Man where the hell is everybody? Only two people, two people have read so far…y'all please leave a review okay? Sorry if I'm being pushy but I miss my viewers, and I'm sure everyone else does too. I'll try to be a little more patient but y'all just promise me you'll review okay? Read and enjoy please. I don't own Harry Potter either.
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One year later:
"Severus come on you're going to make us late for the feast." Salena shouted impatiently as she stood outside Snape's room. It had been a year since Salena was released from her crystal prison by Snape and Dumbledore. Ever since then she'd gotten herself a job as a flight professor, she settled down at Hogwarts and became good friends with all the professors, including Snape. They'd become best friends despite the rough part earlier. Salena was very excited about seeing the boy who lived, she knew which house he'd be put in, but she wasn't going to spoil it for the others.
"Hold your hippogriffs I'm coming." Snape shouted back at her coming out of his room. He was wearing his same old black cloak that he always wore, Salena rolled her eyes and walked through the hall with him to the Great Hall.
"I don't get it Severus, why do you have to wear that same cloak every day of the year; don't you have anything else to wear besides that ratty old thing?"
"First of all it's not the only one I have, I've got many robes like this one, you just haven't noticed, and it's not ratty either."
"Is so, and the reason I don't notice is because I never go into your closet! Now come on, the students are starting to gather, and you know how Dumbledore hates it when we're late."
"I know, but do you really have to be so critical about everything Sally, honestly you're starting to sound like Bellatrix."
"Severus what did I say about comparing me to other witches and wizards, dark ones at that?"
Snape just scoffed only to be slapped on the head, hard. Salena hissed at him and walked ahead of him into the teachers' passageway. As soon as she walked in she could the tables partly filling up with the other students and every other teacher was already there. She took a seat in the seat next to Snape's and he took his own next to Quirrell. The students continued to file into the room in their seats and McGonagall walked outside to where the first years were waiting.
"This is it Severus…Harry Potter comes to Hogwarts at last. It'll probably be better here than at that ridiculous home he has."
"Yes maybe so, but right now let's just wait and see where he's going exactly." Salena gave a small smile at Dumbledore and he smiled back, then McGonagall walked inside and he nodded again and she left.
A minute later Minerva McGonagall walked back inside and behind her were the new first years. Salena immediately recognized Draco Malfoy and his two friends Crabbe and Goyle. She even spotted Ronald Weasley, though both she and they all didn't get along to well when the others were around. After they stopped, Dumbledore went and made a small announcement to them and sat back down. McGonagall started calling out names and as Salena predicted, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley were in Gryffindor, Draco Malfoy in Slytherin, and Susan Bones in Hufflepuff. Now it was his turn, Harry Potter's turn to be placed in a house.
As the sorting hat was placed on his head, the hat started speaking; apparently this would be a difficult decision for it to decide.
"He really is an extraordinary boy." Salena whispered to Snape.
"Really I'm not seeing anything extraordinary at this point."
"Oh Severus, can't you act civil here for once around me?" suddenly the hat cried out "Gryffindor!", and cheers went all around for the boy, even Salena cheered with Dumbledore as she clapped her hands loudly.
Soon the ceremony ended and the feast began; all the students and professors began eating their fill as they started chatting about the new year and what they had planned for it. Snape was talking with Quirrell through most of the feast, while Salena just talked with McGonagall and Trelawney about what they were planning for the year.
Later on the feast ended and everyone in the room went to their houses, with prefects leading the first years. Salena led some Slytherin first years to the Slytherin common room since the other prefect was currently off duty for the night.
"Welcome to the Slytherin common room everyone, girls' dormitory is upstairs to the left, boys the same on your right. You'll find all your belongings have already been brought up; classes start first thing tomorrow at ten, breakfast is at nine. Keep in mind though to watch out for one of the ghosts', his name is Peeves and I recommend you not let him place you as a target, he's one of the most mischievous ghosts in the castle. Goodnight everyone, see you first thing tomorrow." With that the students walked up to their dorms and Salena went back through the hall passageway to her room.
Unlocking her bedroom door Salena undid her hair bun and let the black shades curtain her shoulders like a blanket. Naomi was already asleep and judging by the large bump in the onyx-colored anaconda's belly she must've had a big dinner. Salena snuck quietly over to her wardrobe and pulled out a white-cotton sleeping gown and took off her evening wear. Discarding of the high heels she wore she carefully sat them down in the closet along with hanging up her dress and robes. She was teaching a class of first year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs for her tenth year of teaching. Madame Hooch was teaching Gryffindor and some Slytherin, although truth be known Salena wanted to teach that class, since one of Austin's descendants, young Draco Malfoy was in it. Salena grabbed a ribbon and tied her hair into a low ponytail with it after brushing it out. She cleaned off her make-up, brushed her teeth and went to prepare her bed when a knock came on the door.
'Strange, who could be up at this hour?' Salena walked to the door and took a small peek in the hole through the door to see Severus Snape standing there in a black bath robe and night clothes; sighing slightly she pulled the door open and let him in.
"Do what do I owe this pleasure of you coming into my room when it's a quarter to eleven Severus?"
"Sorry Lady Salena but I just came to check and see if you were alright, since you did disappear with the first years after dinner."
"Severus for the last time quit calling me lady, and I had to do so because the prefect on duty was currently out for the night as I told you he would be. Now what's the real reason you came here?" Snape's eyes went wide as Salena quirked an eyebrow at him and he turned his face away with a light blush flooding his cheeks.
"N-Nothing…I was j-just, coming here…to d-do just that…" Snape then turned on his heel and walked out of Salena's bedroom shutting the door behind him. Salena went from suspicious to confusion on seeing the stiff, hard-core professor leave when she heard a slight hiss in the corner of the room. There stood Naomi with her head up high and a big smile ear to ear on her face.
"What're you smiling for?"
"I think he likes you my mistress." Salena laughed lowly at this and turned away from her snake friend.
"Oh don't be silly Naomi, we're just friends and we will always be just that okay?" the snake then let down her head and closed her eyes.
"Whatever you say mistress Salena…"
'Silly snake, always making jokes on every man who tries to move on me…although…I can't help but feel…oh no what am I doing?! I can't be falling for him! It can't happen… (sadly) and it never will…"
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The next afternoon:
As Salena began her lesson with Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw she adjusted her gloves and straightened her robes so she wouldn't look so shabby. The two lines of students stood the opposite of each other and Salena walked to the front and cleared her throat.
"Good morning class…"
"Good morning Professor Sardinia." The class greeted her as they stood straight.
"Welcome to your first flying lesson, now I want each of you to hold your right hand over your broom, and make sure it's directly over the broom. When you have done so, say up, but say it with feeling." Each student did as told and soon everyone had a broom in their hands despite some getting smacked in the face by mistake.
"Good job everyone, now after you've got a good grip on your broom; I want you to mount it. Grip it tight, and when I blow my whistle you will each push yourself off the ground with your foot, hover for a moment, lean forward slightly, and touch back down. On my whistle, three…two…one… (Whistle goes off)." Everyone did as they were told, but unfortunately a Ravenclaw girl named Cecilia Atkinson flew about five feet in the air by accident, and fell forward off her broomstick face-first to the ground.
Salena immediately ran over to the girl's side and helped her stand up to see she had a nosebleed. As the blood dripped from her nostrils, Salena yanked out her wand and mumbled a healing spell which cleaned off the blood and Cecilia's nose stopped hurting.
"Feel better dear?"
"Yes professor, thank you."
"Quite alright, now let this be a lesson to each of you, if you push too hard off the ground with your brooms, you must be very careful and lean forward only a smidge and land on your feet to be sure you don't end up like Ms. Atkinson hear; I'd really hate to send any of you to the hospital wing on the first day. Now I want you to continue with what you were doing and if you perfect your landing lesson I will tell you if you can fly a bit around the courtyard, on my signal, three…two…one…GO!!"
Everyone started hovering up to five feet above ground and once someone's landing was perfected so far, Salena let them fly a small bit around the courtyard, but they weren't allowed to go past the height of Professor McGonagall's window. After an hour of flying Salena blew the whistle and called back everyone to the ground. She collected their brooms and after every single one was in her arms, she called out some house elves to place them back in the shed as they were earlier.
"Well done everyone, now since you all did such a good job, I'm awarding five points to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff each, and I want each of you to write an essay about today's lesson and what you thought of it, also place in the favorite broomstick you would want in case you had your own. On my desk Wednesday at the beginning of class, you're dismissed." The students all said good-bye and walked inside to their next class after gathering their other school books. Salena then grabbed her books and headed straight for the Defense against the Dark Arts class she was covering for since Quirrell was away for the morning, very rare during this time of year. Pushing the thoughts aside she raced down the corridor past the flood of students in the corridor to their next class until she accidentally ran into three Slytherin first year boys. The two taller ones merely stumbled a bit but the shorter one fell on his back dropping all his books.
"Oh dear, are you boys alright?"
The taller boys nodded but the smaller one grunted as he struggled to sit up and gather his things. Salena reached down to grab the boys' Transfiguration book when she immediately recognized him as Draco Malfoy, when he looked at her his eyes went wide.
"Ms. Sardinia, I'm so sorry…I didn't mean t-to…!" she held a finger to the eleven-year old kid's lips quieting him. Handing him his book she helped him to stand up and bent down to his level.
"It's alright Draco; I wasn't watching where I was going. Where're you boys heading now?"
"Defense against the Dark Arts Professor…"
"Well what a coincidence, it turns out I'm covering for that class this morning. Your professor seems to be preoccupied for the time being…so I'm taking over for the class until he gets back after lunch. Shall you walk with me there?"
"Yes ma'am." All three boys followed Salena to the classroom and when they reached it the boys took their seats and Salena went straight to the desk and placed down her things.
"Good morning everyone, I am Professor Sardinia and I am covering for Professor Quirrell who is currently away until this afternoon. Now I'd like each of you to open your books to page twenty five, read over the chapter, and answer the questions at the end. When you finish bring me your work and do the same with the next two chapters."
All the students groaned at the work they were given but Salena held up her hand in silence.
"Now don't get all gloomy on me, this is the work Professor Quirrell left for you; shouldn't take more than forty-five minutes to complete, unless you're a slow reader. Off you go there now…" everyone did as instructed and while they did so Salena pulled out a book of Potions and Brews to pass the time until someone brought her their work. This was indeed going to be an exciting year for them all.
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Halloween Great Hall 8:30 p.m.:
The Great Hall was full of Hogwarts students and teachers eating their fill of treats that had just been prepared for them as others began to walk in. Harry Potter sat with his friends at the Gryffindor table eating their candy and cakes, although one couldn't help but notice someone was missing.
"Eleanor, are you alright? You seem troubled…" McGonagall looked over at Salena asking the question, but unfortunately, the dazed out woman just sat there with a hand on her forehead, picking at her food.
"I don't think she heard you Minerva…Elly, Eleanor?" Dumbledore waved a hand in her face but Salena still didn't make a move. Snape saw this and picking up a candy off his plate he threw it towards her and it landed at her cheek. This immediately woke the flight professor up from her daze and she looked around trying to recollect where she was.
"W-Wha…what happened?"
"You were in another trance… (whispers)… was it another vision this time?" Snape whispered to her and she whispered back.
"No, I'm just tired…I was up all night grading papers for Flitwick." She yawned and went back to putting bits of food off her fork into her mouth. Just as she almost finished her meal Quirrell suddenly ran into the hall.
"TROLL!! IN THE DUNGEON!!! TROLL IN THE DUNGEON!!!" everything went quiet as the stuttering professor stood in the middle of the floor, before he got a weird look on his face. "Thought you want to know…hmph." The man then collapsed on the floor and a roll of thunder was heard before the kids started screaming in terror, trying to leave the Great Hall.
"SILENCE!!!!!!" Dumbledore cried out to the hall and everyone went quiet and still. "Everyone will please, not panic. Now…prefects will lead their house back to the dormitories, teachers will follow me, to the dungeons." Prefects did their job as everyone filed out of the Great Hall and teachers left for the dungeons.
As Salena began to follow Dumbledore and the others she spotted Snape sneaking away into another corridor to the third floor. Taking her chance when the others weren't looking, she raced off into another way she knew and went to head him off until a loud stomping noise stopped her in her tracks. The stomping got louder and the snake princess hid behind a hallway where she spotted the large mountain troll going into a hallway close to the Slytherin dorm.
"Strange, there are two mountain trolls here? Wonder where the other one is…best take care of this one fir---!" before she could finish her sentence a large twenty inch club came down at her and smashed a nearby vase two feet from her face. Looking up she found herself staring directly into the large yellow eyes of the angry mountain troll. Taking a step back she pulled her wand from her pocket and pointed it at the troll's face.
"Expelliarmus!!" she shouted loudly but the curse missed and hit the ceiling when the large club swung at her again this time knocking her straight to the wall on her back. Clutching her wand tightly Salena threw another curse at the troll hitting it directly in its chest, knocking it off its feet and onto the floor, unconscious. Footsteps were heard down the hall and before Salena lost consciousness she could see blurry visions of Dumbledore, Trelawney, and Poppy all around her.
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Three days later:
Blurry visions were flooding through her mind like a rapid river flowing in a thunderstorm. The visions had been seen already, but they kept coming and coming at her nonstop. She stirred slightly to feel sheets underneath and over her, her head was resting against something soft, and there was something cool and wet resting on her forehead. Her eyes blinked open to see everything blurry but soon became clear when she heard a voice close by.
"Albus, she's waking up!" it sounded like Poppy Pomfrey, then came the sounds of footsteps soon to be Dumbledore, Poppy, McGonagall, and Trelawney.
"Eleanor, can you hear us?" Poppy asked as she took the cold rag off. Salena gave a stiff nod only to find she had a headache throbbing in her brain. Placing a hand on her icy forehead she rubbed it slightly before her vision cleared some more.
"Wha…what happened to me?" she asked hoarsely.
"You were found in the hallway dear; apparently you went off to fight the troll's brother without our help." McGonagall replied with a slight smile. Salena stared at her until everything started to come back to her, Dumbledore spoke up next.
"The troll struck you with its club and you hit it before you fell unconscious. You're very lucky, any harder and you might've broken your back."
"How long h-have I been out?"
"Three days dear, Madame Hooch covered for your classes, Severus was just here but we sent him to get some rest. He was worried about you, we all were."
"Severus…was here; for how long?"
"He was by your side everyday; he left just an hour before you woke up."
"If you don't mind me saying, I kind of saw Severus running off towards the third floor. I guessed he might've sensed wrongness somewhere."
"Yes we know dear, Severus explained everything to us. Also you should know that Harry and Ronald took down the other troll, just before we found you. No one knows exactly how the trolls got inside the palace walls, but we do have a few suspects."
"That's good, can I move now?"
"Yes, I suppose you're fully recovered…although I ask you not to do anything hyperactive otherwise you could end up bedridden for a week or so." Salena nodded and slowly got up in and Minerva gave her a hand to walk while she struggled to stand. Giving her a thankful nod and shaking hands with Dumbledore and Poppy, Salena went through the corridor walking past students with a smile and back to her room. When she entered the common room she saw Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle come up to her.
"Professor Sardinia, you're well I assume?" Draco asked glancing up at her.
"Yes Draco I'm fine and alive. Where is Professor Snape, I need to speak with him."
"I'm not sure; I think he went to his room or maybe his office…" Salena smiled and gave Draco a small hug and the other boys' one before continuing on her way to her bedroom.
As she creaked the door open Naomi jumped onto her shoulders hissing happily. The snake snuggled close to her and Salena giggled at her friend's silliness.
"You silly snake, what got you all worked up?" she asked giving the snake a light hug around the neck.
"I'm just so glad you're well my mistress, I was worried sick about you. Even Snape was worried, he was pacing so much in his room I was afraid he'd run through the floor."
"Hey he couldn't have been that worried, could he?"
"Why not ask him yourself? He went to his room about thirty minutes ago after feeding me. His meals are quite delicious I'll add."
"I'll check on him later, right now I have to change and freshen up for dinner tonight."
"Yes my mistress, as you wish."
Naomi then slid off Salena's shoulders and went into her camouflage form before slithering through the small passageway Dumbledore made in case Naomi ever got bored from being inside all the time. Salena went over to the closet and pulled out a simple black and silver dress with a matching robe and threw her others into the spot they'd been in three days ago. Once the dress and shoes were on she picked up her silver hairbrush and cleaned her messy hair tying it into a high neat bun. Putting on her small diamond shaped earrings she fixed her makeup and left the room before knocking on Snape's door. No one answered, she knocked again, still no answer; Salena's mood went to puzzlement and as she grabbed the doorknob she opened the door to see the Potions' master sleeping on his large bed. The room didn't seem like much, there was a nightstand with a lamp on it, a Slytherin banner on the wall, green curtains, a wardrobe and chest, a desk, and a vanity with no more than a brush, comb and a mirror on it.
'Typical man…though this room does suit him.' Salena walked over to the man and sat down on the side close to his head. She brushed a greasy hair away from his head and softly traced his hooked nose, almost soothingly. Snape stirred slightly at the touch, and when his eyes opened he saw a woman like no other.
"S-Salena…?"
"Rise and shine sleepy head, c'mon now we'll be late for dinner."
Snape immediately sat up and after a quick second his arms wrapped around the centuries old witch, making a large red blush cross over her face. Salena stood rock still in his arms before her own arms found their way around him. They held each other for a minute until Snape immediately pulled back, his face turning blood red in a blush.
"I-I'm so s-sorry….I-I don't know what came over me Sally…" Salena just blushed bright red like Snape and shook her head in assurance.
"It's…okay Sev…it felt, kind of…good."
"I was worried…about you…"
"I know, Poppy told me. How you stood by my side for three days, how you found me and all. Well, best get dressed before we're late."
"I am dressed, and I'm not hungry now…"
"Nonsense, you need to eat…you're too thin."
"Too thin; since when am I too thin? I'm perfectly fine…"
"No you're not, and as your founder's child I command you to get your ass up and come eat with me." Snape wouldn't budge at all, and instead of pulling him up Salena yanked out her wand and used a curse to slam him onto the floor, cleaned his greasy hair, and fixed his robes before grabbing his hand and leading him out the door.
"Really woman is there anything you won't tolerate?"
"Disobedience is one thing, but ignorance I won't."
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Hogwarts Train Station:
As the month went by Salena began to keep close watches on both Draco and Harry Potter since the troll incident, but now that she was an honorary member of the Malfoy family as partial guardian of Draco at school, she had other duties to attend to. She and Severus both were now escorting young Draco Malfoy home for the Christmas holidays along with Crabbe and Goyle, whom they were to drop off at their homes before going on to Malfoy Manor. They were now on the platform of the muggle train station where they were to find the carriage Lucius had sent to get them.
"Come along now boys, we can't keep your parents waiting much longer." Salena spoke as the Slytherin trio went to grab their baggage from the train. As they loaded their things onto the trolleys the two professors lead them out of the station and to the street where they found a carriage disguised as a muggle car to prevent any suspicions. The driver helped Salena load the baggage in the back until out of the blue a man came up and grabbed Draco by his collar and held a pistol to his head.
"Gimme your money or the kid dies!" he shouted. Taking a closer look at the man Salena saw he was none other than an ordinary muggle dressed in dirty jeans, a ragged shirt, filthy shoes, and a ruffled jacket and with a cap on his head. He seemed to be middle-aged but this didn't surprise the snake princess.
"Let the boy go and I might give you what you want." Snape snarled giving him the evil eye. The man only pulled harder on Draco's collar, which was beginning to choke him.
"Careful Sev…he's drunk."
"Gimme the money NOW!!" the man was getting impatient. Draco was scared out of his wits and started to cry due to the pain the man was inflicting on him.
"Shut up yeh brat!!! Shut up now or I'll beat yeh to the ground!!" Draco only cried more and the man's temper shot up and he hit Draco in the face, hard. A red flush appeared there and this made Snape furious at a mere muggle beating his godson. Snape's eyes were flaring and he kicked the man below the belt with his knee. The ragged muggle bent over in pain and suddenly a cop came their way; he handcuffed the man and looked at Draco.
"You okay son?" Draco nodded and ran over to Snape and hugged his legs while Snape's hand patted his back gently to sooth his crying. The cop bid them a good-bye and left with the muggle after pulling him up off the ground and over to his car.
Salena grabbed the other two and helped them into the carriage while Snape calmed Draco and helped him in. The flight professor pulled a blanket over the three and tucked them in since it would be a long drive to their homes. Salena and Snape decided to spend Christmas with the Malfoys and would stay only for a bit until after Christmas day. Then they would need to return to Hogwarts to make sure the you-know-what was safe from harm. They drove off past many muggle shops until they came across a secret portal that led to the land of where most magical families of great wealth lived. Stopping in front of a large house they quickly helped Crabbe get his things when the house elves came running out to meet them.
"Taffy, Candy! Get my things and take them to my room!" Crabbe demanded and the two elves nodded using their elf magic to levitate the trunk and suitcase before apparating inside.
"See ya later guys." Crabbe said before shaking hands with everyone and walking up the sidewalk where his father waved at them. They waved back and the carriage pulled off back to the road. Fifteen minutes later they stopped at another house and Goyle's parents were waiting for him with two servants. Goyle got out and hugged his mother and father before saying goodbye to the others while the other two took his bags.
"Have a good holiday Goyle!" Salena called while the carriage pulled away. It would take thirty minutes to reach Malfoy Manor, so while they drove they talked only for a bit.
"So Draco, how are your parents?" Salena asked checking over his bruised face from earlier.
"They are well Professor; how long do you plan to stay with us?"
"At least until after Christmas Draco, the headmaster wants us back early this year. Although I wish we could stay a little longer…" Salena spoke softly after brushing back a strand of blonde hair behind his ear.
"I do too, it's not much fun without Aunt Bella around anymore." Salena and Snape looked at each other with concerned looks about when Bellatrix and Rodolphus were arrested soon after Draco turned four. Looking back at the boy they just gave a small smile until the carriage came to a stop in front of a large mansion with large gates marked "M" for Malfoy. The gates opened and let the carriage in; when they reached the front of the house a house elf came out and gave a bow before two more showed up with him.
"Dobby has come to tell young master Malfoy that the master and mistress are currently away and should be back any time soon. Dobby has instructions to take the young masters' belongings to his room and feed him, along with the masters' guests."
"Do as you will Dobby, let us know when Lucius and Narcissa arrive the moment you see them alright?"
"Yes Lady Eleanor, Dobby shall tell." The little house elf disapparated with the baggage and both professors walked inside with the other servants to the dining room after using a cleansing spell to brush up.
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Long I know, remember let me know if you guys have any ideas about the story concerning Snape and Salena. The rest of the first year with Harry will continue in the next chapter. Then comes the chamber of secrets and you can only guess what'll happen there with Salena.