Step Two. Become his apprentice

How to Make Snape Happy in Ten Steps

Step Two. Become his apprentice

"Miss Granger, it is wonderful to see you again."

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall. It's good to see you, too." The older witch hugged Hermione. She had always been proud of this brilliant, centred, brave girl. "So, this is how Hogwarts looks during vacations?"

"Yes, a little sad, don't you think?"

It was indeed sad; seeing the castle, usually so full of life, now in complete silence was shocking. It seemed as if it was in a deep sleep.

"So, what brings you here, Miss Granger?" Minerva McGonagall brought her out of her reverie.

"I have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore. I have a proposal I want to discuss with him." Better to start with Dumbledore than with Snape. He would close his door on my nose before listening to me.

"I imagine you want to talk with him as soon as possible. Let me escort you to his office. That way we can talk about how you are spending your summer and your plans for the future."

Hermione nodded and followed her former Head of House. None of them saw the dark figure watching them from an adjacent corridor.

What is she doing here? Would it be the chance I have been looking for? Severus had tried to figure out how he would talk and convince the girl into accepting an apprenticeship with him. He wouldn't find a chance better than this one, and certainly, he would take advantage of it.

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"Hermione, it is such a pleasure. Please sit down. Would you like a lemon drop?"

She smiled whilst sitting in the offered chair. Some things just never change. "No, sir, thank you."

"What brings you here so soon after graduation? One would think that you would be off enjoying yourself. Are you enjoying your summer?"

"I'm having a lovely summer. I'm spending more time with my parents now that it's safer to do so. They love travelling, so maybe we'll go to Greece soon."

"That sounds like a good plan, my dear. I am quite pleased that you have the chance to do so." He eyed her, smiling lightly. "I can give you some advice about some Wizarding places you can visit there." He eyed her expectantly, apparently wondering if she'd soon tell him what the meeting was all about.

"I only know of a couple of places in Greece, so any recommendations would be great." She swallowed thickly, gathering her courage. "Sir, I asked you for this meeting because I want to discuss something with you."

Dumbledore smiled in encouragement. He felt that he knew what she wanted to discuss, and if that was the case, he felt particularly pleased about it. "Yes, I recall you mentioned a proposal when you owled me asking for this meeting." When she didn't speak, he prompted her by asking, "What would you like to propose?"

She took a deep breath to steady her nerves before she started. "Professor, I'm sure that you're aware of the marks I got on my N.E.W.T.s."

"Indeed, I am. Quite impressive. Hogwarts has not seen marks like those in decades." He smiled kindly.

"Thanks, sir. I know that I can pursue any career I choose; in fact, I have already received some offers. But there's only one thing I want to do with my future, and that's what I want to discuss with you."

"I see." He leant forward slightly and peered at her over his half-moon glasses. "Tell me what I can do for you then."

"I want to take an apprenticeship with one of the professors here at Hogwarts..." She took another deep breath to steady herself. "I want to be Professor Snape's apprentice."

Dumbledore smiled triumphantly and leant back. If he had plotted this, it couldn't have turned out better. The fact that she had come to him made all the difference. "I do believe that would be an excellent beginning for your career choice, Hermione. However, I am afraid you should be making this offer to Professor Snape, not to me."

She wrung her hands nervously. She hadn't thought he'd say that. "I thought that if I talked with you first, then you could help me to convince Professor Snape."

"I could force him or coerce him to take on an apprentice, but I think, in this instance, I'll let Severus make his own decision without any meddling on my part. He's been working hard for many years, and I've imposed on him greatly in the past." He popped a candy into his mouth, studying her for a moment. "Why don't you go down and have a word with him about this?"

Hermione sighed, knowing he was right, feeling ridiculous for thinking he'd do the work for her. She had to face Snape. That's all there was to it. Honestly, girl, you want to be his apprentice, but you can't even face him to ask for it.

"I'll do that, sir. I'm sorry for... taking up your time for nothing."

"Not at all, my dear. It would be nice to have you back with us." He held the candy dish out to her in offering. She shook her head. "Why don't you get the feel of the castle without the students here? You could join us for lunch, feel everyone out. Some professors stay here for the summer, and we share lunch everyday." His eyes twinkled in amusement. "That includes Severus."

"Thanks, I'd love to."

"Excellent. Please join us in the Great Hall around one o'clock. In the meanwhile, feel free to make use of the library or the grounds."

"That's a good idea, sir. I'll see you later."

She left his office, and Dumbledore couldn't stop himself from chuckling, knowing what was next...or better to say whom would be visiting him next.

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Severus raced through the stairs that led to Dumbledore's office. She must be still there. It had only been a few minutes. They couldn't have finished yet.

"Severus, my boy. Please sit down. Would you like a lemon drop?"

"Do not bother me with your candies now. Where is she? I saw her coming to your office."

"Who are you talking about?"

"For Merlin's sake, you know perfectly well whom I'm talking about. Now, tell me where she is."

"Are you referring to Miss Granger perhaps?"

Severus was starting to feel exasperated. "Of course I am talking about her."

"Oh, she has already left."

"What?"

"She left a couple of minutes ago."

"Bloody hell." Severus was about to leave the office when Dumbledore spoke again.

"But she accepted my invitation for lunch."

That statement stopped the Potions master. He turned to face his mentor who was making an effort to stop himself from smiling and sat in front of his desk. "May I ask what did you discuss?"

"It seems that she is finding 'difficulties' deciding about her future and how to obtain what she wants. Fortunately, I think I had advised her correctly."

"Did you talk with her about the apprenticeship I want to offer her?"

"No, I have not. That is something you have to do yourself."

Severus groaned and stood. "Fine. I will see you at lunch, Headmaster."

Dumbledore saw him leave, fuming, and when the door closed, he had to laugh. It was impossible not to. If he was right and if his years of experience were as good as everyone said, he suspected that this pair would be more than master and apprentice.

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Without knowing it, two different persons were thinking the same thing at the same time but from different perspectives. How am I going to do this? The apprenticeship request will never be accepted. Why did Dumbledore refuse to help me with this? I'm sure he would have achieved it easily and that way I wouldn't have to be here pacing whilst trying to find a way to do this...

That coincidence was curious enough before adding the fact that those previously mentioned persons met in the entrance of the Great Hall coming from opposite ways.

"Professor Snape. I... I... How are you, sir?"

"Miss Granger, articulate as usual..." Should not have said that. I am trying to convince her to stay, not to push her away. "I am fine, Miss Granger, thank you for asking. I... hope you are... enjoying your summer?" Much better.

"Oh, yes, sir, thank you. I guess you're enjoying yours. I mean, not having students here to bother you."

"Indeed, Miss Granger. I have always preferred the solitude and the silence that Hogwarts offers during breaks."

"I see. Sir, I was wondering if you..."

"There you are, children," Dumbledore said from behind them, interrupting Hermione. "I am so glad to see you both again for lunch. But do not stand there gaping. Come with me so we can join the rest of the staff."

Both of them cursed the old man in their minds, but they followed him silently, oblivious of the smile on the headmaster's face. He was really enjoying himself.

Lunch was a pleasant affair for everyone, but the same thought was still bothering Hermione and Severus. How am I going to do this? When lunchtime was over, the rest of the staff started excusing themselves from the table until only Hermione, Severus, and Dumbledore remained. One could have cut the tension with a knife, and only one of the trio seemed to be having a good time.

"All right, children, I must leave you now, as I have some matters to attend, and I am sure you will find something interesting to discuss with each other." The headmaster left the Great Hall, leaving the pair to their own devices.

Silent minutes, which seemed like an eternity, passed between them before they dared to speak to each other. "I have a proposal for you..." they both said at the same time, looking at each other with wide eyes.

"Ladies first, Miss Granger. What do you have in mind?" Of course he would let her speak first to know about her intentions before saying something himself.

"Well, I was thinking that, considering my recent marks and the interest I have always had in Potions, maybe you would consider accepting an apprentice, and if so, maybe you would consider me. I mean, I really want to become a Potions mistress, and an apprenticeship with you would certainly be my best option. I have already researched about my chances at Beauxbatons or at Durmstrang, and I'm convinced that staying here is my best option. Please consider it, I mean, look at my grades during the last seven years. I did always do fine in your class and..." She paused for a moment. "Please think about it, and don't say 'no' too hastily, sir." Definitely oratory is not for me. Where did all that come from?

He suppressed his urge to smirk at the girl in front of him. Everything was going perfectly, and he didn't have to do a single thing. Definitely, this was starting in a perfect way, but does the girl stop talking at some point? He was feeling dizzy with her little speech.

"I would have to think about it, Miss Granger. I have never had an apprentice, and accepting one is a very important decision that cannot be done lightly." A little teasing had never hurt anyone.

"I guess so. When can I have your answer, sir?"

"I will send you an owl when my decision is made. Maybe next week if I do not have more important issues to attend."

"That's fine, sir. I'll be waiting for your owl. I must go now. Please give my regards to the rest of the staff."

"I will do that, Miss Granger."

She left the Great Hall, and Severus smiled openly, seeing how things had accommodated themselves to suit his purposes. This was going to work out perfectly.

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Hermione Apparated to the backyard of her house. The meeting had gone fine; at least Snape didn't say 'no' right away. He would think about it and was considering her proposal. She entered her house while thinking about a nice bubble bath and a good book before dinner. When she was climbing the steps to her bedroom, her mother called her name from the living room.

"Hermione dear, is that you?"

"Yes, Mum," she answered from the middle of the stairs.

"Come down here. There's someone who wants to see you."

Hermione descended and entered the living room. She stood there frozen looking at a different, but still familiar, face before reacting.

"Viktor!" she walked to hug her friend, pleased to see him there after so many years.

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Severus let three weeks pass before answering her. He hadn't wanted to seem desperate. However, a month had passed since then, and she hadn't answered his message. Maybe he shouldn't have waited so long. Maybe she regretted making her proposal. Maybe the Potions master of a far away country had made her a proposal. I should not have waited so long. She has never liked me, and I am sure she thinks I do not like her either, not that I do like her, mind you, but she is a brilliant girl. The only one who can be my successor. What am I going to do now?

A knock at the door brought him out of his reverie, and the headmaster entered to his office. "Severus, how are you? You look concerned about something. Can I do something to help you?"

The old man sat in front of Severus' desk and waited for an answer. Reluctantly, Severus obliged.

"I have not received an answer from Miss Granger. I think she is no longer interested in the apprenticeship."

"Don't be so sure about it. Why don't you talk to her? That is the only way of knowing for certain."

Severus knew the man was right. He had to talk to her to know. That meant going to her home and exposing himself to a rejection. Was it worth it?

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Hermione entered her house, laughing about something Viktor had just told her. They were getting along fine, and the time they'd spent together travelling around Europe...Viktor's graduation present...was priceless.

Once again, her mother called her from the living room and asked her to come and greet a visitor. She entered the living room and gasped when she saw him. Oh my God, Severus Snape is in my house waiting for me. The apprenticeship! I didn't take the time to look after his answer. Bloody hell! He's going to refuse now.

"Miss Granger, I see you are fine." What the hell is that brat doing here with her? And why is he holding her hand?

"I'm fine, sir, thanks for asking. I'm sure you already know Viktor Krum."

Both men shook hands politely and muttered a good day to each other before sitting on the offered couch.

"Miss Granger, I did not receive an answer regarding your apprenticeship, so I assume you are no longer interested in it."

"Oh, no, sir, I'm still interested. It's just that I was abroad, and I didn't receive news from you for three weeks. I thought that you had discarded the idea."

"Not at all, Miss Granger. I had intended to accept."

"You're no longer interested, sir?"

"I must admit that your lack of interest diminishes my willingness, but considering that in almost twenty years you are the only one who had achieved the 'O' on the N.E.W.T. exam, I can make an exception and consider it again."

"Are you trying to tell me I got the apprenticeship?"

"I think that that is exactly what I mean, Miss Granger."

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed excitedly, and Viktor hugged her while smiling. She'd wanted the apprenticeship so much.

Severus smirked, knowing that he hadn't lost his apprentice, but he wished that the boy didn't hug her so tightly...

Lorraine's Notes: I had always wanted to have this Dumbledore in my stories, the Dumbledore with the twinkle in his eyes and that thinks that he knows better than the rest, even about their own feelings. He seems to think that Hermione and Severus have the potential to be something more... Maybe, but sometimes Dumbledore is mistaken, so we have to wait to see.

I also have wanted to include Viktor for a long time. I like him, and I'm sure we will see more about him in canon. Seems like he is not missing his chance this time.

I want to thank Magic who helped me with the first version of this chapter. I also want to thank my extraordinary beta, Southern Witch. I'm so lucky for having her help. Also, thanks go to Amethyst for her helpful advice.

Southern's Notes: I was worried for a minute there! I thought he'd missed his chance! Whew!

As per Rowling, no teachers truly stay at Hogwarts over the summer holidays, only Filch and Hagrid. I simply needed them to be there for my story and am hoping you don't mind.