A/N: Just editing

Disclaimer: Just borrowing the brilliance of JK Rowling.

Chapter 1: The Gift

It was the last day of classes for the seventh year students, and tomorrow was the graduation ceremony and ball. Potions was the trio's last class of the day, but she still had one more important job to do.

As always Hermione was the first one there and took her seat. She was ready to go by the time the last student arrived. Harry and Ron took the seats behind her. Suddenly Snape stormed in, glowering at the students. He flicked his wand at the blackboard. It simply said 'work'. Then he sat at his desk and glared at them some more before he started to grade papers.

Typical. She studied him for a moment. His hair was longer but it didn't look greasy anymore. It had taken on a newer, healthier sheen. Probably a result from the downfall of Voldemort. Stress, or lack thereof can really work wonders, she mused. He was still all clad in black and was as nasty as ever, but other than that Snape hadn't changed. He was the same old Bat of the Dungeons. She glanced up and saw him staring back. She blushed and started working.

This was her favorite class. She loved the challenge that potions brought. The teacher...well, he was very harsh- to any house except his own- cold, and sarcastic, but she had a lot of respect for the Potions Master. Even Harry had grown to respect the man. But after the war nobody seemed to want to acknowledge what he had done.

Hermione was the first one done, and bottled up her perfect potion. She also took out a green package. Warily she set down her flask and waited.

"…..Professor?"

"Miss Granger?" His voice was sharp and cold.

She took a deep breath and set down the green package. "Sir, I just wanted to give you this. I wanted to thank you for all you've done." Snape didn't look up. Hermione blundered on. "Thank you for putting up with my know-it-all attitude, for keeping the three of us alive, and spying for the Order. Without you Harry would never have had the information to defeat Voldemort." Done with her speech she hurried out.

Snape hadn't moved the whole time. When she left he relaxed. There was only one word to explain how she'd left him. Surprised. When the last student had gone he took the package and ripped it open. Out fell a small box and a letter. It read:

Professor Snape,

This is a gift. Not a pitiful present, or a trick to insult you. You are a hero. In your own way. After the war no one acknowledged it. You deserved it as much as Harry, giving your life to bring Voldemort down. I wanted to give you this, as a token of our gratitude. Professor Dumbledore and Harry agreed with me. Dumbledore said you wouldn't want it public, so only the three of us know. After taking to the Minister he realized his mistake. If you ever have a bad class, just look at it and it'll remind you, if you could survive 20 years with Voldemort then you can bear 120 minutes of dunderheads.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger aka. Insufferable know-it-all

Snape smiled. The corners of his eyes crinkled and ends of his mouth curved. Something he hadn't done in twenty years. He had to hand it to her she was able to analyze the war from a different angle than what she had lived. A know-it-all no doubt. In the beginning he had frowned at her. She always had the correct answer- something he wasn't used to- and gave off an air of self-importance. However, he'd also found a kindred spirit in her love of knowledge, and appreciated her determination. Over the years, her ego had leveled and she'd excelled to the top. No one would ever hear him admit it though.

Finally he reached for the box. Inside lay a medallion. On the front was a picture of two wands crossing, with the words Ministry of Magic engraved above it. On back it read.

Order of Merlin First Class

Miss Granger had done it again. How in the world had she gotten this? Then again Arthur Weasley was the minister. He wasn't complaining, though. It was true he had taken enormous risks for the war, and all people did was fawn over Potter. Severus was very touched by the gesture, especially coming from the golden Gryffindor. He carefully put it back in its box and set that and the letter in his desk. He needed to talk to Dumbledore about a certain know-it-all.