A/N: The world of Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. I am just having fun
playing with her characters. This story is rated R for a reason. You have
been warned.
Chapter Four
"Good morning, class." Hermione said as she entered the Muggle Studies classroom and moved to stand in front of her first year Gryffindor and Slytherin students. It was already Friday, the first week of school having flown by and today was the day that would be filled up by all of her first year classes.
Hermione hadn't managed to see much of Severus at all over the week as both were so busy but she had been keeping an eye on his Slytherins and of course the other students highlighted as potential risks. This was the first time she would be teaching these particular first years as she did not have them again until second to last lesson on a Friday for Potions.
"I am Professor Granger for those of you who do not know me, and throughout this year we will be finding out the differences between the way Muggles live to the way our Magical Community lives. Now, who in here has lived in or spent time in the Muggle World?" She asked glancing around the class; a few of the Gryffindor students raised their hands. "Excellent. Out of you students with your hands up, who has lived in the Magic Community as well?" Only two students kept their hands up. "Okay, would you two like to tell us a little about some of the differences you have recognised between the two groups? Miss. Appleby, would you like to start?" Hermione asked looking at the eager blonde-haired Gryffindor girl in the front row.
"Muggles do have magic in their community but they perceive magic as something fictitious or simply illusionary. Muggles tend to invent things in order to help themselves lead better lives. For example they build aeroplanes in order to take them to far reaching places instead of apparating, since they don't have that ability." A few students gasped in surprise at this and Hermione chuckled.
"Thank you, Miss. Appleby. Five points to Gryffindor." Hermione awarded. "Mr. Weasley, you had your hand up. Would you like to add some of your own experiences with Muggles?" Joshua Weasley looked up eagerly.
"My Grandpah worked in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts office at the Ministry and he once took me on holiday to the Muggle World for a few days. He had to confiscate loads of items from the Muggle Queen who had been sent stuff like handkerchiefs that bit her nose when she used them and charmed hats that used to have flashing lights when she wore them in public. We saw the police arrest a man who had been caught trying to break into the Queen's house."
"Palace," Hermione corrected but he seemed not to hear her and carried on with his account.
".and they put metal rings round his hands and pushed him into an automobile, which drove off fast with blue flashing lights and a loud siren too." Josh said getting really excited and almost standing up from his chair as he gestured wildly as he narrated his story.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley. I think we'll end that story just there. Suffice it to say that Muggles have been living without magic just fine for as many years as we have been living with magic in our community. and five points to Gryffindor." A few of the Slytherins smirked evilly at Hermione and she stopped to look at them. "Do we have a problem here?" She asked glaring at three of the Slytherin first years, one of whom spoke up.
"Not at all, Professor." Christopher Granger spat and pinned her with a glare.
"Okay then." Hermione nodded although she didn't like the looks he was casting at her and the sneer behind his words seemed a little disconcerting. "So, now we've heard a little bit about the Muggle World I'd like to come up with a few fors and againsts for living in it if you have the gift of magic." Hermione glanced around at her students and saw a few blank expressions, obviously those pure blooded students who just about hadn't heard of Muggles before. "Okay, if you pull out your books and read chapter one, we can discuss what we learn and perhaps embellish upon the thoughts of the author." Hermione told them, they all pulled out their books and began to read. Christopher Granger glared at Hermione until she noticed him before he quickly got on reading the chapter.
By the end of class Hermione was thankful that it was only a single lesson. The Slytherin's had not managed to contribute anything other than show their prejudices in many hidden ways regarding the Muggle World. Hermione had picked up on the vast majority of their innuendoes but decided to just ignore them. For homework she assigned a foot long essay discussing the ways Muggles had overcome their lack of magical abilities and found ways to live without it, asking that it be submitted by next Wednesday lunchtime. She dismissed the class and decided to take her next free period sorting out potions ingredients for the same first years that she would have for their first Potions class after lunch. She knew Severus also had a free period and headed off to the dungeons to catch up with him whilst she worked.
~~*~~
Walking through the corridors towards the stairs that would lead to the dungeons Hermione saw Layton Frontera approaching with a few of his other fourth year friends. Stopping she altered course to head him off. "Mr. Frontera." She called and the group of students stopped and turned to face her. "If I may speak to you alone for one moment please?" She asked glancing at his friends who said they'd continue on to their next lesson and left.
"Yes, Professor Granger?" Frontera asked now that they were alone in the corridor.
"I've spoken to Professor Snape and he is aware of the fact that I do not believe your actions or inactions the other day in my class warranted a detention. Therefore, I have decided that you will forego this punishment but please note that if you do the same again then I will punish you more severely than I did." She warned him with a stern expression on her face.
"Thank you, Professor." He nodded and smiled slightly taken a back that she was doing this for a student that was not a member of Gryffindor House.
"Oh, and Mr. Frontera. Please note that this is still strike one against you for your misdemeanour. Please try not to get yourself suspended from Hogwarts, it would do no good for when exam time comes around or you begin to look for a job as it would have to go onto your permanent record." She told him.
"Yes, Professor. I will try." He replied, seemingly sincere enough.
"Let's hope that you do. Thank you, Mr. Frontera. You are dismissed." He quickly moved away and hurried off to join his friends while Hermione continued on her way towards the dungeons.
As she reached the door of the potions classroom she opened it and it creaked back on its hinges slowly. Severus was sitting marking some parchments and looked up to see who had had the audacity to enter his classroom without so much as a knock on the door. His eyes met Hermione's and he smiled warmly, forgetting her intrusion immediately.
"Hello, love." She greeted automatically.
"Hello, Hermione." He responded.
"Marking homework already? You work your students too hard, Severus." She commented as she stepped into the room and closed the door with another creak of the hinges behind her. "What is up with that door?"
"I start as I mean to go on, love, and as for the door... well, Longbottom is the new caretaker. What more can I say?" He replied quickly. Hermione moved closer to his desk and gave him a peck on the cheek, rolling her eyes at his comment about Neville.
"Of course, dear." She said. "Perhaps Neville is still as frightened of you though? I will have to tell him you are not as bad as everyone seems to think once they can get to know you." Hermione teased with a glint in her eye.
"What are you doing down here at this time anyway? Your first years are not until after lunch." Severus asked.
"I wanted to see you, Severus, and to also prepare the classroom for my first lesson if I may? Since you do not have a class either right now." She asked him.
"Yes, you may." He smiled again. "What did you want to see me about? Have the Slytherins been doing anything I should know about?" He asked narrowing his eyes suspiciously and awaiting her answer.
"No, your students have done nothing worth my mentioning, Severus." She told him as she moved over to the ingredients cupboard and began looking for what the class would need in order to brew a simple shrinking potion.
"But?" Severus asked sensing that there was something that had happened.
"But nothing, Severus. I've simply just finished my first Slytherin, Gryffindor Muggle Studies class and my attention was drawn to the fact that most of, if not all Slytherins seem completely oblivious to the goings on in the Muggle World." She said as she began rummaging through the shelves of the cupboard and pulling out jars of ingredients.
Severus grunted in response. "I would have expected no less, Hermione. They have all been raised in completely pureblood or pureblood and mixed blood families. For those students there is absolutely no need for them to be taught about Muggles, hence this is where their animosity stems from- pure ignorance." He responded to her back as she bent further into the cupboard to reach for a jar of newt toenails.
"Well, I do hope to change their views and give them a good knowledge base from which to make sound judgements from then." She headed back to the classroom and laid out all of the ingredients on the observation table at the front of the classroom, noticing that the jar of newt toenails was nearly empty she sighed and went back to the cupboard.
"Then I wish you good luck in your quest, Hermione." He smiled back at her, he for one could not fault any of his students if they showed an uninterest in Muggle Studies since he himself, had dropped the subject as quickly as he could when in school. "Do you require assistance, Hermione?" He offered as he saw her scanning the shelves for another jar of the toenails.
"No, love. Just looking for the. oh for Merlin's sake. Accio Newt toenails!"
"The cupboards are always messy by a Friday since the students never put things back in the right order. I always have whoever is in detention to sort them out. But I guess I will just have to perform my usual spell as there are no students fortunate enough to spend their evening with me this Friday." Severus said waving his wand and watching as the jars rattled about on the shelves, clinking together as they went back to their designated positions.
"Oh, that's good, Severus. I'd like us to both spend some time together later. That's why I'm here now; we've not seen each other much this last week." She said heading back to the preparation table and finishing sorting out the ingredients.
"That can be arranged although I do have to speak to my prefects about the arranged meetings with my first years tomorrow." Severus said looking up at her. "It shouldn't take too long though."
"I also must speak to the Weasley quads and get the timetable they should have set out for me for my meetings also." She responded. "I'll be free after dinner though, unless some errant Gryffindor blows up the common room of course.
"I'll come to your quarters then after dinner. We'll see each other in the Great Hall though." He replied whilst making a few more red comments across some poor student's essay.
Once Hermione had finished preparing the ingredients and setting up a cauldron she and Severus headed off to lunch in the Great Hall. Dumbledore immediately stopped both of them to inform them of a staff meeting that would take place in the staffroom on Sunday to discuss what the Heads of Houses may have obtained from their meetings with the first years. They both said that they would be there of course, and that they would hopefully have something a little more concrete than pure speculation to contribute.
~~*~~
After lunch Hermione started to head towards the Potions classroom when she heard footsteps behind her and felt that she was being followed. She stopped abruptly and turned around. Severus was there gazing at her amused.
"Professor Snape?" Hermione said slightly confused. "Why are you following me?"
"I have a free period, Professor Granger." He responded coolly and matter- of-factly as students passed by them in the corridor.
"And?" She asked raising an eyebrow.
"And I thought I might finish my marking in my office if this is alright with you?" He responded with a mischievous look upon his face, his eyes were glinting and her face dropped into a shocked expression. He was going to watch and listen to her class through his inter-connecting office door.
"Your office? Could you not go somewhere else?" She asked feeling a bit flummoxed.
"Where would I go, Professor Granger? All of the essays are in my office as well as my quills and reference books. It would seem a bit pointless to have such an upheaval for perhaps an hours work." He told her calmly.
"You could use my office or the staff room. I'm sure you do not need to look anything up in the books in order to correct a few essays." She suggested quickly.
"Well, if the students submit anything like the essays you used to hand in I will be spending half of my time making sure their theories are sound. I wouldn't want to assign marks or miss them when they are due or are not due." She smiled at the compliment but still.
"Severus, you utter cretin! You just want to watch how I address the students. You are going to really miss making your first year speech aren't you?" He grinned slightly although it was threatening to turn into an outright laugh that would surely cause a few shocked students to be carted off to the infirmary.
"Are you going to do it, Hermione?" He asked her quietly as he moved closer to her in the corridor.
"No! I am not." Hermione told him indignantly and folded her arms across her chest in defiance, glaring at him for good measure.
"Well, still. I do need to finish off some work and continue on with Lupin's Wolfsbane Potion in my private lab." Severus told her.
Hermione just huffed, spun on her heel and headed off down to the dungeons with Severus close on her heels. Outside the classroom she came to a halt and listened to the noise that was being emitted from inside. She was already a little late thanks to Severus.
Severus nudged her and said good luck before he headed off next door to his office. Hermione took a deep breath and stormed into the classroom forcing the heavy wooden door to clatter off the wall as she stepped through with such force that it closed itself again. Hermione quickly made her way to the front of the classroom as a silence descended on the room and all eyes followed her.
"This is first year Potions and whilst I may be lenient on you as students in other lessons note right now, that in this classroom it ends. I will not tolerate any foolishness in here! Potions is a seriously dangerous subject that requires full attention at all times! If your concentration lapses for even a second whilst in this room lives could be lost. Potion making is a difficult art form and the benefits of being able to correctly make a potion can be great." Hermione noticed that the office door connecting the classroom to Severus' office was partially opened; she knew he was in there listening to her. She continued on with her speech. "The art of potions making in usually carried out without the aid of a wand, a wand in this room will simply be used in order to light the fire underneath your cauldron, nothing more." Hermione stopped to glance around the room again, noting that she had everyone's complete attention and a look of fear was clear on a few students' faces. She smiled inwardly at the thought of having achieved the impression of someone to be feared- it was necessary to have this projection of her character for this particular class and she felt Severus would be proud of her.
"Now, you each have your potions books in front of you. Today we will be making a shrinking potion. Who can tell me the ingredients of a simple shrinking potion?" Only one hand shot up and she was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a Slytherin hand, that of Christopher Granger to be exact. She recognised the eagerness in his eyes and asked him for his answer.
"Distilled water, newt toenails, mandrake leaf, snail juice and daffodil pollen." He responded confidently.
"Well done, Mr. Granger. The only student to offer an answer." Hermione said glancing around the classroom. "Tell me, Mr. Granger. How did you know the answer to my question? It is not something I would expect a first year to know. Have you done potions before?"
"No, Professor. I simply read the set text, and a few others I found." He snapped at her, something clearly upsetting him.
"Very well, five points to Slytherin, Mr. Granger." Hermione said and watched as he glared at her for a long time. "Okay, if everyone could read through the ingredients and preparation instructions on page 53 of your books we will get started."
Christopher Granger sat at his desk casting cold glares at Hermione. He had already read this book several times and saw no need to refresh his memory, he folded his arms defiantly. Hermione chose to speak up. "Mr. Granger, you may have gotten my question right but I do think you should re-read the instructions just in case." She glared right back at him. "As I said, I do not want any accidents in this class."
"I don't need to, Professor." He growled angrily.
"Very well. You may come to the front and demonstrate what you know for the rest of the class." Hermione told him gesturing for him to approach, he did not move. "Sometime today please, Mr. Granger."
"You are the professor. You should be teaching the class, not I." He responded coldly. The students began to look up from their books having finished their reading and now looked on with interest. At that moment Severus quietly entered the classroom having heard everything that had so far been said through the partially opened door. He stood with his arms folded, still out of sight of his students since the door was near the back of the room. Catching Hermione's attention she gave him brief acknowledgement whilst she homed in on the student and he watched with interest. Refusing to say anything himself until Hermione gave him a nod or something allowing him to do so, for he wouldn't take over her authority in the classroom again.
"Mr. Granger." She said in a quiet and deadly voice. "Since I am the professor do you not think you should be doing as I say?"
"Of course, Professor." He got up and headed towards the front of the classroom. Hermione spoke up again.
"See me after class, Mr. Granger. I want to speak with you, and ten points from Slytherin for you cheek." He was about to comment when he turned around so that he was now facing the class and spotted his Head of House, who he could immediately see was seething with anger and casting him deadly glares.
"Yes, Professor." He said and for the first time Hermione detected no hint of a snarl behind her title. Snape nodded to Hermione and headed back out of the classroom, he would return at the end when she spoke with his errant student.
The class went well after the events at the start. Christopher had managed to prove more than adequately enough that he could indeed prepare the potion quite expertly. Hermione was quietly pleased with the skill he showed in potion brewing and saw that he had a talent that should definitely be honed. once she found out what his problem was either with her or whatever else it might be, after all, the class had started off quite well.
Hermione told everyone to write up their reports on the uses of a shrinking potion and the ethics of using one on a living being to be submitted by the following Tuesday. Dismissing the class everyone filed out except Granger who had been told to wait behind. Once the classroom was cleared of all other students Severus re-entered and stood quietly at the back again, watching Hermione discipline his student.
Hermione approached Christopher who remained seated at his lab table quietly keeping his gaze fixed to the desk. She took a stool from the table in front and sat on it facing him. Clearing her throat she began. "What happened today in class, Mr. Granger?" She felt a different approach would be beneficial to that of this student being lectured by her.
"Nothing, Professor." He replied; the sneer back behind her title again and his gaze fixed to the desk still.
"Okay, the hats are off. I'm not your professor right now. I want you to tell me what is wrong. I want to know what your problem is with me because you certainly seem to have one." She said exasperated at how she was being treated by a first year student who had been in the school for less than a week.
"Do not." He said quickly contradicting her.
"Do you usually glare at people? Do you usually defy your teachers and backchat them? Do you usually refuse to do something an adult has asked of you?" She asked him. Why would he not look at her, was there something far more interesting on the desk? She glanced down and noticed that there was nothing there that might capture his attention.
"No, I'm usually a good little boy." He replied sarcastically.
"Then why are you this way with me?" She asked, exasperated. "What have I done to you? Why all this animosity towards me?"
"I do not want to talk about it. Punish me and let me leave!" He exploded and finally fixed a furious gaze upon her. From this close she could see that his eyes were a deep chocolate brown in colour and his two front teeth were very slightly larger than necessary, also that a frown was etched onto his face and his cheeks were red with anger as he breathed deeply and quickly, hands beginning to ball into fists as he sat there.
"That's quite enough, Granger." Severus warned from the back of the room causing his spine to go suddenly stiff as he tensed up at the sound of his Head of House's voice. Severus slowly walked towards to the front and stood beside Hermione glaring down at him.
"Okay, Mr. Granger. I will not push you. There is obviously something quite clearly going on with you but you have the right to privacy. Just be aware that what you are doing is highly disrespectful and you are getting into a lot of trouble." Hermione paused trying to think while the boy simply stared back down at the desk fighting to bring his emotions back under control. "And if this continues, I will have to inform the Headmaster and your parents." At this he looked up at her quickly and she could see a look of worry in his face and that his eyes were starting to water.
She sighed and decided to just punish him so that he could gain his self control in private. "Twenty points from Slytherin and detention tonight after dinner with Mr. Longbottom. You are free to go, Mr. Granger." He suddenly leaped up from his desk and ran from the room, grabbing his bag on the way. He had inadvertently left his cauldron and a book, which was inside it.
Hermione sighed heavily watching him go and the door slam behind him. "What just happened, Severus?" She asked looking up at her fiancé with a worried expression on her face.
"I do not know, love." He shook his head. "I have a meeting with him tomorrow and will try to ascertain what is going on then. and return these belongings to him as well." Severus said gesturing to the cauldron and book that were pushed to the side of the desk. "Hopefully he would have calmed down by then as well, he seems to have quite a temper on him."
"Keep me posted, love" She said squeezing his hand as he helped her to her feet and prepared for her next round of first year Potions students- Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
Chapter Four
"Good morning, class." Hermione said as she entered the Muggle Studies classroom and moved to stand in front of her first year Gryffindor and Slytherin students. It was already Friday, the first week of school having flown by and today was the day that would be filled up by all of her first year classes.
Hermione hadn't managed to see much of Severus at all over the week as both were so busy but she had been keeping an eye on his Slytherins and of course the other students highlighted as potential risks. This was the first time she would be teaching these particular first years as she did not have them again until second to last lesson on a Friday for Potions.
"I am Professor Granger for those of you who do not know me, and throughout this year we will be finding out the differences between the way Muggles live to the way our Magical Community lives. Now, who in here has lived in or spent time in the Muggle World?" She asked glancing around the class; a few of the Gryffindor students raised their hands. "Excellent. Out of you students with your hands up, who has lived in the Magic Community as well?" Only two students kept their hands up. "Okay, would you two like to tell us a little about some of the differences you have recognised between the two groups? Miss. Appleby, would you like to start?" Hermione asked looking at the eager blonde-haired Gryffindor girl in the front row.
"Muggles do have magic in their community but they perceive magic as something fictitious or simply illusionary. Muggles tend to invent things in order to help themselves lead better lives. For example they build aeroplanes in order to take them to far reaching places instead of apparating, since they don't have that ability." A few students gasped in surprise at this and Hermione chuckled.
"Thank you, Miss. Appleby. Five points to Gryffindor." Hermione awarded. "Mr. Weasley, you had your hand up. Would you like to add some of your own experiences with Muggles?" Joshua Weasley looked up eagerly.
"My Grandpah worked in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts office at the Ministry and he once took me on holiday to the Muggle World for a few days. He had to confiscate loads of items from the Muggle Queen who had been sent stuff like handkerchiefs that bit her nose when she used them and charmed hats that used to have flashing lights when she wore them in public. We saw the police arrest a man who had been caught trying to break into the Queen's house."
"Palace," Hermione corrected but he seemed not to hear her and carried on with his account.
".and they put metal rings round his hands and pushed him into an automobile, which drove off fast with blue flashing lights and a loud siren too." Josh said getting really excited and almost standing up from his chair as he gestured wildly as he narrated his story.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley. I think we'll end that story just there. Suffice it to say that Muggles have been living without magic just fine for as many years as we have been living with magic in our community. and five points to Gryffindor." A few of the Slytherins smirked evilly at Hermione and she stopped to look at them. "Do we have a problem here?" She asked glaring at three of the Slytherin first years, one of whom spoke up.
"Not at all, Professor." Christopher Granger spat and pinned her with a glare.
"Okay then." Hermione nodded although she didn't like the looks he was casting at her and the sneer behind his words seemed a little disconcerting. "So, now we've heard a little bit about the Muggle World I'd like to come up with a few fors and againsts for living in it if you have the gift of magic." Hermione glanced around at her students and saw a few blank expressions, obviously those pure blooded students who just about hadn't heard of Muggles before. "Okay, if you pull out your books and read chapter one, we can discuss what we learn and perhaps embellish upon the thoughts of the author." Hermione told them, they all pulled out their books and began to read. Christopher Granger glared at Hermione until she noticed him before he quickly got on reading the chapter.
By the end of class Hermione was thankful that it was only a single lesson. The Slytherin's had not managed to contribute anything other than show their prejudices in many hidden ways regarding the Muggle World. Hermione had picked up on the vast majority of their innuendoes but decided to just ignore them. For homework she assigned a foot long essay discussing the ways Muggles had overcome their lack of magical abilities and found ways to live without it, asking that it be submitted by next Wednesday lunchtime. She dismissed the class and decided to take her next free period sorting out potions ingredients for the same first years that she would have for their first Potions class after lunch. She knew Severus also had a free period and headed off to the dungeons to catch up with him whilst she worked.
~~*~~
Walking through the corridors towards the stairs that would lead to the dungeons Hermione saw Layton Frontera approaching with a few of his other fourth year friends. Stopping she altered course to head him off. "Mr. Frontera." She called and the group of students stopped and turned to face her. "If I may speak to you alone for one moment please?" She asked glancing at his friends who said they'd continue on to their next lesson and left.
"Yes, Professor Granger?" Frontera asked now that they were alone in the corridor.
"I've spoken to Professor Snape and he is aware of the fact that I do not believe your actions or inactions the other day in my class warranted a detention. Therefore, I have decided that you will forego this punishment but please note that if you do the same again then I will punish you more severely than I did." She warned him with a stern expression on her face.
"Thank you, Professor." He nodded and smiled slightly taken a back that she was doing this for a student that was not a member of Gryffindor House.
"Oh, and Mr. Frontera. Please note that this is still strike one against you for your misdemeanour. Please try not to get yourself suspended from Hogwarts, it would do no good for when exam time comes around or you begin to look for a job as it would have to go onto your permanent record." She told him.
"Yes, Professor. I will try." He replied, seemingly sincere enough.
"Let's hope that you do. Thank you, Mr. Frontera. You are dismissed." He quickly moved away and hurried off to join his friends while Hermione continued on her way towards the dungeons.
As she reached the door of the potions classroom she opened it and it creaked back on its hinges slowly. Severus was sitting marking some parchments and looked up to see who had had the audacity to enter his classroom without so much as a knock on the door. His eyes met Hermione's and he smiled warmly, forgetting her intrusion immediately.
"Hello, love." She greeted automatically.
"Hello, Hermione." He responded.
"Marking homework already? You work your students too hard, Severus." She commented as she stepped into the room and closed the door with another creak of the hinges behind her. "What is up with that door?"
"I start as I mean to go on, love, and as for the door... well, Longbottom is the new caretaker. What more can I say?" He replied quickly. Hermione moved closer to his desk and gave him a peck on the cheek, rolling her eyes at his comment about Neville.
"Of course, dear." She said. "Perhaps Neville is still as frightened of you though? I will have to tell him you are not as bad as everyone seems to think once they can get to know you." Hermione teased with a glint in her eye.
"What are you doing down here at this time anyway? Your first years are not until after lunch." Severus asked.
"I wanted to see you, Severus, and to also prepare the classroom for my first lesson if I may? Since you do not have a class either right now." She asked him.
"Yes, you may." He smiled again. "What did you want to see me about? Have the Slytherins been doing anything I should know about?" He asked narrowing his eyes suspiciously and awaiting her answer.
"No, your students have done nothing worth my mentioning, Severus." She told him as she moved over to the ingredients cupboard and began looking for what the class would need in order to brew a simple shrinking potion.
"But?" Severus asked sensing that there was something that had happened.
"But nothing, Severus. I've simply just finished my first Slytherin, Gryffindor Muggle Studies class and my attention was drawn to the fact that most of, if not all Slytherins seem completely oblivious to the goings on in the Muggle World." She said as she began rummaging through the shelves of the cupboard and pulling out jars of ingredients.
Severus grunted in response. "I would have expected no less, Hermione. They have all been raised in completely pureblood or pureblood and mixed blood families. For those students there is absolutely no need for them to be taught about Muggles, hence this is where their animosity stems from- pure ignorance." He responded to her back as she bent further into the cupboard to reach for a jar of newt toenails.
"Well, I do hope to change their views and give them a good knowledge base from which to make sound judgements from then." She headed back to the classroom and laid out all of the ingredients on the observation table at the front of the classroom, noticing that the jar of newt toenails was nearly empty she sighed and went back to the cupboard.
"Then I wish you good luck in your quest, Hermione." He smiled back at her, he for one could not fault any of his students if they showed an uninterest in Muggle Studies since he himself, had dropped the subject as quickly as he could when in school. "Do you require assistance, Hermione?" He offered as he saw her scanning the shelves for another jar of the toenails.
"No, love. Just looking for the. oh for Merlin's sake. Accio Newt toenails!"
"The cupboards are always messy by a Friday since the students never put things back in the right order. I always have whoever is in detention to sort them out. But I guess I will just have to perform my usual spell as there are no students fortunate enough to spend their evening with me this Friday." Severus said waving his wand and watching as the jars rattled about on the shelves, clinking together as they went back to their designated positions.
"Oh, that's good, Severus. I'd like us to both spend some time together later. That's why I'm here now; we've not seen each other much this last week." She said heading back to the preparation table and finishing sorting out the ingredients.
"That can be arranged although I do have to speak to my prefects about the arranged meetings with my first years tomorrow." Severus said looking up at her. "It shouldn't take too long though."
"I also must speak to the Weasley quads and get the timetable they should have set out for me for my meetings also." She responded. "I'll be free after dinner though, unless some errant Gryffindor blows up the common room of course.
"I'll come to your quarters then after dinner. We'll see each other in the Great Hall though." He replied whilst making a few more red comments across some poor student's essay.
Once Hermione had finished preparing the ingredients and setting up a cauldron she and Severus headed off to lunch in the Great Hall. Dumbledore immediately stopped both of them to inform them of a staff meeting that would take place in the staffroom on Sunday to discuss what the Heads of Houses may have obtained from their meetings with the first years. They both said that they would be there of course, and that they would hopefully have something a little more concrete than pure speculation to contribute.
~~*~~
After lunch Hermione started to head towards the Potions classroom when she heard footsteps behind her and felt that she was being followed. She stopped abruptly and turned around. Severus was there gazing at her amused.
"Professor Snape?" Hermione said slightly confused. "Why are you following me?"
"I have a free period, Professor Granger." He responded coolly and matter- of-factly as students passed by them in the corridor.
"And?" She asked raising an eyebrow.
"And I thought I might finish my marking in my office if this is alright with you?" He responded with a mischievous look upon his face, his eyes were glinting and her face dropped into a shocked expression. He was going to watch and listen to her class through his inter-connecting office door.
"Your office? Could you not go somewhere else?" She asked feeling a bit flummoxed.
"Where would I go, Professor Granger? All of the essays are in my office as well as my quills and reference books. It would seem a bit pointless to have such an upheaval for perhaps an hours work." He told her calmly.
"You could use my office or the staff room. I'm sure you do not need to look anything up in the books in order to correct a few essays." She suggested quickly.
"Well, if the students submit anything like the essays you used to hand in I will be spending half of my time making sure their theories are sound. I wouldn't want to assign marks or miss them when they are due or are not due." She smiled at the compliment but still.
"Severus, you utter cretin! You just want to watch how I address the students. You are going to really miss making your first year speech aren't you?" He grinned slightly although it was threatening to turn into an outright laugh that would surely cause a few shocked students to be carted off to the infirmary.
"Are you going to do it, Hermione?" He asked her quietly as he moved closer to her in the corridor.
"No! I am not." Hermione told him indignantly and folded her arms across her chest in defiance, glaring at him for good measure.
"Well, still. I do need to finish off some work and continue on with Lupin's Wolfsbane Potion in my private lab." Severus told her.
Hermione just huffed, spun on her heel and headed off down to the dungeons with Severus close on her heels. Outside the classroom she came to a halt and listened to the noise that was being emitted from inside. She was already a little late thanks to Severus.
Severus nudged her and said good luck before he headed off next door to his office. Hermione took a deep breath and stormed into the classroom forcing the heavy wooden door to clatter off the wall as she stepped through with such force that it closed itself again. Hermione quickly made her way to the front of the classroom as a silence descended on the room and all eyes followed her.
"This is first year Potions and whilst I may be lenient on you as students in other lessons note right now, that in this classroom it ends. I will not tolerate any foolishness in here! Potions is a seriously dangerous subject that requires full attention at all times! If your concentration lapses for even a second whilst in this room lives could be lost. Potion making is a difficult art form and the benefits of being able to correctly make a potion can be great." Hermione noticed that the office door connecting the classroom to Severus' office was partially opened; she knew he was in there listening to her. She continued on with her speech. "The art of potions making in usually carried out without the aid of a wand, a wand in this room will simply be used in order to light the fire underneath your cauldron, nothing more." Hermione stopped to glance around the room again, noting that she had everyone's complete attention and a look of fear was clear on a few students' faces. She smiled inwardly at the thought of having achieved the impression of someone to be feared- it was necessary to have this projection of her character for this particular class and she felt Severus would be proud of her.
"Now, you each have your potions books in front of you. Today we will be making a shrinking potion. Who can tell me the ingredients of a simple shrinking potion?" Only one hand shot up and she was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a Slytherin hand, that of Christopher Granger to be exact. She recognised the eagerness in his eyes and asked him for his answer.
"Distilled water, newt toenails, mandrake leaf, snail juice and daffodil pollen." He responded confidently.
"Well done, Mr. Granger. The only student to offer an answer." Hermione said glancing around the classroom. "Tell me, Mr. Granger. How did you know the answer to my question? It is not something I would expect a first year to know. Have you done potions before?"
"No, Professor. I simply read the set text, and a few others I found." He snapped at her, something clearly upsetting him.
"Very well, five points to Slytherin, Mr. Granger." Hermione said and watched as he glared at her for a long time. "Okay, if everyone could read through the ingredients and preparation instructions on page 53 of your books we will get started."
Christopher Granger sat at his desk casting cold glares at Hermione. He had already read this book several times and saw no need to refresh his memory, he folded his arms defiantly. Hermione chose to speak up. "Mr. Granger, you may have gotten my question right but I do think you should re-read the instructions just in case." She glared right back at him. "As I said, I do not want any accidents in this class."
"I don't need to, Professor." He growled angrily.
"Very well. You may come to the front and demonstrate what you know for the rest of the class." Hermione told him gesturing for him to approach, he did not move. "Sometime today please, Mr. Granger."
"You are the professor. You should be teaching the class, not I." He responded coldly. The students began to look up from their books having finished their reading and now looked on with interest. At that moment Severus quietly entered the classroom having heard everything that had so far been said through the partially opened door. He stood with his arms folded, still out of sight of his students since the door was near the back of the room. Catching Hermione's attention she gave him brief acknowledgement whilst she homed in on the student and he watched with interest. Refusing to say anything himself until Hermione gave him a nod or something allowing him to do so, for he wouldn't take over her authority in the classroom again.
"Mr. Granger." She said in a quiet and deadly voice. "Since I am the professor do you not think you should be doing as I say?"
"Of course, Professor." He got up and headed towards the front of the classroom. Hermione spoke up again.
"See me after class, Mr. Granger. I want to speak with you, and ten points from Slytherin for you cheek." He was about to comment when he turned around so that he was now facing the class and spotted his Head of House, who he could immediately see was seething with anger and casting him deadly glares.
"Yes, Professor." He said and for the first time Hermione detected no hint of a snarl behind her title. Snape nodded to Hermione and headed back out of the classroom, he would return at the end when she spoke with his errant student.
The class went well after the events at the start. Christopher had managed to prove more than adequately enough that he could indeed prepare the potion quite expertly. Hermione was quietly pleased with the skill he showed in potion brewing and saw that he had a talent that should definitely be honed. once she found out what his problem was either with her or whatever else it might be, after all, the class had started off quite well.
Hermione told everyone to write up their reports on the uses of a shrinking potion and the ethics of using one on a living being to be submitted by the following Tuesday. Dismissing the class everyone filed out except Granger who had been told to wait behind. Once the classroom was cleared of all other students Severus re-entered and stood quietly at the back again, watching Hermione discipline his student.
Hermione approached Christopher who remained seated at his lab table quietly keeping his gaze fixed to the desk. She took a stool from the table in front and sat on it facing him. Clearing her throat she began. "What happened today in class, Mr. Granger?" She felt a different approach would be beneficial to that of this student being lectured by her.
"Nothing, Professor." He replied; the sneer back behind her title again and his gaze fixed to the desk still.
"Okay, the hats are off. I'm not your professor right now. I want you to tell me what is wrong. I want to know what your problem is with me because you certainly seem to have one." She said exasperated at how she was being treated by a first year student who had been in the school for less than a week.
"Do not." He said quickly contradicting her.
"Do you usually glare at people? Do you usually defy your teachers and backchat them? Do you usually refuse to do something an adult has asked of you?" She asked him. Why would he not look at her, was there something far more interesting on the desk? She glanced down and noticed that there was nothing there that might capture his attention.
"No, I'm usually a good little boy." He replied sarcastically.
"Then why are you this way with me?" She asked, exasperated. "What have I done to you? Why all this animosity towards me?"
"I do not want to talk about it. Punish me and let me leave!" He exploded and finally fixed a furious gaze upon her. From this close she could see that his eyes were a deep chocolate brown in colour and his two front teeth were very slightly larger than necessary, also that a frown was etched onto his face and his cheeks were red with anger as he breathed deeply and quickly, hands beginning to ball into fists as he sat there.
"That's quite enough, Granger." Severus warned from the back of the room causing his spine to go suddenly stiff as he tensed up at the sound of his Head of House's voice. Severus slowly walked towards to the front and stood beside Hermione glaring down at him.
"Okay, Mr. Granger. I will not push you. There is obviously something quite clearly going on with you but you have the right to privacy. Just be aware that what you are doing is highly disrespectful and you are getting into a lot of trouble." Hermione paused trying to think while the boy simply stared back down at the desk fighting to bring his emotions back under control. "And if this continues, I will have to inform the Headmaster and your parents." At this he looked up at her quickly and she could see a look of worry in his face and that his eyes were starting to water.
She sighed and decided to just punish him so that he could gain his self control in private. "Twenty points from Slytherin and detention tonight after dinner with Mr. Longbottom. You are free to go, Mr. Granger." He suddenly leaped up from his desk and ran from the room, grabbing his bag on the way. He had inadvertently left his cauldron and a book, which was inside it.
Hermione sighed heavily watching him go and the door slam behind him. "What just happened, Severus?" She asked looking up at her fiancé with a worried expression on her face.
"I do not know, love." He shook his head. "I have a meeting with him tomorrow and will try to ascertain what is going on then. and return these belongings to him as well." Severus said gesturing to the cauldron and book that were pushed to the side of the desk. "Hopefully he would have calmed down by then as well, he seems to have quite a temper on him."
"Keep me posted, love" She said squeezing his hand as he helped her to her feet and prepared for her next round of first year Potions students- Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.