It is really boring to think about a new disclaimer. Please look at the last one. It's still valid and has no date of expiry. Thanks for all the kind reviews and thanks to Samantha-Kathy for beta-reading so quickly.
If you feed me with kind reviews, I will submit the next chapter tomorrow.Otherwise... Mhm, well, blackmailing people is not that nice. I take it back, but pleeaase...
Chapter 5
Hermione sat at her desk, twirling a quill between her fingers. Snape had not waited for an answer, but had disappeared in the bedroom. He was right! She had been afraid of him. Was he also right about the other things he had said? No, she did not pity him. Neither was he just another pet-project, nor did she glorify him. True, she had seen new aspects of him in the past few days, but that did not mean that she had forgotten everything he had done in the past years. He had been very clear about the fact that most of it was part of his character. What had really shocked her, however, was his unvarnished statement that he would enjoy killing Lucius Malfoy. She knew that this was a war between the Dark and the Light, but, somehow, everything had been black and white. The good ones simply did not enjoy killing. They would do the inevitable, but nothing more. Facing Death Eaters, she would defend herself, and killing would be justified self-defence. And now, she realised that this had been self-deception. Eventually she would have to kill someone in this war. Perhaps she would meet the Lestranges, who were responsible for the insanity of Neville's parents, or other Death Eaters, who raped women during their raids. Or she would meet the murderers of countless victims, whose only fault was that they were Muggles. Oh yes, she would hate them, and perhaps also enjoy killing them. Perhaps Severus Snape was only more honest than she. There would be much more to think about in the next few days. But now, she had to prepare her first lesson.
Hermione was aware of the fact that she would be confronted with enmity as the new Potions Mistress at Hogwarts. Although she had always been brilliant in Potions, she had also been seen as an eager beaver by many students. She was friends with the famous Harry Potter, but she knew that she was more tolerated than liked by many students. This would not improve now that she had the post of a professor. She was eighteen years old, only one year older than most of her former class mates. Difficult things first; her first lesson would be Advanced Potions with the seventh years.
Hermione did not see Snape for the rest of the day. Most likely, he had decided to sleep, and to regain his strength for the following days. The next morning, when she collected her books to leave for her first lesson, he appeared in the doorframe.
"I think I will accompany you."
How did you overlook his weird sense of humour? Your first lesson as a Potions mistress, and Severus will sit in the background of the classroom with a sneer on a cat's face. Great!
Hermione heard the laughter and chatter from outside the classroom. When she entered, the noise subsided, but she could still hear some murmurs and giggles. She had never been one for dramatic entrances, so she simple walked to the front of the classroom and, stood before the students, her former class mates. She caught curious glances, but also mocking and hostile ones, and someone in the background murmured, "Professor Mudblood." Hermione did not react, and after a while, when she did not say anything, only stood there and looked at the students calmly, everyone became silent.
"This is an unusual situation. I know that some of you ask yourself how the Ministry can allow a former class mate to fill in as a Potions Mistress here. Those of you who feel unable to deal with this are allowed to leave. If you feel confident enough to pass your Potions N.E.W.T. without my help, so be it. For those who will try, I promise I will do my best to help all of you. My style of teaching will not be authoritarian, and I do not intend to let me be called 'Professor Granger' by my former class mates, but don't be mistaken. I have got the authority here, and I will use it for the benefit of all of us. I will deduct points for disrespect, and even assign detentions if necessary. I also hope that the events of the last months have taught you that we have to stand together in this situation, and refrain from these petty battles between the houses. Our childhood is definitely over. As I said in the beginning, those of you, who question my authority, are excused."
Hermione's gaze passed over the students. Some of them, especially the Slytherins, still did not look too happy, but none of them left. There were mature enough not to trifle with their exams. Hermione's eyes met the warm green eyes of Harry who raised his hand. "Yes, Harry?"
"Hermione, I am glad that you will teach us, and I know you will do your very best," he said calmly. That did it for many of the students. If Harry Potter could deal with his best friend being his teacher, they could deal with this, too.
Hermione smiled. "Thank you, Harry. Now, let's start. Let's begin with something not so difficult. Part of the lessons in this year will be repeating the subject matter of the fifth and sixth year for the N.E.W.T. We will begin with the Confusing & Befuddlement Draught. Which ingredients do we need for this potion?"
Students who had decided to take Advanced Potions did not take this subject lightly; everyone knew that sneezewort, scurvy grass, and lovage were needed. Nevertheless, Hermione was relieved when the lesson was over.
Lessons with the other classes followed. They went surprisingly well. Few potions were ruined, and Hermione was only twice forced to deduct points. She knew that it was only the beginning. She had taken them by surprise, and soon enough she would have to prove her authority. Fortunately, she had managed to keep the thought of Professor Snape out of her head for nearly the whole day. She was grateful that he had remained in the background of the classroom. Would he mock her later on, and accuse her of lacking authority?
Back in the dungeons, Hermione slumped into the easy chair. She was exhausted. Teaching was challenging; she had to concentrate every minute to prevent careless students from melting their cauldrons, or causing explosions. Knowing that teaching was difficult was different from experiencing it first-hand.
Snape transformed into his human form. "Miss Granger...", he said. "Yes, Professor Snape!" Hermione replied belligerently, and raised her chin. But Snape only arched an eyebrow, and smiled, an unusual non-sneering, non-smirking smile. "You did very well."
Hermione was stunned. He thought she had done well? This rendered her speechless.
"Miss Granger, did you really think me so superficial that I would not recognise that another style of teaching could be successful, too? My dramatic entrance, and the billowing robes would not suit you. But be careful; you have won a battle, but not the war," Snape continued.
Another joke from Professor Snape? Snape with a sense of humour? Hermione realised that she had not known this man at all. Snape was feared, and only the older students dared laugh inwardly about his dramatic appearances. Hermione understood now that part of it was only a different teaching technique. It worked for the younger students, to be intimidated and to be careful with the cauldrons. Of course, the other reason for his behaviour was his harsh personality. Hewas sour and sullen, not a man who would be liked. His overbearing behaviour also worked to keep any person at bay. Who would like to be friends with such an arrogant man? She would!
Hermione looked into Snape's eyes, and nodded. "I know, sir, and I will be careful. ...And, sir, I have been thinking about what you told me yesterday. If you got a wrong impression, I am sorry. I have never thought of you as a pitiful person, and there is no hero-worship on my part, at least not much." She smiled. "You were right, I was afraid of you at that moment, but I think it was more of a surprise than real fear. Professor Dumbledore said once: 'The world is not divided into nice people and Death Eaters.' and I am aware that it might be only a matter of time until I will hate, too. I was lucky so far, but that is nothing I can be proud of, or a reason to judge other people who have not been that lucky. I admire you, sir, and I know what you have done, and will do, but I still want to be you friend."
Snape remained silent for a moment, and searched her face. He saw honesty and determination in her face, and was touched despite himself. Perhaps it was not very prudent, but... He inclined his head. "You may call me Severus."
Hermione beamed at him. "I'm glad," she said matter-of-factly. Severus Snape was not accustomed to someone beaming at him. He was not accustomed to be the reason for someone's joy. Despite all the things he had said, he had been craving friendship his whole life. But his personality had made him a loner, even in his youth. Joining the Death Eaters had not improved anything. Everyone had been so eager to be the Dark Lord's favourite that jealousy lurked at every corner. Soon he had realised that his supposed friends would throw him to the wolves without hesitation, if they thought it necessary. Other people who had offered friendship had asked for favours. But this young woman did not want anything; she had offered her friendship without ulterior motives. Their eyes locked, and he saw respect, warmth, and something else he could not name, probably because he did not know real friendship. "Well, Hermione, back to work," he said, nearly at a loss for words.
