I own nothing! Just playing in J. K. Rowling's amazing universe!

I was asked to make it more clear when I changed between Severus' and Hermione's perspectives, so I went back and edited all the chapters posted so far. What do you think?

Hermione's POV
Hermione was able to somewhat sleep in Saturday morning, but her internal clock was apparently not set to lazy, so she got up. While getting ready, she remembered it was Hogsmeade weekend. The holidays started Monday, so this was the last chance for people to do some Christmas shopping here before leaving for Christmas. Hermione sighed at the thought. She was staying at school, and it was depressing. But she couldn't take the thought of cheering, happy people right now. She was going to stay at school, explore her new magic, read some of the books she had been dying to read for a while, and generally try to have an okay Christmas.

Maybe I can ask Severus if I can study in his library, I haven't been there yet. Wait, what? Severus?! I know I'm not his student anymore, but I'm still a student. I wonder how he would react if I called him Severus. She giggled. Maybe I'll slip it in on his Christmas card or something. He can't really punish me for that, can he? I am after all not his student, and a Christmas present is not school related at all. She tried to picture his reaction and giggled again.

She wanted to go to Hogsmeade, and decided to stop by Minerva. She hadn't been to Hogsmeade this year, not having time, or being too tired to go. But I need to buy Christmas presents. And I have to try to find one for Professor Snape. Severus. She giggled. Students usually needed a permission slip from their parents, but seeing that Hermione didn't have any at the moment, or at least didn't know where they were, she couldn't obtain a slip. But I'm of age, it should be fine.

She entered Minerva's office, the headmistress herself beaming at her. "Hermione! How lovely to see you! Do sit down, dear. Would you like a cup of tea?" Hermione smiled. "No thank you Headm- Minerva." Minerva laughed. "Minerva it is indeed Hermione. I would ask no less of a sister-in-arms." The words struck Hermione like an off-road bludger. Her eyes brimmed with tears. It wasn't really painful tears, but Minerva's statement had hit her with such magnitude, because of the truth of it, and the weight of meaning it had. She felt almost not worthy of such a statement.

Minerva saw her eyes brimming with tears and walked towards her. "Oh, Hermione! I didn't mean anything by it. I didn't want to upset you in any way, dear!" Hermione looked at her and gave a small smile. "I know, really. It's just that I've never been called anything like it, and I wasn't prepared for my reaction. I know that it's true, but I'm not sure I feel worthy of such a statement. But Minerva, thank you. It means a lot to me to be considered as such." Hermione stood up, and hugged her Headmistress. Minerva hesitated for a second before hugging her back.

Tears were streaming down Hermione's face when Minerva let her go. "Hermione, dear, what is it? Do you want to tell me?" Clearing her throat and getting the tears under control, Hermione answered her. "It's just.. I'm not dealing very well with the memories of the war. It's too close still. And I feel like I should be able to deal with it. I'm an adult now. But I've been through so much; I have so many scars on my soul. But I know that many have been through worse than I, and I feel guilty and selfish." Minerva nodded at her. "I understand what you mean. I think we all feel a bit like that Hermione. I feel that way too. I still have nightmares of the war, and I feel grief for everyone we couldn't save."

Minerva looked at Hermione with sad eyes. "I feel especially bad for how I treated Severus. What he has been through has been worse than any of us can imagine, I believe. But we are allowed to grieve. We are allowed to hurt. It doesn't just go away by itself; you have to work through it. Give it time, Hermione. And if you need to talk to anyone, you are welcome to come to me. I'll be here." Hermione gave her a small smile. "Thank you, Minerva. That means a lot. And I would like that."

She thought for a second. "About what you said about Professor Snape, it is really true, isn't it? He has truly been through Hell, hasn't he?" Minerva nodded. "Yes he has, but it is not my place to tell you about it. But I can tell you this. He was frequently at the hospital wing after meeting with the Dark Lord. He often came back injured, with cuts, burns, signs of being hexed with different Dark spells. But the most regular reason he was at the hospital wing, was because he needed treatment for the after effects of the cruciatius curse. And these after effects only occurs after heavy torture. I cannot fathom how he lived through it, while keeping his cover hidden. How he kept up his occlumency shields while being excessively tortured. It's a shame people are unaware of his achievements. Without him we would probably have lost the war."

Minerva gave her a look. "You cannot let him know that you know this of course. But I think you understand that. I just thought you should know. You will be working with him after all, and maybe this can help you understand why he is as he is. As a young boy, he was different. He was more gentle and kind. Always the introvert though. But kindhearted and funny. I always liked him, and I mourned when I saw the way he turned to the Dark Arts. You know about Lily? Harry's mother?" Hermione nodded. "I am hoping that now that the Dark Lord is dead, Severus may find some peace. He deserves it more than anyone, having sacrificed over half his life for this cause."

Minerva smiled and patted Hermione's hand. "Anyway, Hermione. I'm glad to hear you're going to be his apprentice! I was surprised to hear he had asked you, it wasn't my idea. I had thought about it, but I expected him to flat out refuse. You have made an impact, I believe." Hermione smiled. "I hope so. And I'm truly looking forward starting as his apprentice. He isn't so bad to be honest. I like him." Minerva laughed. "That, Hermione, is great news. Because he likes you too, seeing that he asked you to be his apprentice. It has never happened before, unless under great stress from the headmaster."

Minerva grinned at her now. "So, my dear, was there another reason for your visit?" Hermione remembered Hogsmeade. "Yes, actually. I really want to go to Hogsmeade, but you know of the situation with my parents. I have no permission slip." The Headmistress got up, found parchment and a quill, and wrote on the parchment. "Hermione, you are 19. And with the timeturner, you are what; 21?" Hermione nodded. "Very well." She threw a charm at the parchment. "You may go to Hogsmeade any weekend you want, even if it's not student weekend there. Preferable you will go with a professor, I can come with you sometimes, but I will allow you to go alone. This parchment is a permanent permission slip. Bring it with you and you will be fine. If you decide to go alone, let one of the professors know you are going, and when you are returning." Minerva's eyes softened. "I know you have a lot to deal with Hermione. I'm allowing this because it might feel nice to get away a bit. I know you are staying over Christmas too. So here you go." She gave Hermione the paper. Hermione was stunned. "Thank you so much Minerva. This is lovely. Thank you." Minerva smiled. "Don't mention it! Now, if you are going to Hogsmeade, you better get going! Remember, it's cold. Have a nice trip Hermione!" Hermione thanked her and left the office.

Arriving in Hogsmeade, Hermione looked around, thinking of where to head to first. She had already finished her friends' gifts, being so restless over the summer that she had spent a lot of time shopping. Being a war heroine, order of Merlin, first class, had its perks. Her vault in gringotts was unbelievable full, and she cringed when thinking about it. She had tried to refuse time after time, but gifts and awards kept raining in. In the end she had given up, when she had seen that people got disappointed if she didn't accept. So at the moment she had enough money to last a lifetime. Or four. She had only two gifts to buy today. She was looking for something for Professor Snape, and she wanted to get something for Minerva. After a while, she found a beautiful miniature cat that looked suspiciously like Minerva's animagus form. She bought it, and some candy quills she knew the headmistress liked.

The next one was a much bigger challenge. Hermione had no idea what to get for Severus Snape. I wonder if he is getting me a present as well? She disregarded the thought. Not very likely.

She went in to several stores, not finding anything she liked. After spending a long time searching, she found something that she was happy with. Maybe I can make him something with my new magic. He seemed to like the mini-Snape very much. Yes, I will do that. Very happy with herself, she asked the store manager if he could send her purchase to Hogwarts, and left the store. Walking outside she decided to stop at the three broomsticks. She ordered a butterbeer and sat down at a booth near the corner, shielded from most of the other tables by a staircase.

She had bought The Daily Prophet earlier, and got it from her bag to read. There was so many articles on missing people, and an alarming amount of mysterious deaths. Her feelings were all over the place while she read. What is happening? Why are so many people disappearing?

Hermione leaned her head against the wall, feeling slightly broken. She was tired with feeling like this. Her emotions were constantly all over the place, and she could go from blissfully happy to devastated in two seconds. She hated it. She was used to being in control of everything. She needed to be in control. At least in control of herself. She felt like she was losing it. She put her head in her hands. Her Chaos of Curls fell down, and she hid behind it. A tear trailed down her cheek. She was thinking about her parents. If they were ok, if she would ever find them, and if they would ever forgive her if she did. She was thinking about Christmas. She loved Christmas. But with her parents in an unknown location she dreaded Christmas.

Suddenly she heard a familiar voice, with a not-so-familiar softness added to it. "Are you feeling alright, Miss Granger?" She didn't look up. She didn't want to show him that she was crying. "Oh hello Professor Snape." She could hear shuffling and a glass being put on the table. He was sitting down. "Miss Granger?" The question was gentle, and it made more tears emerge. She couldn't answer him without revealing that she was crying, so she kept silent. "Are you ever going to look at me, Miss Granger?" She had to answer him now, she was feeling stupid. She wanted him to leave. Not looking at him, she answered. "With all the respect in the world, Professor Snape, could you perhaps leave me alone? I am not very good company right now. I'm sorry." She expected him to leave, but he didn't. "With all due respect, Miss Granger, I do believe that is for me to decide."

She couldn't believe he stayed. Professor Snape took the first chance he got to run from situations like these. She tried to figure out what to do when he spoke to her again. "Hermione." And put his hand on hers. She flinched and snapped her head up. "There we go. Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" He was sitting in front of her, a butterbeer on the table, leaning his head on one hand. She desperately tried to make her face presentable, wiping away tears and running her hands through her hair. She had at least stopped crying.

She winced at the harsh way she answered him. "Why do you want to know?" He rolled his eyes. "Despite popular belief I am not actually heartless, Hermione." She saddened with his words. "I do not believe you are heartless, sir. I have never thought so. I'm just surprised, that's all." He looked a bit taken aback, and she decided to just tell him. "I was sitting here, reading about the weird deaths and disappearances that keeps appearing in the papers these days, and it made me think about all the people we've lost. Because of the war, or because of ripple effects from the war. That again made me think about my parents, that I still don't know where is." Her eyes filled with tears again.

He gave her a confused look. "You don't know where your parents are? What happened to them?" She dried her tears. "Oh, I assumed you knew. Before we went on our famed horcrux expedition, I altered their memories. I removed myself from all memories, pictures, everything. I removed any trace of me from their life. I made them think they were someone else, and I sent them to Australia. I have no idea where, because I didn't want to know all the details in case it could be used against me at some point. I don't even know if they are still in Australia. I'm not sure where to begin to be honest."

He looked at her with renewed interest. "And you successfully did this?" She nodded. "Impressive. Not that it being impressive helps you though." She sighed. "I know. Thinking about them made me think about Christmas, and I dread it. I decided to stay at the castle ages ago. But I hate the idea of spending Christmas there. No offense to the castle, but I just want my parents. I want my normal Christmas traditions." He smiled at her. "Did you just apologize to the castle?" She thought about what she had said for a second and realized she had actually done just that. She giggled. "Yes I think I did. It feels like it has its own life sometimes, if I am in a hurry, the stairs change their routine, and the room of requirement adjusts to my wishes with more detail than before. Like when it helped me figure out what I needed to explore my magic. I didn't even know what I needed. The professor looked impressed. "The castle does that for you?" She nodded. "I'm not sure you are aware of how rare that is Hermione. It's usually reserved for the headmaster and the most loyal teachers. It's extremely rare for the castle to attune to a student in such a degree. Did you know it still recognizes me as headmaster? In addition to Minerva of course. Since I never really resigned, the castle counts me as headmaster. Don't tell Minerva though." He smiled. "But enough about the castle, Miss Granger. I will lend you a book on the subject that you can read over Christmas if you wish. Now, what do you usually do for Christmas then?" She couldn't believe this was Professor Snape. He wanted to know what she did for Christmas? It was weird. It felt nice to talk about it though, so she decided to tell him.

"I bake with my mum, and of course I burn half of it since I'm a horrible cook, but my dad eats it anyway and tells me how great it tastes. Which I know is utter bullshit, but I go with it. My mum and I make horrendous Christmas ornaments, and we decorate the house with them. Since we do this every year the house looks like it's decorated by three year olds, but it's tradition. We decorate the Christmas tree, which sometimes actually have some store bought ornaments, and dad puts the star at the top, standing on a very unstable ladder. Then we stand in front of it, talking about how extraordinary and unusually beautiful this year's tree is. Christmas eve we eat dinner, and whatever thing I have cooked that year tastes horrible, but of course my dad tells me how exceptional I am, and that I should just quit Hogwarts and start as a chef."

He had been smiling slightly at her all through her speech, but he grinned at her at this. "That bad?" She nodded. "Yes, you won't believe it until you see it. Or taste it. I would advice against it though." She grinned back at him. She actually felt a lot better. "How is it that you manage to brew potions like you have done nothing else your whole life then? The principle is not so different from cooking after all." She thought about it. "I don't know to be honest. I'm just exceptionally bad at it." She thought for a second. "So you are a great chef then?" She had meant it to be a joke, but didn't expect his answer. He raised one eyebrow at her and just said; "Yes." She actually laughed. "Interesting. I did not know that." "Not many people do Miss Granger. I do not throw dinner parties very often." She truly loved his humour. With suppressed laughter she managed to get some words out. "Well, if you do, be sure to invite me. I would love to attend." He gave her a warm smile that made her insides tingle. "I will make sure to remember that, Miss Granger. Are you feeling better?" She nodded. "Yes Professor. Very much so. Thank you." He rolled his eyes at her. "Stop thanking me, Hermione, it was no trouble." He glanced at the clock on the wall. "I have to go. I'll see you later Miss Granger. Do stop by to pick up the book I told you about." He stood up and gave her a small bow. "Good day, Miss Granger." Then he turned around, and swept off in his usual manner. She was too stunned to answer him. He had been so nice. And called her Hermione a lot. The prospect of working with him looked better and better.

She returned to Hogwarts and went to the dormitory to get out of her winter cloak and boots. She went to dinner, and decided to stop by the dungeons before returning to the dormitory. She was tired and wanted to relax. She finished her meal and went to the dungeons. Professor Snape lent her the book, and told her she could indeed come and study in his library when he was here. She happily skipped back to the dormitory. The package for Snape had arrived and she smiled and put it away. She would wrap it later. After brushing her teeth and changing into her nightgown, she went to bed.

Severus' POV
Severus Snape was again sitting at his desk thinking about his day. Hermione Granger kept making his life slightly more interesting.

When he had entered the three broomsticks earlier in the day, he was just planning to grab a quick drink before returning to hogwarts. He was in Hogsmeade for some Christmas shopping, more specifically to find a present for Hermione. He felt utterly lost, not knowing what to get her. He also felt like a fool, spending so much time trying to find the perfect present. In the end he had found something he was quite pleased with. He was also giving her a book from his library. He suspected it was related to her magic, and he felt she should have it. When walking into The Three Broomsticks, he felt smugly pleased with himself.

When he noticed Hermione he had felt something jolt inside him. He hated to see her like that. Taking a deep breath, he walked over to her, and when she didn't even look up when answering him he had felt a painful twinge inside. It was so unlike her to act like that, so he decided to see if he could cheer her up. He wondered what it was about this young woman that kept him doing things he would not usually do, but he needed her to be her smiling, enthusiastic self. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and after her visits, he found himself working on new potions or spells. He hadn't done that in years.

After failing to make her look at him, she even told him to go away, which was very unlike her, he decided to try something else. So he took her hand. He hadn't voluntarily touch someone in years, so he was again surprised by how he acted towards her. It had worked though. Her head had snapped up, and her eyes widened. She hadn't looked disgusted, just shocked. He could see that she had been crying, and it pained him. Then she had told him about her parents, he was saddened by it, and impressed by the spell she had performed. When she told him about the castle responding to her he had been intrigued. It was very unusual, and he had to research it further. He had listened intently when she told him about her Christmas traditions. He pictured her burning food, he was quite surprised at that. He pictured the ugly ornaments and the always amazing tree. She was a good storyteller, and her extremely dry humor fitted her. She was quite fascinating.