{Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Universe was created by J.K. Rowling and rights are owned by, but not limited to Warner Brothers and Scholastic Books. I, therefore, own no parts of this.}
Chapter 12
Mediation
The sun was almost setting as they entered the Forbidden Forest from the secret cavern behind the waterfall. "If we hurry, we can still manage to harvest the mulberry leaves so we can start the potion tonight," Severus decided.
Hermione gave her newly acquired hyacinths a grateful sniff. They smelled heavenly. She knew he hadn't chosen them on his own and that Helga had most likely talked him into giving her flowers, but she appreciated them nonetheless. It was a sweet gesture, she would give him that much.
It seemed to her that her ex-professor was actually a human being. Sure, he had being difficult for the past few days, but once they started to get used to each other, everything would function a bit more smoothly. She smiled to herself remembering the times in the Gryffindor common room when they had discussed if Snape was a vampire or not. It seemed the answer to that question was a negative. She followed down the path, lost in her own fond memories of Hogwarts.
"Hermione?"
"Hmm?" his voice broke her out of her reverie.
"Did you comprehend anything I just told you?"
"I'm sorry; I was lost in the lovely scenery."
"Silly girl, forcing me to repeat myself," Severus mumbled and then spoke clearly, over-enunciating each word to make certain she understood him. "We will Apparate back to Snape Manor, directly into the garden, where we will harvest the Mulberry leaves. From there, we will prepare them as to the given instructions. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," she retorted. She hated when he spoke to her like a child. It was incredibly demeaning. How is it that he could be perfectly nice one moment and a complete bastard the next? She held the flowers tightly in her fist, wanting to throw them back in his face. She wished she had a chance to do so, but naturally, she had to get along with him just because of the potion. If it weren't for Hogwarts, he would have been slapped across his abnormally large nose many more times.
"Do you know enough of my gardens to Apparate safely?"
Hermione thought for a moment. "I've only been there once and it was later at night, so I didn't get that decent of a look at the entire location. I could always try though."
"No, don't bother. It would be easier if you didn't ruin our chances of starting the potion tonight by splinching yourself."
She glared at him, but Snape did not notice; he was too deep in contemplation of the potion. How could he be convinced of her incompetence? What did she have to do in order to gain any respect? "I am a perfectly capable witch, Severus Snape! Just because I am unfamiliar with a location that happens to be on your property does not mean I am incompetent! It's high time you started realizing that this experiment does not revolve solely around you."
Severus glowered back. The little bitch thought she could speak to him like that! He would not and could not allow it. "You may be perfectly capable in the Headmaster's eyes, but you have yet to fully prove yourself in mine."
"All my years as your student did nothing to convince you of my abilities, did they?"
"Despite getting nearly perfect on all the assignments and having almost flawless potions throughout your seven years, there are more things to the art of potion's making than the rudimentary skills I taught you."
"And what about Flamel? My training with him seems to have no affects whatsoever on your high and mighty opinion," her voice was rising to near hysterics. "What in the bloody name of Merlin do I have to do get one iota of your respect?"
"You could stop acting like a spoiled child for starters," he crossed his arms over his chest, unimpressed by her outburst. She was obviously unstable. He had been amused by her tantrum that morning, but this was going over the limit of what he could tolerate.
Hermione's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You have no right to call me that after you've been slinging insults at me every chance you get."
"Maybe if you didn't take everything as personally as you do, we wouldn't have this problem."
"And once again, you blame on me. If that's how you want to play, then fine with me. I'm leaving!" She stalked away down the path, towards Hogwarts.
Severus didn't bother to watch her go. She was being difficult again. Maybe it was simply the certain time of month in which women are known to act inhuman. He wouldn't be surprised if it was. He supposed that she was being the goody-goody Gryffindor that she was and going to complain to Dumbledore about him. Merlin knows how many people have done that before. It seemed they would not start the potion tonight after all.
He then decided that he should at least follow so that his perspective could be heard as well, even though he knew it would not be of much importance. Albus was a Gryffindor and all lions sided together. He gave her a few minutes to arrive first, just to give her the premonition that she outsmarted him. It didn't take much to boost the little Gryffindor's ego.
Snape wandered down the path back towards the castle, whistling tunelessly. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the bunch of blue hyacinths thrown to one side and ground roughly into the dirt with what looked like a boot heel. Why did women have to be so emotional? He could not understand their ability to see all things irrationally. It would make life much easier if she could simply things his level.
The castle was buzzing with life. Students crowded in the halls, intent on finding their way from the classes that were just dismissed. They knew enough to allow the ex-Potion Master a clear path. Getting in his way would cause more trouble than it was worth. Despite that he had retired from teaching a few years before, Professor Snape left a legacy of fear.
No one else was near the gargoyle that patiently stood guard in front of the Head Master's office. "Cream Puffs," Severus hissed at it, hating that Albus always chose sweets as passwords. They were easy for a passerby to guess. The man was incredibly too predictable.
He climbed the stairs keeping his foot steps quiet. He could hear voices coming from the room, one female and one male. "He's impossible! He attempts to be nice and actually cooperate with me, but then he ruins it by reverting back to the obstinate bastard he is."
"Severus is a difficult man, Hermione. He has had a rough life which has only gotten slightly better in recent years."
"That does not mean I should be belittled at every given instance."
"That is his nature. Severus does not take well to working with others. He feels he knows more than everyone else in his field, which is true. There are not too many that know more about Potions than he does."
"It isn't just the potions, sir. He derides everything I do, whether is be a reaction or a habit or even my ability to Apparate."
"I am sorry, my dear girl. You are the only one strong enough to deal with him."
"No," a waver could be heard in her voice. "I cannot deal with him for ten months if I am going to be constantly insulted."
"You are only hope for the female counterpart. You have more potions knowledge than most females. There are few females in the potions field and they are even less compatible than you seem to be with Severus."
"Then tell him that he better start giving me the respect I deserve or you are going to find yourself someone else to make your potion, even if the school is at sake. Normally, I would put my differences aside, but he is too impossible. Good day, Head Master."
The door swung open, almost crushing Severus against the wall. Hermione stalked out, hands balled in tight fists at her sides. She didn't even notice him standing and waiting as she took the stairs two at a time going down. The man was a right bastard.
"You may come in now, Severus," Dumbledore's voice called from the office.
Snape billowed in with his usual flair and sat down gracefully in a squishy red chair. "Well, what has the little twit tried to tell you?"
Albus folded his hands atop of his desk. "Lemon drop?" he offered cheerfully. When Severus declined, he continued in a more serious tone. "The problem is very obvious, my boy. Both you and Hermione are fighting for control of the situation and neither is willing compromise very easily."
"You mean she thinks she is better than she actually is and expects me to relinquish some of leadership role just because she is an insufferable know-it-all."
"That is your problem. You are treating her as a student still while she is most certainly not. She graduated four years ago and spent three of those years under the tutorage of Nicholas Flamel, whom I know for a fact that you think highly of."
"She may have studied under him, but that does nothing for her practical skills."
"She is one of the most brilliant witches to ever pass through these halls."
"Test scores have nothing to do with practical experience."
"I wouldn't be sure of that, my boy."
Severus glared. He hated when Albus did this. Yes, Hermione may have had the highest test scores in the history of Hogwarts and she may have studied under Flamel, but she did not have the finesse that a complex potion such as this one required. "I would have preferred if she had more experience. Four years out of school, even with her test scores and tutelage under Flamel, is not enough. Couldn't you have found an older witch?"
Dumbledore paused, sucking thoughtfully on his lemon drop. "Unfortunately for you, Hermione is the only choice we have, Severus. She knows more about potions than any other witch in England. Not only does she have the highest scores and Flamel's training, but she fought in the Final Battle against Voldemort working as both a warrior witch and a Mediwitch as well as a trained Animagus. She is also a member of the Order, which is important as well. It would not do for Lucius Malfoy or any of his people to know that Hogwarts was failing."
"I see your logic, Head Master, but I still do not like it. She acts like a spoiled brat."
"And from her opinion, you do not act much above that either."
Snape's eyes narrowed. "She doesn't listen to me."
"Why should she? Have you given her any good reason to listen?"
"I was her professor for seven years. That enough should be good reason."
"Yet to her it is not because she feels she deserves a bit better."
"What do you want me to do?" his voice was dangerous sounding, but Albus knew the man would not harm him.
"Give her a chance, Severus. Treat her like an equal. I know the potion has to sit until Midsummer's Eve, since that day imbues it with special powers. Take a few days to get to know her before you start. It might make your work more bearable."
"Fine, I will give her a chance, if only to humor you."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily. "I knew you would see it my way. Now go find her. I have a feeling she might be in the library."
Snape swooshed out of the office in the same way he came in after wishing the meddlesome man a good day. How did he expect him to deal with a troublesome little chit who thought she knew everything? His life was difficult enough without having to play baby-sitter to the girl.
The halls were empty this time with all the students in their respective common rooms. He doubted that many would be in the library at this time of night, just before dinner. He found Hermione where Albus had said she would be: curled up in an over-stuffed armchair, book in hand.
He studied her for a moment, wondering why it was so hard for her to simply obey his orders. She was a Gryffindor, which did account for something. The lions were notorious for not being able to follow simple directions. She was brilliant, he would admit as much. After contemplating that fact for a few minutes, he came to a conclusion that his mind did not like having competition, especially when the competition was female.
"Hermione," he said her name to get her attention.
She didn't look up from her book. "Yes, Severus?" Her voice was cold, nearly making him shiver with its frigidity.
"Albus suggested that we take a few days to get to know each other first before beginning work on the potion."
"And what gave him that brilliant idea?" She finally glanced up, fixing him with an icy glare.
"I believe he figured that instead of having us fighting constantly despite our attempts to work together, that we should work it out for ourselves since there are no others to take our places in creating this potion."
"Right," she placed a bookmark on the page and closed the book. "Where do we begin?"
"If you don't mind too terribly much, I would prefer to get out of the castle while all the students are here. It would not be acceptable for any of them to over us."
"Fine. Did you have any ideas as where we might go? I honestly would prefer neutral ground instead of your manor."
"I know of a decent Italian restaurant nearby if you wouldn't mind Apparating there. It is just outside of Hogsmeade."
"That would be acceptable," she stood up. "Let me put my book back first and then we can go." She raced off to a shelf and quickly found the spot where she had pulled it from. "All done." They walked out of the castle in silence, neither wanting to begin the discussion until they had arrived.
Severus held out his hand toward her. "It is easier if I Apparate for both of us. I am more familiar with the location." She nodded, placing her hand in his. Severus pulled her close, wrapping both arms firmly around her as he Apparated to in front of the restaurant.
Hermione could smell the scent of herbs combined with the slight musk from being in the dungeons on his clothing. Though she didn't want to touch him like that at the moment, he did smell good. At least the man had some redeeming qualities, even if he was a bastard.
Snape could feel her fluffy hair tickle his nose and he caught a whiff of the lavender and vanilla scent he recalled from earlier. She may be difficult to deal with, but she did fit nicely in his arms. He quickly pushed that thought from his mind.
A magically lit neon sign glowed fluctuating colors, giving name to the building. Benito's was well known to the wizarding world and even to the Muggles every so often when they accidentally stumbled upon it. Severus was forced to let go, but did offer the girl an escorting arm to enter the restaurant. Hermione took it reluctantly, allowing him to guide her inside.
{Author's Note: I know this took a long time and I do apologize. Life was giving me hell. First I had my high school graduation on the 26th of June at which I was forced to write a speech and present it. The following day was my party that we had to plan for. On top of this, I just took my road test and passed, so I was freaking out about that for a while until the actual test. And I got a really awesome summer job at the Sterling Renaissance Festival at the Coin Mint booth. I get to wear a costume and talk in a funny accent to complete strangers! Yay!
Stargazer starluver: I figured Hufflepuffs were generally happy people, so Helga should be too. I've also learned I am very good at writing arguments, hence this chapter. I do enjoy my warped sense of humor though.
Reina: Thanks! Unfortunately Graduation means no marching band…sigh
Oracle Phoenix: Thanks!
Yeoldcrazy1: I thought Helga was amusing. You are correct, reviews make me want to write, though sometimes I write for the hell of it. Unfortunately, they are back to open hostility again, but not for long.
Tomzgurl77: Thanks! I liked the ending too.
RebelRikki: The last line was something I worked the entire chapter around…Yes guys can be sweet, but they can also be pains…
Winter Fae: I work very hard on character development. It's something I pride myself in. I hate the one-sided characters that don't act how they should.
Adnarel: Thanks!
Azulkan2: Thanks! I love gardening and plants in general. I have a gorgeous black hollyhock that's in full bloom right now. It makes me happy. It sort of took over the garden though. It started out as this little twisted plant that grew sideways instead of up and now it's over five feet tall and probably equally as wide around with tons of pretty flowers.
Peace, Love, and Crackers, Nataly Ravenlock}
