Anti-litigation charm: see chapter 1

A\N: I just couldn't have Dumbledore go off and not care about Severus. He just doesn't have it in his character. Sorry to not sticking to the challenge word for word. Still hope it leads to an interesting story though.

Chapter 2: Well aren't you full of surprises?

"Hey Hermione. Do you want to come and watch Harry and me practice tonight?" Ron asked as he munched on some chicken.

"I'm sorry, Ron, but I promised I would help Professor Dumbledore after dinner tonight."

"Oh yeah I heard he was planning a huge bash to celebrate Voldmort's demise." Harry said.

"Well something like that." Hermione said as she got up from the table.

"You ready dear." Professor Dumbledore asked. Hermione just nodded a quick yes as she followed the headmaster out of the great hall and down to the dungeons. "I don't know how many wards Severus has up this time. He usually keeps his private quarters very guarded."

"I guess he didn't want to get attacked by the other deatheaters." Hermione blurted out.

"No, no I doubt that. He's a very guarded man. Even I don't know that much about him. I know as much as he as opened to me but that I believe is a scratch on the surface of the truth." Albus said as they still walked down the dungeon corridor. "Well here we are." He said as he stops in front of a painting of Salazar Slytherin himself.

"Password? Even if you are the headmaster of the school I still can't let you in Severus's quarters." The painting came to life and said.

"A grain of sand." Albus replied.

"Enter." Salazar said as he moved aside.

"A grain of sand...William Blake I presume." Hermione looked inquisitively at the headmaster.

"Yes. I don't know why Severus chose that as he password but he did. Like I said early I know barely a scratch of the surface." Albus said with a twinkle in his eye as if he knows more just didn't want to say. "I would recommend not touching anything till I check to see if there are any wards up."

And with that they walked into the most secret place in Hogwarts, the potion master chambers. With a first look the place looked subdued. A simple sitting area with big leather chairs placed by a fireplace that looked like it never was lit. The walls covered with bookshelves and beautifully leather bound books of all shapes and colors. There were two doors that one could presume that one led to the bedroom of the potions master and the other a complete mystery.

"Well I can't believe it. He didn't set any wards. It's very unlike Severus not to set any. It almost looks like..."

"He expected not to come back." Hermione finished the sentence.

"Oh, Miss Granger, I'm sorry but I must go other pressing matter to attend to. I trust that you can find something to read to him. Also his pajamas should be located in his bedroom. I shall tell Salazar to allow you to come and go in here as you please in order to find books to read to him."

"Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome, dear and good luck." Albus said as he turned and walked out of the portrait.

Well I mind as well kill the curiosity and go to the bedroom and find his pajamas. Hermione thought as she walked to one of the door on the left. She opened the door to find another room filled with bookshelves and books. The decor was still very simple. A wooden desk with an inkwell and quill located near the wall by the entrance. Several big leather chairs located about the room. But what caught Hermione's eye was a small black bundle with green eyes on the brown chair in the corner.

Professor Snape has a cat. No way. I can't believe it. It's black of course but I expected a snake or something equally as prowlness not a kitten.

Hermione walked slowly over to the cat and look at it. It was a kitten, a very small black kitten. With green eyes that would put Harry's to shame.

"Hi, little guy." She said as she gently pet its head and down its back. "What's your name?"

And with that the kitten sat up and puffed out its chest to reveal a little golden tag.

"Midnight. Well hello, Midnight. I bet your looking for you master, huh?"

Midnight just meowed at Hermione and rubbed up against her hand.

"Well I guess I can't leave you here so if you don't mind. I will take you back to my room where I can better take care of you." Hermione said as she picked up the small kitten who purred to her touch.

"Well where is your master's bedroom, huh? You cute little thing." Hermione said as she walked across the sitting room to the other door located opposite the previous door to what she titled the library.

Wow. Unlike the previous two rooms. Professor Snape's bedroom full of color and life. On the wall was a Monet. The king sized four post bed was drapped in purple crushed velvet. With a lush carpet on the floor.

Ah another door. I wonder what mysteries Professor Snape hides in there. Hermione thought as she moved to the door. Well another surprise. Like Professor Dumbledore said you are full of mysteries Severus Snape.

The bathroom was lavishly covered with cool marble flooring and the white washed walls. A shower was located in the far corner and a huge bathtub was sunk into the ground. The shower had a waterfall spout instead of head and the tub had several spouts with different bubble baths labeled on them.

Stunning absolutely stunning. Wow. Hermione thought as she took in the surrounds of her mysterious potions master.  Well I better find his pajamas and find a book to go read him.

Hermione turned and walked back to the bedroom and up to the bed hoping that he probably kept his pajamas under his pillow.  She sighs when she found a gray nightshirt located neatly folded under the pillow.  She shrank the pajamas and placed them in her pocket and walked back to where she found Midnight to search his books.

"Shakespeare...Blake...Austen. Dear god professor I didn't know you read muggle literature. I would have never guessed." She looked up and down the bookcases finding not only British authors but authors from everywhere in the world. He actually owned a copy of Dante's Divine Comedy in the original Italian along with several translations. "Well I guess in honor of your password. Blake it shall be." She said as she grabbed the book. She shrank that down as also placed that in her pocket. She went back to the bedroom to collect Midnight and walked out of the room thinking... Well aren't you full of surprises, Professor?