Chapter Text
"Serena, did you hear who is coming to teach this year?!" bubbled her friend Greta that morning, cheery blonde hair tickling her shoulder as she leaned over the table to chat
Serena pushed her wayward curls back, drinking the last bit of her coffee, black with two sugars
"Nope. But your ear is always lower to the ground than mine"
"Severus Snape! From Hogwarts!" Greta bounced on her feet, jiggling the silverware on the circular staff table
"Who?" Serena asked, feigning ignorance
"The war hero! The great spy. Spurned lover. Haven't you read the papers? He saved the wizarding world. He protected Harry Potter. Most hated man to nearly most loved" Greta lived for gossip, and she loved a love story.
"He probably wants to get away from that reputation if he's coming here" Serena advised her friend, hoping she would tone down her excitement before this guy showed up.
"You're no fun" Greta pouted, her long fingernails tapping the table impatiently
"Sorry Gret. Go talk to Andrea if you want to gossip. You know I don't do that" she shut her down, continuing to mark down her most recent research on a defense charm.
Greta stomped away, her winter boots clacking loudly, grumpy at not getting the reaction she desired. She certainly knew of Serena's hatred of gossip, but deemed this particularly juicy and in need of sharing. She would indulge her later over dessert.
"I heard he's a real hard ass" Connor spoke up from across the table, working on his morning crossword
"Yeah? I would be too if I had to fight in a war and get no credit" she snipped back
"No sunshine for me today? Rough morning?" he teased, sending over a small ball of sunshine which exploded into a rain cloud over her plate
She rolled her eyes. Life as an empath healer had its benefits and drawbacks. Most mornings she was perfectly docile. This morning, her nerves were raw from the waves of over excited energy.
People reacted in very strange ways when anything new became introduced into their lives. She wanted to teach, plow through on her research in memory reversal charms, and not have to pretend like she cared about a new teacher.
She did know about Severus Snape. Read through his annotated works on Potions, every Daily Prophet article and interview, studied the recommendation letters from Minerva McGonagall, Harry Potter, and Kingsley Shacklebolt, and sat on the review committee that accepted him to their school for the exchange.
She voted yes based on his resume. His twenty years of teaching service. The students amazing marks and subsequent career paths.
It was unanimous. His "unique" personality had been something the Headmaster was willing to overlook, even something to treasure as a quirk.
"We took a chance on you" Fontaine reminded Serena jovially "and look how well that worked out"
She studied at a Muggle university for four years, learning how the brain and body worked. Well on her way to becoming a doctor. But, she realized she had no reason to explain the instant change in symptoms when she was around sick patients. Magic wasn't real, after all.
She changed course and became involved in Charms research for four years after her college graduation, learning how to use her empathic energy healing to restore the memories of the worst cases. She rose to some sort of fame at the ripe age of twenty five for her ability to heal any malady.
Ever aware of an opportunity, Headmaster Fontaine asked her to teach for a year while promising to fund her research. That was six years ago and she had only risen higher in the ranks of Healers. Still being funded by the school as she taught.
Although many still held her at arms length.
They were still afraid of her power. The number of legitimate energy Healers was under two in history and even that number was murky. Empath energy was akin to a nerve being grated with a cheese slicer. Relenting and harsh. But with very rewarding payouts.
"Seriously Nena, you're all sorts of prickly today, are you alright?" Connor asked softly, his truffle brown eyes staring into hers, suffocating in their need for acceptance
"I'm fine" she lied to him because she didn't want to continue the conversation.
Connor Greenleaf was a lovely man. Hired at the same time as her, they had classrooms beside each other. He taught Magical History, smelled of sweet grass, was the student's favorite, and desperately intent on becoming her significant other.
He had been drawn to her, as many were because of her healing energy; and he tried to be friends. Stopping by her classroom, inviting himself to her on campus suite, and becoming friends with both her and Greta.
Being close friends with anyone didn't come naturally to her, spending much of her life alone in foreign countries with her parents. Never certain if she could trust a new person. Her acceptance of him, Greta, and several colleagues showed her willingness to be a team player.
"If you say so. I'll be taking a walk through the woods at eleven if you want to join me on your break" he offered, walking past her with a large muscled hand squeezing her shoulder
He wanted to feel the warmth she exuded. He was a taker even if he didn't mean to be. She had to protect herself at all costs. An out of control healer was not safe for anyone.
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"Before the students descend upon us tomorrow, I would like to take the time to introduce Master Severus Snape to our faculty for the year. Let's give him a loud American welcome!" Headmaster Fontaine bellowed happily as he stood in front of the twenty teachers that night at dinner.
They all clapped happily, some choosing to yell and whistle. Classic American welcome. Brash and charming all at once.
Severus stood tall and lanky next to Fontaine, who was short and round. He offered a tight lipped smile to all of them. Looking terribly uncomfortable, his eyes began roaming over the crowd, bouncing back and forth over every exit, hands clasped together tightly and shoulders strained. Hyper vigilant. No one else seemed to notice.
"I have asked Severus to give a short speech if we don't mind then we can all dig into dinner" Fontaine grinned, sitting down in his high backed and bejeweled chair, waiting expectantly for Severus to begin.
"I am a Potions Master. Twenty years of faithful service at Hogwarts. No doubt you have all read about me, but please do not give credence to all that you read. I am proud to serve at Ilvermorny for this year in the exchange and will endeavor to teach your students to the highest degree of my ability. I can only hope that my presence doesn't bring a pall to your school and I trust that I will be informed if it does.
The war may be over but the consequences still remain in effect. Let's work together to strive for the betterment of our society and civilization. Thank you" Severus spoke slowly, each word separated from the next, his soft and distinguished accent tumbling the words like a soft breeze.
He thought his presence would bring shame to the school. Even three years after the war. After all his accolades and awards. His twenty years of faithful teaching service. A familiar ache tightened in her chest. She knew that shame.
He accepted the polite clapping and sat down beside Andrea Beckham. She taught Ancient Runes and thought herself to be a gift to all men. Slave to lust and chasing the next bright coin.
Flipping her long auburn hair over her shoulder, she began peppering Severus with questions. He answered her kindly, or at least it seemed that way. They were seated at the next table over and the chatter was too loud. His body language was stiff, offering small upturns of his lip as a smile, calculated bites of food.
Andrea scooted closer to him, leaning on her elbow and fluttering her eyelashes. Severus' body language didn't change. That was different. Most men appreciated Andrea's attention. Bubbly personality, porcelain skin, adorable freckles, and bright blue eyes atop a cute button nose.
Serena didn't realize she had been staring until Severus caught her eye. He gave her a simple nod. She kept her face neutral even though her heart pounded at getting caught. She immediately averted her gaze back to her meal, nerves creeping in. She could feign social graces well, even if she had no time for them.
"You're getting stared at" Greta whispered to her, big grin spreading across her face
"Please don't bring attention to me. He caught me staring at him first" she told her friend, cheeks burning
"It wouldn't be the worst thing for you to put yourself out there. What if you had gone to England?" Greta asked, pushing her outside of her comfort zone
"I have work I'm trying to do Greta. I don't have time for it. That's why I didn't do the exchange program" Serena reminded her
"You don't have to be afraid to show people that you're a nice person. You don't always have to have your guards up" Greta told her earnestly, patting her back
"I'm not afraid. I'm just particular about who I share my energy with. You know what it does to me if I'm not careful" Serena reminded her ominously
Greta nodded, shuddering when she remembered.
Serena took a deep breath, collecting her bag over her shoulder. The large dining hall was tiled in marble, the walls full of mosaic art. Modern and classic all at once. Beautiful cathedral windows let the light stream in, be it by the moon or sun.
The circular stone tables dispersed throughout the hall were gathering more teachers and the noise began to reverberate against her ears. This was when she usually took her leave. Before the noise gave her a headache. Before the energies pushed too far into her mind.
"May I walk you back to your room?" Connor stood also, gazing down at her, elbow held out hopefully
She quickly glanced at Severus who was watching the exchange...bemusedly? He didn't bother to hide that he was watching.
Shaking her head she declined, turning to leave before she would have to see Connor's puppy dog sad eyes at yet another dismissal. He wouldn't have to feel that way if he just stopped trying.
It would be better for all involved if she just stayed alone.