AN: I do not own the Harry Potter universe. I am simply borrowing it for a fic. Enjoy!

Chapter 9

Hermione had been unsure of what to do after the lessons had ended. Getting changed out of the clothes she was in, (they had gotten a bit stained), she decided to take a walk.

As Hermione walked she remembered how beautiful the grounds were. She couldn't help but smile as memories of her, Ron and Harry filled her brain. She closed her eyes an- "OUCH!"

"Oh! Sorry, sorry!" Said a rushed looking man, picking her up of the ground.

"Neville!" She squealed. He gasped as he recognised her.

"Hermione! It's been so long since I've seen you!" He paused as his brows furrowed, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm being Professor Snape's assistant." She said, trying to sound upbeat about it. Neville winced. Had he not gotten over his fear of the professor? They were colleagues now!

"Must be a nightmare," he said, chuckling. "How long have you been here?"

"It isn't as bad as you'd think it'd be. And I've only been here since last night. I didn't see you at breakfast?"

"Oh, I was eating with Hagrid. He wanted a quiet morning after dealing with Blast-Ended Screwts all night."

Hermione chuckled, "He hasn't changed a bit has he?"

"Not one bit."

Hermione grinned, "Where were you rushing off to?"

"Poppy needed an emergency batch of Skele-Gro that she left in the greenhouse."

"Poppy?"

"Oh, Madame Pomfrey," Neville's eyes looked deep in thought for a moment, "I forgot that you're not on a first name basis."

"I know, you seem so comfortable in this job. It's like you've been here forever."

"It seems strange to think five years ago we were students." They both fell silent, each lost to their own respective memories. "Well," Neville said, snapping out of it, "I'd best not keep Popp- Madame Pomfrey waiting."

"Bye!" She called after his fast retreating back.


Severus had finally been pushed to his limit. "What are you talking about Sybill?!" He yelled. The deranged old bat had barged into his office, howling about tea leaves and bad omens and was currently in hysterics about the stars. The bloody stars.

"What's all the ruckus abou-" Exclaimed Filius, ducking just in time as Trelawney threw a stool across the room.

"Silencio." Growled Snape. The room went silent save for Flitwick's heavy breathing and Trelawney's flapping robes. "Immobulus, Filius could you take her to her chambers and give her a calming draught while I clean up this mess?" The charms professor nodded and swiftly went into action. After he left, Snape looked at his office. The papers he was marking before the disruption were all over his floor with splinters of wood scattered on them. The stool the distressed witch had thrown, had multiple scratches and was missing a leg. Severus bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself screaming in frustration and focused on happier times. Once he summoned his patronus he sent it to Hermione summoning her to his office. Watching as the panther clambered out of his office he thought, she was his assistant; she could clean up this mess.