Later that same day, when it was nearing dinner time, Hermione placed her empty cup in the sink and let her gaze fall on her
two friend's figures.
"Well," she began, breathing deeply. "I suppose I should start packing and inform Albus that I've accepted the position." She
made to move in the general direction of her bedroom when Harry hesitantly spoke up, effectively stopping her in her tracks.
"Hermione, wait..." he began. Turning around, she noticed the anxious looks both Ron and Harry were throwing each other.
"Why?" she asked stubbornly, placing her hands on her hips in a soft 'harumph!'
"Because if you go in your bedroom, you'll find nothing there." Harry spoke softly, flinching when Hermione's eyes narrowed
into menacing slits.
"And why is that, Mr. Harry James Potter?" she spoke, her voice low and deadly. Ron stood, stepping back once when she threw
her death gaze upon his tall frame.
"Because," Ron began, "all your stuff is already at Hogwarts." Hermione's jaw dropped in surprise. Ron shot Harry a look,
pleading for support. Harry finally stood, making his way over to his startled female friend. Placing a gentle hand on her
shoulder, he grinned sheepishly.
"When Albus told us that he was going to offer you the job, we waited until you left for Hogwarts, then came here and moved all
your belongings to your new rooms at Hogwarts." Hermione stared wide-eyed at Harry, while Ron continued the story.
"I wrote your acceptance letter and sent it off to Albus before I apparated here after you arrived home from your visit."
Hermione couldn't speak, only stare at the two boys; more in wonder than anger.
"You knew all along that I would take the job. How very presumptuous of you. what if I hadn't?" she finally inquired, crossing
her arms over her chest, tapping her foot impatiently while she waited for an answer.
"Well, we knew you would have to take it one way or another." Ron smirked.
"And why is that?"
"Because if you'd have said no, we would have bugged you endlessly about that fiance of yours." Harry answered triumphantly,
shoving his hands in his pockets and rocking back and forth on his heals and toes. "We know how much it irritates you when
someone mentions him. He was our Plan B."
"Yes, you must remind us to thank him when we finally get to meet him!" Ron laughed at the look of pure shock on Hermoine's
face.
~*~
Hermione struggled with the large box of kitchen utilities as she ambled down on of the many corridors of Hogwarts. As she
passed by the open doors of the Great Hall, she could hear the excited chatter of the many students as they consumed their
dinners. Unbeknownst to the new Arithmancy Professor, the current Potions Master just happened to look up as she ambled by
the open doors. The goblet full of pumpkin juice he had just picked up, now lay in a wet heap on both the Head Table and the
floor surrounding it. The students, having heard the clatter it made when dropped, looked up at the evil Potions Master
in awe and shock. Albus just chuckled knowingly, as the rumors began to fly that Snape was cursed.
Hermione noticed none of this, just anxious to drop the last box inside her rooms before heading back to the Great Hall to enjoy
her own dinner. As she walked between two of the long House tables, she got curious stares from students and staff alike. Albus
smiled warmly at her, and motioned for her to join them.
Much to Hermione's dismay, the only empty seat was next to Snape.
She quietly made her way over and sat down, sipping slowly from her goblet. Her gaze fixated on the food before her, she barely
heard Snape's soft, sarcastic drawl.
"Still no ring, I see." Hermione stopped abruptly, almost dropping her fork. Taking a few deep breaths, she turned her head
so that only Snape could see.
"Well, it was all very last minute. He was just about to leave on business, and on the spur of the moment he proposed. Because
of that, he didn't have a ring. However, he said he would have one and do things right when he got back, which will be at the
Halloween Ball. Satisfied?" Smirking, Snape laughed.
"He decided to propose to you spur of the moment? Why would someone propose and then run off. Didn't he even think about it?"
From the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, Hermione could tell he was enjoying watching her squirm."What kind of a
strange freak decides to propose to you out of the blue? It makes no sense for someone to propose and then run off. It suggests
he put no thought into the marriage at all." He finished, in a matter-of-fact tone. Smiling sweetly, Hermione answered in a barely
audible whisper.
"Go. To. Hell." Fighting back the mirthful laugh bubbling in her throat at Snape's shocked expression, she turned back to her
food and continued to eat. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see Snape open and close his mouth several times, before
turning back to his own dinner and picking up his fork. He didn't touch his food; however, merely poking at it disinterestedly.
Finally, he spoke, so softly that Hermione could barely hear him.
"No thanks, Miss Granger, I've already been there and back." Hermione's grin faltered, but after remember some of the horrid
things he had said and done to her in her life (particularly the episode with her teeth, fourth year), she looked up at him.
"What was that Severus?" she asked, as if she were truly interested. She continued before he had a chance to speak, " Admitting
the location of your childhood home? Frankly, I'm not surprised, but you might want to keep quiet next time; news like this
could upset some of the younger students." She stood abruptly, throwing her napkin on her plate and barely registering the
fact that Snape was now choking very loudly on his juice. In a swish of black robes, she exited the hall.
~*~
In the middle of the night, Hermione grabbed her new laptop and, donning her cloak, silently slipped out of the castle. Hogwarts
had many wards protecting it, and as a result, Muggle electronics didn't work in it's midst. So, deciding that she NEEDED to
talk with Master and relieve a little stress, she set out for Hogsmede.
When she reached the Three Broomsticks, she was surprised to see that Snape had just entered as well. Pulling open the doors, she
stormed inside. He noticed her right away, smirking as she stalked over in an angry stride.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" She whispered harshly. Slightly taken aback, Snape backed up against a chair, causing it
to scratch loudly on the floor. This drew several onlookers, all of which he shot a nasty glare before answering his angered
colleague.
"I needn't explain myself to you, but just so that you will leave me alone, I will." Hermione stepped away from him and gazed
intently into the obsidian depths of his eyes, waiting for the explanation she didn't expect she would receive. "Contrary to
popular believe, I am only human, Miss Granger. I have needs and wants as well. And right now, I NEED to get away from those
inconsiderate excuses for witches and wizards in training and have a drink to allay the headache that you are only increasing."
Hermione, satisfied with his answer, moved to leave. He grabbed her arm before she could do so, snatching the laptop out of
her grasp.
"Give that back!" she demanded, glaring menacingly at him. He grinned evilly.
"Why? You expect me to tell you my reasons for being out of the castle late at night and not give one yourself. No no, that just
will not do. Indulge me, Miss Granger. Why are you out and what is this?" he asked, one might say in delight, as he waved
her laptop dangerously in the air.
"Oh do be careful!" She squeaked as he almost let it slip from his grasp. "I suppose it is only fair. That, " she said, pointing
at the laptop, "is a muggle device, called a laptop. As you know, muggle electronics do not work on Hogwarts grounds, so in
order for me to use it properly, I have to come here. Hogsmede is beyond the protective wards, and thus will not ruin it."
"Ah, I see." he nodded in understanding, handing her laptop slowly back. She snatched quickly out of his hands before he could
retreat.
"I use it to talk to my fiance." she threw in, mentally chastising herself. He hadn't asked, she shouldn't have told and dug
another foot to her grave. He only nodded curtly, and returned to a dark corner of the room where she assumed his drinks waited
him. She, in turn, made her way to the bar and requested a room.
Unlocking the door to the small room, she flicked on the lights and closed the door, re-locking it to ensure her privacy. Locating
the small round table in the middle of the room, she placed her laptop on it and turned it on. Plugging her cell-phone into
the small internet jack, she removed her heavy cloak as it connected to the internet. Finally settling down into the rickety
old chair, she popped open the bottle of butterbeer she had also purchased and logged into the wizarding chatroom. Master, as always,
was already there and waiting.
"Hey you." she entered, smiling to herself.
"Hello. How was your day?"
"Shitty. I was reminded today of just how much and why I loath my old professor." Not in her character to swear, even she was
surprised when she entered her text.
"Well, sounds like fun."
"I'm not in the mood for your sarcastic bullshit." she punched into the chat. "I came on looking for a friend to confide in.
Obviously I was mistaken."
"I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to upset you. Please stay." Hermione sulked in the chair as she read his text.
"Fine." she entered after a span of five minutes.
"Let's not discuss these things right now. You NEED to talk about something that will take your mind off this whole mess."
"Like what?" interested, Hermione sat up straight in the chair, no longer sulking.
"Let's see. Arithmancy?" Hermione choked on the butterbeer she had just swallowed.
"It is so odd that you mention that. I was just offered a job today working with Arithmancy."
"I hope you took it."
"Of course. You already know I have a thirst for knowledge, and an opportunity like this only comes once in a lifetime. I would
have been crazy not to take it." As she wrote this, she seemed to instantly forget that she had almost considered turning down
the offer.
"Teach me. Lecture me. Please... I yearn to learn." Hermione couldn't believe what she was reading. Someone was actually begging
her to lecture. She was so used to people begging her to shut up. Hermione indulged him; indulging herself in the process.
All thoughts of the fiancé fiasco out the window, the two talked into the wee hours of the morning. Powerless to stop it, Hermione
found herself falling in love with this mystery man. Exhausted from the mental barrage she had just gone through, and the realization
of her new found feelings, after logging off at last, Hermione fell onto the plush old bed. She was too tired to make the
journey back to Hogwarts now, and since she wasn't due to start her lessons until the following week, Hermione let herself fall asleep.
two friend's figures.
"Well," she began, breathing deeply. "I suppose I should start packing and inform Albus that I've accepted the position." She
made to move in the general direction of her bedroom when Harry hesitantly spoke up, effectively stopping her in her tracks.
"Hermione, wait..." he began. Turning around, she noticed the anxious looks both Ron and Harry were throwing each other.
"Why?" she asked stubbornly, placing her hands on her hips in a soft 'harumph!'
"Because if you go in your bedroom, you'll find nothing there." Harry spoke softly, flinching when Hermione's eyes narrowed
into menacing slits.
"And why is that, Mr. Harry James Potter?" she spoke, her voice low and deadly. Ron stood, stepping back once when she threw
her death gaze upon his tall frame.
"Because," Ron began, "all your stuff is already at Hogwarts." Hermione's jaw dropped in surprise. Ron shot Harry a look,
pleading for support. Harry finally stood, making his way over to his startled female friend. Placing a gentle hand on her
shoulder, he grinned sheepishly.
"When Albus told us that he was going to offer you the job, we waited until you left for Hogwarts, then came here and moved all
your belongings to your new rooms at Hogwarts." Hermione stared wide-eyed at Harry, while Ron continued the story.
"I wrote your acceptance letter and sent it off to Albus before I apparated here after you arrived home from your visit."
Hermione couldn't speak, only stare at the two boys; more in wonder than anger.
"You knew all along that I would take the job. How very presumptuous of you. what if I hadn't?" she finally inquired, crossing
her arms over her chest, tapping her foot impatiently while she waited for an answer.
"Well, we knew you would have to take it one way or another." Ron smirked.
"And why is that?"
"Because if you'd have said no, we would have bugged you endlessly about that fiance of yours." Harry answered triumphantly,
shoving his hands in his pockets and rocking back and forth on his heals and toes. "We know how much it irritates you when
someone mentions him. He was our Plan B."
"Yes, you must remind us to thank him when we finally get to meet him!" Ron laughed at the look of pure shock on Hermoine's
face.
~*~
Hermione struggled with the large box of kitchen utilities as she ambled down on of the many corridors of Hogwarts. As she
passed by the open doors of the Great Hall, she could hear the excited chatter of the many students as they consumed their
dinners. Unbeknownst to the new Arithmancy Professor, the current Potions Master just happened to look up as she ambled by
the open doors. The goblet full of pumpkin juice he had just picked up, now lay in a wet heap on both the Head Table and the
floor surrounding it. The students, having heard the clatter it made when dropped, looked up at the evil Potions Master
in awe and shock. Albus just chuckled knowingly, as the rumors began to fly that Snape was cursed.
Hermione noticed none of this, just anxious to drop the last box inside her rooms before heading back to the Great Hall to enjoy
her own dinner. As she walked between two of the long House tables, she got curious stares from students and staff alike. Albus
smiled warmly at her, and motioned for her to join them.
Much to Hermione's dismay, the only empty seat was next to Snape.
She quietly made her way over and sat down, sipping slowly from her goblet. Her gaze fixated on the food before her, she barely
heard Snape's soft, sarcastic drawl.
"Still no ring, I see." Hermione stopped abruptly, almost dropping her fork. Taking a few deep breaths, she turned her head
so that only Snape could see.
"Well, it was all very last minute. He was just about to leave on business, and on the spur of the moment he proposed. Because
of that, he didn't have a ring. However, he said he would have one and do things right when he got back, which will be at the
Halloween Ball. Satisfied?" Smirking, Snape laughed.
"He decided to propose to you spur of the moment? Why would someone propose and then run off. Didn't he even think about it?"
From the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, Hermione could tell he was enjoying watching her squirm."What kind of a
strange freak decides to propose to you out of the blue? It makes no sense for someone to propose and then run off. It suggests
he put no thought into the marriage at all." He finished, in a matter-of-fact tone. Smiling sweetly, Hermione answered in a barely
audible whisper.
"Go. To. Hell." Fighting back the mirthful laugh bubbling in her throat at Snape's shocked expression, she turned back to her
food and continued to eat. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see Snape open and close his mouth several times, before
turning back to his own dinner and picking up his fork. He didn't touch his food; however, merely poking at it disinterestedly.
Finally, he spoke, so softly that Hermione could barely hear him.
"No thanks, Miss Granger, I've already been there and back." Hermione's grin faltered, but after remember some of the horrid
things he had said and done to her in her life (particularly the episode with her teeth, fourth year), she looked up at him.
"What was that Severus?" she asked, as if she were truly interested. She continued before he had a chance to speak, " Admitting
the location of your childhood home? Frankly, I'm not surprised, but you might want to keep quiet next time; news like this
could upset some of the younger students." She stood abruptly, throwing her napkin on her plate and barely registering the
fact that Snape was now choking very loudly on his juice. In a swish of black robes, she exited the hall.
~*~
In the middle of the night, Hermione grabbed her new laptop and, donning her cloak, silently slipped out of the castle. Hogwarts
had many wards protecting it, and as a result, Muggle electronics didn't work in it's midst. So, deciding that she NEEDED to
talk with Master and relieve a little stress, she set out for Hogsmede.
When she reached the Three Broomsticks, she was surprised to see that Snape had just entered as well. Pulling open the doors, she
stormed inside. He noticed her right away, smirking as she stalked over in an angry stride.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" She whispered harshly. Slightly taken aback, Snape backed up against a chair, causing it
to scratch loudly on the floor. This drew several onlookers, all of which he shot a nasty glare before answering his angered
colleague.
"I needn't explain myself to you, but just so that you will leave me alone, I will." Hermione stepped away from him and gazed
intently into the obsidian depths of his eyes, waiting for the explanation she didn't expect she would receive. "Contrary to
popular believe, I am only human, Miss Granger. I have needs and wants as well. And right now, I NEED to get away from those
inconsiderate excuses for witches and wizards in training and have a drink to allay the headache that you are only increasing."
Hermione, satisfied with his answer, moved to leave. He grabbed her arm before she could do so, snatching the laptop out of
her grasp.
"Give that back!" she demanded, glaring menacingly at him. He grinned evilly.
"Why? You expect me to tell you my reasons for being out of the castle late at night and not give one yourself. No no, that just
will not do. Indulge me, Miss Granger. Why are you out and what is this?" he asked, one might say in delight, as he waved
her laptop dangerously in the air.
"Oh do be careful!" She squeaked as he almost let it slip from his grasp. "I suppose it is only fair. That, " she said, pointing
at the laptop, "is a muggle device, called a laptop. As you know, muggle electronics do not work on Hogwarts grounds, so in
order for me to use it properly, I have to come here. Hogsmede is beyond the protective wards, and thus will not ruin it."
"Ah, I see." he nodded in understanding, handing her laptop slowly back. She snatched quickly out of his hands before he could
retreat.
"I use it to talk to my fiance." she threw in, mentally chastising herself. He hadn't asked, she shouldn't have told and dug
another foot to her grave. He only nodded curtly, and returned to a dark corner of the room where she assumed his drinks waited
him. She, in turn, made her way to the bar and requested a room.
Unlocking the door to the small room, she flicked on the lights and closed the door, re-locking it to ensure her privacy. Locating
the small round table in the middle of the room, she placed her laptop on it and turned it on. Plugging her cell-phone into
the small internet jack, she removed her heavy cloak as it connected to the internet. Finally settling down into the rickety
old chair, she popped open the bottle of butterbeer she had also purchased and logged into the wizarding chatroom. Master, as always,
was already there and waiting.
"Hey you." she entered, smiling to herself.
"Hello. How was your day?"
"Shitty. I was reminded today of just how much and why I loath my old professor." Not in her character to swear, even she was
surprised when she entered her text.
"Well, sounds like fun."
"I'm not in the mood for your sarcastic bullshit." she punched into the chat. "I came on looking for a friend to confide in.
Obviously I was mistaken."
"I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to upset you. Please stay." Hermione sulked in the chair as she read his text.
"Fine." she entered after a span of five minutes.
"Let's not discuss these things right now. You NEED to talk about something that will take your mind off this whole mess."
"Like what?" interested, Hermione sat up straight in the chair, no longer sulking.
"Let's see. Arithmancy?" Hermione choked on the butterbeer she had just swallowed.
"It is so odd that you mention that. I was just offered a job today working with Arithmancy."
"I hope you took it."
"Of course. You already know I have a thirst for knowledge, and an opportunity like this only comes once in a lifetime. I would
have been crazy not to take it." As she wrote this, she seemed to instantly forget that she had almost considered turning down
the offer.
"Teach me. Lecture me. Please... I yearn to learn." Hermione couldn't believe what she was reading. Someone was actually begging
her to lecture. She was so used to people begging her to shut up. Hermione indulged him; indulging herself in the process.
All thoughts of the fiancé fiasco out the window, the two talked into the wee hours of the morning. Powerless to stop it, Hermione
found herself falling in love with this mystery man. Exhausted from the mental barrage she had just gone through, and the realization
of her new found feelings, after logging off at last, Hermione fell onto the plush old bed. She was too tired to make the
journey back to Hogwarts now, and since she wasn't due to start her lessons until the following week, Hermione let herself fall asleep.