Author's Note: First let me thank everyone who had reviewed, alerted, or put this story on their favorites it means a lot to me and keeps me writing.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Do I really need to say that I don't own them? I'm just playing with someone else's toys and do return them in the same shape I have found them (well that may not always be the case).

Hermione went to the great hall for breakfast the next morning catching Minerva at the head table.

"I've… we've decided, I want to apply for potions apprentice."

"That's the best news I've heard in a long time, come to my office at lunch time. We'll get your application started, will you be able to start in the winter term?"

"Yes."

"Good, I for one am happy that you've chosen to come back to our world." Minerva looked up at the entrance before saying, "I know someone else who is also."

Hermione turned to see Severus walking their way, she gave him a small smile before turning back to the older witch asking,

"You think so?"

"Yes dear." Flintwinck said from the other side of the headmistress, "Would you like to come assitist me with my charms classes today?"

Hermione had been assisting professors while she was here, it helped and was more like a refresher in some of the classes.

"I'd love to." She answered as Severus took his seat beside her.

"To what?"

"Assist Professor Flintwick today."

"Ah, it's a good idea you need to update your skills in some areas."

"Yes, thank you Mr. Obvious."

He looked at her out of the corner of his eye before saying,

"You do realize insolence will not be tolerated."

"You do realize that I am not your apprentice yet." She retorted.

"I suggest you gain control over your mouth before the start of term."

"Or what? You'll control it, I'm sure you'd love that." She said.

"You would too my dear." He whispered to her then louder he said.

"No but there are always punishments for lack of respect."

"I'm sure any punishment you could dole out in the classroom cannot be worse than the five years we were married." Soon as the words made it to her ears she gasped, she covered her mouth with her hand before looking over at him. Yes he was not happy with her retort, he was sneering at his empty plate.

She pushed her plate away before standing to leave, she said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I'll see you tonight."

She hurried out of the hall leaving Severus to stare after her thinking 'so much for letting things go.' As he pushed his plate away suddenly not hungry.

~~^~~SSHG~~^~~

That evening when Hermione returned with an arm full of books that she set on the sofa before saying,

"Severus, I apologize for what I said this morning. I thought I had let most of that go, maybe I have but there are still things that bother me."

"I realize that, and don't worry about speaking you mind with me. I have been thinking, you're not some right out of school student, I shouldn't treat you as such."

Hermione didn't say anything as she sat on the sofa.

"We have a history Hermione, there is no way around it and no way to ignore or escape it. We are both going to have to adjust to the dynamic our relationship is going to take soon."

"Yes we are, I….." she stopped talking, she felt like she was saying the same things over and over.

"I received an application for an apprentice today." He said changing the subject slightly.

"Really, now who in their right mind would want to spend the next seven years having you teach them potions when your nothing but an old scathing git who's not happy unless all your students are miserable."

"I've never made them miserable for my own enjoyment, I have always scared or bullied them into paying attention. It's the only way I know to keep accidents from happening."

"I know, but then you scared Neville so bad that he made mistakes."

"No as much as if he was on his own or paired with someone else."

Hermione looked over at him, did he just say that he paired her with Neville because she was good at potions?

"Don't look at me like that, you were capable in potions I just matched your strengths to his weakness."

"Damn are you feeling well?"

"I fell perfectly fine." He said to her.

She stood going to lay a hand on his forehead.

"What are you doing?"

"You must be running a fever, or something. You just paid me a complement of my time as a student. You never complement students unless they wear green and sliver."

He looked up at her seeing the humor in her eyes, 'cheeky woman' he thought. Grabbing her around the waist he pulled her down on his lap saying,

"Hermione," he took a breath before saying, "I accept your apology for punching me, you are forgiven."

She stopped smiling staring into his eyes, tears burned her eyes.

Severus reached up tucking a stray stand of hair behind her ear, letting his finger tips caress her cheek as he withdrew his hand.

Hermione licked her suddenly dry lips before saying,

"Thank you." She leaned over kissing him, in moments he had deepened the kiss his hand resting on her thigh while the other was in her hair. She laid her free hand on his chest, her tongue sliding around his. Finally he pulled away looking at her, he still had a ways to go he knew but it seemed that every step he took, every day that passed brought them closer, closer to the rest of time with her.

"Your welcome Hermione. Now about you returning to your muggle job for the next couple of weeks."

"What? I don't want….."

"They still have not located Redding, you cannot stay at home as long as he's out there. At least not alone, I spoke with Minerva today and can move my seventh years to the end of the day on Tuesday and Thursday next week. The students are leaving on Saturday for Christmas break so next week won't be a problem."

"I'll have to talk to Robert tomorrow about those two days, then maybe Monday, Wednesday, and Friday the next week should cover everyone."

"Very well, but I don't want you there alone."

"Yes I know Severus. I'm sure with the story we've come up with Robert is not going to have a problem with you being there during my shift."

"How about supper in tonight? We could celebrate my new apprentice, and your new apprenticeship." He smirked at her.

"Yes, let's do that." She kissed his cheek before standing to go to the kitchen to fix supper. Severus joined her and together they prepared their supper.

Author's Note: Comments really do make me smile and brighten my day.

Also I wanted to let you know that I have a couple of Severus/Hermione videos on youtube, the link is in my profile.