Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, although if I had to choose I'd take Snape any day! All of the credit goes to J.K. Rowling with much love!
Here's the full description:
After Snape becomes cursed on an assignment he enlists Hermione's help with creating the cure. As he slowly slips into dementia, Hermione makes a decision that will alter her life and the wizarding world. One decision after another leads her to one question, How far would you be willing to go to save the ones you love? Eventually Hermione/Snape but that may take a bit to unfold. This fic will be slightly graphic as the story progresses so if you are unable to handle it or underage please do not continue. I haven't decided how this fic will end yet, I'll probably base it off people's reviews and of course where ever the plot bunnies take me! I apologize for the name of the fic, I may change it as the story goes on.
Rated M For a Reason!
-Start-
" Miss Granger, would you be so kind as to accompany me to my office please?" Dumbledore asked as the young woman gazed up to him.
"Sure Headmaster, just let me pack up my books. Is everything alright?" She asked as she placed her materials in her bag.
"Of course child, simply interested in your future here at Hogwarts!" he said, his eyes twinkling as usual, giving nothing away, or so he thought until her eyes narrowed with suspicion. She picked up her bag and swung it over her shoulder as she stepped towards the headmaster.
"Well I'm ready now; I'll see you boys in a bit."
"We'll see you out at the pitch 'Mione, practice is in a couple hours and we still have to eat!" Ron said thankful to get away from the lecture Hermione had been giving them on their responsibility to their lessons.
"Only you would think it would take hours to eat Ronald!" came back to their ears as she and the Headmaster stepped out of the portrait hole. Harry snorted and jumped up, both he and Ron headed for the Great Hall.
-Break-
"So what is this really about Headmaster?" Hermione asked quizzically.
"My girl you are far too bright, what gave me away?" he chuckled.
"Well anything involving my future here wouldn't usually be discussed until after my Newts or even closer to my Newts for that matter and school has just barely begun." She stated matter of factly.
"Ah. Well the truth is, the Order needs your help, even though I know you are not technically a member I believe we both know that you will be at some point after you come of age."
"I'm truly flattered Headmaster but what exactly is it that you need MY help with?" she said as she leaned forward a little, her interest peaked.
"As you know Professor Snape is a spy for our side, while on a mission to retrieve something two weeks ago he was hit by a curse and the effects have begun to take effect. While he would never willingly admit it to you, he realizes that you are the brightest potions student to grace these halls since he was a student himself and effectively the only person who can help him with his research for a cure."
"No offense meant Headmaster but why does Professor Snape need my help exactly? He seemed fine in Potions this morning and I highly doubt he requested my help seeing as he can't stand Harry, Ron or me. Besides wouldn't a potions master be better help to him? I'm decent at the practical brewing side but I've had basically no instruction in Potions theory!" she said hunching back in the chair exasperated. She couldn't believe he honestly thought allowing her to work on something that important was a good idea.
"The curse is affecting his mind, child. He is struggling to keep his occlumency shields strong and up and has begun to be slightly uncoordinated. Either of these could cause him serious harm while in Voldemorts presence, both of them are a death sentence. He is afraid his mind is going to continue growing worse and has begun working on the cure. He needs someone to help him though, with all his classes and answering the demands of Voldemort he has very little time to do the research he needs to finish the research and begin testing. He needs someone who will understand and be able to continue his research should he become…" he hesitated before finishing "unable to finish."
"I understand sir but again, wouldn't the Professor be better off working with another potions master? I've never worked with potions theory, I'm not sure I'd be much help."
"I can assure you Miss Granger that I have not slipped so far into dementia that I have forgotten what I've taught." Snape said as he stepped out of the stair case. "Furthermore I can almost guarantee that as a student who has solved puzzles I personally made, made polyjuice with stolen ingredients, uncovered a basilisk, helped a convicted convict along with a hippogriff escape, and helped solve triwizard riddles, along with who knows what else, I believe you can handle some Potions Theory." He stressed the last two words.
She simply stared at him in shock; she hadn't even known he knew all that! However as she mulled over his words she realized he was right, when had she ever failed to learn something new? When had she never excelled at something she tried?
"Okay but we'll need to tell everyone I'm starting my apprenticeship early. Is there any way that I can take my potions Newt early Headmaster?" she asked obviously mulling over the plan in her head as she spoke.
"I believe I may have underestimated you Miss Granger, I was unaware Gryffindors could step out of their self righteous loyal boxes long enough to lie to their friends." Snape sneered. Ahh, she thought, a compliment with an insult to cover it up.
"Brilliant idea, simply brilliant! As of now you are officially Severus' apprentice, I'll schedule your Newts for Octo-" Albus stopped as Snape started talking.
"Excuse me for interrupting Albus but I may have a slightly better solution if Miss Granger would be willing to entertain my idea" he drawled, refusing to look at her.
"Yes my boy, what is it?" Albus asked expectantly.
"Her Newts, schedule them all. Hear me out before you act all flustered Albus. We both know that being the know-it-all Miss Granger usually shows herself as, that she has read her texts through thoroughly, most likely twice. We could have her schedule sessions with each Professor around their other classes to help her review any spots in her curriculum that she believes she needs help with. I will continue my research as I have been over the next month and when Miss Granger has time, if she has time, around her studying she may begin to look over the research notes I already have. When she has completed them she will be able to help me full time, possibly even taking over some of the younger years classes, since she will no longer be a student and I believe at that point she will be of age, giving me more time to work on my cure. And do close your mouth Miss Granger it is very unattractive on a young woman." He sneered out the last sentence.
"You make a good point Severus, however, that is Miss Granger's decision. I will say though my dear if any young mind at Hogwarts is capable of completing their Newts early, it's you!"
I've gone mental. I've obviously over worked myself over the summer and I've gone mental. Professor Snape is willingly going to work with me and he's even being encouraging, well as encouraging as Professor Snape can get. Think about it though, you could be done with school, you'll have more time to devote to research to help Harry, and you've always been interested in potions research, maybe this could be real after everything is said and done. Great, now you're convincing yourself this is a good idea and you're basically talking to yourself. You've gone completely barmy, Ronald's been saying it for years!
"Okay, I'll do it."
-End-
*So here's the first chapter, I hope you like it. Not sure if the chapters will stay around this length or be a bit longer. I'll be updating as often as I can around my classes(which start Monday) but hopefully I'll have a few chapters out by then. The chapters may be a bit confusing over the next few because I'll be laying to ground work for a few different points in the fic. Happy for opinions and reviews welcome!