The Secrets We Share | Severus Snape

2 | The Great Hall

Madelyn was lost in thought as she looked out the window. The nostalgic feeling coming from watching the trees and mountains pass hit her harder than she would've predicted, it had been a little over a decade since she's been back at Hogwarts. It almost feels strange to acknowledge. When she was last at this school she was seventeen, with only dreams in her head about the new experiences she would encounter on her journey to become an auror. Now she was thirty-one with fresh stitches on her leg from those so called experiences.

Her eyes met with Severus once the train stopped, "I don't know how much Dumbledore has told you, but we're the chaperones for the first years this time. You've been through this once, I'm sure you're competent enough to do it again."

Such backhanded comments from him. Madelyn wasn't sure what his deal was, but she'd be damned if she was going to start the year off like this.

"And I don't know how much Dumbledore told you about me, but if you keep talking to me like that you'll need to start being wary of your drinks. Baneberries aren't exactly the rarest. I'm sure you can put two and two together, with you being a potion's master and all." Madelyn walked out of the compartment, luggage floating behind in tow. She wasn't here to make enemies, but she wasn't going to be a pushover either.

-/-

Shortly after the boat ride, as everyone filed into the castle, a house elf was quickly at Madelyn's side asking to take her luggage. She insisted that she could bring it to her own quarter's, but the elf was quick to tell her that she didn't know where it was yet. In the end she reluctantly let the little one take it. Though she did wordlessly cast a charm to make it lighter.

She watched as all the professors took their respective seats, one left remaining. In Between Minerva and...Severus, of course. While she wasn't too pleased with this arrangement, at least she got to sit next to her favorite witch.

"Hello darling, how was the trip?" Minerva's smile was contagious, she couldn't help but brighten up, "It was alright, I had the..pleasure of meeting Severus here."

There was a glint of something in the older witch's eye, but Madelyn couldn't quite place what it was. The conversation was abruptly ended when Dumbledore's booming voice was heard telling everyone to settle down. The Great Hall was silenced, the usual beginning of the year speech was given. This time, there was an extra little tid bit.

"I want you all to give a warm welcome to the newest Muggle Studies professor, Madelyn Pierce! I'll let her give an introduction."

Oh she was not prepared for this part, but Madelyn stood up nonetheless. Giving a quick bow before greeting the crowd, "Hello! I look forward to teaching you all and seeing what this year has to bring. Before this I worked for the Ministry of Magic, in doing so I've gotten to interact a lot with the muggle world and even living there for many years. So if you have any questions pertaining to the Ministry or Muggle world feel free to ask me when you see me, or in class." With a smile a curt nod to Dumbledore Madelyn sat back down.

After which began the sorting ceremony. Once all the first years were sorted and they had their food, a thought occurred to Madelyn. A couple of the last names sounded awfully familiar. Most of her friends and peers from her years at this school have probably had kids that are starting here or have already started here. It was really crazy how fast life had gone by. Not to mention how much her love life was currently non existent right now. She tried not to reflect on that as she ate her dinner.

Madelyn was eventually brought out of her thoughts when a deep voice spoke to her right, "A ministry worker then? Bit of a stuffy job."

Madelyn oh so desperately wanted to make a snide remark on how he was the one that found trivial conversations oh so uninteresting yet here he is making small talk. But she refrained.

"In a way, I suppose there are stuffy jobs there. I rather enjoyed mine though."

"Then why come here?" Her fork was promptly stopped in motion, it wasn't exactly a comfortable question to answer nor did she really want to answer it.

"Ah- Well, you know how it is-"

Minerva must have been listening to the conversation, as she noticed Madelyn's discomfort she interrupted her, "Oh Maddie! I don't believe we've shown you to your quarters yet. Severus if you could do that for me after dinner that would be greatly appreciated."

The furrowed brows on his face was a clear indication that he also had no idea where her room were located.

"Oh come on Severus, the one directly across from you! Why else would I ask? To be frank, I don't particularly enjoy going down to the dungeons, far too cold for me."

"Professor you can't be serious." Severus replied, sounding as if Madelyn being his neighbor was the worst thing in the world.

"Oh shut it, come on just show me the quarters, we're both done with our meals anyways." She set her utensils down and stood, making her way out of the great hall. Severus easily caught up.

"You are insufferable."

"Thanks it's one of my favorite qualities."

The walk to the dungeons was fine, other than the fact that Severus always walked like he was late to a business proposal. She couldn't tell if that was his natural gait or he was being a git.

When they did eventually make it to the room, Madelyn placed her hand on the knob. The familiar presence of a charm was felt, ah of course. Charmed locks for the occupant, must have been Minerva's idea. Keys are quite outdated.

The first initial look of the quarters was surprising. Madelyn wasn't sure why she only expected a bedroom and a washroom. No, there was a whole kitchen and living space! It wasn't grand or luxerious, but she preferred cozy over that any day.

Madelyn turned to stare at Severus who looked like he was about to leave.

"What."

"Well? Are you coming in or not?"

"What?"

"You're acting like you've never heard of an invitation before. Come on, I've brought some Baozhong tea back from my trip to Taiwan. I don't bite. Maybe."

Madelyn turned to walk to the living area where her luggage laid. She opened it and grabbed the metal can of tea leaves. Severus hadn't replied, but the door had closed. Glancing back at the entrance she noticed him taking a peak around.

"I'll put the kettle on, go ahead and take a seat."