This story was being edited by Chi, but RL interfered, so I am posting it now, and when she gets me the corrections, I will update it. Thanks for trying, dear.
Yen was kind enough to run a critical eye over this one, and it is much better. Thanks!
Ree
The First Term
Severus stood in his room, staring at himself in the mirror. With a quick flick of his hand, he smoothed down the last crease that marred his black robe. Swallowing heavily, he nodded to the image of himself and then turned about. It was time to head for the Welcoming Feast and be named the Head of Hufflepuff before the students.
The staff had taken the news about as well as he had expected. Vector had been upset even when she learned that to be the Head she would have to move to the dungeon. She sulked and said in no uncertain terms that someone a bit more caring should be found to watch the badgers. That had been the opinion of the rest of the staff as well, though they were a bit more ambiguous he was able to determine what they thought. Even Flitwick and McGonagall had been easy to read while they were giving him advice on how to fulfil his duty. Griffith was the only one that was difficult to determine what he was thinking, and Severus had him figured out by the end of the first day it was announced to the staff.
He was grateful that he had talked to Flitwick and McGonagall, they had given him solid advice that he knew would hold him in good stead over the upcoming year. Without their prompting, he had investigated the Hufflepuff dormitory. The portraits had started out frowning at him in displeasure, but when they learned that he was to be the new Head of House, they had helped him out. Even the Fat Friar had counselled him on what to expect and the differences between Slytherin and Hufflepuff houses.
Resting a hand on the door handle, Severus let all the negative thoughts wash away. He had walked into the Dark Lord's presence without giving a hint of his true feelings, he could do the same today, sitting at the High Table with professors who didn't think he deserved his newest position. He would also hide the fact that he completely agreed with them.
He opened his door and stepped out into the dungeon hallway, his face calm and composed.
§§§§
As was his custom since he had been granted the position, Severus sat so that he was looking down on the Hufflepuff table. To his left was Vector and to his right was Trelawney, neither were people he wished to talk to. Trelawney was out there and Vector was still miffed that she had not received the position.
Folding his hands in his lap, Severus mentally reviewed the notes that Sprout had left on her house. Dumbledore had given them to him after the meeting, and he had been studying them ever since. He knew the name of every student, as well as all the little quirks that Sprout had felt needed to be mentioned. The part that he was keeping most in mind was the advice she left. 'She said they are hard working, but that doesn't mean they're going to focus on school work. I need to watch for them getting off track. They're loyal – but never assume who or what they are loyal to. They are not as ambitious as I am used to. They will work with each other to help everyone to succeed.'
As the students flooded the Great Hall, Severus was very aware of the Hufflepuffs looking about for Professor Sprout and the unease that was filling their faces. He wanted to clench his fingers tightly together, but he refused to show that much uncertainty. He forced his face and body to reflect a calm demeanour. 'I can't do parental, but I can do calm and possibly approachable.'
It was with that calm he made it through the sorting, paying close attention to those who made it into both the Hufflepuff and Slytherin house, and then through the meal. The food stayed down only because Severus refused to let it do anything else.
Ignoring the butterflies in his stomach, he kept a sharp eye on both the Hufflepuff and Slytherin tables. He attempted to put the personalities Spout had mentioned to the faces he knew while watching for things that might have changed. He also studied the dynamics between the badgers. He then focused on the Slytherin table. These children were his to take care of the best he could: one set this year and the other set in the years to come.
Dumbledore's voice pulled him out of his contemplation.
"Now that we've all been watered and fed, it is my pleasure to announce our new faces, but first some sad news. Professor Sprout will not be able to join us this school year."
Severus watched as disbelief filled the faces of his new house.
"Professor Anthony Burl will be help us out this year by teaching Herbology."
The tall, dark-skinned man stood up as the students politely clapped. Severus could tell that the Hufflepuffs were scrutinizing him, attempting to figure out if he was going to also take over Sprout's other duties.
"Professor Severus Snape shall be taking over as the Head of Hufflepuff House."
Severus stood and looked over his students before giving them a slight nod. They were nice enough to give a perfunctory clap or two even as they gave him guarded looks. Settling back down into his seat, Severus felt Vector's satisfied gaze resting on him before she moved it to his students. 'Calm, Severus. Do not let her rile you up. If she tries to pull them away, just let it go.'
Resting his attention once more on his badgers, Severus knew that there was no way he was going to just let it go. These children were entrusted to him, and he was not giving them up. Snakes and badgers might not have much in common, but they had more in common than a badger and an eagle. At the very least, these badgers and this snake all lived in dens under the ground where the eagle did not like to travel.
Lost in his thoughts, he missed the introduction of Richard Christoffersen, the Defence Professor for this year.
As the children were released to their dormitories, Severus stood to follow them. Vector stopped him from leaving.
"They didn't seem very happy that you were chosen."
With smug brown eyes watching him, Severus held onto his calm tightly. He had children to see in a few minutes. A glare, one that would normally be reserved for insolent Gryffindors, was all he allowed himself as he answered her back. "They do not have to be happy. They just have to make it through."
Sweeping about, he strode through the back door and missed Vector rounding on Dumbledore and complaining about his attitude.
It didn't take him long to make it to the barrels that guarded the entrance to the Hufflepuff common room. Gently rapping on the correct barrel, he walked through the tunnel into the badger sett. He was not surprised when he saw the students all in the common room as he entered. The first years looked to be drooping, almost asleep, so he decided to cover only the basics of what he had thought to tell them.
Moving to the empty place in front of the yellow sofas, he started. "Most of you are already aware of who I am, but for the first years, I am Professor Snape, Potions Master." He let his gaze drift over the older faces, and spotting the worry, he continued. "I know many of you are worried about Professor Sprout. She said to tell you that she is fine and will be back next school year."
He then focused on the prefects as relief swept through the older students. "My quarters, if you ever need me late at night, is in the second corridor on the right down from my office. The door will be evident to you. If you are looking for me before midnight, check my laboratory first, it is on the same corridor. That door will be visible if I am in there. First Years, you will be shown where this is tomorrow, until then, rely upon the upper years."
Making sure his hands were relaxed at his side, he gave the children a long look. "Are there any questions that you have for me?"
The seventh year prefect, Jonathan Moses, raised his hand.
"Mr Moses?"
"What house were you in when you attended Hogwarts, sir?"
"I was a Slytherin." Severus searched their faces as he answered, hoping that this would not destroy any chance he had with this group, though what he had told Vector was the truth. A look of uncertainty covered several faces, but they then smoothed out leaving a cautious acceptance. When it appeared that no other questions were forthcoming, he continued. "I will now leave you to get settled in for the night, and I will see you at breakfast with your schedules."
The room was quiet until the door closed behind him.
"He was a Slytherin? Not a Hufflepuff?"
"I can see that. I mean he is Professor Snape – that man is nothing like a Hufflepuff."
"How in the world can a Slytherin help us? He can't understand what we are like – he would have no idea how we think or any of our problems."
Moses rested a soothing hand on the fifth year prefect's shoulder. "Clarissa, never doubt what a Professor can do. Especially a former Slytherin one." Turning to the rest of the group, he gave them a calm reassuring look. "We need to give him a chance, and if he doesn't work out, well, we only have him for one year."
The badgers nodded in agreement.
§§§§
Severus stirred the cauldron slowly widdershins three times before adding in the lacewings. There was a small poof of steam, and he felt a small smile tug the corner of his mouth. One more ingredient and he would be finished for the night. The rapid knock sounded at his door just as he added the bubotuber pus. Cancelling the flame, he waved his wand towards the door, opening it, while his other hand stirred the potion clockwise just as slowly as it had stirred it earlier.
"Professor Snape, sir."
Severus set his stirring rod down and looked over at his prefect. "Yes, Mr Moses?"
"It's one of the first years; she's hysterical. I left Clarissa Munns, the fifth year prefect, with her, but nothing is calming her down."
Severus strode towards the door, picking up a potions case that he had prepared just for house emergencies. "Come along, Mr Moses."
Jonathan was amazed when Snape just walked away from his potion, but was even more surprised when the professor knew where the first year dormitories were. What assured him that he did the right thing in getting the Potions Master was what happened next. Even Clarissa would agree later that he was right.
Snape's steps slowed down to a calm walk, almost a stroll, and he crouched down next to the sobbing first year who was sitting almost in Miss Munns' lap. It was with as soothing a voice as he could manage that he started. "Miss Barton, take a deep breath."
Clarissa gave an uncertain look at their new Head of House. Professor Sprout would be pulling the child into her arms and comforting them, not telling them to breathe. She moved slightly when a hand slipped under the first year's chin and tipped the girl's head so that Snape could see her better.
"A deep breath." Severus waited until the girl followed his order. "Now, breathe it out slowly." As she started exhaling quickly, Severus reminded her to go slowly. "Now, another deep breath."
He waited until she had. "Out slowly."
He once again waited. "Miss Barton, would you like a Calming Draught before you tell me what is wrong?"
The small blonde head nodded and trembling hands reached out for the potion that he had just pulled out of his case.
"Drink it all." Severus watched as the tears slowed to a stop and the breaths stopped catching. Eyelids started drooping over blue eyes before shooting straight up, letting Emma Barton stare straight into his face.
"Good. Now, Miss Barton, what is wrong?"
The answer came on a sob accompanied with sniffles. "I … I want home. I want my mum. I want my blanket and my bed."
Severus was very concious of the other children watching him. The prefects knew him to be cold, almost callous, and he could tell they were waiting on him to make this worse. Refusing to look at anyone but the first year he was there to help, he took the vial back from her as he spoke, his tone still soft. "I fear, Miss Barton, that what you want is currently unattainable. Maybe it will help if you wrote a letter to your mother telling her what happened today. I am sure she would enjoy learning that you have made it into the Hufflepuff house and how brave you have been facing this new place. Would you like to do that?"
She sniffed and ran a hand over her eyes before she answered. "I'm not brave. I cried and screamed. They," she nodded towards Clarissa and Jonathan, " had to go get you. That isn't brave. Besides, bravery is Gryffindor."
"All houses have brave people, they just might not show it the same way that the Gryffindors do. You are brave, you took a potion without questioning me, you are talking to me - a man you only know as a professor. What happened is that you were overwhelmed by all the newness. Now, would you like to write that letter?"
Severus stood up as she nodded. "Then slip on your dressing gown and I'll see you in the common room." Picking up his potions case, he signalled for Moses to leave with him.
As they waited in the common room, Severus set out a parchment and quill. "Mr Moses, please make sure that this letter gets posted in the morning. Show Miss Barton where the owlery is so that she can mail her own when she needs to."
"Yes, sir." Moses' answer just finished when Clarissa and Emma entered the room.
Severus gestured toward the yellow and black sofa. "Write your mother and Mr Moses will help you send it out tomorrow morning. Do you need me for anything else, Miss Barton?"
Emma sat down and picked up the quill. "No, sir. Thank you."
"Then I will see you at breakfast." With a nod towards his prefects, Severus headed back to his lab.
§§§§
Albus watched as the students babbled at breakfast, filling the Great Hall with a comfortable level of noise. If questioned by his Deputy Headmistress, he would have admitted to watching the Hufflepuffs closer than the others, but he knew she would not be asking. All the other professors were watching them just as closely.
When Severus swept into the Hall, Albus shifted his attention to Septima Vector. After her outburst last night, he was wary of how she would behave this morning.
The haughty look that covered her face magnified as the entire Hufflepuff table quieted when Severus passed it, looking at everyone of them, only to have rapid conversations running its length once he made it to the High Table. Severus sat next to the Arithmancy Professor as that was the only seat that was empty. A gentle flick of his fingers ensured that Albus could hear any conversation that happened between them. He needed to be able to act if Septima refused to accept his decision.
"They don't seem to like you any better this morning, Snape." Septima leaned back in her seat, her brown eyes watching Snape's impassive face, looking for a crack to form.
Severus loaded his plate with eggs, bacon, and tomato slices before pouring himself a cup of tea to wash it all down with while he answered her. "As I stated last night, they don't have to be happy, just make it through. If they despise me, then that is the way it is."
"These are children who deserve someone who can take care of them, who is worried about what is going on in their lives. Not some cold-hearted git." Even though her words were spoken soft enough that they didn't carry past the High Table, they were sharp and the students could tell that she was not happy with Snape.
Severus answer was just as soft, but were glacially cold. "And yet, they get a cold-hearted git."
Albus let a small smile curl his lips as the Hufflepuffs started looking defensive, giving Septima warning looks. They stopped when they looked at Severus who had not exploded at the attack against him like Albus feared. Severus' face was still as impassive as when he had sat down. Since the Arithmancy Professor was just watching Severus, she never saw their reactions, only turning back to them after they had returned to their breakfasts. She gave pitying looks to the students she wanted to watch.
Breakfast was almost done when Severus headed over to give his badgers their schedules.
"Good morning, Mr Moses." Handing the seventh year his schedule, Severus accepted the returned good morning before handing out the rest of the upper years their schedule, greeting them each by name. He then proceeded to work his way down to the first years.
"Miss Barton, was your letter posted this morning?" Severus passed over her schedule while he waited for her answer.
"Mr Moses showed me where to go before we came to breakfast, Professor Snape. Thank you for suggesting it last night. Can I write Mum all the time?"
"Of course, Miss Barton. See me if you run low on parchment." Turning slightly, he handed the next first year her schedule. "Good morning, Miss Tonks."
"Good morning, Professor Snape." Nymphadora Tonks' long brown hair turned bright yellow as she accepted the parchment, only to shift to a spiky bright pink as she read it.
Noting to pull the young metamorphmagus in to check on her control of her abilities, Severus finished passing out the schedules. Without looking back at the High Table, he headed for his classroom. He had a sixth year NEWT class to prepare for.
Albus watched as Severus talked to his house and spotted the smiles that filled their faces.
"What did he say that made them smile?" Sinistra watched as Snape strode out the door, leaving a smiling group of students in his wake. "I think that is the first time I have ever seen a student smile while Snape was around."
Glancing about the High Table, Albus noticed that he and Sinistra were practically alone. The other Professors had already headed off to class. "He called them by their names."
"That's all?"
Albus nodded. He knew that something else had to be there, but he didn't know what it was. "Even the first years."
§§§§
"Excuse me, Professor Snape."
Severus looked up from his marking to see what his prefect needed. Ever since that first night almost a month ago, Jonathan Moses was not shy about finding him if his presence was truly needed in the dormitories. A quick glance showed that Clarissa Munns, Moses' ever present sidekick, wasn't there. "What can I help you with, Mr Moses?"
Moses settled into the seat that was nearest to his desk before he answered. "I was thinking... we need organized study groups."
Severus leaned back in his seat and waited.
"I know I would benefit from it, and the fifth years would really be helped."
"You are a hardworking group. There are groups always studying in the common room."
Moses leaned forward, his face earnest as he tried to explain. "Yes, sir. We are, but we are not all studying what we need to. Most of us are studying what we are interested in, not what we are doing poorly in."
Severus raised an eyebrow at that before frowning slightly. He had promised to see these children succeed, and that meant making sure they improved in their worse subjects. "Do you wish me to assign study groups based on things that each student is weak in?"
The smile curving Moses' lips assured him that that was exactly what the boy wanted him to do. "I will let the house know when they are done."
"Thank you, sir."
§§§§
Severus stopped just inside the staffroom door, his mind swirling with all that he had learned about his students up to this point. He had pulled OWL scores as well as last year exam scores and determined which study groups most of his second years and up needed to be in. They were subject to change based on the conversation he was here to have with the other professors. He needed to determine exactly how all his badgers were doing in their classes currently. Vector's voice pulled him to the present.
"Snape ignores them. I just do not think he should remain the Head of House. He isn't fit!" Vector folded her arms across her chest and glared at the space between McGonagall and Flitwick.
It was Griffith that spoke up. "How does he ignore them, and how do you know that he does?"
"I talked to some of the sixth years. I asked them if Snape was ever in their common room, and they said not often." She shifted her glare towards the Head of Slytherin. "How can he help them if he isn't there to know them and see what they need?"
Severus watched as both Filtwick and Griffith glanced at McGonagall. She was hardly seen in the Gryffindor common room either.
McGonagall folded her hands around her tea cup as she asked, "Did they say where he was? If they could find him?"
Vector looked slightly flustered. "They said he spent his evenings in his laboratory. I don't know if they know where it is, I didn't ask."
A sneer settled on Severus' face just as Flitwick called out to him.
"Do they, Snape?"
Severus let his sneer become more pronounced as Vector whipped about to see him crossing the room. "Yes, they do. They were informed where my laboratory was their first night here. The first years were shown its location the next day." He stopped next to the cluster of teachers before he continued. "As it seems Vector will never be satisfied until I ask, please enlighten me on how each of the Hufflepuffs are doing in your classes right now. Oh, and do not forget to emphasis the ones that are doing poorly."
He rested a mocking look on Vector; he would never let her know that she had just validated his reason for being there. "You can be first as they seem to be an obsession of yours."
§§§§
"Miss Tonks," Severus gestured for the first year to enter his office. "I asked you to stop by to discuss your unusual ability."
Bright blue hair faded to grey. "I'm strange. Even Mum seems to think so."
Severus raised an eyebrow at that. "She has told you that personally?"
Miss Tonks settled on the edge of the chair that was near his desk before she answered.
"Not in words, but... sometime she doesn't seem to like it. Her face gives her away."
Severus leaned against his desk as he contemplated how to respond to that. "If she does or doesn't is not of consequence at this moment. What is of consequence is that you must learn to control it. If you can learn to keep one appearance, it would be to your benefit. I do not know what you will wish to be employed as in the future, but most employers like their employees to have one appearance."
Bright blue eyes widened before the first year nodded. "But how can I? I don't think about changing, it just reacts to how I feel."
"I consulted with Professor McGonagall, and she has offered to work with you on this particular endeavour. Every Thursday, starting tomorrow, during the normal office hours, you will report to her office. Once she has had the time to assess the situation, she will let you know how long you will need to see her."
Severus fought the smile that tried to form as the grey hair went white and the blue eyes shone with even more uncertainy as they faded to grey. He knew that Miss Tonks would learn that she had nothing to fear from McGonagall.
§§§§
Severus looked over the common room, remembering two weeks earlier when he made the study groups as Moses had requested.
He watched his badgers, catching the attention of the students as it wavered. "In a conversation with your other professors, I have learned that some of you are doing poorly in a few of your classes. I know that you work hard, but you need to focus that work on the topics that you need help with. As of this afternoon, you will be working in assigned study groups. First through fifth years shall occur at the same time, with the sixth and seventh helping them. Sixth and seventh years will have their study time afterwards."
He pulled out a scroll and posted it up on the bulletin board. "These are your assigned groups."
Severus had stopped by the first week to make sure they were following his orders, and had been very pleased to find that they were. This time he was there by request. Walking further into the common room, he spotted the group that Miss Munns had asked him to come help. He noticed that the low hum that had filled the common room slowly disappear. Crossing the room, he settled on an empty stool at the table he was needed at.
"I hear that this group is having problems grasping the concepts from your potions class, even when the upper years attempted to help you."
The third years stared at him, eyes wide with a bit of trepidation filling them. It was Marcus Tucker that nodded slowly.
"Can you help us, sir?" Evelyn Rose's question broke the silence.
"I can help with concepts, but I cannot help you write your essay." Severus made eye contact with each one of them. "Now, I have noticed in class most of you have a poor understanding of potion ingredient preparation."
"I can cut them up proper."
Thomas Garrett did his best not to sound defensive, but Severus could still hear it plain as day in his voice.
"Yes, Mr Garrett, you can, but do you understand why they are cut that way? How they interact with other ingredients when they are prepared in a specific fashion?"
Bright brown eyes dropped to the table top where small fingers played with a quill.
"That is what I will explain to you tonight." Severus pulled out a set of knives and a mortar and pestle along with a few commonly used ingredients. That they were the ones used in the potion he had assigned for homework was not a mistake on his part.
"When you cut an ingredient it matters how you do so. Whether you cut it along the grain or against the grain will yield different results in the potion. One way will break down faster than the other."
"Size matters, too. Right, sir?"
"One point to you, Miss Rose." Severus watched as their eyes widened while he wrote down that point. "Now, why is size important?"
"Because they will be incorporated into the potion at different speeds and will therefore mix with the other ingredients differently. If it is slowly incorporated you can add other ingredients to modify that reaction."
"Two points, Mr Tucker." Severus caught the other years scribbling down the answers out of the corner of his eye. Moving his knife, he cut the flobberworm into both long cuts with the body and short segmented cuts across the body. "If you take a moment to peer into this worm, you will notice that the different cuts not only have different lengths, but different innards as well. The section near the tail of the worm can be added over a hot fire without any repercussions, but the part near the head should only be added over a cool fire or off the fire totally."
Reaching for his next ingredient, he started explaining how monkshood's different parts were affected by their preparation and the timing of their use.
The next hour passed faster than Severus had thought. He was amazed when he looked at all his badgers sitting there taking notes while paying close attention to his explanations. Cleaning up his tools, he cast a pleased look over the group. Pulling a black quill out of his case, he cast a quick colour charm on the edges, changing them to yellow.
"Miss Rose, you won the most points this evening." Severus handed her the quill. "Congratulations on earning this quill."
Evelyn Rose's eye brightened and her smile could have lit the room as she took her prize. "Thank you, sir!"
"You are welcome."
With a slight nod, Severus left the common room.
Thomas Garrett read over the essay topic and felt a smile slip on his face. "He said he couldn't help us, but he did."
The rest of the third years laughed as they realized that they now had the information to do their homework, and what was even better, they understood it.
§§§§
Walking quickly, Severus headed for the staff meeting. He had been held up by two of his badgers and was therefore running late. Turning the incident over in his head, he knew that there was nothing he would change, late or not.
The Hufflepuffs knew that he did not tolerate them earning detentions nor losing points since the second week of school. All it had taken was a pair of first years earning one from Griffith for them to learn it. 'They didn't expect that I would also assign them work in the dormitories - they had to tend the plants scattered about the common room for a week. The third years who lost points the next day ended up cleaning the mess left after the first years left the common room. So, those two troublemakers knew that they were tempting fate, and got what they deserved.'
As he walked into the room, he noticed that he was not the last one to arrive. Sliding into the chair that he was accustomed to, he noticed that Vector was sitting in Spout's seat next to McGonagall, and that Burl was in her normal one. Dumbledore had asked him after the Halloween staff meeting why he wasn't sitting with the other Heads of House. 'I told him that we didn't have assigned seats, and that I felt more comfortable where I was.'
A quick glance at the Headmaster showed that the older man looked mildly displeased at Vector's choice. Of course, you had to be good at reading the man to see it, and a quick look at Vector's face showed that she either didn't care or couldn't tell.
Moments later Flitwick and Sinistra settled into their seats and Dumbledore began the meeting.
"The end of the first term is quickly approaching." Bright blue eyes looked over the gathered professors and Albus smiled. "I know that we are all looking forward to the holiday. I have a calendar in my office that you need to sign up on for your days out of the castle. Please make sure you have done so by the end of this week."
He let his attention rest on Severus for a moment before continuing. He wanted to call out his Potions Professor, to tell him to give himself a break and leave Hogwarts for at least one day, but he knew, even if he did, it would be in vain.
"It is also time for the lists for the students remaining to be filled out. The Heads of House will handle this and also have it to me by the end of the week." After making eye contact with the four, he continued the meeting. They had end of term exams to discuss.