Chapter One

Something Sueish this way comes

A man dressed in black with black, greasy,and lank shoulder length hair and a large hooked nose, sat in a comfortable chair in front of an ornate desk that was cluttered with a multitude of complex looking items. The man behind the desk had a long white beard,half moon spectacles and was wearing a blue and orange paisley robe with a matching pointy hat that drooped to the left.

"Severus my boy," Bubbled the old man "so glad you could pull yourself away from...whatever you were doing. I desperately need to talk to you!" The bespectacled man held out a silver bowel full of yellow candies. "Lemon drop?" The man named Severus shook his head to the negative. "No?! Fine. I'll get right to the point then shall I?" Severus glared. "Alright, alright. No need to be so grumpy!" The old man pouted, giving Severus a baleful glance.

"Albus, just tell me. I was in the middle of organizing next years lessons." Severus purred silkily. "I would like to finish before this weekend."

"OH! Have plans do you? hot date?" Albus enthused. Severus growled threateningly and made to stand up. "Oh do calm down my boy, I was joking." Albus said placatingly, motioning for Severus to stay seated. After he was sure Severus was going to stay, Albus folded his hands on his desk,his jovial expression shifting to a serious one.

"We need to discuss how to handle Miss Granger, and her insatiable need to undermine me."

Severus snorted. "Thats why you summoned me? Headmaster I am positive you can handle a young girl in her early twenties on your own." Severus chuckled darkly shaking his head in amusement.

"She has accomplices!" Albus exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air and waiving them wildly.

"A whole gang of rablerosers! They have no respect for the sacred traditions of our beloved school! Stop laughing!!" The last few words were squealed as the Headmaster's throat constricted with rage at the sight of Severus hunched over with his shoulders shaking and his face in his hands trying to smother the laughter trying to escape.

Severus took a few deep breathes and slowly righted himself, looking at the Headmaster in amusement his dark eyes still shimmering with mirth. "Rablerosers Headmaster? I was unaware that Granger's little group was causing you so much trouble, I apologies, if the greatest wizard of our time is unable to handle six young people, they must be nefarious indeed."

The Headmaster huffed and folded his arms across his thin chest. "You should take this seriously, if she gets her way your going to have twice the work load you have already." Albus looked at the other man over his glasses narrowing his eyes trying to convey the gravity of the situation.

Severus shook his head. "I don't see her succeeding, so I shall not worry unduly." Ablus grimaced.

"Do you know whom is in her 'little group', as you call it? HARRY JAMES BLOODY POTTER!! If he is backing Granger in her endeavors the Ministry will back them as well!"

Severus rolled his eyes "Of course he is in on it, why wouldn't he be? He has nothing to do now that Voldemort is defeated."

Severus hesitated then smirked. "Maybe he is trying to make Granger the new Dark Lord?" Severus snorted as the Headmasters eyes widened in fear. "Albus, why does it bother you to have her succeed? It would only help the schools and your reputation and standing in the community if you side with Granger instead of fighting her."

The Headmaster sighed. " I realize that Severus,but in allowing her to succeed in this would be like saying a twenty something girl fresh from school is able to out think the 'Greatest Wizard of our time', I have an image to up hold. Shes making me look bad! If she had come to me with this first I would have jumped on bored!! I would have! This whole late blooming wizards thing is an incredibly honorable endeavor, of course we should help and teach those who's magic hasn't manifested at the regular time! Of course I want to integrate the poor confused souls into our world kindly and respectfully! SHE SHOULD HAVE COME TO ME, BUT NOOOO SHE WENT RENEGADE!" Albus was panting after his outburst and misinterpreting gave an apologetic look to Severus who was by that time looking scandalized.

"You mean to tell me, Headmaster, that the only reason that you are not behind this endeavor is that you wanted to head it? That by Granger taking the intuitive she is 'making you look bad'?!" Severus seethed.

"How dare you!" Severus stood and pointed a pallid slender finger at the Headmaster " You've gone too far this time, Dumbledore! I am going to make it my mission to see that Miss Granger succeeds, your image be damned!" With that Severus turned to leave, his robes billowing as he stocked to the door.

The Headmaster gaped at the tall man as he made his way grumbling towards the door. Then smirked,as the door slammed shut, his eyes twinkling madly."That went well, wouldn't you say Hermione?" Dumbledore asked the bushy haired women who stepped out from behind a bookcase.

She smiled as she slid it back into place."Oh yes Headmaster! you did wonderfully, he would have said no if I asked him to help, or made me bribe him, this way hes all gung-ho about it!" Hermione Granger giggled lightly and clapped her hands. She glared suddenly at the old man. "Renegade?"

"Ah ha ha, I was only making my performance more realistic my dear! you mustn't think I was serious!" Dumbledore chuckled nervously. Granger while petite and a good head shorter then the headmaster, was a fearsome opponent when agitated, it was unthinkable to consider her angry at him for anything. Hermione smiled and nodded. "It was an excellent performance sir,I'm quite impressed. I'll tell Harry you said hello shall I? good good, im off then. Ta!" Dumbledore shuddered as she pranced out the door.

That is how it all began.