Summary: First day.

A/N: Thank you for reading!

Chapter 5

All the teachers were settled into the Head Table awaiting the students' entry for the Welcoming Feast. Severus turned to Hermione.

"Stop fidgeting," he ground out.

"I can't help myself. What if I can't control my classes? What if they hate me?"

Severus sighed. "It would be impossible to hate you, Professor Granger. As for controlling your classes, I heard a tale about you telling what's-for to a giant in your fifth year. I think you'll be fine."

Hermione turned and smiled at him. "Thanks, Severus."

They both turned toward the room and waited. It didn't take long for the doors to swing open and the first students to rush into the Hall. Their chatter and excitement were contagious.

"It's nice to see them happy. Last year was like a death march," Severus remarked.

Hermione's hand drifted over to his, and she gave it a squeeze. He looked down at her hand in surprise. She pulled it back quickly.

"Sorry."

"No matter," he said.

"Are those the Seventh-years?" Jonathan asked as some bigger students started filing in.

"Yes, the ginger and blonde are Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood," Severus advised.

"That's Lance Harper behind them," Hermione filled in. "And Zacharias Smith after that."

"I recognize some of them from when I was here," Jonathan remarked.

They continued listing off the rest of the students as they entered, giving Jonathan a good idea of who was at the school. Finally, it was time for the new First-years to be led in. Professor Flitwick headed the line while holding the Sorting Hat. The children filed in, looking nervous.

The hat sang of new beginnings and brighter days before the first student's name was called out. The sorting took some time, but finally, everyone was sitting with their new housemates. Minerva rose and came up to the podium.

"Welcome, students, to a new year at Hogwarts. With the war finally over, we hope that this year will be a happy one for everyone. As you can see, we have some new faculty with us this year. Jonathan Cornelius will be taking over as Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Hermione Granger will be the new Transfiguration Professor and Severus Snape will resume his teaching as the Potions Professor."

The three stood as their names were read off, each nodding and sitting back down.

"For those of you who were unaware, Professor Snape's injuries from the war were so dire that the only way to cure him was to de-age him. He has retained all his memories, and is the same professor you will all remember."

She looked around the room.

"I would also like to introduce Counselor Roger Barton as an addition to the Infirmary." The wizard stood and waved. "He is here part-time to meet with any of you who are feeling overwhelmed by either school or things that happened last year. Please take advantage of his expertise. Either see your Head of House, one of your professors, or Madam Pomfrey to set up an appointment to meet with him."

She paused again to let the students think about that. "Needless to say, the Forbidden Forest is… forbidden. Stay out of it lest you possibly lose more than a night in detention. Please refer to the list of Joke shop items that are prohibited. You'll each find the list on your bed when you get to your rooms."

She paused as chatter had gotten loud with the discussion of Zonko's and Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Finally, everyone was quiet again.

"As you all know, tomorrow is the start of classes. Instead of sharing a classroom with only one of your fellow houses, all classrooms will be divided equally among all houses. Take this time to make new friends and learn more about your schoolmates, especially those from a House you may not be as familiar with. I expect all of you to behave accordingly as students of Hogwarts, having respect for everyone."

She paused again for emphasis.

"Now then, please enjoy the Welcoming Feast! It's good to have all of you back."

She clapped her hands together and the feast appeared on the tables. Everyone started helping themselves–the First-years with a wide-eyed look at everything they had to choose from. Severus eyed his new Slytherins as he enjoyed some roast beef. He hoped they would feel at home here. He hoped the other houses wouldn't be prejudiced against his snakes. And vice-versa of course. Oh, they could give it better than anyone in the room.

Hermione sighed as she had a bit of mash off her plate.

"What's up, Hermione?" Jonathan asked as he bent around Severus.

"I'm still nervous. I wasn't expecting Minerva to make me Head of Gryffindor House. I guess the only other option was Hagrid, and he's too much of a softie to be a good Head." Her eyes strayed over to the Gryffindor table. "I just hope I can be a good leader."

"You will be a great Head of House," Jonathan said. "You can be strict, but also empathetic. That's important."

"Jonathan is right," Severus said. He noted the incredulous look Hermione gave him. "What? I can be complimentary when I want to be." He paused for a bit. "I just rarely want to be."

Hermione laughed. "I have no trouble believing that, Severus! But two compliments in one evening to me? I'm shocked."

He smirked at her. "Anyway, you'll be able to make a good impression in a few minutes once the feast is over," he told her.

"Oh no… don't say that!" she said as she put her head into her hands.

"Hermione, settle down. You'll be fine," Jonathan said.

"She's a natural worrywart," Severus whispered to him.

Hermione lifted her head up. "Hey, I heard that."

Severus gave her a wide-eyed innocent look. "I didn't say anything."

"That you haven't said before!" she finished.

"You know me too well, Professor."

Hermione took a deep breath before entering the Gryffindor Common Room. She smiled as she passed through the Fat Lady's portrait and moved into the room. She seated herself on the couch by the fireplace.

"Students, welcome and welcome back. I'm here to be a support for you but also to ensure that you follow school rules. My door is always open to any of you. Please feel free to seek me out any time."

Her eyes roamed the room, making eye contact with everyone.

"What questions do you have?" she asked.

A Fourth-year raised her hand.

"Yes, Miss Garvey?"

"Will the Slytherins be after us like they were last year?"

Hermione looked at her seriously. "No. They won't. And if they do anything, please let me know. I'd also like you all to give them some grace. Many of them have lost parents either by death or by incarceration. I know sometimes it's hard, but they deserve to be treated fairly."

Another hand rose.

"Yes, Mr. Jones."

"Will we be able to go to Hogsmeade weekends this year?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. There's nothing to shelter you from now. I mean, we all must have constant vigilance, but there's no credible threat."

She answered a couple more questions before taking time to discuss the war.

"Last year was difficult for all of us. I don't know what you all endured as students here as I was not attending, but I know you had many obstacles to overcome. Thankfully, the war is now over, and you should be able to feel at peace while studying. If anything or anyone threatens to disturb that, please advise me. I'm also here if you are struggling in any way. Also, please take advantage of Counselor Barton if you feel stressed or you need to talk to someone privately." She waited a second before continuing. "I hope you all heard Headmistress McGonagall say you'll be in classes with all Houses this year. Please remember to treat everyone equally. Sure we have House Pride, but we can be prideful of our House and still be kind to everyone outside of it. We are all equals here."

Her eyes roamed over the Gryffindors, looking for anyone who may not agree with her statement. She didn't see anything to be concerned about. "Anything else?" she asked finally.

"Can I call you Hermione?" Ginny piped in.

Her eyes grew wide. "Erm, no. Unless no one is around."

Severus opened the Dungeon door and stalked into the Common Room, trying to look as intimidating as he had only four months previously. He knew he'd partly succeeded when the first and second years straightened up and snapped to attention.

"This year will be challenging for all of you. Many of your families have found themselves on the wrong end of history. You may find that the other students are harsh. Don't let them get to you. You are Slytherins. We are a proud group. But I will caution you this: if you act in a way that does not reflect well on this House, there will be serious repercussions."

He eyed some of the seventh-years as he made that remark.

"I will do my best to protect all of you and help to have a balance between Houses. If any of you have any suggestions, I am open to them. If you are being harassed, I want to know by whom immediately."

His eyes met every one of his students then. He was surprised that he saw respect, even from those who were older.

"Any questions?"

"How could you fight against him?"

There it was. Brian Baddock had asked what they were all wondering. He sighed.

"Did you not understand what he wanted to do?"

"It was going to be glorious! My father said so."

"Have you talked to your father since the war ended, Mr. Baddock?"

The young man shook his head. "I'm not allowed to see him while he's awaiting trial."

Severus nodded. "Your father had the Cruciatus curse thrown at him at least once a week. I saw the fear in his eyes. He would never say anything against the Dark Lord or he would have been killed within a day. But I promise you, it was no cakewalk being a Death Eater."

Braddock's eyes grew wide as he took in what had been said.

Severus' eyes roved over the group. "You would all be wise to keep that in mind. The things that your parents spouted are bigoted and the truth they lived was far worse than any of you can realize. I knew how horrible it would be to live under the Dark Lord's rule so I fought to take him down."

"But you turned against your friends!" Joseph Fielder ground out.

Severus met his student's eyes. "I did. I have no easy answers for you about that. I saw what was to come, and I had to do something about it, no matter what the cost. As you all know, I almost gave my life to defeat the Dark Lord. I don't regret that. Had he won, our side would have had some benefits but in the end, all of us would have suffered."

His eyes moved from student to student. Some averted their eyes, some gave him a steely look. He waited for more questions, but none were forthcoming. "I am willing to discuss this in more detail with any of you who wish to do so. Please see me privately at your leisure."

He relaxed some. "Now… Head to your dormitories. Classes start early in the morning. Get the rest you need to do well."

He turned and exited the dungeons and quickly made his way to his quarters. Entering, he threw himself onto his sofa and stared into the flames that had magically started as soon as he'd entered the room.

He was glad that Baddock had asked the question that was on everyone's mind. He hadn't wanted to bring it up himself without a reason to do so. Now they all knew his motives, and hopefully, they would be able to respect him after contemplating what he had said…

Even though he looked like he was eighteen.

He rolled his eyes. The students who had returned seemed to have some respect for him as a professor, but he had seen some of their looks as he'd described his motives for turning away from the Dark Lord. He wasn't sure how they'd react in the long term. The first-years had looked upon him as if he were a God. He wasn't worried about them. This first week would be the tell. Either the older students would respect him, or after thinking about what he'd said today, they'd be out to get him.

Knowing his luck, it would be the latter.