"He's as damned as he seems,
more heaven than a heart could hold."
"Hello, Severus," Lupin said happily as he strode into Snape's office.
"You know, Lupin, that door was shut for a purpose," Snape's eyes did not stray from his book.
"Well, it's certainly nice to see you too, mate!" Remus said as he pulled up a chair and sat directly in front of Snape's desk.
Severus raised an eyebrow and glanced up at Lupin. Lupin's dark blue eyes were shining. Snape returned his attention to the book he was reading.
"Well, how was your summer?" Remus prodded.
"Lovely," Snape drawled.
"Oh, mine was too, thanks for asking," Remus chuckled.
"Fine," Severus growled and leaned back away from his desk into his chair, "What do you want Lupin?"
"I cannot simply have a conversation with you?" Remus looked at him accusingly.
"No," Snape glared at him.
"Severus, I am offended!" Remus crossed his arms.
"Lupin, what do you want? You come into my office, unannounced and unwelcome, smiling like a girl, and wish to just converse?" Snape's silky voice said.
"What would you have done had your voice not healed?" Remus realized he was acting like a hyper-active child.
"I would do nothing differently," Snape's eyes were flickering, a warning for Lupin.
"Oh, come off it, you know that students would not cower in fear of the Bat of the Dungeons if his voice sounded like an old wench who's smoked for fifty years, eh?" Lupin was amusing himself.
"I'm glad you, at least, find yourself amusing," Snape said.
"I consider us friends, Severus," Remus said, his smile fading.
"Do you?" He said silkily.
"I do. Do you not?" Remus' face had returned to normal.
"I suppose I do," Severus drawled.
"You do what?" Remus smirked.
"You know what, Lupin," Snape glared.
"No, I'm afraid I don't, Sev," Lupin began to smile again.
"I do consider us friends," Severus grumbled, "Remus."
Remus' grin stretched ear to ear, "Haha! So, have you heard we're getting a new Charms professor?" The glint behind Remus' eyes concerned Snape.
"I had heard something of the sort," Snape said casually, "Why?"
"Do you know who it is?" Something was amusing Lupin.
"No."
"Hmmmm…well, I guess you must go and find out. Come on, walk with me," Lupin said getting up from the desk.
"Why not just tell me, Lupin?" Snape muttered, getting up from his desk.
"It will be much more amusing to see the look on your face," Lupin smiled, patting Severus on the shoulder playfully.
Minutes later, Snape and Lupin sat side by side at the start of term staff meeting. Snape was taking a sip of water as McGonagall announced the new professor.
"Good evening everyone, I would like to introduce, or rather, re-introduce, Miss Hermione Granger. She will be taking up the Charms post!"
Snape choked on his water, nearly spitting it out and Lupin could hardly contain his laughter. He hit Snape roughly on the back as Snape stared up at McGonagall with wide eyes. His eyes darted immediately to McGonagall's right where a young woman stood. She wasn't young anymore, though.
If Snape had calculated correctly she should be about twenty four or twenty five now. Her hair was no longer uncontrollable but it looked shiny and pretty as it framed her face in waves. Her face was unblemished and she was smiling brightly, revealing that she had also grown into her teeth.
Severus tore his gaze away from her as he glared at Lupin, "She's not serious is she?"
"Of course she is, Severus!" Lupin chuckled.
Severus scowled and disengaged himself from the rest of the meeting. He came out of his thought process when a semi-familiar voice intruded his mind.
"Professor Snape?" Snape's eyes flashed up towards the voice. It was Granger.
"Miss Granger," He nodded briskly, and, realizing the meeting had concluded, he began to stand up.
"How have you been, Professor?"
"I am well," He said curtly.
"That's wonderful to hear. I am glad to see you, sir," She smiled warmly at him.
Snape locked eyes with her, "It is nice to see you, too, Miss Granger. You have been doing well since your graduation?" He inquired, watching her eyes light up as she realized he was continuing a conversation with her.
"Yes, sir, I have been. Well, for a year or so after, I was a bit lost and down, I suppose. But, I think I am doing alright, now," She smiled.
"I am glad," He nodded, "But, if you don't mind, I must be going. I still have some preparing to do."
She nodded and smiled at him, "Goodbye, Professor."
He started to walk away but stopped and looked over his shoulder, "We are colleagues now. You are not required to call me 'Professor' or 'sir' anymore."
"What do you want me to call you?" She asked, turning around.
"You may call me Severus, if you so desire," He said dismissively.
"Only if you call me Hermione," She smirked at him.
"I suppose I could try to do that. Good day Miss-…Hermione," The name was quite foreign on his tongue.
She smiled at him," Severus."
Severus was greeted by Lupin at the door, "Was that you I saw having a decent conversation with Hermione?"
"You are not blind, wolf?" Snape growled.
"Apparently not!" Lupin smiled at him.