Apocalypse Please

Boatloads of thanks go to my beta and best friend, s and h forever. Her excitement for this story is astounding.

I know this is a short chapter, but my updates get longer from here on out! Thanks so much for reading! Reviews are always welcome and encouraged!

“Declare this an emergency, come on and spread a sense of urgency.” (Apocalypse Please, by Muse)

“YOU HAVE A WHAT?!” Ron and Harry were clearly not taking Hermione’s news well at all.

“I have... an independent study in Potions with Professor Snape,” Hermione repeated, scarcely believing it herself; it had been only twenty minutes since Dumbledore had told her the news. She recounted the morning’s events with no traces of emotion in her voice.

“I don’t know the details yet, so don’t ask me, but the two of us will be working on some projects to help the Order. I have an appointment with him already scheduled for this evening. I’m assuming we’ll discuss when we’re meeting, what we’ll be working on, and other particulars, so it looks like you’ll both be writing your own essays tonight.”

Hermione winced, never thinking she would actually miss doing her friends’ homework until that very moment. Normally, she berated the two of them whenever they approached her with any problem remotely academic. She rarely listened to their pleadings, reassuring them that they would thank her when they had to take their N.E.W.T.s without her help; she was a strong believer in the ‘do-it-yourself’ approach. Now, however, she’d kill for the opportunity to write their essays; anything seemed better than a private meeting with Severus Snape.

“I’m so sorry, Hermione. I have no idea what Dumbledore was thinking when he decided to stick you two together like that but I’m sure something good will come from it. I’ve discovered that it’s best just to trust Dumbledore when it seems as though he’s off his rocker.” Harry knew Dumbledore’s unusual problem solving methods all too well and could only hope that the old wizard knew something none of them had the ability to foresee; he usually did. If Harry were honest with himself, he would admit that he found Dumbledore’s aloof omnipotence just a tad annoying but he loved the crazy old man too much to let it bother him. Dumbledore had always believed in him; Harry looked upon him almost like a father, despite what Harry conceived must be an eighty year age difference, at least.

“Thanks, Harry. I’m sure everything will be fine. I probably won’t even have to talk to Snape much. He’ll just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it. That’s how it’s always been; I doubt much will change simply because we’re working one on one. For all I care, he can just stay sitting behind his desk pretending I don’t exist. Actually, I’m sure I’d prefer it that way. Although, if he tries to treat me like he does in class, I might not be able to stop myself from hexing him. If you both don’t mind, I’m going to try to make sense of all this in my room. I’ll see you at dinner, okay?”

“Sure, Hermione. How great would that be if you did hex Snape?! It would be the highlight of the year! You’d probably be more popular than me! That came off as awfully conceited, didn’t it? I just meant that you’d be the new school hero! Anyway, we’ll see you at dinner in the Great Hall,” Harry replied enthusiastically, hugging her in support. He was desperate to lighten the quickly darkening mood. Hermione appreciated the concern in her friends’ eyes as she left and soon found herself in the familiar confines of her room.

God, I’ve spent far too much time in here brooding over Severus Snape, Hermione thought to herself. I shouldn’t let him get to me... I don’t even know why this whole thing with him has been such a problem. Well, he did start it all—but am I just making it worse? Why do I even care what he thinks of me? I doubt I’m going to understand him better any time soon; I may as well just accept it and admit that there are just some things I don’t know... But how? This year has been nothing like I planned.

At that moment, Hermione decided not to let Snape stand in the way of her love of Potions. She promised herself that she would get the most out of the independent study and do her best to ignore Snape’s obvious contempt towards her. She would be the better person but, if need be, she’d tell him off. Dumbledore cared enough to ensure her academic well-being; surely, he wouldn’t punish her for retaliating if Snape were acting like a total prick. With that realization, Hermione set to working ahead in her other classes, more relaxed and confident than ever.

*******

Severus Snape slammed the door behind him after entering his private chambers, enraged by Dumbledore’s open disregard for his sanity. He silently cursed the empty bottle of Firewhisky sitting on his desk as he made his way to sit over by the fireplace.

“Great,” he muttered aloud to himself, “I’m going to have to deal with this completely sober...” He still couldn’t believe what Dumbledore had just set into motion and was struck by the disastrous effect that the independent study would have on his plan to distance himself from Hermione. He gazed into the flames, his constant companions in lieu of alcohol, and began to grapple with the problems of his circumstance.

Will the old man never run out of ways to torture me? Surely, my years of service must mean enough to him that he would just leave me in peace. I’ve only desired to be alone with myself, and he’s taken that very chance away from me... Who does the senile wizard think he is? This year has been nothing like I planned.

Exasperated, Severus sank further into his chair, holding his head in his hands. The charade that his life had become was practically pushing him deeper into the cold leather. Everything was going to have to change. He realized that he couldn’t be as brutal and harsh with Hermione as he had before. They wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything if she weren't able to stand being around him entirely, and he wouldn’t have any of her glaring at him with disdain every minute they were together. But Severus was a smart man and understood that he could never fully let Hermione respect or trust him. He feared that working so closely with her would break down his defenses day by day, and he imagined the consequences if he were to lose hold of his passions. His will had been tested countless times before but he felt, somehow, that this time was different; he was by no means invincible. For her sake, however, he would try; he was eager to witness the results of his new apprentice’s brilliance in their field, no matter what the personal cost would be.

Our field. Snape let the words linger in his mind. It’s remarkable how much she resembles—no. He shuddered, immediately banishing his own thoughts as he unwillingly rose from the chair and began to make preparations for his evening meeting with Hermione, more depressed and bitter than ever.