The Emotions of Potions Rein Elanor
Chapter Seven: An End and a Beginning
Disclaimer: Although the time I've taken in posting this chapter would warrant Book 6, I did not write those books, because I am not JKR. I am Rein, and I am not making any money off this
A/N: Hey guys. What can I say besides I'm really sorry it took me so long to type this? The reviews I've gotten on another story I'm writing have urged me to keep up with this story again. This story is really AU with HBP, too. So...you were warned.
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During her next personal lesson with Snape, Hermione tried to apologize for the hot-coffee-in-the-lap incident at Christmas, but he simply cut her off and started talking about Vampire blood in Strengthening Potions. Hermione sighed, and began taking notes. The incident was forgotten by neither, but they choose not to talk about it.
Their lessons continued, and Hermione came to enjoy them more than almost any other activity. She found Snape's conversation to be quick-witted and amusing, his lectures riveting, and she was always challenged by their experiments.
They worked together amazingly well, considering that he was Head of Slytherin House and she was Gryffindor's shining star. But they found a few shared interests, and when working on a potion together they seemed to think as one. It was a bit creepy at times.
When they brewed potions that required sitting for several minutes, they discussed almost everything under the sun. The Ministry, potions, the Headmaster's tendency to meddle in other people's business (they spoke with affection), and literature were all discussed, among other things. They discovered that the had read many of the same books, and found themselves recommending others to one another. And sometimes, they sat quietly, the silence being uncomfortable no more.
So the year passed, with Voldemort's power growing stronger outside Hogwarts. Hermione knew that Severus' double life as a spy was getting to him. She saw him in the moments when he thought she didn't see- saw him putting his head in his hands almost disparingly or rubbing his left forearm and hissing in pain when the Dark Mark twitched. She tried to get the courage to talk to him about it, but she knew he would simply close himself to her and perhaps never open up again even as far as he already had.
The weeks flew by, and before Hermione knew it, she had taken her NEWTs, and her last personal lesson with Snape was ending. As she packed up her supplies for the last time, she glanced around the dungeon fondly and even sadly. She knew she would miss it.
"Before you go, Miss Granger, would you like a cup of tea?"
"Oh...er, yes, thank you, Professor Snape," Hermione answered, almost surprised, but pleased nonetheless.
Snape ushered her into his office and gestured her into one of the chairs in front of his desk. He conjured a tea kettle and some cups. As he poured. He asked her a question.
"What do you plan to do with your life after you leave Hogwarts, Miss Granger?"
Finished with pouring, he sat down in the other chair in front of his desk and looked at her keenly.
Holding the cup of tea (conjured food is never particularly good), Hermione blushed a bit and answered, "Actually, sir, I shall be attending a Muggle University in America for a few years to explore my possibilities."
Of all the reactions Hermione might have anticipated from Snape at her announcement, anger was the one she least expected.
His face darkened. "A Muggle University, then. In America. After all these months I have spent teaching you," he growled, "You decide to simply go off to a Muggle University."
Hermione frowned. "I really don't mean- "
"Miss Granger," Snape interrupted, "You really seem to be missing the point. Do you know what is happening outside Hogwarts?"
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Of course I know about Voldemort, Professor Snape, but I'm a person, too. And I need to figure out who I-"
Snape cut her off again, standing up and putting his hands the arms of her chair. Leaning over he, he hissed, "I never thought that I was teaching you so that you could run away to America and pretend to be a Muggle." He seemed really angry.
He wasn't the only one. "I hardly think that what I do with my life is any of your business, Professor Snape," she said icily. "I need to explore the possibilities of the Muggle world. I plan to major in History and Chemistry, which, as you know-"
"I know only that you are running out on your people, being extremely selfish, and that you have wasted my precious time all year. Get out."
His normally pale cheeks were tinged an angry red, and his dark eyes were flashing dangerously at her. He stood away from her chair to let her leave.
Hermione felt her eyes fill with angry tears. "How can you think that I would do that?" she cried furiously, standing up, and smashing her teacup down on his desk. "I thought you would have understood that I have to take one last look into my parent's world to see if there is anything-"
He stepped foward again, grabbing her roughly by the shoulders. "I refuse to allow you to throw your life away like this,"he said angrily.
"I love my parents, and this was their request. It's my life,"she retorted, angry tears now spilling down her face. She was furious at herself for crying in front of him like this. "Let me go!" she cried, struggling to get away from him.
Pushing her away from himself forcefully, he hissed, "You know nothing of life, you silly little girl."
She looked at him, angry and hurt beyond what she would have thought possible only five minutes before. "And you, Professor Snape," she whispered, "Know nothing of love."
With that, Hermione Granger ran out of the dungeons, and put Severus Snape behind her.
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Hermione's graduation was one week later, and the two of them didn't say one word to each other during that week, at the ceremony, or afterwards.
Hermione flew (by airplane) to Massachusetts to attend Harvard University, where she spent the next four years. She thought about Snape occasionally, and she missed him often (especially his potions stores and his sharp wit). She considered sending him an owl to tell him she was sorry, but she found that she couldn't. She needed an apology from him first.
Little did she know it, but across the Atlantic, the grouchy Potions Master felt the same way.
Time passed.
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Hermione's years at Harvard passed uneventfully. She found many of her classes boring, and found many of her classmates dull and shallow. She missed her discussions with Snape, her adventures with Harry and Ron (although they kept in touch, it was very hard to get together), and even the twinkle in Albus Dumbledore's eyes. Hermione decided that Snape had had a soothing and at the same time stimulating effect on her (when he wasn't spitting nails in anger). His calm (substitute expressionless) demeanor, the scent of exotic herbs that clung to his person, his silky voice...As soon as Hermione decided that Snape was actually sexy in a dark, lean, brooding sort of way, she decided that it was time to get a life.
After commencement in her fourth year at University, Hermione flew back to London to see her parents and get on with life. She was living peacefully at home, visiting with Harry and Ron and polishing her resume when she received a shock.
In early July, Hermione's owl Apollo arrived with a letter from Albus Dumbledore of the twinkling eyes. The letter bid Hermione to return to Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express the next day, if she 'could manage it". Hermione could recognise a direct order, however. She spent the day with her parents, and boarded the train with her luggage on Tuesday, July 3rd.
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A/N: Sorry it was so short. I'll be typing the next bit tomorrow, so I'll have that up soon. Please tell me if you think this story has gotten silly or if I should scrap it. I have a whole load more of this story, including bits of actual potions work and jealousy and Remus Lupin. Do you think it's worth it?