The next few days passed in a blur for Hermione. She had never felt happier in her life. She was constantly smiling. She even found her self-staying up late in the Gryffindor common room, chatting to Ginny, and re-acquainting herself with her fellow students. Hermione had managed to catch up on all her work, and then threw herself into her preparations for her N.E.W.Ts.
The few times she saw Severus strengthened her feelings for him. They had not spoken since Christmas, only exchanged a few words of greeting in the corridors, but neither of them could deny themselves a broad smile to the other as they passed.
The day before the new term began Hermione received a letter from Professor McGonagall, requesting a meeting in her office after lunch that day. Hermione knew it was to talk about her apprenticeship with Severus, and was pleased that he had drawn up the papers so quickly. She knew that he wanted this as much as her.
After eating a light lunch, Hermione walked the familiar path towards the Headmistress's office. After whispering the password and the stone gargoyles jumping aside, Hermione climbed the stairs. She placed her hand on the well-worn knob, turned it, and stepped into the circular room.
Hermione was surprised to see that little had changed. She hadn't been in this room since Dumbledore had died, and expected Professor McGonagall to have put her own stamp on the place. It was then she realised that she was stood in front of McGonagall, and hurriedly came to her senses.
"You wished to see me, Professor?" Hermione asked, as she took the seat her headmistress indicted to in front of the desk.
"Yes, I did. Would you care for some tea?" McGonagall replied, wishing to make the situation less formal. After all, they had both been on first name terms at the Order meetings; it was difficult to get back into the formalities.
Hermione took the cup, had a sip, and placed it back on the desk, waiting expectantly for her Headmistress to speak.
"Professor Snape informed me that you wish to take an apprenticeship with him. Is that correct?" She couldn't keep the tone of disappointment from her voice.
"Yes it is, Professor." Hermione replied; a small smile upon her lips, yet her heart was beating hard against her chest at the thought of her loved one.
"May I ask why you decided upon potions? There are so many other subjects you could master"
"I'm sorry, Professor, I know you had hopes of me apprenticing you, but I just feel that potions suit me best. It's the only subject that I can push myself in, I can see my mistakes clearly, and I am challenged to correct myself. Anyone can master a simple spell, but only a few can achieve the perfection that potions require. I wish for perfection in all my work, and taking a potions apprenticeship seems the answer." Hermione finished, pleased that she was able to speak so passionately about her choice of subject.
A thin smile crossed McGonagall's face as she replied to the young Gryffindors words.
"Hermione, dear, I am pleased you feel so passionately about this, but I must warn you. Professor Snape has never taken on an apprentice, it may be difficult for him to get used to having you around." At that, Hermione had to bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing. If only McGonagall knew! " Also, he is a perfectionist himself, and will only accept the best work from you. Though I am confident in your abilities, it will be a difficult task to achieve."
"Has he accepted me as an apprentice then, Professor?" Hermione asked, fairly sure of the answer.
"He has, though grudgingly. As cold as Professor Snape seems, he cannot deny the next generation the knowledge to learn, especially someone like you wishes to seek it."
"How soon may I start?" Hermione asked, barely containing her excitement.
"You won't start the apprenticeship officially until the start of the new school year. Although I know how eager you are, so you may get a head start on your studies, it will only be theory work, no practical. When you start your apprenticeship, you will be no ones student but Professor Snape's, you will be expected to attend your meals at the teachers table, and your chambers will be in the dungeons, nearer to your work. Have you any questions?" McGonagall finished.
"No Professor, not at this time. Thank you so much!" Hermione gushed, stopping her self from jumping up and down in joy.
"I must ask you though, Hermione, to concentrate on your N.E.W.Ts. You won't be able to take your apprenticeship without them," McGonagall said, another smile on her thin lips.
"I'm sure I can manage, thank you Professor." She replied and leaving her cold cup of tea on the desk, turned to exit the room. But, she stopped as she looked at the portrait of Albus Dumbledore. He was sat in his frame, watching her intently, and then with a mischievous grin and a twinkle of his eye he was gone.
Hermione hurriedly made her way back to the Gryffindor common room, a bounce in her step. On her way she saw Severus, he must be heading to see McGonagall, she thought. She allowed herself a small grin, and approached him.
"Good afternoon, Professor," she said in her sweetest voice.
"Afternoon, Miss Granger," he replied tersely, as there were still some students roaming the corridors.
"I've just spoken to the Headmistress, who told me that you accepted my request of an apprenticeship. Thank you, sir," she said, hating that he had to be so cold with her while in public.
"I suggest we meet in a week's time to discuss the finer details of your apprentice," he answered, then, in a whisper. "I'll look forward to it." Then with his customary smirk sliding into place, he left Hermione standing in the middle of the corridor weak kneed and blushing furiously.
When Hermione finally made it back to her common room, she slumped into the nearest chair with a wild grin on her face. Ginny, who was sitting and talking to some fifth year girls, noticed and went over to speak to her.
"Hey, Hermione, what's gotten you in such a good mood?" Ginny asked, unable to keep from smiling herself.
"Oh, Ginny, I've got so much to tell you. Will you come to my room so we can talk?" she said, as she jumped to her feet and headed for the dormitory. Ginny followed slightly confused, but curious none the less.
They settled themselves on Hermione's bed, and Ginny waited patiently for Hermione to begin.
"Ginny, I've applied for an apprentice and been accepted!" She gushed, the grin on her face getting even bigger.
"That's great, Hermione! Who's it with, McGonagall or Flitwick?" Ginny asked, pleased at her friends good fortune.
"Neither! It's with Professor Snape!" Hermione exclaimed, waiting for her friend's reaction.
"What!" cried Ginny in surprise, hardly daring to believe what she had just been told.
"A potions apprenticeship with Professor Snape!" Hermione told her friend again.
"But… why?" Ginny asked with a slight tone of disgust in her voice. Even though Snape had been cleared for being a Death Eater and murdering Dumbledore, Ginny found it hard to see him as anything but the cruel, callous, greasy bat of the dungeons. Like most people, she showed Snape respect, but only because he was a Professor, not a war hero.
Hermione prepared herself for an inevitable argument, and also in case she let her feelings for him slip out.
"Because, I like potions," Hermione said simply, looking straight into Ginny's eyes.
"You like every subject, Hermione. At least if you took an apprenticeship with someone else, you'd enjoy it more. Snape is just going to treat you the same as in his classes, probably worse. I'm surprised he even accepted you." Ginny was getting annoyed at Hermione. How could she be so stupid? "Even though an apprenticeship is about studying, you have to consider the Professor. You'll be spending a lot of time with Snape, and all he'll do is treat you like a piece of rubbish. He won't change."
Hermione had to smile at this, the second time she thought that day how wrong people could be about her Severus.
"Ginny, I understand your concern for me working with Sev… Snape, but I honestly think he won't be that bad. As long as I do the work and follow his instructions, I'm sure we'll manage."
Ginny didn't miss the slip up that Hermione made, even though she recovered quite well. Ginny then realised there was more to Hermione's excitement than the apprenticeship.
"So when do you start your apprenticeship?" Ginny asked a small grin on her face and a twinkle in her eye. She was planning something.
"I'm meeting Severus to discuss it next week," Hermione said without hesitation, then clapped her hand over her mouth as soon as she realised what she'd said. Damn! She knew this would happen, Ginny had a remarkable way of lulling people into a false sense of security, making them say things they didn't mean to say aloud.
"Well, I do hope your meeting with Severus goes to plan," Ginny said, unable to keep from laughing.
"I don't know what you mean," Hermione said indignantly, yet the blush creeping upon her face told Ginny otherwise.
"How can you have a crush on Snape? He's horrible!" Ginny cried, trying to stop laughing.
"Please, Ginny, don't tell anyone. I'll never live it down." Hermione begged. This might be a good thing that Ginny knows. That way, if Hermione started to act strangely around Severus, then she would just think it's because she likes him, not that they are in love.
"Don't worry your secrets safe with me. Just remember though, I don't approve of it. It's okay to have a crush on your Professor, but with Snape? Yurgh!" Ginny stuck her fingers in her mouth pretending to be sick.
Hermione giggled, it had felt good to talk about this to Ginny, even though she didn't know the truth, she knew she would be there to listen.
Both of the girls were now in fits of laughter, and wiping the tears from their eyes, they headed down to the common room to chat with their friends, before making their way to the Great Hall for dinner.
Hey everyone, sorry for the delay in updating, I've been busy with work. But things have quietened down now, so I should be updating regularly.
Please review, I'd love to know what you think of the story so far. Thankyou to all my reviewers, without you I would not be writing this. And huge thanks to my beta L'Vanna for her great work.
The characters belong to J.K.Rowling, the plot is mine.