J.K. Rowling owns HP I own OC and the plot. thanks :)

Alone No More

CHAPTER TWO: problem

2

Sitting at the high table, Severus Snape fumed. He sneered at the students before him with terrible disdain. Each house, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor all sat at their respective tables, chatting noisily and eating the meal set before them. His mind kept settling on a certain blonde witch, who completely dumbfounded him. Never had he seen a witch command a classroom with such force as to match his own cold, demanding approach. He of course cared about his students, that would be why he was so hard on them. They needed to feel as if a mistake would cost them more than just house points, they needed to understand that mistakes and potions did not mix. The more he let that simmer he realized that mistakes and the dark arts did not mix either. Mistakes could be rather costly when facing a dark enemy. This could be why Professor Ollivander was making said impression upon her students.

It was like staring at himself in a mirror, only the reflection was unmistakably female. He would go to Dumbledore and rake her over the coals. He looked down at his plate, his stomach turning at the sight. Instead of consuming the iffy meal, he reached for his goblet, only to find it empty.

"I seem to have arrived at the proper moment." Lumora quipped as she stood next to Professor Snape, a wave of her hand filling his goblet. He glanced sideways at her as she took the chair beside him. Cautiously, he inspected the contents of his glass, only to find it filled with a mulled wine, not pumpkin juice. "Frankly I just can't stand pumpkin juice, can you?" she asked ever so innocently, her eyes twinkling as she did the same to her glass.

Snape detested pumpkin juice. How did she know? Maybe she didn't, maybe she was just as forceful as he was, assuming others would just deal with the consequences. Confusion like he had never felt before slowly mixed with the anger of being matched came over him. He fumed, taking a sip of the goblet, only to feel his throat melt as the heavenly liquid traveled to his stomach. His anger slowly came back under control under the influence of her masterful magic.

"Seems the house elves have out done themselves yet again. I'll need to speak with Ramona." She muttered absently, "Thank goodness for the wine."

Relishing the taste of the wine, "My sentiments exactly." Snape replied, his voice low and curt. He did not want to excessively agree, but he had to hand it to the witch, she was correct.

The meal progressed, Lumora ate her food slowly, picking at the meat that had been served. She only addressed Snape once, to refill his glass. She noticed it was empty and turned to him, reaching for the goblet in front of him only to have him do the same. He placed his hand over hers, electricity sparked between the contact of skin, causing Lumora to give a slight gasp. Snape quickly pulled his hand away as she took and refilled his glass. She slid it back over to him, removing her hand quickly. He nodded in thanks. For the first time in his life, Snape found himself distracted. He watched from the corner of his eye as she took a sip from her own cup, a little of the wine remaining at the corner of her mouth. Her little pink tongue darted out to catch the drip, a napkin followed to ensure cleanliness. Snape did not know what to think of the witch seated next to him, something about her infuriated him to no end, yet he was fascinated by her every move. He quickly finished his glass and got up from the table, leaving in a swirl of black cloak.

Lumora watched him go, feeling her heart pounding loudly in her chest. She wondered if he felt the fire that was now slowly burning in her belly. Professor Snape was going to be a strong source of distraction. She let her mind wander, excited at the prospect of working with him in the dueling club could be this electric.

Professor Snape found himself heading for the Headmaster's chambers. He wanted to speak to Dumbledore, and he wanted to speak to him now.

Dumbledore looked at the complex, heroic man before him. Little did Severus know, but his little "problem" was going to get a whole lot worse.

"And did you know that she's an Animagus?" Severus roared. He was outraged that Dumbledore would hire someone with that skill to teach the children, especially since her Animagus was so dangerous.

"McGonagall is an Animagus Severus." Dumbledore reminded him.

He had forgotten that, how had he forgotten that? Of course, "I'm sorry. I did not mean that sir." He apologized coldly.

"Yes, yes you did Severus. You are trying to find fault and you have found it. Yes being an Animagus can come at a disadvantage, especially hers. She will be ridiculed if the students find out she turns into a simple bird."

Severus considered this. "Sir, she turns into the rarest eagle known to the magical world."

"The black eagle?" Dumbledore asked.

"You did not know?" Snape roared again.

"All she stated was that she is an Animagus and she turns into a bird!" Dumbledore stated, "I assumed it was not worth embarrassing her over. Perhaps I came to the worst and thought she became an owl."

Snape chuckled at that. "No, she becomes the most beautiful, dangerous predator outside of a hippogriff, with a pair of wings!"

"Your forgetting about Dragons Severus." Dumbledore again reminded him, "But, alas, this revelation does not change much. It only increases my like for the girl. She reminds me a lot of you my dear boy. She commands a classroom well, and demands respect as if it is her very breath. Rightfully so, I might add."

"And what do you mean,'rightfully so,' sir?" Snape sneered.

"Maybe you should ask her," Dumbledore smiled. A knock sounded at his door. "Come in," Snape turned to the visitor, only to come face to face with Professor Lumora Ollivander.

Dumbledore had asked Lumora to report to him as soon as she was finished with dinner. She knew that he would want to ask her about her first week of classes and to ask if plans for the dueling club had been made. She tried not to think of the spark that had passed between her and Professor Snape. She had found him dashingly attractive when he had stormed into her classroom earlier. That was why she had changed and literally flown the coop.

She reached the Headmaster's chambers and knocked. She could hear Snape's voice on the other side of the door, its deepness reverberating through her chest. Goodness the man had a sexy voice.

"Come in," she heard Dumbledore say as the portrait before her cracked open. She pushed it open and stepped inside, coming almost nose to nose with Snape. She moved away to the side toward the Headmaster's desk, taking in his hard glare, she glared back.

"Thank you for coming as soon as you could Miss Ollivander." Dumbledore greeted her.

Severus stood behind her, struck again by how much she commanded of the room around her. He felt matched yet again. "Professor Ollivander, Headmaster," Severus gave a nod and brief bow then swept from the room.

Lumora couldn't help herself before she sank into a chair opposite of Dumbledore and hung her head in her hands. "Dear, what ever is the matter?" The old wizard inquired gently.

"Headmaster, everything is alright. I just felt dizzy that's all." she explained, 'I'm dizzy because his very presence intoxicates me.' "I'm fine,"

Professor Snape stood just outside the door, listening. He caught her almost faint and smiled to himself. Maybe she did feel the overwhelming attraction he felt whenever near her. He was convinced it was what drew him into her very classroom and again to the Headmaster's chambers. The smile began to fade. He was extremely unsettled by it. He could not afford a distraction. He needed to keep sharp and in control.

"Good. How was your week?"

"The students seem to be lacking in instruction from previous years. It seems though that Professor Lupin did do a good job of giving the students hands on knowledge. I did get asked if they were going to get some hands on lessons like they had with Lupin. That is my desire exactly. I have also asked Professor Snape to help me with a dueling club, commencing in a few minutes, sir."

"Splendid. Severus is really quite talented at dueling. He will challenge even you, I am sure. Also, if you are summoned again by Lord Voldemort, be sure to send word before you go. We need to be ready if you need any medical attention." Dumbledore said, "Alright, it seems you are going to be a wonderful addition to our staff here at Hogwarts. I have gotten many wonderful comments about your talents and abilities. Now go, and please enjoy yourself at the dueling club!"

"Thank you Headmaster. Professor Snape will soon be fully enlightened, as we have now truly met."

Professor Snape's mind reeled. "Truly met?" What did she mean by that cryptic statement? Hmmm...So that is why he had recognized her. But there were no blonde female Death Eaters! He had, after all, been punished that night, maybe he just couldn't recall their newest addition. He would confront her after the dueling club and demand the truth. He swept down the staircase, all the way to his dungeons to prepare for battle.

Dearest Readers,

And so it begins, the search for the truth, after all that is what our favorite Potions Master does best :) please review and let me know what you think...up next is "duel."

xoxo

Lumora The White