Spinner’s End

It was mid-June, and Harry and Hermione took a day off from helping rebuild Hogwarts to move Snape back into Spinner's End. The past month had seen either or both of them visiting Snape every day while he recovered at St. Mungo's, and the new world order apparently included friendly relations between the older Slytherin and the two young Gryffindors who had saved his life.

Hermione was in the basement lab, carefully putting potions ingredients and accoutrement in their places. Snape watched her from his vantage point on the stairs. Her movements were deft, but her fingers often lingered affectionately on the bottles or cauldrons she placed with meticulous care. Smiling fondly, he descended the last few steps and said, "Everything looks perfect, Hermione."

She whirled to beam at him. "It's all such top-notch stuff! I was thinking that if I had been able to use materials of this quality in class, just imagine how great my potions would have been!"

Snape chuckled and said, "Hermione, you know perfectly well that your potions were outstanding...no matter what you used."

She wrinkled her nose and tossed her head. "They weren't. Harry did better than I did once he followed your instructions in Advanced Potions. I really need to learn all your amendments."

Snape snorted and said, "Well, I'd be happy to tell you whatever you want to know. I'm certain that book burned up in the Room of Requirement, but I do have it all in my head, of course."

Hermione smiled. "I would love that, Severus. Actually, that brings me to something that Harry and I wanted to talk to you about. Could we go upstairs and talk? It's rather important."

Snape's brow furrowed in curiosity. "Of course. Harry's upstairs working on the library."

They found Harry with his nose buried in one of Snape's Dark Arts books, the rest of the boxes still full and stacked around him. Snape crossed his arms and coughed, glaring at Harry.

Harry looked up, eyes round like a deer caught in headlights, and blushed. Rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, he said, "Oops. Sorry. I got a bit distracted."

Tone dripping with sarcasm, Snape said, "So I see."

Hermione crossed to Harry and swatted him with the book she took from his hands. "Honestly, Harry!" He scowled at her and rubbed his head. "Come on, I told Severus we had something important we needed to discuss with him."

Harry's brows shot up and he jerked to his feet. "Oh! Yeah." He grinned nervously at Snape. "It is pretty important, yeah."

They trooped into the kitchen and sat around the small table, Snape waving his wand to set the tea service sailing toward them. "Go on then, what has you two all aflutter?"

Harry and Hermione exchanged a look of gathering courage and Hermione began, "We were talking with McGonagall..."

Harry interrupted, "...while we were helping out at Hogwarts..."

Hermione glared at him and said, "Obviously. Anyway, she was talking about her plans to reopen for the new school year in September, but she's worried about being able to staff all the teaching positions."

Harry interjected again. "Yeah, and she said she already asked you if you'd come back, but you said no."

Snape grimaced and said, "You know I'm done with that place. The last thing I want to do is be a teacher again."

At that, Harry and Hermione exchanged crestfallen looks, their shoulders slumping. Harry sighed and said, "Of course. We understand."

Hermione's expression was forlorn as she patted Harry's arm in sympathy. Snape stared at them in confusion. After several beats of awkward silence, he snapped, "Well, I'm so glad you understand, because I certainly don't."

Harry sucked in a breath and said, very quickly, "We were talking about how we were interested in teaching...Hermione wants to teach Potions, and I want to teach DADA...but we know we're not ready yet, and we were hoping you would teach us what we need to know and get us prepared. McGonagall said she might be able to convince Slughorn to stay one more year, but that's it, and she said Andromeda Tonks would be willing to step in and teach DADA for one year until they can find someone else willing to do it. We didn't think about how much you disliked being a teacher. Sorry."

Snape sat there, staring blankly at them, completely stunned by their request. In the lengthening silence, Hermione started pouring tea, adding milk and sugar for each of them just the way they liked it.

They all sipped their tea, and Snape assimilated their news. Finally, setting his teacup back on the saucer, he said, "It wasn't the teaching part that I despised so much, exactly... There was so much else going on that tainted it. And I loathed having so many thick-headed children to watch over. When the student is bright and invested, teaching could be almost a pleasure. You're on the right track though...I wouldn't be able to prepare you to start this year. Even I'm not that good. But if Minerva can staff the positions for one year until you're ready, then I would gladly teach you what I know...both of you."

A dawn of joy broke over their faces and they nearly vibrated with excitement. Hermione's voice was rich with emotion as she said, "Oh, Severus, that would be wonderful...thank you so much!"

Harry chimed in, "It's brilliant, that's what! Thank you, Severus. Really."

Snape smiled faintly. "It won't be easy. Especially for you, Harry. Actually, if you want the best training, I'd have to send you off for specialized study."

"Where? For how long?"

Snape leant back in his chair, brow furrowed in thought. "Probably not the whole year. I'd have to check with their curriculum, but you'd be better off spending some time at Durmstrang."

Hermione spun toward Harry, face alight. "You could see Viktor again! He's taken a position as flying instructor and Quidditch coach. He renewed our contact after the war ended. I just got an owl from him last week! I'm sure he'd love to see you again, Harry. He always asks about you."

Harry looked overwhelmed. "So, this is really something that can happen? It's not just a foolish dream of mine?"

Snape snorted, quirking a half-smile at them. "Interestingly enough, Harry, this is one of your least foolish ideas. I heard about how gifted you were teaching the students DADA when you were only in fifth year. With proper training, you could be great."

Harry beamed at him. "I can't wait to tell McGonagall! When will you know when I need to go to Durmstrang?"

Snape shrugged. "I can owl their Headmaster tonight. Give me a week to figure out a satisfactory instructional plan, and we can get started as early as August if you like."

Hermione grinned and tugged at Harry's arm. "Come on, let's go tell McGonagall and Ron and Ginny. I'm sure they'll be pleased for us!"

Harry rose with Hermione, but paused to extend his hand to Snape. "Thanks, Severus. Looks like I may owe you one again."

Snape gripped Harry's hand and smirked. "Don't be too hasty, Harry. You don't know what you've just got yourself into."

Everyone laughed and the two teens left Snape alone in his kitchen, mind alight with planning.

*****

Hogwarts would reopen for the new term in just a few days, and Harry moped down the stairs into the basement at Spinner's End to find Snape and Hermione working on her Potions curriculum already. They looked up and frowned in concern at his demeanour and distraught expression.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione gazed at him, instantly worried.

"I was just over at the Burrow."

There was a beat of silence as Snape and Hermione waited for him to continue, then Snape said, "Oh, well, that explains everything." Hermione swatted at him in exasperation and he jerked away, scowling at her and snapping, "Ow!"

Harry slumped into a chair and scrubbed his face. "Mrs. Weasley took me and Ginny aside and told us in no uncertain terms that we were not allowed to date each other during this school year. She said Ginny needs to focus on her N.E.W.T.s and I need to focus on my studies so I can be ready to teach next year. Besides, she said that since I'll be gone half the year anyway, it's best all around that we aren't together. Ginny cried and tried to convince her otherwise, but Mrs. Weasley was adamant, and she shooed me off. I'm not welcome there until Ginny accepts how things are going to be."

Hermione immediately put down her notes and crossed to Harry, enveloping him in a tight hug. "Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry. What did Ron say?"

"He didn't know what was going on until Ginny's crying drew him out to find out what happened, and he tried to convince his mum to leave us alone, but you know how she is once she makes up her mind. He had to lead Ginny to her room and Mrs. Weasley sent me away. He may come to Grimmauld Place later...he's allowed to still see you, of course...but Ginny isn't allowed over anymore."

Hermione rubbed his back and crooned a soothing tone. "I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?"

Harry gently pulled out of her embrace. "No. But thanks. I may as well just go home. Maybe I'll take a nap or something. Try to forget about all this for a while."

Snape finally spoke. "Would you like a potion to help you relax?"

Harry smiled faintly. "I appreciate the thought, but that's okay. I'll see you tomorrow to finalize my travel timetable, yeah?"

Snape nodded. "Of course. Get some rest."

Harry hugged Hermione quickly and trudged back up the stairs. Hermione watched him go, chewing her bottom lip with her hands clasped in front of her. Snape stepped up behind her and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "He'll be fine. Girl trouble won't best him. He's made of stronger stuff than that. Come on, let's get back to work."

Hermione turned and looked up at him. "Of course." She patted Snape's hand and crossed back to the table with him, then took a deep breath and said, "Thank you, Severus. You're right. He'll be fine. It'll just take a little time."

Snape nodded, and they returned their attention to the notes she was copying from his memories of his incinerated Potions book.