AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!

He would never say it aloud, but Ms. Granger was an adequate researcher. Her notes were better organized and more insightful than those of the many academics he'd been forced to endure. Perhaps there were worse things than working with this insufferable Gryffindor, not that she ever needed to know that.

Severus leaned back in his-and it would always be his-silver chair. He held the final scroll of Hermione's notes in his hands. Each line was better than the last. It was almost a shame she'd never hear those words from his mouth...almost.

"I was thinking Hippogriff fur could prove useful for eliminating the bacteria in scarlet fever," Hermione sat across from in him in a padded red chair she'd brought from her room. "Granted, it would need to be mixed with other ingredients."

"Do you have any ideas what could be useful?"

"I was thinking something along the lines of lacewing flies."

"I am not convinced those would be useful." He lowered the scroll.

"Why, because you didn't think of it?"

"No, because there are lacewing flies in the muggle world."

"So?"

"Muggles have found no medicinal purpose has been found for them. That can be a clue that they may not have innate healing properties."

"Perhaps, but they haven't been mixed with other magical ingredients though," she said.

"Yes, but usually if a potions ingredient has a use, a muggle fold remedy will involve it. As an example, look at the main ingredient for Wolfsbane. Aconite is used to treat anxiety," he began.

"Meaning magical beings already had an inkling that it could contain medicinal properties before they began researching its more magical uses."

"Exactly."

"But if we could find a novel use for lacewing fly wings…"

"We would need to run a deeper analysis of their magical properties."

"Could we do that?" She asked.

"Only if you want to spend the next six months applying for grants to one of the higher end research universities where they have the proper equipment to do so." He frowned.

"It might be hard to do that and teach."

"Exactly."

She let out a soft sigh.

"It doubtful they'd be helpful in any way." Severus set the scroll onto the table. "They prefer fund the projects which, in their minds, was their idea."

"And if it isn't their idea?"

"Then the grant money goes to someone who can cater to their idea," he replied. "It's just another way in which people are more interested in themselves than in helping others."

"So you have about as high an opinion of academics as you do of everyone else."

"I was wondering when you would catch onto the fact that my opinion of most people is low."

"What would someone have to do to to curry your favor?"

"More than you are capable of doing."

"If I knew what would curry your favor, I could try it," she replied.

"Fine," he answered. "First, you must be silent while I research. Second, you must keep your half-kneazle under control and out of my dungeons."

"I didn't think Crookshanks had been in your dungeons recently."

"He has not, but I am still picking orange fur off my floor from when he did invade my privacy." His frown deepened.

"You could always use a broom to sweep your floor. I'm sure it would be all gone if you did so."

"I tried sweeping, yet somehow fur remained. I almost wonder how you manage to live with such a furry beast."

"There are some great spells I've found to clean up fur. Lint rollers are helpful as well…"

"I said I 'almost wonder,' not that I actually did," he snapped.

"And here I thought you laid awake staring at the ceiling well into the morning hours wondering how I keep my quarters so clean."

"I would imagine whatever your method is does not involve house elves," he said.

"You know me well." She gave him a half grin.

"You must believe the elves appreciate having one less room to clean."

"I know they do."

"How?" Severus raised an eyebrow.

"The house elves are living beings. They deserve far more respect than they receive, and deserve their freedom. I plan to give them both while I'm here, at least insomuch as I am able."

"And if they do not want their freedom?"

"Then they deserve a living wage with the possibility of receiving a raise."

"I suppose you will then demand not only that they receive payment, but that they be allowed to unionize." He fought to keep from groaning.

"They should be allowed to form unions."

"I suppose you will be their organizer." He rolled his eyes.

"If I must be, yes."

"Good luck explaining to them what a union is," he grumbled.

"It should be easy enough to explain unions. I'll just use examples from history to demonstrate them."

"Which will all be muggle."

"Don't wizards have unions?"

"Why would the wizards have unions when purebloods are running society and desire nothing more than for troublesome muggle ideas to remain outside of Wizarding society?" Severus asked.

"I suppose I'll need to teach all about unions in my class then."

"Oh yes, teach the students for the purposes of unionizing the elves and reviving the Ministry of Magic Workers Union. That will make you the most popular person in Britain."

"I care more about doing what is right than what is popular."

"Which is what makes you an obnoxiously optimistic Gryffindor."

"Your refusal to consider any solution to societal problems is what makes you a cynical, grumpy Slytherin."

"And here I thought you didn't know me." He smirked.

"I know you better than I thought I wanted to."

"What does that mean?"

"It means when I was initially hired I wanted nothing to do with you."

"A sentiment I wish you still held dear to your heart."

"But getting to know you has been pleasant."

"Are you trying to tell me you are a masochist who enjoys getting insulted on an almost daily basis?" He asked.

"I'm trying to tell you that we make a good team, and I think we should expand our partnership," she answered.

"What partnership? We study with each other and share ideas."

"Which is a partnership."

She had him on a technicality there, not that he'd ever grant that point aloud.

"We could help each other with our classes too," she continued.

"How could someone who annoys me to no end ever prove helpful to my teaching career?"

"To begin with, if we find new cures, you can teach them. That's what would be in it for you."

He couldn't argue with her there.

"As for how you can help me, you know how muggles use certain magical ingredients in herbal medicines, and you know where the muggle studies program is lacking."

"The list of where it's succeeding would be far shorter than how it is lacking."

"I haven't even started, yet you already consider me a failure?"

"No, but as you pointed out, I do know how the program has been run," he answered. "Most of the class is spent discussing aspects of muggle life such as electricity and gadgets which may or may not be used on a daily basis. The last professor spent a week and a half on how to use a blender, a device I do not know how to use."

"Perhaps you should have paid more attention to that unit."

"I don't know how to use it because I've never needed to learn how to use it," he argued. "I have no desire for a fruit smoothie or homemade yogurt or whatever puree muggles make with them."

"I never could use one either."

"So why was a week and a half dedicated to something two people who have spent the better part of their lives in the muggle world never use?"

"Put that way, I can understand why you look down on the course," she admitted.

"There is also the fact that Muggle Studies receives very little attention. We had two wars over pureblood supremacy, yet Muggle Studies is only an elective, and the lesson plans are useless."

"Then how would you teach it?"

"Are you saying I am being too arrogant by pointing out the flaws in the curriculum so I should do it better?"

"No, I am asking you an honest question on how you would teach the course."

"I refuse to do your job for you. You can figure out how to teach it on your own time, not when I'm trying to research."

"I mean it," the playfulness was gone from her eyes. "How would you teach Muggle Studies given all the problems you see with how it's currently taught?"

Severus twisted his lower lip.

"Like it or not, you're one of the few people on staff who has been raised by muggles. Some insight is appreciated."

"Fine." He exhaled. "I would treat muggle society as a culture, not a series of gadgets. Not only would I go into how electricity works, but how it makes certain aspects of life easier, such as not needing to be attached to a wand or a fire hazard come nightfall."

She nodded.

"Because there was a war where muggles were seen as inferior, I would admit that some aspects of muggle culture are more convenient. Like it or not, we can't match every muggle invention. I do not understand how to use a computer, but it's clear that muggles are more capable of disseminating information through them than wizards are. If you brought up this aspect, it may inspire someone to come up with such an idea, or at least give them an appreciation of muggle culture," he continued. "Then, I would go more in depth with aspects such as music and novels, but I would make sure the information was updated. It frustrated me to no end when my professor would drone on about Wagner, but ignore artists current in my day, such as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons."

"I never took you for a Frankie Valli fan."

"It's a secret of mine I intended to take to the grave," he scowled. "At least until some bushy haired know-it-all asked me a question which I was all too willing to answer with the worst example possible."

"If it makes you feel better, my mum played him all the time," she replied. "We used to dance to him when I'd get home from school."

"I did not dance to him, but I did enjoy the occasional song. Yet, I digress," he said. "Obviously I would need to show how they actually play music. The last professor used a vinyl record player."

"I've never used a vinyl record."

"Yet wizards believe that's how muggles listen to music."

She bit her lower lip.

"I would update the curriculum and teach things as a culture. That is how I would teach Muggle Studies."

"I would only add discussing the medical aspects of muggle society. I'm beginning to find them quite fascinating," she said.

"As am I."

"Thank you for the advice," a smile tugged at her lips. "I will take it to heart."

"I only helped you because you would not stop pestering me until I gave you an answer." His dour expression returned.

"Sure." Severus didn't know whether he found her smile obnoxious, or sweet.

"Let's resume our research before you ask me to draw up your lesson plans while you organize a house elf union," he replied.

"But both activities sound so enjoyable."

"Research is far more enjoyable to me." He picked up a book from the top of the pile between them.

"Thankfully, I enjoy that activity too."

Together, they researched, each finding an odd sort of comfort in the other's presence.