The Infatuations And Disenchantments of Loving A Snake (Severus Snape)

1 | Suspicion

It wasn't the fact that he was surrounded by children every day. Or the fact that he had to deal with their nonsense. Or how he had to live most of his life in the castle, where he had been tortured by James Potter and his gaggle of friends. No, The one thing Severus Snape couldn't stand about the start of a new school year was Professor Tate.

Anastasia Freya Tate.

A new school year meant another year full of Professor Tate's insufferable chatter. And her unwillingness to acknowledge, that Severus Snape most certainly was not her friend. 

He thought he had gotten rid of her for good once she graduated from Hogwarts eight years ago. She was a nightmare to have in class as she never shut her mouth. On the other hand she was the top of her class and never had a potion go wrong. Hard to believe she learned anything as she was constantly jabbering on about something to anyone who'd listen.

Unfortunately, four years ago she became a professor at Hogwarts, and the woman somehow got it into her head that they were friends. And to Severus's dismay that meant having to deal with her playful banter and friendly teasing. She meant no harm, of course. All she wanted to do was befriend the man... which she thought she successfully had done. But no. Severus only tolerated her nonsense. If they hadn't been colleagues he would have put an end to it as soon as it started. However, he had to be civil with the woman for the sake of his job.

Most days it was Professor Tate who put him into his unpleasant moods. She would always greet him at breakfast with a bright smile and chipper attitude and it always ended with a playful unintentional jab at him to try and get him to smile. Some days she would run into him in a corridor, snake her arm around his; linking them. Of course, he'd try to pull away but she had a tight grip on him. She would talk nonstop as they walked to the great hall until, they parted ways at the staff's table.

Severus Snape loathed when she did that. Was she truly that delusional to believe that they were friends? "How unpleasant..." Severus thought as he walked to the great hall for the sorting ceremony.

"Ah Professor Quirrell, is it? I'm Professor Tate, it's a pleasure to meet you." The soft melody of Professor Tate's voice filled the hallway and hit Severus' ears like a dagger. Quickening his pace down the corridor, he managed to make it to the Great Hall without any unwanted company.

Severus shook his head, ridding himself of any thoughts of the woman. He needed to get his head on straight because the first years would be arriving any minute for the sorting ceremony. But today's sorting wasn't going to be like any past year. This year, Harry Potter would be attending Hogwarts, which was something Severus had been dreading for the past 11 years. With the Potter boy now at Hogwarts, it wouldn't be long before the Dark Lord returned - "Severus!" Shrieked a voice startling the man and pulling him from his thoughts.

Anastasia ran over to Severus' sitting form and quite literally threw herself at the man. She flung her arms around him and practically knocked them to the floor; if it werent for Severus grabbing the table they would have. "Professor Tate!" Snape's voice boomed throughout the hall. Anastasia planted a soft unwelcome ,but friendly kiss on Severus' warm cheek, then pulled back with a wide grin. "Oh gosh, Severus, I've missed you throughout the Holiday!" Professor Snape paled as the entire student body and most of the staff were watching their encounter. "I wrote you, did you get my owl? Oh, you wouldn't believe what I've been up to! I wanted to visit, but I wasn't sure if you'd be home! We will have to have some tea and catch up!" Professor Tate rambled on as if she hadn't spoken to anyone in ten years.