EDIT NOTE: This is the same chapter with a word changed. Thank you, Coral Grace, for bringing it to my attention!

Disclaimer: The characters are not mine; they are the property of J.K. Rowling.
...

The funeral was a quiet affair; only a few of the Grangers' closest friends and colleagues came. As soon the reception ended, Snape hurried Hermione through packing. He shrunk her belongings, took hold of her elbow, and with a curt "Don't move," apparated them both to just outside Hogwarts.

"Follow me, Miss Granger," Snape commanded, striding toward the castle looming in front of them. Hermione trudged along behind him, her eyes finally dry.

They walked down to the dungeons. "Where are we going, sir? ''Hermione asked him softly.

"My quarters," he replied curtly.

"Oh. Then I'll just go to Gryffindor Tower. It's in the other direction.''

"No." His short answer did not sit well with Hermione, but she knew better than to argue. Glancing at her, Snape noticed Hermione's hard expression. He explained further, "You can't stay in Gryffindor Tower during the summer, Miss Granger. It's not allowed."

"Oh." Confusion crossed her face. "Then where will I be staying?"

"In my quarters. That's part of the—er—consequences of being your guardian."

"If you don't want me here, I'll be happy to go home. I'm sure I can care for myself. Or ask the Ron if I can stay with him." she snapped haughtily.

"Watch your tone, Miss Granger!" Snape warned, and Hermione fell silent. "And you will do no such thing. Into my care you have been trusted, and in my care you will stay."

They walked past the door to the Potions' classroom and came to a plain wooden door. "Squamata Elapidae," Snape said. The door swung open, and Snape gestured for Hermione to enter. "Welcome to my quarters, Miss Granger. Emphasis on 'my'!"

Wishing she could be in Gryffindor Tower, Hermione followed Snape past the foyer and into the living room. As she walked in, her eyes almost bugged out; it was her dream living room. Every wall had bookshelves from ceiling to floor, crammed so full of books, they had to be charmed to hold the weight. Two well-worn easy chairs and end tables sat in corners, and a matching, brown well worn sofa sat in front of a slightly scuffed coffee table.

"Obviously, this is the living room," Snape said. He pointed to a door between two bookshelves. "The kitchen is through there." He strode across the living room and pointed to a door on the left side. "That is my bedroom." He gestured to a door across the hall. "That is my private potions lab."

He took a breath. "Miss Granger, I would like to get some things straight." Hermione looked at him, "You are never to go into my bedroom or potions lab without my express permission. I do not and will not care what your pathetic excuse might be. You are not to go into my bedroom or potions lab. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir," Hermione replied, She paused for a moment. "Why not?"

Insolent girl! Snape thought angrily. "Because they are my private spaces and you are not to go in them. Understood?''

"Yes, sir." She bit back the questions that rose to her throat. Snape turned to leave. "Um, sir?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"What is it?"

"Where am I supposed to sleep?"

Snape pointed to a door just off the living room. "That will be your room. I believe Professor McGonagall decorated it for you while I was gone."

Hermione nodded. "Thank you, sir." She walked to the door and opened it. ''Wow…"she murmured. Professor McGonagall had painted the wall a bright lime green and given her a comforter with bright blue, purple and lime green squares that interlocked with each other. The furniture was a light wood that contrasted nicely with the bright color. A matching desk and bookshelf sat in one corner. Hermione found herself smiling slightly for the first time in the past two days.

Professor Snape strode in behind her, rolling his eyes at the gaudy color Professor McGonagall had chosen for the girl. He noticed the hint of a smile on Hermione's face, and rolled his eyes again; just like a Gryffindor to like such bright colors. He took Hermione's belongings out of his pockets and turned them back to their original size. "You can start unpacking, Miss Granger, I'll let you know when dinner is ready."

"Thank you, ''Hermione replied. She hesitated a moment. "Um, Professor?''

"What is it?" he asked, annoyed.

"Where's the ladies?"

"Through that door." He pointed across the room. "That's your bathroom. Mine is in my bedroom."

"Thank you."

Snape left the room and Hermione begun unpacking, trying to force herself to accept her new reality.