Severus paused in surprise and frowned slightly at her mention of her being a Gryffindor. Damn. He had hoped that they actually had a chance to get along. There was no chance of this happening. That had only worked with Lily before he screwed things up. "I see," he said simply, planning on remaining quiet for the rest of their walk.
Hermione sighed softly at the tone of his voice. This Severus had the same thoughts and prejudices as the thirty six year old Professor Snape, of course.
They walked through the halls of Hogwarts, neither of them talking as they made their way to the library. There was nothing to say after all. One was a Gryffindor and the other a Slytherin. Their houses had never been meant to get along, and Severus didn't plan on changing that at the moment.
"Miss Granger... Who is this?" a cold, soft voice asked from behind the two of them, causing Hermione to spin around.
Severus turned took him in. They looked almost exactly alike. Except the older man's eyes were much colder than his own, and he looked older. "I'm Severus Snape," he replied calmly, matching his gaze. This had to be his older self. The greasy hair and the dark eyes. There was no way he would back down from himself. Even if he did seem to hold himself with more authority and power.
Professor Snape paused, his shock only flickering through his eyes for the quickest of moments. "I see... And what would my younger self be doing in the present day?" he asked calmly, glaring down at him. "A potion mishap perhaps?" He showed no sympathy for his younger self.
Hermione quickly stepped in to try to break it up. "Professor, we were just going to the library. Professor Dumbl-"
"Five points from Gryffindor. I was talking to my younger self now. Not you. I thought you were smart enough to realize that," Professor Snape said shortly with some venom in his voice. "I'm sure he can answer for himself."
"Of course I can answer for myself," Severus shot back angrily. Was he really that annoying? He didn't think so. "And it was a potion mistake. Which you made too since we're the same person. So don't talk like you're speaking down on me." He disliked people talking down at him. He was just as good as everyone else.
Professor Snape raised an eyebrow as he ranted. "Of course. However, I have learned from my mistakes. You have yet to do that," he said calmly. "Now. What are you doing walking through the castle where anyone can see you?" His voice didn't gain volume, but it was obvious he was annoyed. He didn't like dealing with time travel. It was a nuisance that took forever for him to deal with.
"Professor. That's unfair. He hasn't had the chance to learn from his mistake yet," Hermione argued, stepping in for Severus. "You've had an extra tw-"
"Miss Granger. I believe I asked you stay out of this. I wasn't talking to you," the Professor told her coldly, glaring at her. "That is another five points from Gryffindor for you interrupting my conversation. Would you like to keep losing your precious house points? You don't have very many to start with."
Hermione glared back at him angrily but kept her mouth shut for the time being.
"We were just going to the library, as Professor Dumbledore suggested," Severus snapped. "Just be glad I didn't let him put me in Gryffindor and change my appearance. If you have a problem with things, take it up with him. Now, we were heading to the library. So you can go talk to him while I read." He turned to walk away, not wanting to deal with arse he had turned into. He would try not to turn into that person.
Professor Snape watched him. "I would watch out for Miss Granger if I were you. She's certainly not the kind of company you should be keeping," he said shortly. "I will go discuss your arrangements with Dumbledore."
Hermione looked between the two before following Severus to the library. That really hadn't gone well... "Um, Severus. Shouldn't you two be nicer to each other? You two are the same person," she said quietly as she walked beside the younger one.
"Don't call me Severus," he snapped back. "We aren't friends. Gryffindors and Slytherins can't be friends." He didn't want to go through that again. And she wasn't even his friend so there was no point in trying.
Frowning, Hermione looked away. "Fine. I was just trying to be nice," she said simply as they reached the library, opening the door before him. "I'm sure you know your way around the library so you can find whatever you need. I'll be over there if you need me." She pointed to some stacks and stalked off, leaving him alone.
"I won't need you," Severus shot back before walking away and towards the Potions section. Bloody hell was she annoying. He went in search of something to get his mind off this confusion. Maybe he could figure out what he had done wrong with that potion.
The two stayed apart until Dumbledore came in search of them a couple hours later. "There you are, Severus," he said with a kind smile, Hermione following behind him with a stack of books. "If you wouldn't mind coming with me. Mrs. Weasley is in my office waiting for you." He offered a hand to help the young boy to his feet from where he was sitting with his book.
Severus frowned and got to his feet, ignoring Dumbledore's out stretched hand. He didn't need help to get up. "Ok. I'm coming," he said. "Is she coming too?" He really hoped not. He didn't want to deal with her more than he already had.
"Of course I am! Some of our school work will require a partner and no one will be there for your partner work," Hermione snapped before Dumbledore could answer. "I already said I would anyways."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in amusement. "Well come along you two. You can both bring your books with you," he said. "I already had your things brought to my office by a house elf, Miss Granger. So you don't need to worry about anything." He turned and lead the way out of the library and back to his office. "I hope you two will try to get along while with Mrs. Weasley."
Both of them grimaced slightly at the mention of getting along. That wouldn't be happening. They didn't talk the whole way back to the office.
Mrs. Weasley smiled when she saw them. "There you are," she said, pulling Hermione into a tight hug quickly. "We should get going. I have dinner to start and you two to get settled in. Come on. You both look far too thin and could use some food in you." She ushered them through the Floo, first Hermione then Severus before following herself.
Severus stepped out of the fireplace and looked around. So this was where he would be staying until he could get back... Great.
(Here's yet another chapter! I hope you guys are enjoying it. Thank you for all the reviews so far. I love reading them.)