A Lesson in Love

Ok guys... this is my first attempt at a fan fic... so bear with me ok!! Believe me, smut to follow... lots of it! Thanks tons to my beta reade, Kat UK... she has some great fics on fanfiction.net... especially if youre into yaoi! She`s great... so cheers Kat!!

anyway... enjoy... the next chapter will be up as soon as I get all the damn grammatical errors ironed out, lol!

btw, All the characters belong to the great goddess JK Rowling... she`s great and I hope she forgives me for nicking her characters! Oh... she didnt write Rubia... I did!


Chapter One - a new year, a new face

As the students filed into the great hall at the beginning of yet another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, all eyes fell upon the new face sat between Professors Snape and Sprout at the staff table. Whispers ran around the house tables wondering who she was... most guesses were that she was the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, although one or two of the wilder suggestions were that she was Sprout`s daughter, or perhaps yet another Ministry of Magic spy.


Rubia was twenty five years old. She had a waist length mane of dark blonde hair, blue-green eyes and a pale complexion. She was of average height and habitually dressed in long black robes, almost identical to the ones Snape wore, except that hers were fitted to show off her trim figure. The most interesting thing was her hands. She had long tapering fingers and her long fingernails were painted midnight blue. Each nail had a small silver ring through it, and from each ring hung a different silver charm. On the second finger of her left hand she wore a very large silver ring, with a dazzling blue stone set into it.


She sat through the sorting, glaring at the students in a forbidding manner, as if she were daring them to give her a reason to take house points. She was the same during the feast, eating little and speaking even less. She finished eating and sat back in her chair and drank from a goblet of pumpkin juice. As she put the goblet back down Dumbledore stood up.


\"Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts, and to our first years, I bid you welcome! Before the new school year gets underway I have a few notices to give out. Mr Filch has asked me to tell you that Nosebiting teacups are now banned items due to the unfortuate event last year when Mrs Norris tried to drink from one.\" He paused as the students snickered. Rubia stirred uncomfortably on the hard wooden chair and watched as they settled down under Dumbledore`s gaze. He carried on,


\"I would also like to remind you that certain areas are out of bounds to students, namely the forbidden forest and the teachers` private stores... these rooms do have wards on them for a reason.\" He stopped and glared pointedly at several students.


\"And finally,\" he said with a flourish. \"I have one new member of staff to introduce. Professor Rubia Barker will be taking over the Defence Against the Dark Arts position.\" He smiled benevolently at Rubia, who shifted uncomfortably under those twinkling blue eyes. He turned back to the mass of students gathered before him.
\"And now I think it is time to be getting to bed. Sleep well.\" And witat, at, he dismissed the school. He sat down stroking his long silver beard.


\"Severus.\" he said, without even turning his head.

\"Yes, Headmaster?\" A cold voice replied from beside Rubia. That voice! It sent shivers down her spine! She turned to look at the man next to he for the first time. His dress was similar to hers, his black hair just brushing his shoulders. His skin was pale and sallow and his nose hooked. Rubia could tell that when he stood up he would be tall. He looked well built as well, although he was hiding under his robes. Rubia turned back to face the rapidly emptying hall as Dumbledore carried on.


\"Professor Barker here arrived rather later than anticipated. I didnt have a chance to show her to her new chambers. She`ll be occupying the chambers across from yours. I would appreciate it if you could show her to her new home and ensure that she`s settled.\"


\"As you wish, Headmaster.\" The cold voice continued, sending yet more shivers up Rubia`s spine. She certainly had no objections to rooming across the hall from him!


Severus Snape, feared Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and ex death eater stood up and smoothed his voluminous black robes.


\"Professor, shall we?\" He intoned, offering his arm to Rubia.


\"Call me Rubia, please.\" She smiled, taking the proffered arm and allowing him to lead her out of the great hall and along the corridor.


\"Professor Snape, I understand you may be able to help me with my classes a little.\" She said, staring straight ahead. He looked at her puzzled a few moments before replying.


\"How may I help you?\" He asked, wondering why she had asked.


\"Well professor, I`m not that old. I was an Auror for three years so I know the majority of the basic and advanced practical defence. Still, I find myself confused by the more advanced defence theories and Professor Dumbledore suggested to me that you were quite good at defensive theory.\" She replied, with the same nonchalant expression that she had worn earlier.


\"Of course,\" Snape replied. \"I understand that you specialised in potions during your time at Auror headquarters. Perhaps you and I would be able to have an enjoyable conversation sometime?\"


\"Well that sounds great, Professor.\" Rubia beamed. \"I`m glad to have found myself a friend so quickly!\" Snape smiled back at her,


\"Call me Severus.\" He replied.