Chapter 1
August 1990
The cart rattles noisily as it rumbles through the halls leading to the dungeons. You hum softly to yourself trying to ignore the tickle in your nose. The cold mildewed air had always irritated your allergies.
You reached into your pocket and grabbed your wand as you reached the potions classroom. A flick of the wrist had the large old door opening wide and you maneuvered the cart through, just missing the edge of stone that was upturned at the doorway.
“Ha! Not this time ya sneaky devil.”
You lead the cart to the furthest wall where the shelves of ingredients and tools were neatly stacked.
“Okay let's see… Six mortar and pestles, two boxes of porcupine quills, four carafes of salamander blood…”
You trailed off as you cross-check everything on the list with what was on your cart, taking a seat on the edge of the closest student table.
“Looks good. We should be nice and stocked for the first few months at least.”
You let out a sigh and laid back on the table.
Only a week before Hogwarts students filled the halls and still so much to do! You had no clue how much actual work went into preparing every course and every class behind the scenes. Not something you really paid attention to when you had attended Hogwarts.
In any case, it just felt great to be back. And as an adjunct professor, you could now traverse the entirety of the castle at ease. You could enjoy all the history and magic the ancient castle had to offer without worrying about homework or deadlines. Especially without fear of being caught after hours.
“What exactly are you doing?”
The deep baritone triggered a visceral reaction; your blood turned to ice and you shot up.
That deep, dark, moody voice- you recognized it immediately. There at the doorway was the familiar form of Professor Snape, standing imposing and giving you a hard cold look. Oh yes you remember him. It was like stepping back in time, from the billowing pitch black robes, the trail of buttons cinched up tight all the way up to his throat, leading to the irritated scowl on his face. He hadn’t changed at all.
“Oh Professor Snape! You startled me.”
Snape looked at you suspiciously, but you continued lightly.
“I’m actually glad to have caught you. I’m just finishing up the list of supply requests you had sent to the head office, but I wanted to double check a few things with you.”
He ignored your words, still looking at you warily. “You seem very familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?”
He took a step back at the laughter that erupted from you.
“How embarrassing,” You smiled sheepishly. “You were my potions professor for years and you don't recognize me at all.”
Snape arched a brow at that and shifted, unsure of how to respond.
“I’m [Full Name]. It's been about five years since I graduated now, so I understand if you don’t remember me.”
“Now you’ve returned.”
“Yes. I’m technically an adjunct professor. With the influx of first years and returning students, the Headmaster felt everyone could use extra help. I’ll be floating from department to department as necessary.”
“Ah, a glorified underling then.” The snide tone dismissed you and he turned to examine the materials still on your cart.
Anyone would, understandably, be indignant at his rudeness, but since leaving Hogwarts you had dealt with people like him. Besides, you were too happy- too thankful- to be back in the safety of the castle walls, to let your crotchety old professors' attitude get to you. You weren't a student anymore- like it or not, now you were colleagues.
You gave him a smirk, “What can I say? I live to serve” and shoved the parchment and quill into his hands.
Snape narrowed his eyes but took the list. With hardly a glance at its contents, he began scratching onto the bottom of the page with the quill viciously.
“Everything looks in order but, of course, you wouldn't mind if I request a few minor additions, would you Professor?”
That made you want to groan. Potions was the most supply-dependent course at Hogwarts. It had taken you a month to get the supply cupboard into order with all the work you’d been doing in the greenhouses, helping with the magical creatures, and reorganizing the disaster in the divination department.
“Here you are Professor [Last Name].”
Snape accented every word, left it dripping in sarcasm, and held out the parchment to you.
He wasn’t exactly smiling or smirking, but the smug self satisfied look on his face made your face burn as you took back the list. You weren’t going to let him have the satisfaction of seeing you flinch.
“Not a problem, I’ll get right to it Severus!”
He sneered at your familiarity, but you were out the door and out of sight before he could say a word.