Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the like.
Summary: Hermione's latest crusade might be more than Professor Snape can handle!
Important info: So this story will be mostly-- but not all-- cannon. It will disregard the epilogue of Deathly Hallows as well as Snape's death. Details on how this occurred will be explained in the next post as we begin the proper Chapter one (it's all already planned out). So for now enjoy the prologue.
Prologue
Severus Snape burst through the Headmistress's office and strode cross the floor seemingly in one step. "What," he bellowed, "Pray tell, is the meaning of that?"
Blinking her eyes innocently, the Headmistress responded, "What is what Severus?"
Feeling certain that the older witch knew exactly what he was referring to and was only playing dumb to get a rise from him-- which was working-- the Slytherin answered with narrowed eyes and clenched teeth. "That…that monstrosity outside your window."
The Headmistress glanced casually over her shoulder at the new addition to the Hogwarts grounds. "Oh, that…" For three months a large dark green tent had stood directly west of the school masking the construction of a new building and piquing the curiosity of staff and students alike. And as the Headmistress had been very tight lipped about the mysterious building, it left everyone at Hogwarts guessing what lay underneath the tent.
As the tent had been green, Severus was inclined to believe-- or hope-- that the building housed something useful for Slytherin-- useful for himself. But when the curtain was finally banished twenty minutes ago, and the warm rays of the afternoon sun caressed the building for the first time, Severus's eyes took in the sight and anger surged within him. The sign on the shiny new building read: Hogwarts Preschool for Witchlets and Wizards.
To top it off, the east side of the new building-- the one directly facing the school proper-- was decorated with a mural of many children and teachers having a grand time learning and playing together. Severus felt he was going to be sick. He turned on the spot and marched straight to the Head's office.
"A DAYCARE Minerva? We needed a bloody daycare?" There was no denying that quite a bit of money had been spent on the new facility; money that Severus though could have been spent elsewhere.
"Well, Severus to be honest I was against it at first too, but the idea was proposed with such detail and consideration-- a good deal of research was done before hand-- and the facts showed that not only was the idea practical, but also popular. And the set up has benefit for the wizarding community at large. Really Severus, the idea is quite progressive." The Headmistress rambled on with words and phrases that didn't seem quite natural coming from her aged mouth.
Severus grumbled. There was only one witch who could be behind this, "Granger." He spat the name out as if it were a curse.
"Yes?" came a soft call from the stairwell.
Damn! That girl had impeccable timing. She had been nothing but a thorn in Severus's side since she started teaching two years ago. Not that she deliberately went out of her way to bother Severus Snape-- for her own part she harbored no ill feelings toward him and she didn't nothing treat him cordially, only furthering his dislike. Something about her presence among the Hogwarts unnerved him. When forced to analyze the relationship for professional reasons, he would always conclude his discomfort came from having previously taught him. None of his other students had yet to rejoin the staff at Hogwarts on a permanent basis and he had no need to think of them as anything else but former students as opposed to Hermione who he had to accept begrudgingly as a Professor.
Severus whirled round and started on the young Professor. "Ms. Granger, what harebrained scheme are you forcing upon us now? Why must we continually suffer your ill-conceived crusades which cause nothing but inconvenience to everyone involved?"
Hermione stood a little straighter, smoothing out her robes, "You will find Professor , that this project is well thought through and the conclusion of many years of research and comparative studies. We anticipate this turning out a great success! Oh, and once again, please call me Professor Granger," and as an afterthought she added, "or Hermione." He was after all the only staff member with whom she was not on a first name basis.
Brushing off his irritation, Hermione addressed the Headmistress. "Minerva, here is the break down of the first term enrollment by classes and behind it is a list of more prospective students come fall. I've started a waiting list, depending on whether we can make more classes."
If there was one thing that Severus hated it was being deliberately ignored. "This whole thing is madness. This is a school, an institution of learning. For providing education, not babysitters!"
Hermione sighed pinching the bridge of her nose. "Professor Snape, really, the point of a pre-school is to teach children the tools they need to become successful students once they enter school. Children learn so quickly when they are young, Professor, they soak up information like sponges. It is in their interest really. In addition, it seems that in these times, when family structure has been disrupted by war and the economy still hasn't recovered from Fudge's mistakes, a preschool facility is really quite useful."
"Oh well, that's different, why don't we open our own primary school as well?" Severus said smoothly, the sarcasm dripping from his voice.
"Oh that'd be great," she returned, "I trust you will want to head that project for us." She really didn't appreciate him trying to thwart her ideas seeing as he had no part in them.
"Yes, I will. In fact I'll arrange it so that we just take the children from their parents as soon as they are six months old, keep them for seventeen years and then hand them back to the parents right in time for the kids to find their own place! It will be so convenient for the parents that way!"
As Hermione opened her mouth to give her rather biting reply-- Severus knew exactly how to push her buttons—the Headmistress stood up slamming her hands on the desk.
"Enough!" She was breathless. This would head in only one direction. As nice as Hermione was, she and Snape never saw eye-to-eye and Minerva had been in this situation too many times in the past two years. "Honestly, from the way you two are behaving I'd swear that you were the ones in Primary school. Now both of you just calm down and have a seat."
Hermione and Severus looked blankly at the Headmistress and then at the two chairs by the desk as they realized their own foolishness. After the pair was seated, the Headmistress took her own seat and continued.
"Now, here is how I am going to handle this situation." She paused to an icy glare to Severus when he attempted to cut in. "Since Severus is so interested in the necessity of this school he will be the one to help you with your office business, planning and summer classes." The old mage held up a hand to silence Hermione, who was about to protest, and Severus, who was mouthing "summer classes?"
"Yes, the Pre-school will have it's first term this summer, though the enrollment will be small. It will give us some time to work all the kinks out of our childcare system. Once fall comes the preschool enrollment will double at least. I can't help Hermione run things over there as I have too much on my plate here and we have yet to find a suitable replacement for me there. And as you, Severus, have requested access to your labs and quarters during the summer so that you can continue your current project, this is a good way for you to 'earn your keep' as it will."
And before either could interrupt, Minerva amended, "And there is no 'getting out' of this. This is my decision and I will not go back on it. I believe the current situation would do you both a world of good. And as it is getting late and I have much to attend to I must adjourn our little meeting for now. Have a good evening both of you! And might I suggest the two of you getting together in the near future to discuss the basic plans for our new school."
There was no arguing with a stern and dismissive Minerva, and both Severus and Hermione knew better than to waste their breath. Both reluctantly stood and left the office.
The Headmistress watched the two receding forms and when they finally disappeared, she shook her head and gently massaged her temples. "Those two will be the death of me!"
Behind her, a grinning portrait of Albus Dumbledore let go a laugh, "You have no idea." The mirth in his eyes shining brightly in the dim office.
Author's note: Hey guys hope this is alright so far. Don't worry, this chapter is short because it is only a prologue. Once we get into the story the chapters will be quite long. Enjoy!
Don't forget to review!