Professor Snape and Hermione slowly made there way back to Snape's bedroom. They had managed to take a walk after breakfast, and since it had gone well, Hermione insisted that they walk a little more before dinner. Professor Snape, of course, found it necessary to grumble at her persistence. He hadn't actually minded allowing her to hold onto him and steer them around the sitting room, but he wouldn't dare let her know.

"That wasn't so bad," Hermione said cheerfully gently helping him back into his bed. She noticed that he had begun to shake again.

"Speak for yourself," Snape growled at her, attempting to keep his trembling body still. To his surprise, Hermione grinned at him and quickly looked the other way. "Is something funny Miss Granger?" he asked her in a quiet, dangerous voice.

Looking back at the professor, she said "I was just thinking that you are so much less intimidating when you're wearing flannel instead of robes." She actually thought that it was a nice change. He was wearing dark green flannel pants and a matching long sleeved button down shirt.

Snape scowled. "This was Dumbledore's idea," he said, defending the green flannel pajamas.

"Oh, I wasn't making fun of them, or you," Hermione said quickly. "I was merely pointing out that you don't seem quite as threatening when you're not wearing those black robes." When he didn't comment, she started adjusting his pillows to make sure he was comfortable. She then, reached out to touch his face with a serious look on her face.

"Can't seem to keep your hands off of me?" Snape asked smoothly, smirking at her.

Hermione jumped and moved her hand away. "I was checking you for a fever," she replied, blushing furiously. She turned to leave the room, but she was stopped by Snape's silky voice.

"Why did you agree to become my apprentice?" he asked her, not particularly wanting her to leave. "How did the headmaster talk you into it?"

Hermione walked back toward him and sat down on a chair near the bed. "Professor Dumbledore felt that I needed a challenge," she said. "At least, that's what he said. My use of the time turner has aged me a bit. So, I am now legally twenty years old in the wizarding world, while I am only eighteen in the muggle world. I am further along in my studies than my classmates as well. And, so instead of taking classes that would be useless to me, he suggested an apprenticeship because it would be more beneficial."

Snape nodded in understanding, and then said "But, why with me? So, many teachers would have gladly taken you on. I do believe it is safe to say that I am not your favorite professor," he said smirking.

"Dumbledore thought I would be up to the challenge," she replied smiling. "And, of course, he thought it would benefit you as well."

Snape looked puzzled for a moment. "He thought it would benefit me?" he said in a perplexed tone. "You mean, having an extra set of hands for brewing potions."

"Well, that was part of the reason," Hermione replied slowly. Snape raised one eyebrow at her, so she continued. "Professor Dumbledore mentioned that you're a bit of a recluse and that working with me would be good for you. You'd be forced to work in close contact with another person. That, of course, is none of my business."

Snape just looked frustrated for a moment and then his eyes widened as he looked at her. "I do hope the headmaster isn't playing match-maker again." Hermione blushed and searched her mind for something to say. She hadn't thought of that and she certainly hoped that wasn't the case.

"Albus knows better than that now," said the voice of Minerva McGonagall. She had just walked in and was standing in the doorway with an amused expression on her face.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked curiously.

"I mean, he's done that before, and he's learned his lesson," Professor McGonagall chuckled.

"Ah yes," Snape said in realization. "The headmaster attempted to set up Professor Flitwick and Professor Trelawney." At the look of distaste on Hermione's face he chuckled. "Perhaps there would have been some benefit to the match. She could have gazed into his tea leaves and predicted that he would grow another six inches. And then he could use some kind of charm on her to make her less irritating for the rest of us." Hermione and Professor McGonagall snorted with laughter. Snape was looking smug at the success of his little joke.

Regaining her composure, Professor McGonagall smiled at Professor Snape. "I don't think Albus would set out to set you up quite like that at this point," she said gently. Then she grinned. "But, I don't think he'd hesitate if he was given the impression that he'd get away with it." She glanced at Hermione whose lips were twitching slightly as she fought back a smile.

"Meddling old fool," Snape muttered, shaking his head.

"I was sent to find out how your recovery is going," McGonagall said, ignoring his muttering. "Albus is busy at the moment," she added.

"Fine, thank you," Snape replied stiffly. "Miss Granger has been dragging me all around my private chambers."

"Oh good," McGonagall said cheerfully. She looked at Hermione. "It's about time someone made this stubborn man accept help when he's injured. Or any time for that matter. Did you really give him a choice in the matter?"

Hermione grinned. "Not really," she said slyly. "I told him what we were going to do and then I sort of just pulled him out of bed."

"You'll do him a world of good Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said throwing Snape a wicked grin. He simply scowled at her.

On Sunday morning, Hermione found that Professor Snape's health was improving very quickly. The violent tremors that rendered him helpless before had all but ceased. When she suggested a walk, he got of bed slowly and stood on his own. Hermione smiled with relief. "Oh, you're so much better," she said happily. Snape smirked and suddenly felt a pang of regret that soon she wouldn't be in his room taking care of him. He immediately scowled at himself for his line of thinking.

Hermione noticed his sudden change of expression and just looked at him for a moment. "Did I say something wrong?" she thought. She could think of no reason for him to suddenly look so irritated. "Since when do men have mood swings?" she thought, slightly amused at the idea. She gave a mental shrug and quickly turned her attention to her potions master. She headed toward the door keeping an eye on him as he followed carefully.

Walking into the sitting room, Snape's steps grew more confident. Hermione smiled to herself as the Professor strode over to the couch. His movements were graceful in a way, even if they were a bit slower than usual. He whirled around to face her looking smug. Hermione smirked. "Congratulations Professor," she said. "You'll be back to making students cry by tomorrow morning."

"I have to wait until tomorrow?" he asked in a slightly teasing tone and raising one eyebrow. Hermione was a little surprised at his tone but quickly recovered.

"I spoke to Professor Dumbledore about the potion I've been giving you," she said calmly. "You'll heal quickly, but you can't over do it. You'll tire very quickly if you do too much. I wouldn't recommend walking up all those steps to leave the dungeon. You'd be exhausted."

Snape nodded. "Since my health is improving, we could go into my lab and work on a potion," he said. "Actually, you could work on a potion and I could observe. I wouldn't want to over do it," he said silkily. "Of course, Potter and Weasley are probably having a difficult time without you since, of the three of you, your brain is the only functional one. They may need you to go think for them."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "They're not that bad Professor Snape," she said laughing. "Let's go work on that potion." She headed out the door to go to the lab. Snape followed, allowing himself to smile slightly at the fact that she had decided to brew a potion with him rather than going to see her friends.

In the lab, Hermione brewed a very strong Truth Potion under the watchful eye of the potions master. She had pulled her hair up into a messy bun to keep it out of her face. She worked steadily and followed every instruction perfectly. Snape watched with interest as she carefully read each direction and prepared each ingredient meticulously. When she was finished, Professor Snape peered into the cauldron. He grunted in approval and motioned for her to help him put the potion into vials realizing that his energy was quickly draining. When they were finished, they cleaned up the area and walked back to his bedroom. Snape allowed Hermione to guide him to his bed. Before falling into an exhausted sleep, he muttered "Twenty points to Gryffindor." Hermione just smiled and slipped out of the room silently.