Disclaimer: I still own nothing.

7/21/05 I fixed a few mistakes that my beta, Katie, found.

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As Hermione walked toward the dungeons the next day, she was still amazed that Snape had asked her to be his apprentice. It came completely out of the blue. She was to start her apprenticeship today.

When she reached the dungeons she tapped lightly on the heavy wooden door.

From within, Snape called, "Enter!" Hermione slowly walked through the door and made her way through the classroom to Snape's desk.

"I'm here about the apprenticeship, Sir," Hermione began timidly.

"I know perfectly well why you are here, foolish girl!" Snapped the Potions master. "First I want you to organize those ingredients. Pay special attention to their properties and which will react negatively with others as you sort. I will determine the level of difficulty of potion we begin with by how well you do." Hermione immediately began sorting. Snape sat back down at his desk and continued marking papers. An hour later he broke their silence.

"Miss Granger, do you know why I asked you to be my apprentice?" When Hermione shook her head, Snape continued, "When I was nine my mother died. She was hit by Avada Kedavra by a Death Eater. I then learned that my father had been cheating on my mother since before I was even born. Knowing his nature, this shouldn't have surprised me. But when I thought of how sweet, kind, loving, and generous my mother was, I couldn't understand why my father would cheat on her. My father brought his mistress to my mother's funeral, the bastard. Then he married the slut, before my mother was even cold in the ground. While I realize that our stories are not identical, I thought that they were alike enough for you to understand that you are not alone in this. I know that since divorce is uncommon, almost unheard of in our world, that you may be having some trouble finding anyone who understands what you are feeling. When this happened to me I turned to Lucius Malfoy for comfort. This eventually led me on the path to becoming a Death Eater. I didn't want you to feel as alone and isolated as I did." When Snape had finished, he looked up at Hermione. She had tears in her eyes.

"Professor I am so sorry!" she mumbled. "Thank you so much for thinking about me. Harry and Ron don't understand. Ron tried to tell me that he does, but his parents are so very much in love that nothing like this would ever happen to them. I guess that I should just be thankful that they are both alive. Maybe I'm overreacting."

"Never discount your feelings, Hermione!" Professor Snape started. "Those are your feelings. If it is a big deal to you, then that is all that matters! Divorce is a horrible experience. Many people judge their concept of love off of their parents. Their parents' marriage has been a constant throughout their lives. When it is suddenly gone it leaves a hole in them. Some people even begin to believe that love is a scheme or that marriage will never happen for them. I wanted you to know that this will not be the case for you."

"Sir, may I ask a question?" Hermione began, she was shocked that he cared so much and she filed away the fact that he had called her by her given name.

"It seems you already have, Miss Granger," Snape drawled. "But if you insist, I suppose you may."

"Weren't you mad at the Death Eaters for killing your mum? Why did you join them?" Hermione cautiously asked.

"A fair question," Snape sighed. "I was enraged by what happened to my mother. However, I was so hurt by what happened, that at that point I couldn't have gone after the killer even if I wanted to. Never mind the fact that I was only nine at the time. When I turned to Lucius for comfort, he and his family slowly poisoned my mind, giving it piece by piece to the Dark Lord. Being Sorted into Slytherin was just another small stone on the path to darkness. By the time I was sixteen, I was more than ready to become a Death Eater. I thought that if I got close enough to the Dark Lord I might discover whom my mother's murderer was, and be able to take my revenge. I was a lost and confused child with a thirst for vengeance. But that doesn't, in any way, condone what I have done. When I was twenty-one the Dark Lord forced me to kill a small girl. I was struck by how much she resembled my mother. As she died I asked her name. She whispered, "Olivia," and then passed away. Olivia was my mother's name. I was sick with what I had done. I had killed an innocent girl; she couldn't have been more than four years old. For the first time in the five years that I had been a Death Eater, I felt my conscious stir. I wanted to get away, never serve the Dark Lord again. But I knew that he would kill me if I tried to leave. That's when I turned to Dumbledore for help. He took me in, gave me a job, and helped me sort things out. As you know, I became a spy for the Order. Serving two masters and playing a dangerous game that will, more than likely, result in my death." Snape finished, he seemed considerably shaken. "I have only ever told that story to Dumbledore, I would appreciate it if you would never whisper a word of it to another soul."

"I will never tell anyone, you have my word." Hermione said.

"I would completely understand if you don't want to have anything to do with me, now that you know some of the horrors that I have committed." Snape hung his head.

"I'm not going to punish you any further, Professor. You have spent years being punished for your mistakes. You've suffered enough. You've been the only person to really offer me any support since my parents divorce, and I appreciate that more than you know." Hermione looked up at Snape. Their eyes met and she offered him a small smile. Suddenly Snape jumped.

"Merlin's beard! Look at what time it is!" He exclaimed. "It is well past both midnight and curfew. Gather your things, Miss Granger, and I shall accompany you back to Gryffindor Tower." Hermione picked up her book bag and together they began their trek. They walked in silence until they reached the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Thank you for everything, Professor." Hermione said.

"You're welcome. Good night Miss Granger." Snape said, giving a small bow, then he turned on his heel and walked off.

"Good night Sir." Hermione said the password, 'Wolfsbane', and entered the Common Room. She was surprised to see Ron asleep in one of the chairs; he had obviously been waiting for her to return. Hermione walked up to her dorm and brought a blanket back down. She covered Ron and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before going to bed.

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AN: Thank you to HogwartsGirl16 and VampiressXxXWriter for reviewing!

Thank you so much Katie!