A/N: The plot bunny just loves all the attention he has been getting, so he decided to come out and play for a while. Finally, Severus and Hermione make it into the picture. Thanks for all the reviews. I would like to offer my tremendous gratitude to my beta-reader, Elyse. Her wonderful suggestions have greatly increased the quality of this story.
Last chapter:
Miss Granger had two of the three masters contacted by the end of the first month of class. She obviously hoped to avoid Severus. Too bad. One is an ex-boyfriend and the other is an old friend of Albus' that shares his interest in chamber music. Yes, I do have ex-boyfriends. My gift doesn't extend to myself. I miss him in particular. He was an excellent test subject for some of the more delectable things I brewed. Luckily, we parted on good terms after I found his mate.
An owl sent from Hogwarts and another from Oxford ensured that the Potions Masters wouldn't accept her request. Left with only one option, she was forced to owl Severus.
Care to venture as to what his answer was? That's where Albus' extensive legal knowledge came in.
Thanks to Albus' Pensieve, I can give you a detailed description of what happened.
Chapter 3
Severus stalked into Albus' office with the standard scowl plastered on his face. "You wished to see me, Headmaster."
"Yes, Severus, there is a matter that we need to discuss. Please have a seat. There is no need to be so stiff and formal. Lemon drop?" Albus offered as he moved to take his seat behind the desk.
With a curt negative answer, he remained impatiently standing. "What is it that you require of me, Albus?"
"I received a letter from a very distressed Miss Granger this morning. I was informed that you were her last hope and still found it necessary to turn her down. I would like to hear your reasoning behind the declined request." His voice indicated that a feeble excuse would not pass.
"You know very well that I haven't the time to spend tutoring Miss Granger," he said shortly.
"Yes, I am sure your schedule is overloaded, especially with all those crucial hours you must spend roaming the halls like a bored Basilisk."
"The sarcasm is not appreciated, Albus."
"Neither is your lack of cooperation," he replied calmly.
"How is her inability to find a tutor my problem?" Severus asked, losing his composure slightly.
"She has no other to ask, and her area of study falls into your area of expertise."
"You cannot force me," Severus said defiantly, sounding very much like a spoiled first year.
"You are correct in that assumption. However, wizarding law can."
"What do you mean?" he asked suspiciously. His scowl deepened and eyes narrowed.
"Law 17 was established in 1542. It was created to ensure the continuation of all knowledge. Would you like to read the passage?"
Not waiting for a reply, Albus pulled a large book from one of the shelves, opened it to the correct page, and handed it to Severus.
Severus began to read it aloud. "To prevent the extinction of any one field of knowledge, it is hereby decreed that all those that have achieved the status and honor of master must take on an apprentice. If an apprentice has not been chosen by the fifteenth year following the achievement of master, a master of greater or equal status, either by credentials or experience, makes the choice."
"This tradition worked long before written law required it, and it seems only fair that it continues as a form of insurance. Of course, we don't do it to the extreme that masters of that day did, because we have proper schools now. However, it never hurts for an experienced master or mistress to share his or her knowledge with the younger generation," Albus stated matter-of-factly.
Realizing that between Albus Dumbledore and wizarding law that he wasn't going to escape, he sighed with resignation. "I will send an owl to Oxford in the morning accepting her request."
Abruptly, Severus turned and marched out of the office in an even fouler mood than when he entered. Fortunately, he didn't turn and see the mysterious twinkle of mischief in Albus' eyes, or the slight grin he wore.
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Miss Granger informed me a few days later that she finally acquired a tutor. The relief she felt was obvious on her face. I gathered she thought having Severus as a tutor was better than no tutor at all. Obviously, the Ministry is still out on that one.
The months until my amusement passed surprisingly quickly. Christmas arrived and I was ready to go to Hogwarts. I had six months until my students had to turn in their projects, which meant six months of freedom. Being a university professor has its advantages. It also meant six months to work on getting another relationship established.
That was when my Animagus form became useful. I needed some way to sneak around the castle and observe everything. I already had myself established as Minerva's cat, so it was the perfect cover.
I arrived at Hogwarts before Christmas. I wanted to be sure that I beat Miss Granger's arrival. I had plenty of time to settle into my chambers, which were adjoined and accessible only through Minerva's. We had to make sure no one became suspicious. Albus was even so kind as to add a new passageway to the old network that would allow me to gain access to Miss Granger's private chambers. The most interesting things can happen in the most unusual places, after all. Her chambers were adjacent to the potions lab to allow for convenience when working late.
Miss Granger chose her arrival to be around three days after Christmas. Albus had forced Severus into being the one that greeted her. That was a show I couldn't miss.
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As Miss Granger stepped out of the carriage, Severus was impatiently waiting just outside the main door for her. He made no move to help her with her luggage. He merely stood and watched her struggle. When she finally made it to the doors, she was greeted with his usual kindness.
"How wonderful, you're back. I was so sure that I had finally gotten rid of you," he said emotionless.
"Pleasure seeing you too, Professor," she said with the same coldness. Her face was set in a look of defiance. She was obviously determined not to let him intimate her. I knew I liked that girl.
"Was the real world too hard for the little Gryffindor? You had to come back to the security of Hogwarts, did you? Or has the university finally gotten the better of the know-it-all and she has come to get the help of old professors," he sneered and a smirk appeared on his face.
"You're one to talk about security issues," Hermione countered. "From what I can tell, you are one of the most insecure people I know. You hide in your cold, dark dungeons and isolate yourself from everyone. I don't consider that normal or healthy behavior. If you figure in self-loathing with the security issues, you have an equation for a psychiatrist's nightmare."
Shocked by both her nerve and accuracy, Severus was unable to retort before Albus arrived to intervene.
Albus always did have a flare for timing. After a few hasty words, Severus was storming down the hallway towards the dungeons. Albus knew I was lurking in the shadows and motioned his head for me to follow Severus as Miss Granger bent down to pickup part of her luggage. It was a good thing that Albus didn't count on Severus escorting her to her rooms.
With my feline grace and speed, I was easily able to catch up with Severus, even at the speed he was striding. The silence and swiftness of a cat is amazing. He unwarded his rooms and slammed the door behind him. I was just quick enough to miss getting my tail caught in the door. Can you imagine that pain? With the wave of his wand, a fire began to roar and he landed ungracefully in his favorite leather chair. I jumped into his lap, found a comfortable sleeping position, and offered as much comfort as a cat can.
"I am pathetic, aren't I?" he asked. His voice was laden with sadness. "I am an ex-Death Eater, I have a dead end job, and my only company is Minerva's cat."
Of course, I extended my claws into his groin at that remark. How rude to make it sound as if I didn't matter. Perhaps, I took the role of a cat too seriously.
"Sometimes, I think there's more to you than I realize. I do think you are important," he apologized, rubbing my chin in an attempt to make amends.
If he only knew.
As he stroked my fur, I could tell that his mind was wandering. The petting quickly became erratic and eventually stopped completely. The thoughts that he had immersed himself in were what concerned me.
"Does she have any idea what it is like living with the things that I've done? " His words were uttered so quietly that at first I wasn't sure that he'd spoken at all. "No one should ever have to experience or understand it, and it would be impossible to seek redemption for it--no matter how much I might wish…no." The pain of long buried, but not forgotten, memories was evident on his face, and he stared into the flames as he continued to voice the thoughts that plagued him. "It is best that I remain the greasy, unapproachable git in the dungeons. This burden is of my own making, and I shall bear it alone. I shall allow no others to feel its weight."
This conversation was not the first of its kind, but rather a repeat of similar nights spent by the fire. Severus would never forgive himself, nor would he allow himself to believe that others had. He had long ago deemed himself unworthy of anything other than hate.
Is it any wonder, then, that he acts like such a sarcastic bastard? It's the perfect way to keep people from getting too close. He would never allow himself to indulge in the comfort of another human being. This way, he is able to avoid pity and have his self-imposed solitude.
He slowly drifted back into reality, pulling his gaze from the fire and down into my feline eyes. He seemed to silently ask my judgment of him. I could offer no words of comfort, obviously, so I nudged my head into his hand as encouragement to continue.
"I had no right to attack Miss Granger." His face now lacked the patented scowl and was replaced with a look of frustration. "I know I act like a bastard, but why did I have to be so heartless and unmerciful to her?"
His gaze returned to the dancing flames in the hearth, and he seemed distracted and completely absorbed. Silence reigned supreme for what felt like hours. The details of his thought processes were left to my imagination until he finally spoke.
"She has changed, though. I never thought I would see the day when she'd stand up to the feared Potions Master," he noted with a measure of grudging admiration, and a hoarse chuckle escaped his throat. "Typical Gryffindor."
These were his last words before his subconscious laid claim. As the firelight grew to little more than embers, I was left to analyze his words and actions. I soon realized why he had been so hard on the girl. He was going to extreme measures to ensure that she despised him. His words of kindness and tone of voice he used when speaking of her convinced me that he really had a soft spot for the girl and was determined not to let anything come of it.
We will see about that.
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In addition to a thesis, students had to help with the everyday activities of their instructors. Whether it was fieldwork or teaching, they had to get hands-on experience in the life of a master or mistress and keep a record of it.
Poor Miss Granger had to do everything from grading essays to preparing ingredients, while Severus criticized everything she did. He was likely seeking revenge for the remarks she had made the first day of her arrival. Severus always did hold a grudge. When he wasn't criticizing her, he didn't say anything at all and would often avoid her. He probably hoped if he made her miserable that she would leave.
After about a month, we, the conspirators, realized that things were not going to improve without some outside help. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Translation: Albus, Minerva, and I warded the potions lab. We planned to lock them in there until some kind of civility ensued. We knew the two were too stubborn to talk and work things out unless they had to, so we forced them to face each other.
One Friday night after dinner, I followed Miss Granger down into the dungeons toward the potions lab. She always worked late into the night on something. Severus rarely ever came to dinner, so I was sure he was already in the lab. I went through the passageways just to make sure that they were both in there. I then ran to get Albus and Minerva.
Thirty minutes and numerous charms later, we were sure that not even those two could get out of there. You would be surprised to learn just how many interesting charms Albus knows. I transformed back into a cat and headed for the passageways. If they didn't get on a civil basis quickly, they would be locked in there to the whole weekend. The best part was that Severus hardly came out on weekends, so no one would come looking for him. With Miss Granger, everyone would think that she had just gotten so caught up in her work and would emerge Monday. Severus regularly had the house elves bring him food, so Albus simply had them add just enough extra for Miss Granger so as not to arouse suspicion. Clever, clever man. I still say there is a little Slytherin in some of those Gryffindors.
The passageways provided an easy enough way to get in, so I could watch what transpired. Finally, it grew late and Miss Granger grew tired. She made her way toward the door and found it locked.
"Professor, the door appears warded," she said, prepared for his yelling.
"That's impossible, you silly girl. The wards are down. Otherwise, you would not have been able to get in," he barked at her.
"Sir, I am aware of that. I've also tried every unlocking charm I can think of and nothing is working. Would you please come see for yourself?" she asked, somewhat timidly.
"Fine. If it will get you out of my hair faster, then so be it. Stand aside," he said impatiently.
He tried with all of his strength to pull the door open, and it would not budge. What was he thinking? Did he think that because he was a man that he could do with his physical strength what she couldn't with a wand? I question his intelligence sometimes. He then resorted to his wand.
"What did you do to this door, Miss Granger?" he demanded of her. "You were that last one to enter it, and it was fine earlier."
"I didn't do anything to this door, Professor," Hermione retorted, her ire rising. "How dare you blame this on me? This is your lab. And why on earth would I want to lock myself in these cold, drab dungeons with a man who dislikes me as much as I do him? I am not masochistic or insane."
Lacking a reply, he chose to ignore her and began to try every charm he knew. A few hours later they had given up and went to different corners of the lab to do various things to get their minds off of the current situation. My hope that they might try and work together to get out didn't last long. So much for them doing anything themselves. How had they gotten through life without someone always there to take care of them? They acted completely helpless.
I soon realized that I was going to have to interfere directly. Me and my meddling. Suddenly, I got an idea and ran out of the shadows toward Severus, jumping on his desk.
"Raven, what are you doing here?" Severus asked, a little surprised.
"Professor McGonagall's cat?" she asked. Unable to see from her corner of the dungeon and wanting to verify it, she started to walk over. "What is she doing down here? She's a long way from Professor McGonagall's chambers." The girl still had trouble calling Minerva by her given name, even after the older witch insisted.
"She's been a frequent visitor to the dungeons for years. I am surprised Minerva doesn't come looking for her," Severus replied shortly as I began to roll around on my back for attention. The fact that they were talking was a step in the right direction.
As Miss Granger lightly rubbed my stomach, she began to speak. "I've never thought of you as a cat person."
"Why is that, Miss Granger?" he asked sarcastically. "Is it so hard to believe that I actually enjoy the company of living beings? I assure you I am not as cold-blooded and heartless as you …"
"I didn't mean it like that and you know it, Severus," Hermione interrupted. "You just seem to me like the type of person who prefers the rare and unique, something like yourself." She dropped her gaze to the floor and took a deep breath, as if to gather courage for her next words. "I didn't mean to give you a false impression of my thoughts of you the first day I came back. I went for what I knew would hurt the most, regardless of its inaccuracy. I owe you an apology." Finally, progress.
Slightly shocked at her admission, he decided to make his own. "No, Miss Granger, it is I who should apologize. I should have never attacked you. I had no justification to do so, and I am deeply sorry for any offense that I may have caused."
Oh my goodness--Severus Snape apologized? I wondered if Earth has started retrograde motion yet.
"That's true, but Gryffindors are able to forgive. I suggest we start anew and avoid repeats of our first day. Such incidents hardly make for a productive work environment."
"Agreed. Please continue to call me Severus. You are no longer my student and such formalities are unnecessary now that we are working on this project as equals. Although I am suppose to be your tutor, I hardly think that you need one and I shall no insult you any further by treating you like some inept first year."
"I appreciate that greatly, but…" her brow wrinkled in confusion. "What do you mean continue calling you Severus?"
"You called me Severus when you interrupted me a moment ago."
"Oh, I hadn't even realized I'd done so."
Mission accomplished. The two little immature second years finally found the thing known as civility. It was looking like it was never going to happen. Soon after, they began to grade the fifth and sixth year essays in amicable silence to pass the time. I was soon forgotten and took it as my cue to go get Minerva and Albus to release the wards.
A/N: What's Aranea going to do next? Will Severus screw up again and create aggravation for the dear Miss Granger? Please review. Do you like Aranea? Is she too Mary Sue?
Please consider that law seventeen was suppose to be written back in a time when women had little, if any, rights. That is the reason I specifically put *master* instead of master or mistress status. Think of it like the American Constitution. Thomas Jefferson was so kind as to right "all men are created equal," instead of "all men and women are created equal." Also apprentice sounded more befitting of the time than anything else I could think of. I apologize for the ranting.