Disclaimer: I'm sure you've figured out by now that the only thing I own is the plot and anything I make up.

Blue Pink Crystal: I'm really glad you liked the chapter.

memommy27: You'll find out this chapter.

Author's Note: Here's the next chapter. Please press the pretty purple review button. I do accept flames, constructive criticism, whatever you feel like putting in a review. If anyone wants me to review one of their stories, put it in a review.

Chapter 14- Talking to Snape

Hermione went straight to the library and right to the potions section. She grabbed a few books and started looking through them, wondering if Snape knew something and if it involved potion making of some sort. She decided not to check out any books until she knew what she was dealing with, but did return a few books to Madam Pince, who happily took them back. Class passed by uneventfully, unless you consider Neville's cauldron melting for the 6th time that year eventful. Once class was over, Hermione waved her friends ahead, made sure she had all of her things, and slowly walked up to Snape's desk.

"Miss Granger, I need you to help me make a very complicated potion- it will take about two months. It's English translation is 'The Truth of Love.' You can look up the potion's history andother information about itin the library. I believe it is in a book called Ancient Magic and Potions. Dumbledore believes that there might be a prophecy concerning you, your parents and Fred. Any questions?" asked Snape.

"Professor, why did you pick me to help you?" questioned Hermione.

"For two reasons. The first reason is that one of the two people taking the potion has to help make it and, quite frankly, I don't really trust Fred Weasley making such a complicated potion. The other reason is that Fred told me you would like to teach potions one day. Is that correct?"

"Yes Professor. But why is that one of the reasons I'm helping you?"

"Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore have agreed to let you be my assistant," responded Snape.

Hermione was surprised to hear that Snape wanted her to be his assistant- why a Gryffindor?

"I can really do that?" Hermione asked.

"That's what I just said Miss Granger," smirked Snape. "Maybe you need to stop thinking about your relationship with your best friend's older brother."

"How did you know about that?" stuttered Hermione.

"Why else would Dumbledore want me to make a complicated love potion?"

Hermione muttered something about not knowing and that she would like to be his assistant before Snape gave her a late pass to none other than Fred's class.

"Be back here at 7 tonight," Snape said as Hermione left.

Fred's Class

Hermione ran to DADA, but slowed down once she got to the door. Everyone turned to look at her, with her friends trying to figure out why Snape had kept her so late, and the rest of the class trying to figure out why Hermione was even late in the first place.

"Sorry Professor. Snape kept me a little late. Here's my pass," she said, giving him a pass before sitting in her seat.

"It's alright. Today we're going to talk about some curses and spells to protect yourself from Death Eater's or anyone else that might be...trying to attack you. With Lord Voldemort returning, it is important to know how to defend yourself."

Fred went over different curses and had Malfoy and Harry show them to the class before he had them practice on pillows that he had borrowed from Flitwick. Hermione found it hard to concentrate on class. She had a feeling that Fred would probably have at least one class on how to protect yourself from Death Eater's- she just wished it wasn't right now.

"Good job 'Mione. Can you just try to pay attention a little more?" prompted Fred.

"Sorry. I just can't seem to concentrate," she whispered.

"I know. Dumbledore and Snape explained the potion to me this morning. This lesson wasn't timed that well, but I want everybody to be at least somewhat protected if they get attacked."

"It's alright Fred."

Fred got up and started walking around the class, checking to see if anyone needed help. He spent the rest of the time trying to help Ron, who couldn't seem to get some of the curses right. He was quite relieved when class was over and told Harry and Hermione to help Ron.

Classes were finally over for the day and as the trio made their way to dinner, Hermione finally explained what was going on. Ron and Harry, however, couldn't get over the fact that Hermione wanted to teach potions and that she had agreed to be Snape's assistant.

"Why does it have to be potions?" complained Ron.

"I like potions. It's fun," Hermione explained.

"You're crazy 'Mione!" exclaimed Ron.

"Please don't start fighting," added Harry.

"Why'd you go to the library again?" wondered Ginny, who had somehow managed to catch up with them.

"To find a book," Hermione replied.

"What for?"

"A potion I'm helping Snape with. I couldn't find it," Hermione said. Dumbledore motioned for Hermione to come up to the staff table, so she went up there as her friends sat down.

"I understand you'll be needing this book," Dumbledore said as he gave Hermione a copy of Ancient Magic and Potions. She thanked Dumbledore and walked back to her friends. She started to look for the potion and once she found it, she started reading, taking time to eat and explain to Ginny what was going on.

"What time do you have to be in the dungeons?" wondered Harry.

"7. I don't know how long it will take, so if I'm not there after a few hours, don't wait up for me."

Before anyone had a chance to say anything else, Dumbledore was standing up, getting the attention of everyone in the hall.

"I would like to introduce our new potions assistant," Dumbledore started. He let everyone whisper for a minute before continuing. "Our new potions assistant is none other than Hermione Granger."

Hermione was trying hard not to laugh at the expressions on her fellow classmates faces, especially the Gryffindors and the Slytherins. She did glance up at the staff table, noting that the teachers must have known because they didn't look all that surprised. Fred, McGonagall, and especially Snape and Dumbledore, all looked amused at the reaction of the students. She wasn't surprised, given that Snape had hated the Gryffindors, especially Harry, Ron, and herself, but still thought it was somewhat amusing. Everyone finally started getting up and leaving the Great Hall, buzzing about why a Gryffindor was an assistant to the Slytherin Head of House.

"I don't blame them for thinking Snape has cracked," Ron laughed. "I know I thought the same thing..."

"I think Dumbledore and Fred must have talked him into it. And McGonagall probably helped them too," Hermione responded as they walked up to the Gryffindor Tower. Hermione wandered around the common room before going down to the dungeons to help Snape.