Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

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.

Chapter List
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AN: Thanks for hanging in there. I won't be updating for a while, since I need to write some more stuff. It will get better, I promise. It's all in my head, i just need to get it on this damned machine.

Gwendolyn stood in the dungeon, outside Snape’s door, clenching and unclenching her fists. Slowly her breathing calmed and she headed towards the stairs. She knew he threw the Gryffindor comment in there just to push her over the edge. She had always been sensitive about her house placement. She was proud to be a Slytherin, glad to have all the positive attributes that went with the green and silver. But she had never fit in with her housemates. She held no deep grudges against any other house, which set her apart. They didn’t understand her wit or sense of humor, mostly because they had lacked both in her opinion. The others were perfectly happy sitting in the dungeon common room, plotting one scheme or another. She liked being outside, visiting Hagrid and talking about magical creatures.

Of course, the fact that although her father was a Slytherin, her mother was a Gryffindor didn’t help matters. She gave a ghost of a smile thinking about her parents. The relationship had been tumultuous to say the least. She had inherited her father’s eyes, but her mother’s temper. Often the couple would have long arguments, her father’s calm responses only angering her mother more until she threw her hands in the air and stormed from the house. Hours later, she would return, give her husband a sheepish smile, and they would embrace like nothing ever happened.

Inevitably, with thoughts of her parents came thoughts of their death, and, in turn, thoughts of Severus. The arrogant bastard, she thought. Telling me to act more Slytherin.

She stopped in the hall, a cold smile crossing her lips. ‘Well, since he’s such a model Slytherin,’ she said to herself, ‘I’ll just imitate the master.’

She turned to where a group of students were talking and laughing. She strode over to them. Seeing the emblems on their robes, she said, ‘Twenty points from Hufflepuff for dawdling.’ The students turned their horror stricken faces to her. She crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow. ‘Care to make it more?’ she said, intoning the phrase exactly like Snape. She watched the students hurry off in a flourish of robes and books. She gave an evil grin. This could be fun.

So the next few weeks passed. The students of Hogwarts had two teachers to dread now, and some would swear that Professor Duncan was Snape’s more evil twin. She handed out detentions the way Dumbledore handed out lemon drops. She randomly took house points away as she made her way to class, even from Slytherin. She pushed her students hard in class, and then pushed even harder on their assignments. She spoke to none of the staff, and even stopped going to the Great Hall to eat.

Dumbledore decided it was time to intervene when he saw Hermione Granger entering
Gwendolyn’s classroom looking pale and frantic. The old wizard smiled at the barking voice that commanded his entrance. He opened the door to Severus’ office, smiling at the surprised look on the young man’s face.

‘I’m sorry, Headmaster,’ Severus said, standing. ‘I wasn’t expecting you.’

‘Indeed you weren’t,’ Dumbledore replied. ‘Please sit down, Severus.’ Dumbledore settled himself in a chair, regarding the Potion’s Master over his spectacles.

‘I’ve come to ask your assistance with Gwendolyn,’ he said. Knowing Severus the way he did, he could pick out the various emotions that crossed his face at the mention of her name.

‘I don’t see what assistance I can offer,’ Severus said flatly.

‘You’re the only staff member that hasn’t tried to speak with her yet,’ Dumbledore said.

‘About what?’ Severus asked.

‘Well, I’m afraid she has a worse reputation than even you, dear boy,’ Dumbledore said, shaking his head. ‘She started the year so well, but now I’m afraid she may be too hard on the students. I’m not sure if something was said to her,’ Dumbledore noticed the other man cringe slightly, ‘but if things don’t change, I’m going to have to ask her to leave Hogwarts.’

Severus looked coldly at the old man across from him. ‘You’d send her back after it was your idea for her to return in the first place?’

Dumbledore held up his palms. ‘Of course this is not what I wish to happen. That is why I have come to you for help.’

‘I still don’t see why you think I can help,’ Severus said a little gruffly.

‘You were once very close,’ Dumbledore said, staring intently into his black eyes, remembering a time when they weren’t so cold. ‘The two of you understand each other better than any of the rest of us could ever begin to.’

‘That was a long time ago, Headmaster,’ Snape said, his voice devoid of emotion.

‘Not so long ago that your ties cannot be reconnected,’ Dumbledore said gently. He watched

Severus battle with his emotions and his pride. Finally, he looked at the old wizard, his trademark sneer in place. ‘I will not promise anything, but I will speak to her if you wish.’

Dumbledore beamed as he stood. ‘Thank you, Severus.’

Severus understood Dumbledore’s concern as he stood outside of the DADA classroom. Presently, Gwendolyn was chastising a first year for an assignment the class had recently completed and that was obviously far from the professor’s standards.

‘Honestly, Miss Brownling,’ he heard her voice sneer. ‘Eastern Asia? I said specifically that the chumandra was found in the jungles of East Africa. Five points from Ravenclaw for not paying attention.’

She does sound like me, Snape thought.

‘Because of the gross incompetence of Miss Brownling and the rest of the class,’ Gwendolyn continued, ‘you will all rewrite these essays by tomorrow. And I expect to see miles of improvement.’ She paused, and he knew she was surveying the faces, looking for someone who looked disgusted or upset. They all must have been looking at their desks, for she found no victim today. ‘Class dismissed,’ she said finally. Snape could hear the collective sigh of relief as the students gathered their things and left the room. Of course, there was little comfort outside classroom when the other most dreaded professor waited beside the door, glaring at each of them in turn. His eyes narrowed further when he heard a retreating Gryffindor say something about the two professors ‘joining forces.’

When all the students had gone, Snape entered the classroom to see Gwendolyn entering her office, closing the door behind her. He made his way swiftly up the stairs and knocked loudly on the door.

‘Enter,’ an unfriendly voice said from the other side of the oak door.

He swung the door open to see Gwendolyn’s head down, quill in hand, slashing ink onto the parchment. Severus crossed his arms and lounged against the door frame. When he didn’t speak, Gwendolyn looked up and smiled wryly.

‘I was wondering when Dumbledore would send you,’ she said, returning to her paperwork.

‘Is it so shocking to think I’d come to see you on my own volition?’ he replied dryly.

‘Have you then come to praise my teaching techniques?’ she asked sarcastically.

‘As highly as I think of your treatment of the students here,’ he said, stepping into the room, ‘Dumbledore has informed me that your position here is in jeopardy if your behavior doesn’t change.’

Gwendolyn snorted her disbelief. ‘Nonsense. He hasn’t fired you yet.’

‘Then consensus among students and faculty is that you are worse than I am,’ he said, sounding bored.

She looked up from her papers and placed a hand over her heart, a look of exaggerated surprise on her face. ‘Me? Worse than the great Severus Snape? I must say I’m flattered.’

‘I must say, however, that it doesn’t suit you,’ he replied, studying the nails on his long fingers.

Gwendolyn turned back to her grading. ‘You were the one who said to be more Slytherin,’ she said, a slight accusation in her tone.

One elegant eyebrow slid up. ‘Is that what this sudden darkening of attitude is all about? You’re trying to prove—’

She cut him off, looking up sharply. ‘I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Especially to you.’

‘I happen to agree with you on that point,’ he conceded.

‘But you said—’ she started, but he didn’t let her finish.

‘And you slapped me,’ he said, glaring at her. ‘Then you proceeded to ruin my reputation by being a crueler professor. I’d say we’re even.’

‘Hardly,’ she mumbled, continuing to grade papers.

‘Then a compromise,’ he said, the Slytherin in him hating the words. ‘I shall retract my statement if you will leave it to me to terrorize the students.’

Gwendolyn regarded him through narrow eyes before nodding her ascent. ‘One Snape at Hogwart’s is more than enough,’ she said, leaning back in her chair.

‘I’m sure a vast majority would agree with you,’ Severus said wryly.

Gwendolyn jumped out of her chair, a smile now on her face. ‘Let’s go to Hogsmeade.’

Severus rolled his eyes. ‘Why, in Merlin’s name, would we want to go there?’

She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. Using her most Snape-like tone, she said, ‘I’ve been brooding about this castle like a great bat, and now I want to have some fun. And because you caused my bad mood, Professor Snape, you must accompany me.’

Severus looked unimpressed. ‘I don’t see why everyone thought you were so frightening.’

‘You wouldn’t, Severus,’ she said smiling before dragging him out the door.

‘May I speak with you, Headmaster?’ Gwendolyn asked as she poked her head into

Dumbledore’s office. It had been three weeks since she and Severus had settled their differences again, and in that time her reputation had changed from Snape’s evil counterpart to one of a tough, sarcastic, but good teacher. The students had no idea what had caused the change, though rumors were rampant, and most really didn’t care, glad to have one less Snape to worry about.

‘Of course my dear,’ Dumbledore said, smiling at her from behind his desk, Fawkes perched on his shoulder.

Gwendolyn entered and took the seat across from the headmaster.

‘Albus, I don’t know if you have noticed,’ yeah, right, she thought. ‘But some of the other professors and I have noticed a marked difference in Mr. Potter’s behavior.’

He nodded, aging with the grave look that replaced his smile. ‘I have indeed noticed Harry’s withdrawl from his friends these past few weeks. I wonder if there has been a change in his school work as well.’

‘That’s the part that worries me,’ she replied. ‘If anything, he seems more interested in school work, especially in my class.’

‘What is it that is worrying you?’ Dumbledore said, peering at her over the rims of his glasses.

‘I know that Harry only recently learned who betrayed his parents and caused their deaths. I’m afraid that now he is realizing how great his powers can be.’ Gwendolyn paused. ‘I’m afraid he’s studying to avenge the death of his family.’

Dumbledore sighed and nodded. ‘I am fearing the same thing, Gwendolyn. Harry is more powerful than he knows. As he continues to realize his potential, the temptation to exact vengeance on those that have wronged him will grow. And you know better than anyone the dark path to which that will lead.’

‘I do,’ she replied gravely. ‘How should we proceed, Albus? Perhaps you should speak with him.’

‘I think you would be better suited to handle this particular issue,’ he said, studying the younger witch closely.

‘But he trusts you, Albus,’ she argued. ‘He admires and respects you.’

‘But you know how it feels to loose your family to evil,’ Dumbledore replied rationally.

Gwendolyn rose from her chair and went to look out the window. Fawkes, sensing her turmoil left his master to land lightly on her shoulder. She stroked absently at the phoenix before speaking.

‘What if I can’t help him?’ she said quietly.

‘I’m only asking you to try,’ Dumbledore said, soft comfort in his voice.

After a moment, Gwendolyn turned, deposited Fawkes on his perch, nodded briskly to Dumbledore, and left the room.

Dumbledore sighed and leaned forward on his desk, placing his head in his hands. After so many years, the pain of the children he considered his was beginning to weigh on him. He could only hope it would be over soon.
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Angel Dust