A/N: I do not own harry potter (obviously). This is my first Snamione story so please don't judge too harshly. I will try to post at least twice weekly. I am really busy at my job but I will do my best.

Ron is kind of a jerk in my story. It is purely for plot development. I have nothing against Ron, but I needed him to be kinda rude and a jerk for the development of the story. Enjoy!

Hermione was just finishing her breakfast when the owl post arrived. An owl she didn't recognize dropped a letter in her lap. She picked up and examined the writing on the envelope. She recognized that spiky handwriting from years of potions essays. She opened the letter and read the spiky scrawl that read:

Miss Granger,

It is my honor to offer you the position of apprentice to myself, Severus Snape, to allow you complete a mastery in Potions. Employment and housing would be provided by Hogwarts as well unlimited access to the Restricted Section of the library for further research and academics. Should you agree to accept this position, please have a letter of acceptance on my desk by the end the day today. I look forward to your response.

Professor Severus Snape

Hermione was stunned. She hadn't applied for an apprenticeship with Snape because she didn't see him as one to take on an apprentice. Her heart began to pound excitedly. She could finally do what she wanted to do but…what would the boys say? She would be abandoning them for Snape of all people. Sure he had been nice to her since the war because she saved his life and cared for his wellbeing, but the boys would see it as a complete and utter betrayal. She decided to think on it until after her first class of the day which just so happened to be Potions. She could discuss it with the boys on the way. Unfortunately that conversation did not go the way she wanted it to.

"What is with that letter, 'Mione?" Ron said as he snatched it from her hands. His eyes scanned the page. He froze in the middle of the hallway and turned to Hermione. "Snape offered you an apprenticeship? Seriously? How ridiculous is that, Harry? Like you would want to work under the greasy dungeon bat." Ron laughed.

Hermione yanked the letter back. "You'll be interested know that I'm considering accepting it. You both know that I want to work in potions. Professor Snape has offered me the apprenticeship when others wouldn't which is amazing."

Ron put his arm around her shoulder. "Listen, Mione, there is probably a reason that others didn't accept you. My guess is that you are rubbish at potions like the rest of us. So, seriously, just join us at the Ministry. You're better off that way."

Hermione pulled away angrily. "How dare you, Ronald! I thought we were friends! That's awful thing to say!"

"Look, Hermione, I'm being a friend and giving you the truth." Ron said defensively.

"I think you should accept it." Harry said. "You've done so much for us, Hermione. You deserve to do what makes you happy."

Hermione smiled at Harry but couldn't say anything because Ron cut her off. "But, Harry, this is Snape we are talking about! He was horrible to you! You would let our friend make the worst decision of her life!"

Hermione blew up at him. "Stop talking as if I'm not standing right here! I will not be speaking with you until you change your attitude!" She stormed off towards the Potions classroom.

Snape heard the door to his classroom slam shut from his office. If he had not been trained as a spy to expect everything then he would have said the sound startled him. The sound was followed by the sound of books slamming on a desk and the familiar feminine shriek of frustration he had heard from the same bushy-haired girl for the last seven years. She must have told them. He cautiously approached the door to his office. She thought she was alone, and he didn't want to scare her. He listened to her rant to herself as she prepared her work area for the coming class. "You would think after fighting a war together, Ronald would be more supportive of me but no, he has to be an arse and act like I am betraying him! Arrgh he makes me so angry! I'm supporting his decision to be an Auror even though I think he's better off somewhere else, but would I tell him that? No! Because I am a good friend who supports my friends in their endeavors." She slammed a glass vial on the table hard enough for it to shatter. That pulled her from her ranting. She squeaked when she saw the piece of glass in her palm. This was also enough to bring Snape from his spot by the door of his office.

"Tsk, Miss Granger. The tools of a potioneer should really be treated with more respect. I would thin you of all people would know that." He smirked at the blush on her face. A mumbled 'sorry, Sir' had him continuing. "If you are going to be a potions mistress then you need to show proper care to all ingredients and tools. You must also not let your emotions effect your quality of work." He began to examine her hand to assess the damage. He turned to the drawer of his desk and pulled out a medical kit. Once he had returned to where the Gryffindor sat he picked up her hand and removed the piece of glass. He tried to ignore the smoothness of her hand or the jolt of electricity that passed through his skin where it met hers. He began cleaning and dressing the wound while trying to ignore the hitched breath of the girl in front of him. He cleared his throat. "In the future, Miss Granger, please be more careful."

"Professor, why did you offer me that apprenticeship? Everyone knows you are not a people person, so why would you offer to be around me almost 24/7? I'm bound to annoy you and make you angry. I do so easily in class and that's only 2 hours a day. I don't want you to feel like you have to do this because I saved your life. No thanks are necessary and I would hate to make you miserable for four years because you did this out of a sense of duty."

Snape was blown away by her consideration for him. She didn't want to annoy or anger him? She really had no idea that none of that was real? Did she really not understand that he respected her intelligence and would deem it an honor to refine her skills? "Miss Granger, understand that I did not ask you out of any form of obligation. Anyone with eyes can see that you are a protégé when it comes to potions. Any Master would be a fool to give you up."

Hermione teared up a little at the memory of what Ron had said. "But, Professor, Ronald said that I hadn't been accepted by anyone I applied to because I'm rubbish at potions. I would hate for you to stake your reputation on me and then be disappointed."

Snape looked at her incredulously. "Miss Granger, you truly believe that you are rubbish at potions? Those Masters are fools for turning down someone as skilled as you. For once in your life you need to make a decision for yourself and ignore what those dunderhead friends of yours say. You are an adult so make an adult decision." He stood and looked at her. "Think about that." With a flourish of his robes, he walked up to the front of the room before the rest of the class started to pour into the room. He noticed that the moronic twosome sat on the opposite side of the room. Even more surprising was the fact that Draco Malfoy chose to sit next to Miss Granger. Sure they had made amends after the war, but Draco was normally nowhere near the Trio. He would have to talk to his godson about this development. Once the last student sat down, he cleared everything else from his mind and began to teach.

Hermione took extensive notes as usual, but whenever she had a spare moment she began making a list of reasons she should and should not accept the apprenticeship. So far the list of shoulds was longer than the shouldn'ts. She began to think about her future and what Snape had said. She became so distracted that a jab in the arm by Draco's elbow was needed to pull her from her daydreams in time to answer Snape's question. Once the professor moved on, Draco leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Granger, meet me during your free period after this. I need to talk to you." This was strange to Hermione, but she decided there was no harm in it. She and Draco had become civil to each other since the war ended. He was still disliked by Harry and Ron, but she understood that Draco was raised that way and coerced by his family to do some of the things he did. The fact that he had defected was enough for Hermione to forgive him. The rest of class went by in a blur, and finally the class was dismissed. Draco led her to the room of requirement.

"Draco, what is this about?" Hermione asked. "And why are we here?"

"Wouldn't want Potter and Weasley to yell at you for talking to a Slytherin now would we?" Draco smirked. "They are quite protective of you. Which is quite unnecessary. You have a killer right hook if I remember correctly." They both laughed at the memory. "I asked you here to tell you that I think you should accept Snape's apprenticeship." He held up a hand before Hermione could say anything. "I heard Weasley's outburst. Everyone knows you are the brightest witch of our age. You would be stupid not to take it. More than that, Uncle Sev doesn't do anything like this without serious thought and dedication. I assure you he has thought through every possible scenario that could come of this. This would not be something he takes lightly. Besides, it would be good for him to have something good to do after all the horrible things he had to do for years."

Hermione contemplated what he said. "You don't think he would hate me and kick me out in the first week? You know how insufferable I can be." She smirked.

"On the contrary. I think you would be good for him. Once he gets a taste of your sass he'll have to try to compete. I think it would be terribly funny to see. And believe me, I will get to see. I'm the new Charms apprentice."

"That's wonderful, Draco! Maybe we could…I don't know…hang out sometime? If I accept of course." Hermione said shyly.

Draco gave a genuine smile. "I would like that. As an expert on Severus Snape, I would be ideal to rant to about his many endearing and non-endearing qualities."

"I shall definitely consider taking his offer then. Thank you, Draco." Hermione turned to leave. She paused once she reached the door. "Uncle Sev?"

"He's my godfather. Don't ever tell him I told you that name. He'd kill me slowly." Draco said with a laugh.

"Ah what a spectacle that would be." Hermione giggled at the look of horror on Draco's face and walked out the door. She had made a decision. It was time to write a letter. She sat in the library with an empty sheet of parchment and her favorite quill. She hesitated before putting quill to parchment and writing.

Professor Snape,

I would be honored to accept your offer for an apprenticeship. I am ready to take control of my life and learn the things I am passionate about. Thank you, Sir, for the offer to do that. I will work to the best of my ability to be the apprentice you believe I can be. Please let me know when I can come discuss this next step with you. Thank you again.

Hermione Granger

Severus Snape looked over the letter of acceptance with a small smile. Miss Hermione Granger was taking control. He only hoped he would be present to see Ronald Weasley put into his place. The boy was sure to raise a fuss when he heard the news. Potter, he was unsure about. He would probably approve of her decision, but he definitely wouldn't say anything during a fight between his two friends. Maybe the by would surprise him. Now, he thought, a meeting with Draco was in order.