Chapter Five

"And you… you can read me anything"

- Peter Gabriel

A.N. This is the ending of the last chapter through Hermione's point of view and then onward. I'll make sure to let you guys know when I do that so there's no confusion. Happy reading 3

Hermione took her seat at her new table. She was glad that Professor Snape put Neville at her table at least. The poor guy probably wouldn't have been able to handle being at another table by himself. Hermione consider Neville a close friend and she knew he felt the same way.

She was happy when it was Blaise Zabini and Daphne Greengrass that sat with them. They were two Slytherins that were relatively nice to other houses. "So, Neville" Started Daphne. Neville looked at her with absolute terror in his eyes. "With Hermione and Blaise at our table will basically just be able to sit back and pass the class." She said with a smirk. "You're good at potions?" Hermione asked Blaise.

"Yeah. I've always been interested in potions. My mom got me a junior potion set when I was 4 I think and I've been making them ever since." He said with a small smile.

"So are you apprenticing under Professor Snape this year?" She asked

"Yeah. Unfortunately I'm pretty shit at Herbology. Potions and Herbology go pretty hand in hand." He said with a shrug

"Yeah any plant he touches dies immediately." Daphne said teasingly

"Neville is pretty good at Herbology." Hermione told them

Neville visibly shrunk into himself. "Really?" Blaise asked him, "Y-yeah." Neville stuttered.

"Cool maybe you could help me." Blaise replied. As Professor Snape started talking the four of them started taking notes. She was relieved to not have others constantly trying to talk her ear off while they were supposed to be working. Maybe this change was for the better.

Severus closed his piano and sat down in one of the cushy chairs in his study. A loud pop turned his attention to the table next to him. Ah yes, another one of his guilty pleasures, Muggle whiskey. He swirled his cup and took a sip. The gentle burn was comforting to him. He had a few hours until his next class so he pulled at a book and let himself get lost in his own mind. He had two days. Two days till he had to return to the scum hole. The Death Eaters met with the Dark Lord the first Wednesday of every month to relay to him the information they had collected. Which for Severus meant feeding him lies, and if they weren't believable, Severus paid.

He shuddered as he thought about it. Voldemort had made him pay in more ways than one over the years. His hands found the silver chain around his neck. One day, the snake man would pay tenfold for the pain he caused Severus over the years, he swore it.

Severus downed the remains of his drink and pulled himself out of his chair. He knew he needed to head back to his classroom now as his next class would be starting soon. First years. He sighed. "Lottie!" He called. A pop sounded and a small elf appeared in front of him. She held her hands in front of her and looked up at the potions master

"Yes sir?" she asked in a small voice

"Can you please have a glass a whiskey prepared for my return?" He asked the small creature.

"Firs' years?" She asked. He just sighed in response. "Lottie will make sure Master's study is fit for his return." She said as she popped away. Severus smiled slightly to himself. The young elf had been working for him for the last couple years. She was very diligent and put up with all of his mood swings.

He exited his chambers and went and waited outside his classroom listening to the first years inside and waited for the optimal moment to make his first dramatic entrance for them.

Hermione spent her break in the library, something that was incredibly normal for her. She was looking for books on healing and health in general. She was excited to start her apprenticeship the next day. She slowly filled her shoulder bag with books.

As she exited the library the clock tower chimed 3:00. She realized she'd be late for Care of Magical Creatures and sprinted down the steps as fast as she could. As she reached the Entrance Hall she ran into something tall, dark, and unyielding. She bounced back onto the steps with an un-ladylike curse as she knew who she ran into without even looking up. Her suspicions were confirmed by the baritone drawl of,

"Ms. Granger." She looked up into the dark eyes of Professor Snape. Dammit. Dammit Dammit. She thought as she pulled herself up.

"Shouldn't you be down in Care of Magical Creatures by now?" He asked.

"Yes sir." She said

"Then pray tell, why are you not there?" He asked

She knew what was coming. First point loss of the year and she'd be to blame.

"I was in the library sir. I lost track of time. I was just heading that way now." She explained

"50 points from Gryffindor." He said with no remorse. "Now go to class."

"Yes sir." She said as she ran out the door. Bastard.

After extracting the first points of the school year, Severus made his way back down into the dungeons. He would've still be there if the first year Hufflepuffs hadn't gotten lost on their way out.

He stepped into his chambers and shed his teaching robes and removed his dragonhide boots. He made his way into his study and was pleased to see that there was a glass of whiskey and the new issue of the Potions Journal waiting for him. He eased into his favorite chair and sipped the drink. He knew he needed to the Great Hall for dinner so he didn't get to comfortable.

The clock tower chimed 6 times and Severus pulled himself out of his comfort and made his way up through the tunnel that led to the teachers' entrance of the great hall. He took his seat next to Flitwick and McGonagall and watched as the students filed in. He was pleased to see roast chicken and mashed potatoes on his plate. He dug in while idle chit chat filled the room.

As dinner finished and the children returned to their common rooms, Severus excused himself from the staff table, eager to return to his chambers. As he stepped into the living room he shed his teaching robes and white button up shirt and exchanged his slacks for sleep pants. He took his seat in front of his piano and played one final time before ending the day.