Author's Notes: The story is below all the notes, but I wanted to take the time to thank the readers and too answer questions ; )
Also, I've just started a new mailing list where updates of this story can be found:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/autumnfic
***************
Now onto the notes:
From: Eternal Queen (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=296854)
OH YEAH, BABY!rnrn~Austin Powers~rnrnI have to agree with him on this one-I see a showdown coming up! Great story and chapter, and PLEEEEEEEEEZE keep going soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lol glad you approve! I think it's the sort of thing Dumbledore would want to do. Give her a prod in the right direction without undermining Snape's authority.
From: Frankie (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=33392)
Reading things like this at school is interesting. Hah. Snape, a Gryffindor. Ha. That is perhaps the most hilarious thing ever. Will Snape become friends with Potter? Or Does Harry look too much like James for Snape's taste. Hah. I should go now I want to get the hell out of my school. Its annoying. Good beginning though. I'll read more @ a later time.
Well thank you ; ) Although terrible of you to be neglecting your studies like that! Lol, I'm just kidding, I used to do the same thing ; )
From: Captain-Emily (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=200091)
Ooh, cliffhanger! Please update soon. This is quite possibly the most interesting and well written Harry Potter- time travel fic I've seen. I'm anxious to see where this is going.
* Blush * WOW! Thank you so much!I;m really, really flatered by that and glad you like it. Lara will love to hear that you love her ideas so much!
From: MadAboutHarry (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=298016)
I'm confused. I thought the premise was that they should no longer have any interaction with one another; however, then you appear to have Salazar in the regular potions class......Help!rnrnOtherwise, this is a new twist on time turners for me---I'm intrigued enough to continue..
They don't have potions together anymore. Draco was asking Hermione just to goad her. The two have only had contact with each other one time. When the mark faded and it was a bit of an emergency. I hope that clears things up for you! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
From: Angel of the North (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=309688)
Oh nicely done. It's an interesting idea, that of changing the past. But if the Dark Mark is gone, then surely Snape senior ought to be disappearing now, as he couldn't have got where he is now without it.rnUnless he gets it later.
That will all be sorted out as best as we can! ; )
From: chaser (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=319844)
Cool. Is Salazar mad at Snape?
Wouldn't you like to know? **cheeky grin** lol. Glad you're reading it!
From: hErMiOnE()
WoohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooornFIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT rnOoOoOoO I can't wait for the next chapter!!!!!!!!!rnthis is getting ssssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooorngooooooooooooooooodd I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!rnLaTeRz
Well thank you ever so much! The next chapter is already in the making. Lol, I love you too hahah! ; )
From: Lily of the Shadow (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=219598)
WHO HOO!! GO HERMIONE!!! lol, keep going, i love this
Thanks! I too like an ActionHermione!
From: AnnabelleElizabeth (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=296217)
*sitting on edge of seat waiting for next chapter*rnrni love it!rnrn~AE~
It will be out tonight.
From: Serenity Raye (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=241791)
Oh My Goodness! I just saw the number of reviews and I can't belive how low they are! I think this is a wonderfully orginal and well written story! Wouldn't Severus be showing more emotion towards Hermione? I mean if his younger self missing his initiation makes the dark mark go away, wouldn't his younger selfs involment with Hermione show up some too?rnWell I am eagerly awaiting the nest installment!
Well thank you very, very much! This is only my first exclusive SS/HG story (my first time playing with them as 'liking each other' was in Harry Potter and the Big Round Room which was an X-Men crossover with HP. It was a comedy/romance/action ;) We'll be dealing with the whole sepectrum of history changing including the current Snape/Hermione and how his younger incantation affects them. So hopefully all your questions will be answered.
From: Draco MalfoyGirl 16 (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=302812)
this is a great story so far i can't watie to read the next chapter.
I'm working hard on it ; ) I hope to get it up latertonight.
From: Ezmerelda (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=313236)
GO, Hermione! We're all rootin' for ya!
; ) Thanks! I'm glad you're reading this.
From: Nicolette()
I'm awaiting the next chapter...go Hermione! Kick ass! rnrn- Nicolette :-)
Lol, we'll just have to see what she gets up too hah!
Frankie (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=33392)
Go Hermione. Though I do find it fairly disturbing that she's off snogging Snape and that the elder Snape, uh... well. I dont know. He's creepy. Its an interesting story. I look forward to the next chapter.
Lol, thanks for the input!
And now on to the story!
Hermione Granger was not a Gryffindor for nothing, she entered the classroom and took a seat eyes raised expectantly at Snape who was mixing ingredients at his desk. The young witch sat still for a full ten minutes before Snape spoke. "Make yourself useful. Brew 12 flasks worth of a strong headache potion. Seems appropriate enough given all the migranes you yourself have bestowed upon me." Snape said nastily.
"I'm not sorry." Hermione said clearly.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?"
"I don't think your punishment is fair."
"Life isn't fair" he said, voice growing colder by the minute.
"You know what I said it true." Hermione continued, surprised by her own boldness.
"You're entitled to your opinion Miss Granger, however wrong it happens to be," he began. "However that being said, I'll let it be known that should you ever have another outburst like that in my class, I will see to it that you are removed entirely from potions."
"I want you to remove the suspension." Hermione said.
Snape looked at her, she was not going to budge on the matter, but he was Severus Snape, he didn't simply back down at the fancy of students, especially not Gryffindors. His younger self might be caught by her charms, but he certainly didn't need to be. 'Yes you do, there is no arguing with what will be' a voice hissed in his mind. He shook his head and sent a ferocious glare towards Hermione. "You may have sway over my nephew, but it ends there."
"I want you to remove the suspension." Hermione repeated as if he had said nothing.
"I said no."
"No you didn't. You implied it, but you didn't actually say it" she said stonily, realizing that she was playing in dangerous territory.
Snape was at a loss for words for one of the few times in his life. This young woman had rendered him speechless twice in the same day it was very unSnapelike behavior. He was confused, he'd ordinarily be absolutely livid, but loath as he was to admit it, there was a part of him that was amused. He condemned the traitorous feeling and put on his usual mask of indifference. "I have never reversed a student's punishment, what makes you think I'll start now?"
Hermione took a deep breath. "Because, I don't deserve it. Yes I said some things that were inappropriate for a classroom situation, but I know that it didn't warrant a three day suspension."
Snape considered her carefully. He had to giver her credit for presenting her case in a logical way without being a crybaby as he'd seen before. Students had tried to worm their way out of detention with him before with everything from fake tears to a fake illness. But the girl was being honest with him, Gryffindor or not he admired the quality. He knew it took a great deal of self worth to truly stand up for what one believed in and it had been a long time since someone had the courage to tell him off. It had been the first time since anybody had the courage to tell him in the morning and then argue with him later about it the same day.
Yet his instinct was to say no and deduct another 50 points from Gryffindor. Yes that was exactly what he was going to say. "Miss Granger, you've proven a point, much as I detest it. The point deduction remains, however I will take revoke the suspension." The words came out of his mouth, and he was surprised to see her staring with wide eyes.
"What on this green earth are you looking at?" he snapped.
"Nothing, I just didn't actually expect you to agree." Hermione stated blandly. "I thought it would take a lot more insistence on my part."
Snape froze. Did he just play into her hand and give her exactly what she wanted? From the look on her face, he had done just that. Snape was a prideful man and never liked to go back on his word, wittingly or unwittingly. Yet this time he seemed caught in a web of his own words. On one hand, he could stick to his original plan and go through with suspending her for three days. But she would have the knowledge that she had gone back on his word, and would be able to lord it over him. On the other hand, he could let her think she had won and still appear to have the upper hand. The Slytherin in him made his decision. "As I was saying, the suspension will be revoked, but you are not to appear in my class for three days. Instead you will come to my dungeons as ordered and fulfill the class requirements. Also, you will in turn not mention this to anyone, is that clear?"
"Crystal." Hermione said, steeling her features too keep from cracking a wide grin.
The two lapsed into silence for the rest of the evening and all Hermione got when she asked where he wanted the now filled flasks, was a vague wave towards the general stores. She left the dungeons bursting to tell someone, but obediently kept her promise. As she had predicted, Salazar was already back from his detention with Hagrid and was patiently waiting for her in the common room. Harry and Ron were surprisingly still out for their own perspective punishments. Salazar grinned as Hermione told him about her little fight with Snape, carefully so as to not reveal the full details of the evening. But Salazar guessed enough to know that Hermione had gotten her own way.
Speculation about anything else quickly faded away as the two collapsed upon the sofa in a sweet snogging session. Neither heard the footsteps coming up them from behind. Looking at each other Harry and Ron dropped down to their knees and coughed to get the entangled pair's attention. "We would like to apologize once again for behavior that was undignified and wrong" Ron began in a slightly mocking voice.
"We would like to atone for our sins by kissing the foot of those who have been wronged. Your feet please good sir and lady." Harry finished, quirking an eyebrow slightly.
Hermione burst out laughing next to an equally chuckling Salazar. "Alright, you're forgiven. But do that again, I personally will change your gender." Hermione threatened, only half jokingly.
*******
The next few days found the four young Gryffindors hanging out together more often and warmer reception between the three boys. Once their prejudices had been put aside, they found that there were in fact likeable qualities in each other. They still made gagging noises anytime they caught Hermione and Salazar snogging which happened with ever increasing frequency, but other than that they were getting closer to being friends. All of that was brought to a screeching halt a few days later.
Ron and Harry had been returning from the pitch from an intense practice session when they caught sight of Hermione and Salazar on the edge of the castle grounds. Strolling over quickly they were in time to catch the last bits of what looked to be an intense discussion. With a look of pain Salazar turned towards the castle and bolted. Harry and Ron were shocked to see Hermione burst into tears and stroll towards the forbidden forest. They had only seen her this upset before, when Draco Malfoy had called her a mudblood. But surely, Salazar couldn't have done such a thing. Could he?
TBC……