SUMMARY: Hermione looses her two best friends in the war against Voldemort. Because of this, she becomes depressed and flees from the world she loves. To London she goes and chooses to live as a muggle. Six years pass. Hermione slowly begins to forget how to use magic. Will the staff of Hogwarts be able to teach her again before the damage becomes permanent?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.
PAIRINGS: Hermione Granger, Severus Snape (eventually); Rated M
A/N: Thank you to KieraLee, iloveseverussnape, bRaTsKi, GerryPhanatic, Angelbabe385, Hermes, and Katyes for your reviews.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Hermione took the liberty of sleeping in. She didn't wake until eleven in the morning, causing her to miss breakfast. The day was nearly half gone when she decided to open her eyes.
Hermione knew she would have to be well rested if she wanted to survive a midnight potions lesson with the most strict professor in all of Hogwarts. Plus, Hermione had no desire to fall asleep over a simmering cauldron.
Hermione's quarters were, unfortunately, only three doors down from Snape's. After dinner, Mr. Filch, followed closely by Mrs. Norris, escorted her to her new lodgings. She was certain Filch lived down here too, though she didn't know where. Hermione could picture both him and Snape lurking around the corners of every hallway.
Apparently, the only vacant rooms in Hogwarts were located in the dungeon. The cold, dark, and eerily quiet dungeon. Only a snake could survive down here. The head of Slytherin was no doubt more than happy about his living situation. Snape had probably requested such quarters on his first day of teaching. Hermione, on the other hand, had no liking for it.
Hermione's quarters were extremely cold and dark. She would have loved to have put a warming charm on the room, but she was unable to. Instead, she hesitantly asked Snape if he would do it for her. She was surprised when he said yes. When Snape said the spell, Hermione began to envy his ability to do what she could not. He left without a word, not even a good night. Hermione expected as much.
The room was an average size, with a connecting washroom. There was nothing too extravagant about the chamber. There was a dresser, a writing desk in the corner, a small sofa, and a king size bed. A very inviting king size bed covered with the softest silk imaginable.
Hermione didn't even notice the two bookcases filled with novels until she awoke this morning. She noticed some of the books were almost twelve inches thick. She assumed they were a welcoming gift from Dumbledore. Hermione also found, that in the dresser, there were clothes for her to wear during the duration of her stay.
Oddly enough, they were muggle clothes.
But, Hermione found no jeans like she would have liked. She only discovered pressed, wrinkle-free dress pants and shirts. And, there were a couple of long skirts as well. These clothes wouldn't have been her first choice. But nevertheless, Hermione would definitely have to thank Dumbledore the next time she saw him.
Hermione knew Dumbledore had to be behind it.
"You missed breakfast, Ms. Granger." said Dumbledore as she entered the Great Hall. Hermione smiled.
"Yes. I thought it best to be well rested for my 'potion lesson'."
"In a way, that is a good approach, Hermione," said Dumbledore, "however, sleep is not the only energy one needs. Breakfast is after all, the most important meal of the day."
"Or so they say." Hermione countered.
As Hermione took her seat at the Head Table, most of the professors were already beginning to eat their lunch. There was McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, Trelawney, and even Malfoy.
Hermione still couldn't believe Draco was a teacher. She would have bet any amount of money that he would have turned out exactly like his father, just as cruel and as cold-hearted. But, Hermione was entitled to her mistakes. Even if they did involve Draco Malfoy.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Dumbledore turned to face her. "Thank you for the clothes." said Hermione, as she gestured toward her outfit. She currently wear a pair of black dress pants and a light purple blouse, with matching shoes. "Where did you ever find such style, Professor?"
"My niece is the fashion witch."
"Literally?" asked Hermione, eyebrows raised. Dumbledore chuckled.
"Oh, no! She hasn't a magical bone in her body. But, she is a wiz when it comes to clothes, at least for muggles. I owled her when you and Severus went to Diagon Alley. She was more than happy to help."
Dumbledore has a muggle in his family? I never knew that.
"Um, would you be so kind as to thank her for me?" Dumbledore nodded and continued to eat his meal.
About halfway through lunch, Hermione noticed that Snape had not shown up. She, of course, could care less, but his absence during the mid day meal made her wonder where he was. Ever since Hermione had come back to Hogwarts, Snape had basically become her shadow.
"Where is Professor Snape?" she asked curiously. Dumbledore looked at her over the top his small frame glasses. "I mean, shouldn't he be here, eating lunch like the rest of us?"
"Severus is almost certainly in his classroom, preparing his lessons. One of which is most likely yours Hermione." She hadn't thought of that. "Why do you ask? Do you miss his presence?" Something made Hermione suddenly blush. She could feel her cheeks warm.
"What! No! I was just...curious." He raised an eyebrow. "That's all." Dumbledore said nothing as Hermione began to gobble down her ham and cheese sandwich.
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