Melanie's POV

My own footsteps echoed with each step I took...my thoughts compiled and many worries crossed my mind.

Would I be easily accepted by the students and staff?

Will I even fit in? Being that there was always a quarrel between muggles and pure bloods I was always cautious.

I myself wasn't fully a pure blood, my mother was half and my father was a pure blood.

So even though I'd consider myself a pure blood there was still a hint of muggle blood in me.

But as much as I wondered about in my thoughts they were immediately interrupted by the wind.

The wind being as gusty as it was, I decided to put my dark hair in a loose ponytail with a green ribbon I had on hand.

I gripped my gloved hands firmly to my handheld luggage as I was now that much closer to the school.

Having my first step on the school grounds as I watched students from all over enter the same place reminded me of why I wanted to be a professor in the first place.

My mother was always against magic because of how dangerous and dark she believed it to be and because of that I never went to a school of magic when I was under my parents household.

Once I was of age to leave...I did and when I left I swore to myself that I'd prove my mother wrong.

To prove to her that magic, like it was to me, could be used for good. That magic wasn't just all evil like she believed it to be.

And soon after leaving home to prove myself, I got into school for magic by the age of nineteen and immediately fell in love with magic.

In fact, my first spell was creating a patronus and on my first try I had it down to perfection.

From then on casting spells were what I fell in love with and what also motivated me to become a teacher. More specifically, a professor at Hogwarts.

But unfortunately showing my mother wrong never proved itself because she passed just as I was graduating from my schooling overseas.

But still...that wasn't going to stop me from finally fulfilling my dream of being a professor at Hogwarts. Being able to teach others of my love for magic would be my greatest achievement for myself.

Even now as I was only a few steps away from the school's doors did I realize that I was absolutely thrilled and excited...but I was also very nervous.

After all, this was an entirely new journey for me unlike my small town teaching in my home town. As well as achieving every schooling I could until now, being twenty-six years of age.

I was finally reaping what I had sown for my whole teaching learning experience...to finally put my knowledge to good use was very thrilling.

Going through the massive wooden doors I was welcomed by both the school staff and students who patiently awaited my arrival in the hall.

At first there were many cheers, many smiles and bright-eyed students.

And I loved it all. In fact, I soaked in my welcome to the fullest as their warm welcome filled my ears.

But what made my heart skip a beat, what made my smile falter for just a moment were the pair of dark cold eyes that stared back at me for only a moment.

A man with hair as dark as the night sky.

His eyes were so cheerless they seemed to be as cold as winter ice.

The way his expression wore on him seemed so emotionless...almost as if he could feel nothing toward anyone.

All but maybe jealousy and bitterness.

But my perception of him, unlike the rumors that bustled around town...to me he was someone I immediately felt curious about.

I couldn't really explain how I felt really...I just knew something about him was different and it intrigued me.

And as it so happened I had a seat right next to him as Dumbledore introduced me to the school.

I could without a doubt feel his intimidating gaze lay upon me.

When I looked up, his eyes were already fixed toward where the students gathered.

I wondered, sitting with a cup in hand as I sipped water only once during the whole morning... what was he truly like unlike the rumors?

But I knew better than to let curiosity of him fill my head and consume every thought I had.

———

Not too much later I was informed by a woman by the name of Minerva McGonagall that I was to start classes tomorrow morning, that way I had time to settle.

So I took the time to familiarize myself with my own quarters as well as where I'd be teaching.

When I entered the room for teaching defense against the dark arts...I was immediately greeted by dusty shelves as well as many empty seats.

Dusty shelves that with me being here might never see dust again and seats that would be filled by tomorrow morning and every class session after.

How I had longed to be in a school like this when I was younger.

For so long I had to keep my ability hidden from my family...but now that was all going to change.

And a glimmer of hope arose in my heart.

I never really thought about how much time really flew for me.

One moment I was a cowering child unable to use magic...not knowing an ounce of magic to being a Professor at Hogwarts, teaching children spells.

And if I could put a smile on any of their faces, that's what I wanted to do.

I couldn't help myself from smiling.

"Better keep your sentiments to yourself Professor. Or else you'll be ran over by these impudent children."

I looked up after hearing such a sharp tongued comment as I quickly wiped a stray tear away.

I didn't even hear him walk in.

"...Sorry, I didn't catch your name?" I spoke delicately knowing full well that he was being rude.

For me, it was better to stay quiet and keep polite then to start any kind of spat with this man that looked as if he'd hold a grudge for his whole life if you rubbed him the wrong way even once.

It was most likely the case that the way he was acting and speaking were just part of his personality so I tried not to mind too much.

"Professor Snape." He held out no hand to greet me like the others did.

Still I smiled and introduced myself.

"Well I'm Melanie. Melanie Lockhart. It's nice to meet you." I reached out my hand to greet him, to see if maybe he would shake my hand as a sign of trust or acknowledgement.

He only returned a cautious and setback look as if he didn't trust me.

"No need for such gestures Professor." He kept his arms folded keeping a cold look toward me.

He didn't look as if he cared at all about my kindness.

In fact, if I didn't know better it seemed as though my kindness irritated him.

At this point why was he even here?

"Pardon me, but was there a reason for your visit here? Do you need something?"

He didn't say anything as he left.

—————

After some time of getting all my things prepared I started to clean the classroom up to the best of my ability with my bare hands just like my parents had taught me.

But I'd be lying if I said I didn't use any magic at all. Mostly for the areas I couldn't reach or get to.

And as night overcame dusk I just couldn't sleep all that well.

Luckily the night seemed to pass by in a blink of an eye.

And as soon as I knew it I was already waiting for the children to enter the classroom.

I waited til the very last one entered before introducing myself.

With a smile I started.

"Good morning class, I'd like to introduce myself as Professor Lockhart. I may not be as classy or daring as any of your previous teachers but I assure you I will try my very best to suit your curiosity. As well as explaining how spells work against certain types of dark magic."

I casted a small but curious spell not known to many.

It was my very own charm spell called flos vitae, or flower of life.

As flowers budded and humming birds appeared from them they gave off a certain glittering gold light as they disappeared after becoming small miniature fireworks.

As any child would, they looked at it with amazement as I couldn't help but smile.

"And with that spell, you can not only learn to create it but also make your own defense against magic spells and charms with a bit of a twist as I have." I winked as they seemed even more interested then before.

And as I trailed off and got into some of the textbooks given for the class many where very studious and well respectful of me.

For those select few that did not, I had a different assignment written up for not only them but the whole class on what they wanted or wished to learn about pertaining the class instead of the same old boring work done year after year.

Of course I was going to keep the safety and the guidelines up but I also wanted to boost a bit more creativity and fun then previous lessons taught before me.

"As far as homework goes I expect a paragraph or two from each and every one of you on what you wish to learn in my class by tomorrow. I'll be expecting each and every one of your papers by tomorrow morning on my desk as well. Have a wonderful evening everyone!"

And just like that I had my first class without any bumps or bruises.

Later on that evening I was to be in the study hall.

As I entered the great hall with its sky like ceiling with glittering stars Professor Snape seemed to be paying no mind to anyone's presence as his nose was stuck reading a book.

But every once in a while a child or too would chat a bit too much resulting that same book to be smacked across their head to keep silent.

If I were to say one of what I thought Professor Snape's understanding qualities were, it would have definitely been the well hand for disciple.

As I thought this I greeted children here and there before making my way to Professor Snape.

"You must not be so awfully cheerful to these brats. Have I not warned you."

His very attitude toward me was like venom to my blood but I dismayed that very fact.

Because I decided that he wasn't going to scare me off like he did everyone else.

"Honestly Professor Snape, I don't know why you can't see that they have just as much value as anyone else here." I spoke a bit firm, a bit tired from his cold words.

"Were you not a child at one point Professor?"

"Hardly. This world teaches you that life -isn't-fair. Why should I be any different to them when reality is fact."

He whisked away from my presence as he went to smack some more talkative kids with his book as I sighed.

What will ever become of this ruthless man?

And as the evening wore on, so did my energy.

All I wanted after studying was over was climb into my warm bed and rest.

But unfortunately the night had other plans as I couldn't sleep and I for certain... couldn't rest even a wink of sleep as I so wished.

Nightmares crept in like a snake in the grass.

Haunting my every dream, turning each slight of sunshine into dreary dark hollowed fears.

Fears of losing everyone I cared for.

Dying multiple deaths...dying in a different way each time...each one more horrifying than the next.

After that I started to have a very difficult time falling asleep.

For several days to several weeks...even to months.

I couldn't escape it. But fortunately enough it didn't affect my teaching as much as I thought it would thanks to coffee and tea.

Still...the lack of sleep started to effect my health and only a few days ago I started to cough up blood.

No one knew but me...

But that was until tonight.