Snape and the DADA Professor

CHAPTER ONE

Severus Snape stood in the back of Flourish and Blotts where the Defense Against the Dark Arts books were shelved. None of these books fitted his needs. He needed a book with more Dark Arts and less Defense Against. He gave up and head towards the door.

"Ah, Mr. Snape, could I help you find something," asked a voice behind him. Snape turned to see the store manager.

"No, I am fine."

"Couldn't find a Defense Against the Dark Arts book to your liking? Well, I just got a shipment of books from the States by this very popular author, Aurora Drake. Her books have been selling out every where, except her latest..."

"Yes, yes that sound interesting and all," Snape said sarcastically, "but I must be back at Hogwarts." Snape turned to leave.

"So you wouldn't be interested in a copy of Using the Darks Art Against the Dark Arts?"

Snape stopped. A book about the use of the dark arts? This intrigued him. "Who is this Aurora Drake?"

"She is the best Auror in the States. I also have received copies of her autobiography, but if you want a copy of that book you will need to purchases it today. It will most likely be sold out by tomorrow."

"I would like to see her books."

The manager led Snape to his back room where he pulled out a copy of Using the Dark Arts Against the Dark Arts, Aurora Drake: an Autobiography of the Famous Auror, Physical Defense Against the Dark Arts, and A History of Aurors. Snape grabbed the copy of Using the Dark Arts from the manager and flipped through the book. It listed all the curses and other magic of the Dark Arts. It explained how to use them, and how to defend against them. This is what Snape needed. This was the only book of the Dark Arts that would not get him into legal issues. Snape looked at the other books. Snape was surprise when he saw the cover of Aurora Drake: an Autobiography. Pictured on the cover was not some old, worn witch, as he expected, but a rather young woman with long auburn hair and bright green eyes.

"I will take one of each her books," Snape told the manager.

The manager took the books to the front counter. While the manager was totaling up the price, three woman came entered the store. Upon seeing the books they ran to the counter, crowding in on Snape.

"Ooh," said one woman, "Aurora Drake's autobiography!"

"I want a copy!" exclaimed another woman.

The manager looked at the woman. "Wait until I am done with Professor Snape here, and will get you the books you want."

Snape paid the man, grabbed his books and quickly left the shop. As he walked away from the bookstore he could hear people talking about the books and saw them rush towards the shop. Snape was glad he got out when he did.

* * *

As the summer drew to an end, Snape found himself reading Aurora Drake's Autobiography once more. Snape was not one to have a crush, but most defiantly had one on her. He would never admit it, not even to himself. But sometimes he found himself staring at her picture on the cover of the book. He thought about writing to her, but then he thought how childish that was. He was not the type to get obsessed. Then he thought he could ask her questions about her theories, but then he would sound argumentative. Either way he decided that it would be best not to write at all.

So Snape began to wonder whom Professor Dumbledore found to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He hoped there would be an improvement in his choice this year. After having a fake, a werewolf, and an imposter, almost anyone would be an improvement. Snape himself had asked for the possession, but yet again Dumbledore turned him down. Snape understood, who would want a former Death Eater teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts?

Dumbledore was going to announce who would be filling that role at the staff meeting this evening before the students arrived. It was almost time now, so Snape put away the book he had found himself reading once again and headed for the staffroom. He was the first one there. Shortly after his arrival entered McGonagall and Sprout, talking about some plant that Snape did not care about.

Snape made sure he got a seat in the dark corner of the room. After ten minutes, everyone was there with the exception of Dumbledore. Of course he has to make a great entrance, Snape thought. Dumbledore entered a couple minutes later. He stood silent before the staff as he waited for them to end their conversations. They quickly became silent and awaited Dumbledore's words.

"Good evening. In a short hour our students will be entering the halls of Hogwarts and I have yet to introduce you to the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. She has just flown in a couple of minutes ago, so she will be unable to attend this meeting. She has had a long flight from the states, and does not wish to be disturbed. She will be at the feast but most likely she will be late," Dumbledore paused for a moment. "Her name is Aurora Drake. She is an auror. You may have heard of her due to the vast popularity of her books."

Snape was stunned and nervous when he heard this. Aurora Drake, here? A professor? His palms began to sweat and he tried to wipe them on his robes without success. He was going to meet her in a short time. He suddenly felt the need to wash up and comb his hair.

The rest of the staff began chatting excitedly. This seemed to have surprised them as much as in had Snape, but not in the same way. Snape noticed that Dumbledore had left, meaning the meeting was over. He quickly stood and exited the room. He immediately headed for his room.

Upon entering he took off his robes and tossed on his bed. He went to the closet and took out a set of dress robes, in black of course. He grabbed his rarely used comb and combed his greasy hair. He put on the robes and exited the room, heading for the Great Hall.

***

The Great Hall had filled with students and the sorting ceremony had ended. Snape made note of the new Slytherins as he picked at his food. He found he was too nervous to eat. He hadn't been this nervous since he was a first year at Hogwarts.

Near the end of the dinner course, Dumbledore stood, waiting for the hall to fall silent. "Sorry to interrupt your meal but I would like to introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

At that, the door behind Dumbledore opened and Aurora Drake walked into the great hall. Snape thought for sure he was going to pass out. He felt hot all over and was sweating under his robes. Her attire did not make it any easier. She was wearing a black leather vest with an attached overskirt, a short black leather skirt, knee-high black leather boots and black nylons. This left her arms, cleavage, and stomach bare. This left Snape feeling sick to his stomach. Her thick auburn hair fell in gentle waves down her back. She stood beside Dumbledore, waiting.

"This is Aurora Drake," Dumbledore continued. "She is from the states where she is the top auror in her country. She may look inexperience to you due to her age, but she has been an auror for ten years, since she was sixteen."

The students began chatting amongst themselves. Dumbledore spoke over them. "I hope you treat her like any of us older professors."

With that, Dumbledore sat down. Drake walked over to the vacant seat next to Snape. Snape had begun quivering nervously. He had never felt this way towards anyone. He didn't know what his feelings meant. Maybe I am ill, he thought.

"Are you okay?"

Snape stopped his thoughts and looked at Drake who had just asked him the question. Her voice sounded so sweet and gentle. He couldn't find anything to say. He finally got up and walked out of the hall.

***

Snape laid awake in his bed, naked. He was still sweating. His room felt hot. He couldn't believe that he walked away from Drake when she asked him a question out of concern for his health. How was he ever going to think when she was in the room? He tossed in turn all most of the night with that fear, until he finally fell asleep with her smile in his dreams.