September 1st
The following morning you felt a little rough, the banging in your head was reminding you of how much you had to drink last night. Your palm slapped against the nightstand next to your bed lazily, trying to find your wand. After finding it you whispered hoarsely, "Episkey", with the tip tapping lightly against your temple. You felt instant pain relief as the spell worked it's magic.
You laid in bed for a while longer, staring up at the ceiling and thinking about how lucky you were to be back at Hogwarts. Your thoughts were cut short, as a harsh knock at your door interrupted you. You jumped out of your skin at the sound, but quickly threw on your dressing gown and opened the door only slightly to peep out through the gap to see who was there. A freshly dressed, and rather miffed, Severus Snape stood there with a very unhappy look on his face.
"I recall telling you last night before I left dinner that you were to be in the storeroom for the daily ingredients count at exactly ten fifteen," He drawled, "yet here I am having to fetch you at ten seventeen to find you're not even dressed. I do have to remind you that you're still on probation, miss [last name], and so far already my report to the headmaster is not looking positive."
"I will be five minutes, no longer!" You cried out in embarrassment, pushing the door closed and rushing to your wardrobe.
With a little magic to help you freshen up, a squirt of perfume and throwing your hair up into a ponytail, you opened the door and composed yourself. Severus was waiting for you, but he turned away and stalked to the storeroom when he saw you were ready. You scurried after him, following close behind.
His coldness seemed worse today as he spoke aloud without turning to look at you, "I'd suggest that you drink less in future, or perhaps not at all, if it affects your timekeeping."
You didn't dare reply as you couldn't think of anything kind to say. It didn't take long to get inside the storeroom, considering it was in the same corridor. Shelves littered the walls, extending all the way to the ceiling, filled with jars galore full of various plants, slimes and other ingredients. You didn't think much had changed since you had been at school, the faded shelf labels were in the same yellowing and rough condition as twenty years ago. You made a mental note to suggest re-labelling the lot to Snape, but that would have to be asked in a few weeks when you hoped he would warm up to you a bit more. You hadn't exactly got off to a good start.
Snape span round to face you, his cloak drifting in the wind created from his sharp turn, "We will be counting each ingredient using it's known measurement. On the back of the door there is a piece of parchment which is charmed to write the amounts when spoken. I expect your counting to be precise and hope that it's at least better than your time management."
You ignored his dig at you, "Okay, I'll start at this end then."
Without further instruction you got to work. You had decided to start at the door with the ingredients to the right, and you soon realised Snape had stepped behind you to tend to the shelves on the left. It was smart really, the two of you would then meet at the middle at the other end of the room since the shelves also looped round on the back wall. However, you hadn't much space to move now that you were practically back to back with Snape. You were careful not to come into contact with him as you moved around.
You were an efficient counter, having done this exact type of job at the Apothecary at closing time to ensure all the numbers were correct. So you sped through your side as quick as Snape was with his, and he was shocked but impressed that you managed to keep up. Obviously he did not show this emotion, in fact he said nothing at all.
"Is everything in order, professor?" You queried as he eyed up the completed sheet of ingredients numbers.
"Yes," Snape said plainly, "thank you."
Those two words were as good as gold, making you smile to yourself. It was the best you were going to get from him. No compliment by any means, but an appreciation of the help? That suited you down to the ground.
"Now, for the curriculum," Snape began to explain quickly, "You are not to attend any of my first year classes for the first term. I have my own ways of introducing them to the art of potions and do not want you interfering. However, second years and upwards I expect you to be around to aid any student who might need you. I will remind you that directly helping students does not help them learn so I hope you understand that I do not want to see any foolish wand waving or the cutting of ingredients on your part. Is that clear?"
"Of course," You agreed, "and I completely agree. Children cannot learn if they have things done for them, they learn from their failures and mistakes as well as their victories."
"I'm glad we're on the same page for once." He mumbled, "I'm sure you're familiar with the textbooks we use, I'd advise looking over them before classes start tomorrow to ensure you're up to date with the curriculum- What?"
"I know those books from back to front Professor Snape," You were slightly amused, "I have after all, not only attended Hogwarts, but have been selling ingredients to the students for many years."
"Then I expect no mistakes." Snape furrowed his eyebrows in annoyance at your interjection of his little speech.
You smiled innocently, "I wouldn't dare."
And with that, he dismissed you with a wave of his hand as if you were only a petty student. Snape seemed hellbent on winding you up, but you tried not to let it bother you as you snuck away to the teachers lounge for a well deserved cup of tea (and hopefully a biscuit or two!)
You found Professor Quirrell in the lounge, mumbling to himself by the fireplace. You didn't want to alarm him as he hadn't noticed your arrival, so you crept over to the old stove against the wall to heat up some water in the kettle. The whistling of the water warming up caught his attention and his head snapped towards you. A brief look of annoyance flooded his features but within seconds it changed to a nervous smile.
"Afternoon!" You gave him a small wave and a smile, "Didn't fancy disturbing you, you looked deep in thought. Going over your speech for the first years? I'd recommend scaring them with a werewolf, worked everytime for me in the shop! Still, it's weird for me not to think about your muggle studies classes. Congratulations on making it to Defence Against the Dark Arts by the way, I should've said yesterday - you'll be great!"
"Uh, yes, yes," Quirrell chuckled, "a w-werewolf you say? That m-might be a good idea. Thank you, professor [last name], t-that is very insightful. And thanks for the congratulations, the s-same to you!"
"Tea?" You asked him, grabbing a mug from the side and waiting incase you needed to pick up another.
"N-no, thank you," He rose to his feet quickly, "I best be off."
"See you... later." You called out, but he was gone in an instant.
His behaviour struck you as odd but he had always been a bit of a weird one. You didn't have time to think about Quirrell as Severus Snape came flying up the stairs. You stared at each other for a minute before you piped up, "Tea, professor?"
Severus considered leaving, but soon agreed, "Please. No sugar."
"Sweet enough already?" You attempted to joke, forgetting who you were talking to.
He actually let out a small chuckle in response as he sat down in his favoured armchair next to the fireplace. You took this as a win and were quick to grab another teabag to stuff in a mug so you could pour the freshly boiled water. Pouring in a touch of milk to both, and with a quick stir, you brought both mugs over to him. You gave Snape his, before sinking into one of the chairs with a sigh. You held the hot cup in both hands, feeling the pleasant warmth in your cold fingertips. Neither of you spoke, Snape having pulled a book from his pocket at some point when you were making the tea and was nose-deep inside it. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, it was just plain silence. You did wish you'd brought something of your own to read but instead started to think about the feast tonight.
The peace and quiet broke when a compost-covered Professor Sprout shuffled in with McGonagall right behind her.
"Not long before the students arrive!" Pomona beamed, taking a seat close to you, "Just got the last of the pots organised in the greenhouse for lessons tomorrow!"
"Great!" You grinned back at her, "I was going to ask, do you still grow the potions ingredients for our classes?"
"Yes, I do, could always use a bit of help if you were going to offer," The witch laughed, "Severus usually comes by on a Thursday evening to collect anything he needs, maybe you should join him one night. The plants love visitors."
"Definitely, I'd be happy to help when I have the time." You smiled, deciding not to answer her last suggestion when Snape looked over at Sprout from over his book.
"You were right Minerva, [first name] truly is delightful!" Pomona gushed as McGonagall handed her a steaming mug.
"Drink up you lot," The taller, more sophisticated witch announced, "we've a welcoming party to prepare for shortly. [First name], just so you know, we haven't scheduled you in for any jobs for the students arrival tonight but if you wish to help out with anything, you're more than welcome."
"Whatever you need me to do, I'll do it," You replied honestly, "just tell me what to do."
"I think miss [last name], it would be best if you simply... wait in the Great Hall?" Severus spoke up, "It is your first sorting feast as a teacher, I think you'd appreciate the sentiment."
"He's right, you know," Professor Sprout smiled, "all the students piling in for the beginning of the school year. Brings life to the castle!"
You nodded in agreement, "I'll do that then. Thank you, Professor Snape, for the suggestion."
"Minerva, I'll help Filius with the older years in the carriages if you don't mind." Snape stood, and after getting a nod from the witch he left the room.
"Does anyone else notice that he doesn't use my first name?" You questioned as the three of you remaining stood up.
You thought back to yesterday when Severus told you his weird rule, then totally contradicting himself by calling the other teachers by their first names. He clearly had a problem with you, you already knew that from his offish behaviour. After your little exchange only minutes before you were interrupted, you'd thought you might have been in the clear but you guessed you'd just have to wait and see.
"Don't fret about it," McGonagall flicked her wand and all the mugs in the room made their way to the sink one by one, "Severus isn't very trusting, especially new teachers. You'll be working together a lot, so I'm sure he'll come around. But just to note, he's not exactly going to get much nicer than he was just now. He's a hard one to crack, that man."
"I don't think he likes any of us," Sprout muttered to you as you all left the room, "only tolerates us I'm sure of it."
"Well," McGonagall gave Sprout a stern look before turning to you, "we'll see you at the feast. Won't be long!"
The two women disappeared down the corridor. You were going in the opposite direction, so you had to make your way to the Great Hall alone. It felt very nostalgic to walk through the castle on your own, taking in every detail of the stone architecture, statues and windows. You were just coming up to your destination when one of the knights of armour made a low grumble, followed by a very recognisable cackle. Peeves. You were not in the mood, ignoring his attempt of a joke and walking through the large double doors.
The obscenely long benches were back in place, creating a different look to the small table you had eaten dinner at yesterday evening. Albus Dumbledore was up by the staff table and you made your way to him with a smile. He had the sorting hat in his hand, just putting it down on the stool ready for the first year's arrival. The excitement bubbled inside you, and if you were this excited then the children must be even more so.
You were just about to say a few words to the headmaster but voices could be heard, getting louder by the second. Soon enough, the older students began to pour in. Second years all the way up to seventh, were walking to their house tables deep in conversation with all of their friends. Talking about their summers, and probably Harry Potter. One thing about Hogwarts, is that rumours spread quicker than fire.
"[First name]! [First name]!"
The Weasley twins practically ran down the length of the room when they spotted you, waving their hands frantically. Fred and George came to the ingredients shop you worked at previously whenever they were in Diagon Alley. They begged their mother, poor Molly, to let them come with her whenever she needed supplies just so they could talk to you. Young and mischievous, you knew they were just interested in causing havoc with your potions tips but since their first year at school you'd always been happy to talk to them. Now in their third year, you got to be their teacher. You hoped, as they came speeding towards you, that they chose to keep potions when they had to pick their elective subjects.
"Well, fancy seeing you here!" You joked when they got in earshot.
"Dad might've let it slip that you were teaching," Fred grinned at you.
"So we already knew, but" George continued, "boy are we glad you're here."
"What are you teaching?" The boys said in unison, their eyes sparkling up at you.
"Potions, of course." You laughed.
The boys took turns to speak. "Score! No Snape." "Grumpy old git." "Has he left then?"
"No, no. I'm just the assistant teacher. Helping out here and there," You smiled nervously at their comments, "Professor Snape and I will be doing lessons together."
"Boooo!" They whined, "You're a much better teacher than he is."
"Better than who?" A familiar voice came from behind you.
"Gotta run, [first name]!" "See you in potions!"
The twins scarpered back to the Gryffindor table and you turned to look at Severus who looked very displeased. You shrugged, pretending not to know, then followed him round the back of the staff table to find your seat. Of course it had to be next to Snape. You already felt awkward after that exchange, and now you had to eat next to him? You hoped there was wine.