Life Begins Anew

Chapter 19 Confrontations

Sara and Severus Confrontation

Sara arrived at her classroom one hour before the breakfast bell. She sat down at her desk and looked at the atmosphere of the classroom. The moving screaming portraits were perfect. She decided she would un-silence them for the First to Third years. Yes,that should start the little dears off wonderfully. She pulled out her syllabus and arranged them in order of her class schedule and placed them on the desk.

She sat there tapping her wand to her chin. She wanted to properly teach these students to be able to survive. She knew that her agenda was hastening the final confrontation and she wanted to give all of them a chance, no matter what side they chose. But to do so, would get back to Voldemort.

She stood up and walked over to the classroom wall and placed her hand upon it. She closed her eyes and meditated. After a few minutes she smiled and sat back down at her desk. She raised her left arm and pointed it at the doorway, throwing a silent wizard’s oath at the entrance and extending it across the classroom.

She lowered her arm, subconsciously rubbing where the mark had been burned onto her the previous day. She had noticed that it was not like taking the mark of the Master Assassin. Maybe it was because the Guild used it to flow its essence into her. Voldemort’s mark felt like there was a foreign object within the tattoo. It was like burning from the inside out. She felt that this observation was important. She would think about the Mark and its properties when classes were done. Maybe her brother could provide insight.

A voice rang out coldly from the back of the classroom. “Hurts, doesn’t it?” She followed the voice and found Severus standing there.

He walked forward to her desk and pulled out a jar of healing salve from his robes.

“This will deaden the pain, but it will not interfere if he summons you.”

She thanked him and applied the salve. The pain immediately went away.

She noted the tone and posture of the potions master and knew that she had to try to appease a very angry wizard.

“So, what brings you up here Severus?” She asked.

“You will address me as Professor Snape. We may share a name and blood, but we are NOT family. I do not remember you. You are a stranger to me, so I see no reason to be civil. You are an animal, Sara Snape! I believe even the Dark Lord was secretly shocked. But yes, you impress him Sara! No doubt he will pair us up as often as he can on his raids. Yet, if you are truly loyal...” he sneered at this “Draco Malfoy and myself would have been part of that blood spot. What game are you up too?” He coldly asked. “And as to why I am here, it is because the Headmaster requested that I check and see if you are settling in.”

Severus looked into Sara’s eyes and saw no emotion or reaction to anything that he said.

“All this emotion…” Sara said with an evil looking smile, eyes icy. “You’ve just displaced everything our fellow professors have told me about you, brother.”

“All this” she said sweeping her arms about “Over things that you cannot change. Traitors not worthy of life! Surely I am no more of an animal than you! Torture and rape are a turn on dear brother. I know you enjoyed my Revel last night. You might not have wanted to at first, but at the end of the day you succumbed to the lust and the power you held and allowed it to take you over. You are no different then I, besides the fact that I will show my enjoyment and you do not.” She walked from her desk and whispered huskily into his ear. “We are the same, brother even if you acknowledge it or not.”

She looked into his eyes, and noticed the anger and revulsion toward her. “I may be an animal, but I did as the Dark Lord requested. I will continue to do so. I am here to keep an eye on you. That is the assignment my Lord gave to me. He does not trust you. Very wise, as your allegiance lies with another group.”

She turned away from him and walked towards the classroom door. She placed her hand on the door and turned to face him.

She opened the door. “You, however know nothing about me, so I will always have the upper hand. As long as you do not get in my way, I’ll keep your little secret Professor Snape! You have nothing to worry about as long as nothing comes up to benefit me revealing you as a traitor that you surely are.”

She walked out of the classroom, leaving Severus behind.

Sara and Severus Confrontation Continues

In the Great Hall

Sara walked through the staff entrance went up to the head table to eat. It looked like everyone was there except her brother. She greeted her colleagues and sat down to eat. Coming back early was wise as it had enabled to interact with them on a personal level. While she knew that they would never trust her completely, they could tell that her interactions with her colleagues were more forthcoming then from her brother.

A plate appeared with over medium eggs, toast and a glass of pumpkin juice. There was also a vial. She opened the vial and sniffed it. It was a calming draught.

Filius Flitwick, the charms professor sat down beside her. “Ah, the house elves are anticipating an anxious day for you. Are you nervous about your first day of teaching?”

“No, not really. It doesn’t help that you lot regaled me with all the stories about students and their escapades. Along with too much Elvin wine” She rolled her eyes.

Filius laughed. “By you lot you must mean Professors McGonagall, Sprout, and Sinistra. Well, Merlin knows the things they have seen. But one thing is true. First class, or one hundredth class, the students will always test their teacher to find a limit, especially with the new ones.”

“I really hope so, Filius.” She said grinning evilly. “The little wonders won’t know what hit them!”

The small wizard chuckled and looked to her. “My dear Sara I do not know who to feel sorry for, you or our little wonders.” He finished his breakfast. “I wish you a pleasant day!”

Sara turned back to her plate, thinking about the encounter with her brother. She was thinking back to the prophecy and the line about the serpent. As Head of Slytherin, the prophecy could mean him. How could they work together, when he pretty much told her he was repulsed by her? She was going to have to come clean on a few things. Maybe that will tone down some of the hatred and anger.

She felt movement beside her and noticed the potions master sitting down next to her. He picked up the vial and smelled it.

“Ah!” Severus drawled. “Already using potions and the first bell haven’t even rung?” He laughed nastily.

The rest of the staff looked to the Snapes. They had immediately noticed that Severus hated the new professor. Especially after finding out the two of them were related. The Headmaster had decided to withhold that fact from the students. It would eventually get out anyway, things like that often did.

Sara felt the eyes of the rest of the staff resting upon her. She was not going to take his shit.

“Good Morning Professor!” She cheerfully greeted him. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken.” She sweetly smiled. “You are so pent up! Take this and maybe it will calm you down enough to get laid. That usually works for me. All that pent up emotion can’t be good for you!” She continued eating her breakfast.

Her comment was spoken loud enough for the rest of the head table to hear it. There were quite a few chuckles from the table as well as a few glares.

Severus stood up face flushed and eyes glittering angrily. He turned to leave.

“Ah, Severus….” Coughed the headmaster. “Remember you will be evaluating Professor Snape’s classes today.” The headmaster’s eyes followed the billowing robes that marked the angry wizard’s departure from the table.

Hermione Confronts The Rumors (Or Hermione Goes Mental)

Harry and Hermione entered the Great Hall noticing the new professor. A silence fell in the Great Hall as the other students noted the entrance of Hermione and Harry.

“Really!” She muttered. This is really annoying she thought to herself. It’s not like I’m the Minister of Magic, worthy of attention. Professor Snape said to observe life. I needed to take note of my fellow student’s actions. Oh, I will after this!

“Sonourus!” Hermione’s voice carried over the completely silent hall.

“Hi! Over here!” waving her hand in case the First years couldn’t find her. “I am Hermione Granger. Yes, it’s me! Head Girl, The Chosen One’s friend, Part of the Golden Trio, etcetera. I know that I have been the subject of everyone’s conversation in this school lately and I want to put an end to the rumors. Yes, I did catch Ronald and Lavander in a compromising position. And yes Professor Snape was there. Even I can feel a little pity for the couple with that circumstance alone.” She noticed Ron glaring at her, red faced. “Don’t look at me like that Ronald! You caused this!” Lavender crouched lower into her seat. Served her right, feeding him at meals, flaunting it.

She turned, enabling her to face most of the student body and to keep her resolve to see this through.

“I promise you that I am not going to run into Harry’s arms to make Ronald jealous. I am not going to throw myself off the Astronomy tower or commit Hari Kari. I am not going to run away from the magical world, my heart completely broken. Really, some of these rumors are just over the top!”

She glanced up at the head table. None of the professors had drawn their wands out. She carried on, her mind telling her that she had finally gone mental.

“Oh, and these scenarios will never happen either. I fall into the arms of the Headmaster or Professor Flitwick, as all older men can sooth a young girl’s heartbreak because of their experience of the world.” She shuddered slightly on those rumors.

“And I am not about to run to Professor’s Hagrid or Sprout as I really do not need to get one with the earth by caring for plants and creatures so that my torn heart could heal by avoiding wizards by living in the forest.”

She glared at Seamus, the cause of her predicament. Why hadn’t he kept his mouth shut? So much for Gryffindor loyalty.

“I also promise that I will not go out and seduce Potions Professor Snape as everyone knows that you just cannot run into the arms of dark, judgmental, angsty wizards and expect them to take you to their dungeon! I mean honestly, this is a school! You’re here to study, not to fantasize about someone else’s life. I have too much going on to have you make one up for me! Thank you!”

She ended the charm and sat down head hung low as to not meet anyone’s eyes. She looked at the staff door and noticed her potions professor frozen there, at the door.

Not a sound could be heard. Then suddenly there was a low, husky chuckle that sounded throughout the silent hall, changing into laughter. Everyone turned and stared as they realized that their new Dark Arts professor was laughing.

“Mrs. Granger! You truly are the brightest witch here as I was told by a Hufflepuff last evening! “This is a school! You are here to study not to fantasize.” Ten points to Gryffindor for conveying that very true fact in such a unique way. And a warning as well to the rest of the school. I DO NOT tolerate rumors! Speak of them in my class or anywhere in the range of my hearing and you truly risk peril!” She got up and started exited the hall. She called back.

“Oh, Miss. Granger! If you hear of a “scenario” involving Defense Professor Snape and yourself, please let me know. I would be most interested in pursuing …… the creators of such a scenario.” She brushed past her brother and walked through the staff door.

Harry glanced to where Ron and Lavender once sat. They were nowhere to be found.

The hall filled with the buzz of students. This time not discussing the Head Girl, but to the words of the new Defense professor.

“Well Hermione, I think that you will not be subject to anymore rumors.” Harry drily stated. “You must admit that the words from our Defense professor are a lot more pressing to contemplate.”

“Did you notice she sounded exactly like Professor Snape? Also, her body, build, and voice are close.” Hermione stated.

“Yeah, that is scary. I wonder if they are related. Except for the nose, they could be a perfect match!” replied Harry.

They noticed a shadow fall. They looked up and saw the angry eyes of their potions professor.

“Miss Granger! Mr. Potter! 10 points from Gryffindor for discussing professors and possible ties! Especially my ties specifically!” He walked away, robes billowing.

“Hermione, I think that you are going to hear from Professor Snape soon.”

Hells, Hermione thought. Term not even started and she was already in the shit. Why couldn’t she have kept her mouth shut?

A/N: What a start! Wonder how the rest of the day will go?