Hermione opened the door and walked in. She sat down at her desk which was of course in the front row of the class. Snape was looking at the enormous stack of papers on his desk and was wondering what he had gotten himself into by suggesting this meeting. Hermione took his silence as an opportunity to talk.
"Professor, I just wanted to say that I am very grateful that you have given me this chance, and I won't let you down." Snape half sighed and then spoke.
"Well I would be an idiot not to admit that I could use the help, and that you are not the most qualified person for the job. Other than myself that is, but I can't be much of a help to myself now can I?" Hermione was shocked and thought, did he just make a joke and compliment me in the same conversation?
"No I suppose you wouldn't be much help to yourself." Severus stood up and walked in front of his desk. He leaned against his desk and folded his arms.
"I'm guessing that you would want to wait until after you graduate to start your apprenticeship, but if you would like I could use your help…well now actually."
"Really? Oh I would love to start now. Or whenever you need me." Hermione was so excited; she never thought that Snape would be asking her to accompany him in his work.
"Well I have lots of papers to grade. I'm sure that by now you are aware of the state of Remus Lupin." Hermione said, "Yes, I've known he's a ware wolf ever since third year."
"Well then you must also know about the Wolf's bane potion that I have been making for him once a month."
"Yes Professor, I know about that too."
"Well since I have an excess of school work this year, I would like you to prepare the Wolf's bane potion for Lupin. That is if you are up to the task. I know being Head Girl and keeping up with your studies must be difficult to manage." Severus didn't know why but he hoped that she would accept his proposition.
"Of course I can manage it Professor. This is the best opportunity of my life. I'm not about to pass up this chance."
"Very well then. Are you free tonight? If you are I would like you to come here at approximately 7pm to begin the potion."
Hermione thought for a minute and said, "Yes I can come tonight. Um, Professor can I ask you a question?"
"I suppose so."
"Well I was just wondering, why did you decide to allow me this opportunity? I mean I know I'm not exactly you're favorite person. I mean you no offense but you have proven that these past six years."
Snape thought for a moment and said, "I know I have not exactly treated you very well, but people can change Miss Granger." He looked into her eyes and she looked into his. Hermione saw something familiar in his eyes but she wasn't sure what it was. She didn't want to admit it, if it was what she thought. Snape opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by the rest of the class filing in for the lesson.
Ron sat next to Hermione and Harry sat behind them next to Neville Longbottom.
"Hey Hermione. You're not still upset about what Harry said are you?" Hermione was still looking at Snape who had returned to his desk looked particularly angry. She turned to look at Ron.
"Huh? Oh that, I'm over it. You guys will never change so there's no point in wasting my time being mad." She looked back up at Snape. He was looking around the room when his eyes fell onto hers. They just stared at each other again. A few seconds later Snape looked away and stood up to begin the class.
"Today we will be preparing a simple yet powerful potion. The Amor Potion. Can anyone tell me what it does?" Hermione as always raised her hand. "Miss Granger."
"The Amor Potion is a powerful love potion that makes the drinker immediately fall in love with the potion maker."
"Correct Miss Granger. Now I don't want any of you using this potion on others because I will know if you do. You are all capable of making this potion, if you follow the instructions correctly." Snape looked directly at Neville, who seemed to shrink a few inches in his chair. "You have exactly an hour and a half. The instructions are on the board. Your ingredients are on your tables. You may begin." Snape went back and sat at his desk. He was watching Hermione as she prepared her potion. She really is amazing at Potions. What Snape didn't know, was that Hermione was thinking about him.
What did he mean, 'people can change?' Did he mean me or him? Why couldn't I look away from him? His eyes are just so powerful. Why did everyone have to burst in right at that moment? Now I'll never know what he was going to say. If only I could perform legilimency on him. And why is he being so nice to me lately? If only he had always been like this. He's actually quite charming. Little did Hermione know, that Snape was listening to her every thought. He was going to say something but decided to let her think she was alone. When he heard the word charming he immediately left her mind.
She thinks I'm charming? And what was I going to say before everyone walked in. Oh and those eyes. It was like she was seeing me, really me. She thinks I'm charming? But she's so young, and Gryffindor. I'm just her greasy git potions teacher. She is very easy to talk to when no one else is around.
I wonder what he's thinking. I'm surprised he hasn't popped into my head yet. He usually does, the moment I get any free thoughts. He's so easy to talk to when it's just us. Hermione couldn't understand her feelings. She actually missed him being in her head. She enjoyed when they could talk, granted he had only done it twice. She felt like they had been 'friends', if she could even call it that, for a while.
A/N: I hope you liked now please review.