Severus Snape looked at the Headmaster with a distinct look of distaste on his face, after years of solid friendship he still did not understand how this man's brain worked. It was probably better not to understand him at all if he wanted to keep his sanity. Without social niceties or a smooth introduction Severus went straight to the heart of his problem.

His voice was so low that you couldn't hear his irritation directly, but combined with the look of frustration and annoyance on his face, it was clear he was most seriously displeased. 'Albus, can you explain to me exactly why I ran into a student on my way to your office? Didn't we just send all of them home so they can enjoy their precious holidays and we will be able to repair the castle in time for next term?' Even Albus, the master in denial himself, could not ignore the sarcasm that laced that question and he took a moment to contemplate his response. 'I take it you are referring to Miss Granger? She will be assisting Madam Pince in the library this summer. With all the dust in the castle, she will need the extra hands in order to preserve the books and she agreed that Miss Granger would be her perfect assistant. Surely after working together in the Order you should have no problem seeing her around and about for the summer?'

Knowing his employer and friend for as long as he had, Severus knew better than to try and dissuade the Headmaster. If he found only one toe out of line with Miss Granger he would seize his chance and send her home. He would just have to pay careful attention to the way she spent her time. He realized the moment the thought ran through his head that that would mean staying closer to the annoying Gryffindor than he would like, but he would accept that consequence. As long as she wouldn't be there the whole summer.

Hermione was deep in thought going through a mental list of research topics and a list of which books to start with when she arrived in the Library. She stopped thinking about herself for a moment and had a good look around. There didn't seem to be any major damage to the structure of the room and most of the bookshelves were still standing not affected by the trials of war. At first, she was relieved, not sure if she could have been able to see her sanctuary damaged, but at a second glance she nearly gasped in horror. Dust. There was dust everywhere; bookshelves were covered in large white drapes to protect the books from the worst of it. The damage would be larger than you could see at first sight.

It was when Madam Pince greeted her with an uncharacteristic hug that Hermione came back to the here and now. Clearly the librarian was pleased to see her and not afraid to show it. Before Hermione could say hello, the older witch had started a waterfall of words 'Oh my dear, you have no idea how happy I am to see you! I hadn't even asked Albus about an assistant because I know everybody is so busy with their own work, and then to get YOU- you know the library as well as I do. Now don't worry, I know that you are here on some research quest or another, but every minute you can spare will be most welcome, most welcome indeed! I haven't found a way yet to use magic in the cleaning process, some of the books are just too temperamental, but with your help I am sure we can get the most important part of the library open again before the students come back. Not that you are not a student of course' she added as an after thought, 'Ah well you know what I mean'.

'It is good to see you too Madam Pince, and I'm very pleased to be able to help. I know it must be a lot of work, just looking at all the dust makes me anxious to start and some of the older books will be destroyed if it stays like this much longer. But Madam Pince before we get into it, can I ask you – are you ok, I mean your family?' Madam Pince was very pleased that the young Hermione would have the courage and perceptiveness to ask such a personal question, in the wake of the Last Battle many people had lost friends and family and it was not always easy to talk about it especially for one so young. 'Thank you for asking dear, that's very good of you. Our family suffered some losses, but which family hasn't? We must move on and make sure it wasn't in vain.'

'Now dear,' Madam Pince continued without noticing the surprised look on Hermione's face 'I must insist you call me Irma during the summer, I must say I don't think I could have let any other help me with this task. Students normally don't have the right level of respect for books, magical books especially, for me to be this informal. But you are the sure exception.'

'Thanks very much Madam… sorry, Irma, thanks so much for letting me use the library at all in the summer, and I am happy to help with the rebuilding of Hogwarts whichever way I can. Do you already have a plan on which sections to do when? And are there any changes you might want to make while every book will be moved anyway?'

The two witches were soon immersed in a conversation about books, library referencing methods and lending systems. It was agreed that Hermione would work 6 hours a day in the library and would have unlimited access after her work hours for her own research. Hermione was very pleased with the arrangement and was even happier at how quickly everything seemed arranged. After a tour of the library, where Madam Pince showed her all the different damage and the parts that were already cleaned it was time to find her quarters and prepare for lunch. She had been asked by the Headmaster to join him and the other professors during meal times and, since there were no other students in the castle, she had accepted.

She wasn't sure just where her quarters were; Professor Dumbledore had only said her luggage would be looked after by the house elves. She still wasn't fond of asking the elves to do anything for her but she had to find out where to go and decided that Dobby was the best elf to ask. He was a free elf after all. 'Dobby?' she called carefully. With a 'plop' Dobby stood in front of her and, like Madam Pince, started a waterfall of words.

'Oh! Missy Hermione! Dobby is so happy you are calling him, how can Dobby help Missy? Missy want knowing where her rooms are?'

Hermione couldn't help but smile at Dobby's enthusiasm, and quickly asked him to show her to her quarters. 'No problem, Missy' Dobby said, 'I is very pleased you are here over the summer' then Dobby's smile faltered and he added quickly 'but the only good rooms left in the castle are on the third floor corridors, and the only free one left there is next to the Professor Snape rooms.' Dobby fidgeted with a knee-high-sock that he used as a scarf while he waited for Hermiones reaction. Seeing Dobby's nervousness, Hermione quickly told him not to worry 'Really, Dobby it's ok, I don't mind where my rooms are at all.'

While Dobby showed her the way to her quarters on the third floor corridor, Hermione's wondered where they would be. Even after five years at Hogwarts, she didn't know much more about that hallway other than that it was where she met Fluffy during her first year. The only thing she hoped for was that her quarters were far enough away from Professor Snape so that she would not disturb him.

'Here you is Missy Hermione, here is your quarters.' Dobby's announcement came unexpected for Hermione. She had thought her rooms would be much further down the hallway as there only seemed to be enough room for two quarters here! She was afraid to ask, but had to know, so she enquired anyway; 'Dobby, where exactly are Professor Snape's quarters? I don't want to be in his way during the holiday!'

'How very noble of you Miss Granger, however I fear that you have already failed that objection. Students at Hogwarts during the summer holiday will always be in my way. The fact that your quarters are next to mine just adds insult to injury. If I hear even the slightest sound coming from your rooms that disturbs me, I will have you sent back home faster than you came here. And no matter how much Albus insists to you are the 'Library Assistant' I know you must be up to something. I have no doubt, no doubt, that you are here for your own gain.

Starting at the sound of the sour Potions Master coming from behind her, Hermione slowly turned around. She realized just by looking at his face that interrupting would be a bad idea, so she let him finish his little rant and answered him with a subdued 'There will be no noise problems Professor.' Giving her a last look of contempt and irritation Snape turned around and stalked into his own rooms, cloak billowing behind him. That brought a smile back to Hermione's face, wondering just how he got those robes to billow like that with barely any movement.