Severus Snape was sitting comfortably in an armchair in his home at Spinner's End. His home was small but cozy. He was currently in the sitting room with a big leather book in his right hand and a cup of tea in his left. He was sitting next to the warm toasty fireplace in the corner of the room. The walls in the room were completely covered in books. His home, all though it wasn't much, it was comforting for him. It was his sanctuary. He would come here from time to time to get away from everyone. He enjoyed his solitude and often at times he needed this space to recover from long days of teaching idiotic students. As he was reading the book in his hand, he heard an annoying peck at the window to his right. He scowled at the noise. He looked up from his book obviously very annoyed by the intrusion. His piercing black eyes met the barn owl that was currently sitting on the windowsill. The owl continued pecking at the window waiting for him to get up. Why must that bloody owl interrupt my solitude?

Severus stood up with a sigh snapping his book shut. He walked over to the window still with a scowl planted on his face. He didn't want to be bothered, but he knew if he didn't get up and check what the owl brought it would continue to disrupt his quiet home. He reached the window and opened it. Oswald, the owl, flew into the window. He scowled at the owl as it flew around his home. Finally, the owl returned to the windowsill and waited patiently for Severus to take the letter clasped in its beak. Severus reached out his hand and gingerly took the letter from Oswald. Oswald hooted and left the window returning to Grimmauld Place back to Harry Potter.

Severus looked down at the letter expecting to see Dumbledore's handwriting but instead on the envelope he saw the familiar script writing he was used to reading for hours thanks to the long essays. He rolled his dark black eyes and muttered, "Really? The insufferable know-it-all can't leave me alone even now that the war is over." He plopped down back into his armchair and stared down at the envelope trying to decide if he'll open it or not. He really didn't want to be bothered and he imagined the nagging questions there will be inside the letter after years of her nagging him in class. He sighed and downed his tea with one gulp grimacing as the once hot tea was now cold. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes trying to prepare himself for what he was about to read. He ripped open the letter in a flourish and began reading the chit's letter.

As he read, he couldn't help but groan and roll his eyes at the first two questions that she asked. Yes, he was fine. Hogwarts is starting to finally shape up but as he continued to read the groans and eye-rolling came to a stop. He read the line I was wondering if you had any interest in having someone work alongside of you. He stopped reading for a second and took a deep breath. That silly chit wanted to work with me. He couldn't believe it. He continued reading the rest of the letter and when he was finished, he rested the letter on top of his book. He leaned back in his armchair deep in thought. Absolutely not! She would argue with me every step of the way. Why can't she find someone else to do Potion's with? He reminded himself again how much he loved his solitude and keeping people at arm's length. He nodded his head coming to an agreement with himself. He sighed in annoyance and stood up from his chair in search of some parchment, a quill, and ink. He had a letter to write back. Once he found the items securely in his bedroom in the bedside drawer, he returned to the sitting room dreading the letter he was about to write. He knew the Gryffindor know-it-all wouldn't like what he had to say, but he didn't care. He took a deep breath and began writing on the parchment with his scratchy scrawl.

Dear Ms. Granger,

Even after the Wizarding War you still can't seem to stop pestering me Ms. Granger. To answer your first two questions yes, I am fine. Why wouldn't I be? I am in fact capable of handling myself thanks. Hogwarts is also coming along swimmingly. I believe the school will be ready in time for school to resume. Now on to the question that I know you have been waiting for. I am sorry to disappoint you Ms. Granger but no I do not want someone working with me. I enjoy my solitude too much to allow someone as annoying as you into my space. Besides, you are too insolent and incapable of being a Potion's Mistress. Please find something else to do in your future and do not bother to write me again.

Sincerely,

Severus Snape

Ps. Your owl is irritating.

Severus looked down at his letter knowing that yes, the letter was in fact rude and callous, but he wanted to turn her away. He didn't want to leave any room for arguing from her. He folded the letter and stuffed it into one of his many envelopes that laid across the table. He scratched the name Ms. Granger across the envelope with his quill and headed back up the stairs in search of his own owl named Asphodel. He let Asphodel, the snowy owl, out of her cage and petted her gently with his hand. Asphodel perched herself up on Severus's arm and he walked back down the stairs to the window that Oswald just left thirty minutes ago. He put the letter to Asphodel's beak and said lovingly, "Asphodel, I need you to bring this to Ms. Granger. Do not wait for a response." Asphodel left through the window and began flying through the sky her eyes peaked for the woman in question. Severus watched for a few minutes until Asphodel was out of eyesight. He closed the window tightly and went up to his fireplace which he turned into a floo after his parents were dead. He took some floo powder from the bag on top of the fireplace and he stepped into it. He shouted clearly, "Snape's rooms at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" He dropped the handful and in seconds he appeared in his quarters at Hogwarts.

Hermione Granger was sitting in Hogsmeade at The Three Broomsticks with her friends Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Ginny Weasley. All four of them had a butterbeer and were animatedly talking about their future plans. She just sent her letter to Professor Snape a few days ago and she was anxiously waiting for a response. Ginny Weasley wrapped her arm around Harry and got comfortable in the booth. "So, Hermione I know Harry's plans and Ron's plans but what are yours? I am planning on returning for my last year at Hogwarts. Hopefully, the school will be ready in time," Ginny said.

Hermione set down her butterbeer from her lips after a long drink. She wiped her mouth with her napkin and grinned at her ginger haired friend. "My plan is to be a Potion's Mistress, Gin," she exclaimed with excitement in her eyes.

Harry commented, "Yeah Hermione wrote a letter to Snape a few days ago asking him if he would allow her to be an apprentice. I told her not to get her hopes up. We all know how foul of a git he is." Ron agreed by raising his glass to him.

Ginny chuckled at Ron but stared back at Hermione in shock. "Hermione, I am honestly surprised by that. What do you think he would say once he reads your letter?" She too did not believe that Snape would allow this. In her eyes Snape was mean and still was bias towards Gryffindor's.

Hermione sighed as her three friends stared at her doubtfully. "Why can't you three be hopeful?" Hermione asked sadly. "I don't think it's impossible. I can make any potion and I try hard in my studies. I don't see why he wouldn't accept my proposal."

Harry stared at her again with skepticism. "You don't remember the way he treated you in school Hermione? I mean come on he ignored you even the first day of class."

Ron added, "Yeah Hermione. You remember in fourth year when he made fun of your teeth. You really think he would work with you?"

Hermione sagged against the booth. She started feeling foolish by her choices. "I know it isn't likely to work, but I want this. I will not accept no for an answer," she declared with determination.

They continued drinking their butterbeer and after they finished, they stood up from the table and returned home to Grimmauld Place. When they entered the home, Harry pointed out to the group, "Hey there's an owl pecking at the window."

Hermione was the first to respond. She eagerly waltzed to the window with a pep in her step. She opened the window and the owl stared at her patiently waiting for her to take the letter. Hermione reached out with delicate hands and took the letter from her beak. Asphodel gave out a loud hoot and flew out the window returning to her master.

Hermione looked down at the letter and saw that it was from Snape. She beamed at her friends and said excitedly, "He got my letter! He sent me one of his own." She couldn't wait to sit down and read it. She quickly sat down on the living room couch and ripped open the letter. Her smile was plastered on her face, and she gently opened the letter ready to absorb the words beneath. As she read her smile quickly faded. At one point her eyes even got misty. At the end instead of a smile was a scowl etched into her beautiful lips.

Harry and Ron stared at their friend as she read the letter in her head. When Ron saw the deep scowl on her face, he shook his head. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I told you he wouldn't accept it. It's his loss."

"Yeah, Hermione. I warned you this would happen. At least you tried. Now we can move on and find something else to do. Maybe now you will consider Professor McGonagall," Harry offered with a small smile on his face.

Hermione looked up at the letter tears still in her eyes. She couldn't believe the response from her letter. It was mean, nasty, and downright cruel. "What have I ever done to him?" she uttered out loud.

Harry took a seat next to her and wrapped his arm around her. He tried comforting his friend, but it wasn't working. "What did he say?"

Hermione looked back down at the letter and grimaced as she began telling her friends what he had said. "He called me annoying, insolent, and incapable," Hermione blubbered. The tears she had in her eyes slowly started dripping down her face. She tried every year to please the dark wizard, but it never seemed to work. She worked hard on every lesson, made ever potion as perfect as she could, and she was obedient in class. Why does he hate me?

Ron took the seat next to Hermione on the other side of the couch. "What an arse," he growled angrily.

Harry agreed with him. "I am sorry, Hermione but maybe you should look into another profession. He doesn't sound like he is willing of coming to a compromise with you. I would hate to see you waste time wondering and waiting and he never accepts it."

Hermione shook her head. "No, I am not giving up! I will get this job. I have too!" She stood up from the couch and stomped up the stairs. This wasn't over!