For What It's Worth: Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I don't own characters. Please don't sue.

Author's Notes: Well firstly, I'm really sorry it's been so long. It's really been a while hasn't it? His chapter is a little longer, so I hope you can forgive me.

This chapter was fun to write, I hope you like it!

***

"Correct. Wormwood is necessary in the diluting process. Five points, Miss Granger."

*

Hermione brushed a strand of disobedient hair from her face and smiled. It seemed Professor Snape had kept true to his word. Though, like always, the man hardly spoke to her in class at all, at least now there was no contempt or distaste in his tone.

But though this was good news for Hermione (and maybe even Harry and Ron), it seemed as though since Snape could not release his annoyance of his 'dunderhead-sort' students through one "Miss Granger" anymore, other, more timid targets were less lucky.

"Longbottom."

Neville shifted uncomfortably. Shakily. "Yes, Professor."

Snape was already making his way to the unfortunate boy's desk, but Hermione wasn't going to let him get the chance. Neville had been trying so hard, she knew, it was unfair that he was the one to be picked on. Even if his potion was the wrong shade of blue.

"What potion are we making, Mr. Longbottom?"

"I-Ice Potion, sir."

"The correct name is Ice Morphosis Potion." The Professor glared. Positively evil, Hermione thought. "And what colour is the Ice Morphosis Potion supposed to be Longbottom?" He dragged the last few syllables with effect.

"It's supposed to be – "

Hermione cut in. "It's supposed to be blue Professor. Which it obviously is at the moment. Now, can you help me here? I seemed to have added the Spider's Venom at the wrong time, sir."

It's a gamble, Hermione thought. He could both back down on his word and take few points from Gryffindor, or he could leave Neville alone. Either way, it's worth it.

A few students in the front turned around at the rather un-Hermione-like interruption. Nonetheless, what she had said had stayed respectful to the teacher, and if Snape was to reduce Gryffindor's tally by any points, it would've only been because he was in a bad mood. Not a rational reason.

Snape clenched his teeth and glared at the Head Girl. He glared the expression equivalent to the Spider's Venom currently swirling inside Hermione's cauldron. Hermione tried to stay serious, she really did, but the strangeness of the situation finally caught up with her and she cracked a smile.

Snape only fumed more at her reaction. That's when he had approached her desk and, still with clenched teeth, asked to speak with her after class. Then he had sat back at his own desk and refused to speak with anyone else for the rest of the double period.

"Oh, you're really in it this time 'Mione." Ron whispered fiercely. Harry nodded, though not so enthusiastically.

"I sure hope not." Hermione's tone was innocent, but there was that touch of fear that perhaps Snape didn't really care about friendships. She could just imagine him: "Of all things, childish truces…"

"You hope not? What was that? Standing up in front of Snape. He's going to give you detention until the Christmas Holidays."

"I certainly don't think so. Besides Ron, why you so scared. It's not you who's got to see Snape after class."

"Yeah well. I'm worried for you 'Mione."

Hermione smiled and patted the redhead on the back. "Don't worry Ron. It's no big deal. You know what is a big deal though?"

"What?"

"The NEWTS. You know we only have two terms left?"

There was a collective groan from both boys, and the bell rang, drowning out the comments Ron made in response. Probably was a good thing.

"Well, I'll see you two after Arithmacy."

"Yeah," Harry smiled, "Divination for us."

"Predictions of your death?"

"No, yours… better watch out," Harry added, and he pointed to the approaching Potion's Professor. "I'll see you later."

Hermione laughed at the boy's retreating back, but turning around and realizing that she was alone in a room with an angry Snape really wasn't a laughing matter. The man didn't look too dangerous, just annoyed. Seriously ticked off. Maybe…

"I'm sorry Professor, but…"

Snape frowned and continued to look at her with mild distaste, but didn't say anything, so Hermione rushed on.

"…I have Arithmacy now, and I can't really miss it, so can I please talk to you after dinner? I'll see you when we brew the Wolfsbane…"

There was the fleeting expression of compassion on the man's face, but it was gone so fast Hermione was sure it wasn't there. And after all, the words 'Snape' and 'compassion' were never to be used in the same sentence.

Severus Snape held his guard up. Tried to remain emotionless. He didn't even know what he was feeling now. It had been anger a few seconds ago, he knew. What had happened to that? It had always been hate or dislike, hadn't it? Maybe the occasional surprise at her perception in class, but even that turned intolerable after a while. Stay Neutral. Remember neutral. Just be civil Snape, he kept telling himself. You said you would be civil.

"I'll see you tonight then."

Hermione let out a sigh, before turning to leave. Then she remembered her manners. "Thanks Professor."

*

Even Arithmacy seemed to bore Hermione today. And Hermione knew the lesson was important. Her exams were approaching closer and closer with every drop of sand from the hourglass, and yet, at the moment, Hermione didn't care.

Ron and Harry would've been ecstatic.

Sure, Hermione knew the lesson was important. She knew it was going to be a major topic in the Arithmacy NEWT, and she also knew that not paying attention meant extra hours in the library. And as much as she tried to focus on the wand Professor Vector was waving at the blackboard, her mind wandered on it's own accord.

Out the door and through the corridors. Left. Down the moving stairs and another left. Then it landed on Snape.

The infamous Snape. Hermione yawned, which was probably a first in any class. A seven year record broken. The bastard Potion's Professor. What was he anyway? After seven years, I don't know the slightest about him. Still a spy for Voldermort. Member of the Order. Death Eater. Potion's Master. Respected? Definitely. Dangerous? Probably. A horrid person?

Hermione paused. She wasn't sure about that one. In class, he had won the most-hated teacher award for probably as long as he had been teaching. But. But he didn't seem that bad, not as a person. And during the last two years, maybe even just the two days they had brewed the Wolfsbane for, her perspective towards him had changed drastically. Maybe she still despised his attitude in class, but as a person?..

Nah, not too bad. At least he knows how to be civil. Even if it's probably killing him inside.

*

"Vector."

Hermione snapped out of her trance at the voice and looked up to see none other than, Professor Snape standing in the doorway of her Arithmacy class. Her expression was surprise when he caught her eye.

It was the same for Professor Vector. "Yes, Severus?"

A few heads turned to look at the black cloaked man at the door, but when they realized it was only Snape, most of the Hufflepuffs turned away. Gryffindors and Slytherins continued to look on.

"May I borrow Miss Granger for a moment." Hermione found it amusing that even when Snape was being civil, he managed to turn his questions into demands. Then she realized he had asked to see her. She made to stand up.

"Yes, yes of course." Vector seemed almost uninterested, and turned back to finish the lecture.

Hermione moved quickly to the door, and past Snape. She kept walking until she was sure no Slytherins or Gryffindors could hear them talking from outside the classrooms. Because in her almost seven years at Hogwarts, experience told her if you needed a rumor spread, all you needed were a Slytherin, a Gryffindor, and an outrageous scandal.

"Yes, Professor?"

"Miss Granger. I need your help."

Hermione automatically wiped the 'the day has finally come when Snape bows to a Gryffindor' thought from her head, and tried to look disinterested. "What."

Snape glared. "What Professor."

"Professor. If you need my help, you better talk fast. I'm in the middle of Arithmacy, the class you just dragged me out of." Hermione repressed the urge to laugh. She seriously hadn't believed grinding Snape's nerves could be so amusing.

"You walked out on your own accord, Miss Granger." Snape retorted.

Hermione shrugged, the replication of innocence. "I can't refuse a Professor, can I?"

Snape glared, ready to make a comeback, but stopped. "Okay. Okay. I need you to help me brew the Wolfsbane. I can't work this evening, and I'll need you to finish the new few steps."

"What, alone?"

Snape rolled his eyes. "No, I'll get the house elf to help. Of course alone, girl, name one other seventh year who knows the Wolfsbane."

"What about a teacher? I'm sure McGonagall would love to help."

"Miss Granger. Teachers are not without work you know. You agreed to help brew the potion, so you're going to brew it. You already know the password to my quarters, enter through my Office."

"And what's the password to your office?"

"I've charmed the door to unlock at seven, and it locks back up at seven 'o five, so if your late, it will be your fault the potion isn't finished. Apparatus is set up, ingredients are placed out, don't be late."

"Well. Its not like I have a choice, do I Professor?"

"No, you don't. Good afternoon Miss Granger." And he walked off as though nothing had happened.

As though he had not just expected Hermione to brew part of the Wolfsbane alone. By herself. She wasn't a qualified Potion's Master. She wasn't even a graduate, for Merlin's sake! How could he expect her to… Of all the nerve! And it would be her fault if it wasn't done properly as well. And he had given her five minutes to get to his Office. And if she arrived late if would be her fault it wasn't finished. And –

And that meant that he trusted her to finish a high level potion.

Actually, that wasn't too bad.

***

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Bayer04rulz, a WIP is a work in progress, but I've just finished one, so hopefully I can update faster now. Thanks for reviewing!

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