Disclaimer:

Almost all the characters belong to J.K. Rowling ( the Harry Potter ones )

I own the unfamilar ones.

I also own the plot.

Author's Note:

This fic is starting out with a 'PG 13' rating, however, it will change in later chapters to an 'R' rating.

~italic text~ are Hermione's thoughts

~ bold text ~are Severus' thoughts

Additional Author's Notes:

I wanted to thank those reader's who pointed out a few discrepancies in the story that were causing confusion. I have done some editing and hopefully it will begin to make more sense! Thank you; your reviews help me a great deal in my writing...and also inspire me!

Oh, and this is my first fan fic on the 'net, though not the first I've ever written.

Prologue


Hermione Granger had returned to Hogwarts, and the remainder of her First year, with the firm decision to help her friend Harry Potter.


She had thought a great deal during the Christmas Break as to what she could do and had decided to conduct an indepth research on Slytherin House.

Hermione also had a personal research project, one which involved a certain Potions Professor.

Getting the information she needed, she had found, would require books which were off limits to all students.

This, to Hermione Granger, simply required using a less recognized method of aquiring the books.

That was when the problems started!

Sometimes there really is a good reason those books are off limits ...

~~*~~


Chapter One


Happy to see you smile


As Hermione, Ron and the other Gryffindor's sat finishing their breakfast that frosty morning, their attention was quickly caught as a gray tabby cat, which they knew to be Professor McGonagall, bounded up to the Head table returning as she did so to her human form.


"Albus!" she exclaimed as she leaned down close to Dumbledores side.

From the tables below them, the students of all four houses turned to watch them.

"Students."

Dumbledore rose from his seat, his face solemn, and looked out at the students.

"Due to the death of Professor Quirrell, and as you are presently without a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, it has been decided to replace him immediately."

The whispers could be heard," Professor Quirrell" and "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" from all four houses. Putting his hand up for silence, Dumbledore continued.

"As this has happened so suddenly, Professor Snape will be taking over for Professor Quirrell and a former Hogwarts student will be taking over as your Potions Professor. She will be here tomorrow morning."

With a fatherly smile at the students Dumbledore returned to his seat.

Within the space of a heartbeat Severus Snape stood beside Dumbledores chair.

"Albus, what is going on?"

His voice was too low for the students to hear but they could imagine what he had asked.

Severus Snape looked truly stunned at the announcement.

Like a child who suddenly has been told he was no longer being punished and was free to go, a ghost of a genuine smile crossed his lips.

Several of the other Professors clamored for Dumbledore's attention.

"You'll meet her tomorrow morning" Albus stated peacefully then returned his attention resolutely to his breakfast.

After breakfast, it being a Sunday morning, students stood around in groups and discussed Dumbledore's announcement in excited murmurs.

"Did you see old Snapes face when he heard the news?"

Ron looked at them, a huge grin plastered across his face.

"I thought he looked genuinely happy Ron " Hermione stated softly.

For a moment she glanced up at the Head Table.

"Remember Ron" she explained, "he's wanted to teach that class for years."

"Well, I'm just not sure which will be worse though" stated Lavender pensively.

For a moment all three Gryffindor's thought about having the dreaded Professor Snape instead of Professor Quirrell teaching them Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Wonder who this former student is though?" continued Ron "too bad we can't find out what years she was here at Hogwarts."

"Hmmm."

A thoughtful look crossed Hermione's face.

"I'm sure I can."

"How Hermione?"

Ron looked up at her as she rose from the bench at the Gryffindor table, but she shook her head at him and walked quickly after Professor Snape. Hurrying to catch up to his longer stride she called out before he started down the stairs to the dungeon.

" Professor Snape, excuse me sir."

Snape turned at the sound of her voice, but he didn't seem angry, just very tired.

"Yes Miss Granger?"

His tone of voice was polite but distant as he looked down at her. For a moment Hermione forgot what she was going to ask and simply stared.

Very un-Hermione like she suddenly blurted out "are you all right Professor, you do not look very well at all."

One eyebrow rose as he looked down at her in surprise.

"I can assure you, Miss Granger, that I am perfectly fine. Now, was there any other reason you wished to speak to me, or was it just to inquire after my health?" the last was asked with an edge to his voice.

Hermione blushed.

"Actually, sir, I was wondering if you had any further information about the former student who will be teaching us potions?"

"No, Miss Granger, I am in the dark as much as you are. I suggest you wait, as Dumbledore instructed, until her arrival tomorrow."

With a polite nod, Severus turned and headed to the dungeons, his black cloak swirling behind him.

As Hermione returned to her two companions she shook her head at Ron's questioning look.

"Professor Snape doesn't know either and he said that we should wait until tomorrow, as Dumbledore suggested."

Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I'm going to check something out, I'll see you later."

Hermione smiled distractedly at them as she hurried off in the direction of the library.

"Now what's she up to?"

Ron frowned looking at no one in particular.

Lavender smiled at him.

"You know Hermione, she's probably heading to the library this very minute."

Ron nodded agreement and smiled back at Lavender.

"Want to play some wizards chess with me Neville?"

Ron asked.

As Harry was in the hospital wing, still unconscious after his run in with Voldemort, Ron often chose Neville to play against.

All three Gryffindors headed towards the Gryffindor common room when Neville had nodded nervously in agreement.

~~*~~


Severus Snape sat behind his desk for several long minutes and simply stared at it.

Rousing himself, he pulled his wand from his sleeve and sent all his personal parchments and quills up to Quirrell's old office. Although he maintained his usual glum expression as a mask for others, his eyes were dancing as he completed his moving.



Albus had asked if he would mind retaining his rooms in the dungeon and only switch offices. Severus allowed himself a small smirk as he thought happily to himself,

'This way I'll be able to, oh, what's that Muggle phrase?'

He searched his memory.

'Ah, yes *Have my cake and eat it too!*'

He preferred his rooms anyway, much quieter and far more private. Not only that, but as Head of Slytherin, it made more sense to be at least in the same vicinity as his House.

Of course, having Professor Quirrell gone was an added bonus!

Finished with the job Severus walked briskly up to his new office and immediately used a powerful spell to disperse any lingering reminders of it's previous occupant.

As he was completely alone, Severus relaxed as he leaned back in his new chair and allowed a small, genuine smile, to play across his thin lips.

"Very happy to see you smile, Severus!"

Albus stated warmly, smiling at the younger wizard.

"Albus."

Severus stood up quickly, his mask smoothly slipping into place.

"Relax Severus, I just popped up to see if you were settled and I must say I am pleased to see you so happy."

Severus' lips twitched as he attempted to hide a smile and his eyes twinkled as he looked over at the headmaster.

Dumbledore headed for his office after wishing Severus the best in his new job.
~~*~~

It was quite restful Albus found, as he sat behind his large desk, to stroke Fawkes' feathers and Dumbledore was looking forward to some quiet time to give Fawkes that attention. He also had to catch up on his correspondence.

Much of it was with the Ministry of Magic, in fact, and it was a correspondence that had increased substantially since a certain 'Boy Who Lived' had arrived at Hogwarts.