Harry and Ron arrived in the Great Hall and headed straight for the Gryffindor table. Ron immediately began piling food onto his plate. He sighed in satisfaction as he shoveled roasted potatoes into his mouth. Harry looked at his red-haired friend in amusement and then said "Where on earth is Hermione? I haven't seen her since she left potions."

Ron looked up and was about to answer when something caught his eye. Struggling to swallow, he pointed at the staff table. Harry looked over and saw Hermione standing at the staff table, talking to Snape. Snape at first looked frustrated and then his expression changed to one of resignation. He said something that Harry couldn't hear and then Hermione was headed toward the Gryffindor table looking pleased.

"Hey Hermione!" Harry and Ron said, although Ron had a more difficult time due to his mouth still being full of potatoes. Hermione sat down across from them and smiled. "Are you gonna tell us what's going on?" Harry said. "Or do we have to guess?"

"Well," Hermione began, "Dumbledore has asked me to be Professor Snape's apprentice. I have agreed to it and I left Potions to go get a list of the potions that Madam Pomfrey needs. I had to take Snape the list and just now, he's agreed to allow me to help him brew them." She said all of this in a rush, wondering what Harry and Ron would say to this information.

"What?" Harry and Ron said together. "Did you turn into a nutter over the summer?" Ron said incredulously. "Why would you want to work with that greasy git? The man is just plain evil." He shook is head and looked warily at the staff table where the potions master sat, scowling at everyone.

Harry grinned at Ron and then looked back at Hermione. "I'm a little surprised," he said to her, cocking his head to one side. His green eyes searched her face with concern. "You're really ok with it? I mean, not just becauese Dumbledore requested it."

Hermione looked back at where Professor Snape was sitting. "He's just awful sometimes," Hermione said with a grimace. "But, he's really good with potions and I think it might be interesting to learn more from him." Her expression was thoughful. "Besides, there may be more to him than meets the eye. Dumbledore trusts him and seems to like him. It's not like I'm not familiar with his hateful comments. I just can't help but wonder what makes this guy tick."

"Don't think I want to know," Ron said with a shudder, making the other two laugh. "He's a git and I don't very much care why."

"Oh honestly Ron," Hermione said exasperated. She hurried through her dinner, keeping an eye on the time. Once she was finished eating, she looked at her watch. "I better go and meet with Snape. He told me to come by the classroom after dinner and we would get to work."

"Don't be late Miss Granger," Ron said, attempting to imitate Snape's silky voice, "Or I will be forced to dock one hundred house points, because I am an overgrown bat."

"Don't quit your day job, Ron," Harry said smirking. "Good luck, Hermione. Don't let him get to you."

When Hermione had left the Great Hall, Harry and Ron looked at each other. "There goes a brave soul," Harry said laughing.

"She's my hero," Ron said, dramatically clutching his chest with one hand and pretending to swipe at a stray tear with the other.

Hermione raised a hand to nervously knock of the heavy wooden door to the potions classroom. "Enter," said a deep voice from inside the room. She walked in and walked toward the cauldron the Snape had set up on one of the tables. She looked at Snape, waiting for his instructions.

"I have decided," Snape said stiffly, "to allow you to brew one of the potions on your own. I wish to watch observe you." Hermione tensed, and Snape continued. "This will allow me to take note of your methods and be sure that we will be able to brew potions efficiently. Also, I would like to know that I can trust you to work independently if I must be away."

Hermione visibly relaxed and took the piece of parchment with instructions on it from Snape. She worked quickly and easily, Snape noticed. Perhaps this won't be so bad, Snape thought. She's my best student. And she certainly isn't painful to look at. Snape scowled at this thought and shook his head to get rid of it. Clearly, he spent to much time alone in the dungeon.

Within an hour, Hermione had produced the potion. Her curly brown was swept up into a messy bun and her brown eyes looked tired. Snape looked down into cauldron and she was surprised to see him smile with satisfaction. "Excellent," he said softly. Hermione blushed but made no comment. She wasn't going to risk tainting the first compliment she had ever received from the surly potions professor. She had no doubt that he could easily squash any pleasure she got from the experience.

"Well, that will be enough for today Miss Granger," Snape said smoothly. "We will work on another potion tomorrow at the same time. Don't be late."

"Yes, sir," Hermione replied, surpressing a yawn. She flashed him a small smile and left the classroom.