Hauntings from the Past

Nervous? How about quivering mess! Ginny did not know what she would do if she wasn’t placed in Gryffindor. Her whole family was in Gryffindor, all the way from Bill down to Ron. What if it placed her in Slytherin, she would never live it down. Ginny stood in the line waiting to enter the Great Hall hopping one foot to the other as she tried to rationalise her nerves. If she showed bravery she’d be put in Gryffindor for sure. Lost in her own thoughts she never saw him coming.

Severus scowled as he looked over the students in the hall, noting who hadn’t returned this year. His eyes fell on the two empty seats at the Gryffindor table, Potter and Weasley. All the other Weasley brats were there, so where were they? Just at that moment something caught his eye outside one of the huge windows. The Whomping Willow shook its branches threateningly, trying to swat a blue shape that was whizzing around on the ground; a large very dangerous game of cat and mouse. Was that a car? Squinting Severus saw that his assumption was correct. The muggle Ford Angelica’s boot opened and spat out two trunks. Leaning over he whispered in the ear of the headmaster. After the slight nod he took his cue to go and investigate. Giving the scene one more quick glance, he noticed the car had now also spat out both Potter and Weasley, they’d be expelled for sure this time and Severus couldn’t wait. Severus swept down hall turning heads and initiating whispering. He tended to be the most talked, no whispered, about Professor at this school. Severus had learnt a long time ago not to let it bother him. The doors of the Great Hall echoed a load boom as they swung shut behind him. Severus normally didn’t pay attention to where he was walking everyone just tended to get out of his way. There were benefits to his ominous presence after all. Today was different. Severus ploughed straight into a small girl sending them both tumbling to the ground. He looked across at her sprawled figure, a halo of red hair flew out in all directions. Severus didn’t attempt to get up, he lay there frozen with disbelief.

Ginny only noticed him when she was sent flying towards the ground. A big black cape engulfed her or so it appeared. She hit the ground and tears welled in her eyes, she was going to hurt in the morning. Rasping as she tried to breath in, the impact had winded her, she attempted to push herself onto her side to reveal the mysterious man in the black cloak. Managing painfully to get a better view of the man their eyes met, brief look of shock crossed the man’s face which was carefully masked and transformed into a sneer. Professor Snape. Her brothers’ descriptions were true. Long black hair framed his pale face perfectly emphasising the cold and emotionless state of his features.

“You need to watch where you are going you silly girl,” his voice just as cold as his features. Ginny felt the anger bubbling in the pit of her stomach, threatening to spill over. Tearing herself away from his glare she attempted to ignore the urge to shout at him, “Maybe you should watch where you are going”. Quickly she pushed herself to her feat wincing as the pain rippled across her back.

“Yes, Professor,” was her curt reply, the anger swallowed. It was best not to get herself detention on her first evening at Hogwarts.

Her voice tinkled, “just like Lily,” Severus thought to himself. Swallowing the lump in his throat he turned on his heel heading towards the school grounds. Pushing the girl from his thoughts he sneered as he spotted the two boys peering into the Great Hall. Subtlety was not their specialty, especially Weasley there was not one stealthy bone in his body. God and that infuriating Potter boy, just hearing him talk gave Severus a headache.

“Hang on, there’s an empty chair at the staff table. Where’s Snape?” Severus laughed silently as Potter’s features lit up with hope.

“Maybe he’s ill!” The hope on Potter’s features mirrored that of Weasley’s.

“Maybe he’s left because he missed out on the Defense Against the Dark Arts job again.” That hurt more than Severus would have liked to admit. It was the one post he knew he would make a difference at. Potions had never been his specialty.

“Or he might have been sacked! I mean everyone hates him,” Severus chose that moment to wipe the childish smiles off their faces.

“Or maybe,” he said in a very cold voice, stepping forwards to stand right behind them, “he’s waiting to hear why you two didn’t arrive on the school train.” Severus smirked at their shocked faces.

“Follow me,” his billowed as he spun and beckoned them to keep up.

Meanwhile inside the warmth of the Great Hall Ginny studied the ceiling mesmerised. Dark clouds swirled across a starry blanket, an exact replica of the night sky.

“Weasley, Ginevra.” Professor McGonagall called. Ginny silently cursed herself for not paying attention. She really had to stop getting lost in her own thoughts as much as it was a nice place to be. Her heart skipped a beat as she slowly seated herself on the stool. The hat barely touched her head before it shouted its verdict.

“GRYFFINDOR!”

Hey everyone,

Ok so here's my first ever fanfic and first ever time posting something i have written on the internet! That's a lot of firsts in one night. I apologize for not having the most exciting openings but it was a scene i liked. I hope you like this, please review, could do with the constructive criticism! Next chapter will be hopefully up by Monday.

Enjoy!

~Blessed Be