Chapter 3 The Proposition

Hermione opened the door with a smile. "Proffessor Snape." She said in way of greeting. He nodded as she stepped back to let him through. "May I take your cloak?" He handed it to her without a word.

She turned to put the cloak away and his eyes widened. 'Wow.' was his only thought. Apparently he had been wrong the night before. This was not the same Hermione Granger who had left Hogwarts seven years ago. This was a woman who was asking him to have a seat. A beautiful woman at that. He couldn't have been more shocked.

"Are you hungry, Proffessor Snape?" Hermione asked as dished up a sandwhich onto a plate.

"Yes. Thank you." Snape took the plate from a rather stunned Hermione. Had Snape just thanked her! That was odd.

"You're quite welcome." Hermione replied as she poured tea for both of them. "Now, Proffessor Snape, what was it that you wanted to discuss?" she asked before taking a bite of her sandwhich.

"Business, Miss Granger. Business."

"What business would we have to discuss? I work at Beauxbatons and you work at Hogwarts." Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow. Her interest was peaked now. What business could he possibly have to discuss with her of all people?

"Miss Granger, it is my understanding that you are truly interested in teaching Potions not Charms. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Proffessor Snape, that is correct. My true passion has always been the art of potions."

"Well, I have a proposition for you. I am due to retire after next year. However, I must have a successor in order to retire To be perfectly frank I would rather have someone that I taught than just anyone who supposedly knows how to brew a potion. I would like to take you on as my apprentice next school year, and then hand the position over to you. I asked you to come for the week so that you could consider my offer, so that we could work on a few potions together, and get to know each other's work habits better. After all, if you agree to apprentice for me next year we should know a bit about how we would work with each other. Do you not agree?" At Hermione's nod of agreement he continued. "Now, if you have any questions I will gladly answer them."

Hermione sat back and sipped at her tea thoughtfully. "I do have some questions." she began. "First of all, where would I stay?"

"In these quarters. You would also have full use of my office and personal potions lab."

"All right. What exactly would my job entail?"

"Well, at first, you would help me with potions that needed to be brewed for Madam Pomphrey or something similair, and you would also sit in on some of my classes. After a bit, most likely after winter break, you would take over some of the classes. Then, after summer holiday, you would take over all together."

"If I took the job would I..." she paused and picked at a non-existant piece of lint.

'Ah!' Snape thought. 'Now she'll ask about the pay.'

"Would I have to take over the Slytherin house?" she asked quietly.

Snape was amazed at that. Instead of worrying about pay she was worried about a few young Slytherins. She intrigued him. "Yes. You would. I would introduce you while you were apprenticing and I would make sure everything ran smoothly. They wouldn't dare disrespect you."

Hermione smiled slightly. "Thank you, but I would rather establish my own respect than have you step in for me. No offense, Proffessor, but if they only respect me because you tell them to, what will happen when you leave?" She shook her head. "No. I must earn my own place with them, in my own way."

Snape nodded. "I understand. Are there any other concerns?" he asked.

"No. That's all I can think of for now."

"What about pay? Do you not want to know that before you decide?" he queried.

"Don't insult me, Proffessor Snape. Not when we've spent so much time speaking without sniping at one another. As to your question... No. I do not need to know that before I make a decision. One," she held up a finger. "I do not choose my employment based on money. I choose my employment based on what pleases me. Two," she held up a second finger. "I am actually very well off, Proffessor. I do not need to work. I could live quite comfortably without it, but teaching pleases me."

Snape raised both eyebrows. "I did not mean to insult you, Miss Granger. I merely know that most people wish to know that before making such a decision. There was no insult intended. If that is all..." He set his tea down and rose. "I will take my leave.

Hermioen handed him his cloak, having retrieved it. "I will let you know my decision by the end of the week, Proffessor Snape."

He nodded and headed for the door. He turned with his hand on the knob, as though just deciding something. "Also, Miss Granger, if we are to be working together, at least for the next week... call me Snape." With that he was gone, and Hermione was left staring at the closed door.

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A/N: Sorry that it took me this long to update but I wanted to step back and then read over this. I didn't think that it was quite right. I have made a few changes but am still not sure about this chapter. I would like as much feedback as possible. I want to know if you liked it or not, but I would also like to know if you think that there is any way I could improve it. So please review and let me know what you all think. Thanks a lot. Bria/ gemini69