Chapter 1

Professor Severus Snape had been the potions master at Hogwarts for far too long in his opinion. He had survived 6 years of Weasleys, 'The-Boy-Who-Lived, more than one know-it-all, and several more troublesome students in his career. Unfortunately both Potter and Granger became professors at the school with him so he hadn't gotten rid of all of them, not completely. It had been ten years since he ridded himself of the last of the red headed Weasley clan and twelve since he had his life completely changed. The war had been over for quite some time though he vaguely remembered how it actually ended. All he knew was that he was now free to live out the rest of his miserable life however he saw fit. He was no longer in fear of his old master destroying him, he no longer had to look over his shoulder every step to be sure one of his fellow Death Eaters weren't there, nor did he have any problems with his loyalty when it came to the Ministry. He had been greatly rewarded as everyone else in the Order was, but he still found himself in need of something more, something he couldn't quite place.

It was a week before the start of term and Snape sat in their annual teacher meeting to discuss new rules as well as receive a list of students that would be beginning their first year there. He placed the list in his pocket when his copy was handed to him. He would look it over later as he did every year that way he could brace himself for whatever horror it might bring.

"Welcome, professors, to another year of fun and excitement. I do hope your summer holiday was quite to all of your liking." The headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, stated with one of his wide smiles as he sat at the end of the table and surveyed his fellow faculty members. "Does anyone have anything they would like to share before we begin?" He paused for a moment and looked over the room again. "Very well, if there is nothing we shall begin this meeting…"

The old wizard droned on for hours and Snape found it hard to stay awake through the entire thing so he simply put himself into a trance of sorts to survive it all. When the meeting finally adjourned he was the first one out of the room. The potions master had always despised those meetings knowing that it was only another year of dealing with disrespectful brats to look forward to. As quickly as possible he walked back down to his office before any of his associates could stop him and ask him once more if he was alright. He had been hearing that same question nearly every day since the day after he was found half-dead nearly twelve years ago and he was quite tired of being bothered about it. Once safely in his office he let out a small sigh then proceeded to a small cabinet and poured himself something to drink.

Only a few minutes later there was a knock at his door which he had half expected. "Come in." He said flatly as he pulled out two more glasses knowing full well who had come to bother him. After all, they came down to see him every year why should this one be any different.

"Hello, Severus." Professor Granger said as she entered the room followed by Potter.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Granger. Would you care for a drink?" The potions master replied as he set the two glasses he had in his hands down on his desk.

"Yes, thank you." She responded as she took a seat.

"And you, Potter?" the Slytherin asked as he poured her drink and handed it to her.

"Me, no I'm fine." Harry said as he also took a seat. "We just came down to ask you something really."

The dark haired man offered an inquisitive look to cover the fact he knew what they were here to ask. "Harry, we can just sit and talk to him for awhile. No need to get straight to business. We are, after all, colleagues now." Hermione said before taking a drink from her glass.

"You're right. How was your summer, Snape?" Harry quickly asked.

"As dreadful as every other I have had the pleasure of living through in the past, I suppose. And yourselves?" He asked before finishing off the rest of the fluid in his glass.

"Fine. We spent the summer helping someone move. It was quite interesting to visit Romania." Hermione responded before she knew it.

The potions masters eyes narrowed with the last of her comment. Ron, he thought, he's coming back. It would be wonderful to see him again even though everything has changed since he left. And who knows, maybe we…."Severus?" His thoughts were interrupted by Potters voice. "Did we lose you?"

"No. What was it you came down here to ask me?" He questioned as he poured himself another drink.

"We were wondering if you had looked at the list of students for this year or not." Hermione said quietly.

"No, I have yet to get to something so irrelevant. There are many much more important things that I need to be working on right now. So, if you please, could you leave me be?" Snape said his voice still emotionless.

The two nodded then stood to leave. "Good night, Severus." Hermione said before closing the door behind them.

When he was sure the others were gone he quickly reached into his pocket and glanced over the list of names. One….two…three, dear Merlin! Three Weasleys in one class. He leaned back in his seat and tried to think about whose children they could be. Bill was married, as was Fred, he was unaware of Percy, George, or Charlie ever settling down.. Then it dawned on him, Ron was married and even had at least one child. Snape tossed the paper aside then finished off his drink for the second time that night. Slowly he rose from his seat then made his way into his bedroom where he collapsed on the bed. "So much for a second chance…" He muttered to himself before forcing himself to sit up to remove his boots and robes. After sitting there silently for a moment he crawled under the blanket and forced himself to sleep. The dreams that filled his night were not unpleasant but he knew they would never become a reality now.