Muggled

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters of the Harry Potter universe and make no money from them. They are the property of J.K. Rowling.

Author's Note: I would like to give a big thank you to my wonderful beta Demitria Miriam (DM), who is undertaking the huge task of editing my story. I would also like to thank Buttercup for her support and encouragement. I welcome all reviews good, bad and ugly, but please if they are bad and ugly at least make them constructive and leave an email address. This is my first HP fic so keep that in mind. Chapter 1 is now with my beta.

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Prologue:

Severus Snape entered the staff room of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, dark eyes scanning its occupants, he took the seat that faced slightly away from the main sitting area. He was exactly on time for the final meeting of the year; neither early nor late but exactly the way he preferred to arrive, his black cloak swishing as he made his usual dramatic entrance. Of course it didn't matter if he was on time or not seeing as how the staff meeting would not start for at least another half-hour; McGonagall, Sprout, and Hooch were tittering on the couch over in the far corner, something about what Dumbledore had been saying. It made Severus long for his old Death Eater meetings; at least they had the saving grace of being conducted without chattering women.

And now he couldn't even escape the chattering at Hogwarts since the Dark Lord's fall during the past year. Potter and his annoying friends, along with some students, a few other members of the Order, Dumbledore, Lupin and himself had cast an ancient curse that had been the Dark Lord's undoing in the final battle.

Of course the idiot boy had emerged the hero, when actually it was Dumbledore who had procured the curse and then the rest of them shared equal parts in Voldemort's demise. As usual, though, his participation was kept secret so he could continue, after the war, to search for Death Eaters who ran into hiding. Not that he needed the glory the Potter boy seemingly reveled in, he would rather suffer Cruciatus over and over again instead of having simpering witches fall at his feet. All he required was the DADA position that should have been his many years ago; Dumbledore had no reason not to give it to him. He had the most experience and that blasted Dunning had announced he was leaving after his one failed year of teaching. Why did the old man keep wasting his time on unqualified fools who could not counter a curse to save their own worthless life? The only one in the past six years
who had any real talent at all was Lupin, though Severus would never admit this willingly. And the only reason he knew anything at all about the subject because he was the bloody subject. Damn Lupin.

Lupin, in all actuality, was the most tolerable of the members in the Order, or at least since Black's death. Lupin had retained Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place as executor of Black's estate until Potter reached the age of majority. After Black had gone and gotten himself killed, thus finally shutting up that horrid portrait of a ranting Mrs. Black, the Order headquarters was a bearable place to spend time in. As long as Potter, his friends, or any of the Weasley brood for that matter, were not in residence, that is. Especially their mother, always telling him to “. . .get some sun.” Blasted woman.

"Sir, with all due respect, when are we going to start this blasted
meeting?" Severus finally said. "We have been here for precisely twenty
minutes already."

"Oh come now, Severus. Aren't you enjoying the company of these lovely ladies?," Albus Dumbledore responded, a merry smile upon his face, all the while as the three witches in the Lounge simpered.

More like cackled, the Potions master thought, simply scowling in response. Dumbledore stood up with finality and walked over to stand in front of the fireplace chuckling softly at Severus' response.

"Well I suppose it is time to begin. I would like to welcome you to the last staff meeting, as well as congratulating you on a wonderful year. You all did exceptionally well, beyond expectation, in preparing the students that fought in the final battle. And I would especially like to thank each of you for the part you played in Voldemort's defeat. Since classes are finished and the children have left school, we only have a few things to cover before I am able to dismiss you to your summer holidays. First, I would like to thank both Professors Dunning and Keller for their help this year. Even though Professor Dunning was only with us one year, he made a great contribution to the staff and will be greatly missed for his humorous antics. In addition, I would also like to congratulate Professor Keller on her retirement; she has been a brilliant Muggle Studies teacher and one of the first muggle-born witches to teach here at Hogwarts. She has tirelessly promoted understanding and tolerance between muggles, muggle-borns, and those of older wizarding families. We hope her retirement is both enjoyable and rewarding. After the meeting we will be celebrating with punch and pastries we have planned for her in the Great Hall. Let's give her and Professor Dunning a round of applause for a job well done."

Yes, yes, yes. Clap, clap, clap, Severus thought, while he solemnly clapped twice, get on with it already. After the clapping subsided Dumbledore continued on about their great year, the Dark Lord's fall, this and that; all things which Severus cared nothing about until Dumbledore said something that caused him to look up through the limp black hair that hung forever in his face.

"And now the professors who will be leaving, though they will be greatly missed, will leave two spots that must be filled. For Defense Against the Dark Arts, I am pleased to say that someone who has been a teacher before will be fulfilling position. This is someone who has worked tirelessly against the Dark and has sacrificed much in order to do so. He will be a wonderful asset to this school in this position. And I am glad to say that due to the Ministry relaxing some of its more unreasonable legislation since Mr. Riddle's defeat, he will be able to return to this position indefinitely. Mr. Remus Lupin will be returning and will be our new DADA instructor."

"What! How could the old fool do this? Lupin's a bloody werewolf. Oh, but dear me, I forgot he's also a bloody Gryffindor, so of course they cancel each other out. Another year teaching a bunch of incompetent, asinine dunderheads, the fine art of potions making. Like any of them have a chance of truly understanding it. I'm going to be doing this till I die," Severus continued fuming to himself until he heard the next part of Dumbledore's speech.

"And for the Muggle Studies position, there is a young American born witch who has been involved in Muggle society since she was born even though she is not a Muggleborn herself. She is the daughter of the American ambassador who was the former American Muggle Government Liaison and just graduated from the University of Texas Institute of Magical Studies, with a degree in Muggle Relations. She is more than qualified for the position, both Professor Keller, the Deputy Headmistress and myself have agreed upon this. Originally, she was to teach at the Salem Institute in Massachusetts, America. However, since she is extremely close to her family and will more than likely not want to be separated form them, I have taken the liberty of writing to Salem and successfully asked for her to transfer to Hogwarts. All that is left is for her to agree, though, I doubt that will be a problem. I do believe that she is somehow related to Minerva."

Severus knowing he couldn't confront Dumbledore for the DADA position (the old wizard insane as he was, had already given him more than he deserved) had to find someway to let out frustration at being thwarted once again for his desired class. The Headmaster already knew of his feelings on Lupin's lycanthropy, and had dismissed them outright. The only other thing he could think of was that the young American witch would have a hard time filling Keller's shoes. She would also have no clue about what happened with Voldemort, being so far removed from the situation. She was Minerva's niece, so that meant she indefinitely was Gryffindor-to-the-core. Bloody Gryffindors.

"Well, I do believe that is all. Thank you all so very much for your help this year and let us now adjourn so that we can enjoy this evening’s
festivities in the Great Hall. There will be many pastries, drinks and cakes for everyone. And, if I am not mistaken, the cakes are chocolate."

As everyone was filing out of the staff room and heading toward the Great Hall, Severus called out, "Headmaster, may I have a word?"

Dumbledore stopped before exiting the room, looking at Severus with merry eyes. "Surely it can wait until after the party Severus."

"No sir, I am afraid it can't, seeing as how I am not attending the party."

"Well all right then, how may I help you?"

"Sir, I can't even fathom why you are offering a position, as sensitive as Muggle Studies, to a child who is barely out of school herself. It has been made a required course for 6th and 7th years and there are still many students who are not happy about that. This American is not going to handle this well. You know how tactless they can be. She is a politician's daughter, not to mention how inappropriate it is for the Deputy Headmistress' niece to be offered employment. That is nepotism at its worst. Sir, I seriously think that you should reconsider the offer and let the Americans have her. This is too sensitive of a time to put someone unfamiliar with the situation into this position. It is not too late to rescind your request to Salem."

"Do you feel better now that you have that off your chest?” The eyes of the Headmaster twinkled as he continued with, “I know that you have been through a lot lately with the final battle, not to mention staying undercover now in order to find the Death Eaters that have run into hiding. But I don't believe it is this young woman that is really bothering you. However, to put your worries to rest, I can assure you that she is quite aware of the situation here, she wrote her thesis on it. Also the fact that she is a politician's daughter has helped her learn how to handle herself in all types of situations. She has lived with a muggle roommate for the past two years, and can adequately function in the muggle world. Her family, as well, have had to in their dealing with the American Muggle Government. As for her being Minerva's niece, she is her great niece and I assure you she was the most highly qualified candidate for the position. Professor Keller herself suggested her since Minerva was reluctant to do so. Plus it isn’t a bad thing to have an older relative in the workplace; they serve as a wonderful guide for the new teacher. Did I ever tell you my Great, Great Uncle Rufus was still teaching Arithmancy when I started teaching Transfiguration? Besides, Severus, give her a chance. You never know, you may even like her."

"But, sir-."

"Enough, Severus. Now, what's this about you not attending Julie's party? Of course you are. Come along now, let's go have some cake."

Severus grumbled as he turned to walk out the door, with Professor
Dumbledore watching him go, his blue eyes twinkling.


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Once again big thank you to DM. And don't forget to review.