Softly, Softly, Catchy Monkey

There was a surprisingly long line of students outside the dungeon the next day. It seemed that Snape's personality had changed so much, he no longer put them off, and if they had been asked, many would have said that Professor Snape was by far the best teacher they had.

Professor Dumbledore opened the door and ushered in the first student, Draco Malfoy, who smirked and shot a look at the end of the queue. Hermione Granger glared back at him and stood straighter, her folder of parchments clutched tightly to her burgeoning bosom. She was as nervous as hell, but she wouldn't let the competition affect her. She was more worried about facing Professor Snape.

Hermione wasn't a fan of change. She liked things to be in their place, books on their right shelf in the library and her teachers to be predictable so that she knew how to react and what to expect. Professor Snape, however, was being anything but predictable. Of course, she had expected his demeanour to change after Voldemort's death. After acting as a spy and being at the Dark Lord's beck and call for so many years, having freedom to be himself was bound to lighten his spirit, if nothing else. But after deciding that Potions was her apprenticeship of choice, Hermione had been watching Severus Snape more closely.

The first thing that she noticed was the tone of his voice. Where there was once a dull monotone, edged with the occasional rasp on days when he had seemed particularly drawn, now there was a hint of a musical lilt and a silky smoothness that had caused Hermione to break out in goose bumps more than once. His face had changed too. Lines were smoother, and the permanent frown he used to wear had been replaced with calm indifference. Some people might not have noticed that subtle change, but it was there all the same. Add to that the longer hair and the more athletic build (Hermione wondered if he worked out) and Severus Snape had slowly morphed into quite a dashing and intriguing figure.

Hermione was interrupted from her reverie as the dungeon door flew open. Snape stepped to one side to allow Draco Malfoy to leave, and Hermione was slightly relieved to see that the smug look had gone from his face as he stalked past her. In fact, he looked quite annoyed indeed, and as she looked past the line of students to where Snape stood, his eyes followed Draco's swift exit blandly. He shifted his gaze impassively to Hermione, and she held her ground until he ushered in the next student and closed the door.

It took over an hour before Hermione was finally alone in the dungeon hallway, facing the imposing wooden door and a decision on her future as a Potions mistress. She had other options, of course. Two acceptance letters had arrived by owl that morning, apprenticeships with other Potions masters. But none had Snape's reputation for excellence, and deep down, Hermione wasn't ready to leave Hogwarts yet.

Her palms started to sweat slightly, and she cursed under her breath as she wiped her hands down the front of her skirt, just as the door opened. Robert Courtney, a Hufflepuff, nodded to Hermione as he walked from the room and murmured good luck to her. Hermione was so focussed she didn't hear him, but as she made to walk forward, Dumbledore stepped into the doorway and held his hand up to stop her.

'If you wouldn't mind waiting for another few moments, Miss Granger. I believe Professor Snape and I require a short break.' He smiled warmly, and Hermione let out a breath of air. Without waiting for her answer, Dumbledore disappeared back into the dungeon and closed the door firmly.

***

Severus looked up from his desk, expecting to see Hermione Granger in front of him. Seeing only Albus, he raised his eyebrows in question.

'Problem?' he asked, hoping fervently that the witch hadn't changed her mind.

'Miss Granger is happy to wait a moment, Severus,' Albus said. Severus's eyes widened as he noted the serious tone in the Headmaster's voice, and he sat back brusquely.

'Spit it out, Albus.' Severus crossed his arms and watched as Dumbledore paused, obviously choosing his words carefully.

'Have you given any further thought to your search for a bride?' he asked.

'Some,' Severus snapped. 'But tell me: what has this to do with appointing an apprentice, Albus? Granger won't wait forever.'

'It has everything to do with it,' Albus sighed. 'You only have one female candidate, and while I may be old, I am no fool. Promise me that your intentions towards Miss Granger are honourable, Severus.'

Severus schooled his expression into one he had practiced many times over the years and fought to quell the urge to hex Albus into the nearest wall.

'You give me little credit, Headmaster. I am interviewing Granger purely for the apprenticeship, a post she has yet to prove worthy of. She is a student, Albus,' he said softly.

'Do not try to hoodwink me, Severus!' Albus slammed his hand onto the desk, causing Severus to push his chair back abruptly and reach for his wand. 'I have seen the way you look at her, and I understand your instincts. Granger is not available to you, do you understand me?'

Severus placed his wand into his sleeve slowly, holding Albus's angry gaze as he did so.

'I would never force her to do anything against her wishes, Albus. Wasn't it you who said only yesterday that I am not my father's son?' Snape curled his lip in disdain.

'If Miss Granger is successful today, as I fear she will be, she will have no reason to know your circumstances, Severus, and you will not volunteer any information. Is that clear?' Albus spoke so quietly that Snape had to strain to hear him, but there was no mistaking the threat held in his words.

'Perfectly,' he replied.

Dumbledore stared at Severus for a few moments before nodding. 'We understand each other then,' he said neutrally. He turned and walked back towards the door.

***

Hermione jumped back as the door opened, and Dumbledore stood in front of her. She smiled weakly and hoped that the Headmaster didn't realise he hadn't cast a Silencing Charm before speaking with Professor Snape. She hadn't been able to hear clearly, but whatever it was, Dumbledore must have been very angry. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind. She had more important things to think about.

With a deep breath, she followed the old wizard into the dungeon and took a seat on the uncomfortable wooden chair before Professor Snape's desk. She fumbled awkwardly with her folder and didn't notice that Professor Snape had walked around to where she sat until his hand came into view. Tentatively, she held out the folder, not sure what was unnerving her more, the Professor's intimidating presence, or the distinct iciness between him and the Headmaster. As the Professor returned to his seat, Hermione calmed her breathing and forced herself to remember the purpose for the meeting.

'Would you care for a glass of water, Miss Granger?' Dumbledore smiled at her gently, and she nodded, grateful for the distraction as Professor Snape perused her dissertation. She took the glass and sipped as she watched for any sign of, well, anything, to cross Snape's face. After a moment, he closed the folder and pushed it back across the desk. He didn't look happy, and a ball of anxiety formed in Hermione's gut as she waited for the rejection she was sure was coming.

'Commendable, Granger. Which presents us with a problem.' Snape pushed his chair back from the desk, and Hermione noticed with interest a slight flaring of his nostrils as he inhaled.

'Sir?' she asked.

'Both yourself and one other student have provided me with work that would be more than acceptable in order to fulfil the criteria of the Potions apprenticeship. To put it the Muggle way...' He paused, and Hermione could have sworn she noticed a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. 'We have a tie.'

'A tie, sir?' Hermione let her eyes fall. There was only one other student who had matched her Potions scores, and that was Draco. A Slytherin, and one of Snape's favourites. She had no chance.

'Don't worry, Miss Granger. A simple exam, set by Professor Snape, will be the deciding factor. You have four days before you leave for the Burrow for the festive season, am I right?' Dumbledore stood behind Hermione, his gnarled hand resting lightly on her shoulder.

'That's right, sir. I was hoping not to have to study over Christmas this year,' she said, disappointment evident in her voice.

'Indeed. As luck would have it, the exam will take place in two days time. Both of you will sit in here with me, and I will deliver the result before the end of that day. I hope that suits your plans, Miss Granger.'

Hermione snapped her eyes to Professor Snape, who was staring at her hard. 'Yes, Professor, thank you,' she stammered, 'that is, of course, I will do whatever suits you, sir.' She smiled at him in an attempt to temper his mood. There was a brief quirk to the corner of Snape's mouth in response.

'I am sure you will,' he replied smoothly.

Dumbledore coughed and patted Hermione on her shoulder, prompting her to leave the room. At the door, Hermione paused and looked back to thank Professor Snape, but he was no where to be seen.

'You have some revision to do, I believe.' Dumbledore looked at her kindly, and Hermione couldn't help but feel a rush of affection for him.

'Yes. Thank you, sir,' she said, then walked back towards Gryffindor Tower.