The Oldest Cure

The Oldest Cure

It was the start of a new school year at Hogwarts. The students returned as boisterous as ever. The staff dragged themselves back to the school dreading what the year had in store for them. In the staff room before the Welcoming feast they compared notes on their summers, and started the annual poll on which teacher would be the first to fall for the Weasley twin’s pranks. Severus was the only member not to take part, well him and the new teacher who was sat quietly in the corner. He didn’t take part because he felt it beneath him, and because it encouraged the other members of staff to talk to him. Yes his was a lonely life, but it was a life he felt safe with. The only time he had ever considered sharing his life with a person she had cruelly shattered his heart, and took off with his arch-enemy, James Potter. Still the new teacher intrigued him. She too, seemed to be a loner, less like the other staff members.

Albus walked in and surveyed the staff with a broad smile. As he walked over to the fireplace, Minerva asked if he would care to participate in the poll this year.

He smile became if possible, even broader, “I am going to say Piper.”

The new teacher started and looked at him, “I think you will find I can handle a class quite well without worrying about pranks.” she stated firmly.

Albus directed his smile at her, “It is not that I doubt your capabilities my dear, but that I know the two students in question. Please do not be offended. Have you had a chance to meet the staff properly yet?”

Piper, Severus stored her name away, shook her head.

“Well I’m sure you will soon, I would introduce you but the feast will be almost ready to start, we need to greet our new students, and the old ones too.”

As they filed into their places along the staff table Severus continued to watch Piper. Although she was new she showed no reticence, at least not on the surface. She had a silent air of confidence about her, one that said she was not to be messed with, but she was closed off and separate from the world. She took her seat at the end of the table and starred into space, apparently deep in thought. He shook himself. No way was he going to let this unknown witch interest him. To show interest would lead to closeness which in turn could lead to lowering his defences. Nope, that was just not acceptable. Little did Severus know he was himself being observed by another party.

The first years started traipsing into the hall, The sorting ceremony. Severus never had much patience with this particular event. It was his belief that you ate and left at meal times, no need to watch the new batch of snotty nosed kids try on a tatty old hat. No need for the endless speeches the headmaster would undoubtedly give. He sighed. He just wanted to eat.

Piper sat quietly at the end of the staff table, ignoring the speculative glances that students, and some of the staff, were shooting at her. Not for the fist time did she wonder why she was here. Why she had agreed to this post.

----------------------- 2 Years previous

Piper woke up in a hospital bed. Why was she here, and why hadn’t Leo healed her? Where was he come to think about it? Where were her son’s and her sisters? What had happened that landed her here in the first place. Think Piper, think. She had been in the mannor, with her family when, when what? Why cant I remember?

“oh good, you’re awake.” a nurse bustled into the room, “and how are you feeling today?”

“confused.” Piper replied, “what happened?”

“Maybe I can answer that miss Haliwell.” an old man had stepped into the room after the nurse.

“Who are you?” Piper asked, whilst the nurse said “I’m sorry sir but there are no visitors at the moment.”

“I am Albus Dumbledore,” Albus replied looking at Piper, ignoring the nurse.

“Excuse me sir, did you not hear me? I said no visitors.”

“Ah so you did madam, but it is of uttermost importance that I speak to miss Haliwell alone.”

-----------------------Present day

Piper shuddered, no she was not about to relive that memory. This was her second chance, her escape. Those memories belonged in the past locked away in the back of her mind. She looked up when she realised that Albus had stood up and the meal was over.

“Ok now that we are fed and watered, I now feel fit to bore you with an old man’s babble before I send you off to bed. Firstly I would like to tell all our new students, and remind some of our older one’s, that the forbidden forest is out of bounds.” Albus glanced in the direction of the table where the students wore red and gold before continuing. “Mr Filch would like me to remind you that there is a list of banned items attached to the outside of his office door. This list comprises of 763 items to date.