Title: Hermione's Helping Hand

Professor Snape Returns

Hermione answered the door when Remus had knocked and let him in. She was sad because of Neville's death and mad, because she knew who had done it.

" Would you like a drink?" Hermione asked.

Remus shook his head.

" I was wondering if Severus would like to continue teaching Herbology," Remus said. " I will continue to pay Severus under the table until his probation is over with. He'll get a chance to be away from his quarters and be around the students."

Hermione's eyes widened in delight at the possibility that he would finally be able to act like a normal wizard and not as a prisoner in the castle.

" That would be-"

" Wonderful," Severus finished.

Both Remus and Hermione turned to see Severus standing there.

" Well then, I'll make the announcement during dinner tomorrow," Remus said. " And welcome back to Hogwarts, Professor Snape."

He gave another smile and then left.

" I swear that man could be another Dumbledore," Severus told Hermione. " But, I'm glad that I'll be back around the students."

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck, looking up at him.

" Want to have a personal celebration?" she asked, winking at him. " Because I want you!"

Severus growled at her.

" I think a personal celebration would defiantly be in order."

Then he picked her up, and with her laughing, they went into their bedroom, closing the door behind them.

" Well it seems you had an interesting night, last night," Ginny said the next morning at breakfast.

Hermione giggled.

" And how did you figure that out?"

" Well your all filled with light and you've got a number of marks on your neck," Ginny explained.

Hermione squealed and taking her mirror out, she looked at her neck. Ginny was right, there were a number of marks on her neck. She moaned and put the mirror back.

" Do you think I can get some cream to hide them," Hermione asked.

" Nope, don't have any!" Ginny said. " Just wear your hair down and I don't think anyone will notice."

" I hope your right!" Hermione said.

The day passed by quickly with Hermione not even noticing when Advance Transfiguration started and Advance Potions ended. By the time Professor Slughorn told them they could go, she had to go to the bathroom. She rushed into the girl's toilet, hoping that she wouldn't have an accident. To her good fortune, she didn't.

At dinner, Remus stood up and there was silence. He looked around at all the grave students, all those that knew Neville and missed him dearly.

" As most of you know, our dear Professor Longbottom died due to an accident," Remus said to them. " I was hoping that I could find a teacher pretty quickly, but I had no luck. Therefore I'm handing the job over to Severus Snape, who use to be our Potions Master, then Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I hope that you all show him the same respect that you gave to Professor Longbottom."

Several students clapped their hands as Severus stood up to receive the students. Normally they would have cared, but they all still missed Neville. Hermione figured they always would.