Chapter 3: Hermione

The walk back to the manor was not pleasant. The storm I had enjoyed was now just rain. It drummed against my skull, dripping in my face. I was cold and miserable. After my outburst, I was not inclined to speak again, for fear of dissolving into tears.

Not a word was spoken between my ex-professor and me during our walk back. I had to practically run to keep up with his long stride. Insufferable man! He could have slowed a bit. But, I knew him better than that. He always expected others around him to keep up. I finally caught up, but it was too late; we were at the manor.

The dim light barely seeped through the door glass, causing an eerie glow. I shivered, not looking forward to the chill of the old rooms. I hadn't felt the need to start a fire earlier, but now I wished that I had.

He stopped, standing to the side, so that I could pass him. My hand rested on the cold brass of the handle, and I paused to speak. "You are welcome to come in." Yes, about as welcome as a hungry manticore would be in a corral of hippogriffs. Not waiting for an answer, I turned and stepped across the threshold, pausing to mutter a soft "Incendio".

I jumped when he spoke. He had been so silent that I had not realized he had followed me inside. "Wandless magic? Again, you are full of surprises."

"I find that it makes wand magic much stronger if you cultivate your wandless abilities."

Why was his stare unnerving me so much? It's not like I'd never been under his scrutiny before. I hid my nervousness quickly, walking over to the fire. I was dripping wet and chilled to the bone.

Looking around me, I was a bit ashamed at the state of the place. I had been so involved in my studies and notes that I hadn't taken time to straighten up. The low table in the room was covered with scattered papers and books were piled up everywhere. I had forbidden the house elf from touching my work. The one time he had, half of my papers had ended up in the fire, causing me much consternation.

Snape swept the rooms with a cursory glance. A frown appeared that extended to his brow. "Miss Granger, I would have expected better from you." With a flick of his wand, he tidied the table. A smug smile appeared on his lips. "Much better."

I bit back a sharp retort. What right did he have to move my things? Instead, I spoke politely. "Thank you sir. I had not taken the time earlier to organize my things. I was in a hurry..." I trailed off, realizing how idiotic than sounded. Why would I be rushing off somewhere? It's not like I had plans to keep.

"Yes, quite a hurry, I'm sure. One usually does rush to run out in the rain like a lunatic." Snape walked over to the table, his long fingers stroking the spines of the books as he read the titles. "The Alchemist's Guide to Advanced Potions? Counteracting Dark Spells? The Modern Approach to Arithmancy? A bit of light reading, Miss Granger? It seems that you are as studious as ever."

"That's why I'm here, Professor. At least, I thought..." Stopping suddenly, I grew agitated because he was smirking at me. Unbearable git! Rubbing it in that I had not truly known why I was here.

"Yes, well, maybe you think too much. You always were quite the little know-it-all. Has it ever occurred to you that there is more to life than having your head buried in a book?" His voice had lost some of its venom, becoming questioning. He picked up my papers, and ruffled through them, pausing now and then to read a bit.

My face grew flushed as I grew edgy over his scrutiny of my notes. I suddenly felt as if it were my first day at Hogwarts. All I wanted to do was to impress. To show everyone that a Muggleborn witch was every bit as good as the rest of them. The need for acknowledgement was always something that drove me to excel.

"Very interesting. Did you write this yourself?" He held up sheets of paper that held the beginnings of my idea for a potion that would counteract the Cruciatus curse. It was my first draft, the idea having come to me earlier today. "Yes, Professor."

A resounding thump rang through the house as he threw the book down on the table, causing me to jump. "Stop calling me Professor! I have not been your professor for 4 years!" He paced in front of the table with a scowl on his face.

Surprised, I didn't know quite what to say. Feeling rather meek, I spoke. "What should I call you, sir? Mr. Snape?" I swallowed, not sure how to take his sudden changes in mood.

For the second time that night I heard that rusty chuckle. It was starting to frighten me, for it was not a nice laugh. "Mr. Snape was my father. I do not wish to be addressed as he was. I do have a first name, Miss Granger."

"As do I, Prof...Severus." How strange to be addressing the most feared teacher at Hogwarts on a first name basis. This was going to be difficult.

He walked to the fire, staring into it, as if it held some answer for him. With a glance at me, he muttered "Arefacio". I felt a tingling sensation that warmed me to the tip of my toes. Of course; it was the drying spell. Aggravated that I hadn't thought of this myself, I muttered a thank you.

"I'm sure you will be safe for the night. I will not intrude upon your hospitality." The last word was spoken with a slight edge, as if he were biting his tongue in order to be civil. I trust there are servants quarters here?" Even though the words were spoken with an overtone of politeness, he didn't manage to keep the disdain from his voice.

I mutely nodded, hurt that he wished to be out of my company so soon. Not that I had expected anything else from him. He had made it plain on many occasions that he despised me. Even though I didn't care much for him either, I was stung by the rejection. Here was the first person that I had seen in ages and he couldn't wait to get away. Maybe being alone was truly preferable to enduring this rejection.

I stood straighter, staring at the man in front of me. I would not let him see me break down again. "I'm sure that you can find your way. They are out back. I have things to attend to. Good night." Turning, I ascended the stairs, pausing on the top steps to look down as he spoke.

"Good night…Miss Granger." With a rustle of fabric, he was gone into the night. I was furious, yet, I couldn't suppress the shiver that ran down my spine at the sound of his voice. Gods that voice! One minute so biting that it stung, the next almost a caress. Aggravated, I repeated my new favorite phrase. "Insufferable man!"

I prepared for bed before walking downstairs to make a cup of tea. I stopped at the table for my notes, carrying them back upstairs with me. I absentmindedly set thetea down on the table and grabbed a quill, scratching notes about the addition of Phoenix tears to my potion. It was to be many hours before I drifted off. Sleep would not come easily tonight.


A/N:

Once again, wonderful thanks to Weemie and Judeldoo for the beta work!

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Disclaimer:

If you think I own HP and related stuff, then you wouldn't know the book if it danced naked in front of you wearing Dobby's tea cozy! (Just for you, Weemie!)