My apologies, the unedited waiting to be corrected version was posted, so I have fixed it, (my inexperience showing here)

Ch 3

The next few weeks were a blur, setting lessons, practical and theoretical, classes for first years to seventh years, it was all a bit of a whirl, and simply negotiating the castle was a job in itself. When it was her turn to patrol, she wandered the corridors with a map, learning the many twists and turns of the old castle. She marvelled that there seemed no residual damage, expecting to see some small relic of the battle fought only 2 years ago. She enjoyed giving her classes for the most part, teaching spells and wards to deflect hexes and jinxes. Listing the dangerous creatures of the enchanted and forbidden forest without prejudice. Werewolves, Blast ended Skrewts, Dragons, all deserving of a place in the wizarding world. The days passed, but a small problem came to a head.

"Minerva, I don't think I am getting respect from the older students" she had stopped her in the hall a few days later, her frustration obvious. "Especially the boys, they misbehave and when I give detention, they act as if I have rewarded them", her evening were taken up with at least 2 to 3 boys per evening, getting them to clean the walls, or writing extra scrolls whilst supervising them simply did not work. She had attempted to resolve the issue however nothing she did made a difference. It was now time to seek outside advice. So, it came to be when she saw the headmistress stride down the hall after a particularly vexatious issue, she made up her mind to deal with it. After explaining the problem, the headmistress smiled,

"Come with me, I think I have an answer to your problem" she said with a twinkle in her eye, "Something Severus has helped me with before." she walked down the corridor, coming upon the Potions classroom. Professor Snape was alone, checking through his students' lessons. The only sound was the quill scratching on the parchment.

"Excuse me Severus, may we have a word" he looked up slowly, a dark look on his face, irritation obvious.

"Do I have a choice? I really am quite busy Minerva"

"Tsk Severus" she chided, "We have a small problem with some of our older boys", He looked right at her, eyes boring into hers with relish.

"We? so our Auror can't handle a sixteen year old? my my, I can't see how you would be effective against an adult now….." he trailed off accusingly. Allegra blushed, she had been thinking the same thing and had been reluctant to seek help. Professor Snape leaned back in his chair, looked at the Auror up and down.

"So, how can I be of help" he drawled, "I live to serve" he finished sarcastically.

"I will leave it for you to work out with Allegra I have an appointment with Mr Filtch, he said Mrs Norris was hexed, I believe you may be able to assist" she replied and swept from the room. Allegra watched her leave, this was really embarrassing. She stayed where she was, reluctant to go any further.

"Well, come in, stop hovering, people will think I am rude" he motioned to a chair in front of the desk. This was the first time she had actually had an opportunity to speak to him, he usually finished his meal quickly and spent most of his time in his rooms or class. She sat and took in his appearance properly. She had seen the photos in his file, they didn't do him justice. A strong face, framed by black shoulder length hair, slight waves falling from a part in the centre, intelligent penetrating eyes with a magnificent nose, pale skin that seemed like it never saw the sun. His buttoned-up frock coat reminiscent of a Regency gentleman, black cravat and white undershirt, his professorial cloak draped his large shoulders. She started to explain the situation,

"I have never taught before, discipline of others here is very different from what I usually dish out…I can't exactly use a binding curse or a bludgeon to the head, however much one wishes to." she thought she saw a smile lift at the corner of his mouth, He looked her up and down again, taking in every detail of her appearance. His mouth askew, one finger resting on his jawline, seeming to measure his words carefully.

"Detention is supposed to be punishment," He drawled "Sitting in a room with an attractive teacher to a young man is simply not a deterrent, it's what he wants, your undivided attention" he leaned forward and said conspiratorial, "you know what they say about pretty ladies," she looked confused, then it hit her like a brick, the sly glances up in her direction, the notes she found she had assumed for the younger female classmates, the way one boy would push another into her path, giggling at the resultant embarrassment to the young man. She blushed a little but held his gaze.

"So, your advice then Professor apart from a bag over my head? "she could be just as snarky as him.

"Well, you could try a little corporal punishment, a stout book should do, I have found them particularly satisfying, though in your case, that might fan the flames of their ardour." He looked at her quizzically for a few moments, "I tell you what, next time you have a problem, let them know their detention will be with me, you will quickly see a rapid decrease of problems, I assure you." She looked up, surprised at his generosity,

"I couldn't do that, they take up much of my free time and I couldn't burden you with that."

He snorted, "Believe me my dear, the first detention will be the last, no one, I repeat no one would be that foolish, and besides, they are evil little shits, watch me crush them."

The next day, two of her students deliberately jinxed each other, Hilly Kristal's hair had turned a slime green colour, and Phil Allen's nose shrank to half its size, whilst the rest of the class looked on and laughed, she said,

"Kristal, Allen, Detention, 5 o'clock today," she noted their smiles, but she went on, "Report to Professor Snape's office promptly, he will be expecting you." She nearly laughed out loud at the looks on their faces, the colour rapidly draining from them. the other students gasped, giggled and even some applause,

"But, miss," they cried in unison, she cut them off, and sternly repeated,

"Professor Snape, 5 on the dot, now back to your lessons" the response was immediate, all eyes down, and all nary a word for the rest of the lesson.

After that it seemed to work, no more hi jinx, no more tomfoolery, and her older students became easier to deal with. It seemed the threat of punishment from Snape was all it needed. Even the first years seemed to understand. At the end of the week she headed to professor Snape's office and leaned into the doorframe. He was again at his desk, and hearing her footsteps looked up at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Thank you, Professor, you were right, your reputation is it seems, well des…" he snorted derisively breaking in,

"Of course," he said, "I make sure that I am unpleasant as possible to remove any doubt of my intentions, it has worked for me for almost twenty years and has served me well." He snarled and went back to the work in front of him. Well she thought, at least he's upfront about it. She hesitated, but then moved forward placing a bottle on his desk.

"I understand it's your favourite" he looked at the Firewhisky that she had placed there. He seemed hesitant and she said softly, "I do appreciate your help" he checked the label. Hmm.. 25yrs, he looked up at her as he moved it closer to him.

"I hope you do not expect to share it with me," he intoned lazily, his deep baritone lingering, "I am not exactly well known for my hospitality." He turned from her, she endeavoured to speak again but he cut her off, "Was there anything else." He stared back at her, it was obvious he wished to be left alone, so she turned and walked away, only looking back at him after she had left his office.

oOo