Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Severus rose, showered, and dressed quickly, preparing himself for the first day of classes. It was a day he was dreading already. There would be no stopping the dunderheads from making their snide remarks. He would be liberal with detentions if he heard any of them outright, that was certain, but he could never be sure of what they were saying when they weren't in his presence.

Staring into the mirror, he did up the last few buttons on his suit coat. Truly, the students' attitudes were inconsequential. He was used to such treatment because he knew what everyone said about him. It didn't matter that his hair was now squeaky clean; they would call him a greasy git for the rest of his life. Even if he chose to leave his cape unworn, there would always be chants of 'bat-of-the-dungeons' aimed at him. How he hated teaching those rotten, spiteful children.

He shook his head at himself. Maybe I really died all those months ago, and this is my own personal hell?

Turning, he grabbed his cape and swung it around himself. He was brought out of his maudlin thoughts by a soft tapping on the window. He strode over and found a school owl awaiting entry. He let the bird in and took the parchment from it. The owl immediately flew off. He looked down at the folded parchment with his name written across it. He knew that handwriting. After six years of essays, he'd recognize it anywhere. Frowning, he threw the letter on his desk and left the room. Hermione bloody Granger could wait for him to get around to reading her letter. She would not force herself on him again.

Severus stalked into his classroom as the students all sat as straight as possible, facing front. His robes billowed behind him as he made his way to the front of the class, not eyeing anyone. Turning, he surveyed the room. The students seemed duly attentive. His eyes wandered to the back, where an Auror stood with arms folded and foot tapping. Severus scowled.

"Who might you be?" he directed at the Auror.

"You know exactly who I am, Snape!"

Severus glared before speaking tersely, "Class, may I introduce you to Auror Ronald Weasley? He has been appointed as guard dog in this classroom to ensure I don't turn any of you into blithering idiots, or even worse... Death Eaters."

"Might I have a word?" Ron asked politely.

"I am trying to run my class, Mr. Weasley."

"It will only take a minute, Professor."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Open your texts to page three-hundred and ninety-four and study the ways to disarm an opponent." He stalked to the back of the room and out into the hall closely followed by Ron.

"Look, Professor, this wasn't my idea," Ron said in a conciliatory tone. "I'm still in training and considered low man on the totem pole, so I've been assigned to you first. I know you're a total git, but you won't hurt the students."

Severus' eyebrow rose at Weasley's comment.

"I'll just stay quiet in the back, and you do your thing. I'm not here to judge your methods. Just do your job and the Ministry will leave you alone."

"I highly doubt that, Weasley."

"Well, that's the way it is. There'll be a different Auror for each day for a week. Then we'll only come around when you're doing Dark spell defense."

"Did you want to hold my hand? Direct my wand so it doesn't make any rash moves?"

Ron frowned. "Listen, Snape. This can be as difficult or as easy as you make it. Let's just get through the day, all right?"

"Or what? You'll throw me in Azkaban?"

"Just do your job. I'm sure you'd rather have a cushy teaching job than be behind bars."

Severus sneered at Ron. "I wouldn't be so sure, Weasley."

Spinning around, Severus stalked back into the room and began to teach. Ron remained in the back and observed, never saying another word to Severus.

All the better, Severus thought.

Severus entered his room much later in the day with a puzzled expression on his face. His classes had gone relatively well, and the students seemed to be somewhat respectful. There was the usual inattentiveness and chatter, but no one seemed to be glancing at him in either fear or loathing. Weasley had been quiet, and he'd even forgotten he was there for a time. Whatever could be the matter? He was truly at a loss.

Severus' eyes were brought to his desk where the discarded letter had sat since this morning. He walked over and picked it up, glaring at it, his mouth set in a deep frown. He was tempted to burn it instantly, but something within him begged for him to read it. Foolish sentimentality.

"What do you think is in here, old man? Could it be a heartfelt apology? An explanation about how she only was trying to help? And what would keep her from lying? Nothing at all."

Severus let the letter fall from his hands and drop back onto the desk top. He turned and went into his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

A silent dinner later found Severus once again in front of his desk, glaring at the letter. Hermione had strolled into the Great Hall with Weasley on her arm. He'd ignored the tightening in his chest at the sight of the two walking along, laughing and seeming like an old married couple. The disgusting display had continued as the mismatched pair had made their way to the opposite end of the table and chattered away without a care in the world. No one had sat next to Severus, so he'd quickly eaten and made a fast escape from the chatter of his coworkers and the students. Everyone had just been too chipper for his taste, and Weasley's caustic voice combined with Granger's seductive laughter had given him a headache.

The letter was right where he had left it. It seemed to mock him with its mere existence. He didn't lift it; he just glared. Perhaps if he glared hard enough, he could incinerate it with his stare. The paper sat forlornly on the desk, no sign of combustion in sight.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake!" he muttered through clenched teeth before finally snatching up the parchment.

He stalked over to his couch and threw himself onto it. Unfolding the letter, he began to read what was sure to be a pack of lies.

Severus,

Hermione Granger

Severus stared down at the letter for a long while, rereading it several times. He silently contemplated all she'd written. Part of him had leapt with joy at her words. He'd shoved that part down and buried it. Hope was not something that Severus Snape experienced. Hope had been his enemy for too long for him to take hold of it at this juncture in his life. No, he would not hope that she'd been sincere in her letter. That would definitely be too much to expect.

More likely, she was trying to ingratiate herself with him so she could get more dirt on him. Perhaps she and Rita Skeeter were working together. Maybe he'd open the Prophet in a couple of days and find an exposé on the 'Potions master who fell apart.'

Utter nonsense! his internal voice screamed at him. Even he knew that Skeeter and Granger did not get along. She would hardly be working with the reporter. He shook his head. I am taking paranoia to a new level.

There was no reason, though... no reason on earth... why she would want to help him. None at all. Despite that, a nagging feeling told him her letter was sincere. How he wished he could believe that! He already missed her friendship.

She does like to help others...

Why she would ever want to help him was beyond comprehension. His stomach clenched at the thought that she could possibly care about him in a minute way.

Severus Snape, you are a fool. No one cares for you in the slightest.

He felt his walls go up around him. No, he wouldn't let his guard down around her. She was dangerous. She knew too much and could exploit him in an instant. Whether this letter was sincere or not, he would not get himself involved with Hermione Granger again. Better to let her think he hated her. That would make her keep her distance.

He crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it into the air. It sailed across the room and landed in the corner. He left it to its solitude as he got up and returned to his bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

Hermione sat at her desk, preparing lessons for the next day. The first day of school had gone well for her. Her transformation had caused shocked looks from the first years and applause from all of her other classes. Unfortunately, the satisfaction she'd expected from the display was overshadowed by her misuse of her Animagus form with Severus. Nonetheless, her falcon-to-human switch had caught the attention of the students. Combined with her following Severus' admonition to be stern at the beginning of term, she'd gained their respect, which made the day fly by.

She'd been incredibly surprised to see Ron standing in the doorway when her last class was over. Greeting him with a big bear hug, she'd fussed over him and they'd gone to dinner, chatting until long after everyone else had cleared the room. It had been the first time since her arrival at Hogwarts she'd not taken notice of Severus Snape.

But now, despite her trying to prepare a lesson, her thoughts centered around him. Had he read her letter? If he had, he obviously didn't believe it, as she hadn't heard from him at all. She sighed heavily. It had been a long-shot, but she'd hoped things could be better between the two of them. Again, she felt forlorn in the loss of her friend.

A light knock disturbed her thoughts. She looked up and called for the person to enter. She was surprised to see Luna Lovegood standing there and smiling at her.

"Miss Lovegood! What a pleasant surprise!"

"Hi, Hermione," Luna responded dreamily.

Hermione smiled also. "Sorry, you'll need to address me as Professor Granger from now on, Luna."

"Well, that's why I stopped by."

Hermione looked at her curiously and motioned for her to pull a seat up to the desk. Luna grabbed a chair and moved it next to Hermione's. Hermione nodded for her to continue once she settled in.

"I've been asked to become a part-time apprentice for the year, so I can still call you Hermione as we're actually colleagues."

Hermione was surprised and excited in the same breath. "What are you apprenticing in, Luna?" she asked once she'd regained her composure. It wasn't that she found Luna's abilities lacking, far from it. It was just that being able to have one of her friends as basically a faculty member was more than she could have ever hoped for.

Luna smiled. "It's with Hagrid for Care of Magical Creatures."

Hermione smiled back. "That sounds perfect for you, Luna."

Luna nodded enthusiastically, then got a faraway look. "I hope Hagrid can help me figure out where to look for the Curly-haired Garoof."

Hermione held in her chuckle. "What's that, Luna?"

"Oh, it's a horse-like creature. It only stands three feet tall, and it's covered in curly hair. That's why it's called a Curly-haired Garoof, of course."

Hermione nodded. The two fell silent. Hermione's good mood at seeing Luna seemed to dissipate as thoughts of Severus flooded her mind once again.

"You're troubled," Luna mused.

Hermione's smile this time was more forced. "No, it's nothing."

"I noticed at dinner that Professor Snape was glaring at you."

Hermione snorted. "Leave it to you to see a thing like that."

"Is he angry with you?" Luna tilted her head and gazed curiously at Hermione.

Hermione looked down and fidgeted with her hands. "He's quite furious, actually. I don't think I can fix what I've done."

Luna's hand fell upon hers and squeezed it. "Don't worry, Hermione. He likes people to think he's one thing when he's actually the opposite."

"How do you know so much about him?"

Luna shrugged. "I spend a bit of time by myself. I like to watch people. Even last year I could see he wasn't all he wanted us to think he was."

Hermione thought about that. "Didn't you hate him because he killed Dumbledore?"

"I don't hate anybody."

Hermione gazed at her friend. She couldn't think of a single time she'd heard Luna badmouth anyone, even those who teased her or stole her shoes. She suddenly had a deep desire to become closer to the incredible witch who sat beside her.

"From the beginning I thought there might be another explanation for what he did to Dumbledore," Luna explained dreamily. "I admit I thought nargles had taken over his mind at first. I find the real reason much better, don't you think?"

Hermione smirked. "Yes, that does make much more sense, doesn't it?"

Luna nodded. "But anyway, he'll be all right with you. He seems to me to be the type that gets angry in public situations and then stews about it. He'll lighten up."

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know, Luna. I shouldn't have done what I did."

"Hermione, I can't see you purposely hurting anyone."

Shaking her head, Hermione looked back to Luna. "I didn't do it on purpose, really. I omitted a vital piece of information about something. In other words, I lied to him. He's not really forgiving of liars."

Luna squeezed her hand comfortingly. "Is there anything I can do?"

"No, Luna. I got myself into this. I'll just have to see how it all turns out."

Luna squeezed Hermione's hand again before getting up. "I think when he sees your true motives he'll be able to forgive you," she assured.

"I'm not sure if that will ever happen," Hermione said while shaking her head slightly and looking forlorn.

Luna stretched out her hand. "Come on. I know when I'm feeling down chocolate is the answer. Let's go sneak down to the kitchens and have the house-elves prepare us a nice, decadent chocolate cake or something."

Hermione grasped Luna's hand and rose, looking happy for the first time that evening. "That sounds like the perfect mood breaker. Let's go!"

Two days had passed, and two other Aurors had been observing Severus, Harry Potter being one of them. Severus had ignored the man, even when Hermione and the Boy Wonder had been boisterous at dinner, although he'd wondered at feeling that curious tightness once again in his chest as he watched them out of the corner of his eye.

Classes had remained consistently normal. Students had been respectful, and the Aurors had said basically nothing to him each day, although it had seemed that Potter had wanted to bare his soul to him. If they all were like this, Severus might be able to make it through the week and eventually the year.

But when Severus turned to the class on the fourth day his hackles rose. This Auror... was she even an Auror? This Auror was different. Dolores Umbridge stood in the back of the room with a frown on her face.

Hasn't that bint been sacked repeatedly?

Severus ignored her and began the lesson. He had said no more than two sentences when the obnoxious "Ahem, hem" of her voice accosted his ears.

"Auror Umbridge, what is it?" he snapped.

"I am not an Auror but am here on behalf of the Minister himself. I believe, Professor, that this type of Repelling Spell is excessive for this age group."

Severus stiffened. "Is that right, Madam Umbridge?"

"Yes, Professor. They only need to learn Expelliarmus at this age."

"And what happens, Madam Umbridge, when Expelliarmus has been used upon them before they have a chance to use it against their enemy? They should be defenseless against any spell their enemy then wishes to throw at them? With this wandless Repelling Spell, they can at least shield themselves from imminent danger if disarmed."

"They would never be in a situation where that would be necessary, Professor Snape."

Severus ground his teeth. "Have you forgotten the events of the past year?"

"Of course not, but there are no dangers to these little children now."

"I hardly see seventh-years as little children. They will be released into the real world in a matter of months. Not everyone in that real world has their best interests at heart. This defense can be used against a warlord as well as a mugger. Now... may I continue?"

"I disagree, Professor. Teach them another method."

The class had been silent while this confrontation had been going on. They remained silent, but Severus noted some of them cringing as he stalked to the back of the room and snarled for Umbridge to follow him into the hallway. The woman tittered and stepped in behind him, her heels clacking as she came out into the hall with him.

"What are you on about?" Severus snarled at Umbridge.

"I just don't agree with your methods, Snape."

"Why?"

Umbridge gazed at Severus as if he were an idiot. "Because you're a Death Eater. You're a murderer and can't be trusted. You should be banished from the magical world, but Potter saw fit to stand up for you. This type of magic is too dangerous for a man like you to be teaching."

"A man like me?" Severus asked as his eyes narrowed at her.

"Yes... a man who is nothing but evil. You should have been killed with your master."

Severus' wand was out in a flash and pressed into Umbridge's cheek. "When you are professor of this class...which will be when hell freezes over, let me assure you...you may teach what you wish. I have been appointed the teacher of these students. I will teach them what they need to know. You... as my watchman, will do just that...watch! If I do something that is harmful to the students, then... and only then... do you have the authority to interfere. Is that understood?"

Umbridge glared at Severus, but he saw the fear in her eyes. "Don't think Kingsley won't hear about this, Snape!"

"Do your worst!" Severus pulled his wand from her cheek and stalked back into the classroom where he continued to teach the Repelling Spell to his students. Umbridge returned, looking mad as a hornet. Severus was sure he'd be receiving an owl from the Ministry. He didn't care. It had felt good to intimidate the tittering hippo.

Professor Snape,

Ministry of Magic

Severus crumpled the letter up and threw it into the fire. He watched it burst into flames and eventually turn to ashes. Stalking over to his desk, he took out some of his own parchment and scrawled a reply to the Ministry.

Mr. Derwood,

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

He sent the owl away and hoped he would never see Umbridge again.

A/N: Many thanks to slytherinlaurel for her beta work! Sorry there was no Severus/Hermione interaction in this chapter. We'll more than make up for it in the next one. Mwahahahaha!