Ch. 33 Ravenclaws and Returns

Severus slowly brought his tea cup up to his lips and took a small sip as he looked out into the great hall, a mass of noisy children enjoying their first breakfast of the new school year. Severus head was throbbing. Though over the past summer he had taken to fire whiskey more than a few occasions he never less always felt the effects of his excess the next day. Generally he would have taken a potion to relive his discomfort however after last night confrontation with the headmaster Severus decided he would use this morning's aliment as a deterrent for future indulgences. Thinking of the headmaster Severus looked down the line of chairs at the head table.

"Where is Dumbledore," he mused to himself. "Not like the old wizard to miss first breakfast." As he was pondering the headmasters absents his eyes caught the glare of the newest staff member at Hogwarts, Gilderoy Lockhart, the pompous dunderhead that now held the Defense against the Dark Arts position. Lockhart gave a masculine head nod in Severus direction to which Severus could hardly stomach a curt semi smile back before he felt his toast come up in the back of his throat.

"He couldn't defend against the Easter Bunny," Severus scowled to himself as he turned his head back.

Just then movement at the end of the Great Hall caught his eye, walking up towards the head table was Dumbledore himself and next to him was what looked to be a student. As the made their way closer Severus was sure that if this was a student she was like no other here at Hogwarts. She looked to be about thirteen or fourteen, her long wavy hair was completely unkempt and dark black except for the few bright purple strands that were purposely placed in a hither or neither fashion. Her eyes were caked in black eye liner and her skin… well if Severus thought he was pasty then this girl could have been dead. Her clothing was all black from her ripped sweater to her combat boots, and as they reached the head table the girl looked up at the headmaster with a look only teenage girls could pull off. Severus couldn't help but snicker a bit as the headmaster looked down and smile evidently unaware that if looks could kill he would be in trouble. Finally the old wizard raised his hands and got the attention of the hall which was already quite perplexed over this strange creature before them.

"My dear students" Dumbledore bellowed in a friendly voice. "It is my pleasure to introduce you to a new student Rhiannon Raghnall, who because of her long journey to us from America, was unable to join us last night at our feast."

Whispers of curiosity and suspicion flowed across the Great hall, and the young girl next to Dumbledore silently rolled her eyes.

"Now before we let her get comfortable here, and I'm sure we will all do our part to make her feel so, we must find where our new friend is going to be spending her remaining time with us, sorting hat please!" Dumbledore called as the hat appeared before them.

"Is it that time already" the hat yawned "I swear it feels just like yesterday."

"That's because it was yesterday" Dumbledore whispered kindly to the old hat. "Now if you'll please be so kind as to sort our newest student."

Dumbledore slowly lowered the hat down on the dark locks as the hat started to mumble.

"Hmmm, very interesting… cunning, resourceful, self-preservation, one would think this would be an easy fit…."

Severus placed his hand on his chin and leaned in closer cocking his head as stared at the back of this girls head. Yes he could tell when she walked in that Slytherin house might be a fit for her, but he wasn't sure there was something else

But intelligence, creativity, and wit as well…. Yes that's it RAVENCLAW!

Severus sat back and nodded approvingly to himself. He always was proud when someone was sorted into his own house, but this time, this was different. Severus knew somehow this Rhiannon Raghnall was where she was supposed to be; again he picked up his tea cup and slowly sipped.

At the Ravenclaw table there was claps and applauds as always when someone got sorted into their house but the straining sound of confusion was still in the air. Dumbledore smiled at Rhiannon and gestured for her to take her seat. Quickly with head held high the new girl walked over to the table and took a seat. The girl next to her leaned over and smiled.

"Hi Rhiannon, I'm Emily… Emily Steppon..How…"

"It's Rhian." The new girl cut Emily off before she could finish "Just… Rhian…and what's with a sorting hat anyway? …. What's next around here a scarf of sexual preference?" With that Rhian turned around an ignored the world around her as she often did leaving Emily confused and taken back. However again the tables' attention was called back to the front as the Headmaster continued to speak.

"One more point of interest I would like to announce. It has been decided that we should add another course to this year's roster. After consulting and researching the area, it was found that an advanced Muggles Study course would be a worthwhile addition to our magical courses." Dumbledore smiled as groans and laughs poured from the Slytherin table.

"The world is changing fast, and with that knowledge in the Muggles area of math, science, history, and other relevant studies would be a great addition to your collective knowledge of potions, spells, and magical incantations."

Severus cupped his head in his hand. Just what the school needed another course in "Muggles Studies", and just what he needed another person around to annoy him. He was sure that all the other professors have full workloads so it was only reasonable to deduce that Dumbledore found some other pain in the neck to take the position. Severus shook his head slowly as he listened to Dumbledore finish his speech.

"I am also glad to announce that teaching our new course will be someone who themselves have walked these halls and learned from the best there is here at Hogwarts." With that the doors to the Great Hall opened and in walked a figure in a cloak… a rose colored cloak.

Severus looked up his eyes growing wide, the tea pouring out of the now down turned cup on to his lap, but he didn't move he just stared. "It…it can't be…" His mind reeled.

As the figure got closer to the Headmaster she pulled back her hood. Severus tea cup hit the table.

"Our very own Ms. Rewolf" Dumbledore smiled broadly as a wild applause came from a small group at the Gryffindor table.

Severus heart started beating faster in his ears as his emotions and furry started to build. He heard not one more word of what came from the headmasters lips. As Tabatha turned around to walk up to the table her eyes caught Severus for just a moment however as quickly as she connected with him she dashed her eyes away.

Severus jaw clenched. "How dare her… after all this time… not so much as one… she didn't even want to look at me!" this thoughts tumbled over and over in his head until he noticed someone sit beside him. "Oh for the love of Merlin, she has the audacity to sit next to me after all…"

"Hello Severus" a quiet voice slowly poured out.

Severus paused for a moment, her voice was different. Not that sing song innocents it once held. No now it was more refined, more mature in a way. He looked over at her slowly. Her hair now longer then it was sitting on her shoulder half pulled back her face looked identical but again now held the same traits as her voice. With his lips pressed firmly together Severus was just about to spat some venomous retort when slowly she turned towards him. Her eyes, hazel warm, and filled with gold.

Severus mouth went dry, his palms started sweat, and he needed to get out now. Without a word he calmly stood up and walked out the door behind the head table, just as an ungodly shriek of reprimand came from the Gryffindor table. Evidently someone's letter home got quite the response.

Severus marched down to his office slamming the door behind him as he entered. He was angry, at Tabatha for leaving and showing up without one word, and angry at himself for being so weak that just a look from her made him nearly swoon. Marching over to his desk he started pulling martials together for his days classes, ''oh those prats are in for such a day,'' Severus maliciously thought.

Suddenly he looked over to Tabatha's room. "She wouldn't really think she'd be staying here?'' He mused. The gears in his head started to turn. If she did and saw he sealed her room she would know just how much she hurt him, just how much he missed her. No, Severus wasn't going to let that happen again. This time there was no way he was going to let that imp get to him, get in his head, in his heart, yes even in his soul. Severus slowly raised his wand towards the sealed door. Now Ms. Rew… No... Professor Rewolf would be like everyone else to him just an annoyance he had to deal with in his daily grind.

"Solvous" Severus spoke as the magic did its work and released the door. Still looking at the door his eyes glared as a hint of uncertainty crossed them as he slowly lowered his wand. At least he hoped that's what she would be become to him. Licking his lips, he turned slowly and walked out of the office towards his classroom.

A/N: I want to thank everyone that was happy with me returning to the story. Personally I have gone though some stuff this past six months that have pulled me away from writing, but I'm glad that I feel now I can return to it. I want to say I love your comments; they keep me going and fuel me to write so please keep posting them. Let me know how you like the story, if you agree, disagree, or any hopes you have for our two in the future. Thank you again for reading and hopefully liking my story!