Chapter 7

Author's notes: I am surprised by myself. When I started this story I intended it to be a short one, with three chapters at the most. I was relieved when Lady Whitehart agreed to continue her beta reading when the story turned out to be much longer. Trickie Woo joined us, and here I am with chapter 7.

Hey, have you noticed the poem in the author's notes of chapter 6? Dear LadyWhitehart, thank you again.

Thank you, Mark Darcy, for your help with prepositions. English punctuation is a hard nut to crack for a German.

Everything was different after Hermione's night at Callanish. Not only had her attitude changed, Severus no longer made her nearly jump. He didn't make snide or overbearing remarks, instead nodded calmly when she presented the results of her work. The ingredients for the Wolfsbane Potion were expensive because of the timing. Each plant had to be harvested and each slug and beetle collected, killed and prepared during a full moon. Hermione had chopped and dried everything, anxious not to waste an ounce. Unlike other potions, the Wolfsbane Potion required spells for drying, heating and cooling. This was one of the many difficulties the brewer was confronted with, but in hindsight, it had been easy for Hermione. While she had added each ingredient after the required time and number of stirs, Severus had stood beside her. She had smelt his eau de toilette and, with effort, had concentrated on the potion again. Finishing the potion, she had finally looked up and, seeing his approving nod, sighed and began to fill a vial.

Severus' demeanour was still a little stiff as if he felt uncomfortable talking to a student on a nearly equal level. Probably he did. He would presumably never like to socialise with other people, but as far as you could say this about a man like Severus Snape, he seemed to enjoy Hermione's presence.

Sometimes, after the usual hours of research, which neither of them seemed to pursue seriously any longer, he even offered tea. The first time had been a little awkward. Severus had poured tea into her cup, their fingers had brushed slightly, and both of them had looked up immediately, both of them aware of each other. She looked at his lips and wondered how they would feel on hers. She even had the insane impulse to touch his hands once more. Everything was crazy, the whole situation was. Here they were sitting, only days away from her NEWTs, and neither of them could act according to their feelings – at least she hoped that he felt the same.

Hermione hadn't told Severus yet that she would return to Hogwarts as a teacher after her NEWTs. Suddenly, she felt uncertain. Perhaps it had been a mistake to accept the offer of Professor Dumbledore. What if Severus didn't reciprocate her feelings? She would have to face him every day. But then she chastised herself. You've never been a coward. Don't start now.

Hermione felt at ease with the idea of being a teacher. Healers were highly esteemed in contrast to teachers. Like in the Muggle world, teachers were underpaid and were often considered lazybones. Prestige didn't mean anything to Hermione; her desire to become a Healer had emanated solely from her wish to help people. She had always been able to explain things, and she would definitely like this profession.

But why had Severus become a teacher? He liked to be alone rather than in the company of other people, he did not seem to like children, he was impatient and, though she hated to admit it, he was often cruel. Some people liked being a teacher because they liked ordering people around; some people needed the power a teacher had to make up for their inferiority complex. None of these reasons applied to Severus. She would have to ask.

"Professor Snape, may I ask you a personal question?"

Severus raised a quizzical eyebrow, but nodded.

"Why did you become a teacher?"

Severus didn't answer immediately as if still considering to reprimand Hermione for her forwardness, but then answered matter-of-factly, "Professor Dumbledore thought I would make a good teacher. " Then he added self-mockingly, "This proves without any doubt that even our headmaster is not infallible. The students would not collect his chocolate frog cards so eagerly if they knew." The corners of his mouth moved up in a slight smile.

"I don't think Professor Dumbledore was i that /i wrong," Hermione stated, looking into Severus' eyes. "There is no other school for wizardry with the standards in Potions that is comparable to Hogwarts. When I entered this school I thought Potions would be a boring subject and it turned out to be fascinating. You are the most competent teacher I know and you could be the most wonderful teacher if…" she hesitated a moment, "…you were fair and less cruel."

No lightning struck, and Severus seemed to smile even more. This was so i completely /i out of character that Hermione was somewhat nonplussed. In Potions class, she had often been forward and had earned detention many times. She had just accused him of being unfair and cruel and he didn't even chastise her for being rude. i Who are you and what have you done with Severus Snape/i

Hermione knew that Severus had never followed any student with lustful eyes. There'd even been rumours over the years that he was probably gay. The gaze that rested on her now said otherwise.

Most of the time, Hermione was positive that Severus felt exactly like she did; only sometimes a nagging doubt turned up at times. What if it wasn't interest in her but something else that had caused his different behaviour? When Severus and Aurelius had discussed what had happened just seconds before Aurelius had appeared, they had found out that Severus had execrated Harry whereas Aurelius as his conscience had tried to appease him. Was it simply the effort to model himself after Aurelius in order to get rid of him? It seemed unlikely as they got along well together now.

"Miss Granger, has your bravery cost so much of your energy that you feel unable to follow the conversation any longer?"

Embarrassed and her cheeks turning pink, Hermione felt it was best to get out before she disgraced herself completely. With a weak apology, she rose and left.

After Hermione had left, Severus sat smiling in his easy chair for a long while. He had talked to her, had joked with her and he'd felt nearly at ease. Of course, he had noticed Hermione's surprise about his changed behaviour and also her gaze lingering on his lips. At that moment, he had felt a lump in his throat. He couldn't remember when a decent woman had wanted to kiss him. Three days hence, and she wouldn't be his student any longer, three days hence, he could tell her…

No student any longer! In the pocket of her robes, Hermione kept the scroll she had received at the Ministry. In hindsight, everything had been a piece of cake. Maybe, it was the work with Severus during the last months, which had given her more confidence than she had already possessed. If she was up to i his /i standards, the NEWTs at the Ministry was easy.

Hermione looked at the castle where she had been a student for six years. In a few months, she would return once more as an assistant teacher. But for now, something else was more important. She headed for her room.

Many people underestimated Hermione and considered her a mere bookworm; they'd simply not understood that the knowledge she found in books, were basics for things she wanted to do in future. Hermione had experimented and when had invented her first new spell, her friends had not believed her but thought, she'd read it somewhere. Thenceforward Hermione had not told anyone about her efforts, and she was glad that no one knew about the special spell she was about to use. She had linked invisible ink to a love spell. The connection to a special person was a hair like in Polyjuice. Severus loved books, and a book would be the means by which Hermione would find out whether Severus harboured feelings for her.

She had been glad to find this rarity it in a little book shop in Hogsmeade. The leather cover was worn and damaged, some pages wrinkled and stained due to water spotting, but this was insignificant. Obviously, the shop owner had not known what treasure he had sold her. Few people would have. The book was about ninety years old, the author probably only known by Potions addicts like Severus. Even, if it turned out that he didn't reciprocate her feelings, he had deserved this rarity for all he had done for her. Without him, she would have never developed this love for Potions. His trust in her abilities to brew the Wolfsbane Potion had moved her beyond words.

But what she really hoped was that he would be able to read the few lines she would write in the book just beneath the dedication. If Severus felt nothing for her, he would only read the dedication in which she thanked him for his tutoring, but these additional lines were not visible for anybody, not even for him, unless… Her hands were shaking a little while she was writing into the book:

Dear Severus!

If you are able to read this, I will be very happy. It will be proof that my feelings are not one-sided. I will explain everything. Please meet me in the Room of Requirement at 10 pm.

Hermione

She sealed the addendum with her spell and it vanished before her eyes. Hermione wrapped the book and walked towards Severus' office. She knocked on the heavy oaken door, and after a short moment, Aurelius opened and let her in. He gave Hermione a friendly smile. "I take it that you have been successful," he said. "How many Outstandings did you manage?"

Though being a tad nervous, Hermione beamed at Aurelius. Yes, she had been very successful. Matching Severus' grades was something of which she could be proud. Until she accomplished that feat, Severus had been the most accomplished alumnus of Hogwarts. She handed Aurelius the scroll she had received from the Minister himself. Aurelius cocked an eyebrow approvingly. Noticing her searching gaze, he added, "Well, you will have to show your certificate to Severus when he returns. He was called away some minutes ago. Two students of his house seem to have hexed each other. Just sit down."

Hermione hesitated. Maybe she should just leave the book here. Perhaps she'd only had an overactive imagination and Severus did not feel anything for her. "Professor Aurelius, I wanted to leave this gift for Professor Snape. Would you be so kind to give it to him as soon as he comes back? I have to hurry because I am planning a little celebration with my friends in Hogsmeade. I'll be back tomorrow to thank Professor Snape personally before I leave."

Aurelius was shocked. He had been so certain that Hermione harboured feelings for Severus, but he seemed to have been wrong. "Of course," he said slowly. "I'll give it to him." With a polite smile that did not reach his eyes he took the book and saw her off.

Hermione didn't notice anything. She hurried to the Great Hall just in time for dinner to spread the good news and to invite them her celebration. Instead of the big party she had originally planned, it would be a small one. The events with Harry, or rather the reaction of her classmates, had been an eye opener. Some days after Harry, Ron had also apologised, but up to now, Hermione did not know whether he meant business or not. As for the others - why should she invite all these people who had shown very clearly that they were not interested in her in the least? So a small party, consisting of Harry, Ron, Neville and Ginny, met at The Three Broomsticks. Although she laughed with her friends and talked about an intended vacation, Hermione was distracted. Had Severus returned to the office by now, had he unpacked the book, had he read the dedication, had he…?

"Earth to Hermione, earth to Hermione, are you there?" Harry teased when Ron, Neville and Ginny had left the table for a round of Wizard's Darts.

"Sorry, Harry, I just thought about tomorrow. I will have to pack my things and return to my parents. Everything will be different from now on."

"When will we see you again?" Harry asked, his voice different now, his green eyes intense. Hermione understood what he really meant. i When will I see you again/i

"Harry, I'll be back in a few months, but please do understand…" Then she bit her lip. "Don't make fun of me and please don't tell the others class mates, but I have changed my plans. I will come back as an assistant teacher. I'll take some extra courses and I'll be back after the summer break. Harry, I have to go in a few minutes, but I'll send an owl as soon as possible."

Half an hour later, Hermione finally managed to leave. Ron, Ginny and Neville had been more than surprised about Hermione's new plans. She left after a lot of laughter and teasing. Hermione smiled. The jokes about teachers were nearly the same as those in the Muggle world. Hermione hurried back. She changed and then headed towards the Room of Requirement.

The quarrel between the two students was easily settled, and Severus walked back to his quarters. When he entered, he found Aurelius already waiting for him and immediately sensed that something was wrong.

"Miss Granger was here in your absence," Aurelius said lowly. "But it seems that we were both wrong. She brought a gift for you and will thank you personally tomorrow before leaving. That's what she said at least. " He took the small package from the desk in order to hand it to Severus.

Severus' heart sank. He should have known; why would a young woman like her be interested in him? She'd probably bought a book and written a few polite words. Severus turned his back to Aurelius. "Please unwrap the parcel for me."

Aurelius removed the paper, examining the gift. "It's an old Potions book; in fact it is a very..."

"It doesn't matter. Open it! I take it that there is a dedication," Severus' cold voice cut in.

Aurelius opened the book and harrumphed. "Yes, there is. I am sorry, but besides a dedication addressing you as "Dear Professor Snape" and thanking you for your willingness to supervise her, there is nothing else." Aurelius drew his wand and tapped the book, but he already knew that he wouldn't find anything.

"Put the book on the shelf and then leave me alone, if you please," Severus said without looking in Aurelius' direction.

Aurelius left the room silently, for once at a loss for words.

Had she been wrong? Her watch indicated a quarter past ten and Severus had not turned up. Still she hoped. What if Aurelius had not been able to hand him the book yet? Hermione waited until eleven o'clock and finally headed back to her room. Unless something unexpected had happened she had to face the fact that Severus' behaviour had had nothing to do with real feelings for her.

A restless night left Hermione tired and worn. She was not hungry and only packed her things, then headed towards Severus' office. Aurelius opened the door.

"You wanted to see Professor Snape?" he asked.

Hermione nodded.

"I'm afraid he's out," Aurelius replied. He didn't explain or invite her in, leaving her standing in front of the door.

Hermione was confused. Aurelius was friendly enough, but something was amiss. He had always been cordial, but today… "Uhm, I am leaving now and …Have you given him the book?"

"He told me to thank you for the book and the dedication and to wish you the best for your future career," Aurelius answered. Of course, Severus had said nothing of that sort; of course, Severus was not out either, but was sitting in the same easy chair in which he had most probably spent the night. But why bother telling her? Hermione Granger was not responsible for Severus' and his own false assumptions, and Severus would probably breathe fire and brimstone to hide his hurt if he faced her right now.

Hermione nodded slowly. "I, uhm, please thank him in my name again, Professor Aurelius. Thank you for your kindness too."

Aurelius watched her leaving. Why had she looked so weary? Then he dismissed the thought. She'd probably partied too hard with her friends.

When Aurelius closed the door and turned around, Severus rose from his easy chair facing Aurelius. "I've come to a decision. It's time to leave Hogwarts and to turn a new page. I will go into research and will open a business for rare potions. I don't see the necessity of sending you back to your world any longer; I would rather like you to come with me." His voice sounded calm and composed and didn't indicate anything about his inner turmoil.

Aurelius knew that Severus would not want to talk about Hermione Granger, not now, perhaps not ever. He needed a new task, and this was a good one. "Yes, this is a good idea," he replied and nodded in agreement. "I'll let the house elves bring us breakfast to your rooms and we'll talk it over."

Half an hour later, the two wizards were sitting at Severus' desk, writing down what they would need, and calculating the necessary sum to begin a business. "My savings at Gringotts will not suffice," Severus said after a while. "We will not need to rent a house since I own an old one at Spinner's End; but we'll have to buy a whole new stock of ingredients at once and I'll have to sell some of my artefacts and some of my books."

Some of the specimens floating around in the jars were Severus' property. Severus fetched a little wooden box from his cupboard and opened it. His mother had willed him some heirlooms, most of them of Celtic origin, nothing he was attached to, and since he would never marry and have offspring, nothing he would keep. Some of them were rather valuable and would bring good money.

Aurelius got up and rummaged through the shelves. "There are some valuable books, which you won't need that much. It's Czynki's Guide Through Potions; there is also a double exemplar of Healing Potions by Magnanimus Green and another…" He held several copies out to Severus who nodded. Aurelius fetched a large box and piled the books, jars and box of heirlooms in it. "Okay, that will do," he said and was about to close the box when Severus handed another book to him. Aurelius looked up. "But that's…"

"Yes, I know. That's the book that Miss Granger gave me. But I don't want to be reminded of my foolishness. Sell it," Severus answered, his voice thick.

Aurelius sighed. He did not approve, but he could understand that Severus wanted to get rid of the book.

The next morning, Severus gave Albus Dumbledore notice that he would leave Hogwarts at the end of the school year. Dumbledore eyed him warily. He knew there was more to Severus' notice of termination than the plans to open a business, but he also knew that it was futile to ask him.

The last months of the school year were hell for the students. Even those who had thought they had experienced Severus at his worst were soon proven wrong. Obviously, the short time when he had been nearly fair was over. Aurelius did not seem to be able to influence him any longer. Gryffindor lost more points than ever in the history of Hogwarts, and even the generosity of the other teachers could not make up for it. Everybody breathed a sigh of relief when Aurelius and Severus finally packed their things and left.

Two weeks later, a little ad was published in the Daily Prophet :

SNAPE & SNAPE Potions Ltd., fine and rare potions, order by owl onlyi