He sat at his desk in the quiet of his office when a soft knock disturbed his thoughts. "Enter."

The girl appeared quite timid as she stepped into the darkened room. Her nervousness showed through in the way she rung her hands and kept her eyes on the cold stone floor.

"Ah, yes, Miss Granger. Please take a seat, "his velvet voice called in the dimness. She sat in the chair that he had placed before his desk, her back straight and tense as her hands clasped each other in her lap. "You have never been in a situation such as this before, have you? Never been punished?"

"No, sir. At least never in school," she squeaked, sounding very much like a scared little mouse. He drew a slow deep breath and settled back in his chair, his dark eyes on the girl who refused to meet his gaze.

"I recall a young boy who found himself in a very similar situation once. He was extremely nervous and angry with himself for getting into trouble. Like you, he had spoken out of turn and was called down for it. He knew he was wrong but hoped for a miracle to save him from being reprimanded. His professor felt sorry for him but had to follow through with her threat or risk loosing control of her class." He grew quiet and reflective for sometime before he came to a startling decision. "Miss Granger, that professor couldn't afford to be lenient but I can. No one is going to take my class from me and I hardly believe anyone would be foolish enough to consider you my pet, so just this once I will let you off with this warning; NEVER speak out of turn again. If you have a question as to why I use an ingredient, ask me. Don't tell me a better way of doing something. Is that clear?"

Hermione was confused by the change in her professor's character but knew better than to question fate. "Yes, sir," she answered softly.

"Good. Now go before I change my mind and have you preserving frog spleens for a week." As the girl reached the door his silken voice stopped her. "Oh, one more thing, Miss Granger... you were right."

"I beg your pardon, sir?" Now she was truly shocked. Had she bested the potions master at his own game? And if indeed she had, why in the world would he ever admit to it?

"You were correct, Miss Granger," he spoke slowly as if he thought her dim-witted. "Opal granules do weaken a potion by scattering the stored energy. That is the very reason for its use in this particular tonic. Without it's effects the draft would be so strong the user may never awaken."

"Oh. I didn't think about that."

"That is obvious. You are dismissed, Miss Granger."

As the door opened a tawny owl flew into the office and settled on the professor's desk. It dropped a note it had clutched in its beak and launched itself back into the air following the girl out of the dungeon room. As Severus eyes fell on the familiar handwriting a smile curved his thin lips.

Severus,

Meet me tonight in Hogsmeade for drinks.

It's been far to long and I can't wait to catch up.

I am looking forward to tonight.

Yours always,

Patrice

His smile widened as he threw the note into the fire. Yes, he could do with a drink and a good friend right now and Patrice was always such pleasant company. It had been a long time and he would certainly enjoy getting reacquainted with his old teacher; a teacher who had taught him so much.