Life Begins Anew

AN I hope this chapter is good. It took me a long time to write it!

Chapter 12 Gelamen Philologus (Gathering of Scholars)

Sarah arrived at the apparation point for Hogwarts and started walking toward the main gates. She noticed a figure standing next to the gates, as if waiting for someone. According to her book, that meant the less tenured of the staff.

As she got closer, she could see that it was Severus Snape, resplendent in the dark purple robes of a potions master. She greeted him, but he just curtly nodded, gesturing with his hand to walk through the gates.

Severus glanced at the new professor, hearing the clink of several medallions clinking as she walked beside him He noticed she was almost as tall as him and that her hair was the same shade of black, with loose long curls. The witch reminded him of someone, but he could not place her.

Both left each other to their own thoughts until the arrived at the closed doors leading to the great hall.

Severus stood for a moment undecided. The youngest female professor in seventeen years was here, and as a non-student, available. As long the staff members kept a relationship discrete, the by-laws allowed it. After all, Albus and Minerva have been together for years. As the witch he most desired was currently not available, bedding the new professor was a possibility. And he would save quite a few galleons by not having to visit the brothel. He decided to take a chance. He looked to her, hand on the handle of the door. “Madame, perhaps you would allow me to take you for drinks after the staff meeting and show you Hogsmeade?” he asked, voice pure silkiness.

“Perhaps” she replied in a low husky voice. “Let’s she how things proceed first. Shall we?”
“Of course.” He replied. Severus smirked inwardly. He had a chance. His cock twitched at the thought. Besides, the Headmaster had specifically ordered him to be cordial to their newest professor.

He opened the his door and offered his arm. She placed her hand on it and he led her to the small table that was set up directly across from the Headmasters place at the head table. Severus pulled out the chair and waited as she sat down. Once he ensured that the new professor was settled, he took his place at the end of the head table.

The wizard at the center of the table stood up, resplendent in the silver robes of an alchemy master. He was very tall, then and had a long beard of silver. “Welcome Hogwart’s newest!” he intoned. “Listen now as a scholar to your fellow professors. Together, we will achieve great things and pass our knowledge to future generations, so that it is not lost.”

He smiled warmly toward her. “I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of this school since 1955. In addition to Alchemy, I also hold masters in Potions, Herbology, and Transfiguration. While I have many accomplishments, I feel the most meaningful one is my discovery of the twelve uses of dragon’s blood.” He sat back down.

A witch arose and also smiled at her, dressed in the maroon robes that marked her as a Master of Tansfiguration. “I am Minerva McGonagall. I also hold the duties of Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffidor House, alongside my duty of a Transfiguration professor. I welcome you and hope that you will make Hogwart’s your home after your one year contract is up. I have been teaching here since 1956, and it is good to see new blood here to continue what has been going on for a thousand years.” she sat back down.

A old wizard stood up on a pile of books, dressed in the yellow robes of Charms Master. “ I am Filius Flitwick, Charms professor and head of house for Ravenclaw. I research and develop new charms when school is not in session. My most successful charm is the Desirus charm. He carefully sat back down on his pile of books.

A witch with flyway grey hair and wearing the green robes of a Herbology Master stood up and warmly spoke. “My name is Ponoma Sprout. I teach Herbology and am also the Head of House for Hufflepuff. I developed a technique to increase the maturity rate for Mandrakes, enabling them to be harvested in half the time.” She looked embarrassed as she sat back down.

And the introductions continued Cuthbert Binns, History of Magic. She was surprised that he was a ghost. Charity Burbage, Muggle Studies; Aura Sinistra, Astronomy; Septima Vector, Arithmacy; Bathsheda Babbling, Ancient Runes; Sybil Trewlawny; Divination, and the Rubius Hagrid, Care of Magical Creatures.

The wizard that escorted her up stood up, resplendent in the robes of a Potions Master. “I am Severus Snape, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House. I also hold an additional mastership in Herbology, as I prefer to use my own ingredients when I can. I also brew healing potions for the school’s hospital wing. I am currently researching improvements in Lycanthropy, and would welcome insight as I see by your dress as a Potions Master, I would welcome any insight that you might have. He slightly bowed to her and sat down, not noticing the surprised looks of his fellow professors. But Sara caught it.

The Headmaster stood back up. “We have introduced ourselves, and now need to know what you bring to this school.”

Sara slowly stood up, the opening of her Potion Master robes revealing several medallions of additional Masterships. “ My first mastership is potions, but I hold several masterships in Transfiguration, Charms, Healing, Herbology, Aritmacy, Runes and Astronomy. As you can see, I am well educated and have used all of my knowledge in practical use.” If they only knew how I used them, she thought. “I feel that I am qualified for this position as I also hold a mastership in Dark Arts.” She fingered the black ribbon medallion as the rest of the staff gasp out in surprise. She was not surprised and continued on. “I came here after the Head at Salem’s Institute forwarded a request for help. My name is …..”

The door opened and Argus Filch, caretaker of the school walked in. “Headmaster, the students have arrived.”

Albus walked down until he was next to Sara. “Minerva, go to the First years. We will continue this after the Welcoming Feast at the Staff Meeting.” Minerva nodded and left the Great Hall

He leaned down and asked Sara her name. She whispered it into his ear. He merely nodded and escorted her to the empty seat next to Severus. Albus then went to his place and waited for the arrival of the students.

As the older students filed in first, they noticed the professors in formal attire. They were shocked as they have never seen them dressed like this. They immediately noticed the new professor and correctly deduced that she was the next Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. Despite assurances of the staff, all the students knew that the position was cursed and had been for years. She didn’t look to friendly

Minerva arrived with the first year students and the Sorting Hat. When she placed the hat it began to sing the same song as last year, stressing house unity, except it added the missing bonded of the founding four had returned and life begins anew.

Down at Gryffindor table, Hermione Granger frowned on this. What could the hat mean?

The first years were sorted and the Headmaster gave the warnings of the Forbidden Forest was off limits, and stressed the word forbidden as he looked pointedly toward Gryffindor. He also told the students the list of banned items could be found on the school caretakers door.

“Students, you are privileged to see the sorting of a new professor. While this is normally done in the presence of staff alone, ceremony demands it.” He escorted the witch to the stool, helping her sit upon it.

Minerva placed the sorting hat upon her head.

“Welcome back Headmistess” The Sorting Hat spoke into Sara’s mind. “Hmm, things have changed since I was last placed upon your head. Oh yes! You are Slytherin to the core my dear. But other influences drive a change in House. I see the means towards the end, and I have no choice but to sort you into…” The Sorting House shouted out loud to the Great Hall. “Gryffindor!”

Loud cheers were heard from the Gryffindor table.
Albus escorted her back to her seat at the Head Table and went back to his place.

“Students, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Professor Sara Snape, our new professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts! Eat up!”

The room was silent except as the Headmaster politely clapped. Sara rose and waved her hand briefly and sat back down. This is weird she thought.

Soon the sound of a knife scrapped upon a plate was heard, The hall became animated in talk as the students discussed their new professor. They all determined they were doomed as two Snapes was now teaching at the school.

Albus looked over to his Potions Master and saw that the announcement had not elicited a response from him.

Severus handed the pitcher of wine to Sara, looking at her pointedly.

“I suppose the offer of drinks is out, Severus?”

“It really depends on the staff meeting and the situation of sharing a name. I also have some questions of your qualifications.” He turned back to his food, ending the conversation.
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Staff Meeting……….

Albus took her hand. “Well, I cannot imagine a more interesting Welcoming Feast that Hogwarts has had in many years. I apologize for the chilly reception, Sara. You see, our Potions Master has garnered quite the reputation, and sharing a name has transferred to you. I believe you need to explain a few things to us.”

Sara thought quickly. I will not give out information freely. “Headmaster, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. But my masterships are truthful. The ceremony would have recognized if I was lying about them.” She looked to the rest of the staff. “But the real question is, am I related to Severus?” There was muttered agreement.

“I do not see why this is such a big deal, but I am willing.” She raised her right arm and withdrew her Master Assassin dagger. “Sarah,” The headmaster started. She ignored him as she dripped out her blood onto a conjured parchment. She cleaned her blade and grabbed Severus hand and pricked it, allowing his blood to drip on the parchment next to hers. She placed her dagger back into her right arm and stated “Headmaster, if you will?”

Albus pointed his wand and muttered Perintus. The blood on the parchment glowed, showing that she was indeed related to Severus.

“Headmaster, as we show we are blood related, it does not answer how she can have a Dark Arts Mastership. She must be lying!” Severus shouted, uncomfortable at the fact that this witch was related to him.

Albus turned to her, questioningly. “Well, I have a benefactor and I have gone back in time numerous times to obtain my masterships.”

Severus sneered. “And who was your Dark Arts Master?”

She dropped her robes, exposing her left breast to expose her Dark Arts mastership tattoo. A gasp went up as Albus hurriedly covered her up.

“My master was Damian Selwyn.” She replied

Severus gasped, “He died two hundred years ago!”

Sara’s eyes narrowed. “Are you questioning the validity of my masterships?”

“Indeed!” Severus hissed back.

“Excellent!” Sara replied back smoothly. “The Hogwart’s book I received said anyone questioning my qualifications has one week to refute my standing. I had a benefactor and went back in time several times to obtain my qualifications.”

She removed her medallions from her neck and tossed them in front of Severus. “Have fun, and I expect a full apology in front of the students, as I have the misfortune to inherit your reputation!”

“Headmaster, The Board of Governor’s gave me leave to spend this weekend packing, as this assignment was short notice. I will leave the castle and report back early Monday morning. I trust that is well with you?”

“Go Sara. “Albus replied thoughtfully. “When you come back, I will show you your quarters and classroom.”

Sara glared at the assembled professors .”My regrets, Headmaster, of the problems I have caused. But have no fear, I will teach the students to be the best prepared for the war that was mentioned. This is the only reason I am here. I am the best, do not ever doubt that.”

She left the castle and apparated back to her Manor.

AN Okay, so Hagrid is newest, but based on time at Hogwart’s, he is not least tenured. based on time at school. Also, I used Lexicon for a lot of my background. Please review!