Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

This is my first time in a while that I'm trying a Harry Potter Fic... Especially one with such strange pairings. I hope you enjoy it...

Hermione Granger was uncertain of how she wanted her life to unfold. The war was over. She finished her seventh year at Hogwarts. Ronald Weasley had broken her heart. And now she was standing outside an apothecary in Diagon Alley, her heart racing.

Yes, she had scoffed when someone told her that Madame Pompfrey had been able to save her potion master's life. It was impossible. She watched him die. She had cried over his unresponsive corpse.

But now, staring into the window of the new apothecary, blinking rapidly, she realized she had been wrong. Because Snape was not a common name. So, unless her Professor had any relatives, which she knew he didn't, "Snape's Potions and Antidotes" was either a crazy coincidence or the truth.

And the pristine white piece of parchment taped to the window was calling Hermione's name. She stared at it, trying to decide. She needed to get on her feet. She needed to stand on her own and make a life for herself.

She had only been in Diagon Alley to buy a spell book from Flourish and Blotts. The Ministry had yet to send her a reply to her job application, so she was patiently waiting. But... she had found the apothecary.

So she took a deep breath and walked in, answering the parchment's silent plea for help. She looked around the small shop. It was very tidy. A bit dark and grim, but a comfortable working environment. Could she really be a delivery girl? Honestly, it probably didn't pay well. She could get a better job at Flourish and Blotts until the ministry sent her a reply...

She walked among the shelves, looking at the small phials of potions and cursing herself quietly for being stupid enough to come in here. She paused at the back of the shop, noticing one small, black phial, almost hiding in the corner of the shelf. She reached back and picked it up, admiring it's simple beauty.

Her fingers gingerly lifted the tag to read the inscription. "You don't want that, Ms. Granger." Hermione yelped and almost dropped the potion, fumbling with it before it landed back in her hand. She laughed nervously and set it down.

"You frightened me! I thou-" At this point she turned around to face the voice. So the rumors were true. Severus Snape was alive and well. He stood there in his long black robes, looking better than Hermione ever remembered him. His hair looked cleaner. It was back and away from his face. His face looked... handsomer.

Her professor raised a single eyebrow. "May I ask what you're gawking at?"

Hermione shook herself, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, that was rude." She ran her fingers through her hair, laughing again.

Snape just stared at her with his dull expression. "Oh, I see. You've only come to stare at the traitor. Well, if that's all, you may leave my store, Ms. Granger." He took a step back, giving her way to leave.

Hermione jumped. "No, no that's not it at all!" She raced forward to stand in front of him. "I just... I didn't believe the rumors so when I saw the name of the store, I thought I must be dreaming or-"

"Like I said, Ms. Granger." Snape's voice was low and dangerous. "You may leave."

Hermione frowned and stood straight, acting the part of the proud Gryffindor she was. "I came in because of the help wanted sign, sir." She made it obvious she wasn't about to leave.

Snape stared down at her like he often had in potions class. "You want a job? As a delivery girl?" Again, he raised his eyebrow, as though doubting this fact highly. When Hermione just nodded her head once, he sighed and jerked a finger, indicating that she should follow him.

They walked into the back of his shop, which appeared to be a lab of some sort. There were cauldrons everywhere and plants that grew in different places. Some looked like they were trying to escape the cupboards under the counters, while others climbed freely up the wall and ceiling. It was a surprisingly bright place...

He lead her into an office and sat behind a desk, putting his glasses on as he looked over papers. She stood politely on the other side, seeing as he had never asked her to sit down.

He reached up and took his hair out of the ponytail, letting it fall around his shoulders again. "Here's your contract. You may read it over before you sign it." He held out the parchment without looking up.

Hermione took it and began reading it over, squinting slightly. She refused to admit that she needed glasses. She had never needed them before and she certainly didn't need them now. She read it carefully. She had been wrong... it was decent pay. More than she should expect, really. She nodded slowly and sat down. "May I have a quill please?"

That's when Snape looked up, surprise written across his face. "Pardon?"

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Did I stutter, sir? I asked for a quill. It's difficult to sign something without one." She held her hand out, patiently waiting.

Snape just stared at her, completely and utterly confused. He hadn't expected anyone to answer his help wanted sign. No one. Let alone one of the Golden Trio. But he slowly handed her his quill, watching her sign at the bottom of the page. She smiled and handed back both parchment and quill.

"Now, when do I start?" She stood cheerfully, one hand on her hip as she waited for an answer.

It took Snape a moment to break out of his surprise to answer, "Tomorrow morning. Don't be late." And then he turned back to his work, scratching away and efficiently ignoring her.

"Yes, sir." She saluted and left the store, heading back home, the spell book she had come to buy completely forgotten.