A/N 1: Thank you very much for your reviews! I know it is unclear where the story is going (I honestly don't know myself) but I seem to have at least an idea now, it should be clearer by next chapter. I have an exam on Friday so don't know if I'll be able to post another chapter before then. I unfortunately didn't have time to proofread this chapter (it's past midnight here (Sweden) and I'm getting up at 6 am tomorrow) so I apologize in advance for any faults. Oh, and to those of you who are native English speakers, I would really appreciate it if you could point out if there are any faults (grammar, spelling, context etc.) that I seem to be repeating. English is my second language so I'm not completely confident writing in it. Enjoy.

Andrea xx

A/N 2: I have now proofread it and updated it

A/N 3: I have updated the part about her her age.

Hermione woke up early the next day and as she felt wide-awake, she decided to head down for breakfast early. Today she would assist McGonagall with the second years double Transfiguration, and after lunch she had Charms and double Arithmancy. She dressed quickly, reapplied her glamour charm and left her rooms. It was only half past six and the corridors were empty, which she relished. She had always loved the castle when it was empty, during late nights and early mornings. As she entered the entrance hall she heard a pair of quiet footsteps and looked up. It was Snape, dressed in his usual black attire, with robes billowing behind him. She had always suspected that he used a charm to make them billow that way, and she smiled inwardly at the thought. To her surprise, instead of insulting her or just walking past her, the way he usually did, the Potions master nodded at her. It took her by such surprise that several moments passed before she managed to nod back at him. Her shock must have amused him as he had a small smirk on his face when he entered the Great Hall. Hermione thought back at all the times she had met Snape and failed to remember that he had ever greeted her civilly. She came to the conclusion that some shift of power must have taken place between them last night. How strange, she thought and followed him into the Great Hall. The Gryffindor table was completely empty so there was not much to do but eat before the post arrived with her copy of the Daily Prophet. She looked up at the Head Table once or twice only to find that the Potions professor seemed to be engaged in a conversation with Professor Flitwick, who was seated next to him. Despite the fact that she wasn't that hungry, she forced herself to eat a hearty breakfast to help increase her energy levels.

Over the next days, Hermione did not see much of the Potions master. He occupied her mind fairly often, as he continued to nod at her when they walked past each other. She nodded back every time but was baffled. Hence she decided to do what she usually did when she didn't know the reason behind something - she went to the library. It only took Madame Pince a minute to find her the type of book she had been looking for – a book on customs in the wizarding world. She gratefully accepted the book and sat down on a chair next to a small reading table. Being the fast reader that she was, it only took her couple of minutes to scan the book to find what she was looking for – the section on different greetings. The chapter covered everything from the shaking of hands at the first meeting to how many pecks to give on the cheeks when you knew someone well. It seemed most traditional wizarding families preferred two pecks for some unknown reason. And surprisingly, there was a paragraph dedicated to nods. Wizards really are traditional, she thought, amused. The text read read:

"When a wizard or witch is nodded at by another wizard or witch, it means that he or she is respected by the latter. While it does not mean that the latter considers the former to be his/ her equal, it does entail a certain amount of respect. It is also the standard greeting between adults who are acquainted."

So, Snape respects me, at least to some extent, she thought with a smile. And he considers me to be an adult. Strange that it took a slap to get him to respect me. Hermione was not surprised that she was thought of as an adult, she was 19 after all. The realization that Snape considered her to be an adult that he respected, at least to some extent, felt good. She figured that it must be down to the fact that she had always sought his approval and praise in class and had not often received it. Well, at least now I have it to some extent, she mused with a smile.

A week had passed since Hermione's discovery and it was now the third week of November and it was getting colder. Work, both as a student and as an assistant, progressed well, were it not for one problem - she was feeling more and more exhausted day by day. She realised that she could not continue to use her glamour constantly for much longer unless she found a solution. This was something she had known would happen for some time, but she had hoped that it would have taken longer, the book she had read had suggested at least a year, and so she had not prepared for it. Several hours of research on possible energising solutions had failed to deliver a solution. The only decent solution she had found was in the shape of an energy potion called the Navitas elixir and that would take more than two months to brew. She had gone to both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley and tried to buy one but it wasn't available as the demand for it was almost non-existent. The only person she knew that might have it in stock was Snape and she did not look forward to asking him. However, her problem was now so urgent that she decided she would have to ask him for it and if she were really, really lucky, he would have it and then she would start brewing her own.

It was Friday evening, after dinner, when Hermione had given up on sorting out the situation on her own. She had chosen Friday night to ask her professor since she would have two days to avoid him in case the conversation turned nasty. It would be the first time she talked to him alone since her detention and she could not help but be slightly curious as to if he was going to treat her differently or not. And so she found herself, dressed in muggle clothes consisting of blue jeans and a grey V-necked jumper, standing outside his office at about eight in the evening. The dungeons were cold at this time of the year and she wished that she had brought a set of robes with her. She knocked on the door and waited for a response.

"Come in," Snape's stern voice commanded from the other side of the door.

Hermione opened the door carefully and entered the Potions master's office, closing the door behind her. She noticed that he flicked his wand at it and presumed that it was a locking charm, or perhaps a silencing charm. Or, knowing him, it was probably both.

"Miss Granger," he addressed her and looked up from his desk, where he had been sitting, grading tests. He looked the same as he always did, hair quite dirty from the potion fumes and he was wearing his usual teaching attire. Whilst he did not scowl, he certainly did not smile at the student in front of him. All in all he looked unapproachable, to say the least. "What can I do for you?" he inquired and put his quill down.

"Professor," Hermione began, unsure how to continue. She was aware that if she wanted to have any chance at succeeding, she would have to choose her words wisely. "I have been feeling quite down lately, as if I lack... energy, so to speak. I did some research on it and found out about the Navitas elixir," she said, and by this point she could see her professor looking at her curiously. "I would brew it myself of course, but it takes at least two months, plus I would need a lab, and I don't think I can wait that long," she continued, wanting to draw out the question.

"Get to the point, Miss Granger," Snape said warningly.

So much for those wizarding traditions, Hermione thought. It certainly doesn't seem as if he respects me.

"I wanted to ask if you have the Navitas elixir in your stores and if I could have it," she asked bluntly. "And if I could use the Potions classroom after hours to brew it myself. I read that the first dose lasts for about two weeks, than each following dose about one week each. So what I'm asking you, Sir, is if I could have enough Navitas elixir to last me for two months and if I can have access to the Potions classroom in the evenings," she finished and looked at him uncertainly. She knew it was a huge favour to ask but she really did not see any other way.

"Is this some kind of joke, Miss Granger?" Snape looked at her incredulously.

"No, Sir," she managed to get out.

"I presume you have done your research and hence know how rarely it is used. It is only ever used in the most extraordinary of situations. Most people never use it in their entire life, regardless of how tired they feel," he drawled in a mocking tone. He stood up and walked around his desk so that he faced her directly. "You are 18 years old, Miss Granger, and you are currently not going through an extraordinarily difficult situation. What makes you think I would give it to you?"

Damn it, I knew he would be reluctant but I didn't think he would mock me, Hermione thought angrily.

"Sir, you can perform a test of my magical levels if you don't believe me, I really do need the potion," she pleaded.

"Really, Miss Granger, I thought you were more mature, just drop a NEWT or stop assisting the Headmistress if you are as tired as you say you are," Snape snapped.

"Sir, with all due respect, it's not that easy. Why don't you just check my magical levels and you will see? Please," she implored him.

Snape looked at her for a moment, as if questioning why he was still listening to her. But then he made up his mind and drew his wand.

"Very well. I hope for your sake that this is not some kind of joke," he spat and performed a magical detection charm.

Hermione had read about the spell in books but she had never imagined that it would feel quite like this. It felt as though all her magic was pulled forward, only to circle all around her body, and she noticed different shades of colour appearing like clouds around her body. A second later it was over and she felt like her normal, tired self again. She looked at her professor curiously. To her surprise, she could tell he had been surprised. It only took him a moment to cover up his surprise, but even when he did, a contemplative frown remained on his forehead.

"Have a seat," Snape said simply and gestured at the chair in front of his desk as he seated himself behind it. He looked at her for a couple of moments before he spoke. "Your magical levels are nearly drained, Miss Granger. It is a wonder you are still able to perform magic," he said flatly.

Hermione paled slightly at his words. She had not realised it was that bad.

"Either you were cursed during the war or you have some explaining to do," Snape said and motioned for her to speak.

"I know I wasn't cursed, professor, but I don't know why my magical levels are drained. I think it is simply from overexertion. If you just give me the potion I promise I will cut back on my workload. I know I was stupid to attempt to do this much," she explained, hoping it would draw his attention away from the real reason why her energy levels were so low.

"Don't lie to me, Miss Granger. Simple overexertion does not cause drainage of a person's magical level, as you very well know. Since you claim to know that you aren't cursed, I presume that you are aware of the real reason behind the drainage. I will not administer the Navitas elixir to a student without any real reason. If you want the elixir you will have to tell me the whole truth," he stated and stared into her eyes.

"Sir, I promise, there is no other reason. Please, I don't think I can go much longer without it," she pleaded.

"Tell me the real reason, Miss Granger, or stop wasting my time. However, I will check on you in five days time and if your state has deteriorated I will have you sent to the hospital wing whether you like it or not," he warned.

"But, Sir, I've told you everything I…" she tried but was interrupted.

"That is my final word, Miss Granger. Now kindly leave my office," Snape said curtly.

Hermione sighed quietly and left his office, disappointed. She had not expected him to give her the potion straight away, but she had thought that she had had a decent chance when he had checked her magical levels. Damn him, she thought angrily, why couldn't he just give me the stupid elixir? It was none of his business why she needed it; she was of age for Merlin's sake.

The following days were hard on Hermione as she felt her magical levels deteriorating by the hour. She practically stuffed herself during meals, almost eating as much as Ron usually did, as it usually boosted her energy levels for an hour or so afterwards. More than once had she felt eyes on her back and she had noticed Snape staring at her with an unidentifiable expression on his face. She tried to ignore him as best as she could but did not manage to completely, as she still had him in Potions on the following Monday.

By Tuesday evening she could take it no longer. She realised that she would collapse soon if she didn't do something. And so she found herself walking reluctantly towards a certain teacher's classroom after dinner. She knocked on the door and was let in.

Snape was once again seated behind his desk and took one look at her before he gestured at her to sit down. He waited for her to begin the conversation.

"I'm sorry I lied last time. I was cursed," she lied once again. "I duelled Bellatrix Lestrange during the final battle and she hit me with something. I've been getting weaker ever since. I didn't want to tell anyone because I thought they'd pity me. I heard the curse she used and I've looked it up and there is nothing anyone can do. Hence my need for the elixir," she explained softly.

"Enough is enough, Miss Granger. Now tell me the truth," he replied coldly.

It was then it hit her. She didn't have a choice. It was either telling him or she would end up in the hospital wing when she collapsed. And her glamour would obviously fall when that happened, so she figured this was her best option.

"I did duel Bellatrix Lestrange during the final battle," she began quietly, looking down at her hands. "She hit me with some rather nasty cutting hexes as well as a curse. Madame Pomfrey managed to stop the bleeding but she could not do anything about the scars," she explained. "And don't look at me as if I am vain, Professor, that's not it. She then told me what the curse had done, and forgive me, but I am not going to tell you that part of the story now, it is too personal and it has absolutely nothing to do with the drainage of my magical levels," she said flatly and looked into his eyes. He nodded his approval. "I found the effects of the curse too hard to deal with, especially with the scars on top, hence I didn't want anyone to know. I didn't want their pity," she said in an almost-whisper. "It was easier to just deal with the consequences without anyone watching me. So I promised Madame Pomfrey to keep quiet and covered up the scars. I made her believe that they had just healed miraculously. I've been using a glamour charm every since. The constant use of it is what has drained my magical levels," she concluded.

Snape was quiet for a couple of minutes, taking in what she had said.

"Show me," he said in a soft voice that held none of its usual menace.

Hermione hesitated for a second before she dropped the glamour charm. She felt the scars reappear on her body and shivered, at the feeling as well as the thought of them. She folded her hands defensively in front of her. It took her a moment before she dared to look at her professor's eyes, thinking she would find repulsion. To her surprise, there was only compassion there.

"I understand," he said softly. "I am truly sorry, Miss Granger."

"Didn't you hear what I just said? I don't want your pity," she muttered and looked at him with anger in her eyes.

"You misunderstand," he said simply. "I am not sorry about your scars, Miss Granger. I am sorry that you feel the need to cover your body," he paused but did not wait for her to speak before he continued. "We all have our scars from the war, some more than others. You did the wizarding world a great service and should not feel obliged to hide your face as a consequence," he stated matter-of-factly.

"That is all very nice, Professor," she muttered sarcastically, "but what I need to know is, will you help me?"

Snape's reply came quickly. "Yes," he said. "However, we need to come up with a better solution. I will give you the Navitas elixir tonight but it is only a temporary solution. I don't suppose I could persuade you to stop using the glamour?"

"No, Sir."

"I will do some research. Please be here on Friday after dinner. But for now, stay here and I will retrieve the elixir," Snape said and left the room.

Hermione could not believe the relief she felt. Relief that she was going to get some much needed energy. Relief that he had not shied away from her when she revealed her scars. Relief that someone finally shared her secret. It felt good.

Snape returned a moment later carrying a tiny vial, which he handed to her.

"It contains three drops, it should be enough," he explained and motioned for her to drink it.

Hermione did not need to be asked twice and she quickly down the elixir. She had hoped the relief would be immediate but was disappointed.

"It will take a couple of hours before it starts working, Miss Granger. I thought you said you had done your research, " he said with a small smirk and it was obvious to both of them he didn't mean it as an insult. "Go to bed now and try to sleep for at least eight hours and you shall wake up feeling like a new person. Don't hesitate to call for me should your health deteriorate," he offered.

"Thank you so much, Sir. For everything," she said softly and looked at him gratefully.

"You are welcome, Miss Granger. Now kindly go to bed," he urged her, sounding very tired all of a sudden.

"Yes, yes," she gave him a small smile and left for her quarters, feeling better than she had in weeks.