Chapter 17

Disclaimer: Not mine. I just borrowed them for a while. I promise to put them back when I'm done. Oh, nope, no money either...just for fun.

Many thanks to my betas, EverMystique and DuchessOfArcadia, for helping me clean up my many mistakes, and to Pookah for the shoulder and friendly advice. I really appreciate it more than you can possibly know.

Hermione arrived back in her time, slightly dizzy from the return and, for a moment, disoriented. She looked up and saw Professor Severus Snape, in his teaching robes, his arms crossed, leaning against the professor's desk as if waiting for her. Hermione looked around, trying to get her bearings. Two wall sconces were lit, illuminating the front of the room where Professor Snape patiently waited. Only two desks stood in the center of the room, one student desk and the professor's desk. All the other students' desks were moved to the side in two clumps of tightly squashed-together rows. Any semblance of familiarity to the room he'd used as a teen was gone. It was like any other old, unused classroom in the castle.

Professor Snape uncrossed his arms and indicated the one desk that stood in front of him. "Have a seat, Miss Granger."

Hermione walked forward, swallowing back the uncertainty she felt at seeing the adult version of her friend watching her with cool detachment. She dropped her bag next to the bench and sat down quietly. Surely after everything they had shared, there would be some lingering effect, some sense of the friendly familiarity between them, but his posture and expression were exactly the same as when she'd left, only sterner, if that was at all possible. She tried to relax and not fidget under his stare.

"Welcome back," he said softly, crossing his arms again. "Did you have a nice time?"

"Thank you, sir. Yes, I did," she replied, her well-ingrained polite habit masking her nervousness. She couldn't read him at all, but then she'd never been able to read this Severus Snape before. The teenage Severus had been much less guarded and more approachable. In fact, she was beginning to miss him, the younger version, even more.

He seemed to be watching her, not exactly waiting...contemplating her, as if weighing a decision. Hermione carefully forced herself to continue looking forward, using the time to examine him as much as he was doing her. He looked tired. There was a slightly dark shadow under his eyes, and his skin was sallow. His younger self was pale but still had a healthier glow about him, a light olive tone. Probably because he went outside more as a teen than he does now. There was also a slight crook to his nose, not all that noticeable except she was quite a bit more familiar with his face now than she'd been before her jumps. Did someone or something break his nose? When would it have happened?

"Miss Granger, what exactly do you expect from me?"

She nearly jumped out of her skin when he'd spoken, tearing her from her study of his face. "I'm sorry, sir...expect from you?" she asked, thrown off a bit by his question.

"You have just returned from spending a month with my younger self, have you not?"

She nodded at his question and gripped her hands tighter on her lap. She tried to prepare herself to listen to what he had to say, assuming now that she might not like it.

He nodded once to acknowledge her agreement to his question. "An entire month where I was your sole companion, provider, protector, and friend. Yes, friend," he clarified when she'd looked up at his admission of friendship, and he continued before she could respond. "For a month and a half, if you count the previous two times to my past, while you were in my company, we had formed a friendship, one that I did enjoy for what it was. However, as a teenager, I looked upon you as my charge, like... a kid sister, if you will. One I had to look after for a while. For you, that was only minutes ago. For me, it has been seventeen years. A lot has happened in my life in those seventeen years, more than you'll ever know. I have grown up, you have not."

She felt a lump lodge in her throat, and her chest felt heavy all of a sudden. "Yes, sir, I see your point," she said, lowering her head to watch her thumbs as she rubbed them on the edge of the desk. She mulled over his words, wishing that she was somehow misunderstanding his tone, but knew that she wasn't. She inhaled slowly, fighting to breathe evenly.

"I hope you can. While I know that you and I are no longer simply academically acquainted, I still am your professor in this time, and as such, our relationship is one of professor and student."

Hermione felt her heart drop a little. He was discounting their friendship. He didn't want anything to do with her, not in this time. She wished fervently that she could've stayed in the past, had some means to support herself. But then, there was so much she'd lose in the present that would be too painful to give up.

"Miss Granger, look at me."

She didn't want to. If she did, she'd see that the Severus she really cared for had grown into this hardened, cold man who hated her. She laced her fingers tightly to hold back her emotions and slowly angled her head to look up at him, avoiding making eye contact.

He seemed to study her for a moment and then relaxed his arms, placing his hands on the desk by his hips. "You expected more."

"I didn't think about this," she started to say, then turned and looked at the place where their worktable had been only minutes before. Their worktable, where they had brewed potions. And the place where the table had been is right behind me. She could still see him leaning his head on his hand as he read, or the smirk on his face when she'd said something that amused him, the way his dark eyes shone when he'd found an answer in a book...

"But you hoped that our friendship would continue."

Her head turned as her gaze returned to his face. "I had... I have only just returned, sir. I haven't had time to think about what I expected. I admit that I have become fond of you, yes. But I... I suppose if I were to consider what I want now, it would be to..."

"Continue as we were when I was seventeen?" he asked derisively with a smirk. "Do you really think that is practical, you and I friends? You are only fourteen, are you not?"

She nodded, not trusting her voice. It's exactly what she'd wanted. True, there was an age gap now, and he was her professor. But, being friendly with a professor wasn't unheard of. A Gryffindor being friends with the Head of Slytherin... maybe that was expecting a bit much.

"And since I know you can do simple maths, I'm thirty-four, an adult, and an authority figure," he stated blandly. "How do you suppose a friendship with one of your professors would be like? Can you honestly perceive that kind of relationship with me?"

She shook her head, wishing she could just leave and run up to her dorm room.

"Please pull out the Time-Turner," he demanded softly.

Hermione carefully took off the Time-Turner and held it out to him. She hated to give it up, but knew that it was too hot to use anyway.

Severus reached out and clasped it by the chain, holding it up to look at the hourglass carefully in the soft illumination of the room. "Overstressed and hot." He lowered his arm, turning to retrieve the small, familiar blue box he'd placed on the desk behind him, and put the Time-Turner in it carefully. Hermione felt her body jerk as he closed the lid with a soft clap. "I'll return this to the Headmaster. You, young lady, are to be sequestered for a week or so with a friend of the Headmaster's until this device is usable again. Since I am well aware that you have completed all of your class assignments, each of your professors have devised enough work to last you for the time that you'll be overlapping. You may give me your essays."

Thankful, Hermione picked up her bag and began to pull out all of her completed essays. Professor Snape waited patiently until she'd compiled them in order and held them out to him.

"Thank you." He stuffed them into his pocket. "Now grab your bag and follow me," he stated and started to walk for the door.

Hermione had to hurry to catch up. "Sir, shouldn't I go pack something?"

He whirled an about face and leered down at her. "Go pack. Have you any idea how idiotic that suggestion is? You're in three places at once as it is: Muggle Studies, Ancient Runes and here! Unless your other self made another bounce I'm unaware of. It's bad enough that you are allowed to be using the device, one you so obviously misuse..." He made fists with his hands and turned around. "You have been provided for. Now let's go before you are seen."

He walked quickly to the entrance of the Headmaster's tower, Hermione hurrying along behind him. "Atomic fireballs," Professor Snape announced to the gargoyle and stood aside to let Hermione climb the stairs to the Headmaster's office.

"Ah, Severus, so she has arrived back," Dumbledore said, and indicated the chairs in front of his desk with a wave of his hand. "Please, do sit down. How was your trip, Miss Granger? I assume that all went well?"

Hermione sat down, holding her bag on her lap. "Yes, Headmaster, everything went well enough, I believe."

"She was nearly seen twice, almost bumped into one of my housemates while impersonating him, but other than that, she was compliant," Professor Snape commented curtly. "You have read my report."

Hearing him describe their close encounters this way made them seem far more problematic than they had been at the time. Hermione looked at the edge of the desk feeling ashamed.

"Yes, I have," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Miss Granger, would you like a lemon drop? I'd offer one to Severus, but he always turns me down."

She looked up in surprise at the offer. "No, thank you, Headmaster," Hermione replied politely, suppressing a smirk.

"Very well," Dumbledore replied, lacing his hands on his desk. "So, Miss Granger, it seems that we have an overlap we need to correct. If what Severus suspects has happened, the Time-Turner has been overused and needs time to cool, so you must be sequestered, yet again."

"Pardon me, sir, an overlap?" Hermione asked confused. She was in a virtual overlap every day when she used the device.

Professor Snape turned to look at her. "Yes, Miss Granger, you have overstressed the Time-Turner..."

She clutched her bag to her chest, wondering if he was going to be as disappointed with her as Professor Snape seemed to be.

"What Professor Snape is implying is that you must be tucked away until the device cools. I daren't impose on Professor Snape with the task, so I have made other arrangements." He turned to address Professor Snape. "Am I correct in assuming that Miss Granger makes no more errors in her calculations for the rest of the school term?"

"None that I am aware of, but she could very well surprise us," Professor Snape stated with a frown.

"She does that every day," Dumbledore stated with a smile. "Now, Miss Granger, according to your schedule... you have Muggle Studies, Arithmancy, and Transfiguration this morning. Which subject were you going to attend before you had your mishap?"

"Arithmancy, sir," Hermione said with a sense of relief. "I have Transfiguration afterwards and Care of Magical Creatures and Defense Against the Dark Arts in the afternoon."

Dumbledore smiled and held out his hand. "May I see the Time-Turner, please?"

Professor Snape set the blue box on the Headmaster's desk. Dumbledore examined the device, intently. "Interesting. Just like before, not liquid but clearly nearly molten... and translucent." He laid the Time-Turner carefully in the box again and then summoned Fawkes to him, handing a small scroll and the box to the phoenix. "If you would please deliver this note with the box to Mr. Latimer, Department of Mysteries, for me."

Fawkes cooed softly, spread his wings and vanished in a flare of fire.

"Severus, you said before that Miss Granger needed to wait for a month for the device to cool enough for her to use it again, isn't that right?" Dumbledore asked.

Professor Snape shook his head. "I believe two weeks should be sufficient, seventeen, possibly nineteen, days."

Hermione looked at him in stunned disbelief. That is only three weeks at best. Why had it taken a month this last time?

"We'll say nineteen days to be safe." Dumbledore picked up his quill and made a notation on a piece of parchment, then looked up. "Now, Miss Granger, it would be best if you go quietly to your room, pack only that which you need for three weeks, and return back."

"I have already assembled suitable provisions for Miss Granger," Professor Snape stated and turned his head toward Hermione, "including your toiletries, extra books, and your assignments from your professors." He flicked his wand, ending a Disillusionment Charm and handed her what appeared to be a small Muggle rucksack. "Anything I may have overlooked, you may inform the Headmaster of."

"Thank you, sir," she said, swallowing nervously as she accepted the rucksack. He's showing his thoughtful side again, she hoped.

"Wonderful. Now if you're ready, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said as he rose to his feet, "you'll be coming with me to stay with a dear friend of mine. Severus, if you'll please deliver this to Minerva for me, it would be much appreciated."

"Certainly, Headmaster," Professor Snape said and stood to leave. His gaze lingered on Hermione, his dark eyes and the lines on his face seemingly to soften for a brief moment until Dumbledore extended the rolled parchment to him. He nodded once and strode for the door.

Hestia Jones was a warm, wonderful woman in Hermione's opinion. She wasn't much older than Professor Snape, black-haired with rosy cheeks and a fun sense of humor. She lived in a deceptively quaint-looking cottage, which had more rooms than Hermione thought possible, in Maldon near the Blackwater River. The front garden looked overgrown with huge bushes and brambles when Dumbledore first stopped at the garden gate, but once inside, Hestia's garden was a wonder of herbs, flowers, and vegetables, both magical and mundane surrounded by damson, apricot, figs, hazelnut, pear, plum, sweet horse chestnut, and several varieties of apple trees.

On their third day together, Hestia took Hermione shopping with her to get a bit of fresh air and some burdy roots. The fifth day, Hestia took Hermione to the fish market, and they ate lunch in a wizard-owned café on the waterfront. For Easter, she made small, egg-shaped cakes and gave Hermione some festive crackers, two that had real rabbits in them. On their eighth day together, they went to the Blue Boar Hotel on Silver Street.

The hotel was a charming fifteenth century coaching inn, eccentrically furnished as if straight out of Dickens, full of curiosities and antique pieces, including a nude oil painting over a welcoming brick fireplace. They ate lunch in a pub situated down a crooked corridor, obviously occupied by the wizarding guests of the inn. Afterwards, Hestia led Hermione past a small pub with a brewery to a secret stairway that led to a blue door. Hestia tapped the doorknob with her wand, and the door opened, revealing Enchanter's Way, a street every bit as magical as Diagon Alley. Hestia smiled obligingly when Hermione asked excitedly if they could visit the bookshop.

Hermione found a magical journal in the shop and immediately thought of Severus. Although Professor Snape had made it quite clear that their friendship was over, she felt compelled to buy it for no other reason than to give it to him as a thank you gift for everything he'd done for her. In the stationary shop, she picked out a black swan quill, smiling that it looked so like one he'd use.

She spent several days helping Hestia clear the weeds and fanged ivy from her flowerbeds, and on their thirteenth day, Hestia took Hermione to see a nursery for magical herbs and plants. The next day they dressed as Muggles and went to the Colchester Zoo.

They were following the search for Sirius Black religiously in the Daily Prophet. Hestia had known him, describing Sirius Black as a reckless hot-head who liked to cause trouble. His attack on the Potters had frightened Hestia very much, considering how close everyone thought they had been. Hestia was wary of Black, although she believed that the Aurors would eventually catch him. However, Hermione wasn't as confident as she was.

He had been seen in Braemar, Newtonmore, and Aviemore, which Hermione thought was much too close to Hogsmeade. She fervently hoped that Harry was being reasonable while she was away, keeping himself safe from Black. But then she remembered that she'd be returning to the same time she'd left, so she could undo any mistake he'd make, which made her feel better.

Considering what an awful boy he had been as a teen, Hermione felt even more worry for Harry. Black was unscrupulous in her mind, first being the school bully, then murdering his best mate, and now trying to murder Harry... Still, there was very little she could do about it now.

The time seemed to fly, and before she knew it, Fawkes few into the kitchen with a note from Dumbledore, saying that it was time to go back to school.

When Hestia brought her back to Hogwarts, Dumbledore met Hermione at the gate and exchanged her rucksack for her book bag. With a flick of his hand the rucksack disappeared. "It will be waiting for you in your room," he explained when she gasped in surprise.

He Disillusioned her and chatted with her all the way back to the castle about her visit with Hestia, her visit with Severus' teenage self, and her thoughts on transverse time conjunctions and parallel probabilities. Well, he explained his and Mr. Latimer's theories on the time travel theories. She was certain that anyone looking from the windows seeing what looked like the Headmaster talking to himself would surely think him a nutter. He reminded her to remain quiet once they entered the doors.

Forgetting she was invisible, Hermione shrugged and nodded. "Of course, sir," she replied when he'd hesitated.

He led her into the antechamber near the Great Hall and handed her the Time-Turner. "It has been set for you to make a small jump. Precisely three weeks to the day, or so Coronus tells me. I'll be waiting here for you when you arrive, since you have already done so in my time."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you, sir." She activated the Time-Turner. The room around her spun into nothing more than a blur, then slowed to a stop. Dumbledore was sitting across the room in a large over-stuffed armchair, sipping tea.

"Ah, yes, right on time," he stated, setting down the teacup and making Hermione laugh. He walked with her to her Arithmancy class. "You are in your own timeline now, Miss Granger. So there should be no worry of you using the device tomorrow. However, I strongly urge you to refrain from using it for the rest of the day."

"Yes, Professor," she promised and entered the classroom.

After Arithmancy, Hermione spotted Ron and Harry in the corridors with their heads together, obviously checking the map. Hermione rushed up to them, throwing one arm around each of her startled friends and hugged them. "Oh, Merlin I missed you guys!"

"Er, Herm...ouch, that's my foot!" Ron exclaimed as he sputtered her hair from his mouth.

Harry was saying, "Oi, Hermione, it's only...pftt...blimey! It's only been an hour!"

Hermione laughed and hugged them tighter. "I...you have no idea at all, and I love you for it!"

"Girl's gone mental!" Ron said, trying to brush her hair from his face.

She stood back and grinned at them.

"So, can we go to lunch now," Harry said, pointing down the corridor, "unless you're going to strangle us again?"

"Oh, Harry, I...it's... never mind. I'm just exuberantly happy, that's all!" she said, picking her bag up off the floor.

Ron shrugged and began talking to Harry about Slytherin's latest attempted attack on Angelina Johnson. "... She blasted him right through the door! Can you imagine..."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione arrived early that afternoon for Defense. Hermione took her seat, scrutinizing Professor Lupin with a new outlook on the wizard. She just couldn't get past the memory of him just standing by while his friends, Potter and Black, attacked her and Severus, even if they thought she was Mulciber. He'd even moved in to defend his friends, three against two! "Cowards," she mumbled.

Harry was searching through his bag for his homework and looked up at her, startled. "Pardon me?" Harry asked.

"Nothing. Something I remembered from another time," she replied and searched her bag for her own homework, the extra essays that Professor Lupin had given her, one on Dark creatures with incurable infectious bites and the other on nocturnal class level four and five creatures.

Professor Lupin passed by the rows, collecting the essays, Hermione had to try and control the contempt she felt for him. Professor Lupin looked a bit confused by her demeanor when she handed him her papers. Still, once he started lecturing, she focused on the material and not the wizard presenting it. However, when he stopped by her desk, she refused to look up at him. After class, he asked her to remain behind.

"Hermione, I am a little confused by the extra credit you turned in," he asked calmly.

"I don't understand. I did the papers you required of me in my time overlap," she stated, wondering what there was to be confused about. Surely he knew that she'd been sequestered for nineteen days.

He gave her a smile that didn't quite reach his tired eyes. "I asked for a comprehensive overview of all class level four nocturnal creatures. You seem to have written far more than I'd asked for," he said, laying her essays on his desk. "Were you bored?"

She shook her head in confusion. "No, I have my list here..." She pulled out her revision planner and read the list that Professor Snape had given her, reading the Defense assignment aloud.

He chuckled softly. "No, but I have an idea where the extra assignment came from. I'm more than happy to credit you for the work, but I must say, you hardly need it in this class."

"Thank you, Professor," she replied automatically.

His brow wrinkled in confusion. "Miss Granger, is there anything wrong?"

She shook her head. She couldn't tell him anyway, considering he wouldn't remember the incident at all thanks to Severus' Oblivate. "Nothing, just trying to stay abreast of my studies, Professor," she intoned.

He frowned. "You know that you can talk to me about anything, Hermione."

The use of her name startled her. "How could you! You were friends with him...and he turned in Harry's family to You-Know-Who! He even tried to kill Harry!" she said, her voice rising. He just looked at her passively like he had done while Black and Potter had taunted Severus, and she lost her temper with him. "You just stood by and let him attack, and you didn't do anything! Not a thing! You just let him..."

"I assure you, I did no such thing! I searched the castle for him, but he escaped!" Professor Lupin said emphatically, placing both hands on his desk as he rose to face her. "I admit that when I was a student, we were friends. We were in the same house, the same year at school. I didn't have any friends when I came to Hogwarts. I thought I wasn't worthy...Harry's dad, James, and Sirius Black befriended me, no questions asked, even when all the other boys shunned me. But that was twenty years ago!"

Hermione recoiled. His story mimicked hers exactly. I didn't have any friends either, and the other girls avoided me, but Harry and Ron befriended me after the troll incident...no questions asked. Even though all the other kids in the house...in the school shunned me, Harry and Ron chose to be my friend. "That still doesn't make up for the way..." She froze. He didn't know I went back in time to his school years, did he?

"Doesn't make up for what?" he asked, lowering and leaning his head so he could look her in the eyes.

She looked up at him, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Are you friends now?"

He frowned and shook his head. "How can I? He killed Peter Pettigrew and was responsible for the deaths of James and Lily Potter. I haven't forgiven him for that!" His shoulders sagged. "James and Lily were like family to me, more than just best mates. They even secured me in the basement...helped me each month and... I owed them so much."

Hermione watched him carefully. He wasn't lying; he truly regretted the loss of Harry's parents. "I'm sorry, sir. I have to go." She picked up her bag and hitched it up onto her shoulder. "I'm... sorry about accusing you."

He smiled and picked up her essays. "Thank you. Sometimes we have to forgive people their pasts. I hope I can earn yours."

"Thank you, sir," she said and turned to leave.

Hermione walked into Potions, not sure of how Professor Snape would receive her. He walked into the classroom, his robes billowing behind him and waved his hand at the blackboard, making the directions appear. "This is your assignment for today. Please note that the ashwinder eggs say gently whisked, not beaten to a froth. You may proceed."

When Hermione brought her potion sample up to his desk, he said smoothly, "Miss Granger, please come see me in my office at the end of the day."

"Yes, sir," she replied and turned to go.

Hermione entered his office. Professor Snape was grading students' papers and didn't look up as she walked up to his desk and sat down in the chair facing him. She waited patiently for him to acknowledge her.

Finally, he placed his quill in its holder, closed his inkwell, and laced his fingers together as he looked up at her. "Regardless of what I may or may not have taught you in your step back in time, Miss Granger, you will not experiment with your potions in my classroom. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," she replied politely.

"I expect you to follow my directions precisely in the order that I post them on the board and curtail any questions or comments on any directions or ingredient preparation steps to only that which I have indicated for you to do. You will not question me about any alteration or deviation from the given directions," he continued as if she hadn't spoken. "You will not instruct any student in any technique or variance of the directions I provide while under my tutelage."

"Yes, sir," she replied with a nod of her head. "I understand."

He pointed a finger at her and narrowed his eyes. "That goes for Mr. Longbottom, as well as your two friends."

"Yes, Professor," she said, wishing that he hadn't made that stipulation. Neville needed the help in class. But, he'd specifically stated that I wasn't to show anyone what he'd taught me in the past...not that I couldn't tell them what I know from this time.

"And, under no circumstances, what-so-ever, will you ever call me Severus," he said with another jab with his finger.

"Of course not, sir," she replied in shock. The idea of calling him by his given name was certainly out of the question. She was surprised that he was concerned that she'd show him such little respect.

"You may leave," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Hermione decided that now was as good a time as any to give him her gifts. "Professor?"

"What is it, Miss Granger?" he asked impatiently.

Hermione pulled the carefully wrapped package from her bag. "I wanted to give you this."

"Why?" he asked, startled by the appearance of the gift.

"As a thank you for everything you did for me when I was in your care," she said as she set the journal and quill on his desk.

He stared at the bright wrapping as if not comprehending its existence.

She waited patiently until he gave in and opened the gift.

"The journal is for your potions...the ones you improved upon. I thought that you might like to have a place to write them down," she said and mentally chastised herself for stating the obvious.

He closed his eyes a moment, and a tick showed in his cheek. "I have such a book already."

She bowed her head and reached out to take the book, but he had reached out to take it and her fingers brushed his. She looked up at the unexpected contact.

"Thank you. Your token of gratitude is appreciated," he said softly, his expression softening for a split second, before his body stiffened again. "You may go."

She could tell by the reaction that she'd thrown him off guard with her gifts, and he was... flustered, possibly. She didn't wait for him to open the long, narrow, blue box laying on the journal. She knew he'd like the quill.

Severus still stared at the door after she had gone. He'd done everything he could think of to dissuade the girl from any romantic notions, and she had still given him a gift...two gifts, actually. The journal was bound in magically protected dragon hide, impervious to any potions ingredients, except for acidic dragon bile. He knew that the pages of parchment were of an excellent quality, medium grade, and allowed for any artistic rendering he'd wish to include. The journal would also automatically update the name of his potion entry on the index. The book would even add additional pages if he so desired. It was a very thoughtful gift, more so because she had specified for him to use it to record his own potions.

A long, slender blue box lay on the journal. He ran a finger along the box, detecting only a mild magical signature, nothing threatening. Not that he expected for there to be anything untoward or dangerous coming from Miss Granger. He lifted the lid, and his eyes widened in surprise. An elegant black swan quill lay on a blue satin lining.

Severus fell back in his chair, staring at the quill. His favorite, even if he didn't indulge in their purchase, generally opting for the more practical black goose quills. The quill alone would have been a sufficient gift.

Her voice echoed in his mind as he sat contemplating the rationale behind her motives, 'A thank you for everything you did for me when I was in your care.'

He could think of no reason or any strings that Miss Granger would expect for such a generous gift. He shouldn't accept it; he should summon a house-elf and have the items returned.

His hand reached out to touch the quill with the lightest of caresses. It was perfect, no separating or irregularity in the smoothness of barbs of the feather. Delicately carved silver gilt accentuated the tip with a pattern of wood-grain-like twists and curves. A wizard's quill. He closed the box and noticed his name, 'Professor Severus T. Snape, Master of Potions,' in silver letters on the journal. Personally embossed. Hestia must have told the shopkeeper my full name. Miss Granger didn't know my middle initial.

The chatter and laughter of his next class interrupted his thoughts. He picked up the quill box and journal and placed it at the back of his right hand drawer. "Quiet," he said smoothly, drawing everyone's attention.

Severus turned and glared at Hermione. "Miss Granger, do not hiss directions at Longbottom!" he snapped angrily. She at least had the humility to appear admonished, even if Potter demonstrated his usual audacity and scowled back at him. Nevertheless, she had given her word and had now broken it...again, for the third time this week. "I will expect you back here...tonight! Seven o'clock. Now, do your own work."

When Hermione arrived for her detention, Severus had just finished setting up the cauldrons he intended to use on one of the larger worktables. He turned to face her and smirked when he saw she was tying her hair back with a ribbon with her sleeves already rolled up.

"You have an option, Miss Granger," he said as he indicated toward the sink. "You may either scrape and scrub those ingredient jars..."

Hermione turned to look at the pile of jars in the sink and nodded in acknowledgement.

The fact that she was prepared to meet his worst, without argument or complaint, made him smile. Oh, how he'd missed this girl. "Or you may assist me in brewing the Wolfsbane Potion. Your choice," he stated, knowing full well which she'd choose.

She jerked her head back to look at him, obviously not quite sure she'd heard him correctly. She was so easy to read, but then he knew her so well.

"However, if you choose to assist me with the potion, you will be required to return several nights for the next fourteen days until the potion is in its final stage, and you'll be assisting me with other potions as needed by the hospital as time permits between stages."

Hermione somehow managed to suppress her smile. "I would prefer to assist you with the potion...potions, sir."

He nodded and crooked a finger at her. "Drop your things on the table there," he said, pointing at the workstation closest to his desk. "You will bring your essays or revision materials with you each night to fill in the allotted time between steps if Madam Pomfrey has no requests for me. However, I expect you to follow directions without idle chatter and revise quietly so I may grade my papers. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir, perfectly."

~ T. B. C. ~