Reminder:

Paragraph in italic is past memories.

Single quotations signifies whatever is on a character's mind or Florina speaking to Rose in her mind.

Florina's POV:

The second night rolled in sooner than I expected. It was mostly me and Rose planning for my first class which was with the first years. Innocent fresh minds will have their high hopes for their new teacher so I vowed to do my best and not let them down.

But as I tried hard to concentrate on preparing for my class, I couldn't forget the emotional abuse that I endured from the cranky Potions master. My healers used to warn me that the recovery process is never easy, and while I will get sympathy and support from people, there will always be others who will use it against me. 

"Now Florina," Miss Ruby Robinson, my red haired brown eyed healer was filling my discharge papers "always remember that you have a great potential. I have never seen a patient heal and get back on their feet as quickly as you."

"It's all thanks to you Ruby and your amazing staff," I grinned. I was sitting front of her extremely happy and full of life ready to face the world again.

She looked up and smiled, "It's our job no need to thank us. But I must warn you. It's not easy keeping up with this progress. There will come times where you feel down again. If that ever happens or if that feeling starts getting worse, please contact me at once."

I nodded, "Don't worry I will," she gave me her card as I took it gladly.

I tilted my head slightly puzzled, "But what kind of feelings are we talking about exactly?"

She looked up at me again, "Just the general symptoms really. Feeling sad, uneasy or just generally restless. Not wanting to eat or look good whether in public or alone. Cannot sleep or having nightmares even after you took your dreamless potions."

"And always remember to take your healing potions on time. I have magically marked them so you know which one is which and their timings. It can be quite confusing I know," she gave me a serious look, "I have also placed a pamphlet with your belongings so make sure you read it before you leave."

I nodded once more as she scribbled away, "Your potions will change colours according to the time of day. So your nightly potions will be black and dark blue and your morning ones will be sunrise and dawn colours."

"I really can't thank you enough," I beamed.

She was a mother like figure to me during my stay in St. Mungo's. As a healer, it was her job to look after and heal her patients but she wasn't doing it just out of duty but more like a patient herself.

She would frequently put herself into her patients shoes, she knows how they feel; what ails them; hurts them and how it brought them discomfort.

She wasn't the prettiest out of the staff, short and slightly overweight with pale skin, a mole on her cheek and square spectacles. But she was certainly the kindest one I have ever met in my entire short life.

"So what are your plans when you get freed?" she asked still focused on the papers she was filling.

I sighed, "Well for starters I won't return back to my house when I get discharged. I don't have a house to go to. But I will go somewhere else, surely the staff told you by now."

The witch looked up at me shocked, "No they damn well didn't. Those careless weasels!" she exclaimed hitting her fist on paper startling me "Why are you getting discharged then and where will you be going? Is this about the vacancy dilemma because it's a total lie. We still have empty rooms left, it's not like yours is making the whole facility crowded. And besides you shouldn't be staying alone-"

I held up my hand in defence, "Woah Ruby relax," I chuckled, "They discharged me on Dumbledore's orders."

"Dumbledore's orders?" she mirrored puzzled.

I nodded smiling, "That's true. When the headmaster was aware that my recovery period is over, he kindly offered me a job at Hogwarts. History of magic."

She sighed in relief and snickered,"They are finally getting rid of Professor Binns. Bloody hell!" she exclaimed as she was finally finished with my paper work "The amount of times I wanted to drink a dreamless potion in his class are countless."

I laughed, "Oh memories!"

"Well, I wish you the best of luck. I have one request from you though," the red haired healer demanded softly.

I leaned forward slightly, "Sure anything."

"Could you please look out for my daughter, she is attending Hogwarts this year and she is... well let's just say that she is very slow. She is sheepish and I am sure the environment around her will scare her to death."

I nodded putting a hand on hers, "Ruby, don't worry she will be in good hands. We were all like her in our first year and then we all got adjusted to the routine. But yes I will look out for her and will give you weekly reports about her too if you like."

She chuckled, "That's generous of you Florina. No dear the reports won't be necessary. I am sure you would be quite busy once you get there."

"What's her name?" I asked.

"Sarah. Sarah Robinson."

I exclaimed, "Oh! I know her. Wasn't she the little cutie who came to visit you a week ago?"

She nodded grinning, "Yes. Her father needed something from me but they wouldn't let him in the hospital as he is a muggle so he sent in our daughter with the message," she scowled, "Poor girl. She was terrified and almost lost. One of the staff members here recognized her and brought her to me."

"Well no need to worry, sooner or later she will have a lot of friends. She is very kind and lovely much like her mother. She must have inherited that Hufflepuff gene from somewhere right," I grinned.

"Oh Florina how sweet. Thank you in advance for taking care of her," she held my hands and the smile never left her face.

Rose snapped her fingers and my day dreaming immediately stopped.

I sighed, "I wonder how Ruby is. I didn't even get a chance to see her daughter, I missed the damn sorting. I don't even know which house she was sorted into."

She patted my back gently, "I am sure you will get a chance to see her tomorrow in class."

I nodded trying hard to forget about Severus and the incident earlier. 

"Ruby told you it wouldn't be easy. It was as if she knew that this would happen," she stopped hovering and sat beside me on the bed.

"Yes well back then I would easily give up and cry like a little girl," I clenched my fists, "That's what he was expecting to see or maybe hoping to see. I am sure he read my discharge file, I'm sure he knows what I was diagnosed with and he wanted to use that against me. Very Snake like."

"Don't beat yourself up over it," the glowing fairy held my hand soothingly, "As long as you are strong, he won't get to you I promise."

I nodded smiling, "Thanks for reminding me."

"So..." she clapped her hands once changing the subject, "Let's go in the living room. We have a lot of planning for tomorrow."

I prepared some hot cocoa for the both of us while we brainstormed "Do you have anything in mind Flo?"

I frowned a bit straightening, "Well no not really" I shrugged "I could just go in and explain the chapter but that would be boring and basic."

Rose nodded in agreement, "How do you wish to proceed then?"

I paused for a minute to gather my exact thoughts then shrugged again, "I want them to have fun while learning. They need to understand the basics of history which is pretty hard so I was thinking of bringing history to life."

I absentmindedly palmed Rose's golden fairy dust "Let them see what exactly happened in a mentioned century instead of letting them read about it."

Rose clapped her hands happily following my gaze "Flo that's brilliant!... WAIT... I know! How about a magical tinker bell class," she exclaimed enthusiastically.

Puzzled, I replied "A magical who?"

She chuckled, "I will tell you all about it but promise to keep an open mind."

It took us hours to prepare for my class as she explained to me the ways we could make it more appealing and fun. And with Rose's brilliant ideas, it seemed we hit a jackpot. Her plan did sound like a lot of fun, something I am sure the students won't be expecting. Eagerly, we went to bed early to replenish our energy hoping for a wonderful day.

Rays of sunlight poured into my bedroom waking me up before my annoying alarm does. I sat up, stretching as far as my back could bend and slipped into the shower.

A mixture of anxiety and excitement washed over me as I couldn't wait to see the look on the students faces when they see what I planned for them. Taking a warm shower, I wore my robes and cloak when Rose stirred in bed and woke up groaning.

I chuckled saying, "What are you, recovering from a hangover?"

She moaned in a thick voice, "Ha! Ha! Hey you're ready."

"I think so, I am just a bit nervous, this is all so new to me," I said.

She put a supportive hand on my shoulder as she rose out of bed, "We will do great. Trust me."

With that, we got ready and exited the quarters heading to my classroom 4F which was on the first floor thankfully. We were both aware that we arrived one hour earlier than the students but that was intentional as I wanted to organize my lesson and how I am going to present it.

The classroom was the same as the first time I saw it, everything was in place. Professor Binns never bothered with change or innovation. Perhaps he didn't care. He didn't seem to notice that the class rarely pays attention or even sleeps through his class.

Time flew by quicker than I expected. Soon enough, I heard the student's hushed conversations outside the classroom. I gathered that they were skeptical by their new Professor, they might even assume the worst and I cannot blame them.

I nodded for Rose to be in position and she whispered, "You will do great."

Taking a deep breath, I went to the door and slowly opened it revealing the bright young faces all staring up at me smiling.

I gave them a quick smile gesturing them in, "Please come in" and quickly got up to my desk as I watched them pour into the classroom.

When they were all seated and their full attention was on me, I began, "Welcome students to your first history class with me. I am Professor Florina Woods."

I went back to my seat, "So let's start with the roll call" I said as I opened the huge brown loosely taped book.

Taking about five minutes in the process, it was clear to me that the students were Slytherins and Gryffindors first years. I finally came across a name that made me do a double take.

"Sarah Robinson," I looked up immediately searching for the girl but no one got up. I was about to repeat the name when a small chubby red haired girl slowly and fearfully stood up and croaked in a tiny voice, "Present Miss."

I gave her a wide grin, "Here in Hogwarts we call a teacher Professor Miss Robinson."

She kept her gaze at the floor as she fiddled with her fingers, "I... I am sorry Professor," she squeaked.

I shook my head still smiling, "It's alright Miss Robinson. Have a seat please."

She was a spitting image of her mother but judging by her uniform, she was sorted into Gryffindor. Maybe her mother was wrong about her after all.

I looked back at the huge book to see one name remained and I instantly wondered why was it at the very end.

The last name was...

"Harry potter," I said giving the boy a wide grin.

He was taken back by my grin as he squeaked, "Present Professor."

"The famous Harry Potter, heard a lot about you," I said still smiling up at him and chuckled to see the colour rising in his cheeks as he lowered his gaze.

"It's a pleasure to have you here Mister Potter," I finished. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Malfoy practically boiling with anger.

Clearly my words befuddled the young green eyed youth as he stuttered, "O...Oh...the pleasure is mine Professor."

I didn't want to make the kid uncomfortable by pausing on his name but I also wanted to make it crystal clear that my background has nothing to do with favoritism especially to the Slytherins, with whom I belong to.

Giving the students one last grin, I got up to address them as I stole one final glance at Rose to let her know I was ready.

"So class, as you all know Professor Binns used to teach this very hard subject in..." I was pacing slowly in front of them with my hands behind my back, "let's just say in the hardest way possible."

Few of them snickered as I went on.

"So may I have your attention as we are about to explore the history of Hogwarts which began with its four founders," I stopped pacing and faced the students "...does anyone know whom they were?"

A brown bushy haired girl shot her hand with such enthusiasm she was practically touching the ceiling.

"Miss... Granger right," I inquired

"Yes Professor," she nodded excitedly, "they were Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin."

"Excellent Miss Granger," I clapped once, "Ten points to Gryffindor."

The Gryffindors cheered and Ronald Weasely clapped her on the back while the Slytherins scowled at each and every one of them.

"Settle down," I said as the cheers died down.

"Hogwarts was founded during the medieval era by its four founders," I gave Rose the green light and she spread her fairy dust to make the Hogwarts castle.

Everyone including the Slytherins gasped in shock to see the glittery golden structure flowing in midair right before their eyes.

"These four founders," I waved my wand again and the dust morphed into the four founders smiling at them saluting, "are widely described as being the most brilliant witches and wizards of the time."

"Our first Founder, Godric Gryffindor," the dust morphed into a bearded old man with thick brown bushy shoulder length hair carrying a sword in his satchel looking over the distance proud, "is the founder of the Gryffindor house. A fair man. He believed that any child who displayed magical abilities before their 11th birthday should be able to attend Hogwarts."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other awe-struck then back at the floating golden Godric, "He valued courage and bravery, believing these were the two most virtuous abilities a person can possess."

"Gryffindor was the original owner of the sorting hat," with a wave the dust morphed again to Godric holding the sorting hat and handing it to the other founders, "which he and his fellow founders enchanted to select people to be sorted into their houses, by seeing the qualities each founder valued the most."

"Any questions?" I asked as the morphed dust disappeared leaving the students o-faced. The shock quickly faded and was replaced with clapping and cheers.

"That's the best class eva!" exclaimed Finnegan.

I chuckled as I motioned for them to settle down, "The class is not over yet mister Finnegan."

"I am sorry Professor."

Miss Granger raised her hand, "Excuse me Professor?"

"Yes Miss Granger," I nodded.

"Could you explain to us the sword in Mister Godric's satchel? As most of the founders didn't possess such weapons at the time."

"The sword of Gryffindor," Rose's golden dust morphed into a silver sword with an engraved maroon handle, "was made over a thousand years ago by goblins, the magic's most skilled metalworkers," it morphed to a short ugly suited creature holding the sword and presenting it to Godric, "and is therefore enchanted."

I paused when Hermione nodded smiling and I replied with a nod of my own.

"Our next Founder is Rowena Ravenclaw," a strict faced highly groomed woman wearing a diamond tiara was morphed in front of the students and bowed to them, "was a sharp and intelligent woman. Intellect is a highly valued asset to the students of the Ravenclaw house."

"Due to this, it is likely that Rowena wanted to make Hogwarts the very finest Wizarding school on Earth," she stood in front of the castle looking at it fondly, "teaching those children with the highest intelligence."

"Any questions?" I asked again as the morphed dust disappeared once more but not for long as the students shook their heads grinning.

"Alright now unto our third founder, Helga Hufflepuff," a chubby kind faced woman appeared wearing a simple dress and a flower necklace.

She was holding a golden cup and grinned widely at the students that gazed at her, " She was a kind and warm woman. The values a person must possess to be sorted into Hufflepuff house are those of loyalty, patience, and hardworking above all else."

Malfoy looked at his gang and mumbled, "Not to mention she looks like Ronny's mother," and they all broke into a fit of silent giggles.

"Piss off Malfoy," Ron whispered angrily .

I whirled around in time before Malfoy could reply, "Anything you wish to share with us Mister Malfoy?"

"No professor," the silver haired boy replied completely red faced and annoyed.

I nodded giving him a stern look, "Ten points from Slytherin."

The Slytherin students were shocked and some gave the blond slicked back haired boy nasty looks.

The boy glared at me, "But Professor that's completely unfair!" he exclaimed angrily and wouldn't back down.

"Question my authority again," I spoke evenly "and you will see what truly is unfair Mister Malfoy."

The complaining howls died down immediately and I took a deep breath, "So as we were saying before Mister Malfoy's unnecessary interruption," the boy went lower in his chair while the Gryffindors snickered, "It is also known that Mrs. Helga Hufflepuff brought the house elves to Hogwarts."

Tiny little creatures, some hunch backed, some wearing the filthiest clothes and some wobbly kneed huddled around Helga as she smiled to all of them opening the castle gates for them to enter, "to be the school's meal servers and taking care of the four houses dormitories along with cleaning the students clothes and common rooms, etc."

Hermione shot her hand up at once and I nodded at her, "Yes Miss Granger."

She stood up, her face red, "But that's considered slavery Professor. Mrs. Hufflepuff was a kind generous woman as you mentioned earlier, so how could she agree to this?"

"On the contrary miss Granger, the house elves are given a home and a place to sleep. They are not being treated with cruelty or unkindly but rather they are being treated with benevolence and humanity," the young witch wasn't still convinced, "Think of it as employment in the muggle world. Each one of them has their own job in exchange for a home and a bed. Not to mention that they are spared from having cruel masters which is most of them unfortunately. So statically speaking, Hogwarts's house elves are more happier and healthier than any other in our magical world."

She nodded but her face didn't soften, "Thank you Professor."

"So as we were saying, Mrs. Hufflepuff also owned a fine golden goblet which was fairly innocuous aside from being her possession," the dust morphed into the kind woman holding a golden goblet like object and smiled at the students.

The students grinned prompting me to go on.

"Our last Founder was the famous Salazar Slytherin," a scowling bald old man with an S engraved necklace popped in front of the students. His dusty figure was glaring at them making some of them shiver under the intense gaze.

Seeing how the morphed form terrified the students especially Sarah, who was visibly shaking and covered her eyes, I made it disintegrate.

"As we all saw he wasn't the kindest of the other three founders but rather sly and cunning. He was unlike many of the students he brought into his house. He falsely dirtied Slytherin's house reputation and the traits the students were chosen on. Like Ravenclaw, Slytherin's also believed that wisdom is needed to get through life but unlike Ravenclaw, a Slytherin is willing to take the risk and achieve their goals by any means possible much like a sly fox."

Some of the Slytherins looked around themselves proudly including Malfoy and his gang.

"Salazar also strongly believed that only wizards of pure blood should be allowed to attend Hogwarts," the bald man stood in front of some older students with the Slytherin badge on their cloak praising them.

"Mr. Slytherin caused great dispute over this with the other founders," Slytherin and the other founders were having a row at each other which ended with him leaving the room, "it eventually caused a permanent rift with Gryffindor, whom was his best friend mind you and eventually led to Slytherin's departure from the school."

Suddenly the bell rang startling me and some of the students, time always flies by so fast.

"Well, with this we conclude our lesson for today," most of them broke into sad moans as I gave them an apologetic smile, "Your homework is... just read the first chapter of your textbook."

The students got up distributing smiles, some thanked me as they left, others just scowled which was mostly Slytherins but that was predictable. I finally saw the students disperse slowly chatting merrily among themselves. I was glad that they for the first time enjoyed the history of magic class.

"See!" Rose exclaimed, "Told you it would be fun. History of magic taught with a little magic," she winked.

"You got that right," I chuckled "Maybe you should be the spokesperson for my class."

She laughed nodding.

"Professor Woods, may I have a word?" I turned to see the host and it was none other than the cold hearted Potions master and my smile fell immediately.

"Don't say anything," Rose said cautiously eyeing him like a predator "let him do the talking".

I only looked up at him with an expressionless face. I could see he was taken aback by my behaviour and hesitated a little before saying, "Eventful day I presume?"

"Just nod," she said again and I obeyed raising a brow at him.

He gave a long annoyed sigh and shot coldly, "Listen about the other day--"

"I don't really want to talk about it," I cut him off.

"I am not here to apologize" he ignored me and continued coldly "and I am the least bit interested about your secrets."

I did expect him to apologize and his comment rendered me speechless. He then closed the door with his wand and got up around to my desk halting in front of me. I breathed in his exotic scent which had that peculiar soothing effect on me.

"You should know that I did what I did because I don't want you bringing strange entities to this school," he said as he looked straight into my eyes intensely "and I surely don't want you to be contacting them either."

"So what now?" I replied sarcastically "you think I am in contact with demons?"

"Leave the sarcasm to me Woods," he replied coldly.

"Whatever Snape, big words coming out from a..." I lowered my voice to a hot whisper "former death eater."

"What?" he whispered back shocked.

"What?" I mimicked menacingly as I held his left forearm trying to yank his sleeve up "you thought no one would discover your dirty little secret."

He wasn't expecting me to do that and snatched his arm from my hand with such force that he was knocked backwards with me on top of him. We stared at each other for a long while and I could see hate itched on every corner of his face.

He pushed me roughly away from him, "Get off me!"

When we straightened ourselves, he charged towards me and held me closer to him by my collar, "Don't... tell anyone about this. If you did I will personally make sure that--"

"That what Snape... " I whispered back as I pushed his hand away "murder me like your master did to so many others."

"Who told you about me anyway?" he asked hotly.

"No one" I shook my head "I saw it on your arm when I was your student."

"When?" he demanded impatiently.

"In my seventh year," I smirked "in one of our private lessons."

He scoffed, "Why haven't you said anything at the time?"

It took me a moment to respond as I felt deep emotions trying to burst out of me, "I... I didn't care at the time," I said trying to fight back tears "I thought you were a different person on the inside but clearly I was mistaken."

He just kept staring at me awkwardly as I struggled with all my might from shedding those damned tears.

I finally said slowly, "Your secret is safe with me."

"How can I trust you?" he asked coldly.

"You cannot," I jerked my head up "you will just have to. But on one condition."

He arched a brow coldly, "Which is?"

"You will never ask me about my personal life."

"So you do admit to hiding something?" he said deeply.

"So you do admit you are a death eater?" I mimicked mockingly facing away from him "you have your secrets and I have mine and I promise that whatever I have will never hurt anyone."

He nodded and started to go but stopped and stood in front of me whispering, "You were not mistaken," and walked away leaving me alone in class.

Author's Note:

Hey Guys! I am still receiving answers on Florina's illness. And why do you think Severus is lashing out at her so much? Comment what you think below and I will be responding to each one :)

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Hope you have a wonderful day! See you in the next chapter ;)