonor held his gaze. All her defences were up. Anyhow, she felt more teased than offended. She was thinking hard what to say next.

"Professor Snape, I'd like to have a copy of what the students did during the school year. Is it possible?" said Leonor finally.

Snape still bored into her eyes, as if he wanted to search her thoroughly. Suddenly he got up and walked away. Leonor's view followed him. He spoke to a tall young man at the Slytherin table and returned. The student gave the new teacher a measured look before he obeyed Snape and talked to different housemates, obviously, all in different years.

"You'll have it. 8 o'clock at my office. It's the other passageway into the dungeons."

Snape left with a cold look across the staff table.

Leonor felt uneasy. Her confusion earned her some understanding looks, but no further small talk. She had the feeling that Snape's help wasn't appreciated exactly by his colleagues. It was more if everybody told her silently to separate from him. Leonor finished her meal including a very delicious hot soup and retired to her room. Leonor rested on the couch her head in the hands. She rubbed the aching feet and cursed the location of her room on the seventh floor. The beautiful view had a price!

XXX

Leonor had decided to leave her room earlier and make a stop at Madam Pomfrey's ward. She entered the infirmary and liked the room at an instant. It felt like she was back at St. Mungo's, just smaller. Madam Pomfrey came out of her office and said sharply, "Are you visiting a patient? Have you been ordered here by a head of a house?"

"No, none of it. I just wanted to introduce myself. You know I'm working as a healer too and maybe—"

"Only rightful visitors should be here, anyway not at the time of the day. And it is not necessary to have staff nosing around."

Leonor didn't know what to say. She came with a friendly intention. But it seemed the matron was afraid of her or mad at something she didn't understand. Leonor decided to not escalate the matter further.

"I'm sorry if I am disturbing. I didn't intend to do so and leave if you wish."

Leonor still waited for a relenting sign. But the silence was not cordial and didn't improve either. "Good night!" said Leonor and left.

She was frantic, running down the marble staircase and outside the oak door to cool off. The snowy breeze was soothing. The fresh air cleared Leonor's mind, and she remembered her other appointment. But the nearer she came to the passageway to the dungeons, the more mixed became her feelings. She hoped she hadn't asked too much of Professor Snape. She wasn't keen to have another unfriendly encounter today if she could help it.

The passageway was lit by torches. Leonor welcomed the chill as it eased her agitation. She looked along the corridor to figure out Snape's office. She didn't want to knock each door to get caught searching. Leonor laid the magic wand on her palm and performed a spell silently. "Homo Revelio Partem!"

The wand pointed the direction of the human being and there was also a heavy door. Leonor took a deep breath, knocked and the door opened promptly.

"You are late," came a demanding voice from the professor.

The tall young student was in the room and suppressed a snicker but handed Leonor a pile of parchment.

"Thank you very much, I'll return it tomorrow. What's your name?"

"My name is Wilson, Roger Wilson."

"Thanks again Roger, I really appreciate your help."

"Not at all," said the boy with a much friendlier voice, bowed to the other teacher and left the office.

Leonor was alone with Snape, and he sat lazily behind his desk, playing with some parchment and watching her.

"Thank you, Professor Snape, you've organized it all and it should have been done by Professor Lupin instead. It was not your responsibility. I'm really grateful."

Leonor meant it. The gloomy appearance of the dungeons was friendlier than the comfort of Pomfrey's ward, at least presently. Snape straightened up and seemed more self-confident behind his unfathomable expression.

Leonor would have liked to talk more about Hogwarts. But became more and more furious at his gaze and averted her eyes. She didn't want to be x-rayed again—. He wouldn't read her mind, not now and not at any other time. Her hand was already on the handle and ready to push herself free out into the passageway. Then she slammed her words into his face.

"I'd prefer you to ask me a question if you are interested. I'm well-aware of Legilimency and trained in Occlumency too. Most healers are."

There was a pause. Leonor measured Snape fiercely. Snape didn't move at all. Leonor was sure she had messed up again, even if he had tried to read her mind he wouldn't have succeeded. She had emptied her anger over him, but he wasn't to blame that her assignment didn't work the way she was used to. She was ready to apologize when Snape finally spoke.

"What are you going to teach tomorrow?" His voice wasn't measuring anymore, just calm, almost concerned.

"I'm sorry. Pomfrey just kicked me out of the ward for introducing myself. I shouldn't have shouted at you for that."

He looked her up and down. There was a smile around his lips briefly and then it was gone again.

Leonor continued, "I'll do a simple disarming spell with the first years, no matter if they had it yet or not. With the more advanced classes, I'll train unspoken spells and likely the Patronus Charm."

Snape nodded.

"Lupin left a boggart in a cabinet for the third-years," added Leonor more relaxed. But Snape became rigid at her words and started to take a serious look at the pile of parchment on his desk.

"Is there anything I should know? Dumbledore mentioned an accident," asked Leonor more softly to continue the conversation.

"Not to my knowledge. Good night, Scott," he answered reserved.