Chapter 4

Alone, in his immense bath tub, Severus felt that he could finally relax. He didn't know what just happened. One minute, he was engaging in a perfectly normal conversation with Miss Granger about the possibility of brewing wolfsbane, the next minute he was offering her a research position with an apprenticeship attached. Was he truly that desperate for companionship that he would take on a Gryffindor?

Severus sneered at the thought. Not desperate, no; though the castle did bring out the loneliness in his heart. Always a teacher that students had shied away from, Severus had gotten used to that feeling. After the war and his active role as spy for the Order of the Phoenix, Severus had found that certain individuals were actually enjoyable to be around. He put up his walls out of necessity for so long that now he didn't know how to take them down.

Minerva and Filius did their best to be friendly, despite his forced indifference. Miss Granger was pleasant enough, and was certainly willing to learn. Maybe having friends would be good for Severus, as long as he was still strict in his classroom he thought he could start opening up. Intelligent individuals would certainly make suitable company; conversation would flow without one person constantly having to make explanations. Though, could he truly afford to befriend Miss Granger while he was still her Professor? That would take more thought.

Decidedly, his outward emotions towards Miss Granger would need to remain the same. Although the war was over, Death Eater sympathizers were still present at Hogwarts. The children of Death Eaters pointedly ignored Severus during lessons, believing he was a traitor to their cause. Any kindness towards a student would earn him scrutiny from his students.

Content with his level of cleanliness, Severus emerged from the water of the bath and drained the tub. A fluffy black towel rested on a single silver rack, and he took it to dry off. Once dry and dressed he walked into his living area and began reading until finally he was tired enough to sleep.

The noise in the Great Hall was just a buzz as Severus took a deep breath. After his contemplative period within his bath he had decided to be kind to Minerva and Filius. He knew having people he could talk to would help him in the long run, and they were the only two he felt close with. Minerva had always made a point to include him in staff functions despite his clear discomfort, and Filius never looked at him with the disdain of other Professors.

"Minvera, Filius," he inquired in a conversational tone. "I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to the Three Broomsticks tonight. As it is the end of the first week of term, I think a few rounds of firewhiskey are in order."

Both Professors looked at Severus as if he had two heads. Immediately Severus considered taking it all back or making a snide joke out of his inquiry. Minerva saved him, though, before he could reply.

"I absolutely agree Severus," she said hesitantly. "A night out would do us all some good. Filius?"

Flitwick nodded, his eyes still wide. "I would be interested in visiting Hogsmeade for a bit of firewhiskey tonight, thank you Severus."

Severus nodded his acknowledgment with a blank expression as he began to eat his breakfast. Proudly, he mentally smirked at his achievement. After finishing his food, Severus made his way down to the dungeons to begin the usual regime, his stomach tied in knots with anticipation of the night's endeavors.

Upon entering the Potions classroom Severus saw that his class was already seated and that Miss Granger had done her tasks. He gave the class a sneer and marched towards the front table. First years; the bane of my existence as a Potions Master and a Professor, he thought miserably, best to get this over with.

"Turn your essays in to Miss Granger, then turn to page twelve in your copies of the text." His voice was almost mechanic as he gave his usual instructions to his least favorite class. "Today you will be practicing slicing and juicing techniques…"

"Miss Urvey," Snape scolded. "Your beetle eyes have not been properly chopped; they are to be quartered, not halved. Start again with fresh ones, and five points from Hufflepuff for lack of a skill that first years acquire."

The Fourth Year Hufflepuff pouted on her way to the store room after watching her potion disappear from her cauldron. Insufficient time remained for her to finish, and she felt as though starting over would be a lost cause.

As the class came to a close, Severus and Hermione tidied up the classroom and gathered the students' work. Miss Urvey's potion was a light yellow when it should have been a pale green.

Severus maintained his passive indifferent expression as he went through the motions of cleaning off his desk and the front table. Truly he was eager to retreat to his chambers, though he knew there were still hours before the staff could leave for their drinks.

"Miss Granger," he started. "Next Monday night I will be brewing the base for the wolfsbane potion. You may attend to watch and take detailed notes on the process, if you so choose."

Hermione stopped putting the chairs up and looked up as though he had just given her an Outstanding on her Potions NEWT.

"I would be honored to be present, sir." She replied, her voice an octave higher than normal.

Severus nodded. "Excellent. Eight o'clock sharp then, here in the classroom. And now, if you will finish putting the room in order, I have a lot of Sixth Year essays to tear apart." He brought the left side of his mouth up into a smirk and strode out of the classroom without waiting for her response.

Back in his quarters Severus was disappointed in himself. He was allowing Miss Granger to witness brewing that he always did alone. Keeping his distance from her throughout the term while indulging his research agreement with her would be difficult. Although he did not understand why, Severus had developed a professional respect for her and wanted to see what the limits of that brain of hers were. To do so, her company was inevitable, despite the strict constraints he chose for their relationship. It wasn't that he didn't want her to understand who he was behind his front, he merely didn't want her attitude towards him to change. He couldn't tolerate anything more confining than a mutual respect and a Professor/Assistant relationship until she finished her education, even if her intelligence did fascinate him.

Resigned to holding himself at that standard with his assistant, Severus' mind began exploring the possibilities of friendship made available to him later that evening. He wondered what the three educators would discuss, how they would interact outside of the walls of Hogwarts. When the time came to make his way up to Minerva's office his stomach was in knots. In a rather uncharacteristic feeling, Severus was actually excited for their outing. Giving the entrance password for the room, he mounted the spiral staircase and rode to the door.

"Come in, Severus," Professor McGonagall said before he had the chance to knock. Obliging, Severus swung the door open to reveal the office he occupied himself less than a year ago. Acknowledging Albus Dumbledore, he nodded towards the painting before taking Minerva's hand and kissing it lightly.

"Minerva," His smooth voice addressed the older woman politely. "Thank you for agreeing to accompany me this evening with such short notice. Filius should be on his way up as well, I presume?" Severus did the best job he could of keeping his face in a pleasant mask instead of his neutral expression. He hoped his eyes looked content and did not give away his anxiousness.

Minerva nodded. She wore a set of crimson robes with silver fleur-de-lis accents. Her grey flecked brown hair was up in her signature bun, but two strands had been allowed down to frame her face. She wore a silver necklace with a lion pendant containing rubies as eyes to tie the look together.

Severus wore his typical black buttoned frock coat, black trousers and shining black dragon hide boots. He had shed his overcoat and top robes since it was to be warm. His hair was still greasy from his day of teaching despite his long bath the previous night.

Filius knocked on the Headmistress' door and entered when directed. The small Charms Master bore a smile at the sight of Minerva and Severus.

"Shall we?" Severus inquired at his arrival.

Over their firewhiskey the three professors discussed a variety of topics ranging from the war to their fellow instructors to the Third Year classes. They talked about their own experiences at Hogwarts—Minerva and Filius' time had overlapped, and both had been teaching since before Severus began, and their discussion eventually led them to their mutual favorite student.

"I must say, Minerva," Filius hiccupped, then continued excitedly. "Miss Granger shows true promise as a Charms student. The offer of an apprenticeship from any of the more respected Masters may well be in order."

Severus smirked, his sharp head and verbal reflexes slowed by the alcohol. At the mention of his assistant he had perked up further, erected in his seat. Minerva noticed his imperceptible shift, having handled alcohol more severe than this before.

"Ah, but Filius, Severus seems to have assured her interest in Potions." The lone witch commented amiably. She placed a hand on Severus' shoulder, taking advantage of his intoxicated state. "And truly, I believe Miss Granger will oblige to Severus' offers of apprenticeship before any of us have the chance to offer ourselves."

"Miss Granger will have the opportunity to do whatever she pleases after her education," Severus replied, the smirk remaining in place. "Although, I do believe she has expressed a great deal of interest in pursuing Potions as a career in the form of Mastery. If she can manage an O on her NEWT then I will be her Master."

Both Filius and Minerva raised their brows. Neither had seen Severus care to be around the Gryffindor students for more than absolutely necessary. Filius looked slightly put off, but Minerva gave Severus a knowing smile, proud of herself for making them spend more time together through her Head Girl status. She thought both Hermione and Severus as her children, since they had nobody else, and wanted them to be happy. Her eyes twinkled in a very Albus-like fashion at Severus.

"And so the serpent can cooperate with the lioness." She mumbled to herself.

The next morning Hermione woke late, planning on spending the weekend on studies and patrol duties. She yawned, stretched, and got out of her bed. After dressing and brushing her bushy mane of brown hair into submission she made her way down from Gryffindor Tower to the Great Hall.

Saturday mornings were her favorite time to read in the Hall. It was quiet; the students trickled in and out in various states of alertness. The professors were not all present, peering down at them as they did during the week. Instead, only Professors McGonagall and Hagrid were present, enjoying their food.

In front of Hermione was a grapefruit which she was cutting into perfectly triangular slices and her Herbology text which she was reading in preparation for an essay she needed to write later that day. She smiled as the first taste of tart fruit reached her tongue. Her parents had always celebrated the weekend with grapefruit for breakfast, and Hermione intended on keeping that tradition alive.

Several pages into her text, Hermione found herself being interrupted by a large tawny owl pecking against the bowl holding her fruit. From it she obtained a letter which she opened to reveal Harry's messy handwriting.

Hi Hermione!

I wanted to let you know that Ron and I miss you. We know you're finishing your seventh year at Hogwarts, but we were wondering if you would like to meet up at Rosmerta's for a drink to catch up. When is the first Hogsmeade weekend of the term? I hope this owl finds you well, and enjoying your educational enrichment.

Auror training is going well; it's strange not seeing Tonks among the ranks, but at least Teddy is being taken care of by Mrs. Weasley. When we see you, Ron and I can tell you all about the drills they put us through and the missions we've been sent on. I think that Minister Shacklebolt is allowing us hands on training early because of our role in the war. Which, don't get me wrong, we appreciate it, but just once in my life I would like to be treated like every other Auror trainee.

I can't wait to see you Hermione, and I know Ron can't either. Let us know about the Hogsmeade weekend. Also, the owl's name is Murf. He was a gift from Fred and George, and named by them too.

Love,

Harry

Hermione smiled and watched Murf peck her breakfast. Truly she missed her friends more than she wanted to admit, but she was happy they were getting to live their lives the way they wanted and that the trio was no longer engaging in warfare. She pulled out her parchment and a self-inking quill immediately and wrote Harry back with the Hogsmeade date. Thought it was still two weeks away, Hermione was excited with anticipation as she made her way from the Great Hall to the dungeons where she was going to practice her brewing for Potions.

Author's Note: So, between taking six classes (four engineering and two writing intensive), working 20hr/week, and going home every weekend, I have found my writing time diminished nearly to completion. Though, I am still going to be updating as frequently as possible, I make no promises on dates. I hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoy writing it. It will pick up soon, I'm still laying the groundwork. Thank you for reading!