Okily dokily, children, here's the deal: I've always been a big fan of the WIKTT challenges, so I FINALLY decided to get a Yahoo account and join this group. I've been looking through the challenges folder, and I found one that I really liked. It's called the Ghost Challenge; if you would like a FULL summary of the requirements, e-mail me and I'll send them to you. Basically, the challenge goes like this:
Snape has been killed and his ghost now resides in Hogwarts, although he refuses to acknowledge that he's dead. Our smart little bookworm has returned to Hogwarts - for whatever reason you decide - and Dumbledore has given her the job of helping Snape come to terms with his passing, giving her orders to do it any way possible by any means necessary!!
I hope I can do the SS/HG pairing justice. I accept all forms of feedback: praise, constructive criticism and even flames.
Oh, and I don't own ANY of the characters contained in this story. No copyright infringement is intended, and I am making no money from writing this.
Now, I hope you all enjoy Ghost!
Ghost—Chapter 1
August 2002
Hermione Jane Granger shivered as she descended the stone stairs to the dungeons. It was about five years after she had graduated, and she never thought she would ever see Hogwarts again. However, Dumbledore had other plans.
Flashback
Two months earlier June 2002
Hermione sat nervously in Headmaster Dumbledore's office, wondering what the old man had wanted. She hadn't seen him since the Final Battle against Voldemort, and she couldn't fathom why he would want to speak to her.
"Ah, Miss Granger, I was hoping you were here," said Dumbledore, coming out from a door at the back of his office. "I hope you haven't been waiting long."
"Not too long," Hermione replied with a small smile. "Only a few minutes."
"Good, good," said Dumbledore. "You're probably wondering why you're here." Hermione nodded. "As you are aware, Severus died in the final battle…I believe it was a curse from Bellatrix Lestrange?"
"Yes, sir," replied Hermione. "But I still don't know what this has to do with me."
"I'm getting to that, child," said Dumbledore. "Severus has taken to haunting the dungeons and he is beginning to scare some of the younger students."
"Well, you know Snape…he thinks intimidation is the best way to get anything," Hermione said, now very curious as to why Dumbledore has called her there. She wished he would just get on with it already.
"There's just one problem, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore. "Severus doesn't think he's dead; he still inhabits his office, quarters and classroom."
"Oh."
"'Oh' indeed," replied Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. Hermione did not like the look of that twinkle. "You studied Potions for your apprenticeship, correct?"
"Yes," replied Hermione. Because she had been the best Potions student in her year, Hermione had been offered an apprenticeship in France under one of the highest-ranked and most respected world masters in that field.
"And you completed a teaching certification course at a Muggle university at the same time, correct?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes, sir," replied Hermione, putting the pieces together. "With all due respect, Professor, but if Snape is doing fine without knowing he is dead, and teaching his course as Professor Binns did, then why do you need to replace him?"
"But you see, Miss Granger, Severus has a slight tendency to terrorize his students. Now that he is a ghost, his students are so frightened that they cannot achieve anything. Additionally, it is against the law to have a ghost teach a subject with a practical application unless there is no one to take over. Severus has lasted this long because I felt that there was no one qualified enough to replace him," Dumbledore replied. His eyes were twinkling more than ever. "As such, Hermione, I am offering you a position as the Potions professor, if you choose to accept it."
"I'll take it!" Hermione said without hesitation. She had always wanted to come back as a professor, but she had never thought the Potions position would be open to her.
"Good, good," said Dumbledore, his face breaking into a grin. "I'll give you some time to get your affaires in order, and you are to report back here at the beginning of August. How does that sound?"
"It sounds perfect, sir," said Hermione, beaming. "I'll see you in a couple of months!"
She got out of her seat and had to refrain from skipping out of the room. Just as she reached the door, Dumbledore stopped her for one last thing.
"Oh, and Miss Granger?" called Dumbledore. Hermione turned around to face the Headmaster.
"Yes, Professor?"
"You're the one that has to tell Severus he's being replaced."
End Flashback
Hermione silently cursed the old man. She had been in the castle for almost two weeks before Dumbledore had reminded her of her task. He had informed her that, along with taking over his classes, Hermione would also be taking over his office and his quarters, because there wasn't anywhere else for her to go.
Oh, great, not only am I stuck in the dungeons, but I'm going to have to share my space with a cantankerous ghost, Hermione thought as she pulled her robes around herself for warmth. Even in the middle of summer, the dungeons were still extremely cold. Could someone remind me why I agreed with this?
She carefully pushed open the door to the Potions classroom, hoping that there was no one, living or dead, in her newfound workspace. Looking around, she sighed in relief when she saw that there was no one there. Cautiously, she tiptoed across the room to Snape's very comfortable-looking desk chair. She sat in it, and put on her best 'Snape' expression.
"There will be no foolish wand-waving or sill incantations in this class," she said softly, trying to imitate Snape's dangerous way of speaking. She let out a small giggle at how silly she sounded.
"I fail to see what is so amusing, Miss Granger," said a soft voice from behind Hermione. She jumped a bit and spun around in the chair, the color draining from her face.
Standing-or rather, floating-behind her was the ghostly form of Professor Snape. Hermione put on a bright, cheery and obviously fake smile.
"Hello Professor!" she said in a falsely bright voice. "How have you been doing?"
"As well to be expected," Snape replied coolly. "Now, Miss Granger, could you please explain to me why you're sitting in my chair and doing an atrocious impression of me?"
"Heh, funny story," began Hermione.
"I'd love to hear it," Snape drawled, examining his transparent fingernails. How in the world can he not know he's dead? Hermione thought.
"Well, you see, it's like this," began Hermione, taking a deep breath. "I'm here to replace you." Snape stopped examining his fingernails.
"Replace me? Why would I need to be replaced?" he asked. "I am the best Potions Master this school has seen in a long time. My Potions scores outrank…"
"Dumbledore's and Tom Riddle's, yes, I know," Hermione cut him off. The ghost glared at her. "You see, the reason why you're being replaced is another funny story."
"Get on with it, Miss Granger," snarled Snape; it was obvious that his patience was wearing thin.
"Well, you see sir, you're sort of…dead," Hermione said simply. Snape looked at her in disbelief.
"Surely you jest, Miss Granger," he said. Hermione shook her head. "Prove it, then."
"That should be easy," Hermione replied. From within her robes she pulled out a file folder. She dumped the contents unceremoniously onto the desk. "This," she said, pointing to a Daily Prophet article dating back to about five years ago, "is an account of the final battle and a list of the dead. I have circled your name; it's right there." Snape looked at the article.
"That proves nothing. They could have found a body that was like mine," he brushed off.
"I have more. This," Hermione pointed at an obituary, "is your obituary." Snape read the scrap of newsprint.
"'Severus Snape was a kind and caring teacher who loved all of his students,'" he quoted with a snort. "Who wrote this codswallop?"
"Dumbledore," Hermione replied. "And this is your death certificate." She pushed a piece of parchment across the desk in Snape's direction. The ghost scanned the piece of parchment, the scowl on his face deepening.
"You have made a very powerful argument," said Snape finally. "However, I still do not believe I am dead."
"What do you propose we do, then?" asked Hermione, crossing her arms across her chest. How can one man be so bloody stubborn? Hermione asked herself, mentally rolling her eyes.
"I loathe going up to the main school, but I guess I must if I am to see Dumbledore," Snape replied.
"To Dumbledore's office it is, then!"
Well, here's the first chapter, I hope you all enjoy it!