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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, etc. (Nor do I own the Reese's brand or the Hershey's company. Or a lot of other things. In fact, it would be easier to say what I do own. Which isn't much. But… I digress.)
Once Hermione made it back to her room, she silently showered and got into bed, glad they made it in without being questioned. She fell asleep smiling at the thought that Severus Snape, dungeon bat and Potions master extraordinaire, never known to speak a kind word to anyone, had compared her to some of Shakespeare's finest women.
It was a few days later and Hermione was on the Hogwart's Express. She sighed as she leaned her forehead against the window and watched the landscape roll past.
Getting to the Station had been a nightmare, as was any outing in the wizarding public. The day after she and Severus returned from the last mission, Hermione and the others who were returning to Hogwart's had tried to go to Diagon Alley to get their school supplies. They made it about ten steps before a journalist saw them, and then more journalists started Apparating everywhere. Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Ginny all began to run away. They were afraid this might happen. Even though they knew Moody, Kingsley, Tonks, and surprisingly Snape were following them invisibly, they knew they needed to get out of there.
It had been like this ever since after 5th year when it was found out Harry Potter was right about Voldemort's return. Ever since, the Golden Trio had been hunted anytime they were caught out in public.
As they ran back toward the Floo which they came through, journalists started Apparating in their path, trying to stop them.
"Harry, Harry, please! Any comment on You-Know-Who?"
"Was Dumbledore's Army real or just a cover?"
"What plans do you have this year? Any more death defying adventures?"
Harry lost his temper momentarily when he saw a reporter 'accidentally' trip and grab a handful of Hermione's hair. Hermione let out a shriek as she was slammed to the ground. She felt a sharp pain in her nose and could feel blood dribbling down her throat. Harry ran over and practically threw the offending reporter aside and helped Hermione up quickly. Hermione was about to draw her wand herself when she saw the reporter crumple and fall to the ground, Stunned.
Hermione flashed a quick grin in the general direction the spell came from, not knowing if she was thanking an invisible Moody, Kingsley, Tonks, or Snape. She had a feeling it was certain dungeon bat. The spell looked like it had been more powerful than needed, and she couldn't see any of the others overdoing it like that.
"Severus!" Tonks reprimanded Snape a ways away, though somewhat amusedly.
"The reporter was harming her. Simple as that," Snape said matter-of-factly. Kingsley frowned slightly, but both Moody and Tonks had a small smile on their faces. Only Snape would dare to be so bold as to attack a reporter like that in front of Kingsley.
Once they saw the all the teens had gotten to the Floo, which was made easier when the reporters backed off after the attack, the four senior Order members Apparated back to the Burrow where the group had Floo-ed from. They decided against coming through the Floo from Grimmauld Place; since the Floo Network was monitored and governed by the Ministry of Magic, who were looking for the Order's headquarters, they felt it safer to Floo from a neutral location that couldn't be called into question.
They entered the house after walking from the Apparition point to hear Mrs. Weasley yelling.
"Those reporters have NO RESPECT! Attacking a young girl! Not that you are just a young girl, my dear, but TO ATTACK A GIRL! No doubt the ministry will do nothing about this- this, this outrage! If the Minister was here right now, I swear…" Mrs. Weasley went on and on.
Snape and Tonks entered first, bravely. They saw Harry, Ron, and Ginny sitting and listening to Mrs. Weasley rant and trying to fight smiles while Hermione shaking with muffled laughter out of Mrs. Weasley's sight. Mrs. Weasley was over the stove doing what she always did when she was upset: cook.
Though Harry was smiling, he was angry a reporter had grabbed Hermione like that. He moved to sit by her and put an arm around her. Hermione put her arm around him as well, glad to be out of public.
When Mrs. Weasley heard the kitchen door open, she rounded on Snape and Tonks who were shortly followed by Moody and Kingsley.
"And just exactly where WERE you all while Hermione was being attacked? Picking your nose and checking for gold?" Mrs. Weasley yelled in a worried rage.
At this, the Golden Trio and Ginny, who were now joined by rest of the Weasley gang, all snorted in laughter that they couldn't stifle. Luckily, Mrs. Weasley was in her element and in the middle of such a heated tirade that she didn't notice.
Severus looked over to catch Hermione's eye and was successful after she stopped giggling. He arched an eyebrow at her, and she mouthed 'I'm fine.' Then it was her turn to arch an eyebrow at him. He couldn't help but let a smirk come to his lips that told Hermione it had been him who Stunned the reporter. Before she realized it, a genuine smile came to her face. Severus seemed so unarmed by this, his smirk fell and he looked…confused.
"Are you even listening?" Mrs. Weasley yelled, brandishing a spatula at Snape. He gave a quick nod and turned to look back at Hermione, but she was still embraced by Harry and already talking to the twins, probably explaining what had happened at Diagon Alley. He was confused. She had smiled at him. After all he had put her through, she was smiling at him. He was used to no such thing. It made him uncomfortable out of pure inexperience with such a thing. He couldn't shake it from his mind as he tried to look at all interested in what the fuming redhead was saying.
Dumbledore had then thankfully arranged for their school materials to be mailed to them at Hogwart's.
Hermione was shaken from her reverie of the events a couple of days before when Ron and Harry stood up. "We're going to go look for the food trolley," they explained. "Do you want anything?" Hermione shook her head no and they left her alone in the compartment on the train.
Not even a minute later, she heard the door open.
"I would never expect you to give up on a quest for food," Hermione mumbled without looking up.
"I don't know if that was supposed to be directed at me, but if that is your subtle way of telling me to lose some weight…" Remus said with a smile on his face. Hermione looked up and blushed.
"Oh, no Remus, goodness," she said good-heartedly. "Or should I say, Professor Lupin," she corrected herself.
"Ah Hermione, there is no need for formalities outside the classroom," he smiled. "I wanted to see how you are. This is the first chance I've had to talk to you in a few days I believe."
"Yes. Well, I'm as fine as I can be," Hermione said truthfully.
"Anything else? You know you can talk to me. And I think we all figured there was more to it than what you and Severus told us," Remus said very forwardly, referring to the mission they had gone on.
"Honestly, we told you everything that's necessary. We went on a mission, and we were successful in a way that pleased Voldemort and that didn't hurt anyone else. And we survived. That's it," Hermione said exactly what she and Severus had agreed on telling everyone.
"Hmm. Well I do believe that, I just also believe there is more to it than that," Remus said questioningly, but not unkindly.
"Don't you think I would tell you everything I could?" Hermione asked, hoping he wouldn't question her further. Remus gave a good-hearted, lopsided grin.
"Yes. I just want you to know you can talk to me."
"Yes, thank you Remus, I know. And I appreciate it greatly," Hermione said genuinely.
"Ok, well, I better get back to my rounds. I'll see you later then, Ms. Granger," he said the last words with a very Professor-like tone. Hermione almost laughed
"Right then, Professor," she said back in the most professional tone she could muster without laughing. He gave her a quick nod and a smile before leaving. A few minutes later Ron and Harry returned with their arms full of so many sweets that Hermione's dentist parents would gave cried if they had seen. Hermione bit her lip. No they wouldn't. They were no longer the parents of Hermione Jean Granger. They were now Mr. and Ms. Winters, dentists in Australia. Well, maybe they would still cry at the sight of so many sweets, but without the humor they reserved for their daughter.
"You okay 'Mione?" Ron said with a mouthful of chocolate frogs, one of which escaped as he opened his mouth in such an undignified manner. Hermione sighed and nodded.
"So, is Ginny excited to be a Prefect?" Hermione asked, successfully changing the topic.
"Oh yeah, she was over the moon," Ron managed to say after he swallowed. He considered Hermione a moment. "You know, I'm surprised you didn't make Head Girl."
Hermione shrugged. "After all the trouble we've been in, I'm surprised either of us ever made Prefect. Speaking of which, did they want us to report on the train?" Hermione asked.
"No, they just wanted the new ones to be present. Give them the run-down or whatever," Ron said, pulling out his Prefect's badge to pin to his robes. Hermione followed suit so she wouldn't forget. Harry seemed to have gotten over the disappointment of never being named a Prefect. He had enough on his mind.
Harry and Ron soon began talking Quidditch, a subject they didn't try to drag Hermione into, for which she was grateful. Hermione herself was wondering why she hadn't been given the position of Head Girl. For the first time, it had not been announced to the Prefects who would be Head Girl and Boy. So technically, it could still be her, but she doubted it.
They arrived without incident and made their way to the castle, but McGonagall intercepted the Trio just inside in the middle of the boisterous crowd.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, you may head on into the Great Hall. Ms. Granger, if you will follow me," she said. Hermione shrugged at Ron and Harry and followed her towards where she knew Dumbledore's office was.
"Reese's Cup." Apparently, Dumbledore had become fond of Muggle candy. After the gargoyle moved to allow Hermione to pass, McGonagall gave her a small, encouraging smile before turning around and leaving for the Great Hall without another word.
Hermione went up the staircase and before she could knock, Dumbledore said "Enter" most amiably. Was the man eternally pleasant? She entered with a half-hearted smile and was half-surprised to see Severus there as well.
"Oh, um, hello," Hermione said, looking at both men. Snape looked somewhat uncomfortable and continued looking into the fire.
"Hermione! How are you?" Dumbledore asked, eyes twinkling.
"Good. And you, sir?"
"Quite alright myself. Now there was something I wished to discuss with you and Professor Snape," he said and waved his hand at the open seat next to Severus. Hermione sat and looked at Dumbledore waiting for him to continue.
"Now at the end of last year, as is custom, all qualified 6th years were allowed to apply to be assistants to any number of professors of subjects that interest them. I see you've applied to every subject we teach," Dumbledore said amusedly. Snape looked up from the fire for the first time to look at Hermione incredulously. He seemed to be biting back a comment about insufferable know-it-alls.
Hermione blushed. "Well, I wanted to, um, keep my options open," she said sheepishly.
"Yes, well you obviously qualify for all of them, but I propose you accept the position as Professor Snape's assistant," Dumbledore said and Severus shifted in his seat. Hermione unintentionally gawped.
"But- he's never taken an assistant!" Hermione said.
"Well even he admitted he's never had such a qualified and talented candidate apply," Dumbledore said. Hermione doubted Severus used those exact words.
"Not only are you qualified, I find it would be a good position for everyone," Dumbledore stood up and looked out the window behind him. Hermione took the opportunity to look over a Severus to gauge his reaction. He glanced quickly at Hermione but remained passive, if a little uncomfortable. She doubted whether Severus had told Dumbledore everything that had… ah, happened between them.
"You see, Severus is doing a good bit of research on some potions and such that could help the Order. The research will go faster with an able-minded and talented partner. Also, as you can guess, Voldemort has asked Professor Snape to keep you close to keep an eye on you. And lastly, you have shown a good deal of interest in Potions so this will be an excellent opportunity for you in itself. The only problem is that it will eat up enough time that being Head Girl might be too much," Dumbledore finished. Hermione took a moment to digest all the information.
"Well, I do want to be Head Girl I suppose, but I would rather help the Order and Professor Snape. And if it keeps You-Know-Who happy, I suppose I would like to accept the Assistant position. If it is truly okay with Professor Snape that is," Hermione said quickly, stealing another glance at Severus. He gave a curt nod that Dumbledore could see.
"Very well, it is settled! Thank you Hermione, I know Head Girl would have meant a lot to you."
"Thank you, sir." As Hermione spoke these words to Dumbledore, Severus stole quickly out of the office.
"Do not worry about him, Ms. Granger. But now, perhaps we should follow the example of his haste. I have no doubt there are many students eagerly awaiting my arrival so that they may tuck in to the feast," he said with a warm smile. And with that they headed down to the Great Hall. Hermione could only imagine what kind of reaction Ron and Harry would have to this new development.
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