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Entering the realm that she knew was more home than the places she called home, Hermione took a deep cleansing breath. It felt good to feel good. She looked at the building where this part of her life really started. She remembered getting the Hogwarts letter. Her mother had thought it was a joke at first, but McGonagall had been ordered to visit, perhaps it was a mainstay with muggleborns. Hermione could remember the commanding look of McGonagall. It had scared her until the woman began doing what, up until that point, Hermione had thought made her a freak. She conjuered a bouquet of flowers, knowing perhaps not to over do it with muggles. Then she transfigured their couch into a bike, then..the thing that amazed her parents to no end, she turned into a cat.
Hermione, along with her parents, had followed the amazing magical woman into Diagon Alley, where McGonagall left them. Hermione was happy though, because it finally gave her a reason to lead her parents. They went to Gringotts and beyond. McGonagall had given them an overview of the place, then, stating that she had a prior engagement, left. Hermione had been overwhelmed by the sights and sounds, had near fainted as she watched people doing what she had only done in anger or sadness. She giggled and twirled, laughed and cried in happiness. The greatest time of her life had started. She had to be dragged from Diagon Alley by her mom and dad who had used up all their energy trying to follow her around.
She had met someone there that she had never forgotten. He was tall, dark, forboding, a bit scary, but over all he was powerful. Hermione had bumped into him on her way from one store to another. She had giggled happily, pushing her hair out of her face and staring up at the man in front of her. Her giggle slowly faded as she took in the look on the man's face. She powered through it, jutting out her hand, realizing it only reached his chest. The man glanced at it then grasped it. Hermione smiled.
"My name is Hermione Granger. Nice to meet you."
The man smiled, though even then Hermione knew he was actually grimacing. "Severus Snape, though I cannot say the same."
Hermione, not letting go of his hand, gasped."Professor Severus Snape?"
He nodded. "Who else?"
Hermione shook his hand harder."I'll be going to Hogwarts this year! I can't wait to learn what you have to teach, sir! Just can't wait! Potions seems so intricate an art, I mean the precise turning and heat and when it's finished...I mean some of the potions must take months! The excitement has to be-"
"Enough!" the man said, asserting his authority without letting anyone but her hear it. Hermione stopped mid-sentence. She automatically let go of his hand, but held eye contact. "I don't have time for this, good day."
Hermione wanted to cry at his mean tone but didn't. Instead she turned to him as he walked away."You too, sir."
Pulling herself out of her reverie, she realized she truly had met the Potions Master before the school year. Wow, something new. She took a deep breath, turning and sending a patronus to McGonagall to announce her presence. She waited, the reverie of before wiped from her mind. She got a patronus back that told her to open the gates. Hermione hesitated before touching the gate. She realized the wards had been lifted so she could pass through. Hermione did so knowing that they had reapplied themselves while she walked up to the front doors. As she entered the first thing she heard was a raspy voice, a very angry raspy voice. Hermione turned the corner and saw McGonagall and Snape arguing.
"I want my job back, Minerva! You can't give jobs out to unqualified little-" his voice stopped dead as he saw Hermione who was looking at him as though she'd seen a ghost. "For God's sake! Why didn't I just die in that damned Shack? " he murmured as an off-hand nuisance, sighing as he ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated to no end.
"You're really here?"
McGonagall, who had been poised to say something, closed her mouth as she watched Snape's reaction. He looked at Hermione with a face that made him cringe. She seemed so happy and yet so sad. He wanted to wipe it off her face. Hermione stepped forward, looking into his eyes, not once straying to his neck. She opened her mouth, a kind word or two on her lips.
"Don't you dare, Miss Granger!" He looked directly back in her eyes, his full of anger. "I don't want pity from you. If anything I should be handing it out."
Hermione frowned."What's that mean?" And even though Hermione was lost for a moment she felt the sting of his words before they came.
Snape sneered. "Weasley forgot about you fast, didn't he?"
Hermione felt as though she'd gone back. As though the moment she'd first met him had returned, just in a different way. The tears she felt stopped at her lashes. She would not allow them to fall. Instead, she gathered all the things she'd wanted to say over all the school years. All the things she'd held in because he was a Professor. She didn't have to hold it in any longer. She focused her eyes on his turned back, he seemed to think he'd won.
"How dare you!" He turned back around and she looked him in the eye again."How dare you deny pity while you constantly throw all the things you had to endure with Voldemort in our faces?!" Hermione stepped forward, though it seemed Snape couldn't move."You parade around here pushing people away with your glaring eyes and swishing cloak, then you sit around in SELF-pity, moody about being alone. I've heard people on the street call you a hero, but I've never met a more selfish person! You had a semblance of a childhood whilst I didn't. I've never asked for pity. You say you want to die, well then get it over with! Rest assured, I won't stop you...Professor." Hermione tipped her head to him, turning and catching McGonagall's arm as she walked the older woman to her office so Hermione could talk over her possible job.
As the door to McGonagall's office shut, the woman almost started sniggering like a schoolgirl.
"Well done, Miss Granger!"
Hermione looked at the woman in confusion. She just realized what she'd done. She'd just screamed out Professor Snape, telling him she wouldn't save him if he wanted to commit suicide. Where in heaven's name did that come from? Since when did she ever speak untoward to a superior? Good Lord, she must have really changed in the small span of two to three days. Joining in her former teacher's giddiness, she giggled. McGonagall kept randomly busting out in laughter as they spoke. She excused herself each time, but Hermione knew she wasn't sorry. But Hermione had other things on her mind, still regretting telling her former Professor off like that, she questioned McGonagall.
"Professor?"
"Oh, please call me Minerva. You might just be a new collegue."
Hermione nodded."Well,...Minerva, did you plan on giving Professor Snape-"
"Severus." the older woman corrected.
"Yes, Severus. Were you planning on giving him the Potions position?"
Minerva nodded."Of course, though I'm still not on the greatest terms with him, he is the best out there. I must say, I was hoping we could end our little conversation before you came. But I think you ended it effectively."A small giggle erupted from her."Sorry. But yes, if all goes well, he'll still be the Potions Master for Hogwarts. I was hoping you'd accept the position of DADA teacher. I would really love to keep it with persons I am familiar with so that I don't have to endlessly grill possible candidates."
Hermione nodded."Well, I brought my credentials if you want to see them."
Minerva shook her head, sipping the tea she'd placed out at the beginning of the meeting."I went through them before I sent you the letter. I talked it over with Dumbledore and he said you would be the top choice over all the others."
Hermione's eyes got wide. "I thought that no one wanted the job."
Minerva nodded."No one wanted it that doesn't mean I won't try to get them." A little look in her eye made Hermione think of Dumbledore's curious glint. She smiled. Minerva held out her hand."So do you accept the position?"
Hermione didn't have to think. "Of course, Minerva!" they shook vigorously.
Minerva smiled. "Do you need to pack?"
Hermione shook her head,"I packed before I came. I couldn't stay in that house any longer."
Minerva nodded."I understand, now do you need to be seen to your quarters?"
Hermione shook her head. "I know my way there."
Minerva smiled."Well then, Welcome to your new post at Hogwarts, Miss Granger."
"Thank you!" Hermione shook Minerva's hand once more, then nodding and saying a final thank you, left the office. Once the door shut behind her, Hermione laughed, throwing her fist up in happiness, she mimed,"YES!!"
A/N: Another chapter my dear, lovely, cherished readers. Sorry for the delay. i'm just trying to compile many chapters so I don't dawdle and lose my writing streak. Tell me what you think. R&R!!
