AN/- hello people or imaginary people who are reading this-are you seriously telling me that my story is not worth even one review-sigh!-oh well! by the amount of traffic i see it is ridiculous to conclude that so why be hypocritical when you can review and win a thank you from a fellow writer and reader!

Chapter 6

Audrey woke up the next morning at around nine and rubbed her eyes open, when she could see clearly around her she noticed that the whole dormitory was empty and a note lay on her side table, she picked it up, it was from Hermione it read,

"I tried waking you up, splashed some water too, but you seem to be immune to all of these tactics, if you ever get up by nine thirty make your way to the great hall if not, you'll have to go to Professor McGonagall to get your time table and trust me you don't want to cross her on a Monday morning, which you will if you don't wake up by nine thirty.

~hope for the best

Hermione.

Audrey folded the letter and placed it into her diary as she dashed to have a quick shower and change into her light blue uniform, she was thankful that Beauxbatons didn't have ties, because she never got around knowing how to manage one. So Audrey put on her blue dress uniform tied the black sash around her waist and swung the red vice captain sash around her shoulder, pinning her school badges to the left side of her uniform she grabbed her hat off the bed along with her school bag and dashed to the great hall, hoping she wouldn't get lost, but with the help of a friendly third year she found her way through.

"I'm here," she said panting as she saw breakfast had already gotten over while half her year had already gone to their new class.

"Very late," said Minerva sternly as she was handing out the time tables to the sixth years, she thrust a parchment into Audrey's hand threw her a quick glare and returned to what she was doing. Audrey groaned her first lecture would be transfiguration and her mother hated unpunctual students, this generally resulted in negative points for the house, how was Audrey supposed to find her class on time it was already twenty past nine and she had the class in ten minutes.

"Need help?" said someone from behind her; she recognized the voice to be Harry's she quickly turned around to see him smiling at her, his bag on his shoulder.

"Thank Merlin," cried Audrey as she grinned back at him.

"You know if you want to reach the class in time we'll have to run for it," he said walking Audrey out of the hall, his hand running through his messy hair.

"Is that a challenge sir—then I except?" she said indignantly as Harry laughed sprinting in front of her as she cried 'cheat' from behind, he laughed and after they ran all the way to the class they straightened up before entering.

The class was full with students Harry hadn't seen so many students in one class before, it was usually that two houses had one class together but since Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were joining them the whole classroom had been occupied. They took the places that Hermione and Ron had saved for them, Harry sat next to Ron while Audrey sat next to Leon who made her punch him for teasing her by talking about the delicious breakfast he had. A few minutes later someone walked out of the connecting office.

Rachel had already decided on what she would be teaching her first class today, to change a mouse into a pin cushion, but when she entered the class room she couldn't find the person she was actually waiting for and so she decided to take the roll call first, she finished the last name and she heard a knock on her door, knowing who it was she let the person in.

It was Minerva and another person carrying lots of animals, Minerva only had a large cardboard box in her hand but the other person had their face hidden by two large cages with owls in them.

"Alright, Miss Brown is it—yes—good now take them from Professor McGonagall and pass them around—don't be silly child they won't hurt you," said Rachel a little annoyed because of the delay and the girls disgusted behavior.

"Where should I place these?" asked the man who was carrying the cages.

"On the table please," said Rachel casually a smile on her lips, he did what he was told and carefully placed the cages on the table and straightened up, he turned to look sharply at Minerva.

"Thank you," said Rachel looking at Minerva and the man who Minerva glared back at.

The man rolled his eyes and turned around to face Rachel, but what Rachel saw would leave her in a foul mood for the rest of her day, it was Severus a ten years older version of him but never the less it was him, it was Severus Snape right in front of her, in flesh and blood, the bastard was standing in front of her, the asshole who broke her heart, squashed it under his feet spat on it and ruined her life, only Rachel knew how she had recovered from such heart break, but never fully and she knew that well—still somewhere deep—very deep within her heart she loved him very much—too much.

He looked at her as if he had seen a ghost, her lips had parted in surprise just like they always did, did he remember? Oh! How could he possibly forget?—he loved that woman with a passion, but she obviously didn't want anything to do with him, agreed that the crime was his but everyone deserved to be forgiven but she didn't believe in second chances, she didn't believe in him at all. Their love had been a waste and now his was, he was obviously still very much in love with her, but with years gone by Severus had learnt to discard his feelings, bottle them up and cast them away into the sea like they didn't belong to him. That was why he was so accomplished in Legillimency and Occlumency.

They glared at each other for a while, the whole class sitting and looking at them and taking in the cold vibes that they were sending each other, Minerva noticed this, what had she though? That Rachel would just magically see him and fall into his arms and he would take her, spin her around and kiss her? Wouldn't that be lovely? She rolled her eyes at herself, Albus had warned her about this and now she was in the middle of an awkward situation that was the result of her meddling.

"Umm...I'm sure you are acquainted with each other," said Minerva breaking the awkward silence, as the two looked away from each other, Severus's face going stone cold while Rachel's had anger written all over it.

"Well—I have to help the headmaster—Severus don't you have class?" Minerva asked softly trying to keep the equilibrium in the situation so that it wouldn't tilt all of a sudden, because Rachel looked like she would slap Severus any moment, while Severus looked like he was ready with a biting cold and sarcastic comment waiting for his lips to part so that he could sneer it at her, but Minerva was successful in maintaining peace, well at least for the time being because Snape turned to look at Minerva.

"Yes—Minerva—I do," he snarled and then stormed out of the classroom; Minerva threw a final glance at Rachel and then quickly went her way, well at least they knew that the other still existed.

Rachel rubbed her temple with two fingers as her angry face broke into a fake smile she put up for the now scared students, they looked a little worried about her, but she was polite and pleasant all through the class and didn't even scold Neville when his rat exploded when he pierced his pin into it. All the more, she didn't even give them homework and bide them good day as there double lecture ended with a bell announcing lunch time at noon.

The class cleared out but Audrey stayed behind, walking up to where her mother was now sitting she waited for the whole class to empty out as she approached the teacher's desk.

"Mum—you alright?" whispered Audrey as she saw Leon waiting outside for her along with Ron, Harry and Hermione.

"Fine," barked Rachel not looking at Audrey.

"You sure then?" asked Audrey as Rachel looked at her daughter her face her emotions changing fast and all the emotions she felt for Severus came out on Audrey.

"Yes—I'm sure Audrey—why don't you go mind your own business—don't you have class or something?" snapped Rachel looking at Audrey like she had at Severus, it was her fault, why did she have to be so similar to that bloody bastard, why couldn't she have Rachel's hair colour or eyes or complexion why did she look like him? Why?

"Right—okay then," said Audrey a little disheartened, she didn't know why her mother would have said that to her, she had never snapped at Audrey so badly before, was it that she was frustrated or was it because Audrey had bothered to ask, whatever it was Audrey cleared off for lunch leaving Rachel regretting that she had unnecessarily snapped at Audrey for something that wasn't even her fault, it was her own.

Severus had stormed back to the dungeons to take care of his first class and to his dismay he had first year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors, so several treacherous hours later Severus finally got some quality time for himself so that he could think about what he had just come across. His stomach lurched announcing that he should go up to the great hall for lunch, but Severus didn't feel like, what if he saw her again.

It had been fourteen years since he had last since Rachel Adams, but she still could sure set his heart beating faster than he could say Hogwarts. He held his head in his hand, resting it on the table he sighed, Dumbledore knew about it; of course he did she was his niece how could he not know. Rachel and he had met in Hogwarts, she, Lily and he had become best friends but even though Rachel was close to the marauders she always stood by Severus and they had fallen in love or rather she had but as they got to know each other better Severus realised how much he loved her. He had her almost marry him, but how was he supposed to know that he still had feelings for Lily. But it didn't matter anymore, she obviously had moved on from the looks of it, it was high time he did too, but he couldn't all this time and he couldn't get over one woman.

"Get yourself together man," he told himself as he shook his head and took a deep breath and waited for the next class, fifth year Slytherines and Gryffindors, well at least he could torture Potter to cheer himself up.

After Lunch the fifth year Slytherines and Gryffindors lined outside the Dungeons for their double lecture of Potions, Severus let them in after he had finished cleaning the blackboard but what he was not expecting was a man merrily walking into his class, wearing a muggle suit and smiling like it was the merriest place he had seen in a long time. Severus didn't have patience for a smile and so he stared the man down who now had the audacity to talk to him while shaking his hand and smiling the only bits Severus got through the man's bad accent were,

"Maurice, teach potions at Beauxbatons, will help and lovely to meet you,"

Severus raised his eyebrows at the happy man who he was towering over like a ghost, the man who looked directly into his eyes not knowing what he was revealing smiled at Severus again.

"Monsieur Dumbledore said I would be your partner," said Maurice as the whole class now settled down as Severus was left gawking at him. Dumbledore, trust the man to annoy him and he would never fail to provoke Severus in any way, he did not understand the reason why the man's mind worked, it was a bloody puzzle.

"I can assure you I don't need a partner," said Severus as curtly as possible.

"No, no—quiz!" smiled Maurice as he began to hand out papers to the whole class as Severus prowled behind the man who smiled at every student who he threw a glare at and snatched the paper away from.

"I do not need a partner," said Severus loudly announcing his opinion clearly as Maurice turned to look at him in an odd way.

"No quiz?" he asked as Severus sighed, he did not want any trouble with Dumbledore and he did not know what exactly Maurice was capable off so he decided to talk to Dumbledore about it after this class, but if he was going to teach something, he would do it his way.

"No—there will be a quiz—but not on paper," drawled Severus as the papers in Maurice's hand disappeared.

"Ah—oral—oui—oui—red vs. green?" said Maurice excitedly as if challenging Severus for a duel.

"Yes, brilliant idea," nodded Severus as he announced what they would be doing in the first lecture.

"Professor Maurice here wishes to hold a quiz between the Gryffindors and Slytherines—the rules are simple, you will be asked a total of six questions whoever raise their hand first will answer and ten points will be given to that house," finished Snape smirking at Draco who nodded at smiled back.

This was going to be more fun then he thought.

Harry groaned and slammed his head into his potions book, brilliant the term had just started and Slytherine would be leading with sixty points already, Harry knew that every time Snape had these stupid quizzes the Gryffindors either didn't know the answers or the Slytherines would be faster at realising the answer or Snape would just ignore that Hermione's hand was perpetually up.

"Alright, first question—What is the use of the wild dandelions in a healing salve?" asked Snape in a rather bored fashion as he looked at Draco who thought of the answer or rather openly cheated right under Snape's nose as Pansy Parkinson checked the answer and whispered it into Malfoy's ears.

"Oui—Gabrielle?" said Maurice happily as he bobbed to see Gabrielle's hand in the air, Gabrielle turned to look at Harry and Ron's table not spotting Audrey there she wondered where she could be she hadn't seen her since lunch, but looking at Snape's face Gabrielle answered quickly.

"Wild dandelions have antiseptic qualities and therefore using them in a healing salve becomes very important," said Gabrielle giving the perfect answer.

"Yes, ten points to Slytherine," said Snape in a bored manner as he threw the next question at the class.

"What is the wizarding name given to the 'shrinking potion'?" asked Severus as everyone stared blankly at him. Harry yawned sleepily, this was more boring than he had anticipated, even though it hurt to watch Slytherine win all the points but truthfully he couldn't really help it could he, he loathed potions with a passion and Snape even more.

"It is known as the dismus Kapot potion" said Hermione in front of Harry as he looked up to see Snape who rolled his eyes as Maurice bobbed shaking his head and gave Gryffindor ten points before Snape could say much. But the question and answer round continued with Snape disqualifying several answers that Gryffindor gave if Slytherine gave wrong answers.

But because of Maurice's just presence Snape couldn't do much and therefore Gryffindor and Slytherine were now on a tie at three questions each.

"Alright this will be the final question I doubt you dunderheads might know the answer to it, but then again this is what a test is about-though this question will have negative marking so as many incorrect answers you give there will be negative marking—though you will have three chances so if you lose one point you'll have two chances left?" smirked Snape evilly as he said the question with a smirk on his face.

"Can anyone tell me what a bezoey used for?" asked Severus as several people raised their hands as if knowing the answer, Harry's head sprang up from the desk, he knew the answer, he could finally show Snape, he raised his hand first as Snape smirked even more which Harry had not expected.

"A bezeor is used to decrease the level of poison in the body or the potion," he said happily as several people nodded in agreement happy that Gryffindor had won the round.

"Incorrect, Potter, that is what a bezeor is used for not a bezoey—therefore, you lose a chance and ten points" smirked Snape as if he had expected that to happen as Harry's mouth opened and closed several times like a fish outside water.

"It's a plant," muttered Neville knowingly remembering herbology as Hermione quickly raised her hand but Pansy hearing Neville's answer beat Hermione to it.

"It is a plant sir," said Pansy her pug face giving an odd sort of smile while Millcent Bullstrode her partner nodded impressively at Pansy, while Hermione glared at the two girls.

"Yes, miss. Parkinson it is a plant!—but my question was not what is it, but what is it used for?" spat Snape distastefully as once again the two house where tied in the same spot but with one opening left, no one dared to raise their hand—but then again no one really knew the answer, they knew Snape got happiness in asking questions even sixth years wouldn't have answers too, he was an evil git who would get sadistic happiness by making them feel inferior and stupid.

"Hmmm...what a pathetic batch," sneered Snape as he tried to add the answer to his sentence but someone in the extreme back raised their hand, Snape smirked, he wished it was a Gryffindor who had done this misdeed, but he couldn't see who it was but just noticed a purple strap girls Beauxbatons watch.

"Yes," Snape drawled knowing that this idiot was going to be the most hated person in whichever house she was in.

"A bezoey, is a plant that is generally not widely used in potions but more in perfume making which in several countries such as this is not considered to be under the subtle art of potion making, the bezoey is also said to have healing juices but that is just a myth it is really only used to help the tongue increase the taste of flavours or the nose to increase the scent of fragrance," finished the girl who Snape couldn't see where he was standing but Maurice seemed to know who it was as he chuckled and shook his head.

"Audrey Adams and I zot you 'ere absent," said Maurice smiling as Severus's smirked dropped instantly as he heard her name, "Adams—did he say Adams—no—did he say Audrey?" thought Severus as the whole class turned to look at her most of the Gryffindors very impressed, this was the first time they had beat the Slytherines in anything Potions related.

The bell rang declaring the end of school as Maurice once again shook Snape's hand before leaving as most of the class had left—but Severus needed to know was she Rachel's daughter—was she—could she be his-?

"Professor Maurice—I was wondering is Ms. Adams related to Rachel Adams?" he asked trying Maurice to speak as the happy man shook his head vigorously.

"Oui—Rachel is Audrey's aunt," finished Maurice as he smiled at Snape who stared at him awestruck and then left the black clad man and walked off to the staff room.

"Rachel had a sister? Then how come he didn't know about it?" he thought.

Rachel was walking down to the great hall for dinner, she had been a little unsteady in the beginning worried that she might have to face Severus again, but then she thought again, why should she be afraid of him after all she had been preparing herself for this moment anyways, so what was the use being scared now, it would only result in futile waste of emotions and Rachel had absolutely no more strength or will to offer a single ounce of feeling towards that man.

Rachel slowly walked through the doors of the great hall, her heels clicking away on the stone floor as some students sent her stares while some shot her small smiles. Rachel reached the top table and settled down in her seat besides Maurice, her mood lifted as she noticed Severus was not present in his seat but as she scanned the table most of the heads were not in their seat and therefore Rachel figured that heads sat on their house tables for certain meals on certain days, possibly trying to know what was going on in the student group since Hogwarts didn't really have a student body like Beauxbatons did.

"I heard you met Severus today," said a soft voice next to Rachel, she looked at the person sitting next to her from her soup.

"I asked her to keep out—but she never listens," said Albus again trying very hard to make Rachel speak with him.

"You are well aware I do not wish to speak of this—then why bring it up?" Rachel snapped at him, she was still very angry at Albus for several reasons, one was even considering Severus trustworthy and taking him under his wing after knowing very well that Severus was the very man who had ruined Rachel's life, but of course Albus never got himself to see it that way.

"It seems to be a good conversation starter—don't you think?" asked Albus smiling at Rachel as a small smile crossed Rachel's face, she didn't know why but whenever she looked into his eyes she couldn't control her lips from pulling upwards.

"Look who's smiling," said Albus as Rachel gave out a small chuckle and shook her head at him as he cut some of the roast pork for himself and served it to her instead.

Severus was almost through with dinner as the Slytherines around him thankfully ate civilly unlike the Hufflepuffs who absolutely did not consider Professor Sprout's existence on their table as she tried to give them her best glare but failed miserably.

He could hear Malfoy talking to the blonde girl, who he had made friends with that day in potion's class, he seemed to be his normal self bragging about something as the girl listened to him tentatively and got back to her dessert only to be brought back to him talking about peacocks roaming in his garden.

Severus was about to close the book he was reading during dinner and exit when two people walked over from the Gryffindor table, Severus noticed it was Audrey Adams and her other friend he remembered Maurice calling him Leon.

"Gabs—do you want to go check out the library?" asked Audrey as the bunch of fourth years he was sitting next to went quiet and Parkinson sneered at Audrey.

"No, 'Gabby' and we are going to be playing exploding snap today—so why don't you clear off,"

"The last time I checked your name wasn't Gabs unless you decided to change it to Garbage?" snapped Audrey as Leon smirked and Crabbe and Goyle sniggered a bit but a glare from pug faced Parkinson shut them up quickly.

"Gryffindors are not allowed at other house tables are they professor Snape?" said Malfoy smirking, Severus looked up from his book over to the fourth years, he raised an eyebrow at them as the whole Slytherine lot stared at him smirking, they thought he was going to lie or better- cut points.

"Oi! Griffin dorks—we have your lost property," smirked Malfoy loudly at the Gryffindor table making the Gryffindors glare at them sharply, but Severus noticed Audrey shake her head and look at her friend who made a rude face at her.

"I promised them—and besides—I have homework to do," said Gabrielle, as Audrey stood there her arms folded across her chest as her friend looked at her again this time rolling her eyes.

"Look Audrey—I'm with them now—it is best if we keep a distance," said Gabrielle shrugging and turned back to her meal. Severus saw that Leon looked angrily at Gabrielle and tried to get Audrey to move away but she stood her ground.

"Keep distance—Gabs you're my best friend," scoffed Audrey.

"Yes but I like Pansy now-so I guess I'll see you around," smiled Gabrielle as Pansy added something for her.

"Or not—loser,"

Audrey sighed glancing for the last time at Gabrielle she and Leon strolled away from the table, Severus decided to follow them out of the great hall.

"Are you alright?" Leon asked Audrey as she shook her head it looked like she had been very badly insulted, she threw herself into Leon's embrace as he held his best friend close, she was like the sister he had always wanted just like Harry considered Hermione.

"Forget it—you know her—she finds new people—and you know-" stated Leon but he couldn't finish remembering how easily Gabrielle had replaced them in their second year with other friends and when she had been the center of their gossip had she returned to them begging them to forgive her.

"She's my best friend," said Audrey letting go of Leon but her eyes were not wet.

"Well—you still got me," smiled Leon making her smile as well, they went back into the hall and waited till the rest finished so that they had company to go back to the common room.

AN/- hey please review I'm dying to know what you think-really it's painful when you don't get any feedback-so hit the review button before you leave!