Dumbledore sat in his office looking down over some notes he had written after Ms. Granger had left his office. He was about to floo Professor Snape for a meeting they were about to have. He anticipated him to fly off the handle over the meeting that was about to transpire but he cared for the young Gryffindor. He wanted to see her get her wish and become a Potion's Mistress. Part of him also thought that Severus having someone to work alongside him would dampen his hostility. He wanted the best for him. He longed to see him be happy and he thought that Hermione would be just what he needed to find happiness again. After reviewing his notes, he stood up from his desk and walked over to the floo network in the corner of the room. He grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into the floo. "Professor Snape, please come to my office when you get a chance. We have some things I would like to discuss with you." Once he saw the bright green flames die out, he took a seat back behind his desk and waited patiently for the dark wizard to arrive.

Professor Snape was organizing the many ingredients he had in his classroom closet. While bending down and organizing the bottom shelf, he heard Professor Dumbledore calling for him from his floo. He sighed in annoyance. What does that old man want now? Sounds like he wanted to talk to me about the upcoming school year but why? He was tired of doing the old man's bidding. The war was over. I just want to be free. He shook his head in anger and started walking up the stairs to his quarters that were hidden from the prying eyes of his students. He reached the floo network much too quickly to his liking. He grabbed a handful of floo powder and said with displeasure, "Dumbledore's office."

Dumbledore stared at the floo as the green flames began again. Once the green flames were gone, he saw Professor Snape come out of the floo with a scowl on his face. "Good evening, Severus."

Severus glared at the old man and crossed his arms in defiance. "What is it that you need, Albus? I was busy." He felt his anger boiling up inside of him. He knew by the look of the old man's face that what he was about to tell him was not going to be good.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Busy? Really Severus? It's not even August yet you're already working on school things. Can't you relax for once in your life? Why don't you take a seat so we can talk?"

Severus ignored the offer to sit down. "I rather stand, thanks. Now, as I said what is the reason for calling me this evening. Are you checking up on the rooms down below in the dungeon? I just need a few more days and they should be ready."

"No Severus, I am not checking up on the castle. If I were, I could just walk down there myself. No, I called you here this evening to consider someone's offer," Dumbledore said carefully. He watched as the dark wizard's scowl became even more prominent on his face.

Severus started pacing across the floor and he put his hands behind his back. His anger was reaching new heights by the older wizard's words. "Did Ms. Granger put you up to this? Did that insolent little girl tell you about my letter?" he snapped angrily. "She had no right to share my business with you." I knew she wouldn't take no for an answer. She is so cocky in her abilities. So bloody arrogant.

Dumbledore rolled his sparkling blue eyes at Severus's response. "Come off it, Severus. You know what you said in that letter was not true. She is capable of it. In fact, she was the reason you survived the second wizarding war." He stared at the young wizard almost in a pleading manner, trying to get him to reconsider.

He stopped pacing immediately once Dumbledore finished his last words. "So, what do you want then, old man? You want me to accept her offer? You are going to guilt me until I agree to this dreaded union? She is insufferable, Albus. Her questions are incessant, and I do not want to deal with her as well as students on top of it. I refuse." As his words left his mouth, he couldn't help but deflate into the chair in front of the desk. He put his hands to his temples and began to rub. He felt a headache coming along and all he wanted to do was leave this dreaded office.

"You're acting like a 5-year-old Severus," Dumbledore gently chided him. "I don't think she is insufferable, Severus. In fact, I think she is just like you." Severus opened his mouth to respond to that, but Dumbledore continued speaking. "She has a love for learning and a deep passion for potions. I think she would be a great Potion's Mistress in the future, and she wants you, Severus. She told me herself that you are the best Potion's Master alive and if it wasn't you than she didn't want it at all."

Professor Snape grimaced at his words. As much as he wanted to deny them, he couldn't help but agree that yes, they did indeed share the same interests. He enjoyed learning. He also loved books just like she did, and potions was his passion, but he truly didn't want to be bothered by her annoying know-it-all attitude. Why is he making me do this? I know this won't work. We will buttheads and argue and I don't want to deal with it. Just let me be, he thought to himself.

As Snape was deep in thought Dumbledore realized that he wasn't going to accept the offer unless he reminded him what Hermione did for him. He said with a no-nonsense voice, "You owe this to her, Severus. She worked very hard during school, and she saved your life. You could be buried in the ground somewhere but instead she took the liberty of making an antidote. She saved your life without even knowing what side you were on. She could've left you to rot along with the other death eaters but instead she cared enough to go back for you. You have to admit that she deserves this, Severus. Do not disappoint her."

Severus glared at the older man in anger. "Deserves?" he roared. He shook his head bitterly at the old man's words. "As always Albus you are guilting me into something I do not wish to do. I do not look forward to working with her. I don't want to spend time arguing with a child, but I guess I can suffer another year."

"You know Ms. Granger isn't a child anymore Severus. She is nineteen years old, and she is surely capable of listening and learning from you. Don't be so negative all the time. Think of the good things she can do. She can help you teach and create potions with you doesn't that sound nice?" Dumbledore encouraged.

"You may tell Ms. Granger the good news," Severus growled with a low voice. He stood up from the chair in anger nearly tipping it over.

Before he could leave the room Dumbledore called out, "You know, Severus I think you will find that you might actually enjoy working with her. Give it a try."

Severus scowled at the man's words and left his office through the door. For good measures, he slammed it on his way out. How dare he guilt me into this? Now I have to share my quarters with her and my ingredients and ugh bloody Albus and his meddling ways. He continued down the hallway flouncing about as we went. When he reached his quarters, he accioed a bottle of firewhiskey and a glass. He plopped down into his armchair and poured himself some firewhiskey. He took a greedy sip from it and started muttering to himself. She better not blow up one fucking potion. I will share my ingredients and I will share my quarters, but so help me she better listen when I am speaking to her. I will not allow any cheek from her. He downed his glass and continued to stew in his anger.

Dumbledore watched the young wizard leave his office. He shook his head at his antics. He'll get over it. I think the two will work well together if Severus is willing to open his heart just a little bit. He grabbed a piece of parchment paper off his desk and began writing a letter to Hermione to share the good news.

Dear Ms. Granger,

I am writing to inform you that Professor Snape has accepted your offer. I think you two will work well together. Don't let his hardened exterior fool you. What he shows you is not who he truly is. I hope this will create a beautiful friendship between the two of you. Professor Snape will let you know of the details. Good luck Ms. Granger and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore

Dumbledore nodded at his letter, happy with what he wrote. He folded it up and sent it to the owlery.

The next day Hermione was at the burrow hanging out with Ginny and Mrs. Weasley. They were currently sitting at the kitchen table each with a warm cup of tea in their hand. "So, I talked to Professor Dumbledore yesterday," Hermione began with a nervous smile on her lips. "He told me that he would get Professor Snape to agree to my offer."

"Hermione, you want to work with Professor Snape?" Mrs. Weasley said with concern in her voice. "I don't think that is a wise decision. There has to be something else you are interested in. Maybe a librarian?"

Hermione snorted at the older woman's words. "Really Molly, a librarian? I know I love books but where is the excitement in that? I thought long and hard about this and I am not backing down. I find working with potions exhilarating and I want to teach it one day."

Molly sighed and shook her head. "Alright dear, but don't get your hopes up. You know Severus will not be easy to work with."

Ginny pipped in, "You remember the hell he put us through at school. Don't be surprised if he acts the same Hermione. I am supportive of whatever you wish to do but you got to admit the guy's an ass."

"Watch your mouth," Molly chided.

Ginny rolled her eyes and muttered, "But he is."

Hermione stared down at her cup in thought. "Dumbledore thinks that the two of us can work together. I know it will be difficult, but we'll be living together in the castle. You really think he will continue to treat me like a student after the many months of working together?"

Ginny gave her friend a sad smile. "Yes, I do think he will continue to be mean Hermione. Have you ever seen him smile even once at school?"

Hermione shook her head in response. Ginny is right. I never seen him smile at anyone or even be nice. Maybe I am being a little naïve about this. "He doesn't need to be nice for me to learn though Ginny. After my apprenticeship I will have the credentials to go off and start my career."

"Well as long as you understand what you're getting into, I'll be here if you need me," Ginny said softly. She took a sip of her tea and changed the conversation. "I heard Ron has taken a liking to his new quidditch team. He wrote a letter to us yesterday. He told us all about his teammates and he had practice yesterday on the quidditch field. He really seems to be enjoying his time there. I hope he does well."

"Yes, I hope so too Ginny," Molly responded. "I wasn't happy with his decision at first but seeing how happy he is is making me happy too. I hope he doesn't get injured though while playing. I would hate to see something happen to him." A look of worry crossed her face.

Hermione smiled at the two women and said, "Harry came home yesterday from the Ministry. He said his training is going really well. Pretty soon he's going to start his first case. I'm happy that Harry and Ron are doing so well after the war. No one knew what would happen. We struggled a lot last year the three of us."

"We all did dear," Molly agreed sadly. "But now we must move on and recover from what was lost." Molly still was having a hard time recovering after her son Fred Weasley passed away. She mourned him for months and was just starting to find happiness again.

"So, Gin, are you looking forward to returning to Hogwarts next year?" Hermione asked.

"Yes I am. It will be my last year and I am looking forward to being captain of the Gryffindor quidditch team and head girl this year." A huge grin stretched across her face. "This year will be the best. I hope we win the house cup."

"Head girl? When did you find out?" Hermione asked excitedly.

Ginny picked up the letter she received and showed it to Hermione. "They sent me a letter a few days ago announcing the good news."

"I am so proud of you Ginny," Molly exclaimed. She hugged Ginny and returned to her teacup.

"Wow that's great Ginny. You will be amazing," Hermione encouraged with a smile on her face.

As the three continued on chatting a brown owl came up to the window with a letter addressed to Hermione Jean Granger. It began pecking at the glass window and waited patiently for someone to open the window. Molly Weasley heard the pecking and excused herself to go answer it. She approached the window and saw the owl staring into the glass patiently. "Looks like we got an owl," Molly called out to the two girls who were still sitting and chatting at the table. She opened the window and took the letter from the owl. She turned away from the window and returned to the table. She looked down at the envelope and saw that it was addressed to Hermione. "Here Hermione. This letter is for you."

Hermione stopped talking to Ginny and looked over at Molly. "A letter you said?" she questioned unsure if she heard what she said correctly.

"Yes dear. Here." Molly handed Hermione the letter and stared eagerly waiting to see what the letter would say.

Hermione opened the envelope and saw that the letter was from Professor Dumbledore. After she finished reading the letter to herself, she shouted with glee. "He accepted my offer!" She was so ecstatic by the great news.

Ginny smiled at her friend warmly. "I am happy for you Hermione. I hope it all works out for you. It will be nice being able to see you at Hogwarts. Do you think I will see you in class?"

"Yes Ginny, I will definitely see you in class but don't get too excited. Professor Snape might not allow me to talk to you," Hermione warned with a sad grin on her face.