Chapter 3 – Nothing is Ever One-Sided

Right, leave it to him to stand menacingly on the steps when I arrive. I'm sure he's doing this for my benefit, she thought sarcastically. A few short strides later and she was standing at the base of the stone steps looking up at the man she remembered. Five years had not affected him much. The black curtain of hair and the pallid skin were the same. The heavy black robes and antagonistic expression had not faded with time. Realizing she could only pretend to look up at the castle for so long, she cautiously started up the steps toward Snape.

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Oh my… For the first time in a long while, Snape was lost for thought. Granted, it was a very short intermission. Was this some kind of joke? He would never have approved a previous student as an apprentice. That would be begging for trouble. Then he knew. This was why they had not included her name. He would have refused the appointment and she would have had to wait another year for a placement. Still, he could not help thinking that this was unfair to him. If he were too hard on her, she would go running to McGonagall. If he were too easy on her, he would not be fulfilling his duty to direct her. Sinking into his conscience was the knowledge that this was not going to be any fun.

She had just reached the base of the steps. He knew he was staring, half out of shock and half out of disappointment. The bushy hair she had tamed with age, which she had pulled back from her face and loosely clipped in the back. She was a bit pale, especially for early summer, and did not look to be wearing any make-up. Black robes covered a basic outfit of muggle blue jeans and a t-shirt. Good, Snape thought, at least she is not entirely stuck on herself considering he would be stuck with her for the next year. Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley would no doubt be visiting at every spare opportunity. She would be trying to avoid work so that she could run about with her friends. No, he thought, this is not going to be any fun at all. One last optimistic thought flashed across his mind. Perhaps she was here on other business, perhaps. Then she spoke.

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"Hello Professor." Upon hearing the words, Hermione knew they sounded much more timid than she had intended. Trying to sound more assured, she added, "Glorious day, isn't it?" Small talk, she hated small talk.

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Small talk, he hated small talk. "Hello Miss Granger. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Deep and intimidating, his voice carried authority. He waited for her reply.

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Taken back, and a little stung, she answered. "Sir, I'm here to begin my apprenticeship." Hermione winced inwardly, her voice had returned to timid.

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Damn, he thought, I knew it. "I was not informed of the name of my new apprentice. I would have assumed they would place you with someone with which you had less history. Are you sure you have not made some sort of mistake?" The emphasis on the last word was not accidental, nor was the acid that was beginning to infuse his tone.

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Hungry, tired, and thoroughly not enjoying the conversation, she decided to put an end to it. Summoning the courage she had amassed on the walk up, she did just that. "No, regrettably this is no mistake. I am sorry, sir, for your inconvenience. I assure you I am no more thrilled about this than you appear to be. It has been a long trip and it is quite early. If you do not need me for anything, I would like to find my room and have some breakfast." She had tried to keep her tone steady and professional. Her impatience had gotten the better of her and she knew she would pay for it later.

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Surprised by her candor and caught of guard by her pointed words in that smooth tone, he was unable to form a suitably toxic reply. All he could come up with was, "Dobby is waiting just inside the door. He will show you to your rooms. There is no need to begin until this afternoon. Three o'clock in the potions classroom should be fine. Good day Miss Granger." The words were hurried. He abruptly turned on his heel and stalked into the castle heading straight for the dungeons wondering when--before today--he had been at such a loss for words.

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Hermione stood motionless. Had Snape just retreated from her? No, he had been in a hurry. That was all. He was not in the mood to deal with her now and would be more apt to call her on her indiscretion later. Great, she thought flippantly, that a way to start on the right foot. Shaking off the bad mood that was trying to overtake her, she walked into the castle to find Dobby. He was standing just to the right of the large oak front doors. His penchant for socks had not left him. One green sock on the left foot and one blue sock on the right, yellow soccer shorts and a pink tank top rounded off his ensemble.

"Dobby, it is so good to see you again. Are you doing well?" Hermione was happy see a friendly face.

"Oh yes Miss. Dobby is so happy you have come to stay!" His exuberance was apparent from his bobbing up and down on the balls of his feet. "Follow Dobby, you're rooms are not far. The other elves have put some breakfast in your rooms. Come on! Come on!" Dobby hurried off in front of her. Hermione had to run a bit to keep up. She did not remember requesting breakfast, it must have been Professor McGonagall, she thought. However, if Snape did not know she was coming, how would Professor McGonagall know? Oh well, there would be time enough between now and her appointment with Snape to think about such things. A bagel and a very large cup of coffee were first on the priority list. That and trying to figure out some way to pull herself out of the chasm she had already managed to create with Snape.