Stabat Mater

OK. This is the story I had started writing before In Wisdom\'s Creed.
I\'ve finally gotten the first chapter done, which was more difficult than you\'d think, since I\'d started writing the story from the middle.

The title of this story is Stabat Mater. This is from the Stabat Mater Dolorosa, a liturgical text about Mary at the Cross. The story is called this because Pergolesi\'s Stabat Mater features in it. If you like classical music, listen to this; it\'s amazingly beautiful.

The title of this Chapter is \"A Welcome Not So Cold\".

The quote for this chapter is:

\"The bitter past, more welcome is the sweet.\"
--William Shakespeare - All ’s Well that Ends Well. Act v. Sc. 3.

Again, this story will be updated as and when I complete chapters.
If anyone wants to know when it\'s updated, or when it\'s finished, mail me at secretlysnape.yahoo.co.uk

Enjoy!

SecretlySnape

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Hermione picked her bags up from floofloor, waved goodbye to Stan, the Knight Bus\' conductor and turned, a smile on her face.

After all this time she was back.

Hogwarts looked as it always did, the Whomping Willow still stood majestically in grougrounds, twitching slightly as she walked past it towards the main entrance.

The only difference was the quiet.
Hermione had never been at the school during the summer holidays, and the lack of students was immediately noticeable.
She had a week before they would arrive.
A week to settle herself in, prepare her first lessons, and get to know any new teachers.

She knew Professor McGonagall was still there, as, of course, was Professor Dumbledore, as it was he who had invited her to teach.
She hoped Professor Flitwick would be there, as she had always enjoyed the company of her Charms teacher.
She groaned inwardly as she realised Snape might be there. It was probably going to be bad enough dealing with him in term time, but having his sullenness spoil the tranquility of the few days she had... ahh well, perhaps he was nicer to the other professors. She knew it wasn\'t true though, but optimism was a good thing.

\"Hermione!\" The voice shook her out of her worries and she turned to see Professor MacGonagall striding towards her, a large smile on her face.

Hermione smiled back, \"Professor MacGonagall! It\'s so good to be back!\"

\"Oh Hermione, dear, you must call me Minerva now, and it\'s good to have you back. Come, let\'s get your things inside, and surely you must be hungry, lunch is about to be served.\"

Hermione took a last look around the outside of the school before she was whisked inside.
Everything was just as she remembered it, the portraits on the way to the Great Hall smiled and waved to her, welcoming her back and congratulating her.

She made her way up the length of the great hall, behind Minerva, peeking nervously at the staff members around the teacher\'s table. Professor Flitwick was there, she noted with a smile, as of course was Professor Dumbledore. And no Professor Snape, wonderful!

\"Hermione, it\'s so good to see you back here!\" exclaimed Progessor Dumbledore.
\"Yes yes!\" squeaked Flitwick exitedly.

She smiled happily at them as she moved towards the seat Albus held out for her. \"It\'s so nice to be back here, it\'s just like home really.\"

\"Well at least you\'re on time for term\" sneered a low voice behind her.

Hermione froze, she knew who it was, but hadn\'t heard him enter the hall.

\"I would hardly be late, Professor Snape\" she retorted.

\"Well that, at least, is good.\" He responded, taking his seat.

\"Now now, Severus, Hermione is a professor now, do be nice.\" said Minerva, exasperated.

Snape just arched an eyebrow at her and then looked at his plate impatiently.

\"Oh do ignore him, Hermione, he\'s such a grump.\" smiled Minerva, \"let\'s eat and then get you settled in your rooms.\"

Hermione smiled at Minerva, who grinned at Severus\' scowl.
Perhaps it wouldn\'t be so bad after all.