Wow, guys 74 reviews! I am overwhelmed by the response; I am thrilled that you are enjoying this story, so here is another chapter for you. I hope you like it, review and let me know
AN: I own nothing
A loud crack filled the air, breaking the calm of an early summer morning. The small whistle of birds ceased as a man dressed completely in black silently moved out from between a pair of trees. The sun gently shone onto the ground not yet providing much heat but the air was beginning to show the signs of a warm summer's day.
Severus Snape keenly catalogued his surroundings; quietly pleased he had decided to come before the heat bounced off of the pavement. He did not like the heat. It had taken a while for the spell to work and at last he had located Hermione Granger. He was determined that she accepted the position at Hogwarts and today he would not take no for an answer. He knew that she could be fairly stubborn so, he had planned various scenarios out for each of her potential responses.
He quietly slipped behind a young woman as she entered Granger's building. The woman in question was still dressed in a purple sparkly dress and 6-inch heels, her hair haven fallen out of its elaborate up-do. It must have been a long night, and the clear signs of a hangover were beginning to set in as she barely glanced at Snape as he entered the building behind her. An exhausted looking man on his way out to work waited on the other side for them to pass. He unsuccessfully tried to suppress a yawn, causing his already crooked glasses to almost fall off his face. He quickly grabbed his glasses in a surprisingly energetic move for one so tired and clumsily bumped past Snape, as he rummaged around for his mobile.
At last Snape was left alone in the entrance hall. He checked the spell in order to establish a more exact location of Granger's flat. His wand glowed gently as he made his way towards the stairs. He moved to each floor checking to see whether the glow had increased at all. It wasn't until the fourth floor that his wand glowed its brightest. Snape moved out into the corridor and continued to follow his wand's glow towards Hermione's door where it extinguished itself. Then, stowing his wand up his sleeve, he gently knocked on the door.
He was met by silence. So, he knocked again, harder this time. Listening closely, he could hear a soft groan and a thump, then a series of shuffles as a sleepy Granger dragged herself to answer the door. The door was quickly unlocked and not paying attention to her visitor,
"You can threaten giving birth on my doormat all you want. I'm not letting you in."
"Whilst I'm fascinated to discuss how someone of the male sex could give birth, I'd much rather you let me in."
Hermione's eyes widened in shock as she realised what she had said in her sleep addled state.
"Oh, Merlin! Yes, of course, come in. I'm so sorry, Professor."
Snape merely smirked in amusement and glided into her apartment. Piles of takeaway boxes and an embarrassingly large collection of what appeared to be romance novels, which were stacked precariously by the sofa, greeted Snape as Hermione closed the door behind him.
"I'm sorry about the mess. I haven't been up to receiving guests lately. Would you care for a cup of tea?"
Snape glanced at her kitchen and with a barely concealed grimace as he once again took in the piles of take away, he answered,
"I will refrain from such an offer. I would much rather come to the point of why I came to see you this morning."
"Of course, Professor, have a seat."
Snape waved his wand at the sofa, eliminating the crumbs before sitting down. Hermione slumped into the sofa opposite.
"Do you remember our conversation at the Victory Day Ball at all, Miss Granger?"
"Why yes of course!"
"Then surely you must know the reason why I am here."
"The position is still open?"
"I offered you the job did I not and I had fully expected to receive your acceptance weeks ago."
"I'm very sorry, Professor. As I am sure you are aware, I have been having personal problems lately"
"Indeed."
Hermione ran a hand through her bedraggled curls,
"Are you really sure that you still want to hire me? I am a pariah now and I'd understand completely if you didn't want to tie my reputation with the school's."
"I do not care what people presume you to be. It is quite clear who is in the wrong in this case. The Wizarding world has gotten it wrong before as I distinctly remember the pus filled hate mail you received after your alleged relationship with Mr Potter during the Triwizard Tournament."
Hermione barely managed to contain her hope as gently enquired,
"So you really want to hire me?"
"I think my presence in your flat is enough to answer that question, don't you?"
A smile filled Hermione's face,
"Of course, I accept. When would you like me to start?"
As Snape opened his mouth to answer, a bright red letter came hurtling through the floo. It screeched to a halt in front of Hermione and the voice of a hysterical Molly Weasley bellowed out,
"Hermione Granger! And to think I called you my daughter. I have never been so–"
The Howler suddenly burst into flames and fell to the ground in a pile of ash.
A mildly irritated Snape stowed his wand back into his sleeve.
"As I was saying, I would like you to start now, Miss Granger. So, if you could pack your things, I will take you to your new chambers within Hogwarts"
Hermione just nodded eagerly and began waving her wand to shrink all of her furniture and books into boxes. It didn't take long, and soon all of her belongings rested inside her beaded bag. She then quickly ran into her bedroom changing into a pair of robes and tied her up in a loose chignon.
Snape stood and made his way to her front door, opening it for her. They made their way back down the stairs and out onto the street. Snape then held out his arm and then they disappeared with a loud crack once again interrupting the sweet trills of bird song.