In the 3 days that followed, Hermione was engrossed in the work that was ahead of her. She took pleasure in reading up on the books that Professor Snape had left for her to read. Every waking moment she spent reading and writing down notes. She wanted to impress him once he had returned. In the time that she was gone from his side she finished reading 2 of the 3 books. She absorbed every detail that was offered to her, and she took diligent notes. She hoped that Professor Snape would be pleased with her when he arrived. When she wasn't reading the books he gave her, she daydreamed about being at Hogwarts. She was so excited for this opportunity. Working alongside the most brilliant Potion's Master alive will be invigorating. She would prove her friends wrong and show them that she was made to do this.
It was finally day 3 and she was sitting in the living room with her Potion Garments on ready to get to work. She had her hair tied back and a determined look was planted on her face. Next to her were three packed suitcases. She took the time early this morning to make sure everything was packed up to leave with her. She fit as many books as she could inside her suitcases knowing that she would be gone from her home for months. While she sat there and waited in trepidation for the dark man to fetch her, her mind wandered to the last meeting they had. Why would he so willingly want to die? Doesn't he have anyone that cares about him? She was honestly horrified and saddened by Snape's demeanor. Even after the war nothing changed. Not everyone wants to use you, sir. I care for you. Her cheeks reddened by her thoughts. A deep dark drawl filled the air, "Lost in thought, Granger?"
Hermione was startled and her eyes met Professor Snape's dark glare. "S-sorry Professor. I didn't hear you come in. I was thinking." She stared at the Potion's Master and saw that he was dressed in his classic black robes and a scowl was imprinted on his pale face. Why does he always looks so unhappy? Her thoughts about the dour man made her sad and she hoped that in time he would find happiness.
"Obviously. Are you ready with all your belongings? You will not return until the holidays if you choose to," Professor Snape warned. His eyes stared at the three suitcases stacked up. They were abnormally large. "What are in those things?" He approached the armchair she was sitting in and stared indignantly at them. "What are you bringing into my quarters?" He turned to her, and his scowl deepened even more. He hated the thought of having to share his space with her. He was not looking forward to her presence. She would be annoying and insufferable. After years of suffering, he just wanted to be left alone but the world had other ideas.
She rolled his eyes at his words. She stood up and stretched her tired muscles. "Books, Professor. I like to read at night before bed. You will be happy to know that I finished two of the three books and I am halfway done with the last one. I also took some notes. It was a very good read. What have you been up to?"
Her question was innocent enough, but it riled him up. "Didn't I already tell you that we aren't friends? That's my personal business," he roared at her. "I am not Potter or Weasley. You will do well to remember that." He did not want her to get the wrong impression of them. "I am your professor. Nothing more. Nothing less."
She bit back the sigh that tried to leave her lips. I just was trying to make small talk. He's infuriating. He always keeps people at arm's length. Doesn't he want friends? Someone to talk to. Before she can pick up the suitcases that were still sitting next to the chair she vacated, Professor Snape flicked his wand and levitated them to the floo.
"You have a wand you know," he chided. His tone was surprisingly mirthful, and she smiled slightly as his comment.
"I thought you said no silly wand waving," she responded with a small grin.
He rolled his eyes at her and waked through the floo. He continued to levitate the suitcases with his wand in one hand and he dropped the floo powder with the other. After he disappeared from her home, she followed him into the floo and appeared back at Hogwarts. She took a look around the rooms she entered, and a warm smile spread across her lips. This will be my home. Oh, the food I get to have and the potions I get to make. "I wouldn't get so happy, Ms. Granger," he snarled at her. "You still have to live with me this year."
She continued to smile. His attitude did not dampen her excitement. "But sir, I love it here. Hogwarts is my home." Being back at Hogwarts filled her with warmth and giddiness. "It's a truly magical place to live and I cant wait to begin my journey."
He brought the suitcases to the room that Hermione would be staying in. He set them down on the floor and reentered the living room. He scowled as he watched Hermione approach his bookshelves. His scowl turned into a full-fledged glare as she reached out to touch one of his many books. "Don't!" he bellowed. He approached her with long strides. He grabbed her arm and non to gently pulled her away from the bookshelves. "You do not have permission to touch my books." He glared down at her face.
She recoiled slightly by the aggressiveness of his actions. She stared up at him with pleading brown eyes. Ever since she laid eyes on the bookshelves three days ago, she wanted to read all of them. "Why?" Her voice came out in almost a whimper, and she was mortified by how pathetic she sounded.
"They are not yours!" He defended. His glare did not diminish one bit. "You also did not even ask me if you could touch them which is rude. The book you were about to touch for your information little girl is dangerous," he spat at her. "You are lucky I stopped you from touching it. Now behave yourself at once and take a seat." He walked away from her and took a seat in his armchair still angry by the nerve of his apprentice.
"I am not a little girl," Hermione mumbled as she begrudgingly followed him to the available couch. She took a seat and looked down at her hands in thought. "I apologize sir for not asking before trying to touch them. I was just so excited. If I ask next time, can you possibly let me read them sometime?" she asked hopefully.
"Depends on the book. Not all books are suitable for you to read. Now let's get down to business. As my apprentice I expect you to behave yourself. You will be dressed in your robes the minute you wake up in the morning and until you retire for bed. Potion making is an art and can also be very dangerous. Inappropriate clothing is not suitable around potions. If you fail to follow this rule, I will terminate your apprenticeship at once. Is that to your understanding?" His tone was harsh but firm. He left no room for her to argue with him.
Hermione nodded slowly in response. "Yes sir I understand. What will my schedule look like?"
Severus reached forward and took a piece of paper off the table in front of them. He handed it to Hermione and said, "Here is an outline of what our schedule will look like. Every morning from 8 to 9 you will be eating breakfast with me in the Great Hall. You have an assigned spot that is to my right. After breakfast we will return to the classroom and start setting it up for the first class of the day. As you can see, I have labeled for you the year, the day, and the period in which we will see each class. The sixth and seventh years will only be once a week but do not worry about them. What I want you to focus on is the First and Second years. I will begin teaching those students for the first week but after that I am giving that class to you to take over. If you are adequate, I will let you possibly teach the third and fourth years but that won't be for a while. The rest of the years are my responsibility. As you know the fifth years will be taking their OWLS and the sixth and seventh years are NEWT level potions so I will continue to teach those classes. Does this help you understand the schedule moving forward?"
Hermione glanced over it and bit her lip. The schedule was long and left very little room for outside activities. I guess I should have expected very little free time. Of course there are weekends, but I imagine I will also be expected to be on duty. "Am I also expected to be on hallway duty at night?"
"Of course, Ms. Granger. You are assigned the same nights as I am. We have rounds on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday nights. I also plan on grading essays the nights I am not on duty and because you will be teaching the first and second years, I expect you to also grade their assignments as well. When I have detentions, you do not need to be there for them. Any other questions?"
"Am I allowed to give or take points from students?" she asked curiously.
"Since you have the same responsibilities as the rest of the staff yes you are allowed to give or take points away but be strict. Don't let the class run all over you." His voice was firm. "You also could dish detentions out if you see something that warrants."
Hermione nodded in understanding. On the table was lesson plans that Snape had left out for her to look through. She read through the First and Second year curriculum. While she was diligently reading through the papers, she asked "Is it possible I can have some tea Professor?"
Severus called out, "Winky!" A little house elf appeared in the room. The house elf was tiny with very big ears. Her eyes stared at the floor, and she shook with nervous. "Winky, Ms. Granger is requesting a cup of tea. I would also like a cup of tea. Be quick." His tone was short.
Winky squeaked out, "Yes sir! Right away sir!" She disappeared from the room and not but a minute later she returned to Snape's quarters with a tray with two cups of tea, milk, and sugar. She set it down on the table and quickly disappeared out of the room.
Hermione put in two sugars and stirred her tea with a quick flick of the wand. She took a sip and sighed by the warmness that filled her belly. It was awfully chilly in the dungeons and the warm tea was doing the trick with warming her up. While she drank her tea quietly, she continued to read over the notes that Snape made on the lesson plans. "Sir, just to be sure you want me to review with the students the different cauldrons and the types of phials we use in potion making?"
"You are indeed correct, Ms. Granger. Everything in the plans is outlined and labeled for you to help you get through the school year."
The two of them sat there in comfortable silence the rest of the afternoon. Hermione was reading over each lesson plan trying to remember every detail. Severus on the other hand had a book deeply buried in his nose. Severus was glad the witch stopped talking to him. This may not be as bad as I envisioned. As long as she listens and doesn't pry into my business, I can survive a school year of this. Damn Dumbledore and his meddlesome ways.