Prohibition | Severus Snape

A Class Amiss

"You won't believe this! He was so full of himself. So broody! Ugh. And the worst part is he is so demeaning. Making me feel like I am so much smaller than him in every way!"

"That's our Severus alright." Minerva laughed.

"Oh! Speaking of his name, he's forcing me to call him Professor Snape? Like I am one of his students?!" Sofia continued throwing her hands up in exasperation. 

"Nonsense dearie. He'll come around. He was once the youngest professor here. And now that he has someone to toy with who's younger and happens to be his past student he's just showing off some superiority."

"Even though he technically has no direct power over me."

"Precisely." Minerva continued sipping her tea. "Well on second thought-"

"What ?" Sofia squinted. "Minerva, he's no Albus!"

"You are correct Sofie, but you might remember he is technically above you in the ranks of the teaching pyramid so to speak, therefore although he can't make you quit your job he can make it quite difficult for you. And if you're not efficient - which I am sure you will be - he will report it to Albus." Minerva spoke calmly. 

Sofia was at a loss for words. She ran her hands through her hair tying it in a tight bun, before feeling displeased letting it down and tying it again. Minerva watched as the girl frantically twisted her hair holding her hair tie between her teeth. 

"Oh dear, there's no need to be worried. On the contrary, just think that if he somehow grows fond of you, next thing you know you will be replacing him completely. Becoming a full-fledged professor at Hogwarts!" 

"You're right. I will just try to be more patient."

"Hmm I've known you for years Sofia, and since day one you didn't strike me as the patient type." She smiled

"I guess I'll just have to try." Sofia continued sipping her tea as she told Minerva about the rest of her day, filled with memorising potions which she had long forgotten. They continued to chat for what seemed like hours. Minerva was always close to Sofia. From the first day, she felt a certain motherly instinct towards the girl. Even when Sofia was sorted into Slytherin, Minerva continued to watch over for her and regularly invited her for tea. Minerva was the one who discovered that Sofia was living from paycheck to paycheck after graduating. When she found out Sofia had been juggling 3 jobs to feed herself in London, she convinced Albus to hire Sofia for minimum pay to see how she would do at Hogwarts. It didn't take much convincing as Sofia was always quite hardworking and Albus knew that. The only thing Minerva failed to understand was why such a bright girl had so much trouble finding a stable job. But she always told herself she'd get to asking Sofia that question one day, just not today. 

"I think I must get going." Sofia smiled sadly. "Have to be up early tomorrow for my first class." 

"Don't fret my dear. You'll do great." Minerva lifted her wand up and with a swift flick, the teapot and cups began to clean themselves as Sofia made her way out. 

The following morning Sofia had been over-prepared for her class. She had memorised the potions and even snuck back into the potions classroom to practice them without Severus realizing. Grabbing her wand, some books and parchment Sofia made her way down to the potions classroom through the elf staircase. The students were running around the hallways, excited for another week of classes. 

"Hi, Professor Greene!"

"Hi, Jonah!" She greeted the boy. Jonah was a 6th year, tall, quidditch loving lad. They had become quite acquainted since Sofia had tutored him in Charms all of last year.