Chapter 2 - The anniversary of the war's end.

Severus Snape stormed into the dungeons where his first years trembled in fear, his robes billowed behind him. Turning around a sea of terrified faces looked back at him. Even though his unrequited love to Lily Potter was common knowledge he had managed to regain his fear factor, after all he was a murderous death eater. This thought somewhat amused him.

"I will not tolerate foolish behaviour in this class, so be warned" he paused and glared round at his students, "there will be consequences". His silky voice consumed the silence.

"I do not except miracles in this class but I do want my classroom to stay in one piece and for me not to have to deliver any of you to the hospital wing due to your lack of attention" he snarled.

Snape turned to the board.

"Let us start, on the board are instructions for a simple antidote to common poisons" he paused once again.

"Begin".

He could see the panic in some of their eyes, he tried to hide his smirk. Snape paced around the classroom, occasionally standing behind some of the Hufflepuffs to add extra pressure. One student in particular was struggling and he knew it.

"Miss Stephens what do you call this?"

"A...a...a...um"

"Spit it out girl" The bitterness was back in his voice.

"An antidote to common poisons, Professor" She squeaked.

"Then why haven't you added the Unicorn Horn"

"I..i.. don't know professor"

"You don't...know, well this will not do Miss Stephens 5 points from Hufflepuff" Snape raised his wand over the disastrous potion. "Evanesco" The potion vanished.

"But Professor" the girl protested.

"Answering back are we Miss Stephens, a further 5 points from Hufflepuff and on my desk by tomorrow a role of parchment explaining correctly the steps to brewing an antidote to common poisons and its effects on the consumer". The girl was almost in tears.

Snape glanced over to the Gryffindor table. "Something funny Mr Parks?"

"N-n-o Professor" replied the boy his smile suddenly vanishing from his face.

"5 points from Gryffindor for you class mates intolerance to the importance of punishment"

Snape returned to the front of the class.

"Now put a vial of your potion on my desk, I will be testing it and be warned there will be a punishment for any that are unacceptable".

He sat down behind his desk, eyeing each of his students. One by one his class timidly marched up to him placed their vial on his desk and quickly hurried out of the dungeons. He allowed the smirk to finally appear on his face. He still had it.

The room fell silent and Snape leant back in his chair. Subconsciously his hand drifted to his neck, even under his thick robes Snape could still feel the scar. A shiver ran down his spine. Four years ago today the Dark Lord had met his downfall. His mind slowly drifted back to that night. He was lying on the cold floor, ready to accept his fate when she came along. Snape still didn't know why she saved him, he had never been particularly kind to her, well he was never particularly kind to anyone.

It had taken Snape a good few months to get back on his feet again after sustaining some serious injuries. The criminal trial followed shortly after his recovery. Snape was put forward in front of Wizengamot where he faced harsh questioning and accusations. However in all honesty the trial was over before it started. Dumbledore had left a testament in the possession of Potter before his death clearing his name. Potter also made various statements and for some reason so did she, she was the one who truly stood by him throughout his whole trial. This was another question that haunted Snape.

Soon after the trials end, Mcgonagall approached him and practically begged him to come back to Hogwarts. She was one of the first people to apologize for her actions towards him during the war. After a while Snape could think of no real reason not to return, he needed the job, as no one else was going to hire an ex-death eater.

You see even though all his charges had been cleared many still believed he did all his actions working only for the Dark Lord, even some of his fellow Professors were suspicious. However Snape didn't let this bother him, yes the solitude was lonely but he preferred it that way, he didn't have live up to anyones expectations. Unfortunately for Snape's students he took his anger towards the wizarding world out on them. This meant things slowly got back to normal, he was once again the cold bastard he was before the war.

Snape was so deep in thought he hadn't realised someone had joined him.

Taking a deep breath Hermione Granger stepped off of the train into the glorious sunshine at Hogsmeade. It was finally time for her to return to Hogwarts. Since the war's end, since the night she saved him Hermione hadn't been back. Having lived mostly in the muggle world apart from finishing her transfiguration masters it felt strange being back, back to the world where she belonged.

On her carriage ride towards the castle Hermione noticed she could finally see the thestrals, a small tear trickled down her face. This was one of the many reason's she hadn't returned sooner, it reminded her of too much. Trying to take her mind off of the past, she gazed around at her surroundings. Hogwarts was back, the grounds were peaceful once more.

Taking another deep breath Hermione walked into the castle. So little had changed. The last time she had been here the castle was unrecognisable. Proceeding through the entrance hall, the house points hourglasses caught her eye. To Hermione's pleasure Gryffindor were in the lead for the house cup. Walking deeper into the castle Hermione stopped outside of the headmistress's office. "Sphinx". The gargoyle slid to the side revealing the stone stair case.

Hermione gently knocked on the oak door.

"Enter" said a familiar scottish voice.

Carefully she pushed the door open.

"Hello Professor" Hermione smiled at Professor Mcgonagall who sat behind Dumbledore's old desk.

"Hermione welcome" she rose from her chair and embraced her. "My what a beautiful woman you have become"

"Thank you professor, you are looking good yourself" she smiled " I have to say it is strange being back"

"Well its good to have you back, but please call me Minerva, we're work colleagues now" she smiled once more

"Sorry Professor... I mean, Minerva" Hermione laughed "this is going to take some getting used to"

"As much as I'd like to catch up with you, I have a tone of work I need to get on with before dinner, a house elf will take you to your quarters" she placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder "I assume you remember when dinner is"

"Of course Pr- Minerva"

"Excellent, Binky can you show Professor Granger to her quarters please"

Within moments a little house elf was tugging on Hermione's jeans.

"I will see you at dinner" smiled Minerva as the little house elf pulled Hermione out of her office.

Upon leaving the Headmistress' office, Hermione took in every inch of the castle as she was being lead to her quarters. One particular entrance caught her eye. Pushing the unwanted thoughts from her mind she focused on where the little elf was taking her.

After what seemed like a while the little elf stopped outside a metal door.

"Your quarters Mistress" said the little elf looking up at her.

"Thank you Binky"

"Can Binky help you with anything else?"

"No that is all, you may leave"

The little elf bowed her head and left.

Opening the door Hermione saw her bags had already arrived in her room, she smiled, she did love magic. Wandering around her quarters she couldn't believe how perfect the decor was. Hermione was finally home.

Hermione caught sight of herself in the mirror, the traveling had loosened her bun and she was still in her muggle clothes. With a quick wave of her wand Hermione transformed into her blood-red wizarding robes and her hair was back in place.

Hermione's mind slowly drifted back to the dungeons entrance. Four years and she hadn't heard anything from him surely a visit wouldn't do any harm, or so she thought.