Where Your Loyalties Lie - {Severus Snape x Reader}

-3-

The first official day at work. Everything has gone really well with the first and second years whole morning. All of the students has been very receptive and kind when teaching them. As the last lesson of today is about to begin, the class gets filled with fifth years from all different Houses. Immediately when they walk in, I spot one student among the others in Gryffindor's robes. Harry Potter. The boy who survived from You-Know-Who. Over these years he has become a celebrity some sort. Poor boy. What a pressure to be in such young age. Talk about what happened to his parents... After everyone find their places, I then cleared my throat a bit to get everyone's attention in the classroom:"Krhm.".

Most of the students are smiling and looking quite happy to see a new face in front of the class. "Good afternoon, everyone! Like the Headmaster mentioned yesterday briefly - I am (Y/N) (Y/L). Your substitute professor in Herbology while Professor Sprout is away. I am also the Head of the Hufflepuff's House for the time being.". All of the Hufflepuffs are having big smiles on their faces. I didn't have much time to speak to them yesterday, but they all seem to be pleased, and that actually warms my heart. "Typical." one of the students coughs in mocking way. Right away, all of our attention goes to this specific student and people starts whispering. The boy with white-blonde hair keeps smirking proudly like he owns the place. Slytherin.

I raised an eyebrow at him:"Pardon?". "Hufflepuffs don't seem to get any other jobs than playing with the plants." he chuckles smugly, followed by two of his friends beside him giggling and exchanging glances with one another. This boy... I brushed off his snarky comment and keep on smiling:"Interesting perception, Mister..?". The boy's smirk falters a little, as if he got hurt I'm not recognizing him or something. Others in the class don't really know how to act. They keep on exchanging looks and shyly smiling at each other, each of them wondering how this all will unfold. The Slytherin boy starts fidgeting his fingers a little, but tries to keep the same smug attitude going:"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy.".

With gentle eyes, I stare right at him:"Well, Mr. Malfoy, as interesting as it is to watch you trying to boost your low self-esteem by putting others down, I must inform all of you; I do not tolerate bullying in any form in my class, nor outside of it.". I took a glance at everyone in the room to make sure my message is clear. Some of the children put their heads down, others kept on smiling and others looked stunned. Mr. Malfoy muttered something under his breath I couldn't quite catch, but I ignore him and continue the lesson. "Well then, can any of you tell me anything about Chinese Chomping Cabbages?" I ask from the whole class. A girl with brown, curly hair eagerly raised her hand. After giving her permission to speak, she gives a whole speech about the cabbages with details not many people know of. That brings a smile on my face:"Very good, Miss..?", "Hermione Granger, Professor." she smiled with suitable mix of shyness and pride. Good to know there are some committed students here.

After the class came to an end, everyone left the Greenhouse. I, on the other hand, stay inside the classroom to clean up a little, so tomorrow it'll all be ready for a new lesson. Think I did pretty good. I do feel little bit bad about what happened with the Slytherin student, but then again, bounds needs to be put in place from the start. Like Remus said; 'try not to get stepped on'. All of sudden, I feel someone standing near the classroom's entry and I turn around. "Oh, may I help you?" I asked from the boy who's standing there. He looks little bit nervous:"...I-I don't know if Professor Sprout told you, but... Usually, I like to stay in the Greenhouse and study after the classes are over.". I approach him with gentle smile and take off the gardening gloves:"Ah, you must be Neville Longbottom.". I remember Professor Sprout mentioning something about a student who likes to sped his time in here. Most likely hiding from bullies like Draco Malfoy.