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Angel Dust	By : darkfaith Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 1060 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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AN: If I owned it, do you think you'd be reading it for free?

‘I wanted you to be the first to know, Severus,’ Dumbledore said. He studied the younger man across from him. He had taken the news better than expected. But then, no one ever really knew about Severus Snape.

‘Are you sure this is the best idea, Headmaster?’ The question was sincere, devoid of the cynicism that usually darkened such a statement.

‘She has assured me of her devotion to the students of Hogwarts. I believe nothing will keep her from protecting the children here.’ Albus stopped and considered Severus. He smiled slightly at his practiced sneer that always crossed his face when the students were mentioned. Albus leaned toward the dark clad professor. ‘She needs to be back among her kind, Severus.’ The wisened professor offered a knowing, sad smile.

‘You of all people should know how that must feel.’

Snape glared at his mentor. He always knew the right buttons to push to bend people to his will. Behind the kind eyes was a shrewd man.

‘Well, thank you for the warning,’ Snape said coldly, standing up and sweeping out of the room.

Dumbledore shook his head. He knew asking Gwendolyn Duncan to return to Hogwarts was in everyone’s best interest. He only hoped she would see it the same way.

Gwendolyn looked up at Hogwarts from the gates. Her bags had been sent ahead of her, and so she stood empty handed, staring up at the school of her childhood. So many happy memories, times with friends existed within those stone walls. And one of the worst moments of all her life. Fighting back the surge of emotions that threatened, she walked swiftly up the road to Hogwarts.

‘Gwendolyn!’ Minerva McGonagall greeted her as she entered the front hall. Gwendoln almost smiled at the slightly shorter woman, wondering how she had passed the years without aging a day.

‘Professor McGonagall,’ she replied briskly. ‘It’s nice to see you again.’

‘It’s nice to see you too,’ Minerva replied, starting towards the large staircase without seeing if Gwendolyn was following.

‘Albus would have liked to have greeted you himself, but he had some urgent business to attend to,’ the older woman continued. ‘He asked that I show you your rooms, and tell you that he would see you at dinner tonight.’

‘Thank you,’ Gwendolyn replied. She wondered what business the Headmaster had to attend. In times like these, one never knew. She supposed that if was anything dealing with security, she would be tolon eon enough.

The women walked the rest of the corridors in silence. Gwendolyn took the time to look discreetly around her new home. It was just as grand as the first night she walked into Hogwarts. A few of the pictures had changed floors. She guessed it got boring looking at one hallway for years.

Eventually, they came to a room that had large mahogany doors. Minerva stopped abruptly and turned to Gwendolyn.

‘These are you rooms. I’m sure they will suit your needs,’ she said. ‘For now, the password is sludgebottom, but you can change it whenever you wish. Dinner will be in a few hours. I would like to stay with you longer, but I have to finish my lesson plans.’ She started to go and stopped, turning to Gwendolyn with genuine fondness.

‘I’m glad you’re back, Gwendolyn.’

Touched by the professor’s words, Gwendolyn simply smiled and nodded. Minerva smiled back and continued back down the hall.

Gwendolyn stood there for a moment, and then used the password to enter her room. The sitting room was nice, not too large to feel uncomfortable in, but not cramped. The rugs on the polished dark wood floors were dark red. Embroidered on them were gold images of dragons and unicorns and other magical beasts. She noted that her box of quills and parchment had already been placed on her large desk. She continued into her bedroom, where the decorations were similar, dark wood and deep red fabric. It felt dark and luxurious, and she smiled, knowing Dumbledore put her here knowing her tastes.

Only one other professor would feel at home in a room like this, she thought before stopping herself. She rolled her eyes as she sat on her canopy bed. Why did she keep thinking about him? She was actually surprised she hadn’t thought of him immediately when she entered the school.

Severs Snape. She had thought of nothing else upon learning he was now the Potions Master at Hogwarts. It had been so long since she had seen him, and they had barely been speaking then. Would he be at dinner tonight? Would he even speak to her? What would they say if they did speak?

‘Dear lord, Gwen,’ she said to her self, pushing off the bed. ‘You’re acting like a teenager.’ Deciding she had better start getting organized, she set about unpacking. Having arranged all of the new items she had bought at Diagon Alley, and sorted through her clothes, she stood facing a large trunk. She eyed it like an opponent in a dueling contest. Taking a deep breath, she knelt before it, and opened it. It smelled dusty, old. Slowly, she took out her wizarding things. She carefully lifted her wand. It felt warm, as if happy to be touched again. She studied it, amazed at the power it contained, the destruction it had brought. She fought back the images, the sounds of screams that attacked her thoughts and set the wand aside. A sad smile crossed her lips as she unfolded her house scarf, stroking the soft wool as it lay in her lap. She sat a photo album to the side without opening it, the smile now gone from her lips.

Last, she picked her cauldron from the bottom of the trunk. She had been good in potions, had in fact liked it very much. She found that the meticulous measuring and patience focused her mind and relaxed her like nothing else.

She closed her eyes. Had it really been fifteen years? She had tried to put this place out of her mind while she lived among Muggles, but now everything about this place threatened to drown her with memories. Fighting with remarkable resolve, she drove back the flood, and when she opened her eyes they were dry.

Noticing she had only an hour until dinner, she closed the trunk, setting her things on top. She changed into a dress she had bought in a shop in Diagon Alley that day. It was dark green velvet with a scooped neck and bell sleeves. Brushing her hair to remove the tangles and dust, she was just getting finished when there was a knock on the door.

She smiled up at the grey-bearded wizard before her. His blue eyes sparkling behind his spectacles, he offered his arm.

‘Dearest Gwendolyn,’ he said, his voice soft and affectionate. ‘I have come to escort you to dinner.’

Playing along, she dipped a small curtsey. ‘Sir, I would be delighted.’ She took Dumbledore’s arm and he led her to the Great Hall.

Since the students would not arrive for another four days, there was only one long table set in the middle of the large room. The ceiling was charmed to look like a clear, moonless night.

The chatter of the staff died down as Dumbledore and Gwendolyn entered the room. Knowing she was under scrutiny, Gwendolyn narrowed her eyes and lifted her chin in defiance.

Dumbledore seemed unperturbed. ‘My friends,’ he said. ‘May I introduce Miss Gwendolyn Duncan, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.’

Gwendolyn and Dumbledore took their seats amongst the polite greetings and smiles around the table. Gwendolyn took an unnoticed pause before sitting when she saw the person next to her seat.

Damn you, Dumbledore, she thought acidly as she slipped into her chair. Snape did not acknowledge her as their plates filled with food and everyone began eating. She made polite conversation with some of the other professors, who welcomed her back. By the time everyone had been introduced to her, she felt a little more at ease. There was only one thing left to do.

‘Good evening, Professor Snape,’ she said, determined that she would not be ignored. Not by him.

‘Good evening, Miss Duncan,’ he replied, sounding bored and detached.

‘You’re looking well,’ she said, pleased that her tone mirrored his. For the first time in fifteen years, he turned his gaze to hers. She was surprised, even though she didn’t show it, at how he had changed. His skin lacked color, and there was a deep furrow between his brows. His eyes, which had been like deep black pools were now flat and cold.

‘As are you,’ he said without emotion. ‘The muggle world seems to agree with you.’

‘I adjusted,’ she said flatly. She did not want to go down that path now.

‘And how long have you been back amongst us?’ Something in his tone made alarms go off in her head. She had heard this voice too many times to not know something was up. He was going somewhere with this. Defenses she hadn’t used for a long time went up around her mind, but she answered calmly.

‘I arrived in Diagon Alley this morning.’

‘You’ve been here for a day and you have not killed anyone?’ Snape said with mock surprise. ‘Is that a new record, Miss Duncan?’

Gwendolyn felt a cold shock run through her body as she fought the outrage that flooded her. She shot Snape a lethal smile.

‘I haven’t felt like killing anyone until now.’ Her voice was pleasant enough, but a cold fire had lit in her eyes. ‘Care to be the first now that I’m back, Professor?’

‘I would hardly be the first, Miss Duncan,’ he replied, his voice as low and dangerous as hers.

Before she could reply, Gwedolyn felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She rounded on the person, reaching for her wand, even though it wasn’t there. She stopped immediately when she saw worried blue eyes looking at her.

‘Is everything alright, Gwendolyn?’ Dumbledore said, removing his hand slowly from her shoulder.

Gwendolyn flushed with embarrassment and anger. How could she let Severus Snape upset her so? She had about placed a curse on Dumbledore!

‘I believe I’m more tired than I had realized, Headmaster,’ she said tightly. ‘I believe I’ll retire for the evening.’ She rose swiftly from her chair and left the room before anything else was said.

Albus watched as Severus’ eyes followed Gwendolyn out of the room. For one unguarded moment, concern was in his eyes as well. They were cold n whn when they turned to Dumbledore.

‘I have potions to finish before the brats come back,’ he said gruffly. Then he too was gone, leaving Dumbledore shaking his head.

‘Damn her,’ Snape muttered as he entered his dungeon quarters. The d’cor was sparse and practical, like the man. He threw his robes onto the bed before falling into a chair by the fire. He studied the flames, his mind on the woman he had just sparred with. She was just as beautiful as he had remembered. Thinner, paler. But still beautiful. He knew his heart had stopped when she walked in with Dumbledore that night. She had looked defiant and dark at the headmaster’s side.

Always the rebel, Snape thought bitterly. That girl would never learn.

And that’s what you always loved about her, a nagging voice declared in his mind.

He remembered the first time they met. He had only a few months to go until he would be through with his training, and then he would be a professor. It had been late at night and he had been gathering books in the reserved section. He looked up when he heard quiet footfalls running towards him. Suddenly she rounded the corner and stopped when she saw him. Her brown hair was disheveled around her face and her green eyes held a mischievous twinkle. Smiling at him, she put her finger to her lips and then ran behind a bookcase.

Filch followed shortly, carrying a lantern and looking as annoyed as ever.

‘Have you seen her?’ he rasped, looking around.

Severus shook himself out of his stupor. ‘Seen who?’

‘Gwendolyn Duncan,’ Filch spat. ‘The little witch is always sneakin back here at night. Never been able to catch her at it, but I know she’s here.’

‘Well, I’ve seen no one, and I’ve been here all night,’ Severus replied, turning back the shelf dismissively.

‘You sure, Mr. Snape?’ Filtch eyed him suspiciously.

‘Quite, Mr. Filtch.’ Severus paused a moment before turning his cold glare to the groundskeeper. ‘Was there something else?’

‘No, Mr. Snape,’ Filtch replied, starting away. ‘Sorry to bother you.’

When Filch’s footsteps had died away, Severus turned to see the girl rising slowly from her hiding place.

‘Thanks,’ she whispered, coming to his side. ‘That was close.’

‘Don’t thank me yet,’ Snape hissed. ‘I’ve a good mind to turn you in to the Headmaster.’

‘If you were going to do that, you would have done it already,’ she said certainly.

‘What do you think you’re doing in here?’ he said, displeased that she was right.

‘Looking for a book, obviously,’ she said, turning to look at the bookshelf. She scanned the books for a moment before turning back to him, a smile on her face. ‘Actually, you should be able to help me.’

‘Help you?’ he asked, incredulous. ‘Help you do what?’

‘Well, it’s a potions book that I’m looking for, and you’re the potions guy, so you should know where to find it,’ she said casually, turning back to the books.

‘I’m not ‘the potions guy’ as you so eloquently put it,’ Snape had replied. He smiled thinking back. It had taken little persuasion to get him to help her find the book after learning of her interest in potion making. They had made the potion the next night, and slowly became friends, despite Snape’s misgivings.

‘Cut the nostalgia, Severus,’ he said to himself. He pushed himself out of his chair, poured a drink, and stared out his window into the night.

‘Bastard!’ Gwendolyn cried as she slammed the heavy wood door shut. She stalked about her quarters, looking for something to throw. Remembering she had returned to the wizarding world, she picked up a glass and threw it against the stone wall. Feeling a twinge of satisfaction in the shattered pieces, she magically put it back together and threw it again.

The truth was, she was more angry at herself than Snape. She had allowed him to push all the right buttons to get a reaction. And he had gotten just the reaction he had been looking for. She went for her wand like the loose-cannon everyone thought she was.

And she was hurt. Part of her had wanted to make amends with Severus now that she would be seeing a lot of him again. They had been best friends until she had said things to him, terrible things said in pain, that had driven a wedge between them. For fifteen years she had missed him, and it seemed she would go on missing him.

Gwendolyn cursed herself for the stab of pain the thought brought. She stalked around her room which suddenly felt too small. She cursed herself again for not bringing any alcohol with her because a drink would have felt good. She stopped and looked out her window. Suddenly she smiled. She might not have anything to drink, but she knew who would. She changed quickly out of her dress and into jeans and a black peasant blouse. After pulling on her boots, she was out the door and down the stairs.

This is my first publication. Be kind!!
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Angel Dust