Its a regular cloudy Wednesday at Hogwarts, school of witch craft and wizardry.
Students began packing up, ending their school day. Harry and Hermione waited patiently for their friend Ron to gather his vials of botched Potions from today's lesson, ready to to dispose of on the way out.
"I don't know if its just me...or Snape is starting to get a real kick out of watching us squirm lately...mans a nightmare..." Ron grumbled, as he tossed his failed vials into the disposal box near the door as the three exited the classroom.
"You know it would help if you actually bother to go over the study materials once in awhile Ron..." Hermione reminded him whilst Harry looked away, masking the urge to chuckle at the situation.
Ron rolled his eyes at his bucktoothed companion. "That's easy for you to say Hermione...I swear that mans handing us formulas in code sometimes." He continued to grumble as they continued down the hall, only to find themselves walking into a young woman unexpectedly. A plethora of books, pencils and paint brushes scattered across the floor that she had been carrying in her arms, her backside meeting the ground with a hard thud after all three of them walked into her as they attempted to turn the corner.
"God damnit..." the young woman winced and shook her head. She adjusted her glasses that where knocked almost off her face from the tumble. The woman was tanned skinned, dark brown eyes, her glasses were fairly large lenses but framed her chubby cheeks well. She seemed about 5'3 when standing upright, short chin-length dark brown curly hair, her lips painted in a deep mulberry colour and winged eyeliner around her eyes, as well as dark eye shadow, her fingernails painted black, on her left hand had been a silver ring with a large black stone in the center and small diamonds around the rim of the black stone. She wore what looked to be a dark blue button up shirt, black high waist gathered skirt reaching past her knees with a shimmering star patterning along the the hem, black bow-tie with a similar shimmering star partnering over, black pantyhose as well a pair of black platform maryjane buckle shoes for extra height and across her shoulder a dark blue leather satchel.
The trio had never seen this woman around the school before...
She had quickly shaken off the shock from the tumble and quickly gathered her books and stationary off the ground. The trio also quickly helping her gather her items. Harry extended his hand to the woman in an attempt to help her up once everything was picked up. She looked up at him, blankly for a moment. Due to her make-up her stare at the young wizard had been almost doll like. She blinked a few times before accepting his hand, allowing him to help her up. Her gaze on him seemed to be a mix of subtle sadness as well as a bit of concern. Harry didn't question her stare, assuming it to be the usual gaze he gets from people realizing he is 'The boy that lived', and at this point he was used it. Many people felt a mix of awe and pity for the boy that not only survived an attack from the most ruthless and cruel wizard but also lost both his parents in the process...
"We're so sorry about that, ma'am." Hermione apologized as she handed the woman the rest of her supplies. The woman's gaze snapped away from Harry, now seeming somewhat sheepish as she forced an awkward smile, her tan cheeks becoming just a tint of rosy in an almost shy manner.
"No no no...It was my fault...I should probably have not been speed walking without looking up like that. Um...this school is quite big...could you please direct me to the potions classroom?" The woman asked, politely and still sheepishly. Before Hermione could open her mouth to reply an all too familiar voice cut her words off.
"There you are...! I told you to be outside my door before the final bell goes."
The trio turned to see their Potions Professor walking their way, Professor Snape himself. He pushed past the three, grabbing hold of the woman's arm and pulling her with him toward his classroom.
"I got lost on the way up..." The woman explained as she adjusted being pulled by the taller man, by keeping up with his speed and clung to his arm. She looked back to the trio waving to then in an almost apologetic manner on their Potions professor's behalf for his behavior.
"Distracted is more like it..." Snape grumbled as he pulled her with him into his classroom, quickly shutting the door behind them once walking in. The three teens stood in the passage way for a few minutes before looking at one another with a similar expression of confusion and mild annoyance.
Ron huffed, shaking his head as he turned to keep walking on. "Can you believe that man...? That poor woman..."
"Do you think she's perhaps a new teacher's aid? Or maybe an apprentice of Professor Snape?" Hermione questioned, following Ron's lead, Harry following soon after. Both Ron and Harry shrugged.
"Can't imagine anyone willingly wanting to work under Professor Snape of all people. Can you imagine the nightmare that would be?" Ron replied, shoving his hands into his pockets. Neither Harry or Hermione could argue with their friend or prove him wrong in any sense. Their potions teacher was known by the entire school as being bitter, violent and an awful man who clearly got a kick out of tormenting students that weren't part of the Slytherin house. This was no secret to anyone. If anything, many still questioned how this man managed to stay employed at the school for so long without any real repercussions for any of his actions.
"Do you think she was there to do some portrait work for him?" Harry asked. "She had quite a bit of art supplies on her from what I saw."
"Now that you mention it...I did take note of those." Hermione noted.
"Well that's even sadder...sitting there for hours alone with that man and having to paint him. And of course he'd be the one to want a painting of himself. At that point I'd find a new career path after. Especially if I had to sit there, painting Professor Snape of all people, I'd end up setting it on fire halfway through." Ron said. He felt a cold shudder run down his spine at this. Harry chuckled, as did Hermione ever so slightly at their friend's discomfort.
The trio headed down into their common room, where a few students were found sitting by the fireplace crying, with their friend's surrounding them trying to comfort them. This confused the three as it hadn't been just one student that seemed to be in distress but a handful of Gryffindors. This confused the three, obviously not knowing what had been going on. Harry spotted their housemate Shamas leaning against a wall with Dean, watching from a distance.
Harry tapped Shamas on his shoulder to get his attention. "What's going on?"
"A few of their pets went missing. Owls, cats ect...No one knows where they've gone to. So if you got an animal of your own, I'd check if they're still there if I were you." The boy warned. "The ones crying were the ones that were called in by, Professor McGonagall..." Dean added and bit his bottom lip at this part, as it was quite a distressful situation. "...To...tell them their animals were found...you know...not alive anymore..."
Hermione's eyes widened as she quickly ran off without a second thought to go check on her cat,Crookshanks. Harry also decided to quickly head up to the owlry to check on his owl Hedwig. Ron tailing behind him. Upon reaching the owlry Harry hurriedly scrambled past several other owls, looking for the snowy owl. His and Ron's sudden appearance had startled the other owls, causing them to become mildly distressed, the sounds of unhappy hooting, sqwaks and wing flapping become very evident amongst the other owls. Once the boys realized their mistake they carefully walked through. Harry breathed a great sigh of relief, finding Hedwig where she always is, perched in her little nesting nook. Her head cocked to the sudden at her owner's sudden appearance. Harry gently scratched the top of her head, just happy to see his pet was safe and sound, a smile creeping up his lips when Hedwig leaned in happily to the scratches, her eyes closed and becoming quite relaxed.
"Do you think Professor McGonagall would be mad if I brought Hedwig into to the dorm rooms with me..? I don't know how comfortable I'd feel about leaving her out here...especially if students animals are going missing...and being killed..." Harry said.
Ron shrugged, unsure himself. "I mean...You could ask her...chances are its going to be a no...Not to mention aren't there some blokes in the dorm that own cats..? I don't think you'd be any more comfortable having to stay up all night making sure she doesn't become another pet's late night meal..."
"You...may have a point there...Still...How long do you think this has been going on for? That wasn't just like one or two students who seemed to be missing pets...That was quite a few of our housemates."
"Who can say...? I only just now found out about this, same as you did. Do you reckon it could be another student...?"
"Dunno...I think I'm gonna check on Hedwig a lot more regularly though...just in case." Harry said while still scratching the top of Hedwigs head, the snowy owl now dozed right off completely.
The two stayed in the owlry for a good while. Occasionally eyeing anyone coming in from a decent distance away whilst also trying not to make it obvious that they were on the look out for suspicious activity from other students who were coming in. Those that came in, had been students who had also heard the news of pets going missing in the school who came up to check on their owls or a student would walk in merely to spend time with their feathered companions, grooming them or sending them out to transport letters to friends and family as well as to give their owls some exercise. Harry and Ron how Hermione was fairing by herself in the common room. Hopefully she had found Crookshanks and would meet up with them sometime later in the day. The boys shared theories on what could have become of the missing pets and why. This had only caused them both unnecessary paranoia as some theories strung from some other bigger wild animal was in the school causing it, to another student who could possibly be sick in the head, doing this for their twisted pleasure.
As soon as the bell for supper had sounded they both reluctantly headed down to the Great Hall. Ron having to practically drag Harry out by tugging on his robe sleeve, trying to assure him Headwig would be fine where she was and they would check on her after supper.
In the Great Hall students piled in, some taking a seat with their respective house, some sitting with friends of other houses. There had been a few long faces at the tables as well as a few that didn't even bother showing up to eat and from the looks on a few students faces, it hadn't just been Gryiffindor students that had been affected, seems to have been also a few students from each house. A few students even rolled in with their pets under their robes or keeping them on leashes or on their laps to ensure they could see them at all times. Harry and Ron spotted Hermione at the end of Gryiffindor table, Crookshanks curled up in her lap, lazily snoozing away.
"I see your fur ball is still safe and sound." Ron commented and sat down beside the girl while Harry sat across from her.
"Yes...Thankfully he's just been on my bed all day. All that talk about pets going missing only to be found...dead later on has gotten my nerves firing off...There's so many rumors on what the cause is and I don't know what to believe." Hermione replied.
Since the three sat on the end of their table, they were fairly close enough to observe the Professors at their table, also discussing the situation it seems, judging by how tensely they were conversing with one another at their table. The trio would occasionally catch a mutter or whisper of one of the teacher's talking about how heartbreaking it was having to bring student's in to deliver such bitter news.
On the other hand, while eating they noticed Hagrid bringing in another chair, placing it down at the teacher's dining table. It was placed directly between Professor McGonagall and where Professor Snape would sit. This was peculiar till they watched the doors open, only to see their potions professor walk in but with the same woman the trio had seen earlier that day. She looked quite awkward walking in and clung tightly to Professor Snape's arm, her chubby cheeks flushing red as there were now many eyes on her, since nobody has ever seen this woman till now. What caught most student's attention was the mere fact that their ruthless potions professor was allowing her to hold onto his arm, in such a familiar like manner. He led her to the table, his scowl never leaving his face. He at some points he would lean down to whisper something to her, while reassuringly stroking her free hand. For the students that were familiar with how Snape was usually perceived in the school, this had come off as such as bizarre and out of character thing to witness...You would swear this man had two heads with the way student had been staring at him. He pulled out the chair for hair, taking her hand to seat her and sat beside her.
Many whispers broke out amongst this students on who this woman could possibly be. Some students cracking jokes in between that she was a brave woman to hold onto Snape the way she did or even maybe she was confused, probably not being informed about the man she had just walked in with. A lot of students even questioned how could she not pull away in discomfort when he took her hand the way he did, as if he had some disturbing ulterior motive behind his actions.
As soon as the woman was seated and comfortable in her chair, she seemed to become less uncomfortable the more Snape spoke to her. Whatever they spoke about, it seemed to be taking her mind off of all they eyes that were obviously peering in their direction as if it no longer existed.
"What a shocker...he didn't eat her." Ron joked, while reaching for his cup of juice. Hermione hit his arm slightly for that joke, while trying not to smile at his humor. Harry still laughing softly while enjoying a meat pie on the table.
"She's probably a new Professor..." Hermione said. "Maybe Professor Snape was tasked to show her around."
"How unfortunate..." Harry joked on.
The three eyed the teacher's table for a brief moment again. It had quite humorous that the entire Hall had gone from such doom and gloom about everyone's concern for their pets to everyone cracking jokes and speaking about how Professor Snape had come in with this mystery woman and how he allowed her to hang on his arm.
The woman looked down at the spread amongst the table unsure of what to take or where to even begin with the meal. Snape plucked a small meat pie from one of the plates, holding it out to her. Ron choked on his juice seeing the woman open her mouth for Snape to feed her the pie. He pressed it to her lips, letting her take quite the bite from it. She smiled at him giving him a nod of approval while she chewed. Snape ate the remaining half, quite casually. This action had caught the attention of everyone who was sitting close enough to witness it.
Hermione quickly held a napkin to Ron's mouth, letting him cough into it, as to not make a scene that he had just choked on his drink. She quickly tapped his back which was met with approval nods while he coughed, still watching the teacher's table through watery eyes.
"We all saw that right? I didn't just imagine it right?? There's nothing special in this juice making me see things right??" Ron heaved into the napkin. Harry nodded slowly, his eyes just as wide as Ron's and any other student who was close enough to see such a domestic display from...well...Professor Snape of all people?!
"Maybe he's just being nice..." Hermione said, trying to find the logic behind the action.
"Snape? Nice?? Is he dying?! Is it raining Galleons tomorrow?!" Ron questioned, now taking the napkin so Hermione wouldn't have to hold it for him while he tried to catch his breath.
Even Harry occasionally found himself pinching himself and checking his drink to see if it was tainted with. Its not as if they watched their Professor do something grandioso...but it was certainly the most out of character and completely un-Snape-like thing to do and for them to see.
They could see the woman was still talking to Snape, about what they couldn't tell, but what ever it was they both seemed to be very engaged in the conversation. Occasionally the woman had found herself tugging themelancholic professor's sleeve or cloak, most likely an unconscious action but he had gotten her attention immediately from this, which was met with him lowering his head to her short stature to listen to her more clearly, or occasionally tapping her hand as a response.
"What is happening right now...?" Harry muttered under his breath.
Ron shook his head like he was almost disturbed. "I don't know...I don't like it...I still think he's dying or something...She could be his doctor or something..."
"Or they're friends..." Hermione chimed in.
"Who would be friends with that?!" Ron said almost a tad to loud which was met with Hermione again slapping his arm as a reaction. The boy lowered his head as if that wasn't meant to slip out.
The trio felt like they were in the twilight zone as they observed their potions professor talking to this mystery woman. The only thing that broke them out of this strange and uncharacteristic scene had been their Head Master Dumbledore making his way to the podium, readying to make an announcement. His very standing presence was enough to garner the attention from the entire Great Hall. All student going dead silent, knives and forks dropping so they may clearly hear what their Head Master had to say.
"I just have but a small announcement to make tonight...So I shall try to keep it brief." Dumbledore began. His wand at his neck, in order to amplify his vocal range. "It has come to my attention that Students animals have been going missing and those that have been found in...unfortunate state...To those of you who wish to vent about your loss...I do advise you to speak with your head of houses after hours or during the weekends till we can have someone come in to aid you better. And to those that have animals in their care, which are still with them, I do implore you all to keep a much more watchful eye on them, and ensure they stay in your dorm rooms during class hours till we can find out who or what is taking these animals and bring an end to the heartache and distress it must be causing all of you."
Many mummers broke out in the hall. Dumbledore took a deep breath before moving on to his next announcement.
"Onto other news...It has also come to my attention that we have many creative students in the school. That have quite the talents in the arts that are going unrecognized and have no means of improving their skills or having means to expand the creativity. So I have taken it upon myself to add Magical Arts, to the school's curriculum. Those that wish to join will have to adjust their schedules with their respective Head of House. These classes will be fully implemented next week Monday and will be taught by..." Dumbledore gestured the woman sitting between Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall to stand up, which she does immediately, he cheeks once more flushing red, especially now that she was once more put in the eye of the entire hall.
"Our very own Master of Magical Art and Culture...Mrs Charlene Snape...wife of Severus Snape."
Several jaw drops and gasps were very visible across the hall as well as buzzing whispers amongst one another. That this piece of information had filled in the blanks of the behavior they had all just witnessed earlier.
"I expect you all to treat her with the same level of respect you have shown to all your other professors. This concludes my announcements...do enjoy the rest of your meals and desserts and do try to keep a handle on your animals till further notice and if anyone has any information on these incidents do not hesitate to inform any one of your professors." Dumbledore turned to join his other members of staff to continue their meal.
The trio looked bewildered at one another Ron and Harry not even sure if they could pick up their jaws from the floor as they watched...Mrs Snape..sit back down...Professor Snape rubbing the top of her head like a puppy as she looked to be calming down again.
"She's his wife..." Harry repeated to himself, trying to see if saying it out loud would try to and help him digest to this news.
"Bloody hell...how...?" Ron added on.
The entire hall was now lively with the news that had been dropped on them like a bombshell.