A/N: Sorry it's taken so long for me to get this new chapter up. Finals are such a pain :/ Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy!
Severus massaged his temples and hung his head as Dumbledore repeated his instructions for what it seemed like the hundredth time. He glanced up at Fawkes as the great fiery bird observed quietly in the corner from his golden perch. The normally soft, relaxing whirring of the delicate silver instruments placed sporadically around the room irked him today. Every one of the wizened professors that hung on the back wall snored gently in a deep slumber as it was well past midnight. Dumbledore's voice floated in and out of his mind, words began to lose their meaning and urgency.
"Make sure that you make it clear to him that it will happen on the fifth weekend. That is absolutely essential; for any mistakes will set us back much farther than I desire to even think about." Dumbledore stroked his long silver beard thoughtfully as he looked questioningly at Severus.
"My dear Severus, are you paying any attention to me at all? I know the hour is late but this is hardly a conversation to be dozing off on."
"With all due respect, Albus, I feel as if you are beginning to underestimate me. I am, as always, as cautious as ever." Severus replied quietly and deliberately. It was taking a great amount of willpower to keep all traces of annoyance out of his voice. He wanted to escape to his dungeons, the only place where he even slightly felt like he could let his guard down.
"You are right, my friend. I apologize if I seem particularly patronizing tonight. Term is about to begin and I am finding myself more nervous than usual. Ah, that reminds me, I have a small personal favor to ask of you."
Severus raised his eyes in slight anticipation, for it was extremely rare that Dumbledore asked for anything personal.
"I have suggested to Madam Pomfrey that she begin training an apprentice, for you know she is getting up there in years." Dumbledore paused lingeringly before continuing,
"I have asked Ms. Angelina Johnson to come and take up that responsibility. She's scheduled to arrive tomorrow at around 4 p.m. I would be most grateful if you could welcome her and make sure she's able to get through the protective wards."
He ended his sentence abruptly. Innumerable questions filled Severus's mind. Why didn't Dumbledore fetch her himself or put Filch up to it? Didn't Johnson graduate less than 4 years ago? And why on earth would Dumbledore request this of him? Most puzzling, why couldn't he form the words that his mind was screaming at him to say? Absolutely not. Why was he now nodding a quiet assent? Why the hell was he agreeing to this?
He started down the path with a large sweeping gait. The night was cool and crisp. A distant crack caught his attention. Looking far off into the distance, he saw a tiny dark speck just beyond the great gates of Hogwarts. As he grew closer, he was completely taken aback. This woman was absolutely beautiful. He forced his eyes to stay strictly on her face as she looked up at him with large brown doe eyes.
"Good Evening, Miss Johnson."
"Peppermint sticks." Severus stiffly repeated the password to the great stone gargoyle. He repressed his urge to shoot a quick glance at her. She seemed to have given up on any conversation and had quickly erased his expectation of a bubbly, annoyingly cheerful schoolgirl. He couldn't form an evaluation as he usually could within the first ten seconds of meeting someone. She didn't seem like the resigned type yet she had made no effort to question, or intimidate him. She stood tall and straight and had a bearing of great confidence. She walked with energy, like there was an invisible force propelling her along. As the gargoyle spiraled them closer and closer to the circular office, Severus reprimanded himself for giving too much thought to the young woman besides him. He instead turned his thoughts to the Meeting that was to take place tonight precisely at six. He shuddered.
"Ahh! My dear Angelina, aren't you looking gorgeous tonight!" Dumbledore's cheerful words met his ears jarringly. Severus immediately made a beeline for an inconspicuous corner. He listened intently to their conversation as Dumbledore began to explain her training process.
"So my dear, you will work with Madam Pomfrey for about three hours each day learning the various ins and outs of working in our hospital wing. Professor, ahem, Pomona Sprout has graciously agreed to tutor you in the art of medicinal botany for one hour each day and Severus here will lead you in the talent of potion making for an additional hour each day. The rest of time will be yours to use any way you see fit. Madam Pomfrey is waiting in the hospital wing to show you your accommodations. You will begin tomorrow, if that works for you?" Severus could not believe his ears. Dumbledore had not even mentioned in the slightest anything about "leading Angelina in the talent of potion making" Dumbledore must have completely lost his mind. Angelina shook Dumbledore's hand happily and was out of the office in an instant.
"So, Albus, when where you going to tell me that I will be tutoring Angelina?"