Severus' POV

It had been two months since the fire on Spinners End. We had gave Mr. Anderson a proper burial. I watched shortly afterwards as the girls heart slowly broke all over again. Every time she would cry I could feel a slight churning of my stomach. I quickly dismissed it as simply feeling sorry for the girl. I never knew how to comfort women. I had never tried. Not even with Lily. Lily…

The venom raced through my body. I could feel myself slowly slip away into the darkness. I heard someone enter the shrieking shack but was too exhausted to look up. I didn't fight it. I let the darkness fill my mind.

"Severus."

I couldn't answer but I could hear her. Lily. It was her voice. I reached out in the light for her but I couldn't see her anywhere.

"You need to wake up Sev. You're going to live. To get a second chance. Use it Sev. Move on. Find your own happiness. There is someone out there who is going to need you. Help her. Love her."

I finally found the words to speak to the voice of my dead love.

"Love? Have you lost it Lily? No girl needs my help. It is you who I have always…"

"I'm dead Severus. Please do this. For me."

Shortly after I felt myself being pulled back into the real world as I had gained a second lease on life. With the Granger girl's help of course. And now here he was. Today was the day that the students would start to flood into Hogwarts to settle themselves before the new school year begins. I had spoken with Serah this morning letting her know that I would go before her. I gave her directions to Kings Cross and left to make my way. We had just gotten out of a staff meeting and anxiously awaited the arrival of the students both old and new to the great hall. Well…I wouldn't say I was anxious. I absolutely loathed the thought of teaching more dunderheads. However, I knew that Serah wasn't going to be one of them. The times she wasn't crying she spent with her head in a textbook. The year hadn't even begun and she already had a thick stack of parchment paper full of notes. I felt a pair of eyes on me and I looked up.

Serah stared up at me as she entered the great hall and gave me a faint smile. Everyone looked around as the Headmistress brought in the infamous sorting hat and sat it on the stool in front of the high table. I sat back and wondered to myself exactly where this hat was going to put her. I tore my eyes from her and let them drift to Draco Malfoy. Lucius' son had returned to Hogwarts along with the Golden Trio and several others to repeat their last year. She was bound to hate him because of what his father did to her. I remember the hatred in her eyes the night I told her.

Serah's POV

I saw him the instant I entered the hall and all of a sudden my nerves went away. I felt a sense of calm wash over me but was replaced with more nerves the instant the Headmistress brought in a hat and sat it down on the stool in front of us.

"Good evening students. We gather here today to enjoy the beginning of the year feast as well as to sort our beloved new students. As I call your name please come forward to be sorted. But beforehand I believe the sorting hat has a few words."

She stood back for a moment and the hat suddenly broke into song.

Oh you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

Applause went around the room and the sorting began. She began calling names and each child walked up and got sorted into their respective houses. In these moments I saw eyes fall on me and I indeed did feel awkward. Severus had told me that I was the oldest student to go to school there but the stares still got to me. 'Look up silly girl.' I heard his voice in my mind and I looked up into his obsidian eyes. 'Release your breath Serah.' My eyes widened and I let my mouth open to release a breath I hadn't even realized that I was holding.

"Serah Anderson."

I looked up to Severus and I knew he could see fear in my eyes. 'You'll be alright. Now go.' I listened and slowly made my way up and sat on the stool. Headmistress McGonagal sat the hat on my head and stepped back.

"Hmm. This girl is a strange one. Never seen anything like her. I sense bravery and a kind heart, but a willingness to get things done no matter the cost. She would be good in Gryffindor but I just don't see her there. That's it. My mind is made up. This one belongs to…

SLYTHERIN"

The Slytherin table applauded as I made their way to the table. The sorting went on and I was brought out of my musings by a boy saying hello to me. I looked to him and the first thing I noticed was his platinum blonde hair. I smiled at him gently.

"You're Serah Anderson. The oldest student to ever attend Hogwarts. I'm Draco Malfoy. Nice to meet you."

I paused and looked up to Severus in a panic. He was paying attention to the other students and I wasn't quite sure what to do. So I looked back to the boy and asked the first question that crossed my mind.

"Are you…related to Lucius Malfoy?"

Surprise ran across his face.

"Yeah. He's my father. Is something wrong?"

He must have seen the panic come across my face. I was panicking for sure now. Here I was staring at the son of the man who murdered my fiancé. Severus had told me his son had been a student here but honestly I wasn't expecting to meet him so suddenly. I had no clue what to do.

"No…nothing is wrong. I just know your father is all."

"Oh really? How do you know him if I may ask."

"Simple. As a Death Eater he raped me, killed my fiancé, and left me to die."

Surprise shot across his face and he tried to gather the words to speak. Minerva interrupted his musings.

"Now that the sorting is over please do enjoy yourself. Let the feast begin!"

Food appeared on all the tables and I quickly dug in. I could see sadness come across Draco's face and for some reason I felt a need to reassure him.

"It's not you I'm angry with Draco. It's your father. But by no means do I judge you based on his actions. I actually hope we might be friends."

I gave him a smile and quickly went back to eating my food.

After the feast was done everyone started to fall in place back to their dorms. I was stopped outside the Great Hall by none other than the Headmistress herself.

"Well how are you liking things so far Ms. Anderson?"

"Oh I love it. The people here are great but I should probably be going back to the dorms with them."

"Actually you will not be staying in the dorms."

I gave her a confused look and she went on.

"It has been decided that considering your age and your obvious maturity levels that staying in the dorms with the younger students would not be sufficient. Instead we have added on to Severus' quarters and you will be staying with him. He also told me about your visions and we figured it best if you're around someone who knows your situation. Come I'll show you the way."

"That won't be necessary Minerva. I will take her with me."

I turned and looked into the obsidian eyes of Severus. The headmistress nodded and we began a slow journey down the corridor.

"So Professor Snape. Rumor has it you're my head of house."

"Professor? Last I checked the students were on the complete other side of the castle."

"Sorry. I guess I'm just trying to get into character and all."

"Don't worry with it. I'm just happy you'll be the only one here who isn't an incompetent dunderhead. Speaking of I saw you talking with Mr. Malfoy. How did that go for you?"

"I told him about what happened with his father. He was at a loss for words. I then followed by telling him that I wasn't going to judge him just because his father took my virginity."

I looked up to him and saw his eyes widen with slight surprise but he quickly disguised it. 'Oh my. He didn't know.' We stopped in front of a door and he opened it and gestured for me to go inside. I went into the sitting room and took in my surroundings. I was utterly amazed. There were shelves filled with books everywhere and there were bedrooms to both the left and right. I walked up a little further into the room and noticed that my things had kindly been moved into the room on the left. I walked into the room and was amazed. All of my things were in perfect order and what surprised me even more was that there was a picture of my father sitting on my desk. I asked myself were it came from but was stopped short by an arm on my shoulder. I turned to face Severus.

"Well? Is it to your liking Serah?"

I smiled and wrapped him in a quick embrace.

"Yes Severus it's perfect. Thank you so much."

I started to pull away but I couldn't. While I hadn't noticed his arms had snaked their way around my waist. I looked up at him and I couldn't stop myself from staring into his eyes. He brought me closer to him as he closed the distance between us. His lips met mine and it felt as if my whole world started to spin. All of a sudden my head started to hurt profusely and I felt myself fade into darkness. I saw it again. That god awful snake. It bit him over and over again. I felt tears stream down my face.

'Serah…wake up.'

I knew it was his voice but all I saw was him lying there in a pool of his own blood.

'Serah you must wake up.'

"Serah!"

I bolted up on the bed the first thing I noticed was Severus jump up. I turned to him and started to cry. Out of instinct, I guess anyway, I reached for him. He sat next to me and pulled me into his arms. I now realized that not a single student in the school would ever see him like this. The way he was with me. I pulled back to smile at him and cupped his face in my hands. I then stretched my neck forward and kissed him. He was tense at first but I felt him soften as he entangled his hand in my hair and began to kiss me back. The kiss was slow and sensual. I let out a soft whimper as he pulled away from me. He stood up and walked towards the door.

"Goodnight Serah. I shall see you in the morning."

Before he walked out I could have sworn I saw a smile on his face. I lay back on the bed and let sleep overtake me.

Severus' POV

'What the bloody hell did I just do?' These thoughts protruded my mind as I realized my actions. I just kissed her. I kissed her and she kissed me back. 'Severus you can't. She's your student.' A soft knock of the door broke me out of my stupor. I answered it to see Minerva standing there. I motioned for her to come inside and she sat down on the sofa that was in my sitting room.

"Serah is she awake?"

I shook my head and sat down on a chair across from her.

"You're troubled Severus. What's on your mind?"

"Other than me being a complete dunderhead…nothing."

"You've gone and fell for her haven't you?"

I nearly spat out my tea at her accusation.

"Merlin Minerva! Whatever are you talking about?"

"Your shields are down Severus I can see into your mind. You kissed her and you're afraid because she is now your student."

I stared at her and I knew that she could see the surprise that was splayed across my face. I never once had lowered the Occlumency on my mind yet I go and kiss her and it all goes to hell.

"It was a foolish mistake on my part and I…"

I stopped speaking whenever Minerva held up her hand.

"Severus my dear I am not going to scold you. I am only going to say this. You've been in love with a dead woman for years Severus. Now you're starting to have feelings for someone who is very much alive. Take advantage of this. The girl is not a child. If she was I would have been reluctant to let her sleep so close to you. All I have to say is to not let your affections hinder how you teach the girl. Goodnight Severus."

Without another word she got up and left me sitting there honestly wondering what the hell had just happened.