Thanks for the reviews! It's great getting feedback because I have some new ideas now as to where I want the story to go. I'm very sorry for not updating as fast as I want to. Going to college and working and playing in two bands with practice is hard hard work. Please forgive me and keep reading. I won't stop until I'm finished with this story.

Thanks go to my beta-reader Hayley

A Much Needed Snubbing

Hermione's items were transferred from the Head Girl's room to her new quarters, thanks to the orders of the Headmistress. Unfortunately, where they were located was another matter. Being in the dungeons was never bad, but having your room located only a few feet from an ex-spy was another thing. She groaned inwardly as she made her way to the lower levels. McGonagall made it perfectly clear that no one but she and Madame Pomfrey were to know about her accident. After much argument, Harry and Ron were included as well. Besides, she knew her friends would not let sleeping dogs lie when they found out the fake story Minerva would tell students, should her whereabouts be questioned.

Entering her new sleeping quarters, Hermione gazed about in wonder. Everything was red and gold, as it should be, but what met her eyes was too stunning for words. Directly in front of her stood a beautiful hearth, now crackling with a joyous glow, as her muggle pictures and wizard pictures stood prominently upon her mantle. In front of said hearth was a beautiful seating area complete with two lounge chairs, a lovely couch and tea table centered over the top of a rug embossed with the sign of Gryffindor. The room was rather lovely and to her left she saw an area which had a desk that faced the fire and held more of her knick-knacks. Right behind this desk was an expansive amount of book shelving units already filled, that engulfed her entire left wall. Well, I'll certainly be able to put that to good use. She then looked to her right where a door now stood open and assumed it led to her bedroom. Walking through, she gasped once again at her lovely bedroom. However, instead of red, she was met with a sky blue bed covering that engulfed her four-poster bed that held delicate white lace that went around the expanse of her bed. Opposite of her sleeping arrangements was her closet that she assumed already held the new teaching robes McGonagall promised would be there. If that wasn't enough to stun Hermione, her bathing room would. Upon her first entrance she noticed the enchantment on her ceiling was charmed to look like the open sky while a claw foot tub stood in the centre as if upon display in the middle of her bathroom. To the right she noticed another door which she assumed was the loo and to her left there was a vanity along with a 'his and her' washing counter where large yellow fluffy towels draped the sides invitingly. She was definitely going to take advantage of this later. Unfortunately for her, she had much work to do. So she went into her main room and sat behind the desk and began her syllabus for the year.

Severus sat there for quite some time, within his private rooms after the discussion with the Headmistress. Everything seemed too suspicious to him. Nothing in his mind could explain her clothing, or the uncanny feeling that he knew her from somewhere. Yet that was not his only surprise that day, he had also learned from Minerva that a certain little know-it-all had left Hogwarts for home after pressing news from her family and would be taking the NEWTS from her muggle residence. Severus was not one to complain about such luck. After all, he only had two more left to deal with in the golden trio. Yet somehow he felt somewhat disheartened about to the fact that it was her. Such a promising student that challenged even himself as a teacher and a Potions Master.

The time spun by as Hermione was working on her syllabus when there came a knock upon the door.

"Enter." She looked up from her work and cried out and ran to her friends. "Harry, Ron, Ginny!"

She quickly took Ginny within her arms when she heard, "Who the hell are you?" from one shocked Ron.

She stood back and looked at her friends collectively. "It's me...Hermione!"

They looked at her warily when she huffed out, "Look, sit by the fire and I'll explain the whole story."

After some tea and a rather lengthy and odd tale, they all looked her over once again.

"Well," began Ginny, "You certainly grow into yourself quite well."

"I'll say," interrupted Ron when Harry shoved his elbow into his side suddenly.

Harry rolled his eyes and said, "Don't worry, your secret's safe with us. If anyone can teach, it's you Hermione. When are you taking your NEWTS?"

"This weekend. So...three days from now?"

"Wow."

"You'll be fine," assured Ginny.

That was when Ron's stomach decided to put its two cents in and they all laughed collectively.

"Maybe we should get to dinner," said Harry.

"Is it really that late?" started Hermione.

They laughed again this time at Hermione's expense.

"Always the bookworm. Yeah, come on, before we're late!"

Walking into the Great Hall was certainly a trial. She almost forgot that she was the new Arithmancy Professor and nearly went to take her usual seat at the Gryffindor table. Instead she took what seemed a long trek up to the Head Table where, unfortunately, the only seat available was the seat directly next to the one person she truly had to fool. Groaning silently to herself she took her seat next to him. Before she could take one bite into her meal, he spoke silently to her.

"I know that you two women are up to something and I'm not in the least bit fooled. I will find out sooner or later...make no mistake Mrs. -"

She boldly looked him in the eye. "Jane. Miss. Jane Gardner. And I would prefer it if you would stop badgering me because frankly Professor, I have nothing to hide." She quickly snubbed him by beginning to dive into her meal. Her glossy mane blocked her face which now held slight mortification and satisfaction all at one time. She, Hermione Granger, had just stuck it to the hated Potions Professor. I think I'm going to love doing this more than I thought.

Severus could not believe it. Was it him or was he just snubbed? He scowled at her through slitted eyes and resumed his meal in much thought. Minerva's explanation seemed plausible but there was just something too suspicious about the entire situation. Not to mention the departure of one Head Girl Hermione Granger; all within the same night as the new Professor's appearance. He would investigate the matter thoroughly later. And one way or another he would make her talk. Besides, he was very good with persuasion he thought as he smirked to himself.

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