Savior Complex || Sirius Black

(four.)

 It took a while for someone to figure it out, and within that amount of time Dalia managed to unpack all her clothes into the dresser, place her little knick knacks about her new office, and make herself a pot of coffee. She was just starting to really contemplate her new classroom (which she thought looked rather tacky and cliche and was itching to redecorate) when a tall man flung the door open.

Dalia jumped at the sound, and clutched her new mug to her chest. The man had long dark hair and a tight expression, wearing a simple pair of black slacks and a high collared black shirt.

"The staff meeting." He said as way of greeting, "I've been sent to get you." It sounded like he was trying to pretend he wasn't out of breath, and Dalia bit her lips to keep from snorting at him.

"Oh, super cool. I was considering sending Professor McGonagall a patronus." She said lightly. She turned to get her wand, and he hovered in the doorway. "I'm Dalia, by the way. Dalia Raycroft." As she emerged, tucking her wand behind her ear, she offered him a hand. He took it lightly, giving one weak shake, and then dropping it as if it had burned him. Dalia narrowed her eyes just slightly, but did her best to ignore the channel calling out to her, choosing to grip her mug tightly so as to keep her finger from tapping.

"Severus Snape." The man informed her after an awkward lull. They just stood there looking at one another, and Dalia took a moment to really analyze this man she was supposed to befriend. He seemed tense, like he was ready for everything to cave in at any moment. Nervous, but hardened. A little like Danny, she figured. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard.

"Do I call you Severus or Snape?" She said lightly. He blinked down at her. "It just, like, I dunno. People call one another by last names here. I'm still not sure if I'm allowed to call um- McGonagall Minerva, or whatever."

He blinked again. "I prefer Snape, in front of students."

"And when we're not in front of students?"

Snape's mouth wavered, and then moved to a frown. "I don't suspect we'll see much of one another in those circumstances."

Dalia hummed, and then shrugged. "You never know."

He raised a brow at the way she emphasized 'you'. She just smiled at him innocently, and gestured towards the door.

"I don't want to keep anyone waiting."

His turn was sharp and slightly dramatic, and once again Dalia had to bite her lips from scoffing. What a strange man. He looked young- or, at least, younger than Professor McGonagall. Definitely not her age, but still sort of young for a teacher. Would the other professors be younger as well? A sudden surge of hope flared in Dalia's chest as she followed Snape. She was slightly slower than him, taking her time so has not to spill her coffee whilst he bounced down the stairs in front of him. He didn't pause when they finally reached the end of the spiraling staircase, setting off at a brisk pace down the hall. Dalia hurried a little to keep up.

"What do you teach?" She asked politely after finally reaching his side, trying her best not to sound winded.

"Potions." He muttered. Dalia contemplated this.

"Do you have witch hazel?" He looked down at her in confusion. "Uh, it's for my skin."

"Your skin?"

"Yeah. I'm breaking out- here, see?" She pointed to where she could feel a pimple pushing just underneath her chin. He quirked a brow and his lips wavered slightly, and Dalia hoped to the heavens that this meant he was amused. She wasn't good at making friends with most people, but slightly awkward angry men seemed easier to her. At least they liked when she would just babble. Or, well, Danny did. Maybe if she just treated Snape like Danny, everything would work out fine.