Snakes and Ravens

Chapter 2 - Returning Home

Severus POV

Sitting at the breakfast table, Severus saw an exited Minerva Mcgonagall chatting eagerly to Pomona Sprout. Snape rolled his sleep deprived eyes before sitting in his seat and pouring a cup of: Strong, black, bitter coffee and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Before his ears where quickly assaulted by the shrill Scottish voice that he had hated as both a student and, now, as a colleague. He took comfort in knowing the voice always had good intentions and it was as trust worthy as it was irritating. 

"Good morning Severus!" 

The younger man only scowled at her - He saw no reason to smile today. 

"Really Severus?" The witch admonished "I thought you would have been exited by the dawn of a new term, espeshially with the arrival of Harry Potter." Minerva mused. 

Severus sneered into his breakfast.

I couldn't care about the Potter boy, he means about as much to me as the opinions of Rita Skeeter from the Daily Prophet. Yes his sister is...gifted but he is James' son and the apple never falls far from the tree.

"and what gave you that assumption?" Snape asked dryly. 

"well, you seem quite fond of Penelope, are you not?"

Does she miss anything?

"I hold Miss Potter in the same contempt I have for all students who aren't my own snakes; since Miss Potter is indeed a Ravenclaw she is treated as such!" The Potions Master grumbled at his colleague. Inwardly he smiled, he would never admit it but he had always wished that Penelope was a member of his own house, his own little snake. Admittedly she was thriving in Ravenclaw but she could have been a phenomenal snake - she had been a hat stall after all.

However, there was always something off about the child at the start of each term. Particularly after the summer holidays but the Professor had never been able to decide on what it could be. Severus found it a cause of great infuriation as it had always gone by the time Halloween came around.

Severus sighed as he got up from the table - he had plans to check that his stocks were fully replenished before apparating to Kings Cross for train duty. He rolled his eyes. Snape hated being on train duty. 

When he stood up from the table he noticed that the Headmaster had been trying to get his attention, he turned around to face his employer. "Severus! my boy, do you have a moment?" the man said brightly his grey eyes twinkling as they met the Potion Master's gaze. 

"I suppose I could give you ten minutes" Severus said flatly as he proceeded to follow the Headmaster to his office. 

"So Severus..." Dumbledoor began once they had both sat down either side of the Headmaster's cluttered desk. "I assume you are suitably prepared for the new term ahead?"

"Of course" Snape said flatly "I leave the art of impulsive improvisation to the Gryffindors among our staff"

"Speaking of which" Albus said (Ignoring the snide insult) "I take it you are aware that Mr Potter is joining us this year?"

"Indeed." Severus rolled his eyes. 

Of course that was what Albus wanted, nobody could forget about the precious 'boy who lived' who was finally coming to intrude his potions sanctuary. 

"Should Mr Potter be sorted into Slytherin, I should expect you to treat him the like the rest of your snakes. He. Is. Not. James. Do you understand?" 

Snape gave the HeadMaster an insincere smile "Of course, Albus. Should The boy be one of my snakes - as much as I doubt it - he would be treated the same way as the other members of his house."

"Good!" The old man beamed up at his unimpressed potions Master. "The only reason I bring it up is Penelope is not a Gryffindor, much to everyones surprise"

Snape suppressed an agrivated sigh - he had always thought Dumbledoor's prejudice favouring Gryffindors obnoxious, bigoted and annoying- there was no reason either of the Potter children were destined for Gryffindor, it seemed that Albus had yet to learn that children were not there parents.  "You're afraid that Harry won't be in your beloved lions club." Severus said, sneering accusingly and the man. 

The man gave no response, Severus had his answer. 

"Would that be all, Albus?" 

"Indeed it would."

The Potions Master wasted no time exiting the Man's office- all he could do was hope that the Potter brat was not in his house.