Part 2
Professor Severus Snape had his system. He expected the best from his students. Of course, Miss Hermione Granger, Head Girl at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was different. She consistently performed above and beyond his expectations. He often thought no one could be as perfect as her, so he would purposely give here a more difficult assignment. That, too, would be perfect. In the end, Professor Snape would give her perfect marks. He always did at the end of the year, but the rest of the time he simply enjoyed aggravating her.
Snape thoroughly delighted in the tension he created . . . to a point. He was loath to admit it to himself even, but all the strain he'd placed on himself and his students was taking its toll. His days as a Death Eater were a plague. How could anyone possibly want to consider him a proper human being if they knew what lie in his past? Beyond the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, there were few who liked him, much less trusted him. He never enjoyed anything he did as a Death Eater, but it was still a part of him. His scars were deep, deep enough and real enough in recent years for him to constantly fear what would most certainly be his fate and that of someone who, dare he hope, might truly love him. For that reason, Snape distanced himself from all but a few people. In particular, the students were the victims of Snape's self-proclaimed life as a recluse.
Through all of his recent Death Eater activities, Severus Snape's loyalties lay with Hogwarts. Yet, his students greatly feared him, much more so since Voldemort's power had increased during Harry Potter's fourth year. If nothing else, Snape had become moodier and more unpredictable. He often felt his mood shifting toward a darker side, but he constantly reminded himself of his duty to protect Hogwarts and ensure the wizarding world survived the war with Voldemort. Snape knew his chances of survival were not very good in the long run despite Dumbledore's protection. However, his mind was steadfast in its course of action. Hogwarts, and the majority of its students, would survive. If he had to die for the cause, then so be it. It would give his life worth to at least sacrifice himself for something that important.
A knock on his door pulled him out of his reverie. "Who could this be?" he grumbled unhappily as he went to the door. "Miss Granger, here to discuss your marks I presume," he greeted her with his usual sneer.
"Who do you think you are?" she asked seethingly. "You know I did everything you wanted . . . even the extra parts!"
"Is this your brilliant plan? Try to accost me for teaching you more than everyone else and preparing you more than the other students? I doubt Dumbledore would get rid of me for such a trifle thing," he commented dryly. "Do come in, and we will discuss this rationally." Hermione entered his dungeon office, and the door slammed behind her.
End part 2
Professor Severus Snape had his system. He expected the best from his students. Of course, Miss Hermione Granger, Head Girl at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was different. She consistently performed above and beyond his expectations. He often thought no one could be as perfect as her, so he would purposely give here a more difficult assignment. That, too, would be perfect. In the end, Professor Snape would give her perfect marks. He always did at the end of the year, but the rest of the time he simply enjoyed aggravating her.
Snape thoroughly delighted in the tension he created . . . to a point. He was loath to admit it to himself even, but all the strain he'd placed on himself and his students was taking its toll. His days as a Death Eater were a plague. How could anyone possibly want to consider him a proper human being if they knew what lie in his past? Beyond the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, there were few who liked him, much less trusted him. He never enjoyed anything he did as a Death Eater, but it was still a part of him. His scars were deep, deep enough and real enough in recent years for him to constantly fear what would most certainly be his fate and that of someone who, dare he hope, might truly love him. For that reason, Snape distanced himself from all but a few people. In particular, the students were the victims of Snape's self-proclaimed life as a recluse.
Through all of his recent Death Eater activities, Severus Snape's loyalties lay with Hogwarts. Yet, his students greatly feared him, much more so since Voldemort's power had increased during Harry Potter's fourth year. If nothing else, Snape had become moodier and more unpredictable. He often felt his mood shifting toward a darker side, but he constantly reminded himself of his duty to protect Hogwarts and ensure the wizarding world survived the war with Voldemort. Snape knew his chances of survival were not very good in the long run despite Dumbledore's protection. However, his mind was steadfast in its course of action. Hogwarts, and the majority of its students, would survive. If he had to die for the cause, then so be it. It would give his life worth to at least sacrifice himself for something that important.
A knock on his door pulled him out of his reverie. "Who could this be?" he grumbled unhappily as he went to the door. "Miss Granger, here to discuss your marks I presume," he greeted her with his usual sneer.
"Who do you think you are?" she asked seethingly. "You know I did everything you wanted . . . even the extra parts!"
"Is this your brilliant plan? Try to accost me for teaching you more than everyone else and preparing you more than the other students? I doubt Dumbledore would get rid of me for such a trifle thing," he commented dryly. "Do come in, and we will discuss this rationally." Hermione entered his dungeon office, and the door slammed behind her.
End part 2