Epilogue
Hermione woke up rather earlier than necessary. Despite herself, Hermione was nervous. During the past three years she had studied for the exam she would take today. She was now glad that Ron and Harry had dragged her from the library sometimes – back at Hogwarts. She missed them and made up for it by studying twice as hard.
Of course, she had met Ron sometimes, mostly during holidays when she was invited to come to the Burrow, but she knew it could never be the same again. Ron had just finished the Auror training and now worked as a junior Auror. He didn't have a girlfriend and seemed content to live at the Burrow, and Hermione suspected him of having a crush on her. She had suspected that a long time, since the Yule Ball in their fourth year. And though she didn't have a boyfriend, she knew she couldn't date Ron. Ron was – well, he was Ron. They were both part of the Trio, and it was still awkward to be together when Harry wasn't there.
She also felt more mature than Ron. Though it seemed he had left some of his more childish traits where he had seen Harry die, he still lived at his mother's house. She wondered if he could even bake an egg or make tea, while she had lived by herself for the past three years.
Every morning, she had Apparated to the laboratory of her teacher, Professor Crockford, who was in every sense the opposite of Severus Snape. Together with the other apprentice, a girl she vaguely remembered as a Ravenclaw one year above them, she would have lessons, either theoretical or practical. The last year, they had each mostly worked on their separate research projects, a requirement for becoming a Potions Master.
And now she was to take her final examination, which would qualify her as a Potions Master and allow her to return to Hogwarts. Severus would be glad, she thought. She hadn't heard from him since the night he had kissed her. She hadn't even seen him from a distance on the day they departed. Albus Dumbledore had sent her an owl occasionally to ask about her progress, and she was sure he would have let her know if something serious had happened.
She sighed and pushed the covers back, stood up and walked to the bathroom. When she had undressed and stepped into the shower, it started spouting her favourite temperature. She took only a short shower, dried herself with a spell and dressed with rather more care than usual. She even applied some makeup, something she didn't bother with usually.
She wasn't hungry at all, but she knew she had to eat some breakfast. She tried to reason the nerves out of her system, because she knew she would pass the exam, but of course she failed. Ten minutes early, she Apparated to the laboratory - probably for the last time. When she knocked, she heard a strange, but yet familiar voice say 'come in'. She couldn't directly place it, but as she entered, she wanted to hit herself on the head. Of course.
In the middle of the room, no one else but Severus Snape was talking to Professor Crockford. It was really quite a comical sight; the two men talking were as different as night and day. Severus was still tall, slim, and dark, while Crockford was short, a little fat and wore bright yellow robes.
"Good morning, Professor Snape, Professor Crockford," she said. She earned a nod from both of them. Only then she noticed the other person in the room, a small witch she hadn't met before.
"Good morning," the small witch said. "Miss Granger, I suppose? I am Catherine Bingley. Professor Snape and I will oversee your examination today."
"Pleased to meet you, Professor," Hermione answered, still furious with herself for not mentally preparing to meet Severus. She had known there weren't many wizards qualified to oversee these exams.
"Shall we start the examination?" Professor Crockford said. "Miss Granger, I trust you are familiar with the procedure?"
"I am, sir," she answered. She would first have to answer some regular questions, then present the results of her research, and finally she would have to brew a potion. Usually, the most complicated potions also took a lot of time, so they wouldn't come up. Hermione was indeed quite confident she would pass the exam.
"Let us start with some easy questions," the man said. "Miss Granger, what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" She could hardly repress a smile at this question, as she had known the answer even before the start of her first year.
"Monkshood and wolfsbane are the same plant, also known by the name of aconite," she replied while looking at Severus.
"Very well. Now, when would you harvest it?" he replied.
"During autumn, because then the active ingredient is most abundant. It is to be stored in a dark place, because it easily disintegrates."
"And what is the use of aconite?" Professor Bingley cut in.
"It is used in rheumatism, headaches, gout, migraine and cold with high temperatures, and it is the primary ingredient in the Wolfbane Potion. It has to be dosed carefully, though, because it is also highly toxic." She answered rapidly.
"Now, imagine a patient with gastroenteritis, seizures and irritability. What do you think he has been poisoned with?" Professor Crockford was apparently on turn.
"Milkweed." She responded. He nodded and continued.
"And what would you do to treat him?"
"I would use a bezoar, in combination with a lot of water, an antispasmodic and probably a pain killer." Funny, she thought, how becoming a Potions Master was like becoming half an Auror, half a Mediwitch and half an Herbologist. And you had to know magical creatures as well. The questioning continued, mostly by Professor Crockford, while Professor Bingley cut in occasionally and Severus was mostly silent.
"Now, tell us something about your research project, Miss Granger." It was Professor Bingley who said this and she saw Severus straighten up a little. Of course, he already knew what her subject was.
"I have been trying to develop a potion to remedy the after effects of the Cruciatus Curse. I know there is little demand for it currently, but if another Dark wizard should arise, it is too late for development. During the last war, usually painkillers were used, but they don't counteract tremors or seizures.
I tested the toxicity, first on mice and then on some volunteers. The actual effect I have mostly tested myself. I have been dosed with the curse a few times, but for mere seconds. Most of the testing I have done on mice, so I do not really have data to prove its effect on human beings.
The potion itself contains ingredients against tremors, seizures and pain, as well as a small dose of wormwood and asphodel to induce sleep. The other ingredients lessen the effect of the sleeping agents, so an already tried patient will not be in danger.
I think the formula holds great promise, but the impossibility to test it is an obstacle in further development."
"Very well, Miss Granger." To her surprise, it was Severus who spoke. "I would like to see the actual formula. Now, however, it is time you show us some of your practical skills."
"Yes, sir. What will I have to make?"
"You will find the instructions next to your cauldron. We will supervise you for half an hour and then leave you alone one hour longer. Then the potion has to be ready and will be tested," said Professor Crockford. She nodded and walked over to the cauldron. She almost laughed out loud when she saw which potion she had to prepare. It was the Invisibility Infusion she had made when she was locked up at Aberforth's. She had already guessed it at the question about aconite, but was now certain Severus had not prepared this exam.
As she had only one hour and a half she started preparing the first ingredients and put them on a low fire. Professor Crockford and Professor Bingley were looking at what she was doing, but she worked as carefully as she always did. She knew her system and kept the workbench clean. Severus didn't seem too interested, she thought. She found it odd, really, because at Hogwarts he had always been the looming presence in the classroom.
After half an hour of supervision, she was left alone in the laboratory. The potion had now reached a stage of simmering for an hour; she had time to clean out some measuring tools she had used. She knew she had passed the exam with flying colours, as she had known she would. That led her thoughts to Severus' behaviour. She already knew he hadn't prepared this exam, or the questions and potion assignment would have been more difficult. And he hadn't even seemed interested in her way of working. Could it be that he had actually that much confidence in her abilities that he already knew she would pass? Or had he already been determined not to let her pass? It was tormenting for Hermione to be left alone with her thoughts.
The hour crept by, but eventually she heard voices from the other side of the door. She quickly put some of her potion in a vial and cleaned out her cauldron. If it hadn't been for the still-warm potions vial one couldn't have guessed she had been working there two minutes ago. The professors entered the room again.
"Well, any volunteers for testing? Severus?" Professor Crockford asked merrily. She hated it when he did so happy. It made her think of the insufferable optimism of Professor Dumbledore. Severus merely grunted at the question, but Professor Bingley took up the vial. She measured out a dose and took it, then shimmered twice and vanished from view.
"It certainly seems to have worked, doesn't it?" It was strange to hear a voice coming from thin air.
"Well, Miss Granger, it seems obvious that you have passed." This was Professor Crockford again. "The only question remaining is what your marks are. Now, there is only one person yet alive who had marks as high as yours. And he is standing right next to me."
"Congratulations, Miss Granger. You are now officially a Potions Master," said Severus, while extending his hand. He surprised her with that, as he had hardly spoken before.
"Thank you, Professor," she said softly, while taking his hand. In the meanwhile, the invisible professor had apparently taken a counter-potion, because she had become visible again.
"Indeed, Miss Granger, congratulations." She produced a parchment and quill. "If you will sign here, it is official," Professor Bingley continued, handing Hermione the quill and indicating a faint line. She signed and handed back the quill. Professor Bingley signed as well, as did Professor Crockford and Severus. He rolled the parchment and handed it to her.
"Miss Granger, I believe we have some matters to discuss?"
-^-^-
They had Apparated to Diagon Alley and were now sitting in front of Florian Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, each nursing a cup of coffee. Hermione had ordered lunch as well, as her nerves had been replaced by joy and she was hungry. Professors Crockford and Bingley had looked not a little surprised at Severus' remark, but they had wisely chosen not to comment.
It was the seventh of October, Hermione thought. Exactly four years ago, she had been a seventh year student in peril of Voldemorts wrath, who was locked up together with her evil Potions Professor in the house of the Headmasters brother. Now, she had just become a Potions Master herself and she certainly was no longer afraid of the man opposite her. But still, he was a puzzle to her. A puzzle of which about two-third of the pieces were missing.
"Professor, was there something you wanted to talk about?" she dared when nothing seemed to happen.
"Call me Severus," he said. "I wondered whether you had already changed your mind about teaching."
"I haven't. I think I'd like it. But it would seem odd if you left now, wouldn't it? Term has just started," she answered, wondering whether he wanted to quit right now or stay until the end of term.
"Yes. I will stay until summer, if that agrees with you. You should make arrangements with Albus sometime this year, and I will introduce you to my system. In the meanwhile, however, you can do whatever you like."
"That sounds reasonable. I will send the Headmaster an owl, then. When would you like to show me around?"
"Anytime you want. If I'm too busy, I could always give you a pile of essays."
"Right. I'll see you soon, then. I have some owls to send, as well as a few Muggle letters," she said. "And I wanted to visit Flourish and Blott's. I had ordered a book that should be there by now."
"Would you mind if I joined you?" She looked up at him in surprise. "There is a new edition of Primary Poisons and their Antidotes that could be useful."
He paid for the coffee and her lunch, despite her protest. "Believe me, Hermione, I can afford this." Then they made for Flourish and Blotts. The witch at the counter looked extremely surprised to see Hogwarts' Potions Master in company. They handled their business and left the shop.
"Well, I'd better Apparate home. I'll see you at Hogwarts soon, Severus," she said. He looked around cautiously. The street was crowded, but nobody paid attention to them. He put one hand on her shoulder and gave her a short kiss. She answered, but he pulled away.
"I'm looking forward to it, Hermione," he said and Disapparated. And no matter how much she tried, she couldn't find a trace of sarcasm.
T H E E N D
-^-^-
Author's Notes (long and tedious):
Caroline Bingley and Lady Catherine are obviously characters in Jane Austen's fabulous novel Pride and Prejudice. What's in a name?
The monkshood and milkweed questions are based on facts and usage long ago. Again, I won't list the source because of fear for abuse, though the site is offline now and you couldn't find it anyway.
I am indebted to too many people to list here – because I am influenced by almost everything I read, and, between you and me, that is saying something - but I will name some of them. Just to be on the safe side: what you recognise is probably not mine, but it could be a result of parallel evolution.
The professional writers:
Joanne Rowling, obviously, for the wonderful characters.
Jane Austen: for her entire oeuvre, but especially Pride and Prejudice. Every SS/HG is in fact a derivation of Pride and Prejudice, just like Bridget Jones' Diary.
J.R.R. Tolkien: well, I guess I didn't put anything in here but Lord of the Rings is fantastic anyway.
Now for the fanfiction writers:
Ezzie with her Destiny of Souls and Just a Kiss, who got me to the fanfiction in general and SS/HG specifically.
Anne and Abby from The Fire and the Rose, which is a beautiful story.
Kalina from The Buried Life, who can make you laugh as well as cry.
Pigwidgeon37, who wrote The Sybil's Oracle, a fic of monstrous size you won't be able to put away, as well as numerous other stories,
And Strega Brava, who writes wonderfully and has a huge amount of fics here.
Of course I also want to thank my beta's: Q0BrA, who judged the plot and general style, but she reads everything you put in front of her as long as Severus is in it, and Chris, who generally doesn't like SS/HG but has kindly corrected my foolish errors.
And finally I want to thank my reviewers for thinking so highly of me and begging me for updates, because I don't deserve that. I just stole a lot of ideas and put them together.