Severus

Blast it all why did Albus demand that I be a teacher? Severus Snape thought as he looked down his nose at the mass of new students congregated in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. He scoffed to himself as he remembered that he had asked himself that same question every year for the last twelve years since the fall of Voldemort and his promise to the Headmaster was called upon in the form of the open Potions Professor position. After the Potter brat was enrolled it got much worse. The teaching wasn't so bad before he was constantly being reminded of the loss of his only love as the evidence of his rejection that he had sworn to protect arrogantly sot after danger and broke millions of school rules like he was above it all. Just like his Father... Snape sneered as the thought crossed his mind and his eyes latched onto the object of his internal musings sitting at the Gryffindor table laughing boisterously with his friends. He dreaded to think of what mischief the "Golden Trio"- as Dumbledore so affectionately called them- would get up to this year. But, the worst were these awful first feasts! These tedious feasts with the speeches and the clamouring even louder than the daily dinners. The only thing that was remotely interesting is the sorting of new recruits. Heaving a weary sigh he sipped from his goblet of pumpkin juice and scanned the crowd. The other professors were engaged in conversation and cheerily betting on which house would receive the most new students and which students would go where from the small list they had snuck from McGonagall. He bit back a smile, his lips twitching behind his goblet, determined to keep to his dour reputation as he contemplated their behavior. They have to have fun too, though the professors' idea of fun could get...rowdy. He had come to find out that the stern witches and wizards that make up the staff of Hogwarts were quite fun-loving when behind closed doors in adult company. Their various parties and get togethers could sometimes-more often than not, really- turn into everyone pairing off, with the fact that there were more female teachers than male not seeming to matter in the least. No one was left alone, save for him. His moment of near contentment turned bitter as he recalled that he was always the only one who left the parties alone, he was always...alone. His mood having returned to its normal level of fowl with the direction of his thoughts, he returned to scowling as he continued his slow scan of the room.

As the beginning-of-the-year introductions started, he observed the customary standing when his turn came, and he happened a glance down the long staff table, glimpsing an empty chair beside Madame Pomfrey.

"Madame Pomfrey, for whom is that empty chair?" he inquired as he sat back down, staring down his nose at the matron with his usual cool aloofness. Poppy startled visibly from the conversation that she had been in with Professor Flitwick and glanced at the chair to her right beside the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart. Also an arrogant fool...he thought as Poppy fluttered her hands, obviously distressed

"OH! I forgot to tell you all, I accepted an apprentice this year that will take over for me when I retire..." The Professors within earshot gasped and Poppy reddened.

"You're retiring?!" Sybil looked aghast.

"But, Madame Pomfrey, this school wouldnt be the same without you" McGonagall stated softly, glancing confusedly at the Headmaster. No doubt wondering why he neglected to mention this new development to his "deputy"... Snape scoffed to himself.

Pomfrey blushed as similar statements were issued from the other Professors as the news quickly spread down the table. She looked up at the Headmaster for help. Her face was priceless as he just chuckled, clearly enjoying the commotion. Snape sneered, "Madame, he is aware that all staff is supposed to arrive before the school year starts? Who is this-obviously inept-person?"

Pomfrey straightened her shoulders as her face morphed into the stern one Snape remembered from the many, many times he visited the hospital wing throughout the years, "Severus Snape! You will NOT disrespect my apprentice and she is VERY qualified, smart, and compassionate."

"But not punctual, I take it?" Snape raised one condescending eyebrow, and her fiery arguement was squashed.

Pomfrey stampered "I...well...she is late." the matron conceded. "though she did inform me prior to today that she had some last minute affairs she had to clear up and as such might be a bit tardy. She will be starting tomorrow."

Snape scoffed and turned back to sipping his juice, which he was pleasantly surprised to find the house elves had switched for black coffee. He donned his usual scowl as he returned his attention forward to watch as the sorting began, the missing Mediwitch apprentice promptly forgotten.