Hermione swallowed her nerves, telling herself ruthlessly that there was
nothing to worried about, and raised a hand to knock on the door. There was
no answer from the dungeon within, so she knocked again, hearing quiet
curses from the other side of the door. Her hand went involuntarily to the
gem nestled against her throat as she stepped back, prepared to run in case
anything untoward came hurtling through the ancient wood.
'Professor Snape?' she called. 'Are you there?'
The door opened quietly, and she was confronted with a very disgruntled looking Potions Master.
'I'm sorry, did I interrupt something important?' she asked, inwardly amused at his black expression.
Snape suppressed the hateful remark that rose in his throat, his eyes travelling to her throat. A gentle surge of calm swept through him as he realised she was wearing his gift.
'No, I was going over my lesson plan for this term,' he said stepping to one side to allow her access to the room. 'Is there anything I can help you with, Hermione?'
'I was just wondering if I could retrieve my research from the desk,' she said, noting the blue tinge on his shirt. She hid a satisfied smile. 'I had several ideas over the holiday and I need to go over them while they are fresh in my mind.'
He nodded, a brief look of concern passing over his features.
'I hope you are not going to work yourself into the ground this term, Hermione,' he said softly. 'I was hoping you might like to take a few of my lessons.'
Her face lit up with excitement, making it difficult for him to suppress the smile that rose in response on his face.
'I'd love to, Severus,' she replied, producing the huge roll of parchment her notes were on from his desk. 'And no, I'm not going to overdo it. I only have a little bit more to go, anyway.'
Despite himself, Snape was impressed. His own research had taken him the entire year to do, ending in several sleepless nights while he fought to bring it all together before his deadline. But then, that wasn't Hermione's way. It occurred to him that he didn't actually know what she was researching.
'If I may ask, what is your research on?'
She smiled softly, hearing the real curiosity lurking behind the indifference in his voice.
'Ways to make the reduction of memory less painful,' she said quietly, remembering her own experience with the potion.
Snape nodded, seeing the wisdom in her choice. She would be able to write from experience, and that would give her the edge over other students every time. He touched her hand involuntarily.
'As I said, Hermione, don't work yourself to a standstill,' he told her softly, the rich tones of his voice caressing her gently with his concern. 'Your health must always be your priority. Remember, I am here to help you, not just to teach.'
She smiled, grateful for his concern.
'Thank you, Severus.'
She turned to leave, stopping at the door to look back at him. He was staring down at his own parchment, lost in thought.
'Severus?'
He looked up, brow furrowing in confusion at seeing her still by the door. Hermione grinned suddenly, her amusement evident as she looked him up and down.
'I like your shirt,' she said mischievously, and slipped out, leaving him to bask in the after-glow of her smile.
*~*~*
Snape stood at the back of the classroom, unseen by the students, watching as Hermione took her first Potions class. They were first years, Slytherin and Gryffindor, and all in awe of her for choosing to apprentice with someone they saw as their worst nightmare. He allowed himself a moment of pride as his gaze swept the room, seeing the students hanging on her every word.
He had to admit, she did explain well. No wonder Longbottom had always turned to her when completely baffled by one thing or another. Snape would be very surprised if any of this class bungled the fairly standard potion she was talking them through.
As the lesson progressed, he saw himself in her as she wandered about the classroom, checking on everyone's progress. But where he would have offered a snide remark to an insecure pupil, she encouraged them, explaining what they had done wrong, and offering to take them through the next stage of the potion. He was fairly certain that they were learning just as much with Hermione as they did with him.
'Miss Granger?'
Hermione turned towards the tiny voice, and saw one of the Slytherin boys edging carefully away from his cauldron, which was smoking. With a grin, she wandered over and took it off the heat, reassuring him that she wasn't angry with him.
'What do you think went wrong, Kieran?'
He frowned, obviously dredging up the recipe she'd given them. Then he blushed, and an embarrassed smile appeared on his worried face.
'I forgot to take it off the heat before adding the centaur hair,' he told her.
Hermione smiled back at him, knowing that he wouldn't do it again now that it had gone wrong once. This was the way she had taught Neville what Snape couldn't, through trial and error, and was glad to see that it worked with groups as well.
She desperately wanted to impress her tutor, to make him see that you could get the same results by being pleasant to the students. A gasp drew her attention to one of the front row Gryffindors, who had managed to finish her potion and was amazed to see it glowing a brilliant green.
'Well done, Emily,' Hermione enthused, using the girl's cauldron to show the rest of them what the finished product should look like.
Whereas in Snape's lessons, such enthusiasm would be a catalyst for antagonism between the two Houses, Hermione showed such impartiality that both Slytherin and Gryffindor alike threw themselves into their work, determined to please her with their success. Soon the room was bright with green light, all emanating from the cauldrons before them.
They bottled the potions, all of which were fit for use, and were packed and ready to go when the bell rang. However, instead of the stampede that usually signalled the end of Potions, they left in an orderly way, nodding and smiling to Hermione as they passed her.
As the door shut behind the last one, Snape removed the spell that had kept him invisible, and approached Hermione where she was reading through her lesson plan. She looked up at him with an inquisitive smile.
'I admit, your method does seem to work,' he sighed, ignoring the triumphant grin that spread across her face. 'I believe that is the first Potions lesson I have ever seen first years enjoy. You've done well.'
Hermione inclined her head, inwardly rejoicing at not having completely failed.
'Thank you, Severus. I understand how it must have pained you to admit that, so I'm not going to rub it in too much.'
He glared warningly at her, secretly as pleased at her success as she was. Hermione's grin just widened, knowing how he hated to be teased.
'I'm warning you, Miss Granger -'
Her eyes widened innocently.
'Oh, so it's back to Miss Granger, is it?' she asked archly. 'Do you feel so very threatened by my success, Professor Snape?'
He stepped closer, trying to use his height to intimidate her and only succeeding in placing himself in temptation's path.
'Hermione,' he growled, his eyes glittering with an unreadable emotion.
She looked up into his eyes, lost in the intensity of his gaze. She felt as if she could drown in the black orbs willingly. Snape was captivated by the sudden warmth of her cinnamon eyes, feeling his heart threatening to burst from his chest as he leant down, closer to her. Their noses almost touching, he saw her lick her lips, in unconscious invitation to him. Neither heard the door swing open.
'Goodness me, I do apologise,' Dumbledore said cheerfully, clearing his throat loudly as they leapt apart. He smiled in the face of Snape's glare, aware that Hermione had blushed crimson and was gathering up her parchment.
'I was wondering, Severus, do you have a moment? The Chief Auror is in my office, and he'd like a word.'
Snape drew in a deep breath. He'd never felt so angry towards the Headmaster as he did now. All it would have taken was for him to have waited a few more seconds . . . Still, if the Auror wanted him, he would have to go. He nodded to Hermione, whose cheeks, if possible, grew even darker red, and left, sweeping past Dumbledore with as much dignity as he could muster.
Hermione glared mockingly at the old wizard, who stood watching her from the doorway, his amusement evident on his face.
'You know,' she said speculatively, 'for a man reputed to be the most powerful wizard in the world, you have God-awful timing, Albus.'
*~*~*
Snape stepped into the office, and was confronted with Septimus Hunnicut, Chief Auror for the Ministry of Magic, cooing at Fawkes with a ridiculous expression on his face. He coughed quietly, and the older man, far from being embarrassed, pulled himself to his feet with a welcoming grin.
'Professor Snape, thank you for coming. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important?'
Irritation flared again in Snape's breast, but he forced it down. He could hardly blame the man before him for his own inability to seize the moment.
'No, I was going over the last lesson with my apprentice, Miss Granger.'
Hunnicut nodded sagely.
'Oddly enough, it is regarding Miss Granger that I wished to speak with you,' he said, indicating that Snape should sit. 'I have been given information to the effect that she is the only living relative of He-Who- Must-Not-Be-Named, and that she was instrumental in his demise. Is that correct?'
Not for the first time, Snape wished Dumbledore were there. He didn't want to reveal facts which Hermione wanted concealed, and yet if he lied, he could be given Veritaserum, as a former Death-Eater, to force him to reveal the truth. After a moment's struggle with himself, he looked up at Hunnicut, who seemed strangely aware of his inner turmoil.
'I can assure you, Professor, that whatever you tell me goes no further. However, it could be instrumental in the conviction of a former pupil of yours, goes by the name of Malfoy?'
Snape stiffened. So the boy had gone through with his threat, but it appeared that the Aurors were not about to let him go just because he had given them some rather bizarre facts about his former Master.
'He has been apprehended then?'
Hunnicut nodded.
'Yes,' he said matter-of-factly. 'We had a tip off that he'd kidnapped a young woman and was using her a ritual in You-Know-Who's Tower. When we got there, he was unconscious and the girl was nowhere to be found. His cronies told us a great deal, but to verify that, we need to know if what he told us is truth or not. The Headmaster told me that you could set us straight.'
Snape hesitated, thinking it over. Finally, hoping Hermione would forgive him, he nodded, and proceeded to tell the Auror everything.
'Would Miss Granger be able to testify for us, do you think?'
Snape shook his head vehemently.
'No, and I would strongly advise you not to ask her. By her own decision, she has had her memory modified, and does not wish anyone to know of her relationship with Voldemort or her part in his death.'
Hunnicut looked confused.
'Who wouldn't want to take the credit for killing the Dark Lord?'
'Someone who wouldn't want the world to know that she had killed her own father,' Snape told him darkly.
Finally understanding, the Auror nodded.
'I give you my word, Professor, what you have told me goes no further.'
Snape inclined his head.
'My thanks, sir. May I go? I have duties to my House.'
Hunnicut nodded.
'Of course, Professor. Thank you for your help.'
As Snape left the room, he felt an icy stab of conscience. It hadn't been his place to say anything. Still, he hoped Hermione would understand, should she ever find out. He certainly had no intention of telling her.
'Professor Snape?' she called. 'Are you there?'
The door opened quietly, and she was confronted with a very disgruntled looking Potions Master.
'I'm sorry, did I interrupt something important?' she asked, inwardly amused at his black expression.
Snape suppressed the hateful remark that rose in his throat, his eyes travelling to her throat. A gentle surge of calm swept through him as he realised she was wearing his gift.
'No, I was going over my lesson plan for this term,' he said stepping to one side to allow her access to the room. 'Is there anything I can help you with, Hermione?'
'I was just wondering if I could retrieve my research from the desk,' she said, noting the blue tinge on his shirt. She hid a satisfied smile. 'I had several ideas over the holiday and I need to go over them while they are fresh in my mind.'
He nodded, a brief look of concern passing over his features.
'I hope you are not going to work yourself into the ground this term, Hermione,' he said softly. 'I was hoping you might like to take a few of my lessons.'
Her face lit up with excitement, making it difficult for him to suppress the smile that rose in response on his face.
'I'd love to, Severus,' she replied, producing the huge roll of parchment her notes were on from his desk. 'And no, I'm not going to overdo it. I only have a little bit more to go, anyway.'
Despite himself, Snape was impressed. His own research had taken him the entire year to do, ending in several sleepless nights while he fought to bring it all together before his deadline. But then, that wasn't Hermione's way. It occurred to him that he didn't actually know what she was researching.
'If I may ask, what is your research on?'
She smiled softly, hearing the real curiosity lurking behind the indifference in his voice.
'Ways to make the reduction of memory less painful,' she said quietly, remembering her own experience with the potion.
Snape nodded, seeing the wisdom in her choice. She would be able to write from experience, and that would give her the edge over other students every time. He touched her hand involuntarily.
'As I said, Hermione, don't work yourself to a standstill,' he told her softly, the rich tones of his voice caressing her gently with his concern. 'Your health must always be your priority. Remember, I am here to help you, not just to teach.'
She smiled, grateful for his concern.
'Thank you, Severus.'
She turned to leave, stopping at the door to look back at him. He was staring down at his own parchment, lost in thought.
'Severus?'
He looked up, brow furrowing in confusion at seeing her still by the door. Hermione grinned suddenly, her amusement evident as she looked him up and down.
'I like your shirt,' she said mischievously, and slipped out, leaving him to bask in the after-glow of her smile.
*~*~*
Snape stood at the back of the classroom, unseen by the students, watching as Hermione took her first Potions class. They were first years, Slytherin and Gryffindor, and all in awe of her for choosing to apprentice with someone they saw as their worst nightmare. He allowed himself a moment of pride as his gaze swept the room, seeing the students hanging on her every word.
He had to admit, she did explain well. No wonder Longbottom had always turned to her when completely baffled by one thing or another. Snape would be very surprised if any of this class bungled the fairly standard potion she was talking them through.
As the lesson progressed, he saw himself in her as she wandered about the classroom, checking on everyone's progress. But where he would have offered a snide remark to an insecure pupil, she encouraged them, explaining what they had done wrong, and offering to take them through the next stage of the potion. He was fairly certain that they were learning just as much with Hermione as they did with him.
'Miss Granger?'
Hermione turned towards the tiny voice, and saw one of the Slytherin boys edging carefully away from his cauldron, which was smoking. With a grin, she wandered over and took it off the heat, reassuring him that she wasn't angry with him.
'What do you think went wrong, Kieran?'
He frowned, obviously dredging up the recipe she'd given them. Then he blushed, and an embarrassed smile appeared on his worried face.
'I forgot to take it off the heat before adding the centaur hair,' he told her.
Hermione smiled back at him, knowing that he wouldn't do it again now that it had gone wrong once. This was the way she had taught Neville what Snape couldn't, through trial and error, and was glad to see that it worked with groups as well.
She desperately wanted to impress her tutor, to make him see that you could get the same results by being pleasant to the students. A gasp drew her attention to one of the front row Gryffindors, who had managed to finish her potion and was amazed to see it glowing a brilliant green.
'Well done, Emily,' Hermione enthused, using the girl's cauldron to show the rest of them what the finished product should look like.
Whereas in Snape's lessons, such enthusiasm would be a catalyst for antagonism between the two Houses, Hermione showed such impartiality that both Slytherin and Gryffindor alike threw themselves into their work, determined to please her with their success. Soon the room was bright with green light, all emanating from the cauldrons before them.
They bottled the potions, all of which were fit for use, and were packed and ready to go when the bell rang. However, instead of the stampede that usually signalled the end of Potions, they left in an orderly way, nodding and smiling to Hermione as they passed her.
As the door shut behind the last one, Snape removed the spell that had kept him invisible, and approached Hermione where she was reading through her lesson plan. She looked up at him with an inquisitive smile.
'I admit, your method does seem to work,' he sighed, ignoring the triumphant grin that spread across her face. 'I believe that is the first Potions lesson I have ever seen first years enjoy. You've done well.'
Hermione inclined her head, inwardly rejoicing at not having completely failed.
'Thank you, Severus. I understand how it must have pained you to admit that, so I'm not going to rub it in too much.'
He glared warningly at her, secretly as pleased at her success as she was. Hermione's grin just widened, knowing how he hated to be teased.
'I'm warning you, Miss Granger -'
Her eyes widened innocently.
'Oh, so it's back to Miss Granger, is it?' she asked archly. 'Do you feel so very threatened by my success, Professor Snape?'
He stepped closer, trying to use his height to intimidate her and only succeeding in placing himself in temptation's path.
'Hermione,' he growled, his eyes glittering with an unreadable emotion.
She looked up into his eyes, lost in the intensity of his gaze. She felt as if she could drown in the black orbs willingly. Snape was captivated by the sudden warmth of her cinnamon eyes, feeling his heart threatening to burst from his chest as he leant down, closer to her. Their noses almost touching, he saw her lick her lips, in unconscious invitation to him. Neither heard the door swing open.
'Goodness me, I do apologise,' Dumbledore said cheerfully, clearing his throat loudly as they leapt apart. He smiled in the face of Snape's glare, aware that Hermione had blushed crimson and was gathering up her parchment.
'I was wondering, Severus, do you have a moment? The Chief Auror is in my office, and he'd like a word.'
Snape drew in a deep breath. He'd never felt so angry towards the Headmaster as he did now. All it would have taken was for him to have waited a few more seconds . . . Still, if the Auror wanted him, he would have to go. He nodded to Hermione, whose cheeks, if possible, grew even darker red, and left, sweeping past Dumbledore with as much dignity as he could muster.
Hermione glared mockingly at the old wizard, who stood watching her from the doorway, his amusement evident on his face.
'You know,' she said speculatively, 'for a man reputed to be the most powerful wizard in the world, you have God-awful timing, Albus.'
*~*~*
Snape stepped into the office, and was confronted with Septimus Hunnicut, Chief Auror for the Ministry of Magic, cooing at Fawkes with a ridiculous expression on his face. He coughed quietly, and the older man, far from being embarrassed, pulled himself to his feet with a welcoming grin.
'Professor Snape, thank you for coming. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important?'
Irritation flared again in Snape's breast, but he forced it down. He could hardly blame the man before him for his own inability to seize the moment.
'No, I was going over the last lesson with my apprentice, Miss Granger.'
Hunnicut nodded sagely.
'Oddly enough, it is regarding Miss Granger that I wished to speak with you,' he said, indicating that Snape should sit. 'I have been given information to the effect that she is the only living relative of He-Who- Must-Not-Be-Named, and that she was instrumental in his demise. Is that correct?'
Not for the first time, Snape wished Dumbledore were there. He didn't want to reveal facts which Hermione wanted concealed, and yet if he lied, he could be given Veritaserum, as a former Death-Eater, to force him to reveal the truth. After a moment's struggle with himself, he looked up at Hunnicut, who seemed strangely aware of his inner turmoil.
'I can assure you, Professor, that whatever you tell me goes no further. However, it could be instrumental in the conviction of a former pupil of yours, goes by the name of Malfoy?'
Snape stiffened. So the boy had gone through with his threat, but it appeared that the Aurors were not about to let him go just because he had given them some rather bizarre facts about his former Master.
'He has been apprehended then?'
Hunnicut nodded.
'Yes,' he said matter-of-factly. 'We had a tip off that he'd kidnapped a young woman and was using her a ritual in You-Know-Who's Tower. When we got there, he was unconscious and the girl was nowhere to be found. His cronies told us a great deal, but to verify that, we need to know if what he told us is truth or not. The Headmaster told me that you could set us straight.'
Snape hesitated, thinking it over. Finally, hoping Hermione would forgive him, he nodded, and proceeded to tell the Auror everything.
'Would Miss Granger be able to testify for us, do you think?'
Snape shook his head vehemently.
'No, and I would strongly advise you not to ask her. By her own decision, she has had her memory modified, and does not wish anyone to know of her relationship with Voldemort or her part in his death.'
Hunnicut looked confused.
'Who wouldn't want to take the credit for killing the Dark Lord?'
'Someone who wouldn't want the world to know that she had killed her own father,' Snape told him darkly.
Finally understanding, the Auror nodded.
'I give you my word, Professor, what you have told me goes no further.'
Snape inclined his head.
'My thanks, sir. May I go? I have duties to my House.'
Hunnicut nodded.
'Of course, Professor. Thank you for your help.'
As Snape left the room, he felt an icy stab of conscience. It hadn't been his place to say anything. Still, he hoped Hermione would understand, should she ever find out. He certainly had no intention of telling her.