Hermione Granger was late for class. She mentally cursed the invention of the cell phone-and her father getting a hold of one and sending one to her-as she raced through the door of her potions class. Professor Snape eyed her strangely.

"You are late, Miss Granger."
"Yes I am." She awkwardly agreed.

"Do you have an explanation for this?" He asked. It was, after all, an unusual occurrence.

"No, sir. I overslept. It won't happen again."
"Ten points from Gryffindor. Please go to your desk."

She hung her head and walked slowly to her seat. Snape continued the lesson. After calling on several students who all gave incorrect answers to his question he sighed and decided to call on Hermione. He knew she'd have the answer. She was staring, distracted, out the window. He felt an emotion somewhat resembling concern as he looked at her. He had never known her not to pay attention in class. Something was definitely wrong, but it was none of his business.

"Miss Granger?"

She didn't respond.

"Miss Granger?"

Still no response.

"Hermione Granger!" He shouted, annoyed.
"Yes, Daddy?" She blurted out, then gasped and covered her lips. Snape raised an eyebrow. A few students snickered. Shit, she had daddy issues. Every male professor's worst nightmares. He had to turn down at least three love-struck female students, and occasionally a male student, every semester. Hermione at least had the decency to blush. She stood up.

"I should probably leave now." She said softly.

"No, Miss Granger, it's alright. I was out of bounds to address you by your first name anyway. I must…remind you of your father?"
"…Somewhat." She replied, sitting down. "What was the question?"
"What properties make up the antidote to the poison lusistrusta?" (A.N-I made this up)
"Sea salt and ivy leaves." She answered.

"Good girl." He said, unable to resist. She blushed harder and he continued his lecture. He decided to not tease her anymore; she looked like she was on the verge of tears. As class ended she stayed behind.

Dear Gods she's going to try to kiss me and it'll be '92 all over again. He thought. Whatever became of Robin anyway?

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

She walked up to his desk. "I'd like to apologize for my tardiness and for the…incident."

"It's alright." He said. "You're not the first female student to mistake me for their father."

She arched an eyebrow quizzically. "Really?"
"Look up parental transference." He paused. "There's something else isn't there?"

She nodded. "I owe you an explanation. You see I had an argument with my father last night. You know what a cell phone is?"

Snape nodded. He tried to keep up with the muggle world occasionally.

"So, my dad sent me one and we've been talking a lot more. Last night he brought up something that upset me. You see he's a dentist and his dad was a dentist and his dad…well, you see where this is going?" Hermione asked, sighing.
"Your father wants you to be a dentist?" Snape deduced.

"Yes. And I don't want to!" She whined. "I mean, I don't want to put my fingers in other people's mouths all the time! That's disgusting!"

Snape nodded. "And what do you want to do?"
She shrugged. "I…I kind of think I'd like a career in magical law enforcement…make a difference, you know."
"Does your father approve of this?"

She shook her head. "I think he keeps expecting `me to go back to the muggle world. But I can't. This is my home."

"Many muggleborn and half-bloods come to feel that way." Snape said. "Despite the prejudice of small-minded idiots, this is as much your home as it is any other witch."

"That means a lot to me, Professor." She responded, smiling. "If you were my father, what would you think?"
"What would I think of you?" Snape asked. "You're an exceptionally bright girl, though your choice of friends is unfortunate and you have occasional laps in common sense. I would support any decision you make. I believe I've heard parents tell their children you can be anything you want to be? You can be anything you want to be Hermione. If you were my daughter, you'd make me proud." He hadn't intended to make such a long speech, but the girl looked like she needed some encouragement. Hermione was positively beaming.

"Thank you, Sir." She said, suddenly hugging him. He rolled his eyes and hugged back.