"Why in the name of Merlin's saggy left ball would ANYONE want to spend more time with that greasy git than what was needed?"

Hermione fixed a pointed glare at Ron, "Professor Snape is a renowned Master in his field and …"

"… and is a war hero who deserves to be respected," Ron mimicked in a high pitched nasally voice. Hermione turned pink, her scowl darkening. "We've heard you before Mione, but it's not as if the war actually changed the bloke."

Ron was certainly not wrong on that front and several other students eavesdropping nearby nodded and muttered quietly to one another in united agreement. The common room was as usual crowded with students of Godric Gryffindor house of all ages. The youngest, sat together furthest from the fire and hunched over whatever homework they had been assigned. While Ron, being the annoying self appointed 'deputy' Head Boy, had kicked some fourth years from the couch closest to the fire.

Despite the accuracy of his statement Hermione set her jaw in determination, "Pleasant or not, he is one of, if not the, most intelligent man in this castle and I WILL be his apprentice."

Harry sat on the rug just beside Hermione's feet, rather quiet and not offering a word for or against her proposed idea. The dark haired spectacled boy had been more reserved since the end of the war, no longer quick to rash actions and anger, seeming to be more at peace with himself and the world around him.

Ron let out a groan of dissatisfaction, "Mione, you haven't even sat NEWTS, there's no way in hell he's going to say yes. More likely he'll laugh in your face and give you detention."

Hermione crossed her arms, unwilling to allow anyone to deter her. There was more than the desire for learning pushing her, he …. intrigued her. Ever since she had watched his eyes dull, only to be pulled back into life by whatever she could accio from the depths of her nearly bottomless purse, she had been drawn to thoughts of him.

Harry squeezed her calf gently, "Maybe Ron's right, maybe you should let him be."

She cast a sharp glare at him too, it was his bloody fault she couldn't stop thinking about the dour potion's professor. Once he had learned that Hermione was able to save the man at death's door, he had destroyed the memories that were shared with him. When Hermione pried to know more, Harry had snapped, nearly reminiscent of his fifth year and told her that if she really wanted to know then she could talk to the man himself. He said, "I will never betray his trust so don't ask me again."

Hermione blushed at the memory, ashamed that she had been so persistent in bothering her friend until his breaking point. But it was in the past. It had taken nearly a year to restore Hogwarts, time in which Hermione spent travelling with her parents and their recently restored memories, knowing she would soon return to her place in the wizarding world.

The first month back had been odd, everyone moved with trepidation, anticipating an attack, expecting the Carrows to turn every corner. But soon enough the school had fallen into its natural rhythm, classes moved one day to the next, Quidditch tryouts were being held in a weeks' time, and Minerva McGonagall ran the school with as much care as Headmaster Dumbledore had, but perhaps with less geniality.

Ignoring, Harry's gentle recommendation, Hermione cast a tempus, watching as it glowed to 7:59pm. "Dinner is over now so he should be in his office," Hermione said as she donned her outer cloak and checked her sleeve for her wand out of habit.

"Hermione…" Harry started, standing up and looking her in the eye.

"No, Harry, I'm going and that's it," she said firmly.

Ron snorted, "Your funeral, we'll mourn you properly."

Hermione rolled her eyes and left the boys to whatever it is they did without her and slipped from the portrait. The halls chattered with lingering students, the sound such a welcome change from silence that provoked the echoes of screams and chaos that reigned not so long ago.

Her heart raced as she remembered Harry's limp form carried by a sobbing Hagrid, lead by that snake-like madman. The way he taunted and chuckled nearly made her sick from memory. She shook the thoughts from her head as she stood in front of the Professor's door.

Taking a calming breath, Hermione knocked tentatively on the large wooden door. It swung open before her third rap and a familiar drawl told her to enter. He did not look up at her as she stepped in, the door shutting behind her with a click, and continued to mark the parchments in front of him.

Not wanting to break his concentration, Hermione waited, but when it seemed he was intent on ignoring her presence she cleared her throat.

"What is it, Miss. Granger?" his eyes still did not raise to her.

Hermione wrung her hands behind her back, feeling a wave of heat rush through her. "Sir… I have come to you with a bit of a proposition."

The quill slowed for a moment, but still he did not raise his head, "Whatever it is, surely it could have waited until Monday, the weekend has barely started."

Again heat swelled through her, making her palms sweat and her mind far less clear than it had been moments ago, "I thought you might need the weekend to consider so I…"

He snorted, so like her friend that it incensed her, "Since when have you known me to consider anything? The answer will be yes or no and you will leave this room regardless. Out with it already."

Hermione grit her teeth in annoyance, swallowing her pride before continuing, "Sir I wish to become your apprentice whilst still in school." Before he could shoot her down, as his lips were opening to do, she continued, "I am well ahead of the coursework supplied for this year, no other classes would be compromised as a result, and I am more than qualified to handle, at the bare minimum, the first year of apprentice work as I've already done extensive research on what is required of it."

Though his quill was lowered through her speech, his gaze remained firmly fixed on the paper in front of him. Hermione quickly continued, pulling from her robes a folded parchment, "I've already drawn up a Master apprentice contract, the standard commitments outlined, and should you feel it acceptable your magical signature and my own is all that's required. Headmistress McGonagall has already approved should I get your consent."

She laid the parchment over the one currently in front of him. The sweat from her palms left a barely noticeable mark that made her cringe. His silence was unnerving, the way he refused to look at her was frustrating, she simply wanted to shake the man.

He scanned it briefly, eyes flitting back and forth over the parchment, and she waited. Finally, "Well it seems you have figured everything out Miss. Granger. I give up my time, energy, knowledge, so that you may get ahead in life. What a joy it will be."

A pit in her stomach formed as she realized the sweetly laced tones for the sarcasm it was. Her heart was back to a full jack hammers pace, tattooing an imprint onto her chest with its ferocity.

"Perhaps while I'm at it, I'll invite Potter to Madam Puddifoot's for a spot of tea," he spat derisively.

Tears of frustration welled behind her eyes, the pit in her stomach managed to lodge in her throat, making it nearly impossible to swallow.

"We could make it a goddamn Gryffindor parade and invite Longbottom along …"

"Stop," she said quietly, eyes to the floor in front of her, willing the tears to stay hidden.

His voice came out in a hiss, "Hear this, you will never be my apprentice, qualified or not, I simply would not be able to tolerate your presence for any longer than necessary."

Her face whipped up, his back was to her now, and it was all too much. Rage swelled within her, his cruel words cutting through her meek demeanor and making the dragon within her flare to life. "YOU OWE ME!"

The words came out before she could hold them back and he spun to face her, his dark eyes glaring daggers into her own. Internally she felt a wave of relief wash over her, too many nights she had dreamt of his bleak lifeless eyes. To see his eyes alight with fire, even directed at her was comforting.

"It seems you were placed in the wrong house Granger, blackmail is not a trait of yours, or so I thought." His eyes remained on hers, as if looking into her to see her intent, what her end was.

Hermione looked back willingly and openly, trying desperately to convey how much she wanted this, "Please Sir, we've already lost nearly two years, I simply want my education back on track." When it did not seem like he was going to change his position she added, "I'll do anything, Sir."

His eyes darkened noticeably, nostrils flaring, "Watch your words, Miss. Granger"

Realizing how her words could be construed she flushed, but did not back down or look away from him, "Anything, Sir."

There was a beat of silence, then the sound of rustling parchment as he snatched her contract from the desk. A brief moment of exhilaration soared through her before a gut wrenching force nearly tore the tears from her, as he ripped the parchment in half three times, excruciatingly slow.

"Get out."

Swallowing hard, Hermione nodded once, "Thank you for your time, Professor." When the door slammed shut behind her, Hermione ran as fast as her legs could carry her back to Gryffindor tower. Some of the common room had cleared out, but diligent as ever Harry and Ron had remained by the fire for her return.

Their faces bright immediately turned to concern as they took in her no doubt ashen face. She was on the verge of tears, the lump in her throat threatening to suffocate her if she didn't let it out.

Ron started, "Mione, what happ-"

"Not now, Ron," she choked out and then dashed up to the girl's dormitory, knowing they wouldn't be able to follow her.

Once the curtain was drawn on her four poster bed and a silencing spell cast, she let it out, tears of frustration and anger staining her pillow. Stupid. She was so stupid. It was not like he'd given any indication that he was anymore amicable to her than any other student. And now she had practically thrown herself at him like some Knockturn Alley trollop but instead of money she would be paid with his knowledge and company.

The tears soothed her, rid her of every ill emotion until she was empty. Not long after, she was fast asleep; his furious ebony eyes alight just along the edge of her consciousness.

-]

Hey everybody! Since my other story is all wrapped up, and was far more fluffier than I usually write I just had to start a new one. This one will definitely be a little more ... dark. I would say alot of BDSM themes, and a very ... very ... sadistic Snape. *shivers* Getting ahead of myself, but please read and review! And if you have any personal input you'd like to share I always love ideas. Thanks for being awesome you guys xo