Heart of Hogwarts
Just a stroke of inspiration I had with my new love for Hermione and Severus pairings. Let's consider the first couple of chapters as a bit of a pilot run. I've seen all the films of course, but I grew up with the books and will try to be as true to them as possible.
I don't have a beta and I studied economics in university so if the grammar is atrocious, I apologize in advanced.
Chapter 1
Term had just started and already Severus Snape was fed up with the lack-witted ankle bitters Albus tries to pass off as students. Not even two weeks in and a bench had been melted by a second year Hufflepuff, half of the third shelf in his store room had been obliterated, and Neville Longbottom had managed to explode not one, but two cauldrons in the past week alone. To add insult to injury, his own private research was at a standstill, and the Dark Lord was summoning him more than ever. At the current rate either Severus was going to have a mental breakdown by Christmas or Poppy was going to be treating half the school for PTSD from him venting his spleen to stem his ire.
What he needed was a long walk through the darkened corridors to deduct copious housepoints from a few arrogant Gryffindors too good to abide school rules. That and perhaps a strong cup of coffee with a chocolate biscuit or two that he so secretly desired.
With a swish of his woolen teaching ropes, the Potions Master exited his chambers from deep within the dungeons to prowl through the empty halls; mind busy and pace swift.
...
Just because term had started didn't mean her professors hadn't piled high homework assignments. Flitwick had set a two foot essay on charm etymology and its application to charm construction and alterations, McGonagall wanted animate to inanimate transformations of small vertebrates perfected by Friday, and tomorrow was double potions with Slytherin brewing anti-venoms from an unknown venom. Their N.E.W.T. years were shaping up to be the hardest yet and predictably Gryffindor common room mirrored that of a frat party scene Hermione had seen play out in the cinemas over summer holiday.
"Come on 'Mione! We need another for Exploding Snap." Ron garbled around a mouth full of what might have been a chocolate frog or perhaps a handful of cockroach clusters.
"I already told you that I have more work to do. I still need to research anti-venoms and do a second revision on my charms essay." She said exasperated.
"Your essay is fine 'Mione. You study too much and term's just started. Give it a rest!" Harry said, shuffling the cards.
Shaking her head and slamming a potions book closed, Hermione began gathering her quills and parchments. Without a look back, she crawled through the hole, out the portrait, and down the corridor.
No doubt, the boys had rolled their eyes and assumed she was making her way to the library as had been her habit during their formative years, but in fact she wasn't heading towards the library at all. Not that she disabused either of the two of that notion, because just as she'd let fly that her true destination was the kitchens, most assuredly, Ron would be leading the way, dragging her behind. How he didn't weight 15 stones was beyond her.
It wasn't until her fourth year that she'd discovered the kitchens thank's to Fred and George. The kitchens weren't necessarily a secret at Hogwarts; after all, the food had to come from somewhere, but to her the cavernous space below the Great Hall had been her little secret - an escape from her peers and a chance to release some stress by doing what she loved most; cooking.
Not that she advertised that, of course. Cooking seemed an oddly muggle past time.
By now, in their 6th year, navigating her way from the seventh floor to the basement was old hat. Going back up wasn't always quite so easy as she tended to lose time, but no matter how long past curfew she'd stayed, she always seemed to manage her way back to the tower without being caught.
Quiet tonight, she thought as she past the library on the second floor. No matter, I'd rather a properly brewed cuppa with some fresh scones. Or maybe I'll give that chocolate biscuit recipe another go.
Lost in thought, she came across the large still life much more quickly than she anticipated. A small smile creeped upon her lips as she reached out to inconspicuously ticket the pear nestled in the fruit bowel, then turned the green handle and slipped through the door.
Whoever said that the kitchen was the heart of the home must of had Hogwarts on the mind, because it surely was the heart of her home here in the castle.
Reviews welcome.