Chapter Four

Hermione had a sleepless night yet again. Tossing and turning, screams echoing around her that she was not quite sure if they were her own or not. Sweat slicked her skin and her hair was plastered to her face and neck. The smell of rot permeated around the room. But the smell, and screams, and pain, the pain that burned through her veins and bones causing her body to contort in unnatural positions, were not in her room. They were in her mind. And every time she woke with a scream trapped in her throat, gasping for breath, she prayed to Merlin that the pain would stop, her suffering would end.

In the morning she showered, dressed, ate a handful of nuts, and drank her potion. It's potency was losing its' effect. She could feel the calm spread through her body and it relieved some of the ache, but tension remained. Today, she took a bit of extra time to place a glamour on the dark circles and bags under her eyes. This meeting meant everything. The outcome of the meeting would determine her future.

As she walked down the familiar halls to the headmasters office she allowed her hand to trail along the rough stone of the walls. They brought comfort to her. They grounded her. This had been her home since she was eleven. This is where she belonged.

"Eye of Newt," Hermione said as she approached the griffin statue. The statue began to turn revealing a staircase. She followed the winding steps until she reached the door. As she began to knock the door pushed open and Hermione walked inside. Fawkes sat on his perch and cawed at her softly. Hermione smoothed his feathers and he nipped at her fingers in appreciation.

"Good Morning, Ms. Granger." She smiled warmly at the witch as she entered the room.

"Good Morning, Headmaster." Calling her headmaster seemed odd on her tongue. Dumbledore had been the only headmaster she had ever known. He was her headmaster, but she had no doubts that Mcgonagall would fill the position and do a tremendous job doing so.

Mcgonagall motioned for Hermione to sit as she sat across from her. "Tea?"

"Please." Mcgonagall summed a platter with a tea set upon it and livitated a tea cup and saucer over to Hermione. Hermione held the cup in her hands, but made no motion to drink its contents. "Professor, I was wondering一I was wondering if the position of Potions Master Assistant, the one you talked about last night, had been filled. And if it hadn't, I would like to be considered for the position."

Mcgonagall clasped her hands, a tilt to her head. "It has not been filled, however, I am not the person making the decision as to who will fill the position, if anyone. If you would like, I can contact Master Snape immediately. I have no doubt that he would be willing to interview you at this time. I believe you would make a fine fit, Ms. Granger. However, like I said, the decision is not mine to make. Would you like for me to send word now?"

Hermione answered in the affirmative. She was afraid that if she did not speak with him now, that she would lose her courage. A cat, that looked much like Mcgonagall did in her animagus form, shot from her wand. The cat leaped around the room and then made its way down the staircase that Hermione had come up, presumably on its way to Snape's quarters in the dungeons.

Shortly thereafter, a knock came at the door.

Mcgonagall stood and answered the door. "Ah, yes, Master Snape, please come in. There is someone here that wishes to speak with you."

The high back of the chair blocked Hermione from being able to see Snape, and him from seeing her, but she could sense his presence. She scratched at the tingling on the back of her neck, but the feeling persisted. She stood and faced Snape. "Good Morning, Master Snape."

"I will leave the two of you this space to talk. I will be in my quarters if you should need me." Mcgonagall turned and walked towards a tapestry that hung towards the back of the office. The tapestry moved aside on its own as she came closer and with a flick of her wand the door that had been hidden by the tapestry slowly opened.

Hermione had been watching Mcgonagall leave and her thoughts wandered to what the older witches quarters must look like. There was no doubt in her mind that everything would have a place and purpose.

Snape interrupted her thoughts. "You wished to speak with me?" His voice crackled. He attempted to clear his throat which caused him to grimace. His expression was quickly schooled into a look of neutrality. He had made his way to the other side of the desk, facing Hermione. He stood beside Mcgonagall's chair.

"Yes, Sir. I would like to apply to fill the position as your assistant. As the Potions Master's Assistant, that is. I think I would do very well in this position and be able to learn a lot from you."

"Hmm," Snape rubbed his chin and jawline, his other arm behind his back. He took a few steps towards the window that looked out over the Black Lake. "Qualifications?" The question was more so a formality since she had been his student and he knew her exam scores already, but the extensiveness of her answer surprised him.

"I received Os in both the OWL and NEWT examinations. You can attest to the proficiency of the potions I have brewed in class. I have also brewed Polyjuice and Essence of Dittany outside of the classroom, as well as a few others. You also know of my aptitude in research.

I also received Os in both Herbology examinations. While looking for horcruxes, I gained experience foraging for food, but also potion ingredients and healing plants when possible. I know what it is like to have to support and defend myself. I believe these skills will also be beneficial to have for this position." As she spoke of defending herself her hand automatically went to caress her forearm. The scar beneath her sleeve was given to her by Bellatrix as she carved "Mudblood" into her skin with a cursed knife.

"What potions include Ashwinder eggs, and what can it be used on its own to cure."

"Ashwinder eggs are an ingredient in Felix Felicis and are a key ingredient in love potions. It is also used to cure Argue which is a disease similar to Malaria."

"Foxglove, its use and how to identify it."

"Foxglove, also known as Witches Fingers or Goblin Gloves, is a highly poisonous plant that if ingested can result in heart failure. They are small bell shaped purple plants that grow in a spike-like formation. It is native to Europe and the Mediterranean. It is an ingredient in the Pompion potion which when ingested will turn the person's head into a pumpkin. We brewed it first year. Harry drank it and it worked successfully."

The questions continued and Hermione answered each correctly without any hesitation. He asked about how to brew different potions and what their uses were, how to identify potions and their ingredients, and how to locate said ingredients. Snape continued to stand at the window and made no indication of when the questions would end, or if she was even answering the questions to his satisfaction. Just before he asked his last question he turned away from the window and made direct eye contact with the young witch. She held his gaze.

"What are the ingredients, description, and uses of Draught of Peace."

Snape continued to hold her gaze. She felt the words catch in her throat and her heartbeat begin to rise. Did he know? There was no way he could have known, was there? It was merely a coincidence.

She cleared her throat and answered, "The Draught of Peace is a potion used to relieve anxiety. The ingredients are moonstone, syrup of hellborne, powdered porcupine quills, and powdered unicorn horn. When it is completed it is turquoise in color with a light silver vapour."

He looked at her a moment longer before looking towards the portraits on the walls. "There is no doubt that you are proficient in the areas required for this position. I also have no doubt in your dedication and work ethic. I know you are bright and work well under duress." The praise, even if not meant to be, caught Hermione off guard and she sat there speechless. "However, I do have one last question before I make my decision."

"Yes, Sir?" Her voice was strong and clear, much to her own surprise.

"As you know, this job requires me and my assistant to collect the ingredients that are not easy to grow here or buy locally. Some of these may take a few weeks to locate and during this time we will be on our own, most likely staying in a tent, with little contact with the outside world. It will not be a fun job and I will not tolerate tomfoolery. I expect professionalism and efficient work. Are you up for this?" As he asked the final question he watched her closely for her answer.

Hermione expected that there might have been an underlying question of whether he was someone she would want to work with and have him as her only companion for weeks at a time. The thought squeezed at her heart. Even now that he was no longer a double-agent, he felt that he was alone, without a friend. Well, perhaps they could be alone together.

"As I said before, Sir, I am no stranger to these kinds of conditions."

He nodded his head. "Then I accept you as my assistant."

Hermione stood. A beaming smile lit her whole face. She shook his hand and as she did so a red light appeared. It twisted around their hands, binding her to him as his assistant. The contract had been made. A warmth had also spread from their clasped hands, up her arm, and to her chest. She had read about magic assistantship contracts and had expected the red twine like light, but she did not recall ever reading about the warmth. She made a mental note to research it at a later time.

"Thank you, sir. I won't let you down." Hermione spoke as the light dimmed and then vanished. She withdrew her hand in the process, but it seemed they were both a bit hesitant. The warmth dissipated as her hand hung at her side.

"I expect not. We begin tomorrow. Meet me in my office, 8am. Do not be late."

Hermione left the office, the smile still gracing her face and a bounce to her step. Her hair bounced along as she went. Snape wondered what he had gotten himself into and whether he was going to regret his decision down the road.