Author's note:

Thank-you so much to my reviewers! This is my first FF, so I was really nervous. I'm glad you like it thus far! I hope I don't let you down! Anyway, on with the story!

Chapter Three

"Viktor, I'm finished having this conversation. I love you, I will see you in a few weeks," Hermione Granger kissed her boyfriend goodbye and stepped onto the Hogwarts Express. Her dream had come true; she had been hired to teach Potions at Hogwarts! She had been thrilled when Professor McGonagall had owled her. That is, before she read the fine print. Professor Snape- that hateful man- had been blinded by Lucius Malfoy, so not only was he unable to teach, but he was unable to protect himself.

Great.

She had to protect Severus Snape.

She shuddered.

It had been a difficult decision to make, but Hermione decided it would be worth it. She had wanted to teach at Hogwarts so badly! If she had to baby-sit Severus Snape, she would do it!

Viktor had been furious when she told him she was going to take the job. She could tell he wanted to ask her to move in with him, but she wasn't ready for that. She blushed at the thought of sex, actually DOING it made her feel faint. He had been hinting that he wanted to have sex for some time. 'Ve have been seeing each other for...a long time! It is time for us to partake in certain...activities!' he didn't even know how long they had been together, how could he expect her to be ready to make love with him? She blushed at the thought.

Before she knew it, she had arrived. She quickly retrieved her bags and turned to get onto a boat when she ran into something very large, brown and warm. Rubbing her head, she looked up and smiled.

"Hagrid! It's so wonderful to see you!"

"'Mione! I wuz so thrilled ta hear ya were comin' ta teach at 'Ogwarts! 'Tis a shame about Professor Snape, ain't it?"

"Err...yeah," Hermione looked uncomfortable at the mention of Professor Snape, "Let's go Hagrid!" she exclaimed happily and they made their way across the water.

She entered the doors of the familiar castle that she loved so much. Students were scurrying to their classes and chatting about quidditch, classes and, of course, the absence of Professor Snape.

"Ahh, Hermione!" came the warm voice of Professor Albus Dumbledore, "You don't mind if I call you Hermione do you? It's so wonderful to see you!"

"It's perfectly fine for you to call me Hermione Professor-"

"No, no! Call me Albus. We are colleagues now! You are my equal," his eyes were twinkling and he smiled as he spoke.

"Alright...Albus," Hermione repeated uncomfortably, "It will take some getting used to."

"Of course! Come, let's get you settled into your quarters," his tone suddenly became sullen and quiet, "I will need to speak with you about Professor Snape as well."

"Alright," Hermione was very worried about the situation with Professor Snape. What was she going to be doing with him?

They made their way down many flights of stairs until they reached the dungeons. Hermione looked questioningly at Albus.

"You will need to be near Severus, so you can keep an eye on him," him said just above a whisper, "Hermione," he said seriously as he opened the door to her new quarters and she began to put her things in their place, "You must keep Severus from knowing that one of the purposes you are serving here is to watch over him at all costs. He would be furious and I am afraid that he would leave. There is no way he would survive on his own in those massive estates of his with just a few house elves to help him." Hermione grimaced. She hated the idea of house elves in slavery, but she had long since given up on S.P.E.W.

"Yes Pro- Albus, I will make sure he doesn't know."

"Good," he said twinkling again.

Her quarters were very lovely. The walls were Gryffindor Red with gold curtains and a gold bedspread. (Obviously decorated by Professor McGonagall and Albus) The lamps and accessories were gold, red, or black.

"I love my quarters! They are so...Gryffindor!" she proclaimed, beaming.

"I thought you would appreciate the house spirit. Well, I suppose it's time for us to go see Severus. He will want to speak with you about lessons and such, no doubt."

Hermione suddenly felt panicked. She had to see him now? She had to see Professor Snape blind? 'Wait a minute,' she thought to herself, 'He's blind, so he can't give me that evil death stare! I can do this!'

Albus knocked on a large black door, presumably leading to Snape's quarters.

"Who is it?" a bitter and vicious voice asked from behind the oak door.

"It is I, Severus. I have brought Hermione with me, so you may speak with her about her lessons."

Suddenly, the massive door was flung open and there stood the ghastly appearance of Severus Snape. His skin was white from lack of sunlight, his robes were disheveled and his hair was worse than Harry's, but all of that paled in comparison to his eyes. It was a grousome sight. They were blood shot and his pupils were the purest of white next to the black of his iris. Before she could stop herself, she gasped.

The corner of his mouth turned up in a disgusting smirk and he laughed. Severus Snape laughed! Not a warm, kind laugh, but a cold, bitter laugh. There was nothing happy about it.

"Hmm, that is the third reaction of the sort I have received. I should very much like to see the repugnant sight which is my eyes," he sneered coldly.

"Severus, Hermione would like to know where you left off with your students," Albus said cheerfully, completely ignoring his previous comment.

"What? You mean the know-it-all doesn't already have a full lesson plan set for each year? I shocked," his tone was mocking and harsh.

"I beg your pardon, I just wanted to know if there were any students I should take extra care with or lessons you have already covered. I didn't know I was going to be such I burden, I will leave you be," she snapped back at him and she swiftly exited the room, leaving an outraged Snape and an amused Albus.

"How DARE she speak to me like that?" he sneered.

"Come now Severus, what do you expect when you speak to her like she's done something terribly wrong to you? She's just here to do her job. I want you to be kind to her."

Snape scoffed at the very idea. Kind? To Hermione Granger? Yeah, right.

"It will be a cold day in hell when I welcome that girl-"

"Woman, Severus," Albus lowered his tone suggestively, "She is very much a woman."

Author's note:

I hope you like it! Review, please. Constructive criticism and complement are welcome! No flames, please. This is my first FF, be gentle. Thank-you!

3Amy