Chapter 2
Hermione woke early the next morning, rising out of her warm bed alert and ready for the first day of classes in her seventh and final year at Hogwarts. She quickly cleaned up and dressed in pristine jet black Gryffindor robes along with fresh gray knee high socks and new trainers. Tucking her wand into her pocket she gathered her class materials into her bag and pinned her Head Girl badge to the front of her left lapel. Giving her normally unruly hair a fluff she felt satisfied with her appearance and made her way down to the Great Hall for breakfast, although her stomach was already beginning to knot.
Normally on her first day of classes she would feel slightly nervous, though that feeling quickly gave way to excitement at the new material and learning atmosphere that she thrived on. Today though would not only be a day of learning new class material, it would also be her first day as assistant to Professor Snape.
She had been instructed to meet him in the dungeons immediately following her first class, at which time she would help him set everything up for his first class of the day. Please Merlin, let me get this right. Teaching was always an occupation of interest to her, and she knew her position as assistant would help her earn that occupation. She took a deep breath and entered the Great Hall, marveling at the expanse of the room and the energy that filled it.
Severus sat at the head table eating his fried eggs and observing the students that he would be teaching that day. Third years were first to be subjected to Potions that day, followed by fourth and seventh years. Severus wore his usual sneer as he watched the first years fool around at their tables. As Hermione entered the Hall his eyes were drawn up to see her. Taking in her full frame he was slightly taken aback yet again by the hardness of her face. Clearly she was nervous, but she was struggling to keep her emotions off her face. Severus felt a momentary urge to enter her mind, only for a moment, to see what made her nervous. Surely she could handle the academics, so perhaps her new position was causing her worry. Resisting the urge he moved his eyes down to his meal, then over to Minerva who offered a small smile to Hermione who was then taking her seat at the front of the Gryffindor table.
Hermione nodded to McGonagall, grateful for the gesture, and began to fill her plate with toast and scrambled eggs. Neville was sitting across from her, engaged in conversation with another seventh year who sat next to him. "Good morning Neville," she said as he finished talking. "I trust you slept well?" Neville grimaced and shook his head. Swallowing his food he replied. "Couldn't catch a wink; this badge kept me on edge all night."
Hermione smirked, allowing herself a moment of happiness that she was not the only one nervous about their responsibilities. "You'll do wonderfully Neville; Professor Sprout has always had faith in your ability with plants." She said in a comforting tone. "Plus, with you to help her she can get more ingredients to Madam Pomfrey for the infirmary." Neville nodded in agreement as he shoveled the last of his eggs into his mouth and washed it down with pumpkin juice. "I guess. Are you ready for Transfiguration? We could head up together if you'd like." He offered, noting the completion of her breakfast as well. Hermione nodded and got up from her seat, allowing one glance at Professor Snape as she did so. His eyes were trained on his breakfast, however, though she thought she saw him quickly redirect them as she caught him looking. Unsure, she shook it off and followed Neville out of the Hall among the rest of the student body hurrying to their first classes of the day.
Transfiguration passed by at lightning speed. Professor McGonagall went over what she planned to teach them, and then quickly jumped into her syllabus with complex human transfiguration. By the end of the class, Hermione had managed to turn Neville into a red headed, beady eyed old man with a crooked nose and a long beard and he had managed to turn her eyebrows blonde and her hair black. Giggling at their transfigured appearances through the mirrors McGonagall provided they undid the transfigurations and earned ten points to Gryffindor.
On her way to the dungeons her stomach returned to its knotted state, ten times worse than it had been that morning. Making it to the Potions classroom, Hermione knocked on the closed dark oak door.
"Enter." She heard Professor Snape say from inside. Following his instructions, she opened the door and stepped inside, closing it again. The classroom looked exactly as she remembered it. Nine work benches, eighteen stools, cobblestone floors, and a single teaching bench in the front of the room. A desk sat in the left corner of the room, and the door to the supply room in the right. The chalk board was black and clean, and the room smelled of must and potion fumes. Professor Snape sat at the desk, his nose buried in a thick text. He made no motion at her arrival, and she could see his eyes darting back and forth, reading the words on the page with a vengeance.
"Good morning Professor," Hermoine greeted, pleasantly surprised that her voice was stable despite her insides wanting her to burst into a fit of dry heaving. "I was instructed to meet you here to help you set up for the third years, sir."
Severus continued to read the text, though he had heard Miss Granger's words. He held a hand up, raising a single finger signaling that he would be with her in a moment. She nodded, and he continued to read until he finished his current page. Satisfied with that as his stopping point, he looked up to see his assistant.
"Ah," he began; his voice so soft that Hermione strained to hear him. "Well, first you can sweep the floor and write the steps for brewing Pepper-up potion on the board. Then you may straighten the benches and stools. When that is finished you may take up reading a book of your own until the students arrive." His tone was not condescending, but firm. Hermione nodded and walked to the supply room, taking the broom and dustpan from its hook on the wall. She swept the floor diligently, making sure that the dust and ingredient particles were all swept out of the crevices between the stones. When she was finished she wrote as neatly as she could the steps for brewing Pepper-up Potion from memory, exactly as they were written in Advanced Potion Making, Year Three. Finally, she made sure each bench was exactly perpendicular to the front of the room, and each stool was the same distance apart from the bench. Doing all of her work in silence, hearing only the sound of pages turning and her sounds of her own creation, Hermione started a bit when Professor Snape let out a sigh.
"Miss Granger," he said louder than she thought he was before. "I believe that is everything. When class has commenced I will expect you to walk around assisting students. In my classroom you will do whatever I need you to, regardless of what you think about it. Meaningless, demeaning, difficult as tasks may be I expect you to complete them without a moment's hesitation. The same expectations will apply when you begin research in my labs. Am I clear, Miss Granger?" The acidity of his tone became worse with every word that passed through his lips.
"Yes sir, Professor Snape." Hermione bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement, keeping her face expressionless. Same old Snape, she thought.
The third year students entered shortly after, seventeen Ravenclaws and Slytherins eagerly talking about their previous classes and gossiping loudly. They took their seats, partnering up and taking out their cauldrons. Hermione took up a spot in the back corner of the lab, observing. Severus walked to the back of the room and closed the door. The room fell silent.
"Welcome back to Potions. On the board are the instructions for brewing Pepper-up Potion." Severus stated almost lackadaisically. "Brew it as per the instructions and submit a flask to the head table when you are finished. Questions should be directed to Miss Granger; begin."
With the single announcement Hermione saw the room change. Students began to scurry in and out of the supply cabinet, retrieving the appropriate ingredients while Professor Snape returned to his desk and reading material. As the potioneering was under way Hermione noted a pleasant change in fumes leading to an increase in energy. She also observed the success of a black haired Ravenclaw girl as she brewed the Pepper-up Potion perfectly, to her partner's dismay. She wandered around the room, watching and occasionally answering a stray question. Overall the class was quiet and intent on finishing their potions. Smiling to herself, she wondered why she had been so nervous.
When the students were finished and they had left Severus erected himself from his desk and meandered to the head table where seventeen red liquid-filled flasks sat awaiting his approval. Hermione stood by the desk watching him get up. Lifting one of the flasks, the one of the Black haired girl, Severus uncorked it and wafted the scent of its contents to his nostrils. Each of his motions are so damn precise! Hermione fumed within her head. How does he move with such lithe determination?
"Take these to my chambers and place them in my laboratory. It is the door on the right. The wards will allow you to enter." Severus said to Hermione, looking up from the potion. "Then you may be on your way. I will see you in exactly one hour to prepare for the fourth years, after which time you may leave again; plan on arriving early for your potions class, as I will expect you to prepare those as well, despite your participation. Now leave, Miss Granger."
Hermione gave him a stiff nod as she pulled out her wand. Levitating the vials she took them with her and left the classroom, closing the heavy door behind her. The hallways were loud with the sounds of students, and she maneuvered her way through crowds to Professor Snape's nearby chambers.
As he said they would, the wards disengaged as she placed her hand on the door knob. Satisfied, Hermione opened the door and entered his private chambers. The fireplace was the most prominent feature in the room, surrounded by two bookshelves and one single forest green chair. The carpets were unexpected, however. There were two doors, one to her left and one to her right. Although she was sorely tempted to explore, Hermione was worried that her mentor may appear at any moment. She took the door to the right, and went into his private laboratory facility.
Twelve cauldrons were set up on six benches. Each one held a long wooden rod stirring evenly. Along the walls were further bookshelves, as well as cabinets and a work desk. Hermione set the vials on his desk and quickly exited, realizing she would be late for Charms if she didn't hurry. I'm sure I'll have another opportunity to look around at a later date.
Charms, fourth year potions and lunch passed by quickly. Hermione practically ran down to the dungeons after her hurried meal to set up for her own potions class. Snape sat at his desk and looked up when she emerged through the classroom door, panting. "If you think being my assistant is too straining Miss Granger, you are welcome to quit." He said, a slight smirk playing on his lips. He challenged her with his eyes.
"No sir," she said slowly, still catching her breath. "I enjoy my work as your assistant; I find it rewarding and beneficial. I merely have to adjust to my new schedule." She put her bag on the aisle seat of the front left bench and then set to writing the instructions for brewing veritaserum on the board. "I admire your Gryffindor tenacity then, Miss Granger." Professor Snape sneered, almost playfully, as he watched her write. Hermione smirked to herself as her mind became a whirlwind. Is Professor Snape engaging in playful witty banter, with me?
Finished writing, Hermione took her seat and looked at Professor Snape. He continued to watch her and met her eyes. He was unreadable, though she tried desperately to catch something in those endless black eyes. Unsuccessful though, she looked away and took out her copy of Advanced Potion Making, Year Seven. She didn't even notice him approaching her desk until he cleared his throat lightly, looking down at her. "I believe you have forgotten to include a list of ingredients on the board, Miss Granger." He whispered, only slightly condescendingly. "Further occurrences of such obviously avoidable errors will not be tolerated without punishment."
Hermione found herself oddly exhilarated at the way he said punishment, but she cast it aside and fixed her error without a word. Re-taking her seat she could feel a heat rise to her cheeks. Previously Professor Snape's jabs had made her upset and emotionally compromised, now though she felt herself striving for his approval and acceptance no matter the cost to herself. Embarrassment and shots to her pride were small prices to pay when she considered his contentment with her as his assistant.
Slowly her fellow Gryffindor and the Slytherin seventh years filed into the classroom, silently. Amazing how he has managed to break us throughout the years. The third years will learn soon enough. Neville took the seat to her left, offering a smile as he plunked down. Snape stood at the front of the room, surveying them with his glare.
"Today you will begin brewing veritaserum. The potion requires a period of dormant shelf life half way through the brewing process for exactly four hours. I expect each and every one of you to return exactly four hours after you have reached the half way point to finish the brewing." Snape said menacingly. Neville nodded, quivering in his chair as Snape brought his glare upon him. "If you fail to finish your potion you will receive an Unsatisfactory for your work today and will be assigned additional homework. You may begin."
Hermione was the first one in the storage closet and she grabbed enough for herself and for Neville. She made her way back to her seat and quickly set to making her potion. She could feel Snape's eyes on her as she worked, though she didn't let it stop her from succeeding. Adding ingredients and chopping up the next ones, she multitasked and spoke to herself as she brewed. Never before had she felt so alive over brewing a potion, but she knew this one counted for a lot more than any prior. Neville beside her was struggling, and she resolved to assist him only after her own potion was ready to sit dormant. Quickly she added her bat fang, stirred exactly twenty two times counterclockwise then pulled out her stir rod and smiled. She was the first one finished with that half of the potion by a long shot. As soon as she warded her cauldron and covered it up she helped Neville as best she could. They barely finished his potion before Snape called for class dismissal.
"Those of you who are not finished, see me at my desk to receive your additional assignment. Miss Granger, you remain here as well." Severus watched as all but two students and his assistant filed out of the room. Some were excited over their progress; others wore a dismal scowl and exited stiffly. Hermione waved slightly at Neville and then turned to Professor Snape.
"You will hand in one metre of parchment explaining the uses and misuses of veritaserum in wizarding history including Wizengamot and Ministry affairs. Now leave." Snape glared and watched the two Gryffindor seventh years leave, their heads down. He smirked cruelly and then acknowledged Hermione with a small nod. "Miss Granger, I would like to extend an offer to show you my research notes tonight and begin assigning you extracurricular research projects, if you think you can manage that schedule of yours. You will work in my private laboratory and may use my supplies. Should you accept we will begin immediately after the final seventh year has finished the veritaserum."
Hermione's eyebrows gave away her surprise as they shot up. "A-absolutely sir, I would be honored to serve as your research assistant."
Snape nodded. "It is settled then. I shall see you later, Miss Granger."