Making Potions
Thursday morning Hermione was up early and headed down Great Hall. She was there before anyone else so began to sort out rubble that would be good to transform into tables and benches.
Soon the other Professor's started to come through heading to the kitchen, Minerva told Hermione to join them for breakfast.
After breakfast while Flitwick and Snape worked on the ceiling, Minerva and Hermione transformed rubble into tables and benches. They also repaired and cleaned the house flags and crests.
After lunch Hermione followed Professor Snape to the dungeons to work on Potions.
Professor Snape was extremely quiet as they walked down the steps, when they entered the dungeon he handed her a potions robe with tight sleeves. She shrunk it to fit herself and pulled her hair back into a tighter ponytail to make sure nothing fell into the potions.
Severus looked at Hermione after she pulled her hair back, "Miss Granger do you remember the recipe for the replenishing potion?"
"Yes, I do Professor."
"Good you will need to make a double batch, the large caldron is in the storage room and the ingredients are in that storeroom."
Hermione just nodded and headed to the storage room for the caldron.
Meanwhile, Severus was talking to himself.
Why do I just know that Albus is going to make me take her on as an apprentice? I can't work with her every day, I can't have her under my feet all day everyday. She is just to happy and she's a Gryffindor I have never had a Gryffindor as an apprentice. I've only had one Slytherin and 2 from Durmstrand in all the years I've been a Master.
She is nothing but a Know it all! She runs her mouth all the time and Albus and Minerva consider her their own little pet project. And Minerva loves her like a daughter! It's enough to make you want to get sick! Severus continued to talk to himself and putting Hermione down as he complained.
Soon the steam was rising from the Caldrons and Hermione was quietly humming to herself as she worked. For the first time in months she was happy. She loved being in the potions lab she loved the smell of the potions as they brewed the quietness and the feeling of peace. She could totally understand why Severus loved being in the lab. Hermione did a little day dreaming between times she needed to do stuff with her potion. She wondered what it would be like to work down here all the time, to have access to all the different ingredients and to be able to research. She was really enjoying her time and her day dream!
Severus continued to work on his potion and watch Hermione from behind his curtain of hair.
She seems so relaxed, she really does seem to love to brew and her potions are always perfect. If I ever want to get out of the classroom and have some time in the lab for research I need someone to be able to take my place.
Hermione looked over at Severus as she finished bottling her potion. You know I totally understand why he loves it down here. Hmmm he's really not bad looking and I love watching how he stirs the potions. His hands are amazing, but he's the dungeon bat I can't think of him ever giving in and letting me apprentice.
Hermione finished her potion and asked the Professor; "Did you want me to start another potion Professor?"
"Could you start the Pepper Up Potion please? If you need the recipe it's in the Green book on the end of that table."
"No I remember the recipe do you want a standard or double batch?"
"A normal recipe should be good for now. Miss Granger what made you want an Apprenticeship in Potions why not charms or transfiguration?"
"I can't give you a solid reason; it's just that I feel at peace when I'm in the lab brewing. I love the smell of the potions, the steam rising off the caldrons; I just like the feel of stirring the caldron. I don't really have a solid reason just it feels right. And I also would love to be be able to research and find new potions that could help people."
Severus stared at her, he couldn't believe that she just named all of the things that made potions so much a part of his life. Maybe it would work out. Maybe he could take her on as an Apprentice. He needed to think more. Oh Holy Merlin what am I thinking!
Snape shook his head, "I guess that is as good as a lot of the reasons I've heard for wanting an apprenticeship in Potions."
"What is this Professor Snape I'm hearing telling me I'm not a Gryffindor for saying something like that." Hermione grinned. Then she realized that teasing Professor Snape wasn't a good idea.
Severus looked at her and then actually smiled. "Miss Granger be glad you are not in school otherwise that would be 50 points from Gryffindor."
Hermione grinned at the Professor and got back to brewing the pepper up potion. Holy Merlin I just made a joke with Professor Snape and he didn't take my head off.
