Chapter 5 The Strategic Snake

"Today's the big day!"

"Quit being so damned cheerful," Severus sneered. "I'm glad that I'm leaving today, any longer and I would have to hang myself." He glared at the Healer who had helped to mend him.

"You'll be back next week to visit me," the wizard said with a smirk.

Severus rolled his eyes. "You don't have to remind me every ten minutes, I was bite by a snake not hit by a memory spell."

"It's my job to remind you a hundred times. And if you were hit by a memory spell you would be on the fourth floor."

Snape sighed. "Hood, will you get on with the final exam so I can be on my way."

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Hood asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I have a life to rebuild." Snape moved to sit on the edge of the bed. His gray nightgown barley covered his pale knees and he was happy to be free of it soon for his robes.

The healer moved around the bed to stand before Severus. With skilled hands, he removed the bandage and leaned in to exam the healing wound. "There still seems to be some residual bruising but the skin seems to be almost healed over." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jar of lilac colored salve. He put it into Snape's hands, saying, "continue applying this sparsely, every morning when you change the dressing, until the wound is fully healed." With expert movements, he had Severus' neck bandaged in seconds. "I will see you next Saturday for your reexamination."

"Enough reminders," Snape growled with narrow eyes. Hood merely laughed as he stepped back while Severus glared at him. "May I leave now?"

"Not so soon," Hood said taking a seat in the chair next to the bed. "First, tell me about the bushy haired witch that came to see you yesterday."

"She's a former student of mine," Snape muttered darkly.

Hood raised an eyebrow at Severus. "Got a crush on you?"

"No," spat Snape angrily.

Hood laughed. "I'm just kidding, relax."

"I've relaxed enough, I'm ready to leave."

Hood shook his head. "Is she your wife to be?"

Snape glared at the healer. "Were you listening in yesterday?"

Hood smirked. "Would I admit it if I did?"

Severus frowned. "How does any one tolerate you?"

"I might ask you the same question." Hood leaned forward in the chair, speaking lightly, "So where are you off to?"

"I thought that you were my healer not a gossiping school girl."

"Touché," Hood replied as he stood up. "Whenever you're ready you can go." He crossed to the door and looked over his shoulder. "Good luck this week."

Snape got out of bed slowly. "Why do I need luck?"

Hood smirked and walked out of the room, leaving Severus alone.

With a shake to clear his head, Snape focused on the tasks ahead of him. From under the pillow he pulled his wand out and transfigured the sheet into black robes. Then, with a wave of his wand he transformed the pillow into a pair of black boots. He set aside his wand and quickly changed into the robes and pulled on the boots. It felt satisfying to be dressed in his usual manner, as if he was returning to normal, and the high neck covered all traces of the bandages. Quickly he pocketed his wand and made his way out of the ward.

He walked briskly down to the lobby where he disapparated to Hogsmeade. He appeared outside of Dervish and Banges on the High Street, it was crowded with wizards and witches who paid no attention to him. He quickly started down the street towards the other end of the village. Before long he left the cluster of shops behind and was on the road to Hogwarts.

It seemed unfathomable that he was going back to this place. Severus had been so certain, while he healed in the hospital, that he would never have to return to this place but now he felt as if he was crawling back. He hated that he needed to beg for his job as Potion Master back but he had little choice in the matter. If he was going to be expected to take on a wife then his savings would not last them long. Plus, a job would be a good way to avoid her if he needed an excuse. There were few jobs he was suited for, though working with insufferable brats was not really befitting, it was the only one he had an ample amount of experience in.

Snape reached up and pushed his bangs away from his face as he paused before the Hogwarts gates. There was still time to turn back from this foolish decision but he didn't have an abundance of options. He took a slow, deep, calming breath before opening the gates.

Quickly he made his way up the deserted grounds to the castle. It was just as he remembered, all traces of the war had vanished from it. No doubt the efforts of many teachers had been put into rebuilding it to its former glory. He opened the huge front door and stepped into the silent entrance hall. Noiselessly, Severus crossed to the marble staircase and ascended hastily, trying to reach the headmistress' office without crossing paths with any professors. Fortune shined on Severus for he reached the stone gargoyle without seeing a single soul, dead or alive. However, that it was were his luck ended, for he realized that he had no idea what the password might be. He paced back and forth before the sealed entrance, his mind racing through possibilities. "Albus."

"Dumbledore."

"Lion."

"Godric."

"Montrose Magpies."

Severus rubbed his temples as he stopped pacing. "What on earth is the password?!"

Footsteps behind him silenced Severus. He turned around to find Minerva McGonagall approaching him. When she spotted him she stopped dead in her tracks. "Oh my word," she gasped, "you're alive?"

"I am," Snape rasped softly.

"But Potter told me you died."

"It would appear that Potter is wrong," Snape sneered. McGonagall seemed astonished by the man before her and remained silent. "How about we step into your office so we can discuss this," Snape suggested as he indicated the stone gargoyle.

McGonagall nodded as she finished approaching the entrance to her office. "Tabby Cat." Minerva murmured before the gargoyle jumped to life, revealing the staircase. The two entered the study and sat down, McGonagall behind her desk and Snape opposite of her. "And what do I own the pleasure to of seeing you."

Severus stared at Minerva for a long moment before speaking, "I had hoped that I could convince you to employ me once more as the Potion Master."

Minerva was taken aback by the statement. "Really, Severus?"

"Yes," Severus rasped.

"Why would you want a job back that you detested?"

Snape sighed as he leaned forward in his chair. "This is the only job that I have ever had."

"That is not an answer," McGonagall said critically.

"Honestly, Minerva, I will soon find myself with a wife that I must support." Severus confided. A gasp from the Headmistress told him that he now had her complete attention. "The Ministry of Magic has ensured this."

"The new law?"

"Of course."

"Who?"

Snape 's lips curled into a venomous smile. "Hermione Granger."

"You're joking!" McGonagall exclaimed.

"I wish I was," Snape muttered darkly.

Minerva was quiet for a long moment as she stared across her desk at him. "This is a solution to one of my problems." Snape raised an eyebrow, curious. McGonagall continued, "Horace turned his resignation into me yesterday afternoon, so I am in need of a Potions Professor." Snape knew to remain silent and let the witch continue speaking. "I suppose that while you do tend to show favoritism towards your house, you are an excellent teacher, though I do not agree with all of your methods."

"I have the job then?" Snape asked quietly.

"Dumbledore would have wanted me to give it to you," Minerva responded with a sigh. "I assume that you will want your old office and quarters again. And that you will be Slytherin house head as well?"

"Of course, and I would appreciate my office back but I was hoping that I could reside off campus." Severus answered as he slowly sat back in the chair, relaxing slightly. The difficult part of the conversation was over and now all that remained was the details.

The Headmistress pondered for a moment before speaking, "that is an unusual request. Under the circumstances I will allow that with a few conditions." Snape raised an eyebrow in question but remained quiet. "One, you are required to perform your patrol duties before leaving each night. Two, you will never be late to class in the mornings. Three, all of your students must be able to contact you while you are not at school. And finally, you must always be ready to return from home immediately if needed." Minerva looked her usual stern self as she spoke.

"Of course, Minerva."

"In light of those conditions, I suggest a cottage in Hogsmeade."

"I shall consider it," Snape rasped as he subconsciously reached up to stroke his covered throat with his long fingers.

"Since you are returning," McGonagall began as she reached for a quill on her desk, "would you consider being my deputy headmaster?"

"It would be an honor." Severus said with a small bow.

"Good." McGonagall responded, writing a note on the piece of parchment before her. " I expect to see you back August 25th for the staff meeting, hopefully by that time I will have a full staff."

"What subjects do you need professors for?"

"Muggle Studies and Defense Against the Dark Arts." Minerva answered as she adjusted her spectacles. "I suppose that I could go a year without Muggle Studies but it hardly seems fair to the students that are interested in the course."

Snape nodded quietly.

"I've asked any and all qualified Wizards or Witches I know without success."

"Maybe I can be of assistance in the matter."

"Any help would be graciously accepted," the Headmistress affirmed.

"I appreciate my position back." Snape slowly stood. "I must be on my way though, I have things I must take care of."

McGonagall nodded as she set her quill down. "Are you going to tell me how you survived Voldemort's snake?"

"With a well timed and highly affective potion," Snape said slyly.

Minerva nodded again. "What else would one expect from a Potions Master?"

"Once again I thank you for the position but now I must be on my way." Snape subconsciously adjusted the neck of his robes.

"Thank you," Minerva said simply as she stood. She reached her hand across the desk towards Severus. After a moment of hesitation, he took it, and the two shook hands.

"I believe Mister Flume is looking for someone to rent or buy his little cottage on the far side of the village. You should stop by Honeydukes and see him today." McGonagall suggested with a small smile.

"I shall." Severus agreed and with billowing robes he left the office. Quickly Snape made his way back to Hogsmeade. After a short brisk walk he found himself outside of Honeydukes and with a deep breath, he pushed open the door to the shop to step inside. He found the shop quiet and empty, with all the students away there were no customers.

"Hello," called a voice from behind the counter. Snape turned to see an older balding man standing behind the counter. The man smiled brightly at him and asked, "can I help you find something?"

"I'm looking for Mr. Flume," Snape said as he strolled across the shop to stand before the counter.

"That would be me," the shopkeeper remarked with interest. "And who might you be?"

"Professor Severus Snape."

"Nice to meet you. What can I do for you?"

"Professor McGonagall told me that you have a cottage you would like to rent out," Snape replied.

"Actually," Flume began with a sigh, "I was hoping to sell it. My wife and I inherited it from her grandfather but we don't need it because we live above the shop."

"I assume that you will offer it to me at a good price."

"The wife wants 5000 Galleons for it."

"I am a teacher so the price is a bit high for me," Severus insisted.

"It's a cozy cottage with three bedrooms and two bathrooms but there's definitely the option to add to it if need be," Mr. Flume informed, obviously trying to persuade Severus. "It has a large living room with a huge fireplace, on the floo network, of course, and an attic room that would make a great study."

"Sounds lovely," Snape commented in a tone that contradicted his statement. "It's out of my price range though." He stepped away from the counter as if to go.

"Wait!" Mr. Flume leaned towards Severus, almost begging him not to leave. "We can negotiate."

"I couldn't possible pay more than 3000 galleons." Snape remarked as he put his hands in his pockets.

"I can't go less than 4800."

Severus shook his head. "I don't have that amount of galleons saved up."

"How much do you have?" Mr. Flume asked hopefully.

"I would have to check my vault to be certain but I would guess 4000."

"4000 galleons and it's yours," the shopkeeper offered.

"I really should check with my wife before we buy." Snape said as he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Mr. Flume can out from behind the counter and Snape turned back to face him. "My wife would kill me if she knew I took less than 4000 galleons but I'm tired of dealing with this cottage."

"3800 then," Snape offered with a tone of finality.

The man look flustered but offered his hand. "You got yourself a deal, 3800 galleons for the cottage."

Severus took his hand and shook on it. "I can have the money moved into your Gringotts vault tomorrow."

Mr. Flume released his hand and moved back towards the counter. "I will send an owl with the key when you've made the payment, Professor."

"Thank you," Snape said as he made his way out of the shop.

"Good day," the wizard called as the door closed behind Severus.

Well he now had a new house though he was sure that Granger would argue with him for purchasing it without her but a deal like that would have been impossible with the know-it-all there. He would have had to clean out all 5000 galleons from his account then. There was nothing that could be done about it now though.

With that thought he disapparated out of Hogsmeade. Snape apparated to the last house on Spinner's End, his home away from Hogwarts. The street was deserted, most of the houses' windows had been boarded up, so there was little chance of him being seen. He pulled his wand out and with some quick magic removed the wards on the door. Severus entered the house and closed the door quickly putting the spells back in place. It was only a matter of time before one of Voldemort's still loyal death eaters tried to take revenge.

He made his way over to the sofa, sitting down with a frown. For the rest of his single life he would remain here and he would not enjoy a single moment of it. Though, over the next week he would have plenty of time to pack the essentials and any keep sacks he wanted before he left this place, hopefully for the last time.

Severus gently reached up and touched his throat. His voice ached from talking so much over the last few days and he felt drained of energy after more than a month in the hospital. He reached down and pulled off his boots, then curled up on the couch the best he could. And though it was old and uncomfortable Severus soon found himself drifting off into an afternoon nap.