The Staff Meeting
Severus Snape was sitting in his usual spot at the head table in the dining hall at Hogwarts. One Month before the students arrived, he rolled his eyes as he waited for their annual pre-school year staff meeting to begin. He braced himself for another one of Professor Dumbledor’s endless monologues, knowing he would have made much better use of this time anywhere else but here.
As he was waiting for the staff meeting to begin, a woman sat in the seat next to him. He assumed this must be the new defense against the dark arts Professor. In his annoyance, he kept his eyes trained ahead, refusing to put up with any pointless small talk that he might be forced to endure. Luckily Professor Flitwick had seated himself to the other side of her, so he was blessedly freed from that tormenting thought. Momentarily, Professor Dumbledor began to speak. “Welcome one and all to the first staff meeting of the year! I would like to begin by introducing you to our newest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Sarah Smith. She has an impressive resume as an auror, who has won awards for her work in the US. I would like to welcome her to the UK, and to our Hogwarts staff!” The US? Severus scoffed to himself. Old Dumbles couldn’t even find a British instructor this time around. Times really were getting dire. Imagine! Having to put up with the uncultured flat speech daily. And what house would she even be associated with? Ilvermorny valued different traits than they did here. Would they have a sorting for a teacher? He chuckled to himself.
As the meeting progressed, it was made clear that Professor Smith would not be sorted. She would act as an unbiased outside source to help encourage inter-house rivalries. She had experienced similar rivalries at her previous school, and had suggested that she help with those same issues here, where she already had no preconceived biases to any of the Hogwarts houses. Severus thought about the potential for a teacher like that here. He had been a victim many times over because of inter-house prejudices in the past, and it would have been so helpful to have someone take his side from time to time. He had hated the favoritism displayed to James and his Marauders during his time. But still, she must be daft to think she could just waltz into a new position in a new country and start changing the status quo upon entry. Severus wondered curiously how other teachers and students would perceive this.
Once the meeting concluded, Severus was keen to escape the grounds to his own private lab at Spinner’s End, however, Professor Dumbledor caught his sleeve before he had a chance. “Severus my boy! At least stay for a cuppa before you disappear! It has been ages since we have all been together! And it would be nice for you to meet our new professor, as her chambers will be near yours, and I suspect you would enjoy her fascination for potions.” Severus sighed. Thwarted again. He slowly conceded and agreed to stay for ONE cup of tea. He did not want to waste his time here. And seriously! A teacher with a “fascination” for potions. That would mean she would likely wax poetically to him about the various uses of dittany or something equally benign.
Severus swept his way towards the table where the refreshments had appeared. He reluctantly took a cup and saucer and prepared his tea, while looking at the various biscuits laid out. He chuckled to himself as he listened to Hagrid barreling on to Professor Mcgonagall about his newest fascination with blast ended skrewts. Better her than I, he thought to himself as he turned, to be met by surprise with the new professor. “Oh hi!” She exclaimed awkwardly, having almost knocked Severus’ tea out of his hands. Impatiently, Severus braced himself for the small talk he dreaded. “Apologies professor. I didn’t expect you to turn so quickly. I merely wanted to introduce myself. My name is Sarah! I heard you were the potions master here and I thought I’d offer my help if you ever needed a second set of hands with any of your brewing” she nattered on. Insulting American! Thinks she can brew better than me can she? And first names? Does she presume these informalities here? She will get eaten alive by students when they arrive. He thought triumphantly to himself. Severus bit back his true thoughts. “Pleasure” he sneered. He braced himself for more, however, she seemed to have read his thoughts, as she moved on to take her own cup of tea and speak with some of the other professors. Relieved, Severus downed his tea and swept out the door.