Chapter 4

All canon characters belong to JKR.

I would like to thank June for doing the beta honors.

Chapter 4

As Hermione was busily putting her things away, she noticed how luxurious her new home was compared to where she had been living. This living room was decorated in rich dark burgundy tones with complementing dark gold and green colors scattered about. It had two large bookcases, which would soon be filled with books, and small little knick-knacks she had acquired during the last few years. On one side of the living room was a large dining area. Noticing it was much too big for her, she decided to use part of the dining room as a small kitchenette to prepare snacks, and her nightly tea and hot chocolate come winter.

As she walked through the living room she noticed that near the corner next to the fireplace was a smaller room, which would make a very good office. With a flick of her wand, the door disappeared and was replaced by an arch. Another swish and flick, and there appeared a black velvet curtain that she tied back. This would ensure her some privacy when she wanted it, but would open the office to the rest of the living room to ensure she did not feel too claustrophobic when inside.

She walked down the hall leading to the other side of her quarters. She stopped at the first door, which she figured would be the bathroom. She waved her wand to light several small torches. “Oh yes,” she said aloud to herself, “this is definitely more luxurious than my old flat.” The bathroom floor and the walls were of the same castle stone, but a lighter shade of gray. The vanity jutted out from the walls, and had two large vessel sinks made of polished alabaster, with a simple mirror hanging on the wall above each vessel. At the far end was a Roman-style tub carved from a single piece of onyx. Above it was a window, which gave her a breathtaking view of the snow-covered mountains in the distance. Next to the tub was a glass-covered shower with colored designs etched on the glass. Upon closer inspection, she noticed that the design constantly changed as it swirled within the glass, and looked like slow-moving clouds of color and glitter. She opened the door next to the shower and saw a toilet and bidet. Hermione smiled as she walked out, knowing that she would make good use of this absolutely decadent bathroom.

Further down the hall, the torches continued to light themselves with every step she took. They gave off just barely enough light to let her see the doorknob before she walked into the door of her bedroom. She opened the door and was pleased to see that Albus had not given this room the same over-the-top treatment as the bathroom. It was spacious, yet practical. ‘No need for anything fancy,’ she thought; after all, the only thing she was going to do in here was sleep, and maybe read.

The bedroom was large and dark, but it suited her in its simplicity. On one wall there was a huge fireplace much like the one in the living room, with two large comfortable chairs in front of it. She noted the very large canopy bed with drapes made of burgundy velvet. There was a night table on each side of the bed, and then a wardrobe against the wall. She would not change anything in this room, for it was now perfect as is with no other furniture needed.

Having finished her packing, she noted the time and decided to take a bath in her wonderful new bathroom before dinner. Just before she began to take off her robe, she thought she heard knocking and headed towards the living room. She wondered if perhaps Albus was coming back to tell her something he failed to mention earlier. As she approached the entry door, she saw a light shadow being cast upon it. Albus had charmed the door so that when there was someone on the other side, there would be a shadow on it to let her know there was someone there. She quickly looked at herself in the small mirror hanging next to the door, and then opened it.

Professor Snape stood towering over her, looking as mean and sexy as he did when she was at school. ‘Oh, goodness,’ she thought, ‘it’s started already.’

“Miss Granger,” he said with a slight bow of his head.

She realized then he would not allow her the same informality that Albus and Minerva had. There would be no first-name basis between them.

“Professor Snape,” she said as she took a step back and opened the door a bit more. “Please come in.”

He walked past her, with his billowing robes and all, and stood in the middle of the living room.

“You are quite literally the last person I ever expected to see again, Miss Granger. However, since the Headmaster has seen fit to take it upon himself to hire you on, I must begrudgingly accept his decision.”

“Thank you, Professor. How wonderful to see you again too.” She smiled and tried not to let him get to her. She had learned enough during her seven years here as a student to know that it would not be easy to come back to Hogwarts, especially because she had just realized Albus had hired her behind Professor Snape’s back. He obviously expected an assistant, but not her. No, she figured she was getting off quite easy since he was being somewhat civil to her.

“I already have plans for this evening. Come to my office in the morning after breakfast. I will expect you at eight a.m. sharp. We need to begin the schedule for this coming year’s newest crop of dimwits. I am sure the Headmaster has informed you, that the odious task of teaching the first through third years classes is now yours?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Very good. Then I shall see you in the morning.” He walked past her and began to walk out the door.

“Oh, congratulations, Professor,” she called out after him. He stopped and slightly turned to look at her. “You finally got the DADA position, just like you have always wanted.”

“Thank you…Miss Granger,” he said hesitantly before he continued on his way. He walked down the hall thinking that at last he had finally gotten one thing he wanted. Severus Snape had allowed himself only a few dreams in his life; obtaining the DADA position had been the one dream to come true. For now that had to be enough.

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I hope you enjyed this chapter. I'll have more up soon.