It's All in the Past | SSxOC

Chapter 1

The cool autumn air tousled her hair as she walked proudly through the carpet of colourful leaves towards the castle. It was a place she knew well, yet the many years she had spent away from its walls made her look upon it much as she had the very first time she had laid eyes on it. The sun breaking through the clouds cast patches of light across the castle walls, while those left cloaked in shadow inspired both fear and an undeniable awe for the fortress and the power it held.

As she crossed the gates, she held her breath, uncertain of what awaited her within. She had always returned to these walls as a student, and although she knew the role she was about to take on in theory, she knew very little about what it would truly entail in practice.

As she made her way through the corridors of Hogwarts, she could hear the portraits conversing, many of whose faces were unfamiliar to her. Now standing before the gargoyle statue, she swallowed hard. She knew what awaited her in the Headmaster's office, but she could not predict what would happen once she walked back out.

The sound of stone moving pulled her from her thoughts. The gargoyle vanished from view, revealing a steep staircase behind it. As she climbed one step after another, her heartbeat quickened. And then she saw him - a very old man with a long, silvery beard. Exactly as she remembered him. A warm smile appeared upon his deeply lined face, a smile she was only just learning how to return. Standing behind his desk, he gestured for her to come closer.

The last time she had stood in this room had been fifteen years ago. The room itself had hardly changed, and yet she no longer knew how to find her place within it.

- I've been waiting for you. It's good to see you again.

- Likewise, Professor. -  She tried to maintain a professional demeanour, but it was difficult to suppress the nervousness coursing through her.

- I never would have imagined you becoming a teacher.

- Neither would I, Professor.

- But I have no doubt you'll make an excellent educator. - She offered him a smile, unwilling to repeat practically the same phrase for a third time. She wanted to remain as eloquent as her age demanded. - And I hope you'll have a better way with students than Severus.

At first, confusion crossed her features. Then it dawned on her. Severus taught at Hogwarts. She had never imagined that he would spend his life within the very walls of the castle he had always wanted to escape.

- But change is a natural part of life, and sometimes it simply cannot be avoided. And I suspect you have undergone your fair share of it, considering the fact that you are here.

Her expression darkened. She had changed in ways she would have given anything to avoid, but that had not been her choice. Against her will, she had tasted the bitterness of hell, and its aftertaste still lingered. She feared it might never truly fade.

- That's right.- She replied somberly, losing herself in her thoughts.

- I won't keep you any longer. I imagine you know which rooms have been assigned to you. You have the rest of the day to yourself.

- Thank you, Professor.

She left, leaving the old professor alone with his thoughts, wondering what had brought her back to Hogwarts and what had compelled her to accept a position at the school.

As the sun gave way to the silver moon, hundreds of voices filled the castle. Students, brimming with energy - or utterly lacking it - crossed its threshold to begin another year of their education. The teachers were in varying spirits, though none wore their mood quite as openly as Professor Snape. Clad in black robes and wearing a sombre expression, he was the very embodiment of the winter that lay ahead.