3. Beginnings and Endings

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter world and all their characters belong to J.K.R.

A/N: Many hugs and kisses to my wonderful beta, Southern_Witch_69!

This is my response to SW69's Harry Potter Chapter Challenge. Information can be found at the in of chapter one.

Beginnings and Endings

Draco went storming through the castle to Professor Snape's class. He knew his ex-Potions professor would not be happy with having his class disrupted, but he needed to find out what in the hell that Mudblood was doing teaching! He had been upset about it since the welcoming feast last night when he found out.

Professor Snape had just assigned a reading assignment on vampires throughout the world when a loud knock sounded at his door. Instead of calling for the visitor to enter, he decided to open it himself to see who was there. To his surprise, it was Draco Malfoy.

"Mr. Malfoy, what are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be in your Potions class?"

Draco sneered, "That Mudblood Granger is teaching that class. I won't have it, sir. Of course, father can't do anything about it, but I thought maybe you could."

Glaring, the Defense professor asked him, "Why would I want to do anything about her teaching Potions? It allows me to teach Defense Against The Dark Arts. Besides, she had the third highest N.E.W.T. for Potions in twenty-two years. She is more than capable to teach this subject."

"But, sir," Draco started, confused, "she is a Mudblood! I thought you hated them as I do? I mean, I know you were in league with Dumbledore there at the end, but you were still a Death Eater. I just hate knowing she will have authority over me."

"Then I suggest you get over it, and lower your voice, boy! She is the Potions professor here now, and if you want a N.E.W.T. in Potions, you will have to accept her. And for the record, I do not hate those that are Muggle-born. You would do well to shelve your prejudices; they are unwarranted and unnecessary."

During the war, Draco Malfoy's loyalties were with the Order. He knew he could hex people, but he could not kill anyone. So, his mother asked Severus for help concerning her son once again, and Draco was well hidden within Order headquarters. Narcissa Malfoy was one of the most happy when Harry Potter defeated the Dark Lord.

Draco sighed with exasperation. "Could you teach me privately then?" There was a hopeful gleam in his eye.

"Absolutely not! Do you think I have nothing better to do than to cow to your ridiculous demands because you do not want to be taught by Professor Granger? I suggest you either get over yourself, boy, or drop Potions."

Defeated, Draco nodded and left. He decided he would get the homework from Pansy and stay in the class. He was unsure of what occupation he wanted, if any, so he wasn't sure if he needed Potions or not.

~~_~~_~~_~~_~~ ~~_~~_~~_~~_~~ ~~_~~_~~_~~

Professor Snape decided he was going to go speak with Hermione after the evening meal. He had only worked with her a week, but they had worked very closely during that time. For one thing, he wanted to see how she was after the stunt Malfoy had pulled earlier and also see how her other classes went.

He found himself attracted to her and decided he was not going to fight it. She was pleasing enough to be around and much more mature than he previously remembered. It had been awhile since he had dated a woman. He never had the time and energy to put into all that nonsense, but he found the idea of a true lady friend pleasing to him now.

Hermione did not seem indifferent to him either. She even came to his private chambers one evening after supper to finish a discussion they had been having.

It had been about two hours since they had eaten, so he figured now would be a good time. As he got to her chambers, he knocked.

Hermione was surprised to hear someone knocking. She was not expecting anyone, so as soon as she came back from the Great Hall, she'd bathed and put on her flannel pajamas and thick socks, as it got cold in the dungeons during the night. Expecting Minerva, she was taken aback to find Professor Snape at her door.

"Professor Snape! What can I do for you?" Hermione was embarrassed for him to see her in her old, comfortable pajamas. She had been pleasantly surprised by him this past week and had been thinking of ways to get him to see her other than just as a colleague or his apprentice. She wouldn't go as far as to say she fancied him just yet, but she did enjoy his company immensely.

"I think it would be fine for you to call me Severus, Hermione; after all, we are co-workers now." As she just stood there gobsmacked, he asked, "May I come in?"

Backing up to allow him entrance, she said, "Yes, of course. Would you care for anything to drink?"

"I will have what you are having so long as it's not pumpkin juice."

While she summoned a house-elf for tea and biscuits, she was surprised to find out he was only there to ask of her day and see how she was after the Malfoy incident. He wasn't there to give her an assignment or berate her, as she'd thought he may.

To her pleasure, he stayed about two hours talking with her. When she yawned, he told her it was time to take his leave, and she walked him to the door. When they reached the door, he turned to her and told her, "This has been a most enjoyable evening."

"Yes, for me as well, Severus. I always enjoy our discussions."

"As do I. Would it be acceptable to you to have dinner with me outside the castle this weekend?"

She didn't think she could have been any more surprised than she was at that moment. Just for clarification, she asked, "Do you mean a date?"

Smirking, he replied, "Yes, a date. If that would be acceptable to you?"

"I'd love to!" She couldn't have stopped the huge grin on her face if she tried.

"See you at breakfast then," he told her before kissing her hand.

"Good night." As he walked away, Hermione blushed. Feeling lightheaded, she made her way to her bedroom to go to bed. However, sleep evaded her because she could not get the enigma that was Severus Snape out of her mind. Who would have thought he would ever ask her to dinner?

~~_~~_~~_~~_~~ ~~_~~_~~_~~_~~ ~~_~~_~~_~~_~~

Because the seventh years were so much older, one Saturday of the month they were allowed a day trip to Diagon Alley. On this first weekend, Harry and Ron were excited to go. Harry didn't have to do his homework under the blankets anymore; now he could sit in the bright sunshine outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, finishing all his essays with occasional help from Florean Fortescue himself, who, apart from knowing a great deal about medieval witch burnings, gave Harry free sundaes every half an hour.

However, Harry felt bad for leaving Ginny behind, so he planned on surprising her with a gift as soon as he finished his essay. Ron grumbled, "Why are you doing that essay here, Harry? You have all day tomorrow to finish it!"

"Because, I plan on spending the entire day with Ginny tomorrow, and I don't want to have it interrupted with homework! Besides, it's nice finishing this up here. I love his sundaes!"

"I suppose. Glad he came back from hiding." Ron sighed contentedly. "Tomorrow is the last Sunday before Quidditch practice starts. Are you looking forward to choosing the team, captain?" Ron was grinning from ear to ear. He loved Quidditch.

Harry sighed, "Not really. I hate seeing the disappointed faces of those who don't make the team. Anyway, I want to talk to you about Hermione. Have you noticed she has been acting different this past week? Especially today?"

"Well," said Ron thoughtfully, "I think she is just getting used to teaching, especially those who are her same age. I don't get to talk to her much though. But Lavender told me she is acting like a woman with a new boyfriend. I just ignored that. I mean, who would it be? She won't date students so that only leaves the staff."

Harry thought about that for a moment, and then it came to him. "Circe, Ron, you don't suppose she could fancy Snape, do you?"

"Snape? Are you off your rocker, mate? You know what I think? I think you are just plain obsessed with Snape, I do. I hate the git, too, Harry, but you need to let this go. It's not normal, I say. Move on."

Gathering his books, parchments, and quills, Harry told Ron, "Let's go. I want to hurry and get Ginny a gift and get back to the castle. I want to go visit Hermione and see what she is on about. Lavender is usually right about those kinds of things. Where is she by the way?"

"Off with Parvati and Padma. Said they wanted to make this into a girls' day, get makeovers and such. Okay, let's go then."

After buying Ginny a compass for her broom, Harry and Ron made their way back to Hogwarts. The students had been given a Portkey for the trip. Ginny was surprised to see them back three hours early. "Hi! What are you guys doing back so soon? I wasn't expecting you until later!"

"Well, if you'd like, I can leave again," Harry teased.

"No, come here, love, and give me a kiss."

After the rather long kiss and Ron clearing his throat several times, Harry asked Ginny if she wanted to go with him and Ron to see Hermione. She accepted the invite, and they headed down to the dungeons.

Severus had only been there about fifteen minutes to finalize his plans with Hermione for that night when they heard a knock on her door. Hermione opened it to find Harry, Ginny, and Ron. "Hello. Come on in," she invited.

"Snape!" Harry exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

Raising a challenging eyebrow, Severus merely said, "That is Professor Snape, boy, and I am sure I do not have to explain my comings and goings to you. As it is, I will be on my way." Turning to Hermione, he bowed slightly, and then told her, "Until tonight. I will be back to collect you around seven." After one last glare at the trio of students, Severus billowed out of the room.

An uncomfortable silence lasted for about three minutes. When Harry couldn't take it any longer, he glared at Hermione. "How could you betray me like this, Hermione? I thought we were best friends! I will tell you this once; if you are going to see Snape on anything other than a professional level, then I think we should end our friendship." After saying that, Harry stormed out of the room leaving a hurt and angry Hermione and an uncomfortable Ron and Ginny behind.

Christy's Notes: For those who think Harry is being childish, don't forget he witnessed Severus killing Albus, and he hasn't gotten over it, yet.

Southern's Notes: Prat Harry! And I felt sorry for the bugger in the last chapter. I'm certain she won't let his funky little threat stop things. He didn't hold Bella in such contempt after she killed Sirius, always did blame Snape for that too. Grrrr...

Quote from POA: Harry didn't have to do his homework under the blankets anymore; now he could sit in the bright sunshine outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, finishing all his essays with occasional help from Florean Fortescue himself, who, apart from knowing a great deal about medieval witch burnings, gave Harry free sundaes every half an hour.