A/N: You know me, if I can't get it out of my head, I have to post. Not sure where this will go. But I'm hoping writing again will help with this blockage on my other stories. Or maybe I've lost my touch…..

"How can you be so chipper?" A hungover Harry Potter grumbled as he rested his head on the cool kitchen island countertop.

The curly haired witch smirked and set a deep blue vial down on the counter, along with a fresh cup of coffee. "Here, I figured that you could use this. There's more in the bathroom cabinet for the others," she added, bringing her own cup to her lips and taking a sip. "As for my "chipper" attitude, I'm looking forward to my interview today," Hermione informed.

It was then that Harry seemed to open his eyes fully as he lifted his head from the counter. Blearily he seems to take in her neat bun, olive suit dress and pearl accessories. She looked quite polished. Quickly, he downed the hangover tonic, sighing as he did so. "Thank Merlin, you're a godsend. And wow, an interview so soon after graduation? Although I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. You're almost as ambitious as a Slytherin."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "If you describe dedication to one's goals and a fervent interest to make a difference in the world as ambitious then yes, consider me guilty as charged. Besides, you don't seem to have much problems with Slytherins nowadays…." This part was said with a grin which widened as Harry's cheeks reddened. On cue, a pale blond sporting disheveled hair, with a bare chiseled chest and silk, monogrammed pajama pants shuffled into the kitchen.

"Morning Granger, please tell me there's more of that," the privileged, posh tones of Draco Malfoy greeted as he pointed to the now empty vial on the counter.

"Yes of course," she answered, flicking her wand silently, and the potion came whizzing out.

He caught it deftly; his quidditch reflexes showing as he gave her a long appraisal. "You clean up nice. I heard you had an interview? What for?"

"A position in the Potions Research and Development department." She answered crisply, bracing herself for his scrutiny. Sure, things between Malfoy and the rest of the gang seemed to have improved; largely due to the relationship between him and Harry, but having been away at school, she had little time with him. She was kind, but she couldn't quite get over the fear of being called a mud blood at any moment. There had always been so much venom in that boy's voice.

But contrary to whatever she had been bracing herself for; Malfoy smiled. "Well, that's right up your alley then. Good luck, not that you'll need it. Potter told us all about your test scores. Those Ministry workers will be fawning all over you no doubt. Best use it to your advantage," he added.

"Spoken like a true Slytherin," Hermione replied, her grin returning. Beside Malfoy she could see Harry chuckling.

"Did you expect anything less?"

—-

"Hold the lift, please!"

The feminine voice made him pause as he reached to hit the button to send him up to the fourth floor of the Ministry building. Normally, he might not have stopped, but a lot of things were different about his morning. Like waking up with Miss Granger in his arms. The incident wasn't exactly anything special. They must have dozed off while sharing that book in the Black library, but it was the odd intimacy of witnessing a sleeping woman on his chest; that's what shook him most. So distractedly, he decided to wait for this woman. He could share a lift just this once. Severus's thoughts were interrupted by the presence of a petite brunette rushing into the small elevator. It was barely enough room for the two of them; hence why he hated sharing, but he was lucky that she was small in stature as well as size. "What floor?"

"Four, and thank you," the stranger breathed, and he might have caught the flash of a smile except her attention was redirected to her slim briefcase which seemed to decide to spontaneously combust. "Oh goodness!" She shrieked delicately and proceeded to bend over and attempt to gather her things.

Now Severus was inclined to help, but the sight of her plump posterior in the form fitting olive skirt halted his actions. Just who was this shapely newcomer? And she had to be new as the fourth floor was a specialty floor and as one of the department heads he would have certainly remembered her. There was special clearance required to access that floor anyway. She had to be either applying for the latest position or was a messenger of some sort. He knew that he would be interviewing a few candidates today, but he never imagined that one of them would look like her. Either way, he was interested in this new development. "Allow me," he drawled smoothly, flicking his wand and instantly setting her briefcase to rights.

The brunette gasped, before giggling and the melodic sound caused Severus to dig into his more chivalrous reserves and offer his hand as well. Dainty, manicured hands slid into his upturned palm and his smile was slowly forming as she looked up. "Thank you, truly, I am just so nervous about my intervie- oh!"

Here, they both paused. Once again, dark honey eyes were staring wide and confused at him and this time his mirrored hers. "Miss Granger?"

"Prof- Snape! I had no idea I'd run into you here! I didn't think you would work for the Ministry…"

"It is not so much for the Ministry; as it is that I'm stationed here," A familiar sneer lighted upon his face as he released her hand and stood back. "I run the potions lab in R&D," he explained. "It is quite autonomous. I chose the projects and the staff. The Ministry only serve to provide funding and they ensure the help of a competent Master at the helm." It seemed that it became clear to Miss Granger that she had committed a faux pas of sorts and the flash of regret on her face served to mollify his wrath. "Anyway, as luck would serve, I'm the one you would be interviewing with."

His former student seemed to blanch slightly at his words and he half expected for her to try to bow out the meeting, but instead she was squaring her shoulders and returning his gaze with a determined stare. It was so much like their meeting in the library that he half expected for her to tackle him again. Not that he would mind that…. "Very well then. I'm prepared to provide any documentation about my credentials and-"

"Wholly unnecessary Miss Granger. I have no doubt that your Know-it-all tendencies have carried on through your time at university," Severus cut her off coolly and smirked at the rather put out expression on her face. She opened her mouth to unleash what he was sure to be a self-righteous, Gryffindorish tirade, but he cut her off again. "Careful Miss Granger, you don't want to say anything that would keep me from hiring you," he added smugly. Her subsequent face full of rage made his smirk deepen to devilish proportions.

Oh he was going to enjoy this.