Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns everything you recognize.
No spoilers, this takes place in an AU 7th year.
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One
"The problem of each story is that you are telling it after the events have already happened." .
Chuck Palahniuk, Lullaby
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"You will find the list of ingredients required for this potion on page 358 as I am sure you should all know, since you were supposed to read it already" Snape said in a bored tone.
Immediately, the rustle of pages began and Snape rolled his eyes, turning towards the blackboard.
"Read the list carefully before you go to the cupboard," he said" I would hate to have to deduct points from those taking more ingredients than required."
As he reached his desk Snape turned to face the class again and waved his wand towards the blackboard.
"You are aware, of course, that this is a complicated potion. The instructions are therefore more detailed and I expect you to follow the steps accordingly."
Hermione too opened her book and pretended to read the list of ingredients. In truth, she already knew it by hard but she didn't want to be called a 'show-off' again. She was somewhat thankful they had to brew this potion alone, this way she didn't have to supervise her partner and concentrate on the potion at the same time.
She warily stood and moved towards the cupboard, taking her scale and trey with her and noting to herself that it was a pity she felt so numb, she would have enjoyed the challenge of today's potion otherwise.
It was only much later that Hermione snapped out of her trance-like state. She had been mechanically reading, cutting, stirring but now she was suddenly aware of Snape's angry tone as he loomed over a student, as he had done for so many years.
"I will not tolerate such mistakes, Mr. Boot. You are no longer a quivering eleven-year old" he spat. "You are attending this class because apparently your knowledge of potions is superior to that of most students and I expect you to live up to such expectations. However, continue to work so accurately and you will never stand a chance to pass your N.E.W.T. in Potions."
He vanished the boy's potion and added: "Consider it a zero, Mr. Boot and detention this evening. You may remove yourself from my classroom before any points are deducted; one moment longer and we would have witnessed an acidic rain."
Rain
Hermione drew in her breath as the word finally triggered her memory and visions of sparkling rain and water streaming downhill invaded her. All morning she had tried to remember last night's dream. She knew it had been quite vivid and yet it evaded her, leaving only that feeling of being so close and yet so far. Harry and Ron had of course mocked her for being distracted, stating she was 'off in dreamland again'…they had no idea they were close to the truth for once.
Hermione silently cursed her luck; of all the moments and places to remember, it had to be during class, in Snape's dungeons. Her fingers almost itched to write down all the details she could remember before they were lost once more. She glanced up just in time too see her hour-glass empty and she hastily added the last ingredient, stirring the potion as indicated.
Lowering the fire she considered the situation: everybody seemed to pay attention to their own potion, and Snape was carefully observing the others, not willing to take any chances. Hermione, however, decided to take hers and quietly took out a notebook and a muggle pencil from her bag.
She started writing as fast as she could, wasting no time.
"I do not recall asking you to write anything down, Miss Granger."
Hermione froze as she heard his voice, far too close to her working-space.
"But of course following directions is beyond your skills" Snape continued, reaching out for her book as everybody sniggered. He frowned as Hermione hastily closed the book, but still managed to snatch it from her hands.
"Well, well, well…I was not aware you were such an expert, that you need not supervise your potion, Miss Granger...or should I say Miss know-it-all. But of course, you are so much better than the rest of your colleagues." More giggles erupted.
"Twenty points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger for your arrogance" he sneered. "And I believe a detention is due. Tomorrow evening, since it appears that I am otherwise engaged today."
He turned, walking towards his desk, where he lifted the hand holding Hermione's book: "And this shall be confiscated, of course. You-"
"But, sir!" Hermione cut him off desperately, "Sir, please…I…please!"
"Ten more points, Miss Granger for interrupting a teacher and unless you want to lose more points due to your incoherence I suggest you sit down and concentrate on today's task!"
"Sir…"
But one raised eyebrow silenced Hermione. She loathed how he could still do that after seven years.
Hermione could barely keep quiet for the reminder of her class. Feelings and thoughts swirled through her as she waited. As everyone left the classroom she approached the teacher's desk.
"There will be no answered pleas, Miss Granger, so do not waste our time" Snape cut her off. "I will decide if and when your precious object will be returned."
With that Snape took the book from his desk and swept towards the door, leaving no more room for discussions.
It was only late that same day when he finally managed to turn his attention back to the mysterious object. Severus sat down and studied the leather bound book. It was dark blue, indigo perhaps, with two long black straps hanging from the center of the book's spine, surely there to hold the book closed. He finally opened it only to find the first page blank. He turned it but the next one was also blank, and the next, and…he sneered, taking his wand. Of course the contents were hidden, the little know-it-all left few things to chance. Severus briefly considered what spell to use; he remembered seeing her write, seeing both open pages full of writing so surely invisible ink had to be excluded.
Thirty minutes later Severus had completely forgotten his hesitation to read the girl's book, something so well guarded simply had to be hiding something important. He sneered as he remembered how desperately Granger had tried to convince him to return the book.
He felt an unusual triumph as he finally saw the pages filling with the girl's writing.
Severus turned to the very first page once again and raised an eyebrow as he read the four words elegantly written in the center of the page:
'The Book of Dreams'
The quotation is surely inaccurate, since it's my own translation. I do not own the novel in English, nor could I find the quote on the internet.