Unwelcoming
Andrea and Severus made their way to the staff room along side Professors McGonagall and Vector. The three women were happily chatting about the summer vacation and what would come in the following year. Severus stayed quiet as he walked in step with them. When they reached the door, he placed his wand against the wood and stepped aside, allowing the women to enter ahead of him.
Andrea made eye contact as she passed in front of him, sending a small wink his way. Following her inside they found two empty seats by the fire and settled in as the rest of the staff waited on the headmaster. When he finally arrived, the buzz in the room immediately ceased and all sets of eyes turned towards the man.
"Good Afternoon." Albus said happily as he took his own seat. "Well, let's begin, shall we? First and foremost, It is my great pleasure to welcome back Quirinus Quirrell to our teaching staff." A scatter of polite applause accompanied by hesitant glances were sent towards the jumpy professor.
Andrea looked curiously at him, his head wrapped in an oversized purple turban and his hands held close to his chest as if he might catch some sort of disease in the room, her eyes scanned Minerva's, who looked just as uncomfortable as she felt.
"As well as the newly appointed Professor Andrea Seguro." The staff all clapped politely, Hagrid's a little louder than most. Many warm smiles came in her direction, and she smiled in thanks. Her eyes met Severus', he had stilled his face to its usual blankness, but his gaze shone with pride.
"Yes, yes, congratulations professors indeed. As many of you know, this coming year we will be shuffling the heads of houses to coordinate with the professor placements. Filius, will be sharing his head status of Ravenclaw with Rolanda to accommodate for his new schedule." The headmaster stated with a smile. Andrea reached beside her and placed her hand on the woman's arm with a squeeze.
"Furthermore, Minerva has send out and received all the responses from our new students coming to Hogwarts this year. Of them, a name that you will no doubt recognize. Harry Potter." Andrea could feel Severus stiffening beside her, his magic prickling in the air. "It has been quite a hard time getting a hold of the boy, I can assure you." Minerva said in a huff. "The sheer amount of letters I've sent only to be discarded by those awful muggles."
"Not to worry," Albus said turning to her, "Hagrid is leaving tomorrow to get the boy sorted." The large man nodded, sitting taller in his chair. "Yes, sir I will. Won't have Dursley causing trouble like that."
Andrea noticed from the corner of her eye, that professor Quirrell looked extremely excited at the news of Harry's arrival. Curiously she watched his reaction until the man turned his gaze to her. Immediately his expression changed to a frightened one again and he dropped his eyes to the floor, his body shaking slightly.
As they exited the staff room after an hour, Andrea was stopped just outside the door by the professor himself. "P-pl-pleasure to meet you, professor S-Seguro." He said, his hands clenched close to his body again. Andrea nodded and smiled, "and you, professor." She caught Severus watching the man from behind with a irritated look on his face and immediately excused herself, walking towards him.
They fell into step wordlessly and Andrea gave a soft shiver. "Very strange man." She said once they were out of earshot. Severus said nothing and she knew he was still brooding over the announcement of Harry's arrival. She followed as he led the way to their rooms, allowing him to open the door ahead of her His body language cold and distant.
Once inside, he removed his outer robes and hung them by the door roughly. Andrea watched him head for the kitchen and closed the door behind her. Leaving him to his own space, she made her way to their bedroom and removed her own robes for her sweatshirt and a pair of sleep shorts. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she headed for the bookshelf in the living room to select a tomb to read for the evening.
As she selected one of Severus' historical hardcovers, the man came back into the living room, a cup of tea in his hands. "Careful." He mumbled, handing it to her. "Thank you." She smiled softly. The man wasn't very good at apologizing or speaking his emotions, but she knew the gesture to be just as good.
She tucked the book under her arm and placed her free hand softly on his cheek. "Join me?" She asked. He shook his head slowly, "I'm going to go downstairs. I have an order to finish for Poppy."
Andrea nodded. "Alright." Before she could lower her hand, he took it, and placed a kiss on top. She watched as Severus turned from her and headed down to his brewing room.
***
A few hours later, Severus bottled the last of the potions and placed them in a small box to be taken to the hospital wing. He placed the box on top of a stack near the door, and moved to the small sink to wash his hands. He took his time, his thoughts travelling back to the meeting. Her son.
Her son was coming to Hogwarts.
His son.
His face creased in disgust. James Potter. The man that made his life a living hell for years. Shaking his head, he began putting his equipment away. He knew this was going to happen, he had known for years that one day the boy would end up here. Dumbledore was cashing in his debt.
He would have to protect him now. Have to look after the boy. Lily's boy. Severus sighed, placing his hands on the table, resting his weight against it. For her, he would do what he had to. Resigned to the fact, he left the room behind him and headed upstairs.
Andrea was in the bedroom when he entered, propped up against an array of pillows and reading the book she had selected earlier. She saw him over the top of it and lowered the tomb onto her lap. "Finished?" She asked.
Severus nodded, unbuttoning his jacket and hanging it up. He left the white shirt open at the top and walked back over to her, taking a seat on her side of the bed. Andrea watched him as he sat looking down at their entwined hands. "I don't know if I can do it." He said, quietly.
"She was your best friend. Of course you will." Andrea said, looking up at him.
Severus nodded, "I will. I just don't know…"
The woman smiled, "That's what I'm here for."