A/N: I am planning on posting the first three chapters of this story, and then posting one chapter a week on Fridays. I haven't fully finished it but I do have 15 chapters written thus far so should be good for a bit. I should have included the pairing in the first chapter, it's Severus/OC which I think is obvious but just in case I'm assuming, there it is.

Chapter 2

First Impressions

Hogwarts Castle

August 2, 2000

The following day, I woke to bird song. It was difficult leaving the cloud-like bed, but I managed. Stepping to the bank of windows, I noted they faced the black lake. It was a delightfully lovely day, and I couldn't wait to go outside and enjoy the sun. Yesterday's rain had left everything dewy and gleaming; I couldn't help but be in good spirits with how lovely everything looked outside. After dressing in pastel plum robes trimmed in silver and packing a messenger bag, I realized I had no idea where I was going. I went to school in America and only heard stories of Hogwarts.

"Erm, excuse me, ah, Hobbs?" A male elf dressed in black and white appeared, and bowed.

"What is profser Fe be wishful of?"

"Could you show me to the great hall, I believe that is where meals are taken, yes?" The elf nodded, then gestured.

"Please be following me profser." I listened to Hobbs, who gave directions to other destinations as we walked, I was grateful for my fine memory and fixed the directions in my mind. We finally came to the great hall, and I stopped dead, my mouth popping open, it was an enormous chamber. The doors were flung open, they measured three times my height. Light streamed from the huge windows and candles hanging above the tables. I noted that there were four tables for the houses and another table perpendicular to the four, which must be the staff table.

"Is profser needing aught else?" I smiled down at Hobbs.

"No, thank you for your help, Hobbs." The elf's cheeks grew greener he grinned, bowed, and then vanished with a small pop. I walked towards the staff table, it was already partially filled. To my relief, one of them was my aunt; I also spotted Severus, the spot next to him was vacant, while aunt had two people on each side of her. I went to her first, standing in front of the table.

"Good morning, Astrea, I hope your sleep was restful, I have informed the others of the position you will assume. May I introduce Filius Flitwick, our Charms Professor, next to him are Pamona Sprout and her assistant professor, Neville Longbottom, our Herbology Professors. On the other side is Carradicus Firth, our DADA Professor, and next to him is Hermione Granger, our Transfiguration Professor. I forgot we were to have a staff meeting this morning. Don't worry, it will be short, but it's intended to start preparing for September first, the rest of the staff should be here by the end of breakfast. We'll have the meeting at ten, and it will be in here, so you have plenty of time to eat." The tiny professor of charms spoke up.

"Would you care to sit next to your aunt, Professor Fraser?" I shook my head.

"No, no, I had planned on eating with Professor Snape this morning." I saw surprised looks being exchanged, along with judgemental ones but ignored them all.

"Well, then, enjoy your meal." I smiled, nodded, and moved to sit next to Severus, I smelled the coffee before I spotted the pot in the mix of dishes and jugs on the table.

"Thank Merlin, caffeine." I heard a stifled chuckle as I made much of the coffee, doctoring it with cream and sugar. Taking a deep sip, I couldn't stop a groan of delight, another chuckle, this time he had been unable to stifle it.

"I apologize, it's just so delicious, some of the best coffee I've ever had, oh, I forgot my manners. Good morning, Severus." Looking up at him, I saw his eyes gleaming with humor, again, that mouth jerked to the side.

"Good morning, Astrea, then it's true, all Americans crave coffee?" I snorted, and couldn't help but laugh, grinning up at him I nodded.

"Yes, though I do like tea occasionally, especially when I'm reading. I thought all Brits preferred tea, are you the one who proves the rule?" I caught a flicker of uncertainty but then the humor was back.

"I like my tea well enough but need coffee to face the morning; I drink vats of it to manage during the school year." I giggled, I couldn't help myself, his deep voice and dry humor were exactly what I needed. I caught surprise in his eyes as he glanced at me.

"I can imagine. I enjoy teaching, but children can be little monsters at the best of times. I'll admit after one of my bad days, I usually want a glass of wine or, in the winter, a nice hot toddy or spiced hard cider." I spread butter on a piece of toast, then dipped it into my overly sweet oatmeal.

"I'm relieved you aren't coming to this nieve believing children are all sweet-natured and angelic. The last professor left after the first month due to his idiocy. There are a few who are intelligent and wish to work hard, but the rest could care less. You should know I have a reputation with them as overly strict and harsh." I looked up, a brow quirked curious, "It is due to the nature of potions, they are volatile and, if mishandled, can and will explode, causing all manner of mayhem. If my students are clumsy or not carefully watched, I would be blamed, and well." He broke off a flicker of surprise crossing his expression.

"I understand, I had to handle my previous students similarly, magical creatures of any kind must be carefully handled. I received complaints, but I'd rather them think me severe than risk one of them in a moment of careless idiocy." I saw Severus's brows rise; I had surprised him into more than a minute expression.

"I see." His voice had warmed slightly, but I could still tell he was keeping me at an arm's distance, no matter, time would change that. I smiled up at him and then turned to fully appreciate my breakfast. A half-hour later, I noted other staff entered the hall and took their seats at the semi-circular table we ate at.

"Good morning, everyone, if you can settle, we will start, sooner started, sooner finished, as they say." There were polite chuckles at my aunt's words. "Now we have less than a month before we are inundated with students." As my aunt spoke I noticed the centaur at the back of the room; there were two of them, one blonde, his flanks a palomino color. The second was swarthy with black hair, his horse self a dark bay. "Firstly, let me introduce you to our newest professor, my niece Astrea Fraser, who will be our Care of Magical Creatures Professor. She has a great deal of experience working with magical creatures, and we are grateful to have her, please introduce yourselves when you get the opportunity. We have some housekeeping notes to take care of…" I pulled out a quill, leather-bound notebook and started taking notes on any pertinent matters. The meeting was, luckily, only an hour. Professor Granger raised concerns over the new testing standards, looking over the parchment handout, the testing seemed more inclusive, so I couldn't understand her quibble with it

"I don't understand why our testing had to be changed if it's been working since the 40s I see no point in the change."

"We must raise the testing standards while also making it possible to accommodate those with different learning abilities. Last year, we had a wheelchair user, a deaf student, and a student with autism. This year, one of our new students is legally blind, and two more are wheelchair users. Our North American colleagues have more experience, and I asked for suggestions during this June's educational conference. The Department of Magical Education's new head is more forward-thinking and is eager to employ the new testing system." Granger pursed her lips.

"I appreciate the need to cater to our disabled students, but will this new testing system truly challenge our students?" I bit my lip, taking a deep breath, I spoke up.

"I believe this new testing will still allow students who are standard learners or overachievers to shine through. In fact, it will allow them to be 'catered to' just as much as our disabled students. Speaking as someone with an epileptic disability, this is not only standard in North America, but due to the ruling of the ICW this last spring, this type of testing is now mandatory internationally." I felt uncomfortable revealing my epilepsy, but I also couldn't stay quiet.

"I did not know that, why was her disability not mentioned first?" Granger asked tone defensive. Minerva had her medium-level strict face on.

"I did not think that was necessary, Professor Granger." I could almost see the frost issuing from her mouth. "We are known as the most prestigious school of witchcraft and wizardry. I am eager to ensure that we happily comply with not only the new testing standards but also to make sure this school is a welcoming place. Not only for our muggle-born students but also for students who have disabilities. I should think of all the people you would be happy to see such progressive educational reforms." Granger sighed.

"It's not that I disagree, it's just that if the educational standards at Hogwarts worked this long why change them?" I heard a huff next to me, Severus cleared his throat and then spoke.

"They were indeed not working, Granger, thus the need for change." His voice was fridged, dry, judging, and crisp; the sardonic note had me stifling a giggle.

"I'm surprised you're speaking up about this, Snape." Granger bit back, and Minerva cleared her voice.

"Enough, this discussion is pointless. The changes are made, and we will be employing them effective immediately. Now, we will also be discussing changes to the head of the house position. The next reform dictates that the head of the house will change every four years. Before we discuss who would like to take over each house, the requirements of the head of house have also changed. House heads are required to hold only that position, which I completely agree with, as it was difficult for me to fulfill my head duties when I was also the deputy headmistress. House heads are required to meet with their students twice a year. They are also required to sit in the house's common room twice a week to make themselves available to their students. We are also cracking down on bullying in this school and will be employing a zero-tolerance policy from now on. Furthermore, we will be speaking with the students at the beginning of the year. Also, we have drawn up a new pamphlet for heads, which is required to be read. With all that said, who wishes to submit their name for head of Ravenclaw House?" I sat back; I had no wish to become the head of any house. Granger ended up as the head of Gryffindor, Longbottom as the head of Hufflepuff, Synistra, the Astronomy prof, as the Ravenclaw head, and Babbling for Slytherin house. The meeting closed with a reminder to attend the September first meeting. I stretched and stood with a small groan, I wobbled a little and found a hand at the small of my back, steadying me. Feeling warmed by the gesture, I smiled up at the dower man, his mouth jerked sideways in an almost smile.

"Thank you, Severus, that went longer than I thought it would," Severus grimaced.

"It usually does, may I ask a question?" I bit my lip; his eyes darted down to my mouth.

"Yes, you may." That small smile again.

"Have you tried any seizure prevention potions?" I blinked up at him slightly surprised he knew what epilepsy was.

"I have mostly tried muggle medication. I looked into the potion, but it's obscenely expensive and extremely complicated to brew." Severus cleared his throat and tidied his papers.

"I have the ingredients and time; I know it doesn't completely block the possibility of seizures, but it's the best the magical world can produce." I gaped up at him, and then my throat closed with emotion, I cleared it three times, trying to speak. I felt intensely vulnerable as a tear escaped my control, looking up at Severus, I could see he was watching me intently.

"I..if you would be willing to, I could pay you once I can or help you, though I'm not talented with potions." I cleared my throat again, valiantly attempting to hold myself together. I forgot how emotionally fragile I was, and this offer had taken me completely by surprise.

"No need, as the school's potions master, it is my duty to see all professor's needs are met. I also supply the infirmary with potions, so there is no need to pay me. I must go, good day." He left in a swirl of black; I admired the way his robes billowed.

"You should be careful around him, Fraser, is it?" I looked over to find Professor Granger had come up behind me. I immediately wanted to come to the absent man's defense but instead took a breath and faced her.

"I usually judge others on their treatment of me, and thus far, he has been politely formal but kind." Granger made a face.

"You do know he was a Death Eater, he does not enjoy potions, and he's been after the DADA post for years. He's strict, and harsh with his students and is only here on the goodwill of your aunt." I hid my surprise and slight trepidation; I also hid the bristling at her know-it-all tone, and attitude.

"Many people can have a checkered past. However, I tend to judge them on their current actions, Professor Granger."

"I don't think you understand, seeing as you were in America, but there was a war here, and he chose to serve the opposite side for a time. Sure, he chose to spy, but it was to save his skin. Professor Snape is a self-serving, cruel, heartless man at bottom; I am just trying to inform, and warn you." The slight condescending tone at the end had me clenching my fists under the table, taking a breath I paused, then responded.

"Thank you for your concern, Professor Granger." Granger smiled slightly, then turned and walked to speak with Professor Longbottom. Deciding to go to Minerva for the actual information, I walked over to where she sat chatting with Professor Babbling who looked to be in her mid-fifties.

"Headmistress, could I speak with you?" Aunt Minerva smiled up at me.

"Excuse me, Bathsheba, and if the runes convention is over the holiday, we will happily pay for you to attend." Babbling smiled, nodded to me, then left. "What can I help you with, Astrea?"

"Professor Granger approached me; she told me a few things about Professor Snape, I wanted to corroborate her story." Minerva's mouth thinned.

"That girl, I thought all the rule-breaking she did in school would lead to softening her. It seems that she is harder on rules and rule breakers. I can't understand it, she's tremendously intelligent, why that wasn't applied to her emotions, I will never know. Ah, don't mind my ranting, please. What did she say?" I related the conversation, Minerva's expression stiffened, she rubbed her brow, then spoke.

"He did follow Voldemort in his younger days, but then did truly turn and spied for us. He almost died during the last battle, Voldemort's familiar, a serpant, bit him. Luckily he had an antidote on hand but he still carries the scars. Due to him, many students were saved, as were many Order members. He also agreed to stay and teach potions despite his wish for the DADA position. The rest concerning his personality is her opinion I would not listen to her." I nodded.

"Thank you. I didn't expect work drama this quickly, but I wanted to clear it up immediately before I took her opinions seriously." Minerva smiled slightly.

"Alas, there will always be work drama, my dear Rea, now I see Hobbs is waiting for you. Go enjoy concentrating on the cottage for a while. I should also thank you for speaking up concerning the disabled students I know it's never been easy to talk to strangers about it." I smiled.

"You're welcome, Aunty, and yeah, some simple decorating sounds like a good idea." I walked to Hobbs who was fidgeting by the door.

"Is profser ready, elves has been working hard, we be excited to show you." I grinned down at the exuberant elf.

"I'm excited to see it, lead me on Hobbs, let's see what you have done."

A/N: Thank you for reading, and if you would review I would be most interested to see what you think, cheers!