This ignores most events from HBP and DH. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
Hermione Granger was wondering if she had made a wise choice. It had been four years since she had graduated from Hogwarts and she was now returning after getting a Masters in Potions.
Before she graduated from the Masters program, she owled Dumbledore asking him if there were any opportunities for her at Hogwarts. Dumbledore had soon replied that he believed Professor Snape could use an assistant.
Hermione's first reaction had been revulsion, she did not want to spend the majority of her time with Snape. After considering the lack of other available positions though, she accepted.
She was now finishing packing her bags so she would be ready to head out to Hogwarts a week before the students were to arrive.
After double checking her apartment for anything she might have missed, she apparated into Hogsmeade. Glancing around, she saw no one she knew, so she began walking to Hogwarts. By the time she reached the doors, she found she was rather out of breath from the walk and from carrying her various bags.
She knocked on the doors when she found them to be locked. After a few moments of silence, the doors were opened by none other than Professor Snape.
"I see you have completely forgotten everything you learned here," were Snape's first words.
"Excuse me?" Hermione retorted indignantly.
"You carried your suitcases all the way here from Hogsmeade. Did you completely forget the spell Wingardium Leviosa from you first year?" He sneered.
I actually remember it quite well, thank you. I happen to enjoy physical exertion and exercise."
"Imagine that." Snape stepped aside to let Hermione through the doors.
Hermione, deciding to take the upper road, acknowledged her old teacher. "Professor Snape, it is good to see you again. How are you?"
"Oh just dandy, Granger."
Obviously, Snape was not too concerned with the 'high road'.
"Do you know where I will be sleeping?"
"Do you think I care?"
"Not really, but if you want me to be a good assistant, it would be best if I slept decently enough."
"You've come back to be an assistant, have you?" Hermione wondered why he was asking that. Surely he knew…
"You did know that… didn't you?"
"Granger, why would I know that you were assisting a Professor here?"
"Because I'm assisting you!" Snape had grown quiet as his eyes narrowed and he stared at Hermione for a long moment before spitting out a single word.
"What?!"
"Dumbledore told me that I would be assisting you this year."
"That evil git! How dare he assign me someone without telling me?" Snape had begun pacing and was obviously talking to himself, "that is so unlike him, why would he do it?"
Hermione stood quietly, waiting for him to stop pacing.
"If you are finished raving about how terrible it is to have me around, would you mind helping me find out where I am supposed to stay?"
Professor Snape looked up as if just remembering she was there.
"We will both go speak to Dumbledore immediately."
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Professor Snape flew up the stairs with his long strides, fuming. He did not understand why Dumbledore would give him an assistant, especially the know-it-all Granger, without telling him. As he reached the office he quickly said "Lemon Tarts" and slipped in with Granger bouncing along behind him.
As they entered the office, Dumbledore looked up.
"Ah, Severus, what a wonderful surprise. And Miss Granger! Did you travel well?"
"Yes, quite, thank you sir."
"Now Severus, something seems to be the matter, would you care to share?" Snape did not smile at Dumbledore's rhyme.
"Would you care to tell me why you failed to inform me that I was going to have Miss Granger here as an assistant?"
"Oh, did I forget to tell you? Silly me, it must have slipped my mind. I thought Miss Granger would be perfect for the position. She now has a Masters in Potions." Snape glanced over at Hermione slightly shocked. She had a Masters in Potions? She was his academic equal?
"Plus, you are constantly complaining about the duties involved in teaching and saying that you want more time for experiments. I thought giving you an assistant would be beneficial in opening some free time."
Snape stood silent for a few moments, trying to find a hole in the argument that he could use. There were none.
He did want more free time and Miss Granger was perfectly qualified. He could not just tell Dumbledore that there was no way he wanted her around so much. Unfortunately, Dumbledore seemed fond of Little Miss Know-It-All.
"Fine," Snape began muttering under his breath as he swept out of the door.
Dumbledore turned to Hermione, "he has a bit of a temper that the students don't see all that often. Don't worry though, I'm sure he just has to warm up to you again."
'Can Snape ever be warm?' Hermione wondered to herself.
This is pretty short, but the next chapter should come soon. Please review!