The Professor

(A/N: I promise that there are more encounters between Snape and Chloe ahead. It takes time...good things come to those who wait.)

Chapter 3

The first week of classes went fairly well. She rose every morning and had breakfast in her rooms. She hated mornings and refused to sit primly at the head table with the other professors. She had coffee and toast in her sitting room as she prepared for the day. There was still so much she didn’t know. And what she did know, she was confused about.

So at the end of the week, she decided to take a trip to Hogsmeade, the wizarding community, and search the bookstores for more resources.

Albus had told her where to go and also let her know other professors would be around if she had any trouble. He also advised her that if she needed any assistance, there was the bar keep in the Hogshead tavern who would be more than happy to help.

Wearing her black robes over her jeans and sweater, she walked briskly towards the nearest bookstore. Hogsmeade was a complete delight to her. Everywhere there where witches and wizards talking and bustling about. Everyone enjoying the day before the weather got too cold.

Chloe took her time and walked about looking in windows. The candy store, Zonko’s, looked absolutely fascinating. But she was not to go in. She was intelligent enough to know that there was plenty she didn’t know. She was worried she would make some huge mistake. She would stick to buying books.

She wondered around and caught sight of a bookstore and she entered into the warmth. Rows and rows of books were lining the walls. There were a few books that had wings that were twittering around the ceiling. She smiled and followed the signs to the history section.

She already had Hogwarts: A History and it was a good read. She wanted something different. Something that helped her understand more about witches and wizards in general. She roamed around and found a book titled, Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts. She picked this one up and saw on the front cover it had printed: Revised Edition on it with this years date. Well that was good. No sense in buying an outdated book!

She found a few others that she thought were interesting and she bought them with no problem. With a stack of no less than five books, she exited the store back towards Hogwarts. She passed out of the village and walked along the path. She was deep in thought and marveling at everything around her. She didn’t notice two wizards step out from behind the tress directly behind her.


She heard their voices speaking loudly.

“Yeah, I heard that senile old man Dumbledore hired a muggle to teach at the school. Disgusting! What good are muggles anyway?” This comment was met with laughter from another and Chloe put her head down and walked faster towards the school. She was frightened. They were speaking in loud voices so that she could hear them and they sped up their pace in order to walk directly behind her.

“Tell you what I think, I think that all muggles are good for is a good shag. Sometimes, their not even that good.” More laughter. “Let’s ask this one if she’s any good.” Chloe felt tears sting her eyes and her heart pounded in her chest. She was still so far away from the school.

“Hey muggle. Are you a good shag?” Chloe thought that there were two of them behind her but she dared not turn around to validate that thought. She kept walking.

“Hey! I’m asking you a question you filthy stinking muggle! Can’t you hear me?” He was right behind her, so close she felt his hot breath on the back of her neck. She cringed and tried to run. But the weight of her books kept her from going fast. They laughed at her and continued to tease her. She turned around to face her assailants.

There were in fact two of them. They were fairly young and one was so fat he looked like an overgrown baby. She did notice, they both had their wands out. This can’t be good.

********

Severus had decided to go ahead and go to have a drink this afternoon. He was sitting inside of the Hogshead when her saw her pass. She had a serene smile on her face and her arms were loaded down with books.

He tried to look away, but he wanted to see where she was going. Why did Dumbledore allow her here alone? Didn’t he remember that there were still wizards walking around that escaped the war completely, but held true to their muggle hating dogma?

He polished off his Firewhiskey and headed for the door. He would follow her out of the village. Just to make sure she was alright.

She was heading up the path towards the school when he saw two young wizards whispering as she passed them. He narrowed his eyes and watched as they hurried into the trees and disappeared out of sight.

He sighed heavily. Great. Now he had to follow her all the way back. He didn’t want to speak to her. He didn’t want to be involved with her. He did enjoy looking at her though.

He walked slowly along and tried to keep out of sight. He was a little disturbed at the behavior of the other two wizards. Were they following her? Or was he finally losing his mind and becoming obsessed with someone he didn’t even know?

He walked along and caught sight of them in the distance at the top of the hill. There she was walking along with her head bent forward. She was trying to ignore the assault happening behind her. Severus couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it didn’t look friendly.

He rolled his eyes and swore. He quietly quickened his pace and came up behind the young wizards as she turned around to face them. She was staring at them with a frightened look on her face. She had tears in her pretty eyes and Severus felt a little sorry for her.

“Hey! I’m asking you a question you filthy stinking muggle! Can’t you hear me?” Severus rolled his eyes again and pointed his wand at the fat one. His voice came out as a growl.

“Just what is it you think you’re doing Goyle?” The fat one jumped as if bitten by a snake and the other one turned around more slowly.

Chloe stared wide eyed at Severus as he walked, with his wand pointed at the wizards, in front of Chloe. He was now shielding her from their view.

“Snape. Should have known you’re still around.” The skinny wizard tried very hard to look menacing, instead, he came across constipated. The fat one looked like he wanted to run.

“P-p-professor Snape! We…we were..” The fat one tried to speak.

“You were what Goyle?” Severus spat. Now both young wizards dropped their eyes to the ground. “I suggest you run along now. Wouldn’t want anything happening to you in the middle of the woods now would we? Pity, I would think you would have learned something from your fathers. But as I recall, you learning anything was always a challenge.” The two wizards shot Severus a dirty look before turning on their heels and walking back towards Hogsmeade.

Severus lowered his wand and watched them go. It would be so simple to curse them right now. How thick could they get? Turning their backs on a wizard who had his wand raised at them. Just as he was trying to talk himself out of hexing them, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He was taken aback by the touch, he had forgotten Professor Browning was even there.

He turned and was met with tear filled eyes. Her delicate hand lay on his shoulder and a small smile was on her face.

*************

He was more than magnificent. He was downright scary. The way those young wizards immediately backed down at the sight of him made her chest tighten. She felt her cheeks flush as she looked at his face in profile. Hidden behind stringy hair and a rather long nose was a fairly handsome man. But God was he frightful looking.

She saw the wizards storm off and she moved closer to him as he watched them go. She touched his shoulder to remind him that she was still there. She could feel his heat through his clothes and saw his cheeks, that were normally pale, flushed a slight pink.

He jumped at her touch and looked down at her. She tried to smile, but she was caught up with studying his face. His eyes were black as coal and his nose was indeed long and hooked. But he had an incredible mouth. And if he were to do something with his hair, he could pass as a nicely attractive man.

“You should be more careful.” his voice stirred her thoughts. It was low and deep and she felt her heart flutter at the sound of it. “Might I suggest you not go on anymore excursions alone. As you can see…there are dangers.”

She nodded and realized her hand was still on his shoulder. He obviously noticed too and his eyes flicked towards her hand and back at her. She quickly let go of him and held her books.

“Thank you, Professor Snape. I appreciate your help.” As she spoke he was already walking away from her. He was returning to Hogsmeade without another word. She stood still and watched his long body glide down the hill.

She carried her load of books back up to the castle and didn’t feel right again until she was in her rooms.