Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone that has to do with Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling.

Tension

Hermione settled into her seat, trying to keep as much distance between herself and Professor Snape. She did her best not to squirm every time he spoke, not wanting him to know.

Draco took his seat next to Hermione so that he could easily talk with the older Slytherin.

Snape glared down his nose at the two school mates. "As much as you both wanted Professor Slughorn to be here," he paused, sneering. "Headmistress McGonagall has deemed it necessary for me to greet you instead. I assume you have both read the letters you received this morning." It wasn't a question, but Hermione and Draco nodded anyway. "This is why I have been chosen to come talk to you. These apprenticeships will start almost immediately. Mr. Malfoy, you will be studying with me, not Professor Slughorn."

Draco visibly relaxed at the observation. Hermione almost grinned at his relief.

Snape continued. "As for you, Miss Granger, Headmistress McGonagall will further your knowledge of Transfigurations." He surveyed the two before continuing. "Any questions?" He half-expected to see Miss Granger's hand shoot up, but he was surprised.

"Yes, actually." It was Draco who spoke. "Are we going to have an actual meeting?"

Professor Snape smirked. "I believe we just did." Draco's cheeks obtained a slight pink hue. "If you are referring to the usual Head meeting, there will be no need for that. You should both remember how to behave as leaders of this school." He took a moment to level his gaze at Hermione. "After the feast tonight, you will both be shown to your rooms, as they are not the ones you've shared with your classmates for the past six years." He leaned back in his seat. "You are free to go."

Hermione stood, but Draco remained in his seat. As soon as Hermione left, he cast a Silencing Charm on the compartment and turned confidently towards Severus. "Alright, Uncle, what's going on?"

Severus kept his pose, but stiffened. "What are you talking about, Draco?"

Draco smirked. "Come now, Uncle. I'm talking about between you and Granger."

Severus sat forward in his seat, eyes flashing and voice lowering dangerously. "I am still not certain as to what you are hinting, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco chuckled, hardly fazed by Severus' show. "Well, I'm certainly not going to be the one to tell you." He stood. "You should really figure it out soon though. I, for one, do not want to be involved in the middle of too much tension." He opened the compartment door, dissolving the Silencing Charm. "Have a good train ride, Professor."

Hermione finally reached her compartment after changing. She had, admittedly, tried to listen to Draco's conversation with Professor Snape, but one of the two had put up a Silencing Charm. Upon sliding open the door, she was greeted with the sight of her friends. Ron and Lavender had stayed, but it was obvious that the others wished they hadn't. The two kept giving each other sickeningly sweet looks and making kissy noises. Hermione rolled her eyes and plopped down beside Ginny. "How's the ride?"

Ginny snorted. "If we were alone," she glowered at Ron and Lavender. "it would be a much better ride." She huffed. "The best part was when I got to leave so I could change. That's where Harry is now." Hermione noticed that her voice softened when she said the boy's name.

"Has he asked you out yet?"

Ginny blushed. "No. And quite honestly, I'm not going to hold my breath. If he does, he does. If not, well, there are a number of other older men." She winked at Hermione. "Maybe even a professor."

It was Hermione's turn to blush. "I-I don't know what you're talking about." The rest of the compartment turned to look at her.

Ginny sniggered. "Not so funny when it's you that's put on the spot, is it?"

"Hmph."

She was saved from further embarrassment when Harry finally returned. He gave her a quizzical look. "I just overheard Malfoy talking about some apprenticeship he's got at the school. Did you get one?"

Hermione sighed. "Yes, I did. I was going to tell you over dinner, but I suppose this will do."

Harry smiled widely. "That's great, Hermione! What's it for? And why did you want to wait until later? I thought you'd be bursting to tell us!"

Hermione laughed. "You've been hanging out with Ginny too much. Her thirst for knowledge is rubbing off on you." Ginny stuck her tongue out at the older girl. "Anyway, the apprenticeship is with McGonagall. I don't know all of the specifics yet, I only just got the invitation this morning. The meeting that Draco and I just went to was supposed to tell us about it, I guess. But Snape cut it short." At the mention of his name, Ginny's head shot up, but Hermione glared at her.

"What did he have to say about it?"

"He just told us who we would be studying under. He also said we would be shown to our rooms after the feast tonight." She paused. "It was odd. We could have gotten that information at school easily. I'm used to these meetings being a lot longer and more informative, though much more boring."

Ginny snickered. "I'm sure this one was much less boring."

Harry smirked. "Only because she had to try and avoid Snape's glares."

"Yeah, that's it."

"Oh, shut it." Hermione then proceeded to bury her nose in the nearest book for the rest of the trip, determined not to answer any more questions.

The train finally arrived at the station and Hermione was the first out of the compartment. She jumped in the first available carriage and waited for the others to join her. She was too far ahead of them, however, and Draco was the next one to occupy the carriage. She smiled civilly at him, and then stared out the window. The thestral made its way to the castle, pulling Hermione and Draco along with it.

Minutes that felt like hours passed before Draco shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "So, uh, Hermione." She didn't look at him, though she was startled at his use of her first name. "Er, I was just wondering if you might want to… settle past differences." He paused, giving her time to answer.

She slowly turned to him. "What is this, M-Draco?" He softly smiled when she used his first name. "Why now?"

"Well, for one, I no longer have to put on that air of hating everyone since Potter got rid of the Dark Lord. And second, er, I've always thought we would get along. I mean, we're both smart and I think we're probably a lot alike."

Hermione just stared at him for a few minutes, trying to make sense of what he had said.

"I know this isn't going to happen right away, but it's obvious that we'll be working together at some point. I just want to smooth things over now." He held out his hand and waited for her to take it. When she did, his face split open in a wide smile.

Hermione smiled back, unable to resist. She let go of his hand, but kept looking at him, almost curiously. "Why would we eventually be working together?"

Draco sniggered. "Sorry, I figured you would have gathered that information from our invitations. Unless, of course, McGonagall sent yours. She might not have been so forthcoming." He reached inside his robes and produced his own letter, written by Professor Snape, and pointed the second to last passage.

"The Headmistress and I would be pleased if you would continue on at Hogwarts after your school years end. Professor Slughorn and Headmistress McGonagall are both retiring from teaching and we need replacements for Potions and Transfigurations."

Hermione looked up, surprised. "They really want us to teach that young? I thought you had to spend years getting that certification."

Draco shrugged. "I dunno. That's just what he put in the letter." He shoved the parchment back into his robes as the carriage came to a halt. Once it came to a stop, he hopped out and held out his hand to Hermione. "May I help the lady from the carriage?"

Hermione giggled, but took his hand. "Why, of course, kind sir." She stuck her tongue out once she was on the ground, then noticed her friends getting out of a carriage a few yards back. "I'll catch up to you later?"

Draco nodded. "I'll probably talk to you during our next class." He half-bowed, then strolled towards the castle.

Ginny was the first to reach Hermione. "What was that all about?" She nodded her head in Draco's direction.

"Oh, he just wanted to talk about our upcoming apprenticeships and stuff." She hooked her arm through Ginny's and they headed up to the castle.

Professor McGonagall was seated at the staff table awaiting the arrival of the students. Professor Snape was out in the Entrance Hall waiting for the First Years. He hadn't really wanted to do it, but he was willing to only on the promise that Miss Granger would be doing it next year. He mentally snorted. 'The day that woman becomes a professor is the day I hide.' He stopped short in his mental musings. Since when had he thought of her as a woman? He shook himself mentally and sneered openly at the young children crowding around him. He turned on his heel and led them into the Great Hall.

The double doors burst open and in came the black-clad Professor Snape, looking just as evil as usual, cloak billowing out behind him. Behind him came the First Years, all of them practically having to run to keep up with his long strides. Upon reaching the Sorting Hat, Professor Snape pulled out a long parchment and called out the first name on the list.

"Miranda Alkire."

His voice sent shivers down Hermione's spine as the young girl climbed up onto the stool.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The table erupted into cheers as the girl shyly slid onto the bench near Dean. He smiled at her, talking to help ease her nerves. Snape continued reading names until the last one, a boy by the name of Dakota Woods, got sorted into Ravenclaw. He then stored the hat and stool in the room behind the staff table.

McGonagall tapped lightly on her glass and stood, ready to address the school. "I welcome you to another year at Hogwarts. Enjoy your meal and enjoy your night. Thank you." As she sat down, the plates filled themselves with food. She turned to Severus after sitting down. "You know, you didn't have to put on quite that much of a show when you brought them in." Her eyes twinkled in much the same way Albus' had. "I believe she'll notice you no matter how you enter a room."

Severus looked up sharply from his plate. "I do not know where you are all getting your ideas from, but I assure you, I don't know what you are talking about." He went back to his dinner, sulking.

Minerva smiled and finished off her own plate. When it looked like everyone had their fill, she waved a hand and the food disappeared. She stood once more while Severus tapped his glass. "Prefects, if you will lead your houses to your common rooms. You will all get your schedules tomorrow morning at breakfast. Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy, if you would please come see me."

Hermione smiled at her friends and bade them good night, then made her way to McGonagall while Draco did the same. They reached her at about the same time, smiling at each other. Minerva noticed Severus stiffen at the friendly exchange, but didn't say anything.

"Miss Granger, if you will accompany me, I will show you to your rooms." She nodded to Severus. "Good evening, Professor. And you, Mr. Malfoy."

The two men nodded back before heading to the dungeons. Hermione and Minerva walked in silence for a few minutes before Hermione began.

"Professor," she halted at Minerva's look. "Sorry, old habits die hard." She smiled. "Minerva, I was talking to Draco earlier and he said that we were to teach after our apprenticeships. Why didn't you say anything?"

Minerva sighed. "I shouldn't be surprised that Severus told Mr. Malfoy. I honestly didn't want to force it on you." She paused. "You do realize that being an apprentice is entirely voluntary. I only want you if you want to be there."

Hermione smiled. "Are you kidding? I'm very grateful for the opportunity. I'm also looking forward to teaching as soon as I graduate."

"About that." Minerva continued. "You realize that you will not be teaching the older years, right? I can't have you teaching anyone that you are close to. When you take over, it will be years 1-5. Each year we can add another year onto those." They reached the portrait that gave way to her rooms. "I will speak to you more about this as the year progresses. For now, however, you need sleep, as do I. When I leave, you may give your portrait your new password. Have a good night, Hermione." She smiled.

"Good night, Minerva." She watched the older woman walk back down the stairs then turned back to her portrait. The man sitting in the frame was none other than Salazar Slytherin. "She cocked her head at him.

He frowned. "What are you looking like that for? Have you never seen a wizard in a painting before?" He scoffed. "Just give me your password and get inside."

Hermione refused to back down though. "Why are you not in the dungeons? I've seen you down there before."

Salazar huffed. "I do have more than one portrait, you know."

Hermione grinned. "I'm just surprised you're putting up with Gryffindors, is all."

"A Gryffindor?" Salazar growled. "He didn't tell me you would be a Gryffindor."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "You didn't even know who you would be watching? Who sent you up here?"

"No one sent me, young girl. I was asked to fulfill a favor, so here I am. And no, I am not to tell you who asked." He crossed his arms across his chest. "Now, are you going to give me a password or not?"

"How about…" She fished for a word. "Belladonna."

Salazar nodded. "In you go."

Hermione waited until he swung open then entered her rooms. She had stepped right into the living room, the fireplace off to the right. Further down were two doors. One led back to her bedroom that had an adjoining bathroom. She closed the door and then opened the other. Inside was a full lab. There were potions lining the walls and three cauldrons, fully cleaned, lined up along the tables. She couldn't believe this place. Who had a fully stocked lab just lying around the castle? These ingredients were fresh, too. She shook her head, not wanting to think about it too much. She would talk to Ginny and Harry about it at breakfast.

She shut the lab door and headed to the bedroom. It didn't take too long for her to fall asleep, dreaming about black hair and eyes accompanied by long, pale fingers.

Author's Note: I know this is going to sound like a plea, but honestly I write better if people review. So, whether you loved, hated, or are indifferent to it, please review. I will love you forever. :)