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Chapter Ten: Who Are You, and What Have You Done with Hermione?

The teachers at Hogwarts saw an immediate difference in Hermione. There was a new peace about her, deep-seated and serene. She no longer seemed to need to answer every question. Instead, she would sit back and wait for others. If a teacher called on her, she would answer, but seemed to feel no need to push her knowledge on others.

All of the teachers were baffled. Grateful to some extent, but baffled. No one except Severus knew that she had had a meeting with Dorian. Severus linked the meeting with Hermione's changed behavior, but couldn't figure out what the connection was.

Finally, his curiosity got the better of him. He went to see Dorian Grey. Snape left his refuge in the dungeons, and voluntarily went looking for another professor.

Dorian heard a knock on the door. He got up from his comfortable armchair, and went to see who was looking for him after dinner.

"Hello, Severus. What can I do for you?"

"May I come in?"

"Certainly. Entre, entre."

Severus came in, and sat down in the armchair that did not have a cup sitting on the table next to it. He figured the other chair had been occupied by Professor Grey before he came knocking on his door.

"So, what brings you up from the dungeons at this hour? It isn't quite time to do your rounds, is it?"

"No. Actually, Miss Granger is what brought me here, or more precisely, curiosity about what you said to her that has caused such a radical change in her behavior and attitude in class."

Dorian was cautious. "What makes you think I had anything to do with any change you may see in her?"

"Dorian, you mentioned the other night that you had an appointment with her. The next week, she has gone from an annoying Miss Know-It-All who seems genetically unable to keep her hand down during class, and feels she must answer every question that is posed in class, to someone who is willing to let others answer questions, and is even willing to let someone fall on their face demonstrating they did not read the required material before class. Aside from the Gruesome Twosome, of course."

"I'm not saying I said nor did anything. Whatever passed between Miss Granger and me is between the two of us. I will not break her confidence."

"Grey, she is becoming almost tolerable in class. What miracle did you perform with her?"

"Severus, I already said I would not break her confidence. If you are that anxious to find out, ask her."

Severus almost physically recoiled. "The only person I would rather talk to less is Mr. Potter. I said she was almost tolerable. That does not mean I wish to have a social interaction with her."

Dorian shrugged. "Then I guess your curiosity will remain unsatisfied."

Severus got up from the chair, seriously annoyed. "Very well. I suppose you will still want to help with the werewolf's potion, even though I am not needful of help."

"I know you don't need help with it, but Remus is my friend. I like to help my friends if possible. Besides, you will probably need to start brewing extra potions for the infirmary. Quidditch tryouts are this weekend, I believe."

"Oh Merlin! I think you are right. I wonder how many students will miss Monday's classes due to being stuck under Poppy's overzealous attentions."

"I'm sure we'll find out. Good evening, Severus."

Severus swept toward the door. "Good evening, Grey." He left with his trademark billow of his robes.

Dorian closed the door to his room, and then put up a silencing charm, to make sure no one could hear him. Then he laughed himself silly. Poor Severus. He did so hate not having his curiosity satisfied. Dorian had remembered this scene very well. It was kind of funny, being the one to give his younger self such an annoying lack of information. Although, when he got back, he was going to apologize to some of his colleagues. Being on the other side of the situation, Severus was a pain in the neck to deal with at times.

Severus Snape was not the only one with questions. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were also perplexed by the changes in Hermione. The first time she sat back in class and waited for someone else to answer the question, they thought maybe she just didn't feel good. As it continued to happen in all her classes, they wondered if maybe she had slacked off on her studying. That didn't seem to be the case, as she still spent as much time as before with her books. She also wasn't as inclined to loan them her notes. She flat told them to start taking their own notes, because she was tired of covering up for their laziness. Ron and Harry didn't talk to her for two days, but then decided it was time to get over it, and start taking their own notes as Hermione had told them. Ginny sat back and watched the farce in amusement.

Professor McGonagall also wondered what happened. She asked Hermione to meet her in her office one afternoon after class.

"Miss Granger, please come in and sit down."

"Thank you, Professor."

"I'm sure you're wondering why I've called you to see me. You are not in trouble, but I am concerned with the change in your class participation. Are you feeling all right? Is something bothering you?"

"No Professor, I'm fine. Actually I feel better than I have for quite a while." Hermione smiled at her Head of House.

"Would you mind me asking what has brought about this change in you?"

"No, I don't mind. I went to talk to Professor Grey last week, and he told me some things I had needed to hear for the last five years. He told me that I was fine just the way I was, and I didn't have to constantly prove I was better than everybody else. That being Hermione was enough."

Professor McGonagall leaned forward from where she was sitting with Hermione, and put her hand over the girl's hands lying in her lap. "I would definitely agree with him. You are one of the smartest witches to come through here since Lily Evans, pureblood, half-blood, or muggleborn. You are definitely just fine as you are."

Hermione was moved by her professor's affirmation. She had always looked up to Minerva as a role model. It felt good to have her mentor second Professor Grey's words.

"Thank you. I believed what Professor Grey told me, but it helps to hear you echo it."

"I'm just sorry I didn't realize it needed to be verbalized before this time. It is long overdue."

"Sometimes outsiders come into a situation, and can see what needs to be done easier than the people involved, because the others are too used to what's going on, or they're too close to the situation to see it objectively. Maybe I wasn't meant to hear this before now."

"That is a very good attitude to take, Miss Granger. Your level of maturity is greater than many adults I know." Minerva knew when to change the subject.

"Have you considered any further what you might do after you leave Hogwarts?"

"Since we talked last year, I've narrowed it down. I want to do a double mastery in Charms and Potions."

"Quite an ambitious undertaking, but if anyone can do it, you can. Charms and Potions actually complement each other quite well. I know Professors Flitwick and Snape have collaborated on more than one occasion."

"I thought so too. I would eventually like to teach, but I want to do some research projects first."

"Excellent idea. I know some have gone almost directly from being a student here to teaching here, but it's better to be away for a few years. Gives the younger students time to forget you, and the ones who won't forget you will graduate and get out of your way."

Hermione chuckled. "I think that might definitely be a good thing. Someone you chummed about with in Hogsmeade is a little hard to accept as an authority figure."

"Exactly. Well, I won't keep you any longer. It is almost time for dinner, so I will let you go. I will see you in the Great Hall in a little while."

Hermione stood up. "Thank you for your interest, and the advice. I will see you at dinner." With that, Hermione left Professor McGonagall's office.

After the door closed, Minerva stayed seated, thinking about the conversation.

"And the potions mastery has nothing to do with the vibrations I've felt between you and Severus for the last several months, does it?"