Lost and Found...Love

Chapter 3

Secrets

Fastening the last few buttons on his tunic sleeve, Severus Snape descended the stairs from Anna's bed chamber. Glancing out the window at the distant mountain, he noted the pink tinged sky backlighting its craggy heights. Turning, he put his arms into the sleeves of his robe, being held up for him by Anna. She was barefoot and tousle haired, wearing an antique, fringed, silk kimono.

"I must leave .. it's nearly dawn."

"I know." She straightened his robe and brushed some lint off of his lapels.

"You're alarmingly domestic."

"Years of straightening ties." She smiled at him.

Snape picked up the notebook Anna had given him the night before. "This work of Christopher's will have a place of honor with my other reference books."

"He'd be proud. Thank you, Severus, for answering his questions and helping him without prejudice, but as a fellow scientist. He thought very highly of your skills and knowledge of potions."

"It was my privilege. Although, to be perfectly honest, when I realized he was married to you I felt I had to help him, as it might prove to you that I wasn't the monster you thought me to be."

"Severus, I never thought of you as a monster," Anna assured him. "Never, and you know that."

"Your capacity for forgiveness is second only to the Headmaster Dumbledore's," Severus replied.

He reached out and ran a finger down her cheek. They stood regarding one another for a long moment, lost in thoughts and memories of the previous night.

"You'd better go," Anna breathed, shaking them back to the present, "before the castle starts to stir."

"Yes, I .. ah." He looked around and put the book down again on the desk, so that he could pull her into his arms. "I don't know when we'll be together again...alone. It's far too dangerous."

"I know, but let's not worry. When the opportunity presents itself," she shrugged, "we'll take it." She smiled slyly and added, "At least you won't have to wait so long for your next kiss!"

"Definitely not!"

He kissed her, hard, released her, picked up the notebook and strode swiftly out of the classroom without looking back. Anna watched him leave with her head cocked to one side, a slight smile on her lips.

X # X # X

Professor Twigg-Jones sighed, walked over to a satchel on her desk, opened it and lifted out a jar filled with a silvery, iridescent liquid. From a box on the floor she retrieved a shallow stone basin - a Pensieve. Pouring the liquid slowly and carefully into the basin she reached for her wand and began touching her forehead, withdrawing strand after strand of thought thread, which she deposited into the gently swirling, mist covered pool.

After a while she finished, then, contemplating the Pensieve, stirred the surface ever so slightly with her wand. Miniatures of Severus and Anna appeared, embracing, kissing, whispering to each other and then they slowly sink back into the pool of shimmering liquid. Its surface smoothed over only to be broken by a single tear dropping into the center, causing little ripples to spread out to the edge.

"Don't cry, love."

Anna turned to the landscape painting hanging on the near wall. The painted figure of her late husband was leaning against a tree, smiling at her.

"Christopher, am I doing the right thing?"

"I don't know, darling, but this is how your life is evolving here and now, so don't back away, just be careful. Severus is correct; it's going to be extremely dangerous for both of you."

"Do you mind terribly? I know we talked about me finding someone, falling in love again, someday, but Severus Snape! I never imagined, in my wildest dreams!" Anna walked in a circle, hand to her forehead.

"Anna, you're not replacing me in your life, you're filling an empty space in your life, with a man who adores you. I saw enough to know he loves you desperately and he's also scared to death of losing you again. You two must continue your deception or Voldemort will take advantage of both of you, if he even suspects you care for each other," Christopher solemnly warned her.

"Voldemort." Anna sat down wearily on one of the student benches.

"I went and had a chat with Headmaster Dumbledore last night. He told me a bit more about Voldemort, Severus and...you and Severus, your history together." Anna looked up at him, shocked, but Christopher held up his hand. "I can now see that this is truly where you belong, Anna. He was right, our Severus, and you can tell him I approve."

"Thank you, darling."

"By the way, could you unpack my portrait so that I might keep an eye on things from my favorite armchair? This meadow is full of rocks."

"Of course," Anna grinned. "Hang on a minute."

Searching around, she located a medium sized, brown paper wrapped package. Ripping the paper off, she uncovered a painting of what could only be described as a classic gentleman's library/study: paneled walls, shelves crammed with books, desk off to one side and two very comfortable looking leather wing chairs flanking a marble fireplace, in which a small pile of logs were blazing. Two Labrador retrievers lying on the hearth rug lifted their heads and their tails started wagging.

"Hello, you two good old things!" Anna smiled at them, causing their tails to beat faster. "Let's see .. how about somewhere at the back of the classroom, then you can see everyone and give me the high sign if anyone is cheating on their tests."

"Brilliant! They'll think you have eyes in the back of your head. How about putting it just to the left of the door?" Doctor Jones suggested, pointing.

"Perfect. Wingardium Leviosa!"

The painting drifted to the back wall.

"A little further to the left I think...there! Wait, let me check." Doctor Jones walked out of the landscape into his study. "Up a bit, love. Ok, that's got it!"

The painting settled itself against the wall with a soft thud.

"You're very good at getting around," noted Anna. "Have you seen much of the castle?"

"Well, no, but Headmaster Dippett has volunteered to give me the 'Grand Tour' later today. I'll try and keep a low profile but I'm very excited about seeing your old school in the daylight. It's quite the rock pile, isn't it?" noted Doctor Jones as he settled himself, with a sigh, in one of the wingchairs and began absently scratching the ears of one of the dogs.

"Rather! One hundred and forty two staircases."

"No!"

"Too right."

Surveying the scattered contents of the packing crates, he coughed to hide a smile.

"What?" She looked up at him.

"Didn't get much unpacking done last night," he noted with a sly grin.

"Oh, shut up!" Anna shot back, looking around, and laughing. "It is a royal mess, isn't it?"

"Want me to go find Dobby? He seemed keen to help."

"Hold on! Just how much did you see and hear last night?" Anna faced him, hands on her hips.

"Truthfully? Well, I was pretty bored till Professor Dumbledore and that group of students showed up. I picked up a fair amount of information about what's been happening from that meeting. Then I realized you were arriving, so I hid up in yonder oak tree," pointing at the landscape painting, "and watched the fun. Poor Severus! SMACK! I'm just glad I never made you that mad at me."

"Don't push your luck or you'll find yourself facing the wall."

"You wouldn't!" gasped Doctor Jones in mock alarm, hand over his heart.

"Try me!" she replied, with a hint of challenge.

"No thank you. Anyway, I left you in Severus' capable arms and trotted off to find the Headmaster. Charming chap, made me feel quite at home. Of course, when some of the other former Headmasters realized I was a Muggle they were astonished, then intrigued, and then they turned a bit smug, really, at the thought of having a resident Muggle in their midst. Bragging rights, you see." Leaning back he smiled, rather proud of his new status.

Anna rubbed her eyes. "I'm going to have to tell Severus about your portrait, of course. You swear you didn't peek last night?" she inquired, glancing up at him suspiciously.

"There are no paintings in your bed chamber and what I did hear was muffled, nothing I could distinguish, I promise you. Besides, I've seen you naked, remember?" he added with a grin.

"Christopher Jones! That's not what I'm talking about!" Anna protested, although she blushed. "Severus would be mortified if he thought you'd listened to any of our......intimate moments or conversation."

"Sacred, I assure you! I did hear you giggling once though, before I fell asleep."

"Christopher ..."

"Sorry, love, but your voice does carry," he chuckled.

Slapping her forehead, Anna paced around her desk. "How in the world can I explain not telling him about your portrait?"

"Darling, you were busy talking and the subject never came up, that's all. Besides, I was still 'officially' wrapped up. I'll speak to him and put his mind at ease. Would that help?"

"Possibly .. probably .. I don't know. I'm so tired. It's been a long time since I pulled an all-nighter."

"Our honeymoon, if I remember correctly," he reminded her quietly, with a sly smile. Anna nodded and smiled back. Then, standing and rubbing his hands together briskly, Christopher headed toward the edge of the frame. "Well, anyway, let me pop downstairs and see if I can find Dobby."

"Would you? You're a dear," Anna replied, blowing him a kiss.

"That's one thing I do miss...kissing you. Well, someday I'll get my arms around you again. Fancy spending time here at Hogwarts as a wall decoration?"

"Not in the immediate future. No offense."

"None taken...back in a crack! Oh," sticking his head back into the frame, he inquired, "coffee?"

"Bless you, yes!"

"Right-o."

X # X # X

Looking around at the scattered boxes, their contents overflowing in every direction, she frowned and then shook her head.

"Dobby, you dedicated little house elf, you came back last night and collected the food and drink trays. I wonder what you heard with those big ears of yours."

Bending over and reaching into the nearest crate, she lifted out a tall box and carefully removed a domed anniversary clock. Placing it carefully on one corner of her desk, Anna turned the clock around so the face was visible.

"Is that the time?" Anna exclaimed, as she tossed the empty box back in the crate. "Oh, Lord, I'm going to be late if I don't get moving."

"Dobby's on his way up here with your coffee. So," Christopher asked, flopping down in his chair and throwing one leg over the arm, "is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes, please!" She glanced up at him from the middle of the sea of boxes and crates. "I can either sort out this lot or get dressed and go down to breakfast but I can't possibly manage both before my first class. Also, I don't dare be late again! Could you point out to Dobby where to put my books and assorted bits of stuff? I'll leave everything to your decorating skills, Christopher."

"Flattery will get you, well, everywhere, my dear. Leave it to me and Dobby. We'll soon have it all unpacked and settled. You know I'm a born organizer." He rubbed his hands together in eager anticipation.

"You're shameless, is what you are," admonished Anna, shaking her head. "Oh, by the way, Dobby was here last night to tidy up."

"Really? I must have been in Dumbledore's office"

"I'll have to have a word with him about Severus being here all night."

"Maybe he doesn't know."

"He's a house elf, of course he knows! They don't miss a trick, house elves. My family's, Daisy, always seemed to know what was happening, almost before we did."

"Speak of the devil," Christopher stage whispered as Dobby came trotting through the door and up to the front of the classroom with Anna's steaming mug of coffee.

"Good morning, Professor Twigg-Jones. Here is your coffee." Putting it down on the desk, he gazed up at her and inquired happily, "Is we unpacking now?"

"Yes, in a minute, Dobby. First, I need to talk to you about something. Come here," Anna instructed as she sat down on a box to get eye level with Dobby. He walked over to her, a little apprehensively.

"Is Dobby doing wrong?"

"Oh, no, Dobby. I just need to talk to you about something very important. It involves a secret and a promise." Professor Twigg-Jones grasped one of Dobby's hands.

"About what Miss? Dobby is good at promises and secrets. Dobby is a good house elf, even if he is getting paying now," he said proudly, standing up straight.

"I've heard you are an excellent house elf, Dobby, from none other than Headmaster Albus Dumbledore himself. So, here's what I need to know. When you came to get the trays last night, what did you hear?"

Dobby's ears drooped and he appeared slightly guilty. "I .. well, I is hearing you, Miss and .. and .."

"Yes?"

"And Professor Snape, Miss, in your bed chamber."

"Ah .." She glanced up at Christopher, who just barely suppressed a grin. "Dobby, I need to tell you a secret, a very important secret and you must promise me that it will be just between you and me. Unless I tell you it's not a secret anymore. Ok?"

"Yes, Miss."

"Professor Snape and I are old friends. We were students together here at Hogwarts many years ago. Last night we discovered we cared for each other very, very much. But no-one, and I mean no-one, can know that we are secret friends or that he stayed here last night after Professor Dumbledore left. It's very dangerous. Voldemort could use that information against us or Hogwarts or Professor Dumbledore or even Harry Potter."

His huge eyes opening wide, Dobby puffed out his chest. "Dobby will not let anything happen to Professor Dumbledore or Harry Potter. NO! Voldemort is a very BAD wizard, Miss!"

"Yes, Dobby, he is. Now, you might see Professor Snape and me acting as if we don't like each other. That's our way of keeping the secret but we need your help, Dobby. Will you promise me to keep our secret?"

"Oh, yes Miss! Dobby is a good house elf and I is not telling anyone. You can count on Dobby, Miss!" He nodded his head emphatically.

"Oh, Dobby, that means a great deal to me!" She leaned over and hugged him. "Now, I need to get dressed, so Doctor Jones is going to help you sort through my things and you two can decide where best to put them all. Is that ok with you?"

"Yes, Miss. Dobby likes Doctor Jones. He is a very nice man. Dobby is sorry he is dead but is glad he is still here to help." He smiled up at Christopher and waved.

"Thanks, Dobby," Christopher laughed and waved. "I like you, too."

"Right then, I'm already running late. You two get cracking and I'll be back in a bit."

Anna ran up the stairs toward her chambers, stopped, turned around, came back down the stairs, picked up her coffee mug and started back to her bed chamber.

"This was the whole point of the coffee in the first place; getting my brain in gear."

"Dobby, books first I think," said Doctor Jones, eager to get started. "Let me find that list Anna had me write down for her."

Welcome to my world

In the sixth year boys' dormitory room in Gryffindor Tower, Neville was brushing his hair in front of a mirror hanging over his bedside table. Satisfied, he headed for the door just as the others started to stir.

"You're up extra early, Neville," said Dean Thomas, as he sat up and stretched.

"I'm going to escort my Aunt Anna to breakfast this morning," Neville explained proudly.

"Who? What did you say?" Seamus Finnigan leaned on his elbow and peered around the bed post at Neville.

"Well .. " Neville started to explain.

"Neville, you go on or you'll both be late! Harry and I will tell them all about her!" Ron laughed and shooed Neville out of the door.

"Right .. thanks Ron!" Neville headed down the stairs toward the common room.

"Who's Aunt Anna?" Dean asked Ron.

"Neville's godmother, Professor Anastasia Twigg-Jones, is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," Ron said, pulling off his pajama top. "She got here late last night."

"She's a stunner and way cool, but here's the best bit. She went here at the same time as my parents, so she knows Snape," Harry continued the story, "and last night..."

"It was fantastic! Reminded me of the time Hermione clocked Draco!" Ron interjected, grinning.

"Yeah, it did, didn't it?" Harry agreed, laughing at the thought.

Seamus glanced back and forth between them, puzzled. "What are you two on about?"

"Not long after you left," Ron proceeded to recount the previous night's events, "Professor Twigg-Jones arrived and a few minutes later Snape showed up and she hauled off and slapped him, HARD, and then pulled her wand, quick as a flash, and almost blasted him. It is etched in my brain forever," Ron added as he fell back on his bed, savoring the memory.

"Seriously? Wow!" exclaimed Seamus.

"Cool! But, why'd she do that? What did Snape ever do to her?" Dean questioned them, after exchanging shocked looks with Seamus.

"Don't know. But they've both agreed to bury the hatchet for now, I guess. It was weird. One minute - BOOM! - then she hugged him. I tell you, I was gob-smacked, mate!" Ron shook his head.

"She actually slapped him, right in front of you? Blimey! I'd give a hand full of Galleons to have seen that!" Seamus exclaimed.

"If Dumbledore hadn't been there, though, it would have been worse, because Snape was livid!" Harry informed them. "The Headmaster calmed both of them down and then they said 'truce'."

Ron stopped, his sock halfway on his foot. "We should show our appreciation for her excellent aim."

"And choice of target!" Harry added, and they all laughed.

"I've got it!" Dean swiveled around, looking at each in turn. "Let's give her a standing ovation when she walks into breakfast with Neville!"

Seamus jumped up. "Yeah, we'll know why, but no-one else will, except Snape. Everyone will think we're applauding for Neville."

"Quick, get dressed!" Harry exclaimed. "Let's get all of Gryffindor in on this. The whole table can be applauding!"

They dressed with furious speed and ran to the common room to spread the word.

X # X # X

"Aunt Anna?" Neville poked his head around the edge of the door of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. "Aunt Anna, are you awake?"

Dobby popped up out of a box, draped with packing straw, which was hanging from his ears like bunches of Spanish moss.

"Blimey!" Neville jumped back a step. "Oh, Dobby, you gave me a start. Is my Aunt Anna awake, do you know?"

"Oh yes, Neville Longbottom sir, she is getting ready to go to breakfast." Dobby nodded as he levitated a multi-colored globe onto its stand on a nearby shelf. "I is doing the unpacking and Doctor Jones and I is deciding where everything is going."

"Doctor Jones - sorry - Dobby, did you say Doctor Jones?"

"Hello Neville!"

Jumping and spinning at the same time, Neville gasped at the sight of Doctor Jones sitting in his armchair with paper and pencil in hand.

"Packing list," Christopher informed him, merrily waving the paper.

"Uncle Christopher? How .. when .. I mean; you're a Muggle, no offence, but," stammered Neville.

"How'd I get to be here, hanging around, if you'll pardon the pun?"

"Well, yes."

"It does help if your wife's a witch, my lad." Christopher winked at him.

"But you weren't here last night, were you?"

"As a matter of fact, I was, but still wrapped up in brown paper. I did hear everything, though. I was just 'elevated' to my new position this morning."

Looking around at Dobby, Neville took a step closer to Christopher's portrait. "Even Aunt Anna slapping Professor Snape?" he asked in a low voice.

"You bet. She packs quite a wallop, our Anna. Well, all's forgiven, I take it. Onwards and upwards, what? By the way, how's your Grandmother, Neville?"

"Same as always, Uncle Christopher. She never changes, you know that," answered Neville, smiling and shrugging his shoulders.

"So I've noticed. Speaking of noticing, I need to get your personal opinion of your parents' conditions, Neville. Since you only see them on holiday, you could see changes in their behavior more acutely than anyone who sees them on a regular basis, such as the ward matron." Doctor Jones leaned forward. "Did they seem more aware of who you were? Did they react differently this last visit then at the beginning of your summer holiday? You see, I'm still keeping track of their therapy even though I can't treat them myself." He put down the packing list and turned, waiting for Neville's answer.

"To tell you the truth," answered Neville, furrowing his brow, "Mum did seem a bit more focused this last time, had a bit more attention span when I talked to her. She even started to say something but then her mind wandered off again, like it does.

"But I was really pleased with Dad's progress." Neville smiled up at his Uncle. "He actually looked up at me when I said 'Hello' and seemed to have a spark of recognition in his eyes and he smiled! Then, he drifted off again, too. But that's a good thing, isn't it? He never used to show any sign of even hearing me, much less reacting to me before." Neville looked up hopefully.

"Yes, Neville, that's very good for your Father. Your Mother's progress is a bit more advanced than his because she was not tortured quite as long as he was. Frank fought very hard, from what we've been told. It almost killed him.

"But .. even little steps are good ones, Neville. Between Anna and Remus and I, we'll keep the therapy moving ahead in spite of your Gran's objections. Alas, Anna will only be able to visit with them on weekends, when she can pop down to London. Hopefully, at least twice a month, so their progress will slow up a bit." Christopher sat back in his chair and tossed the pencil he was holding onto his desk.

"Thanks, Uncle Christopher, it means a lot to me. I used to feel sorry for myself, about my parents not recognizing me and all. Then I met Harry and he barely even remembers his parents. So, I stopped being a prat and now with this new therapy, I'm feeling positively, well, positive. Maybe one day my folks will really be fully aware of the whole world around them; who I am and who they are and we can be a family again."

"Let's keep those good thoughts in mind, shall we. It's our hope, too," agreed Doctor Jones.

"Neville? Is that you?" called Professor Twigg-Jones.

"Yes! I've come to escort you down to breakfast. Don't rush, though," he added, checking his watch, "we've got a little time yet."

"Be there in a shake, dear."

X # X # X

Walking around the classroom, Neville noticed a decidedly feminine touch with the addition of his Aunt's personal possessions and Auror equipment. Lots of candles in crystal holders, books - lots and lots of books - lined the shelves at the sides of the room. Auror instruments and quirky little gadgets were displayed in tall cases and on the teacher's desk...a gun.

"Don't touch that, Neville," Doctor Jones warned, seeing where Neville's gaze was leading him. "It is real and it is loaded.

"Why does Aunt Anna have a Muggle gun?" Neville stopped short of the desk, gazing down at the black revolver.

"My idea, actually, for her personal safely. No one in the Wizarding world would expect such a thing. I insisted she carry it with her always, even here at Hogwarts. Got the idea from a favorite old movie of mine; the element of surprise. 'When all else fails, just shoot the dumb son-of-a' .. "

"CHRISTOPHER!" Professor Twigg-Jones was standing in the door of her chambers.

"Sorry, Anna .. my, don't you look smashing! Eh, Neville?"

"Gosh, you look great!" Neville watched her descend the stairs, wearing a dark purple, black lace edged, deeply scoop-necked gown, her hair in a long French braid hanging down her back.

"I figure as long as I missed last night's big feast, I'd better make a big entrance this morning. Seriously, do you like it?" Swirling around to show off the whole outfit, she looked to them for their opinion.

"Yeah!" Neville nodded his head. "The girls will be jealous and the fellows gob-smacked."

"Neville's right about that, my dear," Christopher agreed.

"Oh, good, then I won't change again. I've had on four different gowns, trying to decide!"

Anna picked up the gun, opened a metal box sitting on the desk, put the gun in it, locked the box with a key, pulled out a desk drawer and putting the box in, bumped the drawer closed with her hip. Then she deposited the key down her cleavage. Neville blushed and ducked his head, grinning. Doctor Jones roared with laughter. Ignoring both of them, she turned toward the still busy house elf, who was emerging from yet another large box.

"Dobby, what a good job you've done. Everything looks to be in just the right spot. Are you almost at the end?"

"Yes, Miss. A few things in this box," the house elf answered, patting the edge, "and Dobby is finished."

"Excellent! Thank you so much for all of your help." She bent over and planted a kiss on the top of Dobby's bald head. He blushed crimson to the ends of his ears.

"Ah-hem!" Doctor Jones coughed, none too quietly.

"Oh .. yes, you too, dear. I'm sure it was a collaborative effort."

"Too right!" Doctor Jones sniffed haughtily, then chuckled and shook his head.

"Well," Anna announced as she headed for the door, "we're off!" Picking up her black academic robe and folding it over her arm, she waved. "See you later, Christopher. Come, Neville, my dear."

"'Bye, Uncle Christopher, see you later."

"Have fun, you two. And Anna, don't slap anyone...at least not till after breakfast!" chided her husband, smiling.

"Shut it, you!" she growled but blew him a kiss. He laughed and waved.

X # X # X

The Great Hall was rapidly filling with students as Professor Twigg-Jones and Neville came down the staircase. At the bottom she stopped and turned to straighten Neville's tie.

"Our grand entrance, my boy, we must look our best. Chin up, smile and remember we're the best looking couple walking through that doorway."

"We're the only couple," Neville hissed out of the side of his mouth, offering her his arm.

"Details, details. Let's do it!"

Putting her hand through his arm, they took a deep breath and walked through the open doors. Instantly there was silence...then the Gryffindor table exploded with cheers and applause as all the members of the House jumped to their feet. The other House tables wondered what was going on as Neville and his Aunt advanced down the aisle between the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. As they approached the D.A. members in the middle, she and Neville stopped. Professor Twigg-Jones signaled for all to sit down.

"Good morning, everybody."

"Good morning, Professor Twigg-Jones!" they chorused back at her, grinning.

"Well, Neville, I believe I can toddle on from here." She gave him a kiss on the cheek, turned and started walking to the head table.

As Neville moved to sit down, Draco Malfoy leaned across the aisle to hiss, "Dating older women now, Longbottom? None of the girls here at Hogwarts give you second look, eh?"

Without missing a stride, Professor Twigg-Jones flipped around and retraced the seven or eight steps she'd taken and stopped in front of Malfoy.

Leaning over so her face was level with his, giving him a jaw dropping view of her cleavage, she smiled sweetly and purred, "It's even better than that, little boy. I'm his godmother!" Placing one long-nailed, elegantly bejeweled finger under his chin, she gently pushed up to close his gaping mouth. "Careful, dear, you'll swallow a fly."

Straightening up, she twirled around to face the Gryffindor table and then patted Neville's cheek.

As she walked away, Neville leaned over to Malfoy, and with a wide grin announced, "Welcome to my world, Draco, old man! He! He! He! He!" He sat down at his place to much applause and laughter from his friends.

X # X # X

Dumbledore stood, clapped his hands and breakfast appeared on the tables. "Dig in!" He then proceeded around to the end of the staff table to meet and greet Professor Twigg-Jones.

"Good morning, Professor, you look ravishing."

"Thank you. That was just the effect I was trying to achieve."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Did you sleep well?"

Glancing up quickly, she saw the twinkle in his eyes and realized he knew all about last night and Severus.

"I had a very good night. Thank you for asking."

"Let me make a few quick introductions on the way to our seats." He turned to the staff members at the end of the table.

X # X # X

"Wonder what's going to happen when they get to Snape?" whispered Ginny.

"Nothing unusual, probably. Polite handshake is my bet," Hermione whispered back. "Let's watch and see."

X # X # X

Professor Flitwick climbed down off of his chair and Professor Twigg-Jones knelt down to give him a big hug.

"You'll be sitting next to me, my dear."

"Oh, excellent. Let me just drop off my robe and I'll be back in a flash, you charming little devil." She tickled him under his chin and then stood.

"Still a flirt, aren't you?" He blushed.

"Shameless, I assure you!" she replied.

"And you remember Professor Snape," Dumbledore intoned as Snape rose from his seat and turned his back to the students to greet her.

Dropping her robe over the back of her chair, she regarded him. Gone was the smile, her face was a blank, unreadable countenance.

"Of course .. Severus."

She extended her hand. He took it and gave it a squeeze, but not letting go immediately, ran his thumb along the side, which sent chills down her spine. She shivered slightly.

Seeing her reaction he smirked. "Anastasia, you're looking well. It's been a long time," he replied, finally letting go of her hand.

"Seems like ages."

He turned abruptly and sat but she remained rooted to the spot, staring at him for a moment longer, then a slight smile turned up the corners of her mouth.

X # X # X

"Did you see Snape? Not much of a greeting!" Ron hissed to Hermione.

"No, he was just being himself and she realizes that," she shot back. "Pass me the syrup, please."

X # X # X

Turning to follow Dumbledore, Professor Twigg-Jones broke into a wide grin and literally ran into Professor McGonagall's arms.

"Anna!"

"Minerva!"

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. It looks like you spent hours getting ready for that grand entrance of yours and Mr. Longbottom's."

"One hour, tops, I swear! And if Neville hadn't shown up I'd have been late again."

"Consistency is one of your stronger habits...you are always late!" Professor McGonagall laughed.

"I'm showing some improvement. I had a legitimate excuse for not getting here on time last night. I spent the entire morning at St. Mungo's with Frank and Alice. I knew I'd miss the train so I asked Remus to deliver my mountain of luggage to the Hogwarts Express. Frank and Alice came first yesterday but today, Hogwarts ranks number one."

"I'm sure this is going to be an outstanding year with you here helping us," Professor McGonagall predicted with a smile.

"I want to talk to you about last year, though, sometime, Minerva. The Weasley twins gave me a brief rundown when I was in their shop in Diagon Alley, but I'd prefer to hear an unvarnished version."

"I doubt my version will be any less lurid, Anna. We'll get around to it as soon as the school settles down into its routines."

Both grinned and hugged again and then Professor Twigg-Jones and Dumbledore continued down the table.

X # X # X

"Good friends with old McGonagall, isn't she," Ron said quietly, as he turned back to his plate, after watching their progress along the staff table. "And why are we whispering?"

"So the Slytherins won't overhear all we know about her; keeps them in the dark as long as possible. This is wonderful; Malfoy's still blushing!" Hermione giggled.

They all looked around at him and broke into laughter again. He glared back at them.

X # X # X

Returning to her seat, Professor Twigg-Jones started to fill her plate. She engaged Professor Flitwick in conversation, pointedly ignoring Snape.

"Excuse me, Professor Twigg-Jones. Could you pass me the salt cellar?" Snape hissed at her.

"What? Oh, yes, certainly, Professor Snape." She picked up the salt and held it out to him without turning, continuing to talk with Professor Flitwick.

"The pepper mill, also."

"Excuse me a moment, Filius," she said, before she grabbed requested pepper mill and turned toward Snape.

"Here!" Anna shoved it into his outstretched hand. "Anything else, Severus?"

"You met our young Mister Malfoy, I observed."

"I thought as much; he looks just like his father. A decidedly nasty piece of work."

"Lucius or Draco?"

She tilted her head and looking into his black eyes, fought the impulse to smile. "Yes."

"Ditto," he growled before turning away from her.

Professor Twigg-Jones turned and looked straight down the Slytherin table to find Draco Malfoy staring at her. She gave him the smallest of smiles and a nod before she turned back to Professor Flitwick.

"Sorry for the interruption. Now, where were we?"

X # X # X

As the schedules were being passed out, Dumbledore stood and the students quieted down.

"I have just two announcements. First: you may have noticed the arrival of our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Anastasia Twigg-Jones. She is a fully qualified Auror and was involved in the events with Voldemort some fifteen years ago. She is also a certified Healer and has studied Muggle medicine as well."

Some mumbling greeted that information.

"Before his untimely death, her husband, Doctor Christopher Jones and Professor Twigg-Jones had been working on cross referencing magical potions and cures with medical drugs and treatments. A work that is on-going at St Mungo's. She has also consented to serve as faculty advisor for the Defense Association."

Widespread applause greeted that bit of news, except from the Slytherin table, of course.

"Second; you will notice, on your way in and out of the castle, a rather outstanding example of a Muggle motorcycle residing in the courtyard. This belongs to Professor Twigg-Jones and she assures me it is tame and quite used to being admired. Feel free to pet it or touch it, but, please DO NOT sit on it if she is not present, you haven't been formally introduced or have been not given previous permission to do so. You have been warned."

That statement started a buzz.

"Time you are off to class...Chop, Chop!"

X # X # X

The students stood and started to file out of the Great Hall. Professor Twigg-Jones took her robe from the back of her chair. Snape walked around her and out the side door. It was Professor Dumbledore who held it for her, helping her get her arm in and straightening it on her shoulders. She beamed at him, waved to Professor McGonagall and started to walk out with Professor Flitwick.

As they walked along, she heard bits and pieces of the students whispered questions: "Her husband was a Muggle doctor?" "She fought Voldemort?" "What did she say to Malfoy, do you suppose?"

She smiled at the Gryffindors as she passed. Behind her, Draco and the rest of the Slytherins just glared at her and stalked silently out of the doors.