Disclaimer: I DO NOT own these characters, nor do I claim to. They are the property of JKR. I'm just using them for my own hysterical fantasy world. (Except for Fiona, she's mine:))

Around five minutes to nine, Hermione had at last completed putting her last signature on the scrolls. She had never seen so many "X" lines on any document in her life. She noticed that Snape had already signed every area as well, except one. She re-read the line above it and realized it said that she would only be awarded apprentice credit upon completion of the outlined course. Hmph. She'd already signed that line, but apparently Snape wasn't going to sign it until he was completely satisfied with her work. It figures, she thought to herself. I'll probably bust my arse everynight with that overgrown bat and he can still weasel out of giving me credit for it.

With a huff, she re-rolled the scrolls and reluctantly made her way down to the dungeons. Unfortunately, in her present state of irritation, she failed to see the brilliant green eyes that were spying on her from behind a marble pillar in the corridor...and had been doing so for close to an hour.

Hermione hated the dungeons. They smelled of mildew and she found the torches that lit the walls to be a bit archaic. Going down to a Potions lesson during the daytime amidst a crowd of students was one thing, but traipsing about alone after dark was quite another. She shuddered slightly at the sound the heels of her shoes made as she clacked down the poorly lit corridor. Snape's office was two more doors down. She hesitated after she passed the first door, and then came to a halting stop has she reached the second. She held her fist up to knock, then pulled it away from the door quickly. Her palms were sweating. Why am I so intimidated by him? Good grief, it's not like he's going kill me. I don't...think. She shook her head. She was being stupid. She raised her hand to knock again when she heard a voice on the other side of the door.

"Honestly, Miss Granger, are you going to come in or aren't you? Because, according to my clock, it's 9:00."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. How on earth does he know I am out here? She grabbed the handle and pushed her way into Snape's office, mentally preparing herself for the site. She glanced around.

It wasn't anything like she had pictured. She was fairly certain that there would have been students' heads on pikes and disgusting things in jars scattered about the shelves. However, the room laid out before her looked more like a cozy study. It was nothing like the Potions classroom.

There were four tall bookcases lined with thick books; spines of several different colors. In the corner, a massive marble globe stood on four brass legs. Each continent was made from a different color sapphire. It had an eerie, yet breathtaking glow emanating from within it. She saw two very large oil paintings with muted gold frames hanging on two facing walls. One was of a brilliant landscape with three horses - one white, one black, and one silver - grazing in a soft and lush meadow. The painting was magical, but the horses were quite ordinary. The other painting depicted a young woman dressed in red robes working on a potion. She appeared to be in deep thought. Hermione recognized this painting as Circe, The Sorceress. It was painted by a muggle, but was highly revered in both the muggle and wizarding worlds. The fact that it hung on Professor Snape's walls is what shocked Hermione most.

Snape sat at his desk (which was a beatifully carved mahogany - much different from the black slate table in his classroom) working on something. Instead of his normal bat-like costume, he was dressed in a black button dress shirt and black pants. The top three buttons of his shirt were undone. His hair hung over his face as he worked, but somehow he looked less intimidating than Hermione had remembered. So, this is how Snape looks in his own element, she mused to herself. He looked up at her, and for the first time since she had known him, he wasn't scowling.

"Did you sign every line?" His tone contained no acid, instead it was just a simple question.

"Yes." Hermione replied simply and went to hand him the scrolls when she remembered that he hadn't signed every last line. "However, you seemed to have missed one." She unrolled the scroll and pointed to the empty line, where his signature should have been.

"No. That was no mistake. I'm not able to sign that until you have completed the school term." Again, his voice was straight foward, without any sort of severity.

"But, Professor, honestly, we both know this is just red tape for the Ministry of Mag..." He stopped her.

"Miss Granger, the scroll clearly states that I am only to sign once you have completed your school term." His voice had started to gain a slight edge. "Until then, the line shall remain empty."

"Why did I have to sign it then?"

"Simply to prove that you understand how it all will work." Snape could see the scowl growing behind Hermione's expression. She balled her fists and began to pace in front of his desk, saying nothing. Snape watched her in light amusement. He hadn't even tried to anger her, yet he had, which made him smile - on the inside. After a moment, he spoke. "Miss Granger, what are you doing?"

She turned on him and glared.

"Professor, I...I'm trying my absolute hardest to keep from saying something I may well regret." She crossed her arms firmly across her chest and glowered at him.

"I suppose I don't understand then. What seems to be the problem?" He leaned foward on his elbows and rested his chin on his fists. This was all really too amusing. He hadn't counted on a getting a show tonight.

"Don't be glib!" She said hotly. "You know exactly what I'm talking about!"

"I'm afraid I don't," he said lazily.

Hermione was fed up. It took everything in her power not to reach across that desk and knock his face off his elbows.

"How am I supposed to know that you're going to follow though on your part of the bargain? How do I know you aren't going to make me work my tail off, just to have you refuse to sign at the end of term? Goodness knows you aren't the most honorable man in this school, how can I trust you?" She firmly sat herself in the chair opposite his desk. It was quite cozy, which was yet another surprise in this strangely normal office.

Snape laughed. Yes. He actually laughed. Even though it threw her off guard, it only proved to infuriate her all the more.

"What is so funny?" She asked sharply.

"Miss Granger, I assure you that this..erm...arrangement, is in no way set-up to take my revenge out on the Gryffindors. It is strictly business."

"Strictly business, huh? Well then, give me your word that if I do precisely as I am told, that you will not withhold that which I derserve. Namely, your signature on that scroll."

"You have my word."

Hermione studied his expression for a moment and decided that he must have been serious. She had never seen such a look on the man's face before. He was almost smiling. Almost.

She let out a short breath and decided she had many, many more questions.

"Okay then. How about a schedule? So far, we've only decided that I am to work with you three nights out of the week. Which nights will these be and at what time and for how long?"

"Seeing as how I don't have any engagements during my evenings, I will leave that up to your discretion."

Hermione shut her eyes tightly to think. A few times she stuck out a few fingers, mentally ticking off a list in her mind. She opened her eyes and looked at Snape. For some odd reason, she felt no fear of this man at all. The man that sat before her was not the man who taught her potions. Not even close. So, he wants strictly business...fine. I will show him how business prudent I can be. She leaned foward ready to strike.

"Absolutely no weekends. Those are mine. My class schedule is quite full, but I feel that Monday's, Wednesday's and Thursday's should work. Since the evening meal in the great hall begins at 7:00, we could begin at 8:00. How long do you think you will be needing my assitance each night?"

"That will depend entirely upon the potion we are working on. Some medicinal potions can be brewed in a matter of minutes, while others could take up to four hours."

"Four hours!" Hermione half screamed.

"Yes, Miss Granger, four hours. It is on those nights that I would suggest that we take our meals down here." He stopped for a moment and then continued. "That is...if you don't think I am being too unfair." He added the last bit just to spite her, and she knew it.

Deciding not to rock the boat any more than she already had she shook her head.

"No. That is quite fair and probably necessary."

Awkward silence filled the office and Hermione occupied herself by looking around the room. She felt the need to leave, but she also felt like she should be dismissed by Snape. She turned her gaze back to him and gave an expectant look. He had been watching her survey the room.

"Surprised?" He asked bemusedly.

"A little." Hermione said sheepishly.

"Believe it or not, I do enjoy nice things."

Hermione said nothing in response. Instead she just studied the cracks in the stone floor. She fought the urge to ask if she could be excused.

"Well, being as tomorrow is Wednesday, I suggest you get yourself ready for our first lesson." Snape said matter-of-factly.

"Lesson?"

"Yes, Miss Granger. I intend to teach you the potion before we actually brew it." He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Oh yes...of course...sorry." She checked her watch. "I should probably go now. Just enough time to study and then head off to bed."

"You found the door on the way in, I'm sure you can find it on the way out," Snape said waving a hand toward the entrance.

Hermione stood up and walked toward the door when she realized she had another question.

"Professor..." She began. "How is it that you knew I was standing outside your door earlier?"

"Quite simple, actually. I have security wards to make sure no dunderheaded students try to weasel their way into my office. I could simply see through the door." He waved his wand and she saw the hallway appear through the door. It was quite clever. Perhaps if she hung around him enough he could teach her how to apply that feature to her own door. That could come in handy.

Even with all those thoughts in her said she simply replied with an, "oh" and then turned and walked out the door.

The whole experience was a little unnerving. She had had a conversation with Professor Severus Snape. It was somewhat civil and didn't end in her losing any house points. Was this how working with him three nights a week would be? Or would he be the unbearable bastard he was during class? Hermione hoped for the former, because that is something she could actually bear. She walked hastily through the corridors, ready to be away from the dark, damp dungeons. She was almost to the staircase when she felt a blinding pain streak through her head. Lurching forward, she grabbed the railing on the stairs. Another pain shot through her, this time sending a blinding white light across her vision. She tried to scream, but couldn't find her voice. A final sharp pain sliced through her and she collapsed on the stairs...unconscious.

A/N: I added the white horse in the painting for "the-amazing-color-brown" in response to your review.

Keep the reviews coming! They are what motivate me to keep writing! Thanks for you support so far:)

To view the painting of the girl hanging on Snape's wall, visit:
www. johnwilliamwaterhouse . com / paintings / painting1413.aspx (remove the spaces)
Circe (The Sorceress)
Painting Date: 1911
Location: Peter Nahum At The Leicester Galleries, London, England