Disclaimer: see Ch. 1

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Severus grumbled to himself all the way down to the dungeons. Stupid Hermione Granger. While he would admit to himself that he did need the help with the work, he certainly wasn't about to admit that to anyone else, much less a Gryffindor who would undoubtedly use that information against him. But if he pushed her away too hard, she might tell Dumbledore that she couldn't work with him and he would end up having to do it all himself. No, wait, this was the infamous Miss Granger. If she stuck with all the snide remarks from everyone about SPEW, she could put up with him for a few weeks until the demand for healing potions went down to regular levels. So he had nothing to worry about.

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Severus took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes wearily. He only wore them when grading those stupid essays – they were enchanted to make any handwriting, no matter how bad, seem clear, but he still got headaches reading the things that stupid students had written (the Wolfsbane Potion was not sprayed on crops to deter wolves from eating them – wolves were carnivorous, for crying out loud! It didn't even make sense!). Unfortunately, he felt they made him look like Dumbledore's evil little brother, as they were the same half-moon style as the headmaster's. The two men were too different for anyone to think that, but Snape was paranoid about everything. Because of this totally irrational fear, he refused to let anyone see him wearing them – especially the headmaster. Oh, no. If Granger is here, I can't wear my glasses in my office. I'll have to grade these silly things in my quarters. Ugh…even though she's going to be helping me, I really don't want her to be here. If only she could make potions somewhere else in the castle…

Looking up at the clock, he noticed with a start that dinner had started approximately half an hour before. Recalling Dumbledore's earlier words, he dropped the glasses into a drawer on his desk and stood up hurriedly. So, do I go on to dinner knowing that she will immediately start asking silly questions, or do I hold onto my last few minutes of peace and quiet before she arrives and go without dinner? A knock on the door prevented him from having to decide. Apparently he was going to put up with her questions without dinner. Joy.

Severus stalked over to the doorway and yanked it open, glowering at the 7th year girl standing in front of him.

"Professor Snape, I– "

"Yes, I know, you're helping me make healing potions for Pomfrey

"Well, yes. Dumbledore owled the other day, and it sounded like a good excuse to practice potions more, so–"

"Good for you, Granger. I will have everything set up by 7:00 tomorrow morning. Be down here to start preparing the potions no later than that. We will be making burn salves in case you need to review the procedure. Understood?"

"Um…yes, professor. It's just that–"

"You agreed to this, didn't you?"

"Yes, sir, but–"

"Then what are you complaining about?"

"Well, I–"

"Forget I asked. Just be down here by 7." And with that, he slammed the door in her face.

Feeling rather proud of himself for getting rid of her without having to answer any questions (or listen to any answers), he locked and warded the door. Feeling fairly safe, he pulled out his reading glasses from the drawer he had dropped them in and continued to grade papers.

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The next morning, papers graded and glasses carefully hidden in the middle drawer on his bedside table, Severus made sure he was up and dressed and had ingested all 7 necessary cups of coffee by 6:30, just in case Granger was early, which she most likely would be. However, when the clock struck 7, no mice ran down, but neither did a Miss Granger enter. Severus was slightly surprised, as she was normally a punctual girl. He mentally began preparing a scathing speech concerning her lack of respect for her elders, her inability to follow directions, and her utter uselessness to him so he would be ready for her arrival.

At 7:30, he was angry and pacing the room.

At 8, he was furious.

Finally, he realized it was time for lunch and he hadn't gotten anything done because he'd been waiting for that silly little girl all morning. Seething with rage, he stalked to the Great Hall and took his customary place, just waiting until Miss Granger appeared. Food appeared on the table, and Severus took random spoonfuls, neither noticing nor caring what he ate. Miss Granger still didn't make an appearance.

Severus realized with a start that he was eating Lemon Drops with a fork, wondered when the stupid candy had started being a staple of food at the table, and looked up to glare at Dumbledore. Everyone at the table was staring at him, McGonnagal with her mouth slightly open, and Dumbledore was obviously trying not to laugh. The only person not staring at him was Miss Granger, who still wasn't there.

"What is everyone's problem?" Severus snarled, quickly swallowing the mouthful of Lemon Drops.

"Nothing, my boy. We're just not used to seeing you attack your food quite so viciously. Or eat candy of any kind."

At Severus' confused look about 'attacking his food', Dumbledore picked up his fork a little and shook it at the potions master. Severus looked down at his own fork, which upon closer inspection had broken 3 tines, apparently on the plate, which showed multiple deep gouges.

"Is something bothering you, Severus?"

I really need to work on my Death Glare. He's totally immune. I guess I've given it to him enough times that he's built up a tolerance to it. "For your information, Headmaster, Granger has failed to show up today for those potions that she was sooo looking forward to helping me with. I find myself annoyed at her lack of respect–"

"Didn't she tell you?"

I really hate it when he cuts me off like that. "Tell me what?"

"She was looking forward to it so much that she went ahead and made a batch of burn salve at her house before she came. Madame Pomfrey was most impressed and said she didn't need any more, just some regular healing potions and 1 batch of potions to help with blood loss."

Well why didn't she tell me that last night? Oh…that's what she was trying to tell me, but I…kept cutting her off. Severus glared at his plate and stabbed it with the fork in frustration, breaking off the last tine. "That still doesn't excuse her from showing up this morning."

"She came by earlier and said that she decided to take a day and go to Hogsmeade to pick up a few things. I saw no reason not to let her go."

"No reason! She was supposed–"

"Maybe she just decided to take a day off before helping you. This is her vacation time, remember? She's volunteering for this job, and we therefore don't have any place to make her do anything."

That really is annoying. I wonder if he knows how annoying; no one would ever dare cut him off. Or…maybe when she spoke with him, she told him I cut her off last night. Maybe this is payback! I'll get her…Severus, as is has been mentioned, is incredibly paranoid.

He threw his fork at the plate in frustration, but the tineless fork bounced off and hit him in the face. Unable to take any more interaction with annoying headmasters, gawking teachers, or aggressive silverware, he stood up from the table and returned to his dungeons.

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And a big thank you to Hono No Kitsune, my very first reviewer ever.