Much thanks to Feyla for going over this and helping me make it so much better. Thank you!
To: Professor Severus Snape
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
From: Hermione Granger
Salem College of Witchcraft
Professor Snape,
As you may know, upon completion of my schooling at Hogwarts I left for America to continue my education at Salem College. My field of study has largely been in potions and I am now nearing the completion of my studies here in America. I would like to return to England in order to continue my studies and to become a potions master. As I sure that you know, in order to become a potions master I must serve an apprenticeship under a current potions master.
I am writing you in the hope that you might be able to advise me on how to approach a potions master regarding a possible apprenticeship. I know that you are very busy with your school and potions work, so all that I ask is a return owl on the matter. I will not be surprised, however, if this letter goes unanswered. I know you do not like to be bothered, but I believed that you would be one the best sources of information on this subject.
Thank you for your time,
Hermione Granger
That takes care of that, Hermione thought, as she watched her owl fly away. She hoped that he would reply, but held little hope. Professor Snape had never been very helpful to a Gryffindor before but since the defeat of Voldermort he seemed to have mellowed a bit. Hermione herself had changed a bit too, no longer the long-winded girl she once been. She had actually written Professor McGonagall to ask for her advice but the professor had written back that she could not answer those questions as she was not a potions master. She had then referred Hermione to Professor Snape, saying he would be a better source of information. An owl back would be unlikely, but Hermione held out hope that the potions master would answer her, although what that answer would be not even Hermione could guess.