Wow. It's been what.. 2 years since I last posted? I'm so sorry to the people that have been leaving reviews and reading this story only for it to not be updated in over 2 years; it isn't fair. I forgot about updating, and then life just got in the way I guess. I've graduated high school and I've just finished my first semester in university. Life has a way of sneaking up on you like that.
I'm hoping to get this started again, so please bear with me. I want to give this a conclusion for you all. Any ideas/questions/concerns can be sent to me at any point!
Snape, who had been staring down the Slytherin table with a gaze cold enough to freeze water, lost his composure the second he heard the headmistress announce Granger's name to the hall. He had been so intent on avoiding his fellow teaching staff upon entering the hall that he hadn't even noticed Hermione Granger sitting to Minerva's right. Severus felt his chest begin to tighten and his breathing becoming more laboured as memories from the battle began to resurface. He closed his eyes and pressed his head into his hands, shaking it slowly as he tried to control his breathing. 'There is no way that this can be happening. Granger hadn't even taken her N.E.W.T's; there's no way she can be teaching here. This has to be a figment of my imagination,' Severus thought to himself.
'Severus, is everything alright?' asked Professor Borough, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who was sitting beside him.
Severus shot up from the table so abruptly that he nearly knocked his chair over. 'Everything is swell, Professor. I just need some air,' he replied curtly. With a quick glance around the hall to make sure his leaving would not be noticed, he sneaked out the back door behind the head table and headed for the headmistresses office.
'Severus, I half expected to see you here,' Minerva greeted him as she entered the office and made her way to the large and imposing chair that sat behind her desk.
'How is she here, Minerva?' Severus asked, his voice surprisingly calm despite his anxiety.
'I asked her to be. She seemed like a logical replacement for Henry,' Minerva replied with a shrug.
'She hasn't taken her N.E.W.T's. She isn't qualified to be here. What you're doing is not allowed.'
Minerva stifled a sigh. 'Severus,' she began, 'you and I both know that Hermione Granger would have passed her N.E.W.T's well above the passing grade: we both taught her and know how she performs academically.'
'I know, Minerva, but the Ministry requi-'
'The Ministry would bend over backwards for any member of the trio, and they were more than thrilled to have Hermione back on the grounds of Hogwarts. She's been off the grid for years, Severus, living amongst the Muggle's. Hasn't stepped foot in the wizarding world for nearly two years. It was no easy feat to track her down. I had to call in a few favours from both Potter and Weasley to find her,' Minerva interrupted.
Severus stood up abruptly and slammed both hands down on the desk in front of him, causing Minerva to jump in her seat. 'You cannot do this, Minerva. I will not allow it,' he spat at her.
'What's done is done, Severus. She will be teaching here this year and I will not hear any more about this matter. You can remain as cold and distant as you like from her, but if I hear one word from anyone that you've been harassing her, Severus, we will need to renegotiate. Is this understood, Professor?' Minerva glared at Severus behind her wire-framed glasses and leaned back in her seat.
'Yes, Headmisstress,' Snape replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest and narrowing his eyes. He turned away from McGonagall and began to stalk towards the door.
'And Severus?' Minerva called out to him. He turned to face her. 'I'm not sure what your problem is with Granger, and I don't care to know anything about it, but if you could at least give me some warning before you leave a feast in the future, that would be appreciated. I looked like a fool introducing someone who was not present.'
Severus rolled his eyes and left the room in silence.