Academically Speaking: Knowledge Comes with Hardships

A/N: Above is the full title, it wouldn't let me put the whole thing on as a title, so I shortenedit. This is in response to the 'A Deeply Horrible Person' Challenge on WIKTT. I have always viewed Snape as a not really pleasant man to begin with, and I thought this was a good way to show it.

Disclaimer: Not mine, never is, never will be. Sigh And the millions that J.K. Rowling gets for this would be ever so nice too... lol.

Chapter 1- The First Mistake

It was finally over. The seven-year reign of none other than the oh-so-perfect Harry Potter and his perfect-by-association sidekicks was over; finally, if it had not gone through his mind before. It had though, many times, in fact almost every day for the past seven years that he had started to count down the days that the boy would leave, and the James Potter look alike would be gone from his vision forever. He honestly did not need a reminder of his childhood walking around.

In the background he could hear Dumbledore give praises to his 'precious Gryffindors' by name. Neville for his excellence in botany- with no mention of the extensive budget decrease due to how many cauldrons the boy melted over the years, he noticed. And then came the trio- Potter, the idiotic bumbling Weasley, and Granger. Oh, who could forget her? The girl was a walking library after all, knew everything about everything. She should have just simply started in the advanced classes and gotten it over and done with. He oddly felt himself snorting as the headmaster rattled on with her millions of overachievements and wondrous academic skills.

None to soon the ceremony was over with and he quickly retreated to his quarters. He simply despised having people come up to him and give him false praises for his teaching skills, or students, then having graduated, to come up and give him their true thoughts of him. Not that he would deny what they would say, but it was still an annoyance that he wished to avoid. Before he was able to do his annual reflection of who graduated, and good riddance to the fact that they are gone, an owl came through the lab door, and landed in front of him on his coffee table, looking none too happy about the window arrangements. For some reason he felt compelled to answer it. "If you are inquiring an apology for having only one small window which is located within my private laboratory, you are rather mistaken. If it wasn't for the necessity of ventilation, it would not be there at all, and then what would you be doing?" He raised an eyebrow at the bird as he took the letter and it ruffled its feathers at him.

He tore his attention away from his small intruder to the letter. The insignia on the back was enough alone to make his stomach drop. HG. It only meant one thing, Hermione Granger. She was gone now, what in the world would she possibly want from him now?

After resisting the urge of just tossing the thing into the fire he opened it, and stared at it blankly. The girl was mad... But it held so many possibilities. He read the note again.

Professor Severus Snape,

I write you this letter to inquire about an apprenticeship with you. After many hours of research, I have found that you are the highest rated Potions Master in all of Europe, and I believe that I would find the most challenge under you. I have contemplated going to university, but after reading, and completing their entire curriculum, I don't believe that I will gain my full potential there. I do hope that you consider my proposal, and shall eagerly await your response.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger

As he read over the letter again his the corner of his lips started to twitch upwards. Yes, there were definitely many possibilities... And obviously the silly girl had no idea what she was getting herself into.

While he started to write a return letter to the girl, the thought that she had no idea what a true potions apprenticeship meant crossed his mind, and he immediately threw out the idea of informing her of it. After all, what fun would it be, if she knew?

Just before Hermione boarded the train home the owl returned to her, holding a letter. She frowned at the bird but took it anyways. "Did you find him?" The bird chirped in confirmation and her brows furrowed. She looked at the seal. SS. Severus Snape. How odd. She really didn't expect to receive a response so soon. She hesitantly opened it, expecting the worst. After all it WAS Snape she was writing.

She had barely skimmed it before a smile broke out on her face. She then kissed the bird. "THANK YOU!"

"'Mione! Will you come on already; the train is going to leave any minute. Honestly if I didn't know any better I would think that you wanted to just stay and live there."

She looked up to Ron. "I'm coming Ron, I have something I need to tell you!" She then nearly ran up the steps of the train. "Come on Ron, we need to find Harry."

He gave her a strange look. "What in the world is so bloody important, 'Mione?" When she didn't respond, but instead bound down the narrow train corridor, he followed. Finally, towards the back of the train, they found Harry.

"Hey guys, what took so long?"

Ron shrugged. "'Mione here has got some sort of news for us I am guessing." They both looked over to her.

She half squealed in excitement as she plopped down in between them on the train bench. "You won't believe what has just happened."

Harry and Ron exchanged a look and Harry offered his guess. "You got accepted into your next advance in your academic career? It isn't really surprising considering your NEWT scores."

"Actually, you are rather correct, Harry. Although, I don't believe you know the full extent. I already finished the full first and second year of university during this last year."

Ron interrupted, "Not really surprising, that." Harry nodded.

She playfully hit Ron's arm. "Honestly, let me finish. As I was saying, I finished the next two years, and I realized that if I really wished to become a potion's mistress I would have to work one on one with one of the best. I have been accepted as apprentice by none other than Professor Snape."

As Harry nodded in quiet agreement Ron's jaw dropped open in horror. "Have you gone mad? Tell me you are joking Hermione, I PLEASE /I tell me you are joking.

She looked back down to her note.

Miss Granger,

I desire to inform you that your letter first and foremost surprised me; simply upon the fact that it is the first inquiry I have ever received. I shall also like to congratulate you upon your high potions marks- I do not make the test at all easy. If you desire to be my apprentice, than you may be so. Simply arrive at the Three Broomsticks at precisely three o'clock to discuss the finer points of the arrangements, and to sign the agreement. If you are still interested, I shall see you then.

Professor S. Snape

As she read the letter a small smile formed upon her lips. "No Ron, I'm not."

A/N- I hope you enjoyed this, and as always please review. :D