Twisted

When Severus Snape awoke in the very early morning of September first, he was aware of three things. The sharp pain running across his forehead, an obvious reaction from the horrendous amount of alcohol he consumed, was one. The second was the fact that he was in one of the beds above the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. The last was the young woman pressed up against him, arm draped over his chest and face burrowed between his shoulder and the pillow. The events of the previous night came flooding back as he observed her, watching as she shifted in her sleep, rolling onto her back. Her lips parted as she sighed, sending a shiver down Snape's spine as her breath touched his cheek. A frown appeared on his lips as he carefully brushed her ebony colored hair from her face, running his fingers over a delicate scar that stretched from her temple down her neck and ending at her collarbone. It looked as if it had been there for years, faded to a pink color.

A murmur from the girl made Severus aware of just how close he was to her. He jerked away, dressing quickly before she could awaken. He didn't seem disturbed by what had happened; he had had his share of one-night stands before he became a professor at Hogwarts. Why should this girl be any different? A final glance around the room, and Severus nodded, barely looking at the bed as he started towards the door. There was no sign anyone else had been there, and that's the way he wanted it. He tossed a handful of Galleons onto the bar as he swept out, ignoring Rosmerta's call that he had change coming.

The town was empty as he made his way to the castle, squinting into the still dark morning. Shadows moved through the Forbidden Forest to his left, and his eyes narrowed as a dark shape lumbered across the path. That's right.. Lupin was coming back this year, bringing that blasted Sirius Black with him. 'Snuffles.' He snorted, scowl darkening. It shouldn't be allowed, but Dumbledore welcomed them with open arms. Sometimes the Headmaster was too forgiving for his own good.

The shape slipped off into the Forest, and Snape kicked a rock after it, grunting sullenly. Oh, how he hated this arrangement. A werewolf and an escaped convict teaching at Hogwarts. Granted, Black wouldn't technically be teaching, but it's the principle of the thing. Parents would have fits if they knew. Although a former Death Eater wouldn't go over any better.

The castle loomed ahead of Snape, candles flickering in some of the upper towers, a sign that most of the teachers were awake. Arranging lesson plans most likely, preparing for the students arriving the next day. 'No, today,' Snape reminded himself, the pink of the sunrise already appearing on the horizon.

"Trouble sleeping, Severus?" A gentle voice asked, pulling Snape from his silence. The Potion's Master turned his eyes to the source, nodding stiffly in greeting to Dumbledore.

"Headmaster. ..No, sir. I spent the night in Hogsmeade. Just returning to the castle to prepare for classes tomorrow. Dumbledore nodded knowingly, tapping the side of his nose as he fell into step next to Snape.

"Ah. And what business drew you to Hogsmeade, Severus?" Snape stiffened, lips curling into a sneer.

"I believe you are aware what yesterday was, Headmaster." Dumbledore gave a brilliant smile, then, eyes twinkling.

"Ah, yes! I trust you had a happy birthday." Snape snarled silently, trying to ignore the chuckle that came from Dumbledore's general direction.

"It was tolerable, sir." A gentle hand gripped Snape's forearm and he paused, his glare softening slightly as the Headmaster pressed a small box into his hand.

"I trust you will find some worth in these old trinkets." Snape carefully slid the box lid off, fingering the items within. A cloak clasp, two silver snakes twisted into a Celtic design, and a crystal pendent on a delicate silver chain, nestled on top of a pair of gold and red knit socks. "Professor McGonagall's suggestion, I'm afraid." Dumbledore adjusted his glasses, poking at the socks.

"I'll wear them at Gryffindor/Slytherin matches," he replied, snorting quietly. "..Thank you, Headmaster. I've actually been looking for a new cloak clasp."

"Yes, I believe you told me. I found it among a box of knick-knacks in Diagon Alley."

"And the crystal?" Calloused fingers ran over the smooth stone, pulling back as it began throbbing. Dumbledore made a thoughtful noise, scooping the pendant from the box. After examining the clasp a moment, he placed it around Snape's neck, nodding when he stepped back.

"The crystal. A rather antiqued item, if I do say so myself. I received it many years ago from the Headmaster before me, a token of his thanks, if you will. He claimed it to contain protective properties, although I have never seen proof of this. It has never glowed for me, certainly." Indeed, the crystal was glowing a blood red, still throbbing, beating like a heart. Snape fingered it curiously, and then tucked it into his robes, starting slowing towards the castle again.

"..What drew you from the castle this morning, Headmaster?"

"I was awaiting the arrival of our new History of Magic professor. Professor Binns decided it was time to retire and move on to the other side. She told me she would be arriving early this morning, around dawn. Perhaps she had a late start, though."

"Did she attend Hogwarts?" Snape asked curiously, all ready wary of this new teacher.

"Yes. She was in Slytherin, actually. A year below you, I believe. I recall seeing the two of you together quite a bit, way back when." At the blank look on Snape's face, he grinned, peering at the professor over his glasses. "Rather small thing, she was. Even as a seventh year, she was only five feet or so. …Don't remember her, Professor?"

"I can't say that I do," Snape admitted, shaking his head.

"Pity. She asked of you when I informed her of the positions all ready filled."

"Is that so?" Snape mused, sorting through the faces of his school acquaintances, trying to recall exactly who the new History of Magic teacher could be. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled secretly, about to tell him, when approaching footsteps caught their attention. Snape whipped out his wand, turning on the spot to point it in the direction of the sound. The woman froze when she saw the wand, glancing between Snape and Dumbledore. The headmaster didn't look at all phased, a kind smile on his lips.

"Headmaster," she greeted him rather hesitantly, and Snape lowered his arm, tucking his wand away.

"Professor Snape, may I introduce our new History of Magic teacher, Cassiopeia Black." Dumbledore motioned to the woman, chuckling as Snape's mouth dropped open.

"Hello, Severus. Pleasure to see you again," Cassie forced on a bright smile, accepting Dumbledore's arm as she started towards the castle. "Is Remus up yet, Headmaster? I haven't seen him for years."

Snape followed behind the pair, watching Cassie with a look of shock on his face. It was she. The woman from last night. The girl he had fallen for in his fifth year. The vixen that broke his heart in his seventh year. He hadn't seen her for sixteen years. Since the day he graduated.

The crystal around his neck pulsed, and he put his hand over it, clutching the cloth of his robes. Something wasn't right about this… Cassie glanced over her shoulder at him, a small frown tugging at the corners of her mouth.

'We'll talk later,' Snape mouthed, moving to Dumbledore's side as she inclined her head in agreement. "Headmaster, I will see you for the Welcoming Feast this evening."

"Very well, Severus. You won't be joining us for lunch, then, I presume." There was a hesitant pause before Snape answered, nodding stiffly.

"That's correct. I have classes to prepare for." Before Cassie could object, he had swept away, disappearing into the castle. She sighed, leaning slightly against Dumbledore.

"He hates me, Professor."

"He has been through more than you can imagine, my dear. You must give him time. …Come. I'll take you to see Remus." Cassie nodded sullenly, allowing Dumbledore to lead her into the castle.