The train ride was uneventful. The boys tried to pull Hermione into conversation but the younger woman was too focused on how to smooth things over with the Head of Gryffindor. Once the train stopped at the station the trio disembarked and immediately spotted their escorts. "Have a Happy Christmas holiday, mate." Harry said to Ron.

"Enjoy your holiday break," Hermione told Ron before pulling him into an awkward hug. The boy looked surprised, and out of the corner of her eye she saw Mrs. Weasley beam. She hoped that was enough to appease Minerva. After saying farewell to the Weasleys, Hermione and Harry looked at the polyjuiced witch and wizard. "I think we're ready to go Dad," Hermione smirked at the scowling Potions Master.

"Follow us, dear." The Potions Master grumbled. They led the two first years to a secluded area. "Alright, we're going to side along apparate to your house. Ready?" Before they could respond, Severus grabbed the scruff of Harry's neck and disapparated. Minerva rolled her eyes at the Potions Master's antics before she grabbed a hold of Hermione's arm gently. Inside Hermione patted herself on the back. It seemed that her Professor had forgiven her earlier actions by giving Weasley a hug. She felt the woman's magic surround her, relishing in it's embrace. The feeling left her as quickly as it started when her vision changed from that of the train station to that of her family living room. The Professor released her arm and Hermione missed the contact. She noticed Severus looking at her with one raised eyebrow, causing her to scowl before quickly schooling her features to show nothing had happen.

Hermione's parents entered the living room, smiling. "Welcome home honey." Her mother kissed her cheek before pulling her into a hug. She watched as her dad gave a handshake and welcomed Harry. Her mother released her and turned to the professors. "Thank you for ensuring they returned home safely. Please stay for dinner. I'm sure you have missed dinner at Hogwarts by now."

Minerva hesitated long enough that Severus smirked and decided to respond. "We would be honored to join." His smirk widened at Minerva's uneasiness. He also noticed Hermione's features giveaway her emotions before she schooled them again.

The group walked into the dining room where a small feast was laid out. Hermione inwardly snorted at the sight, the irony not lost on her about how just hours ago she had commented about Mrs. Weasley making a feast at home. It seemed her mother was thinking along the same lines as the Weasley matron. Her father sat at the head of the table as Severus moved to the other end. Her mother sat on her father's right and Harry took the seat on his left. Hermione shook her head, feeling sorry for her cousin and sat between Harry and Severus. It was common knowledge that Severus didn't care for Harry but as of yet Hermione hadn't discovered why. This left Minerva to sit across from Hermione. The younger woman shifted uncomfortably. It was one thing to see the woman in the school or walk next to on the way to the train, but sitting across from her in her own home was more personal. She felt something on the outer edge of her mental walls, causing her to reflexively slam down thicker and stronger walls. The intruder left her mind and she saw Severus nod his head subtly. It helped her divert her focus from the woman across from her and pay attention to the events going on at the table.

"And how was your semester poppet? Any favorite subjects?" Her father asked her, smiling.

"It was a good semester. As for favorite subject, I am unable to decide which I like more. Potions or Transfiguration each have different aspects that I like and dislike. Though as classwork goes, I currently prefer Potions." At Minerva's snort Hermione continued, "Not because Professor Snape is my Head of House, Professor, but because he challenges me. I have been working on more in depth Potion making than just the basic 1st year curriculum. Professor Snape realized after the first few weeks I was farther ahead than everyone else. I am bored in most of my classes, already having read the book and practiced what I've needed for each class."

Severus smirked and couldn't help but gloat at Minerva. "I'm shocked Minerva that you haven't noticed what I have. From what I've heard, she is the only First Year to perfect spell casting 'new' spells on the first try." He turned his attention to Jonathan. "She has brought much respect and pride to her House. Although most grudgingly admit it, your daughter is gaining the reputation of being the brightest witch of her generation." He turned back to Minerva and added, "And to think, she could have ended up in Gryffindor. Pitty you got stuck with dunderheads." Both Minerva and Harry bristled.

"Don't forget Uncle, I chose Slytherin. Had I been logical, Ravenclaw or Gryffindor would have been the more ideal choice before my true parentage was revealed." Hermione added nonchalantly, causing Severus to scowl before smirking.

"Oh I've no doubt you probably would have ended up in Gryffindor had you not chosen. Because the reason you chose Slytherin is most illogical reason and thus would keep you from Ravenclaw."

"Then I guess I should be thankful the Hat allowed me to choose."

"Miss Granger, if you are so bored in class, why have you never come to myself or other professors to inquire extra work?" Minerva asked, brows furrowed.

"Because I am a Slytherin. Most of the professors tend to judge each and everyone of us the same, yourself included. Today would be the perfect example. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a punctual person. This morning I expressed my feelings on not being punctual to the train and the reason for it. You immediately became defensive and thought I was being a big bad Slytherin picking on a Gryffindor instead of seeing the individual I am. My response to the tardiness we showed would have been the same to any person, regardless of what house or who they were. So as you see Professor, instead of saying anything, I remain quiet and continue to research what I want on my own." Hermione looked her professor dead in the eye as she spoke, for once not afraid of to do just that.

Severus inwardly clapped at Hermione's words. Although she was showing a Gryffindor side, she showed Minerva that she had potential to be an equal one day. That before her was no little girl. Jean looked at her daughter proudly. "You have grown so much dear. If I thought you were more mature than your age before, you've only reaffirmed it."

They continued to eat as Minerva pondered what Hermione had said. It was true the older woman had noticed Hermione seemed to not be challenged at all in her class and that didn't settle well on her stomach. As a fellow lover of learning, she could see the want of knowledge in the young Slytherin's eyes. Why she hadn't done anything about it before, she was unsure. Maybe it was because she was a Slytherin where a major part of her believed the younger woman should have been a Gryffindor. "Miss Granger, how interested are you in furthering your knowledge in Transfiguration?" Hermione looked at her, shocked. "If it is something you are serious about, I would be willing to give you private lessons. It would give me more freedom to teach you some of the more advanced magics and allow you to go more in depth in my field. Like Potions can be, Transfiguration is dangerous and as a professor, I would rather you learn from myself then research and experiment on your own. Granted this will depend on if your Head of House will allow it." She looked at Severus with a challenging look, he sneered.

"As long a her grades do not suffer I have no complaints."

Hermione smiled brightly, "Of course Professor. I would be honored too."

AN: I found some time to do a quick edit and post this chapter also. Hope you enjoyed. Leave a little review with your thoughts, just no flames. :)