ENVY
Title: Covet
Rating: G
Warnings:
Word Count: 316
Every year it had been the same.
"Welcome back, Professor Quirrel!" Dumbledore shook the wizard's hand, and Snape stared into his teacup and scowled.
Every year, at the same time, as if it's happening on purpose.
"Professor Lockhart! Welcome to Hogwarts." Flitwick had been most encouraging, even asking for an autograph in his copy of "Travel with Trolls". Snape glared at the lurid purple robes, and resisted the urge to hex that simpering smile off the new professor's face.
I wanted it. I wanted it so badly.
"Professor Snape." Lupin held out his hand, obviously prepared to be at the very least civil, but Snape ignored it and merely muttered "Lupin". The new professor's hand hung in the air a moment before he abandoned the effort.
It was all I had left. My only ambition. Was it a punishment, to keep me from it?
"And I'm sure you'll join me in welcoming Professor Moody to the staff." Snape's dark expression should have curdled the milk on all the tables. Minerva tried to pass him the scones, but he sat motionless and she gave up and put them beside her.
I know sometimes he had no choice. Or did he?
"And you've been trying for the position of 'Defence Against the Dark Arts'?"
"Yes"
"But you've not been successful?"
"Obviously." He wondered if there was a special potion she used to keep the warts off that toad-like face. If only she'd ask him for some ...
Every year, waiting, hoping, watching the new teachers fail and knowing somehow that the next year, it still wouldn't be him!
"And this year, Professor Snape will be teaching 'Defence against the Dark Arts'."
And now that he had it, now that it was finally his, he knew he'd been fooling himself. And that he would have given it all up just to have Lily back again for one short hour...