Severus was in his dungeons, having nothing to do but sit there and try to read a book he wasn't that interested in. He needed to take a trip to the library. He was already done with a whole years worth of lesson plans and was at complete ease. Though he couldn't say that for the other stupid teachers. Nobody was in breakfast or lunch that day, him and Minerva sighed and gave a knowing glance at each other. This was to be completely expected from all of the teachers. Lesson plans were due in Minerva's office by midnight tonight and Snape doubted anyone had even done the first semester plans much less anything else. So all of the teachers were in their quarters, quill and ink flying all over the place, trying to get it ready before due.
Snape was looking over his plans. 1st-7th year plans, NEWT class plans, Spare time to read books and his Apprentices plans. Snape frowned at this. He'd never ever gotten an apprentice. Even though every teacher was supposed to have one, he, in not all his years at Hogwarts, had never gotten one. He didn't blame the students for not wanting to be such an evil old git as himself- not even he could stand himself half the time. But Dumbledore- now Minerva- was kept bugging him to make one each and every year. He didn't know why considering every year was the same. Students cringed in his class, didn't do well- well except for Granger- and he gave detentions almost everyday. He made sure nobody liked his classes so he didn't have to spend any extra time with a couple of them gathering around him, crowding his personal space. Snape hated people in his space.
He was a keep-it-to-yourself sort of guy, everyone knew that. Never gotten married. Never had kids. Didn't even have a house elf until last year and even now he barely talks to her. He didn't even remember her name. 'Twinkie was it? Isn't that some sort of muggle thing?' Snape wondered unconsciously. He wasn't good with people, he didn't really know how to interact with them. 'Maybe that's why I never got Lily.' he mumbled. Snape sighed, moved the thought aside and looked at his apprentice papers, wondering if he should tare them up. For all that's magic, who in their right mind would want to spend any time more than they half to with him?
Snape smirked at this. Some students probably had nightmares about it, or probably dared people to sign up and the screamed until they passed out. Snape chuckled. He would be glad if that was the case. Snape, with a smirk on his face pondered who would be the victim/ apprentice- he would be sure he was a lovely 'master' to them. A few minutes later he heard a knock on door. Snape glared at the door. Who was disturbing him?
"Yes" he said, rather coldly.
"Severus, can I come in?" It was Minerva, she sounded like she was trying to stay calm. Everyone knew Minerva has a bit of a temper. Snape chucked on the inside, remembering the last time she had screamed at Remus because of his dirty robes.
"You tell me Ms. Headmaster. It's your school." He decided to play with her a bit. He knew saying this would make her snap. Minerva opened the creaking door and glared at Severus.
"Severus Snape, you know as well as I do that just because it's 'my school'" Minerva rolled her eyes as she said that and went back to glaring at Snape. "That I have no right to intrude on our fellow professors privacy. Just because I'm the headmaster gives me no right to intrude on peoples lives. I wanted privacy when I was a teacher and still do as a Headmaster, you get what you give Snape."
Snape raised an eyebrow and tried not to smirk. "So you came here to be my mother did you now Minerva?"
Snape blushed slightly "Severus you're a grown man. I can't tell you what to do."
"So you came to tell me I'm a man? I assure you I already knew this. After all, I have to take a bath everyday Minerva" Snape smirked.
Minerva grew a darker blush and shook her head "S-Severus." She coughed and got a hold of her voice "No, I didn't come to boss you or tell you that you're a man. I came here to get your lesson plans for the first quarter." She smirked at this, knowing he had all of them done.
"Have them all Minerva." he said, handing them to her.
Minerva frowned at the papers "Over working yourself if I ever saw it Severus. Why'd you do this to yourself? You had enough just doing potions. But really, Defense Againest The Dark Arts too? And your doing Advanced and Regular for both. Severus are you-" Minerva said, glancing worriedly down at Snape. Snape wasn't in the mood to be worried about.
"Yes Minerva," he said coldly "I'm sure. If I wasn't, I wouldn't have volunteered now would I?"
Minerva huffed at this, her anger returning "You don't have to be so harsh about it Snape. I'm just worried about you and your health."
"Why? It's not like it hasn't been done before. Remember when the new dark arts teacher didn't show up years back and Dumbledor had to fill for him? Snape said, looking at the sheet of paper Minerva had handed him of the list of students who would be attending the re-do of the year.
"Like yesterday." Minerva sighed.
"And it's not like I have anything else to do. I've read almost every book in the library and its not like anyone was forced into being my apprentice. So really its fine Minerva. Don't worry yourself out."
Minerva looked down and chuckled nervously. "About that Snape…you see-" she hesitated
"What is it? Spit it out." Snape growled. Minerva didn't seem to notice the harshness in his voice.
"Well someone actually applied for the job Severus…"
"Of course no one did. Silly Minerva. Who would want to spend their time with me?" Severus laughed and stared back at Minerva who was giving him an evil glare. "Severus your going to have to stop that. You're a nice man even if you try to hide it away from people. One day your going to have to accept that people might actually want to learn from you."
Severus snorted "Oh really, who?"
Minerva smirked "Check the list."
Snape read over the list. He thought it might be Granger. But to his intense surprise; there wasn't even a Granger on the list. "Minerva where is Granger in this?"
Minerva smiled and blushed a bit "Oh you didn't hear? Mrs. Weasly is expecting. A bit young if I say but I won't judge."
"Expecting? Expecting what?" Severus asked, completely confused.
Minerva glared at Snape. "How deep can you be Severus really?"
Severus stared blankly at Minerva, blinking a couple of times before it came to him "Oh. Wow. They are married? She's having a baby? But when…how many months?"
"Almost three. And their getting married in December."
"Wait…" Severus counted the months backwards in his head "That means…Wow. I truthfully expected more from Granger."
"Yeah. I was shocked too. But I'm happy for them non the less." Minerva shrugged "They turned out to be soul mates so what can you do?"
"Anyway…" Severus said, shaking out of his shocked trance "Who's my apprentice?"
"Keep looking." She said, another huge smirk across her face.
Severus continued to look down the list and he was shocked by the name in italics.
Harry Potter- Apprentice to Severus Tobias Snape. Studying Subjects: Potions, Advanced Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy and Advanced Astronomy.
Snape wanted to smirk at him taking Astronomy- but he couldn't he was too much in shock. Potter had signed up for the Apprentice spot? Why? Didn't Potter still think he hated him? Why would he sign up for a job with someone who hates him? Well…supposed to hate him anyways. He looked at Minerva for help but her face was blank while his was full of confusion.
"D-doesn't he hate me? I mean I k-killed Dumbledore, a man who was like a g-grandfather to him. Why did he?" Severus mumbled.
Minerva sighed and patted Severus on the shoulder "I wish I could tell you but something's aren't meant to be said. My best guest is that he forgave you. He doesn't think its your fault. That he knows why you did it. Maybe this is his form of saying it to you."
Severus glared at Minerva "You know, I don't know if you've heard lately, but you just keep getting more and more like that old coot everyday." He said coldly
Minerva laughed "So I've heard. You know Severus, I was surprised myself when I saw that he was coming back. I'd thought he had enough of this place but as you know, its like his home. Wouldn't you want to return to your home?" Severus thought about it and nodded after a minute "So does Harry. It makes sense." Minerva smiled and yawned "Well Severus, if you don't have anymore questions. I'll be going to-"
"Wait!" Snape said frantically "I've never had an apprentice before! How does it work?"
Minerva rolled her eyes, obviously not wanting to go over it. "Well your apprentice will help you out with your class, in your case classes. You know, teaching, cleaning, grading papers and such. During Harry's free time you will be teaching him the basics of Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, showing him the ropes I guess you could put it." Minerva smirked and went on "Your Apprentice, in order to get closer to their master, is required to have a room next to them. Which you will have to set up tomorrow. Harry will be arriving the day after. So…any questions?" She asked politely.
Snape blinked and stared at her, wide eyed in disbelief. He was going to share his quarters with Potter? Why in the world would Potter want to do this? Did he even know? No of course not. Or he wouldn't have agreed. "Was Potter put up to this by someone?" Severus asked unconscious that he said it out loud.
Minerva rolled her eyes "No Snape." She turned towards the door. "Oh and that reminds me…"
Snape looked up at her. "If Potter has to leave in the middle of your classes don't worry to much. Its nothing big."
"Why would he be leaving my classes?" Severus glared at the headmaster.
"Oh. Harry's the godfather of Ron and Hermione's kid don't you know?" She said smiling and blushing again. "And he'd probably be in your classes because you're the one who'd be spending the most time with. Goodnight Severus." She yawned again and left out of the dungeon, closing the door behind her.
The evil voice in Snapes head grinned evilly. Snape growled. Why did Potter have to make his life so Difficult?