AN: Thanks so much for putting this on alert, favoriting, reading, and of course, reviewing! I appreciate all the support! Thanks also to Heartmom88 and Marianne Le Ley for all their help!

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Hermione's eyes were bright with anticipation. She scrutinised every movement, no matter how minute, searching for signs of approval. Unsurprisingly, he gave little indication of his thoughts until he set the parchment down and pronounced it: "Adequate. Quite."

"Does that mean you approve?" Hermione asked.

"It accomplishes what we set out to do," Snape drawled.

"Headmaster," Harry interjected. "If it falls short in some way, please say so. We can fix it."

Snape fiddled with the parchment and scanned the contents once more. Hermione bit her lip as he lowered the manuscript. "You may publish this as is. It says exactly what it needs to say, and the sentence structure… exceeds expectations."

"We spent two hours on just that," Hermione beamed with pride.

Harry exhaled, rolling his eyes. "It was almost as bad as taking instruction from you, Headmaster."

Snape smirked. "Then there may yet be hope for Miss Granger's future in education."

Hermione chuckled as Snape handed the parchment back to Harry. "I didn't use quite as much red ink as you used to…."

"Give it time..."

"Please don't encourage her." Harry glanced down at his watch. "If I hurry now I can turn this in to the Daily Prophet in time for it to be published in tomorrow's morning edition."

Hermione turned to Snape. "Is that too soon?"

"The sooner we put this issue to rest, the better."

"It's settled, then," Harry replied as he stood up from his chair. He looked at Hermione. "Are you coming with me?"

"I'd like to speak with Headmaster Snape a little while longer, if he's up to it."

"You have fifteen minutes before visiting hours end," Snape replied.

"Very well," Harry answered. "I shall leave you to it. Goodbye, Headmaster… Hermione."

"See you tomorrow, Harry."

"Potter."

Harry strolled out the door, leaving the two alone. "Headmistress McGonagall asked me to give you these," Hermione began as she pulled two items out of her pocket. Slowly, she enlarged them until they reached their normal size.

"So Minerva remembered," Snape murmured, accepting the books from her hands.

As he thumbed through the pages, Hermione continued, "I honestly found it odd that you would request those particular books. I know there isn't much to read here but…."

"But what, Granger?" he asked. "Do you consider classical literature beyond my grasp?"

"No. I was just surprised you had a taste for it."

Snape looked up from the books and frowned. "Homer's work is different from most literature. Very few people write well enough to have their work remembered two hundred years after they are published, let alone over two thousand years later. For this transcendence alone, he warrants respect."

"I was not suggesting that he was unworthy of respect …"

"Perhaps you were surprised that I would read something written by a Muggle."

Her uncomfortable silence confirmed his suspicion. "I can see how you might think that of me," he continued. "For a time I did turn my back on the Muggle world. When it became clear, though, that the Wizarding World was no better, I decided to revisit some of the Muggle culture I'd abandoned. Literature, and by extension Homer, was part of that."

"I've only ever read the Odyssey," Hermione answered. "I was fascinated by the part where Odysseus descended into the underworld."

"An odd interest for one so young..."

"I know, but I think death must have been weighing on my mind at the time. I read it the summer after Cedric died… It… it just resonated with me."

Hermione bowed her head to blink back tears. Snape averted his eyes, adjusting the pillow behind him. After a long pause he answered, "It was all the gods."

"Come again?"

"The entire war was a ploy by the gods to create chaos. The warriors were simply pawns in a grand celestial chess match. In the end, it was all beyond their control."

"Do the gods remind you of Voldemort and Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.

Snape grimaced. "The gods were much kinder than either of them. Their warriors may have been pawns, but they were not sent into battle unaware of the dangers they faced."

Hermione considered the truth of those words.

Snape exhaled and set the books on the bedside table. "Did you really prolong your stay to discuss Homer with me?"

"No," Hermione grinned wryly as her thoughts returned to the present. "Although you are one of the few wizards capable of such a conversation."

"Plenty of wizards can discuss Homer. It's just that none of them happens to live at the Burrow," Snape replied.

Hermione blushed. "Ron isn't completely uncultured."

Snape observed her carefully before shaking his head. "I never understood what you saw in Weasley."

"I've known him since the beginning. He knows me better than almost anyone else."

"How can he understand you, though, if he cannot comprehend half of what you say?"

Hermione's eyes flickered in anger. "He understands enough. Ron has been a loyal friend… He's the man I love."

"No need to get so defensive, Granger. I couldn't care less who you do or don't… 'love'. The relationship just intrigues me."

"Perhaps you are too easily intrigued," Hermione retorted. "But if you must know, Ron is trying to better himself. He and I are going to an exhibit on Hogwarts history tonight."

"Ah… so that's what the Mediwitches were talking about."

"Would you like me to see if I can take some pictures of it for you?"

"I don't need to see any pictures-I approved half the exhibits last year. But someone representing the school should be there to reassure those in attendance that Hogwarts also has a future, not just a past."

He had a point. "I'm sure Headmistress McGonagall will be there. She'll probably even put in a good word for you. She is resigning tomorrow, you know."

"So she told me."

"You will retain her as the Transfiguration professor, won't you?"

"Professor McGonagall is an invaluable asset to the school. I have no intention of releasing her from her teaching duties. Besides, that would rather place a damper on your research project now, wouldn't it?"

"That it would, although that isn't why I asked. Professor McGonagall has been a good mentor to me."

"If it gives you any comfort, she will also resume her duties as the Deputy Headmistress."

"Just like the good old days, eh?"

"Except I'll no longer be serving two masters… or even one."

Hermione flashed him a smile. "It's about time."